AN: First I need to mention my wonderful Beta, Lori. Who named the story
and who gave me the web-site addy that inspired this fic. The story is
"All our Yesterdays" by MRiley99. I'll send you the url if you e-mail me.
Also, just so no one complains. I am perfectly aware that in 1978 Duncan and Tessa hadn't met yet. But this is a dream so I can do whatever I want. Ha! J/K. Just forgive my departure from reality and play along like good little readers. And as always please review!
Duncan woke to Tessa shaking him. "Hurry! Get up!"
"What's wrong?" Duncan asked, watching as she brushed her long golden hair at the vanity.
"Don't play games with me, Duncan MacLeod. I know you're just as excited as I am about this."
Duncan smiled; she was right, as always. Ever since they had discussed their options, he had known this was what he wanted to do. It was a modern solution to his ancient problem. He had showered and had gotten dressed by the time Tessa had finally decided how to do her hair.
"You look perfect," he told her with a grin. "We've already been approved. Now all we have left are the details."
"This is hardly a detail. It's the most important part!" She hugged him warmly despite her scolding and ran her fingers through his short hair. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Me either."
After making a final check on the apartment, they went out for brunch and then window shopping until they could go to the place where their dream would come true.
They rode all the way to their destination in silent anticipation. Tessa repeatedly checked her hair and brushed invisible lint off Duncan's jacket the entire time.
"Are you ready?" he asked, opening the car door for her.
"Nervous," she admitted. "But very ready."
"You must be the MacLeods," the receptionist greeted warmly.
"Yes," Duncan answered.
"You can go out in the yard if you like. Ms. Perkins will meet you shortly."
"Thank you." Duncan and Tessa walked down the short hall and through the double glass doors into the afternoon sun. Children ran all around the play yard unaware of the adults that had entered their domain.
"There're so many," Tessa commented.
"And one will be ours," Duncan told her putting his arm around her shoulders. "Are you sure you want a boy?"
"Yes. I have two younger brothers; I know how to raise boys. Plus you wouldn't know the first thing about raising a girl."
"I could learn."
"Hello," a tall imposing woman said warmly as she approached them. "I'm Michelle Perkins."
"Duncan MacLeod and this is my wife, Tessa." They all shook hands.
"I understand you two want a young boy."
"That's right," Tessa told her.
"How young?"
"Not a baby," Tessa told her. "But not in school yet. Five? Maybe six?"
"Alright. We have a few of those," Ms. Perkins smiled. "Most of the younger ones are there under that tree." She pointed to a large tree that a group of boys had gathered around. "And there are a couple more playing on the jungle gym. Would you like to watch them play or see some videos?"
"Videos?" Duncan asked.
"We have videos of all the children here. You can see them play, sleep, eat, and there's an interview as well."
"You follow the kids around with a video camera?"
"Yes. That way you can look through your choices more efficiently."
"I like the personal touch," Tessa said. "Why don't you tell us about that boy there. The one in the red shirt and overalls." She pointed to a little blonde haired boy who was sitting in the tree the other boys had gathered around.
"That would be Richie, he. he. Oh, for heaven's sake not again." She walked over to the tree with Duncan and Tessa following in her wake. "Gary, how did he get up there?" she demanded of a dark haired boy.
"I don't know," the boy shrugged.
"Richie, you need to come down from there. You could get hurt," she said gently. The little boy looked past her and locked eyes with Tessa. "Richie, Richie! Look at me. Can you get down?"
The boys around the tree started laughing. "The baby can't get down!" one chortled. "What a baby!" another one added. "He's a retard!" a third piped up.
"Andrew!" Ms. Perkins glared fiercely at the young boy. "I will not have such talk here. That is very rude, now apologize to him!"
"I'm sorry, Richie," the boy said obediently.
"Now go sit in the time out chair until I come to get you." The boy turned and left with Ms. Perkins shooting daggers through his back. "I'm terribly sorry. Poor Richie tends to get picked on," she told Duncan and Tessa before turning back to the boy in question. "Richie, can you get down? Do you need me to get Mr. Farmer?" Richie looked down at her from his perch in the tree without saying a word. Finally, he reached his short arms in Duncan's direction.
"He wants you to get him down," Tessa whispered nudging him forward. "Go get him."
"No, Mr. MacLeod. I'll send one of the kids to get Mr. Farmer and a ladder. There's no need for you to."
