Chapter 2
A few hours later as Jean-Luc was still stuck doing paperwork his head snapped up when he heard a blood curdling scream, getting up he rushed upstairs to find the boy screaming and looking around him, obviously terrified, turning on the light Jean-Luc cursed as Remy screamed even louder. Reminding the man that the boy's eyes were sensitive to the light, turning off the light Jean-Luc rushed over to the bed and held the boy in his arms, Remy immediately started to fight back, "NOOOOOONNNNNN..." he screamed tears in his eyes.
"Shhhh, it's all right petite...it's Jean-Luc remember..." he rasped in the boy's ear trying desperately to calm the frantic child in his arms, "It's Jean-Luc..." he repeated.
Remy grasped the man's shirt his eyes wide searching the room, "Jean-L..."
He whispered trembling.
"That's right...shhh...ya safe with me...remember, no one gonna hurt ya when ya with me...shhhhh..." Jean-Luc whispered, sitting in the recliner and rocking the shivering boy in his arms, shivering himself as he held him tightly, "Mon dieu what happen to ya…" he breathed still rocking him careful of his injuries. "Ya safe..." he repeated rubbing his back.
Remy had whimpered for over an hour still shivering a bit, as he clutched to Jean-Luc. He had just fallen asleep in the thief's arms as he continued to rock him, about half an hour later the master thief tilted his head when he heard the door unlock from downstairs. Giving a small smile Jean-Luc sighed as he gently ran his hand up and down the boy's back, Remy's eyes fluttered open as he suddenly jolted awake, Jean-Luc looked at the boy with a smile.
"Well that was a long nap…Ya alright now?" Remy looked around then back at Jean-Luc and rubbed at his eyes with his right hand then nodded. "That's good..Tante's home ya wanna go say hi?" he asked, "She did promise ta make ya something special didn't she?" Remy slowly nodded, still feeling a bit groggy and was at the moment comfortable he again leaned his head on Jean-Luc's chest and closed his eyes refusing to let go of the man. "Ya haven't had anything ta eat yet...ya gotta be hungry petite...Trust me ya gonna love her cookin'..." Jean-Luc tried to coax the redhead.
"Anyone home?" they heard. Remy looked to the door, then back at Jean-Luc.
"Ya sure ya alright?" Jean-Luc asked gently lifting the six-year old and ran his thumb on the boy's tear streaked face.
"Oui..." Remy whimpered leaning his forehead on Jean-Luc's shoulder, he was still a bit frightened from the nightmare, he didn't care who held him at the moment he just didn't want to be alone. Jean-Luc rested the back of his hand on Remy's forehead, and sighed, "Ya got a fever..." he whispered. Slowly standing with the boy in his arms, and sitting him on his hip. Jean-Luc walked down the stairs and headed for the kitchen, creeping at the kitchen entrance.
Remy looked in the kitchen a bit curious, Jean-Luc chuckled "Watch dis Tante probably gonna scold me fo not feedin ya yet..." he whispered in Remy's ear as he slowly entered the kitchen with an innocent look plastered on his face.
Tante slowly turned when she heard footsteps then frowned at the apparent state the boy was in, "Jean-Luc LeBeau...don't ya dare tell me that chile hasn't eaten yet..." she scolded.
"See..." Jean-Luc whispered into Remy's ear making him smile. "Tante...please, ya really want this here boy ta eat MY cooking, thought we wanted him ta get better?" he quirked an eyebrow.
"Good point..." she answered lifting her own eyebrow, and approaching the boy, "Ya hungry chile...how bout scrambled eggs...that sound alright with ya?" she asked caressing his cheek.
Remy nodded his head with a small smile, he liked this woman she was really nice which was a first for him since everyone he ever met would scold him or hit him they'd always seem extremely disgusted with the fact that the boy had red on black eyes, 'He be the spawn of da devil...' they'd all say, 'He's le Diable-Blanc…' Remy suddenly started to panic a little when he saw that Jean-Luc was going to put him down, seeing how scared the boy still was Jean-Luc sat at the table, with Remy on his lap, Mattie looked on a bit confused, Jean-Luc shook his head meaning I'll tell you later.
A few moments later Jean-Luc pulled a chair next to him and sat Remy on it when Tante put a plate of scrambled eggs and plain toast in front of the boy. While Remy slowly ate what he could stomach, Jean-Luc slowly stood to get a cup of coffee and noticed how Remy seemed to follow him throughout the room with his eyes, he whispered to Mattie that the boy had had a terrible nightmare which is why he seemed so scared.
