Chapter 28: Haunt You
(Flashback)
"Remember to call me if you need anything and keep the door lock and don't open it for anyone," Emily said before placing down a box of pizza down at the table. "Mom, I'm eleven years old I think I can handle a night without you," Thomas said before getting a slice of pizza. "I know you can kid I just want to make sure," Emily said looking at her son. "It'll be fine mom," Thomas taking a drink of his milk. "I know it's just… I haven't been on a date since your father and me… well you get the picture," Emily said looking in the mirror making sure everything was alright. "Speaking of your father you should call or FaceTime him," Emily said looking to her son who was eating pizza. "He's probably busy with Bluey," Thomas said before taking another bite of pizza. "You never know if you don't call," Emily said sitting down at the table with her son.
"Right," Thomas said eating his pizza. "He does love you very much," Emily said looking to her son. "If he did he wouldn't have missed my birthday," Thomas said taking another bite. "Sweetheart that moment hurt your dad as much as it hurt you," Emily said as placing her hand on her son's hand. "It did?" Thomas asked looking up at his mother. Emily nodded in response. Suddenly the door bell rang as Emily and Thomas looked to the door. "You better go with you date with Adam," Thomas said as he continued to eat his pizza. "Do you like Adam?" Emily asked nervously. Thomas smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I do," Thomas replied. "Okay," Emily said as she kissed her son on the head. "In Bed by 9 and call your father," Emily said as she stood up and walked to the door. Thomas sighed as he finished his food and went over to the tablet. Thomas hesitated whether to call his dad or his uncle. Thomas took in a deep breath and then pressed on one to call.
Calling Stripe….
(Present Day)
As the day of the first game of the season was approaching, Thomas could feel the intensity of the touch football training sections increasing. Coach Wolf wanted to make sure that all of his players were at their top form as he wanted to win the competition that year and every player wanted to correspond to his expectations. Fortunately, Thomas was able to keep up with training, much to the dismay of Zach and Peter, who were just waiting for Thomas to make a mistake or start get behind to make him feel like he didn't belong to the team. Just to see their frustrating face made Thomas get really glad. But there was a downside to all that. Thomas still hadn't managed to find the perfect balance between his academic life, the team and family and friends, what caused him to focus more on his studies and the trainings than his social life, what caused his sisters to get a little angry at him for not playing with them. Not to mention that his weekly meetings with Dr. Beagle, despite allowing him to vent some of his worries, didn't help that much. At the beginning of a new day of school, he and Liam were heading towards their class.
"Man, I can't wait for the weekend… I'm exhausted!" Thomas said. "No wonder, you practically haven't stop one second, you're either at class, training or studying, I just hope you're sleeping," Liam said. "Oh, I am, but I think it's not working, I just can't wait to get a hold on my schedule, I'm dying for some quality time to play at my guitar, to be with my family, to hang out with you and Alfie…" Thomas said. "Not to mention Tori," Liam said. "Really?" Thomas asked him. "What, I'm just saying…" Liam said. At that moment, Tori just went passed by them, nodding to Thomas, what caused him to feel the nervous feeling at his stomach. Seeing that, Liam knew what his friend was thinking. "Go on, go talk to your sweetheart, I'll see you in class," Liam said to him, starting heading to his class. Despite a little annoyed for what Liam said, he headed towards Tori. "Tori, wait, can I talk with you?" he asked, as he reached her. "Of course, what do you want to talk about?" she asked.
Thomas tried to say something, but it appeared words wouldn't come out of his mouth. "Are you okay, Thomas? You look a little weird," Tori commented. "I'm… fine… it's just…" Thomas said, while trying to find the words. "I'm a little out of balance with my schedule and I was thinking if you could help me with my studies," Thomas said. "Sure, I guess I can give a hand," Tori replied, much to his happiness. "Great! What about tomorrow after school? At my place…" Thomas said. "It's a date," Tori replied, making Thomas to giggle slightly when she said the word 'date'. "I can't wait to meet your family," Tori replied, while moving away. After she wasn't near, Thomas came to realize what he just did. "Oh my… What did I do? I just… I just asked her to come to my place… she's going to meet my family… and they are going to meet her, I can already hear Bluey and Bingo's teasing and my dad trying to give me dating tips," Thomas stressed, taking then a second to take a deep breath. "Okay, let's calm down… one thing at the time," he said, while the bell started to ring for the classes. "First, class, then training, after that I will try to make sure the family doesn't embarrass me tomorrow," he said, as he started going to his class.