"I'll get him," Duncan assured her as he walked past. "Hi, Richie," he said quietly as he pulled himself onto the lowest tree branch. "How'd you get up here, tough guy?" he asked as he maneuvered through the branches.
"How did he get up there?" Ms. Perkins asked the boys who were watching.
"The big kids did it," a little girl said from amid the crowd of boys. "I don't think he wanted to, though."
"Of course he didn't want to. Now which big kids?"
"I don't know. They were real big, though."
Ms. Perkins sighed. "I'll have to talk to them. again."
"Does this happen often?" Tessa questioned.
"He's mute," Ms. Perkins explained. "Doesn't make a sound. The older kids like to hide him where he can't get out and see how long until someone finds him. This is really getting out of hand. He could get hurt up there."
"Yes, he could," Duncan said slowly climbing down the tree with the boy on his back. "I'd like to have a word with the kids who did this."
"Richie," Ms. Perkins took the small boy and held him in her arms for a minute. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Richie looked at her for a minute with his head cocked to one side. "Do you have a boo-boo?" she tried. Finally understanding what she meant, he pointed at a scrape on his elbow. "Let's get you cleaned up, okay?" She turned to Duncan. "Thank you so much. You really didn't have to get him down."
"It wasn't a problem."
"I'm terribly sorry. I need to get him to the nurse. I'll be right back." She left and Richie watched them with curious eyes as he was carried into the building.
"I want that one," Tessa told Duncan.
"Which one?" Duncan asked confusedly.
"Richie. I want him. I can't leave him here with those kids picking on him and putting him in trees."
"Are you sure? He seems like he'd be a lot of work. What if he fell down? How would you find him?"
"Even deaf babies make noise, Duncan. Besides, he's so cute. And he wanted you to go get him."
"He just knew I was the only one big enough."
"See? He's smart. He might need a special school; they won't send him," Tessa appealed to Duncan's sense of honor. "He won't get what he needs here."
Duncan grinned. "I was hoping you would say that. I want him, too. You should have seen the look he gave me when I got to him. We'll tell Ms. Perkins when she gets back."
They watched the kids playing in the yard until a bell rang. All the older kids groaned and rolled their eyes as they abandoned their games of basketball or soccer to go into the building. A few orphanage workers gathered up the little kids and led them into the building as well. Duncan and Tessa followed.
"What's going on?" Duncan asked a young man who was leading a group of eight-year-olds down the hall.
"Lunch," he answered.
"Oh. Thank you."
"There you are!" Ms. Perkins came up behind them.
"Is he okay?" Tessa asked.
"He's fine. Nothing some pudding won't cure. He's a little boy; they get bumped and bruised on a regular basis. Now would you like to."
"We've made our decision," Duncan interrupted.
Ms. Perkins looked shocked. "Already? Are you sure? Maybe you should see some videos first."
"We want Richie."
"The boy in the tree?" Her shock did not disappear.
"Yes. We want him," Tessa said.
"I'm not questioning your decision, but he's a little. difficult to take care of."
"Nothing we can't handle," Tessa assured her.
"Let's talk in my office." Ms. Perkins led them down the hall and around the corner. "Take a seat. Now, I understand your intentions are honorable, but Richie might not be a good choice."
"I don't care if he can't talk, he still needs what we can give him," Tessa said resolutely.
"He can't talk and he's on the underdeveloped side. How old do you think he is?"
Duncan and Tessa looked at each other. "Three? Maybe four," Duncan answered.
"He's nearly five."
"He's so small!" Tessa didn't hide her surprise.
"If you want to take Richie, there will be some extra expenses. He's too small for a bed. If he should fall out, he could seriously hurt himself. He needs a car seat as well. At least for another year, maybe longer depending on his growth."
"Expenses are not a problem," Duncan said sternly. "We can get him whatever he needs."
"He wets the bed," Ms. Perkins added. "But he can't do anything to tell you. He just lays there."
"So we'll check on him," Tessa answered.
"He doesn't understand half of what is said to him."
"We'll teach him sign language."
"He likes to take off his clothes."
"So let him. He's just expressing himself. As long as he's at home, it doesn't matter what he does or doesn't wear."
"But in public."
"We'll keep him dressed."
"He likes to wonder off."
"We'll get a stroller."
"He can't talk and he can't understand."
"We'll take him to a specialist," Tessa said triumphantly. There was no way she was leaving without legal rights to that little boy.
