A/N: Hey! Just a quick note…IEP [see below ;)] stands for Individualized Educational Program. I guess I should have explained it more previously, but it's basically an agreement between teachers, educators, parents, and kids when the student has any disability that requires them to have any type of special services in school (I'm sorry, that's kind of a crap description, but I hope it gets the point across). I've dealt with a lot of them in my line of work, so I'm trying to be careful/realistic with including it. If you have any questions about it, please let me know, I will do my best to explain.

Hailey's leg bounced throughout the entire IEP meeting and Jay couldn't stop sweating. Hailey had told him not to wear a tie; however, he insisted and called her a fake herself when she changed out of her t-shirt into a blouse and put lipstick on in the locker room before they left the district.

Hailey was taking notes quickly, writing almost every word down. The principal of Drew's school told her she didn't have to and that the Special Ed teacher would provide her a copy of the notes he was taking, but Hailey said it was fine and that she wanted to do it.

Jay seemed to develop a stutter whenever anyone would ask them a question about Drew. He noticed that the counselor was eyeing him and it just tripled his nerves. She wasn't talking at all, so her constant stare was incredibly intimidating. He had a gut feeling she thought he was a horrible dad and he didn't know how to respond.

There were words being thrown around that Hailey had only heard in college when she was taking a humanity gen-ed about child development. Accommodations, behavior intervention plan with positive behavior interventions and supports, summative assessments, modifications, present-level of performing, standards-based, response to intervention, and goals…lots of different goals – goals that needed to be specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound. That was said a lot and Hailey's hand cramped every time she needed to write it down.

Jay was lost during almost half of it. Hailey nodded along like she knew what the words meant, but to Jay it was more jargon than anything else. It was like listening to Will talk when he visited the ED to interview a victim. There was too much happening and he almost wished he had one of Drew's stress balls to help deal with it.

"Should I get Drew?" the principal finally asked.

Hailey swallowed against her dry throat, "Drew can come in here?"

The special ed teacher nodded, "Since we're going to start a behavior log, we want to make sure he understands what exactly is on it and what it's for."

"Oh, right," Jay looked to Hailey, "Um, then yes…yeah, Drew should come in here."

The principal stepped out into the office and a second later Drew was walking slowly into the room. He quickly spotted Jay and Hailey, however, and his face lit up.

He hurried around the table to them and stopped just short of hugging Hailey, "Ms. Sampson got a fish like me."

Hailey laughed softly, "That's super cool."

"I have five though, so I'm cooler," Drew shrugged.

Jay smiled, "You are cool, but you also need to be polite. Remember, she's sitting right there," he nodded toward the other side of the table.

Drew blushed brightly, "Oh."

"Drew, would you like a chair?" Ms. Sampson asked, trying to diffuse the tension that was rolling off of him.

Drew shrugged and bit his lip, his hands shooting up to his arms.

"No," Hailey whispered and set a hand on his.

"Here," Jay pulled an empty chair closer to him then grabbed an extra pen from the center of the table, "Sit here and play with this."

"How do I play with a pen?" Drew asked as he sat.

"Just fidget with it," Jay shrugged, "Click the button."

"I have a cube with me, Drew," the special ed teacher held up a small cube similar to the one Ms. Sampson had given him on the first day of school, "Want to hold this?"

Drew shook his head and looked down at the pen in his hands. He clicked the button a few times and smiled slightly.

"So Drew," the special ed teacher started, "We want to start a behavior log this year, what do you think about that?"

"Here," Hailey said softly and showed him the sample piece of paper.

Drew scanned the paper, mouthing the words as he read. His forehead scrunched up, "What's self-injury?"

"Um," Jay cleared his throat, "It's when you scratch yourself. You know Mom and I don't like when you do it and the teachers don't either, so we thought if you had to keep track of how many times you did it instead of playing with your cube or a ball that it could help."

"Then why doesn't it say scratching?" Drew asked.

