Randy held up his hand to stop Adam from screaming. "They are asleep. Let's carry them in." He motioned to the four children, asleep in their booster seats.
Shawn and Hunter came to help. Randy carried Jan, Adam had Jade. Shawn took James and Hunter carried Jordan.
They carried the four children upstairs, each to their own bedroom. After they were tucked in, Randy and Adam kissed each of their children. They went downstairs to the kitchen, where Shawn had made fresh coffee and Hunter smoked a cigar.
"Thanks, Shawn. I need that. Got a spare, Hunter?" Randy pointed at Hunter's cigar as he sat down at the table. The coffee wasn't quite ready.
Hunter handed Randy a cigar and his pack of matches. He looked at Randy, he could see something was wrong. Randy Orton was afraid, but of what or who? Randy's hand shook slightly as he lit the cigar.
Adam sat down in his chair, at the head of the table. "So, explain." He tried to sound calm, but now that his children were safe, the anger grew.
Randy exhaled his puff of smoke, away from Adam's direction. "I screwed up, Adam. I know this. When I saw how late we were, I tried to call, cell service dropped. I concentrated on driving instead of trying to call again. Everything is fine, the quads are fine." He was frank, but evasive. He took another puff from the cigar.
Shawn poured four mugs of coffee, carried them to the table and sat down next to his husband.
Adam's fingers tapped the sides of his coffee mug. "But, where were you? Why were you so late? Hunter was about thirty seconds from filing a missing children's report before you finally called." There was even more anger in his tone of voice.
Randy exhaled more smoke, took a sip of coffee, then spoke. "Saint Louis. I took the kids to meet mom and dad at the zoo. It was last minute. I was so stupid for not calling and telling you. I thought we would be back in time. I didn't know the Cardinals were playing. The game ended at the same time we left. The traffic was an utter nightmare. First we got held up by an accident on the on ramp to I-Seventy. Then, we got a flat just out of Columbia. That's when I tried to call. The service was crap. I am really, really sorry, Adam. You know I would never do anything to hurt our children. I also never meant to make you worry. Shawn, Hunt, thanks for being here. I am sure Adam needed the support. I'm just… really, really sorry. Oh… their souvenirs from the zoo are in the car." He started to get up, but Hunter stopped him.
"I'll get them." Hunter went to the door.
"Thanks. Floorboard in front. I had to take them away when Jade tried to take Jordan's pink flamingo. I wasn't going to even going to try to drive with those two screaming." Randy gave a small laugh.
Adam chuckled. "Jordan loves pink. It's alright now, Randy. Please, tell me next time. I would never stop you from going to Saint Louis."
Randy gave Adam a grateful smile. "Thanks, sweetheart. I will, I promise. It was so spur of the moment. The kids got excited, it just flew out of my mind to call. Oh here, their school fees are due tomorrow." He opened his wallet and pulled out a check. Randy gave the check to his ex-husband.
Adam's eyes went wide. "Have the fees increased that much? You know, I have no objections to free, public school." He put the check in his own wallet.
Hunter was in the garage. He opened the front passenger door of Randy's Cadillac Escalade. He noticed, as he glanced out of the small windows in the closed garage door, a car drove very slowly past the house. It was an odd time of night for a town car to drive so slowly. Maybe the driver didn't know the area. But, the cop in him felt a niggle, a lost driver was not the answer. With a shrug, he grabbed the cloth bags from the St. Louis Zoo and took them into the house.
Randy was in mid speech. "… and they love the teachers. I don't mind the expense of their private school. Only the best for the Orton quads."
"I know, but, any time it is too much, tell me. You and I did well from public schools. Randy, you spoil them." Adam commented as Hunter set down four, large bags, stuffed with zoo souvenirs.
Randy smiled. "Well, the money goes to the zoo. Next time, less stuff, I promise." He took another much needed sip of coffee.
"I remember. It's not like you spoil them often. All that matters is that they are home and safe. Thank you for that, Randy. Well, I don't want to be rude, but I have to work tomorrow." Adam was more than ready for bed. He only wished Hunter could stay with him. No, he had to stop those thoughts.