"Fine," Ms. Perkins said. "There is no legal way for me to keep you from adopting him. By your file, I know that you have the means to take care of him. But I'm warning you, the last thing that little boy needs is to be sent back because it didn't work out."
"He won't be coming back," Tessa said firmly.
"Alright. It will take a few days to get the papers sorted out. In the mean time you need to get his room ready. He needs a crib, car seat, and booster chair, and they all need to be approved before he can stay with you. You have a week to get it all done."
"You can come by tomorrow evening to inspect us," Tessa said standing up. "We will have it all by then."
. . . . . .
The shelves were full of books and stuffed animals. The toy chest was full of action figures, toy cars, and a remote controlled motorcycle that Duncan had bought on a whim. Next to the book case was a pile of board games: Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Barrel Full of Moneys, Hungry Hungry Hippo, High Ho Cherri O!, and Operation. There was a small dresser up against one wall and a drawing desk complete with tons of paper, coloring books and the biggest box of Crayons Tessa could find. Cattycornered in the far corner was a white crib with a small table with a baby monitor on it on one side and a rocking chair on the other. They had brightened up the room with red curtains and brightly painted furniture.
Tessa stood in the doorway. The little boy this room belonged to was due any minute. With a sigh and a smile, she went into the living room where all the breakable things had been place high on the shelves and everything had been scotch-guarded. One of the kitchen chairs had a booster seat strapped to it where her son was going to eat his meals. They had bought lots of fruits, milk, juice, and snack foods for the boy. Along with a couple kids sized place settings and a couple big kid sippy cups.
There was a knock on the door and Tessa's heart leapt into her throat.
"They're here!" she called excitedly into the store. She opened the door as Duncan walked up behind her.
"You order a little kid?" a young man joked holding Richie on his hip.
"Yes, we did," Duncan answered with a smile. "Hi, Richie. Do you remember me?"
Richie grinned slightly and hid behind the stuffed Winnie the Pooh he was holding.
"I have his clothes in the car," the young man said as Tessa took Richie from his arms. "I'll be right back."
"Welcome home, sweetie," Tessa said softly bouncing him on her hip. He smiled and put his head on her shoulder.
"I think he likes you," the orphanage worker said handing Duncan two small suitcases. "He's usually scared of strangers."
"He just knows his mommy when he sees her, that's all," Tessa told him. "Who do you have there? Did you bring a friend with you?" she asked Richie. "Is that Pooh Bear?" He cocked his head to one side and wrinkled his nose.
"That means he doesn't understand," the young man said. "When he does that, he doesn't understand what you've said. If he does understand, he usually finds a way to answer. If you ever catch him standing in his crib when he's supposed to be asleep, he probably has to go to the bathroom. And if he's awake and he has to go, he'll just stare at you."
"You sound like you know him pretty well," Duncan commented.
"His old foster mom figured him out. I was his social worker so I visited often."
"Oh. What does he do if he's hungry or thirsty?" Tessa asked. If hadn't occurred to her before that he had no way to tell her.
"He does this." He held his fingers and thumb together like he was doing a duck shadow puppet and put it to his mouth. "It is sign language for eat, I think. If he wants to eat, then he wants to drink; if he wants to drink, then he wants to eat. Always both. Unless it's naptime. Then he likes to have some milk. If you have a sippy cup he can take it to bed with him. They don't spill."
"Okay, we can handle that. Can't we, tough guy?" Duncan ruffled Richie's short curls. The boy grinned and returned the gesture.
"If you have any questions about him, I'm Mark." He handed him a business card. "You can call me anytime. I'll also baby sit if you ever need it. I specialized in special needs kids in college and am always willing to make an extra buck. Especially with a little guy like him. He's a real charmer."
"Thank you, Mark." Duncan took the card. "We may take you up on that."
"You show them who's in charge," Mark told Richie. "Oh, we almost forgot, didn't we? Show them your tooth."
Richie grinned widely and wiggled his upper left front tooth with his tongue.
"You have a loose tooth!" Tessa exclaimed in exaggerated excitement. "Is that his first one?" she asked Mark.
"Yes it is. He's very excited about the tooth fairy." Mark leaned over to Duncan. "We usually give them a quarter."
"All right. We'll have to make sure she knows you moved, won't we?" Duncan asked Richie who grinned.
"I'd better be going. If you have any questions give me a call."
"We will."
"Bye bye, Richie" Mark leaned to the boy who was still happily perched on Tessa's hip. "Can I have a kiss?" Richie obliged him and waved with all his might as Mark walked to the car and drove away.