Hailey and Jay exchanged a look, Hailey slightly shrugging.

The principal leaned across the table, "Do you want it to say scratching?"

"Yeah," Drew used his pen to cross off 'self-injury,' "Can you fix it?" he slid the paper and pen to Jay.

Jay held back a chuckle and wrote 'scratching' above the line.

Drew nodded, "Good." He took the paper back, "Do I get in trouble if I scratch?"

"No," Ms. Sampson shook her head, "But we'll keep track of the days you don't scratch with stickers on a calendar that we'll keep in your behavior folder."

"Okay," Drew said quietly, he pushed the paper away, "I guess it's fine."

"Good," Hailey smiled and reached over to squeeze his hand.

"Is there anything you want to say, Drew?" the special ed teacher asked.

As everyone's eyes turned to Drew, he shrank back in his chair and nervously rubbed his arms. He chewed his lip and blushed bright, looking at Jay.

Jay nodded as if reading his mind and nodded, "If something comes up later at home, we'll let you all know."

"Okay," the special ed teacher said quietly and wrote something on his notes, "Looks like we're all done here then."

Drew shot up and ran out of the room.

"Drew," Hailey hurried after him.

"Thank you," Jay said and shook everyone's hands. When he got to the counselor, she said nothing and Jay's stomach turned. His jaw set and he walked out of the room. Hailey had Drew by the hand and was waiting by the door. "Let's go," Jay breathed and set a hand on Hailey's back.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Just walk," Jay said and pushed her forward.

"Why'd they all have to stare at me?" Drew asked as Jay lifted him into his truck.

"They just wanted to see if you had something to say," Jay explained before shutting the door.

Hailey had her hand on the passenger door, "Did something happen?"

"I don't trust that counselor," Jay said and walked to his own door.

"Okay," Hailey breathed in confusion and jumped in.

Once Jay was in, he loosened his tie and started the car, "Home?"

"We could get pizza," Hailey suggested.

"But it's not dinnertime," Drew said.

"Do you have homework?" Hailey turned in her seat.

Drew crossed his arms, "Subtraction," he rolled his eyes.

Hailey smiled, "Then we'll get pizza after you do your subtraction."

"I thought you liked homework," Jay glanced back at Drew, "I specifically remember you saying you liked doing homework."

Drew sighed, "Yeah, but math is a little boring. I like doing science experiments better."

"Fair enough," Jay nodded.

Hailey finished ordering the pizza on the phone and ended the call. She walked into the kitchen and put the menu away in the drawer, but kept her back to Jay and Drew at the kitchen to listen to them finish his homework.

"So Jack has eight apples and he gives four to Jill-"

"But why?"

"She probably wants some."

"Why doesn't she have money?"

"I don't know, bud. So, again, Jack-"

"Are apples expensive?"

"Um, no, not really."

"What color do you think Jack buys?"

"I'm not sure."

"Hopefully he buys the red ones."

"Those are your favorite."

"Right. Okay, keep reading the question."

"Yeah, so Jack has eight apples and then gives Jill four, how many does Jack have?"

"Hmm, well, I have to draw the apples."

"You…you don't have to."

"Yeah, Dad, look, look at the directions."

"Bud, I read the directions to you."

"Yeah, and it says I need to draw diagram and you told me diagrams are pictures."

"They are, but-"

"So I'm drawing apple pictures."

"Fine, go ahead and draw the apples."

"Okay, I have eight apples."

"And Jack gave four to Jill."

"Why would Jack even have eight apples in the first place?"

"I really don't know."

"Maybe he wanted to make a pie and now he can't because Jill took his. Now he only has four left."

"Yes! Yes, only four left, that's your answer."

"Wait, slow down, I need to cross off four apples."

"You knew the answer without crossing them off?"

"Yeah, I'm not stupid."

Hailey finally laughed, not able to hold it in anymore. She turned around, "Is that the last one?"

"Yeah," Drew finished writing and put the paper in his folder, "All done and ready for pizza."