Both Helmsley's stood. Shawn kissed Adam's cheek. "Goodnight, son. Randy, thanks for being a great father. I will call you." Shawn turned off the coffee pot and put the dirty mugs on the sideboard of the sink.
"We'll hit the golf course soon, Ran. Goodnight, Adam." Hunter shook hands with both men. His grip on Adam's hand a bit longer than it should have been.
Adam walked the couple to the door. He locked it behind them and set all the alarms. He would turn off the one to the garage to let Randy out. He want back into the kitchen. Randy still sat at the table and made no move to leave.
"Um, Addy? Could I crash on the couch in the den? I am too wiped to drive another twenty miles home. You don't have to, I will understand." Randy added a yawn to make his point.
Adam smiled at his ex-husband. "Sure, Randy. I am not a ogre you know. You can use the guest room. It's made up." He quickly washed the coffee mugs. Ida didn't need a mess first thing in the morning.
Randy grinned. "I know you're not, Ads. We may not have worked married, but we are friends and first of all, parents. Nah, the couch is fine. No need to dirty sheets for Miss Ida. Just a blanket. I will get out of your way early."
Adam dried the last mug. "Nonsense. You may as well have breakfast with us. And, dear father, help with morning baths. Well, you know where the den is It's still your home, Ran. Goodnight." He gave his ex-husband a hug.
Randy hugged Adam. "Thanks. Morning baths and breakfast. I do love you, babe."
"I love you, too, Ran." Adam smiled and went up the master bedroom. He stopped on the way and checked on his children. He knew Randy would soon do the same.
Adam was nearly asleep when he heard Randy upstairs. It made him feel safe to have Randy in the house. Adam wasn't afraid in the house, but, knowing Randy was in the house helped. He was soon fast asleep as the grandfather struck two.
Randy Orton sat in the living room where Adam and the Helmsley's had waited for him earlier. He was wide awake. Awake because of the Adderall he'd taken. It has nothing to do with him having ADD or ADHD. He needed to be awake to keep his children safe.
Randy sat with his .327 Magnum Ruger handgun in his lap. His ears alerted to every little creek and groan in the house. Every so often, he got up to look out of the windows. He was careful not to move the draperies as he looked out. Randy also decided maybe the dog Adam wanted to get wasn't a bad idea. A husky would be good.
When Ida Brown returned to work, she was startled to see Randal Orton in the kitchen making coffee.
Randy turned quickly when the door to the garage opened. He'd almost drawn the Ruger from his hidden shoulder holster.
"Oh Miss Ida, you startled me. How is your mother and how are you?" Randy managed to be casual, but his heart pounded He continued to make the coffee.
Ida put her overnight bag down by the door to her apartment. "Mother is holding her own, Mister Randy. Dementia is… not fun. I'd say in a month or less she won't know me. But, she is ninety seven, so, that's life. I am fine, thank you. How are you?" She put on her apron, ready to start breakfast. It wasn't up to her to ask why Randy was there, but she was curious.
Randy sat at the table to wait for the coffee to brew, neither he nor Adam liked "fast" coffee. "So sorry about your mother. I wish my company could help. I am fine, thanks. Adam let me stay last night..." He further explained about the trip to St. Louis.
"… I was too tired to drive home. Plus, I can help bathe the kids. Miss Ida, could we have your wonderful cheese grits for breakfast? Unless that upsets your plan." Randy smiled when Ida filled his "ORTON PHARMACEUTICAL" logo coffee mug and served him.
Ida laughed. "It is your lucky day. Cheese grits, scrambled eggs and bacon are on the menu. Those little bugs love cheese grits as much as you and Mister Adam. How were your parents? Your father is so funny."
Randy and Ida continued to chat as Ida laid out the things for making breakfast. Randy was calm, but very alert. He hated when Ida pulled open the drapes, but it had to be.
Upstairs, Adam stepped out of the shower. He felt refreshed, which was good. He quickly dried his hair and pulled it into a low pony tail. He trimmed his light beard and brushed his teeth.
