Chapter 37

After the hearing, the group went out for ice cream. It was a lively bunch as they licked, spooned and joked. The group headed to the DeSoto's for a long visit. The wading pool, sprinkler and slip n slide were set up. To the children's delight, Johnny and Eric joined in the fun.

"Do you think you'll ever be able to get out the grass stains?" JoAnn teased.

JJ sighed dramatically and then grinned. "I have had LOADS of practice from my biggest kid." They both laughed.

"They are both just boys in grown up bodies sometimes," Rachel remarked. Elaine and Marco laughed but said nothing. Marco had helped set up with Roy, but then stepped back to watch the fun.

About then Johnny loped up as he called back to the kids. "Nope, I'm done for a bit," he said holding his hands up in surrender as they tried to coax him to continue. Turning to the ladies he flopped down in the lawn chair. "Man, I can feel my age," he complained rubbing is shoulder and hip. "Roy may have to change my name from Junior to Senior."

Roy came up beside him. "Nope cuz no self-respecting senior would be sliding around on a slip n slide or running through a sprinkler, Junior." Johnny made a face at him and reached up to take the beer from Roy. "Figured you could use this," Roy added.

Johnny took a large pull from the bottle and gave a thumbs up as thanks for the drink too tired to come up with a comeback. He rested up, but Johnny still couldn't resist elbowing JJ and grinning at the antics of the kids. Eric hung in with the stunts 30 minutes longer than Johnny had before bowing out for adult time. Rachel handed him a large iced tea as he sat on the edge of a bench and gulped it down. "Sheesh, after that I'll have no issues passing any PT requirements," Eric joked.

As the afternoon wore on, the kids, drifted off to watch TV. Nova ended up asleep on her daddy's lap. Johnny juggled her and his cold soda like a pro. "You could take that show on the road," Roy remarked fondly referring to how Johnny deftly keep from spilling his soda when Nova suddenly shifted in her sleep. Roy was glad to see Johnny so happy. However, Roy had no idea how much he had been a model for him as a dad.

Marco added, "Yeah, that is tougher than it might look. With all my nieces and nephews, I've dumped many a drink on myself in the past. Impressive amigo."

Johnny just grinned and shrugged his one free shoulder too self-conscious to say anything. Eric had heard a lot of great things Johnny had said about Roy. He placed a hand on each man's shoulder and replied, "Look at the model he had! Learned from the best," Eric pronounced with a look at Roy. Roy's face went slack for a second as understanding dawned on him and then flushed. Johnny suddenly attended to Nova to hide his own reaction.

About then, Brian and Chris burst out of the back door and broke the awkwardness.

"Dad?" Chris inquired. "Where's that extra glove? We want to play catch. We have looked everywhere and can't find it." Roy was pulled away to help with the search. He returned in a few minutes chuckling.

"It was right on the sports shelf in the garage," he told them with a smile. "They only needed to move the badminton rackets." Roy rolled his eyes and they all had laughed.

That night after the kids were in bed, Johnny remarked, "That was fun, you know tonight and all."

JJ answered, "Yes, it really was. I enjoy our time with Roy and Joanne and well with all our family." Johnny smiled crookedly in response.

"'Nite angel," he said.

"Good night love," she answered.

They each flipped off their bedside lamps and spooned up to sleep. During the night, Johnny was awoken by JJ. She was whimpering in her sleep. Gently he pulled her to him and eased her awake. JJ awoke with a start eyes wide with fear and sadness. Johnny knew the dreams had returned and had expected them to do so. Focusing on the adoption had given a respite from the dreams for her. "I hate this," JJ remarked. "I hate it."

Johnny stroked her hair. "I know. Me too. It will get better, Janes." Knowing it was 'normal' to have these dreams was one thing. Watching your wife struggle through them was quite another. At least, she was less frantic than before he thought. That's progress.

The next day, JJ awoke weary from a restless night. Johnny watched her move through the day as normally as possible. He tried to be as helpful as possible without altering JJ's attempt at an average day. Later on, when Nova was napping and Brian had gone to the pool with friends and one of their mothers, Johnny encouraged her to talk.

"Janey, it is okay have a bad day after not sleeping, you know," he started. "We all love you and understand that you are still healing. The process is just the normal outcome of trauma."

JJ nodded. "I know, I know, but it feels like he wins if I let it change my life," she returned stubbornly. Johnny started to argue and then realized he'd feel the same. He sighed.

"I get it," he replied. "Just know here you can be crabby or a zombie or ask for help and it doesn't mean he wins in my eyes. It just means you're human, okay?" he beseeched as pulled her into a hug and then ended by tipping up her chin so their eyes met. JJ's eyes filled with tears and she just nodded. They stood in an embrace until her breathing was more controlled.

Johnny felt her relax into him. "So, if I find mopping traumatic, you do it for me?" Johnny laughed.