"Awesome," Hailey smiled, "Go put it in your backpack then you and I can go pick the pizza up."

"Okay," Drew ran to the front closet.

"That was draining," Jay whispered.

Hailey laughed softly, "That was super cute," she brushed Jay's hair back, "We deserve beer for dinner."

"I like that idea," Jay smiled.

"Want to tell me now about that counselor?" Hailey asked.

"No, he's coming back soon," Jay looked around Hailey.

"I trust your gut," Hailey stepped back.

"Thanks," Jay stood, "You guys get the pizza and I'll go pick up some drinks."

"What's wrong with what we have?" Hailey walked toward the fridge and opened it.

"I want new stuff," Jay said.

Hailey rolled her eyes and smiled, "Okay, fine."

Jay chuckled, "Thanks."

"Mom, I'm ready!" Drew yelled.

"Coming!" Hailey walked around to the front door.

Jay looked through the glass doors at the different beers, trying to think of what he was in the mood for.

He reached for the door at the same time a woman's hand reached out.

"Oh, sorry," he stepped back.

"No, I'm sorry," she replied.

He looked to the side and felt his stomach twist like earlier when he recognized the woman as the counselor from Drew's IEP meeting.

"Mr. Halstead," she said quietly.

"Ms. Russel, right?" Jay asked.

She nodded, "Yes."

Jay awkwardly reached out and grabbed a case of beer, "Um, see you later."

He turned to leave and the counselor said, "Mr. Halstead."

Jay breathed out slowly and turned back, "Yeah?"

"I know I didn't say much today and I'm sorry if that increased the tension," she said.

Jay nodded, "Uh, thanks."

"I actually met Drew last year once when I was traveling between schools, I was just trying to…evaluate you and your wife," Ms. Russel shifted in her spot.

"That's fair," Jay said and stepped back.

"I think you're really great parents," Ms. Russel added, "So thank you for taking care of him."

Jay smiled slightly, "He makes it easy."

Ms. Russel laughed softly, "I'm sure he does."

Jay's face fell, "Excuse me?"

Ms. Russel blushed, "I…I don't mean-"

"I know what you meant," Jay walked away. He spotted a bottle of vodka and grabbed it as he walked toward the cash register.

Hailey held the door open for Drew and he walked in the house carrying the pizza, "Dad! Mom ordered breadsticks for us too."

Jay looked up from the couch, "Cool."

"You good?" Hailey slipped her coat off and walked in the living room.

Jay rolled his eyes and sipped from his glass.

Drew set the pizza on the table, "It smells so good."

"What're you drinking?" Hailey asked softly and took Jay's glass from him. She took a drink and coughed, "Jay Halstead. That's vodka. What are you doing?"

"It was that bitch," Jay said and took his glass back.

"Which one?" Hailey sat on the arm of the couch.

"That counselor," Jay hissed.

"Oops," Drew dropped a pile of paper plates.

Hailey looked up and sighed, "I'm coming," she stood, "This conversation is not over," she took his glass, "But this drinking is."

"Hails," Jay said softly and stood.

"You're not going to turn into my father, so knock it off," Hailey breathed and walked into the kitchen.

Jay groaned quietly and ran a hand through his hair.

"Dad, do you want root beer?" Drew asked and grabbed a cup from the cupboard.

"Sure," Jay said and walked in the kitchen, "Thank you."

"You have to pour it though," Drew said and put two cups on the cupboard. He grabbed the root beer off the counter.

"Not a problem," Jay took it from him.

"Go ahead and sit," Hailey told Drew, "Do you want pepperoni or sausage and onion?"

"Pepperoni," Drew said as he sat, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Hailey smiled and passed him the plate with pizza.

Jay poured Drew half a glass of pop, "Here you go."

"Oh, I want more," Drew slid it back.

Jay raised his eyebrows, "Rethink that," he pushed the cup back.

"Can I have more root beer please?" Drew asked.