"Well, tough guy, what do you want to do?" Duncan asked picking up the small suitcases. "Shall we get you unpacked?"
Tessa began putting Richie's clothes in the dresser and Duncan sat him down in front of the top game on the stack, Operation. After showing him what to do he handed the boy the tweezers and turned the game on. Richie carefully placed his bear next to him and decided to try. On his first attempt at the charley horse, the nose lit up and a loud buzz sounded. Duncan and Tessa jumped; Richie didn't seem to notice. After two more unsuccessful attempts Richie removed the piece from the game.
"Good job!" Duncan smiled broadly and clapped his hands a couple times to demonstrate his pride. Richie grinned and clapped, too. "Try another one." Duncan pointed at the funny bone.
"Oh, look at these!" Tessa nearly squealed. Duncan looked at the blue footy-pajamas she was holding. The feet had bunny heads on the toes and they both had red collars with bells on them. Tessa shook the pajamas and made them jingle.
"We'll be able to keep track on him in those," Duncan commented as Richie made the game buzz. "We'll be able to keep track of him while he plays this too."
After an hour of playing games, it was time for dinner. Tessa cut up a small piece of chicken and put a roll on one of the plates they had bought for Richie as Duncan strapped him into the booster seat. Richie squirmed and tried to get out when Duncan took his bear. Only when the bear had been put in a chair right next to him did Richie stop squirming. Tessa put the plate in front of him and Richie looked at it.
"Maybe he wants something for the chicken," Duncan suggested. "Do you want ketchup?" Richie wasn't looking at him and therefore didn't notice the question. "Richie," Duncan said a little louder tapping the boy's shoulder. "Do you want ketchup?" Richie cocked his head to one side. "This is going to be harder than I thought," he told Tessa.
"No, it won't," she assured him. "Richie!" she called catching the boy's attention. "Do you want ketchup?" she asked showing him the bottle. He nodded. "See? No problem." She squirted a little onto the plate and Richie began eating.
Duncan and Tessa joined him talking to each other and every now and then saying something to the little boy who had joined their family. Richie ate everything on his plate and told them he wanted more using the same gesture Mark had used. Tessa cut up some more chicken and put it on his plate.
"Do you want ketchup?" she asked not showing him the bottle. He cocked his head to one side and looked at her for a second before nodding. "See? He's very smart. He's learning already." She rewarded him with a kiss and more ketchup. Richie once again finished his food and signaled for more.
"You're still hungry?" Tessa asked two servings later. "Where do you put it all?" Richie had eaten as much chicken as she had and two rolls.
"Give him something sweet," Duncan suggested. "Maybe he's expecting dessert."
"How am I supposed to put him to bed after that, hmm?" Tessa inquired.
"Not cake. Try applesauce or strawberries with a little sugar on them." Duncan stood up. "I'll get him something."
After two bowls of applesauce Richie was finally satisfied. Tessa wiped off his face and hands while Duncan cleared the table. "Time for your bath!" Tessa announced picking him up out of the chair and taking his hand. "We'll do it in our tub," she told Duncan. "There's more room."
"I'll be there to help in a minute."
After finishing the dishes Duncan went into their bathroom and found Richie splashing in the water as Tessa tried to wash his hair.
"Are you having fun?" Duncan asked.
"He likes to splash," Tessa informed him wiping water out of her eyes with her wrist since her hands were covered in shampoo. "Sit still," she told him and he stopped. "Close your eyes." He did. She used the detachable showerhead to wash the shampoo out of his hair. "All done!"
Richie opened his eyes and looked at Duncan who had knelt down next to Tessa. With a grin and a mighty kick Richie splashed water onto Duncan's shirt. Duncan smiled and picked Richie up out of the water wrapping him in a big fluffy towel. He dried him off and chased him with the hairdryer while Tessa got his room ready. It took almost ten minutes but Richie was dry and dressed for bed in his blue bunny pajamas. Duncan picked out a book and sat down in the rocking chair with the child in his lap and read the book. By the time he got to 'The End,' Richie was asleep holding onto his Pooh Bear. Slowly Duncan stood up and Tessa helped him put the young boy in the crib. Almost immediately Richie rolled onto his stomach and stuck two fingers in his mouth. After a couple seconds he started rocking his lower body back and forth. Tessa stifled a giggle as she watched the child shake his bottom in his sleep. They stood watching the sleeping child for a few minutes until deciding to go to bed themselves. Tessa snuggled into Duncan's arms and they both fell asleep just as quickly as Richie did.
