Adam and Dean had stopped at Overland Park. Adam called Ida and told her they would be a bit late. She assured Adam not to worry.
Ida only knew what Hunter had told her to do. She'd done it perfectly. She knew by the tone of Adam's voice, things were about to change in their lives, and not necessarily for the better. Ida knew one thing, she would defend her little family with her very life.
Dean carried two large vanilla milkshakes. He'd made a quick stop at a fast food place. Adam needed the sugar and ice cream was a cure all. They walked to a bench that over looked the river valley below. It was a quiet, calm place.
Adam sipped his milkshake. "Thanks, I needed that. I can't believe how fast Seth agreed to quit. You know, I'm looking forward to the change. I will have more time with the kids, no more shift changes. Dean, you meant it right?" He didn't mean to doubt, but after today's news his mind was total mush.
Dean picked up Adam's left hand. "As much as I meant this. Vesta will be pleased. She can show you my system...well her system. Then you two can change it. It will also give you time to take the surgical nursing course, if you want. Baby, you holding up? It's going to be alright, I promise." He gave Adam a soft kiss to confirm his words.
After the kiss, Dean spoke again. "Roman told me this morning at the gym, Seth had mentioned quitting. The shift stress is wearing him out. I think the only reason he didn't quit yet was you. I will tell you, when Hunter called me to come to the hotel. I was shocked. Then he gave me the notebook to read. I understood why he wanted me to be prepared when you read it. Dean ended with a sigh and a shrug.
Adam laced the fingers of his left hand with Dean's right. "Hunter knows me and knew I would need you. I still...this is real? Randy is an underworld criminal? I have to trust our kids to him? By ours, I mean you and I."
"They are our children. Yes, you do. I do trust in the fact that Randy loves them. Besides, I am sure Bret and Hunter will have eyes on things, so if something does happen, getting the children to safety will be their priority. I know this will be the hardest thing you've ever done in your life. I also know you are a strong, brave man who can handle it. I'll be right next to you, for every step. I think you will be preoccupied when we tell the little lions about this." Dean held up Adam's left hand. The diamonds and sapphires glittered in the late afternoon sun.
Adam laughed with a real laugh. "Jade will scream with joy. It will be a distraction, but one I am very happy to have. When? When do you want to get married? Do you want a big wedding?" Adam sipped his shake then rested his head on Dean's shoulder.
Dean held Adam close. "A couple of months? Maybe during the kids break in November? I actually liked the Vegas idea. You know, Roman is also a pilot. I could get a private plane, fly us, the kids, Ida, Shawn, Hunter and Seth to Vegas for a weekend. Something really nice, not cheesy, like Elvis walking you down the aisle. But, I will do whatever you want. If you want Saint Peter's fully loaded, that's okay too." He spoke with honesty, getting married is all that matters.
"No, I don't want a big affair, it's not my style. I like the Vegas idea too, but no...no cheese, no Elvis, no drive up window wedding. I will check out some places. Oh Dean, thank you again for being a rainbow in this storm. I love you, so very much. I had no hesitation saying yes. I would have been sad if you never asked me. It's been fast, furious and so incredibly wonderful. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." Adam leaned up and gave Dean a kiss that sealed his words.
"I had no hesitation in asking. You are the rainbow in the storm, my beautiful nymph. You find a place in Vegas, a date, and I will take care of the rest. Now, pull up your big boy pants and let's go tell the little lions. You've got this. I'll follow you." Dean tossed their empty milkshake cups into the trash. The couple then headed to Adam's house.
All during the drive home, Adam prayed for the strength to be the strong man and parent he needed to be.
At the McMahon mansion, seven men waited for all hell to break loose. They had no idea how much hell was coming.
Drake and Justin had returned from their day at the hospital. They'd joined the others at the conference table.
"I don't know what happened, but just as we left, Stephanie slammed the door to her office so hard, one of the pictures on the wall of the playroom fell off and broke. So, be prepared." Drake warned the others.
"It couldn't have been our news, we haven't told her yet. We just now told you. I wonder if Orton has done something?" Drew McIntyre hoped maybe, if Stephanie was upset by something else, his news would be less bad.
At the Helmsley house, Shawn kept Megan occupied with help from Nancy. Hunter had made his way to Shane in the panic/safe room.
"How are you holding up?" Hunter asked as Shane cooked some pasta with meat sauce.