After school Thomas made his way to the field but then stopped when he noticed someone he knew at the stands. "Sam?" Thomas said looking to the Dalmatian. "Thomas?" Sam said looking to Thomas. "Sam! What are you doing here?" Thomas asked with a smile. " foreign exchange program with my dad," Sam said giving Thomas a high five. "Wait, your dad's here too?" Thomas asked confused. "Yeah he's doing stuff for his company and sponsoring the touch football team," Sam explained. To Thomas's surprise he hasn't seen Adam since his mother and him broke up. "You should come talk to him," Sam said with a smile. "I…" Thomas said but was then cut off by Zach. "Move it Heeler or we'll be late! You can talk to your boyfriend later," Zach said heading to the field. "I really hate that guy," Thomas said before looking at Sam.
"Your on the Team?" Sam asked. "Yeah, I join over a week ago," Thomas said rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it's no baseball that's for sure and you were a beast at that," Sam said with a smile. "Yeah I remember…" Thomas said "and Dad used to train you all the time," Sam said with a smile. "Yeah, I remember that too…" Thomas said remembering all the times that Adam was a real father figure at the time. "Well, I should get going don't want to make my new coach mad," Thomas said walking away. "See you later dude!" Sam said waving to Thomas. "Well that was awkward," Thomas said as he walked to the field to practice.
Thomas waited for his dad to pick him up at the front of school. "Thomas?" Thomas heard his name. Thomas looked to his left and saw Adam. "Adam! Hi!" Thomas said. "Come here give me a hug," Adam said with a smile. Thomas then hugs Adam and then looks at him. "You've grown! How old are you now sixteen?" Adam asked. "Yeah the big sixteen," Thomas answered. "Sam told me he saw you, what are you doing out here?" Adam asked. "I'm waiting for my dad he's running a little late," Thomas said. "Do you want a ride home? I can take you it's not a problem," Adam asked. Thomas hesitated for a second but Adam was someone he trusted, someone his mother trusted and loved for the moment. "Yeah, I'd like that," Thomas answered. "Alright then my car is around the corner I'll bring it to you," Adam said as he quickly went to go get his car.
It wasn't long until Adam came around with the car. Thomas then got inside the car and they drove off. "What's the address," Adam said getting ready to put it in his GPS. Thomas told him the address and then they were on their way. "So how are things with you? I'm sorry about your mother," Adam said as they drove. "It's okay and things are going good," Thomas replied. "How's your dad?" Adam asked. "He's good," Thomas replied while looking out the window. "Good and the rest of the family?" Adam asked. "They're great," Thomas replied. "Good," Adam replied as he drove. Thomas thought about the times Adam was there for him when he need him to be the father figure in his life when he was twelve years old and doing baseball as his sport of choice.
(Flashback)
A twelve-years-old Thomas was spending time with Adam and Sam, playing baseball with them, with Emily watching them, sitting on a bench. She really was enjoying seeing that scene, as she was happy that Thomas was allowing himself to get along with Adam. At that moment, Adam was helping Thomas to make a good swing with the bat to hit the ball. After teaching him how to position himself on the base, he taught him how to swing. "Okay, secure the bat over your back shoulder without touching it and with your elbows out, when you're to swing, give a small step to build power and a pivot with your hips and then the shoulders and you swing the bat until it passes your other shoulder," Adam told him. "It doesn't look that hard," Thomas commented. "Well, when you try to swing while paying attention to the ball, it's not that easy," Adam replied, with a chuckle. "But I guess it's easier to learn by practice," Adam said, while turning to his son. "Okay, Sam, pitch the ball," he told, while putting on his catcher glove. "Okay, dad, get ready, Thomas" Sam replied.