Also, just so no one complains. I am perfectly aware that in 1978 Duncan and Tessa hadn't met yet. But this is a dream so I can do whatever I want. Ha! J/K. Just forgive my departure from reality and play along like good little readers. And as always please review!
Duncan woke to Tessa shaking him. "Hurry! Get up!"
"What's wrong?" Duncan asked, watching as she brushed her long golden hair at the vanity.
"Don't play games with me, Duncan MacLeod. I know you're just as excited as I am about this."
Duncan smiled; she was right, as always. Ever since they had discussed their options, he had known this was what he wanted to do. It was a modern solution to his ancient problem. He had showered and had gotten dressed by the time Tessa had finally decided how to do her hair.
"You look perfect," he told her with a grin. "We've already been approved. Now all we have left are the details."
"This is hardly a detail. It's the most important part!" She hugged him warmly despite her scolding and ran her fingers through his short hair. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Me either."
After making a final check on the apartment, they went out for brunch and then window shopping until they could go to the place where their dream would come true.
They rode all the way to their destination in silent anticipation. Tessa repeatedly checked her hair and brushed invisible lint off Duncan's jacket the entire time.
"Are you ready?" he asked, opening the car door for her.
"Nervous," she admitted. "But very ready."
"You must be the MacLeods," the receptionist greeted warmly.
"Yes," Duncan answered.
"You can go out in the yard if you like. Ms. Perkins will meet you shortly."
"Thank you." Duncan and Tessa walked down the short hall and through the double glass doors into the afternoon sun. Children ran all around the play yard unaware of the adults that had entered their domain.
"There're so many," Tessa commented.
"And one will be ours," Duncan told her putting his arm around her shoulders. "Are you sure you want a boy?"
"Yes. I have two younger brothers; I know how to raise boys. Plus you wouldn't know the first thing about raising a girl."
"I could learn."
"Hello," a tall imposing woman said warmly as she approached them. "I'm Michelle Perkins."
"Duncan MacLeod and this is my wife, Tessa." They all shook hands.
"I understand you two want a young boy."
"That's right," Tessa told her.
"How young?"
"Not a baby," Tessa told her. "But not in school yet. Five? Maybe six?"
"Alright. We have a few of those," Ms. Perkins smiled. "Most of the younger ones are there under that tree." She pointed to a large tree that a group of boys had gathered around. "And there are a couple more playing on the jungle gym. Would you like to watch them play or see some videos?"
"Videos?" Duncan asked.
"We have videos of all the children here. You can see them play, sleep, eat, and there's an interview as well."
"You follow the kids around with a video camera?"
"Yes. That way you can look through your choices more efficiently."
"I like the personal touch," Tessa said. "Why don't you tell us about that boy there. The one in the red shirt and overalls." She pointed to a little blonde haired boy who was sitting in the tree the other boys had gathered around.
"That would be Richie, he. he. Oh, for heaven's sake not again." She walked over to the tree with Duncan and Tessa following in her wake. "Gary, how did he get up there?" she demanded of a dark haired boy.
"I don't know," the boy shrugged.
"Richie, you need to come down from there. You could get hurt," she said gently. The little boy looked past her and locked eyes with Tessa. "Richie, Richie! Look at me. Can you get down?"
The boys around the tree started laughing. "The baby can't get down!" one chortled. "What a baby!" another one added. "He's a retard!" a third piped up.
"Andrew!" Ms. Perkins glared fiercely at the young boy. "I will not have such talk here. That is very rude, now apologize to him!"
"I'm sorry, Richie," the boy said obediently.
"Now go sit in the time out chair until I come to get you." The boy turned and left with Ms. Perkins shooting daggers through his back. "I'm terribly sorry. Poor Richie tends to get picked on," she told Duncan and Tessa before turning back to the boy in question. "Richie, can you get down? Do you need me to get Mr. Farmer?" Richie looked down at her from his perch in the tree without saying a word. Finally, he reached his short arms in Duncan's direction.
"He wants you to get him down," Tessa whispered nudging him forward. "Go get him."
"No, Mr. MacLeod. I'll send one of the kids to get Mr. Farmer and a ladder. There's no need for you to."
"I'll get him," Duncan assured her as he walked past. "Hi, Richie," he said quietly as he pulled himself onto the lowest tree branch. "How'd you get up here, tough guy?" he asked as he maneuvered through the branches.