"No," Jay stated and took a plate of pizza from Hailey, "Thank you."

"Dad, that's not funny," Drew crossed his arms.

"It's not supposed to be funny," Jay shrugged, "You're not going to be hyped up on pop before bed."

Drew's jaw dropped, "But I don't go to sleep until 8:30! It's 5:30!"

Jay nodded, "That's right."

"You're being super mean," Drew whispered and took a big drink from his cup.

Jay's eyes flickered to Hailey, but he didn't say anything and just took a bite of his pizza.

"Drew, that was pretty rude," Hailey said and passed out napkins.

"Dad's being rude," Drew said and bit into his pizza.

Jay put his pizza down, "If you drink a lot of pop before bed, your teeth will all fall out."

Drew's eyes widened, "What?"

"Yeah, all the sugar will rot your teeth," Jay picked his pizza back up, "So, your choice."

Hailey used her pizza to cover the smile on her face.

Drew shakily ate his pizza, keeping his eyes on Jay.

Jay held back a smirk as he finished his first piece, "Hailey, can I have another?"

"Mhmm," she passed him a piece of the sausage one.

"Sausage will kill you," Drew blurted.

"Excuse me?" Jay laughed.

Drew blushed, "I don't know, I was trying to get revenge."

"Revenge?" Jay leaned across the table, "Drew, no."

"I…I don't know!" Drew dropped his crust on his plate, "You scared me!"

"Okay," Hailey set her hands on both Jay and Drew's arms, "Both of you need to breathe and just eat."

Jay nodded, "I think that's a good idea."

"Shh," Hailey shook her head, "No more talking during dinner."

Drew kicked his feet against his chair, "Mom."

"Zip," Hailey said quickly, "We're not talking. Eat."

Jay and Drew looked at each other before biting into their pizza at the same time.

"Thank you," Hailey sighed.

Once most of the pizza was eaten and everyone was full, Hailey sent Jay and Drew to their rooms so she could clean up in peace. As she wiped the table down, her phone rang and she threw the washcloth in the sink before looking at the caller ID.

Her eyes widened and she walked in the living room, "Hello?"

"Hi Hailey," her mom greeted, "How're you?"

"I'm fine," Hailey said slowly, "How're you?"

"Oh, I'm good," Christine replied, "Just calling to check in."

"Did something happen?" Hailey asked.

"Shh, Hailey, don't even start," Christine said.

"I'm worried about you," Hailey bit her lip, "Should I head over?"

"Hailey Anne," Christine stated, "I am fine. I'm just reaching out to talk to my daughter and see what her family has been up to. Does Drew like school?"

"It's…um…it's harder than I thought. We had a big meeting for him today about his behavior and how he's been doing, it was called an IEP meeting and it was honestly pretty nerve-wracking," Hailey glanced to the stairs, "This actually isn't a great time, Mom, I'm sorry. Jay and I really need to talk about it."

"I understand," Christine said softly, "I miss you."

Hailey closed her eyes, "I miss you too. Maybe we can get brunch this weekend?"

"Oh, I would love that," Christine replied happily, "I'll text you the details. See you soon!"

Hailey laughed softly as the call ended. She put her phone in her pocket and sighed. That gave her a few days to prepare how she was going to tell her mom about the adoption.

She walked upstairs and decided talking to Jay first would be the better choice. She opened the bedroom door and laughed at Jay laying on the bed staring at the ceiling, "You look like you've been grounded."

Jay looked over and smirked, "You pretty much did ground me."

"You were both going to say something you were going to regret," Hailey sat on the edge of the bed, "Why were you drinking vodka at 5:15pm?"

"So we're just getting into it," Jay breathed and sat up, "That counselor pissed me off. I knew from the start of the meeting that she was a bitch and I was right."

Hailey's eyebrows shot up, "She barely said a word."

"Exactly," Jay said, "And it just got under my skin. It was like she didn't care about Drew at all and that we were just wasting her time."