Sam threw the ball and, when it was close, Thomas tried to bat it, but was unable to do it, with Adam catching it. "Oh, I failed," Thomas said, disappointed. "Then keep trying until you make it," Adam motivated. Thomas smiled, a little more confident, and nodded, preparing to bat again. But he failed to bat the ball at the next attempts. After another fail, Thomas, frustrated, threw the bat to the ground. "That's it, I'm done with this!" he shouted, and moving away to the side and sitting with his back turned to Adam. Emily, seeing that, wanted to go to her son, but Adam made her a sign, telling her he could handle that. Trusting on her boyfriend, Emily let herself remain sitting. "Sam, can you go train your running, while I have a talk with Thomas?" he asked. His son nodded and started to run around the baselines. Adam then approached Thomas, who had some tears on his eyes. "You know, I also wasn't very good at batting when I started playing… and neither was Sam, it took a lot of practice for us to be able to do it," Adam said. "But I already tried and tried and I simply can't do it," Thomas said.
"It's funny, because your mom told me you used to play cricket with your dad and that you were very good at batting," Adam told. "Yeah, but that was a long time… just like when he abandoned me," Thomas said. When he said that, Adam realized what could be the reason for Thomas not be able to hit the ball. "I see… maybe the reason why you can't bat is because, when you try to do it, you remember the times you and your dad used to play with each other," Adam said. "My dad and I played cricket, not baseball," Thomas protested. "Yes, but cricket and baseball are similar and I think that you miss your father and you project that on your performance," Adam told. "No, I don't, how can I miss him, when he doesn't miss me?" Thomas asked. "Now that I know it's not true, I've seen your mother getting calls from your dad many times, asking for you and wanting to talk to you," Adam said. "So what? It's not like he takes the time to come visit me… or be at my birthdays," Thomas replied. "No, but he had already asked for you go visit him," Adam said.
Noticing Thomas was still pouting, Adam decided for another approach. "Look, I'm not trying to force you to see your dad, it's up to you if you want to see or talk to him or not," he said. Thomas turned to Adam. "Can you be my new dad, Adam? After all, you are dating my mom and I like you and you're always here for me," Thomas said. Adam chuckled. "I would be honored to be your dad, kid, but I can't, because you already have one, a dad that loves you very much, despite what you think," Adam told. That answer caused Thomas to get a little sad. "But you know what, until you're ready to have your dad back to your life, I'll be more than happy to fill his role the best I can," Adam said. "Really?" Thomas asked, with a slight smile. "Of course, but you have to promise me that, when the time comes, you'll give your dad a chance, okay?" Adam asked, while extending his hand. "Okay," Thomas replied, shaking it. "I hope you mean it, a true dog doesn't go back on his word," Adam said. "I mean it," Thomas replied. Adam then traded a look with Emily, nodding to her, causing her to get happy that her boyfriend was able to comfort her son, all while trying his best to help him fix the relationship with Bandit.
"Good… now, ready to have another go?" Adam asked Thomas. He nodded to him and so they returned to the training, with Sam throwing the ball. At that time, Thomas was able to do it, showing that he actually was quite good at batting. From that moment forward, Adam had become somewhat of a father-figure for Thomas, someone he could count on, no matter what. Despite they ended up drifting apart after he broke up with his mom, Thomas always had in his heart the lessons he learned from him. In fact, his promise to him that he would give his father another chance, together with his mother's dying wish to have him move in with him, was what caused him to actually do it.
(Present Day)
"This is me," Thomas said as Adam pulled up to the house. "Hey, it's good to see you," Adam said as Thomas got out of the car. "Yeah it was good to see you too," Thomas said with a smile. "I know things didn't work out with your mom and me after she got sick, but she didn't want to see you hurt again," Adam said looking at Thomas. "It's okay Adam I understand, she didn't want to hurt you either but… she didn't want to be a burden for you when she got sick," Thomas said looking down. "I would have married her if she'd let me," Adam confessed. Thomas then looked up at Adam confused. "You asked her?" Thomas asked feeling something heartbreak. "I did, and she no because it would have hurt me to live without her," Adam admitted. "I'm sorry Adam," Thomas said feeling down. "You better go inside, me and Sam will be at your game Friday and I'll cheer you on like old times," Adam said with smile.