Shane smiled at Hunter. "Considering I could be dead, I am great. I knew this would be hard, but if it stops crimes and drugs from hitting the streets, it will be worth it. How did Adam take it?" He stirred his sauce.
"Not very well at first. We kept you out of it. Oh, there was one moment. Dean proposed to Adam. He said yes. Dean gave him a lovely ring from his deceased sister. It really helped give Adam the courage and support he needed. The hard part for Adam will be having to trust Randy like normal with the children. Adam can do it, he is stronger than he realizes. There is one more thing..." He went on to explain about Dean, Adam and Seth leaving St. Luke's Hospital.
"...in fact, your sister should know by now and I imagine she won't be happy. Dean's going to pack up his office tonight and order the transfer of his patients. Doctor Cena could follow." Hunter finished as Shane dished up and sat on the couch in the dent area next to Hunter.
"That will kill Saint Luke's but Children's Mercy is top flight. I can't blame them for leaving. There is going to be a lot of hell before this reaches any kind of trial. Maybe this makes me a horrible person, but I can't wait to see my father and sister behind bars. I also think mom would be pleased, but maybe not. I feel no guilt." Shane spoke firmly and took a bite of his food.
Hunter gave Shane a nod and stood. "Nothing to be guilty about. Oh, I flipped the cable box, sorry I forgot last night, enjoy the TV. The room is sound proof. I'd better get back. I will check on you tomorrow. You've done a fantastic thing, Shane. I am proud of you, son."
"Thanks, Hunter. I'll be fine. The TV will help. See you." Shane gave a wave as Hunter left.
At Adam's, they had decided to wait till after dinner to tell the kids about getting married. Adam had called Stephanie, needless to say, she was not pleased with the news. However, she had no choice but to accept it. Stephanie wished him well in all his endeavors and hung up.
Dean was upstairs, on the phone with Dr. Steve Austin from Children's Mercy. Adam and the children helped Ida with the after dinner clean up. He couldn't wait to tell the news. Adam had the engagement ring safely in his shirt pocket. Even Ida didn't know yet, but he knew she would be happy.
At the Orton mansion, it was business as usual. Randy and his men were blissfully unaware of the days events. However, there seemed to be a dark tension on the edges of the atmosphere.
Randy and his seven lieutenants relaxed with cigars and brandy after their dinner. They were in the smoking lounge of the mansion. It was a room the children were never allowed in. Not only because of the smoke, but because of the extremely expensive leather furniture. There was an eight foot long couch and four library chairs. The room had a fully stocked bar and built in humidor. The final thing in the room was the nearly three thousand pound, solid wood, pool table. It was the best one money could buy.
Randy exhaled a puff of smoke. "Boys, something is in the air, and it stinks. I can't put a finger on it, but, I want Brett and his boys on full alert. Styles, make damn sure you monitor the police computers. Tell our friendly cop to keep his head down, but his eyes and ears open." He sipped his brandy. Randy wasn't a drinker, but the brandy brought out the full flavor of the Cuban cigar.
AJ nodded. "Will do. There was a little chatter that the Chief and Helmsley were out of the office all day, but no word as to why. No one was upset by it. It was business as usual. Hell, they were probably out sick." He told what he knew.
Randy rolled his neck. "Could be. I will only worry if it happens more than once. I wish to hell I knew what McMahon was up to. I'd send Brett, but McMahon's mansion is impermeable. Oh well, sometimes it's a matter of wait and see." He puffed on his cigar.
Across town, Adam had gone upstairs to check on Dean. He was anxious to break their news. Adam found Dean in their bedroom. He was still on the phone.
"...yes, Steve...great...six tomorrow…you won't regret it…alright...yes, tomorrow. After my patients are transferred...yes, a three year contract. Thanks, Steve see you real soon...goodnight." Dean ended the phone call.
"Well, what did he say?" Adam was just as anxious for Dean to be away from St. Luke's.
Dean grinned. "He was pleased to have me join the staff, same pay, same benefits on a three year contract. He will make room for my six patients that are currently in Saint Luke's. Just let me make six, quick phone calls. I need parental consent before I had over the papers to Lita tonight. Thirty minutes, then we break our news. Tell you what, you start with your news, that will lead to ours." Dean looked in the files in his open briefcase on the bed next to him.
Adam grinned. "Okay. I love you." He gave Dean a quick kiss.
