"He's having nightmares again", TK whispered to Carlos who quietly entered the room of their 6 year old adopted son, to take a seat next to his bedside.
They both looked at Max, a worried glance on their faces.
They knew that the kid went through hell. His mom was murdered at their apartment by her boyfriend and the little boy had to witness everything from the neighborhood room. Max was the first who found his dead mother after she was stabbed with a knife multiple times.
The little one started to toss, turn and cry in bed.
With the screams and whimpers starting to get louder, TK decided to act. He wasn't able to see him suffering any longer.
"Shhh, Max. Wake up, buddy", the firefighter whispered, gently running his hand through the little boys hair.
"Mom. No, Mom!", the 6 year old finally sat up in bed, crying heavily. Carlos sighed, while TK pulled the little boy into a hug.
Meanwhile Carlos rubbed Max beck, who desperately sobbed into TKs shoulder.
"We got you. It's alright. It was just a dream", the firefighter soothed him.
Max whimpered when the flashbacks hit him hard. That's when TK tightened his grip.
"It's okay, buddy. It's over."
"Why couldn't I help her?", Max mumbled into TKs Shirt, making both men to look each other in concern. Seeing their son in such a vulnerable state nearly brought them to tears.
"You've been sleeping", Carlos whispered, before he whiped away some tears from Max cheek.
"But I should have heard her. If I would have been awake earlier, then…"
"No", Carlos interrupted the little kid.
"Don't do that to yourself. It wasn't your fault. You're a kid. There is no way, you could have dealt with a 40 year old man."
Max sniffled heavily, giving his adoptive parents a sad look.
"I miss my mommy", Max admitted, when TK started to rock him in his arms, so he would become calm.
TK glanced at Carlos in a helpless way. Seeing Max like this gave him chills.
"Of course you do."
"Hey, how about visiting your mom tomorrow at the cemetery?", TK suggested , constantly stroking Max back.
"I know, it's not the same, but it might help."
Tiredly Max nodded his head, searching for TKs hand and squeezed it.
His view wandered to Carlos, before he caught eye contact with TK again.
"Can you stay with me tonight? I don't want to fall asleep again."
Carlos gave him a sad look, gently stroked Max forehead.
"Sure. But you have to get some energy and that means you have to rest. Otherwise you will be tired tomorrow when we go to the zoo and meet grandpa at the firestation", TK answered.
"But there is no need to be afraid. Cause Daddy and I are going to catch all the bad dreams", Carlos promised.
Max smiled sadly, then finally closed his eyes. Carlos started to stroke his face.
The little boy still clutched on TKs arm, until he was overwhelmed by his tiredness and finally fell asleep again.
TK and Carlos looked at each other in concern.
At this moment, they realized they still got a long way ahead of them..
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"How's Max doing?", Owen asked TK after they stopped by at the fire station.
Carlos, who had to work, wasn't able to join them, what didn't change that Max had fun.
Obviously relieved, TK looked through the neighborhood room where the team started to explain the fire truck to his little boy.
Finally the fun ended, as soon as the memories of last night kicked in.
"It's bad. There are days, where you think he's on a good way, and then he's screaming and crying for his mom at night. It's still really intense."
Understandingly Owen nodded his head.
"It takes time. This is something that will have an impact for the rest of his life."
TK sighed, before he nodded in agreement.
"I know, Dad. But it's hard to see him suffering. There is no way we are able to replace his mother. We're doing all those things. Going to the cemetery, talking about her, looking at old photos, driving to Disneyland, but sometimes it's not enough."
"Maybe you should stop to force it."
"What do you mean?"
"You won't give him a second mom. All you can do is to accept him and to be there for him. He's got both of you and this is 10 times worthier than staying in a childrens home."
TK nodded in a thoughtful way.
The talk was interrupted by Max who ran towards his grandpa and father.
"Daddy, uncle Judd showed me your gear and I was allowed to sit in the truck."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Max wrapped his little hands around TKs waist. That's when the firefighter decided to take him on his arms.
"You like it here?"
"Can't we stay for longer?"
"What? I thought, you wanted to go to the zoo."
But Max shook his head.
"We don't have to. I'm okay to stay here with Buttercup. And Uncle Paul wants to build a lego fire truck with me."
Max smiled at his dad, who gave him a kiss on his head.
"That's really cool, buddy."
"So you're okay with it?"
"Sure, as long as you're happy?"
The kids smile got even brighter, then he jumped from TKs arms, running back to the rest of the team.
Tk looked at his father in surprise.
"Wow, didn't see that coming."
"He's growing up with you. What else did you expect? Never forget TK. It's not blood that makes you family."
TK smiled at Owen.