In the main room, Adam pulled his uniform out of the closet. His uniform was a pair of dark blue scrubs. Adam pinned his hospital ID onto his left breast pocket. He smiled when put his stethoscope in the pocket of his white coat. Randy had given it to him when he'd graduated nursing school.
Adam put his, Speidel scrub watch on. The watch had been from the Helmsley's as their graduation gift. The black leather band fit perfectly. The dial was extremely easy to read and had a second hand for taking pulse rates. It was the best watch for nurses and Adam treasured it.
Lastly, he put on his solid white Nike sneakers. Adam was ready to face the day.
At seven am, four seven year olds in their school uniforms of white, short sleeved button down shirts, gray skirts and gray trousers, politely sat at the kitchen table. Their parents were seated as well. The children loved having both their parents with them for breakfast.
"Vitamins, please." Adam nodded to the colorful vitamin pill on each plate. The four children took their vitamins with drinks of orange juice.
Miss Ida dished up four plates and placed one in front of each child. She then served Randy and Adam. The children looked at their daddy.
Adam laughed. "Eat up, you monkeys." That was the signal for breakfast chaos to begin.
All four children tried to tell Adam about their trip to the zoo at the same time It made both Adam and Randy laugh.
"Okay, okay. One at a time. Ladies first. Jan, you go first, baby." Adam took control.
For the next half hour, the family chatted happily. The children each ate all their breakfast without a mess or stain.
As Miss Ida began to clear away the empty plates, Adam spoke to his children. "Daddy has to work until six tonight. Miss Nancy will pick you up at three. You're going to grandpa Shawn's. You behave, and remember, don't over do with Meggie. You mind Miss Nancy and do your homework. I will pick you up around six thirty. Now, does anyone need money for the school store or on your lunch cards?"
"Jade and I do, daddy. We need glue for art class." Jordan looked at the note the art teacher had given him on Friday. Jordan and Jade had art class when Janice and James had band practice.
"I need new reeds for my saxophone, daddy. I can buy them from the band store." James spoke softly. Of the four, he was the calmest and quietest. Jade was the loudest and most active. Jordan and Janice were a mix of the two. Also, James was often more aware of things and had a very astute awareness of people. Sometimes, James was almost more adult than his parents.
"I'll get it, Adam. Are you all good on your lunch cards?" Randy pulled out his wallet, brow arched.
"Yes, dad. Miss Betty tells us when we need new cards." James replied. He was also the "secretary" of the four. He was the one teachers trusted with notes and report cards.
"Good. Here." Randy handed James twenty dollars. He knew James wouldn't spend the change on junk snacks like Jade would.
"Thanks, dad. Dad, you will come the summer concert won't you?" James asked quietly.
Randy ruffled James' hair. "Yes, son. I promise. See, Sunday, August twenty third, three pm, Saint Luke's Academy. Band concert, James' solo." He showed his son the calendar on his phone.
James smiled. "Janice may get a flute solo, Mister Boseman hasn't decided yet."
"I'm sure you will get that solo, baby. If not, it won't matter, dad and I will be proud of you, no matter what. Dad and I couldn't wish for better children. We love you so much." Adam's emotions about yesterday bubbled up as he spoke.
Janice looked at her daddy. "Daddy, don't cry. We love you and dad too."
Adam quickly wiped his eyes. "I'm alright. Sometimes, my love for you just makes me cry happy tears. Now, go get ready or we will be late." He smiled as his children dashed off to get their school things.
"I am so sorry, Ads. It's my fault you're crying. I didn't mean to worry you yesterday." Randy gently thumbed away a stray tear on Adam's cheek.
"It's alright. You know things get to me more after the fact. Ran, please, don't miss their concert this time. I know you couldn't help getting called out of town on business, but they don't understand." Adam looked at Randy with hope.
Randy smiled. "I promise. If anything comes up this time, it will wait till after the concert. I'd better go or I will be way behind. Thanks for the couch and breakfast. I'll see you soon. This was nice, I will try to be here more. Miss Ida, thank you for the wonderful breakfast, and for the extra cheese grits for lunch." He paused when the children returned.
Randy kissed his four children. "Dad loves you. Behave and help daddy. I promise to see you soon, before our next weekend."
