A/N: Thanks to everyone that reviewed, it makes me want to update sooner.
Chapter 3
Jordan had Michael wait in her office while she went to talk to Garret about her hours. She knew that she would have cut backher hours if she wanted to keep Michael. She needed to cut back on her hours, and she needed to take some time off to get Michael settled in so that he would be comfortable with a babysitter. She just hoped that Garret would understand and allow her to have the time off, because she didn't want to have to choose between her job and Michael. She also knew that her best approach was a direct one.
"Garret, I need some time off."
"Well I never thought that I would here you say that. Wait, why?"
"Remember when I had to go with Woody to his office? Well I had to take care of something."
"What?"
"I'll show you, just a second." Jordan left Garret's office and headed for her own. She picked up Michael and told him to be very quiet while they walked down the hall, because they were going to surprise someone. "Garret, I want you to meet Michael." Jordan held out her hand so that Michael wouldn't be so scared. She pulled him into her lap, and kissed the top of his head. "Garret, when I went to that homicide the other day, the two little boys, well Michael was there. His mother was killed a few days ago, by his father, and the only living relative helped kill his mother. I fell in love with him, and couldn't let him go to a foster home so I offered to take him home. I'm going to adopt him if I can. His social worker is doing the paperwork now."
"Jordan are you sure that you can handle this?"
"Yes, I mean, it'll be hard, but I can do it. And this little guy will help me too."
"Kay Joodan. Can we go see Woody now?" Garret smiled as he watched Jordan with the boy. She was right, she could handle this, she just might need some help along the way. And when she does, she would know where to find it.
"Yeah, we can go now. So can I have the time off? I can come in another day to talk about my hours, if you want to think about it."
"Yeah, you can have the time off. I'll call you later to tell you when to come back." Jordan smiled and gathered Michael up in her arms. Together they headed to Woody's office, because as hard as Jordan tried to say no to Michael when he asked, she wanted to go to.
Woody's Office
"Hey Woods, someone wanted to see you." Woody got up to catch Michael in his arms.
"Joodan, I have to tell Woody a secwet, so don't listen kay?"
"I have to make a phone call, I'll be right back though, kay?" Jordan left after she saw Woody and Michael smile.
"I did what you said. When she started crying I went and gave her a hug, and she stopped. She went to sleep after that."
"Why was she crying?"
"You." Woody was taken aback by what Michael had just offered up to him. After all he was only three years old, but he had never lied yet, why start now?
"Thank you. Why don't we get out of here and go get some ice cream?"
"YES! We have to get Joodan first though, she'll be sad if we leave her, and she can't cry no more cuz I'm here." Michael hoped off of Woody's lap and headed for the door, smiling when he saw Jordan opening it. "Woody said that we can go for ice cream, can we?"
"Sure, but only if Woody is going to pay for it."
"Let's go." Woody got up and followed the two out. Things were definitely getting better. Now he just had to make sure that Jordan would be able to keep Michael.
Later that night
They stayed at the park until dark, and then headed home. Michael was tired, and Woody carried him on his back so that they would get home before the sun rose. Woody walked them up to the door, partly because he was carrying Michael, and partly because he wanted to spend some time with Jordan. When they got inside, there was a message on Jordan's machine.
Phone Message: Jordan, this is Laura Jacobs, Michael's social worker, I'm sorry to say but I have some bad news. Please come to my office tomorrow, and we can talk more then.
"Jordan, it'll be okay. We'll work this out. Maybe they just found out some more paperwork you have to fill out."
"Woody, this isn't about paperwork. They aren't going to let me keep him." Jordan sat down on the couch and let her tears fall. She didn't say anything when Woody sat down next to her, just snuggled down into him. She picked Michael up and held him next to her. "I knew that they wouldn't let me keep him. Why would they let someone like me have a kid?"
"Because your wonderful, your caring, your smart, and you love him. Jordan, we'll figure this out."
"I hope that your right Woody, I really do." Jordan squeezed Michael tighter and leaned further into Woody. She allowed him to hold her until she cried herself to sleep. Woody meant to get up and leave, but he fell asleep holding the woman he loved tight.
The Next Morning
Jordan woke up to the smell of coffee. She smiled when she saw Woody and Michael playing quietly in his room. The smile faded when she realized that this might be the last morning that she ever woke up to the sound of Michael playing in his room. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and walked over to the two. "Hey boys, what's going on?"
"Were making you a picture, so that when you go to work you won't forget what I look like." Jordan held back her tears and looked down at what they were making. There was a book spread out on the floor, and several pictures were spread out on it.There were several pictures of Michael, and one of Jordan and Michael sleeping. The one of them sleeping caught Jordan's eye because sheknew that Woody had taken it when they were still sleeping.
"I'm going to go and get some coffee, okay?"
"Kay." Jordan got up and went into the kitchen, hoping that Woody hadn't told Michael about the meeting that they had to go to later that day.
"Jordan, he doesn't know, but he woke up when I was making it, so I had to come up with an excuse."
"Thank you Woody. I'll call Laura and set up a time, then I'll go. You can go if you need to get to work."
"I called in sick, something more important came up." Jordan smiled, and went to make the worst call in her life.
Phone Call:
Laura: This is Laura Jacobs.
Jordan: This is Jordan Cavanaugh, regarding a phone call I got last night.
Laura: Yes, are you calling to set up an appointment?
Jordan: Yes. Is it at all possible to get an afternoon appointment. I had already promised to take Michael to the park.
Laura: Of course, how about 3'o clock?
Jordan: That sounds good. Thank you.
Laura: Your welcome. See you at three.
Jordan hung up the phone and headed back into Michael's room. When she got in there she saw Woody and Michael up to there elbows in what looked like white goop. "Um, pardon me for breaking up the party, but what is that?" Jordan pointed down at the white mess with a questioning look on her face.
"It's a surprise. Why don't you go and take a shower while me and Michael get this cleaned up?"
"Kay, but then Michael has to go take a bath." Jordan got up and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
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