"And that just sat with you all day?" Hailey asked.

"No, she was at the grocery store," Jay grabbed Hailey's hand and played with her fingers, "She said we were good parents so I replied and told her that Drew made it easy and she laughed and said something like oh yeah I'm sure he does and it just…" he groaned, "I don't stand for that."

Hailey nodded slightly, "It's definitely rude."

"He is a good kid," Jay looked up, "Hailey, he tries his damndest everyday. Yes, of course he has his own issues, but we are figuring it all out together. He's so smart and kind and funny…I'm not going to let some adult belittle him like that."

Hailey lightly rubbed his arm, "You're a good father."

Jay shook his head and looked away, "We're not talking about me."

"I know," Hailey said softly, "I know we're not, but it needed to be mentioned. Jay, you love him so much and there is absolutely nothing wrong with standing up for him," she swallowed and lowered her voice, "I have a problem with you grabbing a bottle of vodka to deal with that though."

"Yeah," Jay breathed, "I'm sorry. I really don't know where that came from. I felt pretty wound all day."

Hailey smiled slightly and nodded, "It was a lot."

"I completely felt like we were being judged," Jay said.

"I don't know about that," Hailey brushed her thumb over Jay's cheek.

"I do," Jay nodded, "You were going crazy with the notes too."

Hailey blushed, "I didn't want to miss anything."

Jay smiled, "I know."

"It did feel like a big test," Hailey said.

"Oh yeah," Jay sighed.

Hailey set her hand on his chest, "Should we go talk to our little troublemaker?"

Jay chuckled, "Now that's someone I pissed off today."

"Yes, you did," Hailey laughed and stood, "But then you lied to him."

"Hails, we both know he should not be drinking that much root beer at dinner," Jay said as they walked out, "He would have been off the walls and wouldn't have slept."

"Eh, it could have been a fun experiment," Hailey smiled.

"Okay, sure," Jay chuckled and rolled his eyes. He pushed open Drew's door, "Hey, let's talk."

Drew sighed loudly from his spot on the swinging chair, "Fine."

"Come," Hailey sat on his bed and patted the mattress.

Drew walked over and plopped down next to her, "I'm sorry for saying you'd die," he mumbled toward Jay.

Jay nodded, "Thank you. I knew it wasn't true, but that still wasn't cool."

"You told him his teeth were going to fall out," Hailey poked Jay with her foot.

"I did," Jay bit his lip.

"Yeah!" Drew crossed his arms, "Now that was not cool."

"That's fair," Jay nodded, "But, bud, you cannot be drinking that much pop, it was for your own good."

"So it's true?" Drew covered his mouth, "Will my teeth fall out from drinking pop before bed?"

Jay looked at Hailey, purposefully widening his eyes.

She sighed softly and looked at Drew, "A lot of pop is not good for your teeth, especially before bed."

"Oh gosh," Drew whispered, "Okay."

Jay nodded quickly, "Thank you."

Drew reached around Hailey and grabbed his stress ball, "It's been a hard day."

Hailey lightly set a hand on his back, "I know, do you want to talk about it?"

"Not at all," Drew shook his head.

"It'll help to talk, though," Jay said.

"Okay, well, I don't want to right now," Drew said.

Jay was torn between amusement and frustration and decided to lean into the amusement more. He sat on Drew's other side and lightly poked his side, "Oh really? Really?" he smiled.

Drew laughed and crawled away, "Don't!"

Hailey smiled, "Come back, we just want to hug you."

"No!" Drew jumped off the bed laughing harder.

He ran down the hall with Jay on his tail, "Hey! Drew!"

Hailey laughed as she heard them goofing around downstairs. She sighed and closed her eyes, knowing it was one of her favorite sounds in the world.

A/N: As always, thank you for reading! If anything didn't seem too accurate or you have any questions, please let me know and I will do my best to address it in the next part. I'd super appreciate if you let me know what you think!