"Love you, dad. Dad love you. Love you, dad. Love you." All four spoke at once and hugged Randy. Randy left, a smile on his face.
When Randy pulled out of the garage, he sped off, in the opposite direction of home. He had some serious business to attend to. Someone had some very serious questions to answer.
With hugs and kisses from Miss Ida, Adam led his children to his car. Randy had bought Adam that years Kia Sedona. With it's seating for eight, it was perfect. Jade and Janice sat in the first backseat, and James and Jordan were in the second backseat. The Kia had child safety seats with three point buckling systems. They were easy for the children to buckle themselves in. Adam put their four book bags on the front passenger seat.
Adam deftly drove his children to Saint Luke's Academy. It was a private school, close to home. The Orton children were in the second grade. James and Jade were in Miss Hacker's classroom. Janice and Jordan were in Mister Hamilton's class.
When they pulled up to the drop off, Adam got out. He kissed each child as he gave them their school bag.
"Miss Nancy will pick you up. Behave. Jade, that means you. I will see you later. Have a good day, my darlings." Adam hugged his children, then watched as they entered the school. He never walked them in. Adam wanted his children to be confident and independent.
Thirty minutes later, Adam parked in his space at Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. He smiled when Seth Rollins-Reigns parked next to him.
Seth Reigns was six foot, one inch tall, and had a lean, muscular build. He worked out daily and it showed. He had long, coal black hair, which matched his close beard. He wore the same uniform as Adam.
"Oh God! Seth! I just realized I never called you last night!" Adam lamented as he hugged his friend.
Seth smiled as they walked to the building. "It's okay. Shawn called Roman this morning. I knew if anything bad had happened, you would have called. I'm just glad the little monkeys are safe. I'm starting to understand, about having children..." He paused and looked around.
Seth leaned in close to Adam. "What about… have you decided?" He gave Adam a very pointed look.
Adam sighed. "We know it has to stop. We're going to try. I mean really try this time. We need to find a way to talk. Seth… don't think me a slut… Hunter was there when I needed someone. We never meant for it to happen or go on for two years. The guilt is killing us… Shawn is like a father to me."
Seth laid a hand on his friends shoulder. "I know, Adam. I don't judge you or him. Things happen. Do I need to remind you… Dean is free and clear and he really likes you. Why don't you go out with him? Maybe, if nothing else, you will have another good friend. Dean also knows it's hard with quads. He would love staying in with pizza and playing with the kids. He's not a drinker and he loves reading. Consider it, please?" They entered the hospital, they were almost late for work.
"Maybe, Seth." Adam replied as the hurried to their station in the children's ward.
As the RN, Adam was in charge of the nurses on his shift. He got the daily report from the RN in charge of the night shift. As Adam read the charts, Seth went to work. He had to give children their morning baths, with help from two aides.
Adam's first job was to prepare medicines for patients. It was a demanding part of his job. The wrong medication could kill someone. No one dared disturb Adam when he was in the medicine room.
A man of six four, with short, auburn hair and white doctor's coat over a muscular frame, stood in the doorway of the medicine room. He waited for a chance to speak.
Adam finished filling a syringe with an amber colored liquid. He turned when he heard the sound of a throat being cleared.
"Oh, hello Doctor Ambrose. Can I help you?" Adam smiled, but there was no emotion behind it.
Dean Ambrose smiled brightly at the extremely handsome nurse. "Yes. New patient in three oh two. Needs Amoxicillin, two hundred fifty milligrams in suspension, three times. Massive infection in the sinus, may have to operate to clean it out."
Adam began to write down the information on his medicine chart. "Name of patient, please Doctor."
Dean flustered for a moment, then looked at the chart in his hand. "Oh, sorry. Billy Henderson. He also needs your special touch. He is scared to death. His mom had to leave him to go to work." He continued to smile like a love sick puppy.
Adam measured out a dose of the thick, pick antibiotic into a small plastic cup. "Poor kid. I wish jobs wouldn't have to come first, but they do. My mom worked three jobs once, when were still in Canada..." He stopped talking. Adam hadn't meat to be so… personal, but Dean's smile was so warm and inviting.