"How did he get up there?" Ms. Perkins asked the boys who were watching.
"The big kids did it," a little girl said from amid the crowd of boys. "I don't think he wanted to, though."
"Of course he didn't want to. Now which big kids?"
"I don't know. They were real big, though."
Ms. Perkins sighed. "I'll have to talk to them. again."
"Does this happen often?" Tessa questioned.
"He's mute," Ms. Perkins explained. "Doesn't make a sound. The older kids like to hide him where he can't get out and see how long until someone finds him. This is really getting out of hand. He could get hurt up there."
"Yes, he could," Duncan said slowly climbing down the tree with the boy on his back. "I'd like to have a word with the kids who did this."
"Richie," Ms. Perkins took the small boy and held him in her arms for a minute. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Richie looked at her for a minute with his head cocked to one side. "Do you have a boo-boo?" she tried. Finally understanding what she meant, he pointed at a scrape on his elbow. "Let's get you cleaned up, okay?" She turned to Duncan. "Thank you so much. You really didn't have to get him down."
"It wasn't a problem."
"I'm terribly sorry. I need to get him to the nurse. I'll be right back." She left and Richie watched them with curious eyes as he was carried into the building.
"I want that one," Tessa told Duncan.
"Which one?" Duncan asked confusedly.
"Richie. I want him. I can't leave him here with those kids picking on him and putting him in trees."
"Are you sure? He seems like he'd be a lot of work. What if he fell down? How would you find him?"
"Even deaf babies make noise, Duncan. Besides, he's so cute. And he wanted you to go get him."
"He just knew I was the only one big enough."
"See? He's smart. He might need a special school; they won't send him," Tessa appealed to Duncan's sense of honor. "He won't get what he needs here."
Duncan grinned. "I was hoping you would say that. I want him, too. You should have seen the look he gave me when I got to him. We'll tell Ms. Perkins when she gets back."
They watched the kids playing in the yard until a bell rang. All the older kids groaned and rolled their eyes as they abandoned their games of basketball or soccer to go into the building. A few orphanage workers gathered up the little kids and led them into the building as well. Duncan and Tessa followed.
"What's going on?" Duncan asked a young man who was leading a group of eight-year-olds down the hall.
"Lunch," he answered.
"Oh. Thank you."
"There you are!" Ms. Perkins came up behind them.
"Is he okay?" Tessa asked.
"He's fine. Nothing some pudding won't cure. He's a little boy; they get bumped and bruised on a regular basis. Now would you like to."
"We've made our decision," Duncan interrupted.
Ms. Perkins looked shocked. "Already? Are you sure? Maybe you should see some videos first."
"We want Richie."
"The boy in the tree?" Her shock did not disappear.
"Yes. We want him," Tessa said.
"I'm not questioning your decision, but he's a little. difficult to take care of."
"Nothing we can't handle," Tessa assured her.
"Let's talk in my office." Ms. Perkins led them down the hall and around the corner. "Take a seat. Now, I understand your intentions are honorable, but Richie might not be a good choice."
"I don't care if he can't talk, he still needs what we can give him," Tessa said resolutely.
"He can't talk and he's on the underdeveloped side. How old do you think he is?"
Duncan and Tessa looked at each other. "Three? Maybe four," Duncan answered.
"He's nearly five."
"He's so small!" Tessa didn't hide her surprise.
"If you want to take Richie, there will be some extra expenses. He's too small for a bed. If he should fall out, he could seriously hurt himself. He needs a car seat as well. At least for another year, maybe longer depending on his growth."
"Expenses are not a problem," Duncan said sternly. "We can get him whatever he needs."
"He wets the bed," Ms. Perkins added. "But he can't do anything to tell you. He just lays there."
"So we'll check on him," Tessa answered.
"He doesn't understand half of what is said to him."
"We'll teach him sign language."
"He likes to take off his clothes."
"So let him. He's just expressing himself. As long as he's at home, it doesn't matter what he does or doesn't wear."
"But in public."
"We'll keep him dressed."
"He likes to wonder off."
"We'll get a stroller."
"He can't talk and he can't understand."
"We'll take him to a specialist," Tessa said triumphantly. There was no way she was leaving without legal rights to that little boy.
"Fine," Ms. Perkins said. "There is no legal way for me to keep you from adopting him. By your file, I know that you have the means to take care of him. But I'm warning you, the last thing that little boy needs is to be sent back because it didn't work out."