"I'd like that, thanks Adam," Thomas said before closing the door. Adam waves at Thomas before driving away. Thomas then walks up to the pouch about to open the door when Bandit met him at the door. "Son? How did you get here? I was just about to come get you," Bandit said as he stepped aside for his son to come in. "I kinda got a ride from the past," Thomas said, putting his stuff down by the door. "What do you mean by that mate?" Bandit asked, confused. "Mom's ex boyfriend Adam gave me a ride home," Thomas confessed. Bandit was surprised by this, "Adam is in town?" Bandit asked Thomas nodded trying not to show emotion on the situation. "Are you okay son?" Bandit said putting his hand on his son's shoulders. "He told me he was going to marry her," Thomas said fighting back the tears. "Oh mate I'm sorry," Bandit said pulling his son in for a hug.
Thomas then let's tears run free, dripping onto his fathers blue fur. "Dad I need to tell you something," Thomas said pulling away from his father. "What is it mate?" Bandit asked. "I was twelve when I said I'd rather have Adam as my dad than you and I was Eleven when I wanted uncle Stripe as my dad than you too." Thomas said wiping his tears away. "Son, you were hurting and maybe I should have tried harder for love than I was letting on," Bandit said putting both of his hands on his sons shoulders. Thomas felt his heart breaking. "No, dad I should have tried harder for you," Thomas said as fresh tears came from his eyes.
(Flashback)
Calling Stripe...
"Hey mate!" Stripe said as he answered the video call. "Hi uncle Stripe," Thomas said with a smile. "How are you doing? Where's your mum?" Stripe asked. "I'm doing good and mom is on a date with her co worker," Thomas answered. "A date huh? Do you like the guy?" Stripe asked. Thomas smiled and nodded. "Yeah he's cool," Thomas answered. "Good, I'm glad you like him, does your dad know about him?" Stripe asked. Thomas then lost his smile before he answered. "No, he doesn't know about him," Thomas answered. "Am I the first you told about your mum's date?" Stripe asked confused. "Yeah, your the first I've told," Thomas said with his ears down.
"Mate, you should tell you dad about your mum dating again," Stripe said. "But he's married again why would he care?" Thomas said a little defensive. "I know mate but I'm sure your dad would like to know what's going on in your life and see how you feel about it," Stripe explained. "He's too busy with Chilli and Bluey he doesn't have time for me," Thomas said defensively. "Mate, you know that's not true! He talks about you all the time when I see him," Stripe said feeling hurt. "If he cared so much then he wouldn't have gotten married again and had another kid," Thomas said with some tears down his face.
"Thomas, mate he loves you so much you and Bluey are his whole world," Stripe explained. "I wish you were my dad Uncle Stripe! You wouldn't have left me and my mom alone," Thomas said now breaking down. "Mate you don't mean that," Stripe said hoping to get through to his nephew. "But you wouldn't hurt me like he has," a Thomas said with his tears flowing down his face. "Mate listen to me, your dad is hurting now not being able to to see you as it is," Stripe explained. "And I know your close to me but I'm not your dad you may feel like a son to me but your dad needs you," Stripe said. Thomas nodded understanding what his uncle was telling him. "I love you mate, please call your dad," Stripe pleaded. Thomas swallows hard and then nodded in response. "Okay I'll call him," Thomas said looking to his uncle Stripe.
"Good mate, he really does miss you," Stripe said with a slight smile. "I miss him too so much," Thomas confessed.
(Present day)
Bandit holds his son in his arms just a little bit more before breaking free. "I'm sorry dad I'm so sorry for all that time I didn't want to talk to you," Thomas said wiping his tears away again. "It's okay son I get that you thought I left you and you mum," Bandit said placing his hand on his head. "I don't ever want us to end up like that again," Thomas said calming himself down. "Then let's not do it again," Bandit said with a smile. Thomas smiled back at his dad when Chilli called everyone to dinner. "Dinner is ready!" Chilli called from the kitchen. "Let's get some grub mate you must be hungry from training," Bandit said said putting his arm around his son's shoulder. "Oh and dad?" Thomas said stopping his father. "Yes mate?" Bandit asked looking at his son. "Tori is coming over tomorrow to help me study can you not make it weird?" Thomas asked. Bandit chuckled. "Alright mate I'll do my best," Bandit said with a laugh. "No dad seriously," Thomas said as he and his father went up to the kitchen
Kodiwolf321 A/N: guys don't you love these moments when Bandit and Thomas are healing together? I know I sure do! And what do you think about Adam? Let me know in a review about your thoughts and feelings and don't worry there's more coming soon!