Thanks so much for sticking with this and for your reviews. This is the last chapter. I've got dividers for this chapter so I hope people won't get confused like before. I hope you like it.
Chapter 5
Kirsten was still sitting next to Ryan's bedside stroking his hair when Sandy stumbled in. "Are you guys okay?" He asked breathless. He took in the scene before him. Ryan now asleep with new bruises marring his neck and Kirsten sitting next to him, her fingers entangled in his hair.
They looked similar, almost like mother and son, Sandy noticed as he waited for an answer.
"That man came… He tried to take him… It was horrible… He looked so scared and then he just went limp…" Kirsten answered. She still couldn't wrap her head around all that had happened in such a short amount of time.
Sandy covered the distance between Kirsten and himself quickly and hugged her. "I spoke to a nurse and she's going to find Ryan a more private and safer room. She said he should be able to leave the hospital tomorrow or at the latest the day after. He's doing really well despite what happened. The nurse will come in later to help him move rooms."
Kirsten sighed with relief. She figured now would be good time to talk about what she was hoping they could do.
"Umm Sandy… You know when Ryan leaves the hospital? What's going to happen to him?" She asked as that seemed to be a good starting point.
"Well he'll go into the system, foster care till he's 18 maybe he'll get adopted and then he'll start his own life. His mom may try to get him back but I took a look in his file and I don't think she has a chance in hell of succeeding …" He broke off as he noticed the way Kirsten was looking at Ryan. "What?" he asked.
"How would you feel…Umm would you be okay if Ryan came to stay with us?" She still stared at Ryan. Worried that Sandy may not like the idea as they had only met Ryan earlier that day after all. After a moment of silence, Kirsten looked up quickly glancing at Sandy.
To her surprise, Sandy was smiling at her. "I was thinking the same thing… I mean of coarse. Seth would have a brother, we would have another son it would be great. We'll have to talk to Ryan first though… It may be too soon."
Kirsten smiled at Sandy and kissed him. "I love you," She told him and Sandy grinned back at her. They both knew it was going to be a bumpy ride but it would be worth it. Ryan deserved so much more.
Sandy sat down in a chair next to Kirsten and they both watched their soon to be son.
A little while later a nurse came in to move Ryan to his new room. Two orderlies helped to move him onto a stretcher. He whimpered softly at the movement and his eyes fluttered open.
"Kirsten?" He whispered. She hadn't left him had she?
One of the orderlies moved aside a little to make way for Kirsten who hurried over to Ryan. She hugged him gently and was surprised to feel his small head resting on her shoulder. She rubbed his back and then pulled away so they could start the small journey to his new room.
He grasped her hand and she squeezed it gently all the way down the corridor.
When they reached the room, Ryan was surprised to see there was only one bed in the room and it was for him! How could his mom possibly afford this? Ryan bit his lip to prevent himself from crying out when the orderlies moved him onto the bed.
When he was settled he watched as the orderlies left and the nurse injected something into his IV. She smiled at him and asked him whether he wanted anything before she left as well.
Sandy and Kirsten both pulled up their chairs so they were closer to Ryan's bed. He watched them carefully his blue eyes shining.
"So kid, it looks like you'll be going home soon." Sandy commented casually. They both saw how Ryan suddenly tensed up and looked down at his now fidgeting hands.
"How would you feel about staying with us? We've both talked about it and we'd like you to become part of our family." Kirsten said gently before adding "If you want to be…" They both looked intently at Ryan. His eyes were wide and he looked completely unbelieving.
After a few minutes Sandy couldn't take the suspense any longer. "So what do you think kid?" Ryan swallowed and tried to smile but it soon turned into a grimace from the pain in his cheek. The two adults realized this was the first time they'd seen Ryan smile even though it was a very quick one.
"So is that a yes?" Kirsten promoted smiling happily back at him. He nodded and Sandy excused himself beaming happily to his new child and wife to talk to the necessary people for the adoption. Even though it was late, Sandy knew one of his friends- Martin who worked with children like Ryan who would be happy to help. Martin had been trying to get the couple to adopt for years.
"Welcome to the family," Kirsten smiled as she tucked Ryan in and watched as he fell back asleep looking content and safe. She let herself relax and slid back into her chair to sleep herself.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
When Ryan awoke it was light so he knew it was the morning. For once he didn't feel pain and sadness in the morning but he felt happy and yes there was some pain, ok a lot of pain but he knew it would go away soon. He was going to have a family. He looked to his side and saw Kirsten fast asleep next to him on a chair.