"He won't be coming back," Tessa said firmly.
"Alright. It will take a few days to get the papers sorted out. In the mean time you need to get his room ready. He needs a crib, car seat, and booster chair, and they all need to be approved before he can stay with you. You have a week to get it all done."
"You can come by tomorrow evening to inspect us," Tessa said standing up. "We will have it all by then."
. . . . . .
The shelves were full of books and stuffed animals. The toy chest was full of action figures, toy cars, and a remote controlled motorcycle that Duncan had bought on a whim. Next to the book case was a pile of board games: Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Barrel Full of Moneys, Hungry Hungry Hippo, High Ho Cherri O!, and Operation. There was a small dresser up against one wall and a drawing desk complete with tons of paper, coloring books and the biggest box of Crayons Tessa could find. Cattycornered in the far corner was a white crib with a small table with a baby monitor on it on one side and a rocking chair on the other. They had brightened up the room with red curtains and brightly painted furniture.
Tessa stood in the doorway. The little boy this room belonged to was due any minute. With a sigh and a smile, she went into the living room where all the breakable things had been place high on the shelves and everything had been scotch-guarded. One of the kitchen chairs had a booster seat strapped to it where her son was going to eat his meals. They had bought lots of fruits, milk, juice, and snack foods for the boy. Along with a couple kids sized place settings and a couple big kid sippy cups.
There was a knock on the door and Tessa's heart leapt into her throat.
"They're here!" she called excitedly into the store. She opened the door as Duncan walked up behind her.
"You order a little kid?" a young man joked holding Richie on his hip.
"Yes, we did," Duncan answered with a smile. "Hi, Richie. Do you remember me?"
Richie grinned slightly and hid behind the stuffed Winnie the Pooh he was holding.
"I have his clothes in the car," the young man said as Tessa took Richie from his arms. "I'll be right back."
"Welcome home, sweetie," Tessa said softly bouncing him on her hip. He smiled and put his head on her shoulder.
"I think he likes you," the orphanage worker said handing Duncan two small suitcases. "He's usually scared of strangers."
"He just knows his mommy when he sees her, that's all," Tessa told him. "Who do you have there? Did you bring a friend with you?" she asked Richie. "Is that Pooh Bear?" He cocked his head to one side and wrinkled his nose.
"That means he doesn't understand," the young man said. "When he does that, he doesn't understand what you've said. If he does understand, he usually finds a way to answer. If you ever catch him standing in his crib when he's supposed to be asleep, he probably has to go to the bathroom. And if he's awake and he has to go, he'll just stare at you."
"You sound like you know him pretty well," Duncan commented.
"His old foster mom figured him out. I was his social worker so I visited often."
"Oh. What does he do if he's hungry or thirsty?" Tessa asked. If hadn't occurred to her before that he had no way to tell her.
"He does this." He held his fingers and thumb together like he was doing a duck shadow puppet and put it to his mouth. "It is sign language for eat, I think. If he wants to eat, then he wants to drink; if he wants to drink, then he wants to eat. Always both. Unless it's naptime. Then he likes to have some milk. If you have a sippy cup he can take it to bed with him. They don't spill."
"Okay, we can handle that. Can't we, tough guy?" Duncan ruffled Richie's short curls. The boy grinned and returned the gesture.
"If you have any questions about him, I'm Mark." He handed him a business card. "You can call me anytime. I'll also baby sit if you ever need it. I specialized in special needs kids in college and am always willing to make an extra buck. Especially with a little guy like him. He's a real charmer."
"Thank you, Mark." Duncan took the card. "We may take you up on that."
"You show them who's in charge," Mark told Richie. "Oh, we almost forgot, didn't we? Show them your tooth."
Richie grinned widely and wiggled his upper left front tooth with his tongue.
"You have a loose tooth!" Tessa exclaimed in exaggerated excitement. "Is that his first one?" she asked Mark.
"Yes it is. He's very excited about the tooth fairy." Mark leaned over to Duncan. "We usually give them a quarter."
"All right. We'll have to make sure she knows you moved, won't we?" Duncan asked Richie who grinned.
"I'd better be going. If you have any questions give me a call."
"We will."
"Bye bye, Richie" Mark leaned to the boy who was still happily perched on Tessa's hip. "Can I have a kiss?" Richie obliged him and waved with all his might as Mark walked to the car and drove away.
"Well, tough guy, what do you want to do?" Duncan asked picking up the small suitcases. "Shall we get you unpacked?"