After breakfast, and giving the boy his medication Remy yawned and leaned his head against the table, Mattie gently picked him up, Remy didn't protest as he snuggled up to her feeling safe in her presence. Mattie smiled as she carried the boy into the living room. Laying him down in the middle of the couch, Mattie covered him with a blanket and sat down beside him humming softly, as she ran her fingers through his hair, "Now you sleep sweet chile, I'll chase dose awful nightmares away..." she whispered.
XxXxX
A few days later Remy's eyes fluttered open as he slowly stretched and found himself alone in his room, yawning he slowly stood up and peeked out the door, now very curious he slowly made his way downstairs and entered the living room looking at all the books that adorned the shelves, with other various types of shiny objects Remy walked over to a shelf and picked up a book, looked through it when he didn't see any pictures he put it back in it's place. Jean-Luc came out of his study he desperately needed a coffee, noticing the boy was up he quickly stepped back to stay out of view and watched him with an amused smirk as he explored the room.
"Thought Jean-Luc said he had a kid, how come he don't got no books with pictures in it…or any toys around?" Remy mumbled to himself, as he walked to the other side of the room and picked up a few chess pieces examining them.
Jean-Luc chuckled softly, then looked to the door as it slammed shut, Henri not paying attention to what he was doing as he read the mail and walked into the living room, hearing a gasp he looked up, noticing Remy he then smiled, "Ey petite..."
Remy quickly backed to the wall, desperately looking for a way out, Jean-Luc quickly entered the room, "It's alright Remy...dis be Henri mon fils..." Remy looked at Henri and frowned, Henri chuckled and waved at the boy.
"Not what ya expected hun?" Henri smirked and kneeled down, "Sorry if I scared ya Remy...I didn't know you were up...ya okay?"
Remy slid down the wall sitting on the floor staring at Henri tilting his head then gave a huge grin, "Nah who be scared of you..." Jean-Luc chuckled while Henri snorted.
Looking to his father, Henri grinned, "Are ya hearing dis père what a mouth...who be scared of you..." Henri repeated looking back to Remy in trying to get the boy to smile again, "Could have at least waited til I left da room..." he pouted. Remy chuckled softly then groaned resting his right arm on his chest.
Jean-Luc kneeled down beside the boy, "Ya alright Remy?" Remy took a few deep breaths, "Ya ribs bothering ya?" Remy slowly nodded, "Alright come on let's get ya medication neh, make da pain go away..." he whispered as he gently picked up the six-year-old and carried him into the kitchen. "Henri could ya call Alex to come check on Remy later...make sure he be healin' right." he asked.
After giving Remy his medication, Henri had led the boy to his room and found him a few of his old toys, "Alright let's see what we got…a couple cars, fire-truck, legos…" and started playing with him for a little while.
Alex had arrived not long after the call and checked the boy over, finding no problems.
That night Jean-Luc was in the living room glancing over a few books when he sensed movement behind him then grinned and turned, "Watcha doin' dere petite...getting yaself inta mischief?" he chuckled.
"Non..." Remy smirked as he slowly entered the room.
"Got tired playin' with Henri?"
"Non...I help him wash his car and sprayed him wit da hose...then he showed me how ta play cards...something called poker...just came ta see what you were doin'?"
"Is that so..." Jean-Luc chuckled as he sat down in a big chair.
"Watcha doin' anyway?" Remy asked curious eyeing the book it looked old and well worn.
"Well I was gonna read myself a story...this here book was Henri's favorite, as well as mine when I was yo age, ya wanna hear it?"
Remy smiled happily and walked up to Jean-Luc who helped him into his chair Remy made himself comfortable as he sat beside him, while Jean-Luc draped the blanket that was behind the chair on the boy. "Ya really gotta like reading with all these books ya got hun?"
"That I do...ya know how ta read?" Jean-Luc asked, Remy just shrugged, as he leaned against Jean-Luc, and looked at the book when he opened it.
"How come there ain't no pictures?" he asked.
"Well it's a really old book Remy and sometimes it's more fun to imagine what you read." Jean-Luc opened the book to the first chapter.
"What's dis book about anyway, it ain't something boring like girls kissin' boys is it?" Remy asked with a disgusted look.
Jean-Luc laughed, "Non...dere be witches, and goblins and such..." he chuckled and started reading the boy a few fairy tales.
XxXxX
A few weeks later Remy sighed as he slowly made his way downstairs, holding onto the railing he shyly walked into the kitchen, "Well hello Remy how ya feelin' mon ange?" Tante asked gently grasping his cheeks, and kissing his forehead.