He sighed content and watched her sleep quietly. Suddenly to his dismay a new feeling overtook him- guilt. What about Dawn? What was she going to do? Trey as never there and even if AJ was safely locked up in jail his mother always attracted the bad guys. She also wouldn't be happy with him leaving her at all.
Kirsten stirred and woke. She sat up in her chair and stretched. One night in an uncomfortable chair was beginning to take its toll on her body. She looked over at Ryan and saw his blue eyes staring back at her.
"You okay?" She asked looking at his cheek. On the edges of the bandage his cheek was swollen and bruised. It looked like it hurt like hell.
"What's going to happen to my mom? If I leave I mean." Kirsten hadn't expected that. Of coarse the boy would feel protective over his mother and he'd want to know about what's going to happen to her. But Kirsten hadn't readied herself for that question yet. She and Sandy had talked a little about it while Ryan was sleeping but she had assumed Sandy was going to be with her to explain it to Ryan.
"Well… we were going to talk to you about this actually. We thought it would be nice if we sent her some money, maybe monthly and perhaps… umm we could all meet up at times." Kirsten looked at Ryan for his reaction.
"Yeah, that would be cool." Ryan told her quietly.
The sound of running feet caught their attention and they looked at the doorway in anticipation. In burst in a curly haired boy giggling excitedly and hurling himself onto his mother.
"Hey Seth," Kirsten said pulling her son onto her lap. A few minutes mater a rather frazzled Sandy came into the room panting. He smiled and kissed Kirsten on the cheek before collapsing onto a chair.
Seth looked wildly around the room and caught sight of Ryan. He took in the bruises and grimaced. "Ouch! Those look really painful." He commented pointing at Ryan's face. Ryan shrugged and looked at his hands.
Kirsten caught Sandy's eye and he gave her a reassuring nod. "Okay guys, Seth this is Ryan and Ryan this is our son Seth." She introduced the two.
"Ooh, my new brother. Hi Ryan nice to meet you. I'm Seth… like my mommy told you I am. I've always wanted a brother especially one my age… How old are you anyways? I'm 6…" Kirsten broke him off be laying her hand on his arm.
She looked at Ryan's bewildered face. "Umm… Hi Seth. I'm 6 like you…" Ryan managed as a response. The adults smiled at him reassuringly.
"Okay Ryan, I spoke to the doctors and they said you're doing really well so after you've spoken to a lady from child services you can be discharged. You're allowed to stay with us as well so that when we eventually adopt you, you'll feel more at home okay?"
Ryan nodded. This family definitely spoke a lot. Especially in comparison to his family where they only usually spoke to throw insults at each other. But what was he supposed to say to the child services lady. His mom hadn't given him any lines to say. In fact he hadn't seen her at all.
The 4 of them were quiet except for Seth telling his mom all about his sleep over with Theresa and Arturo. Ryan listed in carefully. He was already missing Theresa.
Seth was interrupted by a knock at the door and a woman carrying a brief case and wearing a suit came in. Ryan suddenly went very pale and Kirsten stroked his arm carefully.
Sandy stood up and pulled Seth off Kirsten's lap. "We'll be back soon Ryan, okay?" Ryan nodded and Kirsten followed Sandy's lead by getting up also.
They nodded at the woman and she smiled at them. "I'll come and find you when we're done." She said before turning and introducing herself to Ryan.
The Cohens left the room. "Who was that?" Seth asked wiggling his way out of Sandy's arms and standing on tiptoes, he looked through the glass window and into Ryan's room.
Ryan's bed was raised so that he was practically sitting up. Laura was sitting in Kirsten's chair. She was doing most of the talking by the looks of it. Ryan was looking down at his hands and fidgeting with the sheets. The child services woman was sitting in Kirsten's chair. She was doing most of the talking by the looks of it. Ryan was looking down at his hands and nodding here and there.
"She's someone who wants to help Ryan and talk to him about what happened. I tell you what they may be awhile. How about we go and get something to eat?" He looked over at Kirsten who was watching Ryan nervously through the glass.
"I'll race you!" Seth yelled and started running down the corridor.
"Seth! Ssh! People are trying to sleep. Okay?" Seth turned around and cocked his head to the side. He came back to them and started pulling his parents down the corridor giggling contently to himself.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
It felt like time was standing still while they waited for any sign of the lady. They managed to wait a few minutes longer but Kirsten was then so tired of waiting with no idea when the lady was going to come and get them that she proposed that they go and continue waiting outside of Ryan's room instead.
Sandy nodded and called Seth over who was talking non stop to a rather flustered cafeteria worker. He came over to them and the 3 made their way back to Ryan's room.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Ok, thanks Ryan. You've done really great. I'm gonna talk to Mr and Mrs Cohen now and then the doctor should discharge you."