Tessa began putting Richie's clothes in the dresser and Duncan sat him down in front of the top game on the stack, Operation. After showing him what to do he handed the boy the tweezers and turned the game on. Richie carefully placed his bear next to him and decided to try. On his first attempt at the charley horse, the nose lit up and a loud buzz sounded. Duncan and Tessa jumped; Richie didn't seem to notice. After two more unsuccessful attempts Richie removed the piece from the game.
"Good job!" Duncan smiled broadly and clapped his hands a couple times to demonstrate his pride. Richie grinned and clapped, too. "Try another one." Duncan pointed at the funny bone.
"Oh, look at these!" Tessa nearly squealed. Duncan looked at the blue footy-pajamas she was holding. The feet had bunny heads on the toes and they both had red collars with bells on them. Tessa shook the pajamas and made them jingle.
"We'll be able to keep track on him in those," Duncan commented as Richie made the game buzz. "We'll be able to keep track of him while he plays this too."
After an hour of playing games, it was time for dinner. Tessa cut up a small piece of chicken and put a roll on one of the plates they had bought for Richie as Duncan strapped him into the booster seat. Richie squirmed and tried to get out when Duncan took his bear. Only when the bear had been put in a chair right next to him did Richie stop squirming. Tessa put the plate in front of him and Richie looked at it.
"Maybe he wants something for the chicken," Duncan suggested. "Do you want ketchup?" Richie wasn't looking at him and therefore didn't notice the question. "Richie," Duncan said a little louder tapping the boy's shoulder. "Do you want ketchup?" Richie cocked his head to one side. "This is going to be harder than I thought," he told Tessa.
"No, it won't," she assured him. "Richie!" she called catching the boy's attention. "Do you want ketchup?" she asked showing him the bottle. He nodded. "See? No problem." She squirted a little onto the plate and Richie began eating.
Duncan and Tessa joined him talking to each other and every now and then saying something to the little boy who had joined their family. Richie ate everything on his plate and told them he wanted more using the same gesture Mark had used. Tessa cut up some more chicken and put it on his plate.
"Do you want ketchup?" she asked not showing him the bottle. He cocked his head to one side and looked at her for a second before nodding. "See? He's very smart. He's learning already." She rewarded him with a kiss and more ketchup. Richie once again finished his food and signaled for more.
"You're still hungry?" Tessa asked two servings later. "Where do you put it all?" Richie had eaten as much chicken as she had and two rolls.
"Give him something sweet," Duncan suggested. "Maybe he's expecting dessert."
"How am I supposed to put him to bed after that, hmm?" Tessa inquired.
"Not cake. Try applesauce or strawberries with a little sugar on them." Duncan stood up. "I'll get him something."
After two bowls of applesauce Richie was finally satisfied. Tessa wiped off his face and hands while Duncan cleared the table. "Time for your bath!" Tessa announced picking him up out of the chair and taking his hand. "We'll do it in our tub," she told Duncan. "There's more room."
"I'll be there to help in a minute."
After finishing the dishes Duncan went into their bathroom and found Richie splashing in the water as Tessa tried to wash his hair.
"Are you having fun?" Duncan asked.
"He likes to splash," Tessa informed him wiping water out of her eyes with her wrist since her hands were covered in shampoo. "Sit still," she told him and he stopped. "Close your eyes." He did. She used the detachable showerhead to wash the shampoo out of his hair. "All done!"
Richie opened his eyes and looked at Duncan who had knelt down next to Tessa. With a grin and a mighty kick Richie splashed water onto Duncan's shirt. Duncan smiled and picked Richie up out of the water wrapping him in a big fluffy towel. He dried him off and chased him with the hairdryer while Tessa got his room ready. It took almost ten minutes but Richie was dry and dressed for bed in his blue bunny pajamas. Duncan picked out a book and sat down in the rocking chair with the child in his lap and read the book. By the time he got to 'The End,' Richie was asleep holding onto his Pooh Bear. Slowly Duncan stood up and Tessa helped him put the young boy in the crib. Almost immediately Richie rolled onto his stomach and stuck two fingers in his mouth. After a couple seconds he started rocking his lower body back and forth. Tessa stifled a giggle as she watched the child shake his bottom in his sleep. They stood watching the sleeping child for a few minutes until deciding to go to bed themselves. Tessa snuggled into Duncan's arms and they both fell asleep just as quickly as Richie did.