"Maybe…" he hedged as he leaned back and smoothed her hair. JJ just smiled coyly.

During the next few days, Brian spent a lot of time practicing his new name in cursive: Brian Harrison Gage, Brian H. Gage, Brian Gage, Brian G. "I want to be ready for school in September, Moms," he had explained. JJ had hid her smile and simply nodded sagely. Since Nova needed to be in on anything Brian did, he printed her name for her and she tried to trace over it. It only took 10 minutes and she was off to check on her earthworms.

In a blink of an eye, it was time to buy supplies and back to school clothes for Brian. By the time JJ had gotten the needed items for Brian while dealing with a hyper and slightly jealous Nova she was wrung out. Dreams had come some nights and not others as the days passed. Generally, they kept it from the kids. Brian knew Moms sometimes had bad dreams about when she had been taken, but he had no idea how frequent they were.

On the first day of school, JJ was tired. She had had several dreams the night before and understood Brian being away all day increased her anxiety triggering dreams. Johnny made pancakes and bacon for breakfast while JJ had packed a lunch with a pudding cup-which was one of Brian's favorites. Johnny ate breakfast with them and then had to head to work. He kissed JJ. "I'll call this morning if I can, Angel." He kissed both kids on the tops of their heads. "I want a report about your first day, buddy," he instructed Brian. "Oh, Nova, I most definitely need a new picture for my office. Can you draw me one?" he requested knowing it might help ease Nova's loneliness. Nova's head bobbed enthusiastically since she was unable to answer with a mouthful of bacon. Finally, he leaned over to JJ's belly. "You two be good," he added dropping two more kisses on her stomach. JJ, Brian and Nova giggled.

"Have a good shift, love," she called after him as he raced out the door since he was running later than normal. Brian was very excited for his first day as a Gage at school. When JJ pulled up, she had barely stopped when a bouncing Brian had unbuckled his seat belt.

"Thanks Moms!" he called out as he slid out of the door and gave a wave. JJ saw him sidle up to his group of friends and they chatted amiably. She was so glad he had found such good friends. She double checked Nova was in her belt and then pulled away.

"Well, Nova, it's just you and me little lady," JJ said as she navigated the car towards home. "Have you decided what we will make?"

Nova's eyes brightened. "Uh huh. I wanna make apple pie, k?"

"Pie it is sweetie," JJ replies with a grin. She had a small tart tin that Nova could use to make her own pie. "When we get home, you can go get your rolling pin and we'll wash it since you last used it on play dough," JJ said.

"Can we take my pie to Daddy?" Nova asked. "If not, he might not get any," she finished.

JJ knew there would be plenty leftover, but answered, "Of course we can. How about we take it by when we go pick up Brian? While it bakes you can draw him that picture you promised. Then we can give Daddy that as well." Looked like she would have a busy day thought JJ and she was glad to keep her mind occupied. There was no better way than making memories with one of her children.

Brian fidgeted in his desk anxious for the 'What I Did This Summer' speech. A few of the kids were unfamiliar to Brian. However most were kids he either had in class the year before or he knew from the playground. Finally it was his turn. He stood up and nervously brushed the wrinkles out of his pants. "Hi, I'm Brian Gage. Last year I was Brian Harrison, but over the summer I was adopted. My other dad and mom died and the Gages took me in and adopted me. My dad is a captain for fire station 110 on A shift. He was the first fireman/paramedic to call in from the field before that. Moms is a nurse and author. She mostly writes now from home. Her newest book is coming out in a month. I also have a younger sister, Nova. We are having twins in February so I will soon have lots of brothers and/or sisters." He smiled broadly. Afterwards, his teacher Mrs. Childs asked if there were any questions from his classmates. A few asked if he liked his little sister. One kid asked if it was scary in court with a judge. Brian paused. He'd liked the judge, but not Mr. Spooner. Spooner had lied and said awful things about his parents. Then he remembered what his dad had said about it the night of the hearing.

"Brian, there are always a few people out there that are bad even evil. But I have learned that most people are good. The only thing I can control is how I act and what I think about," Johnny had explained. "I choose to dwell on good things as much as I can. Let's forget Mr. Spooner's garbage, okay?" More than anything Brian wanted to be just like his dad.

"The judge was really nice," he answered. "He asked me questions and wasn't scary at all. Of course Moms and Dad were there and they helped me feel safe," he said finishing with a broad smile.

As soon as school was out, Brian burst out of the front door and began to scan for his family's car. Spotting it, we waved good-bye to his friends and raced to it. Popping open the door, he bounced in. "It was a great day!" he announced.

"I am glad you had such a good first day, Brian," JJ replied. "How about we drop by the station? Nova has a picture for Dad as well as a pie she made. Hopefully, he'll be around and you can tell him all about it." Brian smiled happily already deciding what he'd tell about first.