She smiled at the blonde boy on the bed. He looked so scared of her and fragile.
"Bye," He whispered and the woman waved before stepping out into the corridor.
Right, now all she had to do was find the Cohens. She looked down at her pager as she walked and ended up bumping into a man walking the opposite way. "Sorry," She told him snapping her head up. "Oh, Mr Cohen. I was just coming to get you. My name is Laura and I'm from child services. I've finished talking to Ryan so I was wondering if I could talk to you for a few minutes." Sandy looked at Laura a little bewildered. He nodded and gestured for Kirsten to follow.
"Oh wait! Is it okay if I quickly leave Seth with Ryan? Its just they'd probably prefer that." Laura nodded and Kirsten led Seth off into Ryan's room.
"So, did he talk to you? Is he okay?" Sandy quickly asked.
"Yeah he talked a little. Once your wife comes back I'll explain what I think would be the best thing for Ryan right now." Sandy could feel his heart beating a little faster. What if she wouldn't let them adopt Ryan What if she made him go back to live with his mom?
It didn't take long for Kirsten to come back and Laura led them to her office. She gestured them to sit down and she sat opposite. She ruffled her notes that she had written whist she was with Ryan and flicked her long blonde hair off of her face.
"Right so shall we begin?" Sandy and Kirsten leaned in closer eager to find out what was going to happen. Kirsten squeezed Sandy's hand and he kissed hers quickly reassuring her.
Laura watched the two interact before beginning what she had to say.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Are you asleep?" Seth whispered leaning over Ryan. "You're always asleep." He added a little louder.
Ryan opened his eyes and blinked up at Seth. This kid liked to talk a lot. "Oh good you are awake." Seth stated delighted.
"It's nice to meet you we haven't really spoken properly before have we? I mean I wanted to wake you up but daddy wouldn't let me wake you up. So, anyway do you like comic books? I love them. Daddy said he'd take me to comicon in a few years. My favourite hero's the Hulk. He's the big one that's green. I also like Spiderman and Legion comics are cool. Who's your favourite super hero?"
Seth looked at Ryan expectantly. "Umm…" Ryan managed. Truth be told he's never read a real comic book before. His own mom had refused to buy them for him. She always said they were too expensive and a waste of time but he was hardly going to tell Seth that.
"You look like a Night Wing type of person to me. Am I right?" Seth pressed on and Ryan could only nod even though he had no idea what Night Wing was.
"Do you like video games? My grandpa just brought me a Nintendo 64. It's awesome. Do you have one?" Again Seth looked at Ryan expectantly but Ryan had never heard of a Nintendo 64 before. Seth continued asking Ryan about stuff he had never known existed till today. At last he was saved by the arrival of Sandy and Kirsten.
"Hey guys! Okay Ryan, we brought some clothes from the shop next door. You are officially free to come home." Ryan looked at them his eyes sparkling.
"With you?" He asked looking at them hopefully.
"Yep, in a few days the adoption will be final and you will be officially part of our family." Kirsten told him helping him off the bed carefully minding his ribs and leading him to the bathroom. She handed him the clothes and he entered the bathroom to change while the others waited outside.
Ryan entered the bathroom truly happy. He was going to be part of a family. He took of his hospital gown slowly. Every movement he made hurt but he was going to have a mom who wasn't going to get drunk every day and sleep with random guys that would hit him. He was going to have a dad that wasn't locked in jail and he was going to have a brother who wouldn't hit him or force feed him beer so he wasn't going to let the pain get him down. Everything was going to be alright.
Ryan sighed and thought about the first time he had seen Sandy. It was just after he had seen that mouse that was just like him- scarred and lonely. Sandy had got out of his car and into Theresa's house. He would never have guessed then that this man was going to adopt him.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Bye guys! Have a great day and remember Theresa and Ramona are coming over tonight so come out as soon as possible." Kirsten called out of the window of the family car. They both waved and Ryan followed Seth through the gates.
"So this is school?" Ryan asked in amazement.
"Well, kindergarten to be exact, but yes it is Ryan." They both walked towards the door leading into the building and Seth shoed Ryan to the class room.
Ryan gulped at the sight of all the children. A girl sidled up to them. She had wavy shoulder length brown hair and was wearing a little mini skirt. Ryan had never met someone so pretty before.
"Hi, I'm Marissa Cooper. You're new here right?" Ryan nodded and smiled at her. He felt himself being lured in by her.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Meanwhile the little mouse that had escaped so much could smell something gorgeous. It realized the smell had to be cheese. It caught sight of it straight ahead. The mouse approached the cheese carefully and finally started nibbling. Bang!
The End