Doctor Ambrose nodded. "I know about hard working moms. Mine was one of them. She was a hotel maid. Got me through med school with scholarship help. My dad was… never mind. I'll not keep you. Thanks." He gave a nod and left the medicine room.
Adam watched as the Doctor left. He had to admit, Doctor Dean Ambrose was handsome, in a cute, boyish, impish way. He also liked that Dean was his height, that didn't happen often. With a shake of his head, Adam wheeled the loaded medicine cart out of the room and locked the door. He headed off to do his job.
Adam had saved room 302 for last. He wanted to be able to spend a bit of time with Billy. He could hear sobs before he opened the door. Adam put on his most parental smile and wheeled the cart into the room.
"Hi, Billy. I'm Nurse Adam. I have something delicious for you." Adam spoke softly and with medicine cup in hand, sat on the edge of the bed.
Billy sniffed, then winced, it hurt. "Mommy? I want my mommy." Billy cried. Adam saw that Billy was eight, but small for his age.
Adam gently patted Billy's leg. "Don't cry, Billy. Mommy will be back after work. You don't cry at school do you? I'll bet you are very brave. Come on, drink. This is really good, tastes like a milkshake." He held the cup out to the child.
Billy looked at Adam. He gave another painful sniff, but stopped crying. Adam was very nice, and it made him feel not so scared. He took the cup and drank the contents. He smiled.
"Strawberry milkshake." Billy actually licked the inside of the cup a few times.
Adam chuckled. "Like a kitty cat. Say, who is that? He looks to be a good friend." He patted the stuffed teddy bear Billy clung to.
Billy looked at the bear. "Henry. My daddy gave him to me… then he… he… went to Heaven. His airplane blew up." Billy hugged the bear.
Adam wrapped the small boy in his arms. "Henry is a very lucky bear to have a friend like you to take care of him. I am sorry about your daddy. My mommy is in Heaven too. How would like to play some video games?"
Billy grinned. "Yes, please. Do you have kids?" He watched as Adam took a game system out of the storage cabinet under the television.
Adam hooked up the game, turned it and the TV on. He brought the wireless controller to Billy. "Yes, I do. Four of them. I had them at the same time, they are quadruplets. They are seven years old. They are in the second grade at Saint Luke's Academy." He ruffled Billy's hair as the boy looked at the different games he could play on the console.
Billy looked at Adam. "Jade, Janice, James and Jordan Orton?" His little brow arched.
Adam's eyes opened wide. "Yes, they are my children. Do you know them?" He was surprised. He doubted Billy's mom could afford St. Luke's.
Billy chose a game, but spoke before he played. "I went to Saint Luke's, before daddy died. James is very nice, we played at recess, even if he was just in the first grade then. I go to Troost now." He sounded a bit sad.
"I will tell James I met you. Maybe he could come see you, if Doctor Dean says it's okay. You play now. You can call me or Nurse Seth, if you push this button. I will be back soon, okay?" Adam smiled softly, Billy was going to be fine now.
Billy nodded. "I'm okay now. Daddy would want me to be brave. I'd like to see James. See ya, Nurse Adam." He turned his attention to the game now on the television.
A few minutes later, Adam and Seth sat at the nurse's station in the center of the ward. They could see down all four hallways from their position. They filled out the patient charts for the mid morning report. Adam told Seth about Billy Henderson.
"… so, I'll ask Doctor Ambrose if I can bring James to visit." Adam stated as he finished filling out Billy's chart. It was the last one.
"This is a hospital, not a playground, Nurse Orton. No place for your children." A snobbish voice spoke with a condescending look.
The voice belonged to Stephanie McMahon. She was the daughter of Vince McMahon, the hospital administrator. Stephanie was the head of the children's ward. It was her job to make sure things ran like clockwork. She had no medical education, but did have a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Stephanie was fair, but very tough. She knew she wasn't liked by the staff because of how she'd gotten her job. She had the job because of her father, and she never let anyone forget.