"I love you. Thirty, I promise." Dean pulled out the six files he needed.
Adam went down to the kitchen. Ida had just made a fresh pot of coffee. "Come to the den, please. I have some news all of you need to hear."
"Okay, dear." Ida gave Adam a cup of coffee and poured one for herself. She knew Dean was still upstairs.
Adam sat on the couch. Ida sat in her favorite chair in the corner where she liked to knit. The quadruplets watched The Muppets.
"My darlings, turn it off, please. Daddy needs to tell you something important." Adam spoke with a smile.
James turned off the television. His brother and sisters sat on the floor and turned to face their daddy.
"Okay. Daddy quit the hospital today. I am going to work at Uncle Dean's private office with Uncle Seth. That means I will be here more. No more working nights or weekends. I can take you to school and pick you up every day. I can be here if one of you is sick. It's going to be a lot less stressful for daddy. Does it make you happy?" Adam hoped they understood.
The four kids looked at each other then at their daddy. "Yes! Yeah! Wow! Yahoo!" Came four voices at once. Jade, Janice, James and Jordan rushed at Adam and hugged him.
As Adam hugged his children, Ida smiled. "That is wonderful Mister Adam." She was always formal in front of the children, it helped teach them respect.
"Daddy, that's great. Now the hothpital won't break your nervth." Jade twisted her words around a missing tooth. She'd lost her bottom front tooth at Randy's over the weekend.
Adam laughed and hugged Jade. "No, it won't. It will be better for Uncle Seth and the baby. Maybe you will even get to see him more too. He and Uncle Roman miss you guys a lot." Jade went back to sit on the floor as did her siblings.
"We miss them too, daddy. Uncle Roman likes to swim with us." Jordan spoke with a huge smile on his face.
Adam wanted to tell them about Roman and Seth moving in next door, but sometimes, Jade or Jordan spoke without thinking.
"Daddy will invite them over soon. We will have a barbecue and open the pool. Maybe this weekend, but that's not a promise. Uncles Seth and Roman may already have plans." Adam explained, just as Dean came into the room with a cup of coffee.
"Uncle Dean! Thank you! You thaved daddy'th nervth from the hothpital!" Jade again twisted her words.
Dean laughed. "That's one way to look at it. I take it you don't mind daddy leaving the hospital?"
"We love it!" Jan replied with a huge grin.
"I'm glad. There is something else you might like. Daddy, go get the thing to show them." Dean gave Adam a wink.
Adam got the hint. "Be right back." He got up and left the room. When he returned, he kept his left hand hidden.
The four children looked. They were confused. Adam put his hands on his knees, and waited to see if anyone would notice.
"But...but...daddy, you didn't bring anything back." Jordan was especially confused.
Adam made a point of rubbing his knees. Ida saw it. She let a huge grin light up her face.
"I see it." Ida stated with an even bigger smile on her face.
The four children looked at their daddy. Jade saw it. "Daddy! A ring!" She crawled over to look closer at the ring. Her sister and brothers soon followed.
"They are gonna get married!" Jan stated with a happy clap of her hands.
Dean beamed like the sun. "Yes we are. I take it, you will give me permission to marry daddy?" He looked at the little lions.
"Yes!" All four children said at once.
Dean then turned a bit more serious. He held Adam's left hand in his right. "I want you four to know how much I love your daddy. I will always take care of him, as he will take care of me. I also love you little lions very much. I will always take care of you, too. So, I not only marry your daddy, I marry you to my heart and my life. I am so happy that you trust me enough to marry daddy." He opened his arms. Four children rushed into Dean's arms. Adam joined in the hug.
No one noticed when Ida wiped her tears of happiness, the quietly left the family to have their privacy. She knew what ever was going on, Dean would be there to hold Adam and the children together. Ida also knew, she was included in that.
After more hugs and kisses, Dean spoke again. "Now, you four need to get ready for bed. No story tonight, I have to go to the hospital for a little while. That will happen sometimes. Now go, daddy will be up to help you soon. I love you and will see you in the morning."
Ida went to the door. "Come on, bath time. We'll play hide the fish." Four children hurried off after Ida.
"We will celebrate fully tomorrow. I'd better go. I'll get yours and Seth's lockers cleaned out. Do you have anything else there?" Dean asked as he got up. He then helped Adam up.