Remy smiled "Alright Tante...watcha doin'?" he asked curiously.
"Well I just finished cookin' supper..." she answered pulling back a chair and guiding him to it, giving him a snack before supper was actually served in a few hours, "...ya wanna help me with dessert?" she asked, and smiled when Remy's eyes light up with excitement. Pulling up a chair to the counter Remy helped Tante to crack a few eggs putting them in a bowl, and pouring, milk, sugar and such, sneaking a few chocolate chip pieces in his mouth when she wasn't looking.
Mattie smiled as she notice the small thief snatching the sweet chocolate morsels but said nothing he was a child after all and deserved a treat on numerous occasions, a thought suddenly hit her head, perhaps the boy had never been spoiled before well that would soon change.
Remy sat on the floor in front of the stove watching as the cookies he helped make where slowly melting. Tante smiled as she watched how Remy's little tongue licked his lips he could hardly wait to sink his teeth in the little morsels.
After eating a few cookies Remy roamed around the house, he couldn't believe it these people actually wanted him to stay with them, they were extremely nice and never gave him a harsh word or yelled if he did something wrong they would frown a bit but they never laid a hand to hurt him, although he liked it here and the LeBeau's always seemed to make him feel safe. Remy still felt ill at ease these people may seem nice especially Tante but so were some of the others...Remy's heart sank as well as his hopes when he kept thinking of the terrible price he had to pay later for staying with them. Which is why he mostly always kept out of sight and always helped if he could when asked, he hardly ever spoke unless spoken too, Remy was so deep in thought he hadn't notice the figure behind him.
"Remy..." Jean-Luc called again then jumped when Remy gasped and snapped his head up looking around, "Ya okay petite?" Jean-Luc asked, putting his things away.
Remy took a few deep breaths and plastered a grin on his face, "Oui M'sieu LeBeau..." he answered looking up.
Jean-Luc sighed inwardly, 'Still don trust me...still won't talk...' "C'mon let's take a walk eh?" Jean-Luc smiled stretching out his hand, Remy slowly took it and followed the man outside, walking to a nearby park in silence, Jean-Luc led the boy to the swings and sat him on one of them, "What's botherin' ya petite?" he asked as he gently pushed him forward.
"Nothin..." Remy looked up, smiled then bowed his head starring at his feet as if they were made of gold.
"Ahun...who ya think ya talkin' to...dat little grin of yours might work on Tante but ya ain't foolin me petite..." Jean-Luc chuckled.
Remy smirked, he knew he couldn't fool this man. "But nothin's botherin' me...honest..." he quipped kicking his legs.
Jean-Luc quirked an eyebrow, knowing he was lying through his teeth "Alright...alright..." Jean-Luc pretended to be defeated and continued to swing the boy. Remy smiled as he swung his legs back and forth enjoying the feel of the wind as it caressed his face. "Ya know Remy ya can talk ta me 'bout anything..." Jean-Luc tried, as he continued to swing the boy.
Remy looked up about to ask something but quickly stopped himself, then took a deep breath, Remy looked at him again a bit uncertain, Jean-Luc gave him a small smile, "Still don' know what ya want?" Remy spoke up and frowned Jean-Luc looked at him confused, seeing this Remy explained, "Everything has it's price..." he whispered.
Jean-Luc frowned a bit surprised at what the boy had said then suddenly realized what he meant. 'Mon dieu...don't tell me some sick bastard...' Jean-Luc refused to finish that thought, and tried desperately to calm himself, as he knelt in front of Remy stopping the swing and locking eyes with the boy. "Remy listen ta me...I don't know what ya keep thinking about in that little head of yours, I don't want nothing from ya...I want ta take care of ya...understand?" Jean-Luc looked at the boy's onyx colored eyes. Remy didn't seem to believe him Jean-Luc specified "Alright then ya wanna know my price?" Remy flinched he knew it. "I want ya ta smile..." Remy frowned looking at him confused, "...not enough alright I also want ya ta run...ta play...I want ya ta do what every boy yo age does, I want ya ta climb trees...ta swim...ta go ta school...ta be happy...How's dat sound?"
"Dat not what I meant m'sieu..." Remy whimpered, knowing what the man wanted was too good to be true.
"Non I know what ya meant, I would nevah touch ya like that and anyone who even tries they'll wish they hadn't after I'm done with them...what I told ya is what I want, I don't want ya ta be scared anymore petite, you have a home wit us, you always will..." Jean-Luc held out his hands, trying desperately to hold back his tears. Thought Jean-Luc's tears didn't fall Remy's did, as he leaned forward resting his head on the man's shoulder the one man who seemed to care for him, Jean-Luc wrapped his arms around the boy's frame still careful of his injuries and picked him up rocking back and forth holding him tightly. "Oh you a good boy..." Jean-Luc whispered as he patted Remy's back, then leaned back to look at Remy, "Ya alright?"