Adam held in the sigh and eye roll that wanted to happen. Instead he smiled. "Yes, I know Miss McMahon. Billy knows James from school. I thought it might cheer Billy up to see James. I won't, if you think it will be a problem." Adam was polite, almost too polite.
Stephanie shrugged. "We'll see. Don't forget, the fund raising dinner on Saturday. I expect you and Mister Reigns to be there. Oh, and Seth, tell that lawyer husband of yours to bring the big checkbook." She spun on her heels and went back to her lush office.
Seth let out a low growl. "Bitch. If it wasn't for such a good cause, I'd skip it. I hate those fundraisers...well, no… not the fundraiser, just the snobs that attend."
Adam gave his best friend a pat on the back. "I know how you feel, Seth. But, it is for a good cause, childhood cancer. Randy already donated, bless him. I just wish he could be there At least I would have a date, so to speak. Can I stick with you and Roman?"
Seth smiled. "Of course you can. I will even let you have a dance with Roman. I thought the Helmsley's were going to be there?"
Adam shook his head. "No. Shawn wants nothing to do with… " He paused and nodded toward Stephanie's office, then continued. "Hunter either. They made a donation though. Shawn agreed to watch the quads, so it worked out. Sometimes I wish I did have a guy to take me to things like that… just as a friend." He gave a bit of a sigh, the looked at his watch. The lunch carts would soon arrive.
"Adam, I could take you. As a friend." Doctor Dean Ambrose stood at the nurse's station. He'd heard what Adam had said.
Adam looked at Seth. Seth shrugged, but had an impish smirk on his lips. Adam looked at Dean. The doctor was handsome.
"Just as a friend?" Adam arched his brow at the auburn haired physician.
Dean held up his hands. "I promise, just as a friend. Can I pick you up at six, on Saturday?" His eyes were full of hope.
"Alright, Doctor Ambrose. Yes, you can pick me up at six. You know where I live?" Adam relented. It wasn't really a date, was it?
"Yeah. I live in Scarritt Heights, so we're almost neighbors. You won't regret it, I promise. Now, how is Billy?" Dean went from friendly pup to serious doctor in the blink of an eye.
Adam professionally filled Dean in on his chat with Billy. "…but, Stephanie jumped in and objected to James. I don't know why, visitors are allowed. I was going to ask you about it, but it's not worth any trouble."
Dean frowned. "I remember that plane crash. I was down in ER at the time. Rumor was, it had something to do with the mob. Well, I have no objections to Billy seeing James. I also understand how you feel about Stephanie. I am off to lunch while the kids eat. Page me if you need me." He gave a wave and headed off to the break room at the end of one of the hallways.
Seth held in his squeal of excitement. "You won't regret going with Dean. Oh… here comes their lunch. Better supervise." He got up to help the ward nurses and aides serve lunch to the patients.
Adam stayed at the nurse's station. As the charge nurse, he answered the calls from anxious parents and buzzers from the children. One thing that always impressed Adam was that children were better behaved patients than most adult patients. Kids rarely used their buzzers to call for a nurse. They hardly ever griped about the food, and, for the most part, entertained themselves. He loved his job.
Across Kansas City, in a building downtown, Randal Orton was pissed. He sat at the head of a large conference table, in a windowless room.
"How in the fucking hell did you let McMahon's goons chase me and my children? I had to drive to Saint Louis to lose them. Thank God nothing happened to my children. Adam nearly had Helmsley down on top of us. Then, I saw McMahon's fucking town car go past Adam's house. I will not have Adam and our children in danger. As far as they knew, I am a wonderful, upstanding businessman, and I am. They must never learn the truth! If you all fuck up like that again, I will kill you myself. I am I understood?" Randal Orton glared at the seven men around the table. He was deadly serious. After all, he was the boss of the most powerful Mafia mob in Kansas City.
A/N: If I were to decide to publish chapters twice a week, which day would you prefer? As you already know, I publish every Saturday, but I am open to a second day. Perhaps Tuesday? Let me know in the comments. If I don't get enough responses, I will assume that just once a week on Saturday is fine. I want to do all I can to make you, the readers, happy. Thank you, and have a blessed day. All the best, Lady Dragonsblood.