"No, just a few things in my locker. Dean, be careful. I won't be able to sleep until your back. Tell Lita I will call her." Adam kissed Dean. They had walked to the door to the garage in the kitchen. Adam had a fear that something would go wrong at the hospital.
"I will be back before you can even miss me. Everything will be fine. I am actually glad to get out of Saint Luke's. I never liked Vince McMahon's ways. Only now I know why. Go play with our kids." Dean kissed Adam. He carried his briefcase in one hand. As he slipped into the Mustang, He called Jason.
Adam waved as Dean backed out of the drive way. He remembered Dean wouldn't be alone, Jason Reso-Hart would be with him. Adam set the alarm system and went up to help Ida bathe the children.
Dean and Jason walked into St. Luke's. Lita was surprised to see Doctor Ambrose. She smiled at the physician as he stopped at the station.
"Hi, Lita. I have some work to do. Doctor Reso here is going to help me. Won't be long." Dean explained. He and Jason went into the office across the hall.
Dean didn't have much at his office, he kept his personal things in his private practice office. He had an empty box in the corner, and began to fill it.
An hour later, Dean had cleaned out his office and the lockers of Adam and Seth. He put the three boxes on an empty cart. Lita wasn't at the station. Dean and Jason wheeled the cart out. They loaded the three boxes into the trunk of the Mustang.
"I'll take this back. I need to give Lita the transfer papers." Dean stated to Jason with a nod.
Jason nodded in return. "Go ahead. I will be watching."
Dean and Jason walked back inside. Jason melted into the shadows to keep an eye on Dean. They weren't safe yet. When you dealt with the criminal underworld, you never knew what could happen next.
Dean went back to his office. He typed and sent a quick email. Next, Dean wrote a note to John Cena to explain and tell him he would talk to him soon. He put the note in an envelope to slip under John's office door. Dean pulled the transfer papers out of his brief case. All the parents had been more than willing to have him move their children to Children's Mercy Hospital. They were loyal to Doctor Ambrose, not St. Luke's.
Lita had returned to the nurse's station. Dean laid his briefcase on the counter. He went up the hall to John Cena's office. Dean slid the note under the door, then went back to the station.
Lita worked on a chart. She heard the rattle of several keys. "Leaving, Doctor Ambrose?" Lita asked without looking.
"Yes, Lita. Lita, these six patients need to be packed and ready to be transferred to Children's Mercy in the morning. Here are the parental consent forms to be signed. Here is the form that states they gave me oral permission. These are the transfer papers. Lita, Adam said he will call you soon. He, Seth Reigns and myself no longer work here. If you ever want a change, just call me. I will give you and Beth glowing letters of recommendation..." Dean leaned in and spoke in a near whisper.
"Lita, do not trust anyone. Understand? Anyone?" Dean gave her a firm nod.
Lita sighed. "Understood, Doctor Ambrose. I'd heard rumors, but I don't listen to them. I will miss all of you. Give Adam and Seth my love."
"I will, Lita. Adam and I got engaged today. He wants to run my private practice. Seth wanted to get away from shift stress. Things happen fast sometimes. Take care, you are one hell of a nurse. So is Beth. Bye." Dean gave Lita a smile, picked up his briefcase and left.
Lita knew it was true. Dean had left the all the keys to the hospital on top of the files. With a sigh, she pulled the six charts and began the transfer work
In the Mustang, Dean let out a deep breath. "Thanks, Jason. It feels good to be away from this place." He started the car and drove out of the parking lot.
Jason guffawed. "Saint Luke's is going to crumble. Maybe once McMahon is out, it will be better again. Oh, drop me off at the same corner. Bret will be waiting for me." He was glad it had gone so well. He hated killing people.
Dean smiled, Adam was in bed wide awake. The TV played softly.
"Honey, I'm home." Dean smirked. Adam threw back the covers, he was totally naked.
"Let's consummate our engagement, shall we?" Adam gave Dean his own wicked smirk. His heart soared, his future was home...and safe.
Earlier that evening, as things happened at Adam's house, all hell broke out at the McMahon mansion. Stephanie was more angry than any of the lieutenants had ever seen. She was so angry, she couldn't speak. Finally, just as Dean had left Adam's house for St. Luke's, she found her voice.
"I only have three questions. One, why did those fucking cameras go out? Two, why have Adam and Seth, quit out of the blue? And three, where the fuck is my damn brother? I haven't seen him since he went to play video games on Sunday. Kofi said Shane never showed up." Stephanie crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her men.