Remy sniffed brushing his hand at his eyes, trying to hide his tears, "Oui..." he whispered back.
Jean-Luc smirked, "Let's go back home eh...Tante gonna start screamin' if we late for supper..." at that Remy laughed softly, as he leaned his head on Jean-Luc's shoulder.
That night after supper the LeBeau clan sat quietly in the living room chatting and enjoying each other's company, Remy laid down beside Jean-Luc who was drinking a glass of wine on the couch, thanks to the medication Remy was on he was already fast asleep.
"Ya alright Jean?" Mattie asked as she rocked herself in her chair.
Jean-Luc looked down at the little redhead sleeping beside him, "Me and Remy had ourselves a little talk earlier..." he whispered, as he pulled the blanket up to cover Remy's shoulders.
"Oh yeah..." Henri asked quirking an eyebrow. "What he talk about, how much mischief he gonna do when he get better, or how much money he gonna win playin poker, he getting better ya know." Henri grinned. Jean-Luc sighed then frowned as he thought of what the boy must have gone through, "Père?" Henri leaned forward in his seat.
"Apparently da petite been through a lot on da streets..." Jean-Luc looked up locking eyes with his son, "Wanted to know what my price was..."
Henri frowned as his mind registered his father's words as realization struck he immediately had rage written on his face, "WHAT, ya mean some piece of crap human being tried ta..."
"Shhh, what is the matter wit you, ya blind da boy be sleepin calm down..." Mattie scolded.
As Jean-Luc repeated their little talk in the park, Mattie had a scowl on her face, "Mon dieu..." she whispered. "Non...dat boy is not leavin dis house alone again..." she shook her head.
"No way père…we can' just..." Henri stood up starting to protest, but his father cut him off.
Jean-Luc smiled, "I quite agree...which is why I had a talk with da lawyers this morning...he drawin up adoption papers..." he answered, as he gently brushed the hair out of Remy's eyes, feeling the movement Remy yawned as he groggily woke up looking around at the smiling faces.
"Really?" Henri asked and smirked when his father nodded his head, Henri then looked to a yawning Remy, "Heh well that was a short nap...petit frère..." He chuckled.
Remy frowned as he looked to Henri, "Frère?" he asked as he slowly sat up with Jean-Luc's help and leaned against the eldest LeBeau, then looked up, "What he talkin' 'bout?"
"Well Remy how would ya like ta be a part of this here family?" Jean-Luc asked.
"What..." Remy asked as he slowly interpreted the man's words, "Really?"
"Yes really...you my boy are a very good tief ya know dat...not only did ya steal my wallet ya managed ta steal our hearts as well..." Jean-Luc paused for a moment, "Would ya let me be ya père Remy?"
Remy couldn't believe it as he stared at Jean-Luc tears were brimming his eyes, "Dis a joke right?" he whimpered.
Jean-Luc quickly sat him in his lap and held him tightly, brushing away his tears, "Non dis not a joke, I want ya ta be my son..." he whispered, tilting his head down, "Would ya let me be ya père?" he asked again.
Remy looked to Mattie, then Henri, they all seemed serious, "But I always get inta trouble...maybe ya grow tired of me later non?"
"Remy no way we ever get tired of ya...and of course ya suppose ta get inta trouble every little boy does..." Henri chuckled, "Ya know I'm da reason why père got gray hair..." he announced proudly.
Jean-Luc glared at Henri, "Don' remind me..." he drawled. Remy smiled as they argued, and cuddled up to Jean-Luc, the man looked down at the boy in his arms, "So what ya say petite, ya wanna be a LeBeau?"
Remy looked up with a smile, "Oui M'sieu...I'd like that very much..."
"Ey...papa..." he corrected, "M'sieu make me sound like an old man..." he chuckled.
The LeBeau's had stayed up until midnight talking and laughing, telling Remy stories about when they were growing up, Remy was starting to nod off. Jean-Luc chuckled as he picked the boy up, resting him against his shoulder and slowly made his way upstairs, tucking him in bed, Jean-Luc smiled as he looked at the boy who would soon become his son legally, resting his hand on Remy's forehead, Jean-Luc leaned down and placed a light kiss on the boy's forehead then turned on the small lamp on the desk and made his way to his room, to get ready for bed, he had an appointment with his lawyers again in the morning.