Drew McIntyre spoke. "Somehow, the cameras were detected and removed. The only way would be if someone had told Adam they were there. Drake's work was perfection. I can't answer the other two questions."
"Adam and Seth quit? Okay, Seth doesn't surprise me. He complained about the stress being hard on the baby, but Adam?" Justin was interrupted when Stephanie's cell phone alerted to a text.
Stephanie pulled out her phone. It wasn't a text, it was an email from Doctor Ambrose. It had been sent from St. Luke's. She handed Drew the phone. "Put that on the computer, easier to read. I can't imagine what he would be doing at the hospital at this time of night." She hated interruptions.
Justin spoke again. "He could have been called in for an emergency. If the patient died, he'd want you to know." He gave a shrug.
Stephanie read the email when Drew slid the laptop to face her. As the others watched her read, they saw a hundred emotions cross her face.
Stephanie finished reading. "We just lost the best pediatric Doctor and surgeon in the city. Fucking Ambrose just quit He is sending his patients to Children's Mercy. What the fuck is going on" It can't be anything to do with Orton, not this. Adam has no clue about who fuckin' Orton really is. Orton pays big money to keep that life from Adam. Adam also has no clue who Bob Orton really is either. Something has happened, but what the fuck is it? Drake, Justin, did they say anything about any of this over the weekend?" She turned to Drake and Justin.
Drake shook his head. "Not a thing. In fact, all three of them were excited about helping Shane with the puppet show. It was the topic when we ate pizza on Sunday." He was actually shocked that Dean had also left St. Luke's.
"He speaks the truth. I even agreed to help with the puppet show. The only thing remotely said was by Seth. He wasn't looking forward to doing the night shift in a couple of weeks. But nothing else work related was said. Everyone was calm and relaxed. Adam was a bit excited, his kids were coming home after being with Orton for the weekend. Everyone said it was normal." Justin too was shocked. He would actually miss Adam. He'd been great to work with.
Cesaro spoke, which was rare. "Ma'am. I have an idea, and trust me, it isn't a pleasant one, but it would make sense." He spoke firmly. Cesaro was highly intelligent and was very good at sitting back and absorbing things. And, he was usually always right.
Stephanie highly respected Cesaro's intelligence. After all the man was fluent in over ten languages. "Say it, Cesaro. I know you and so far, you've always been right. Why doubt now?"
"Because ma'am, this time, it's personal. There was a rat in the house. There probably was a bug in this room. Now, both are gone, and missing." Cesaro gave Stephanie a very pointed look with a highly arched brow.
Stephanie's face contorted in confusion. She chewed on what Cesaro had said. It hit her like a ton of bricks. Stephanie looked at Cesaro and gave him a nod.
Stephanie spoke one word. "Shane." The room filled with gasps and muttered words as the lieutenants took in what their boss said.
"Cesaro? Why would you even think that? It's disrespectful. Ma'am I am sure he didn't think before he spoke. Apologize, please?" Sheamus spoke with fear on his face and in his voice. Men had died for saying less about a family member. He didn't want to lose the love of his life over a stupid mistake...even though Cesaro never made mistakes.
"No, Sheamus. I appreciate your words, but he said nothing wrong. I fear he is right. It is sad to say and hard to think. But, it now answers a lot of questions. My brother suffers from good morals and a good conscious. He has no idea what family loyalty is. I wish he'd died instead of mother. So does father." Stephanie growled.
Thoughts raced in the minds around the table. Only one man thought Shane was very brave. He hoped that the fact that Shane was missing, meant he was safe.
The man wished he knew how he could help Shane, without anyone finding out. Maybe it was time to speak to someone, and he knew exactly who. Shane probably already had. The thing was, Shane could run away, there was no way he could do that. The man knew he was about to start a very dangerous cat and mouse game. But, who was the cat and who was the mouse?
Shane McMahon paced in the safe room. While he was grateful to be there and thankful to the Helmsley's, he wished he could do more. He could have gone back to the house and gathered even more information on his crooked sister and vile father. With absolutely zero guilt.
He wished one of the lieutenants would open their eyes and grow a conscious. Shane had had hopes for one of of them, but he knew the man would probably never really turn traitor. It would be too much of a cat and mouse game.
Shane wondered, who would be the cat and who would be the mouse. Which ever was which...it would be a life changer.