Prologue
Dressed far more mature then she actually was, Jenna walked into the Lawyers office. The building was rather nice, her own experinace as a realitor told her just how much this play was worth and she couldn't help but let her eyes move up and down the sides and walls. It was comforting, despite everything... despite the bombshell that had become her life.
"Ms. Sommers?" A soft but strong voice came from behind the counter, and she turned to look at the source of the voice with a weak nod. "We've been expecting you. Room six is just down the hall."
"Thank you."
She didn't make it more then three steps before the voice stopped her. "Ms. Sommers, If I may be so bold... be patient. I know you've gone through quite a loss, but this is still upsetting for the boy..." The voice, coming from a kind looking older lady who looked a little like Jenna's grandmother had, said. The women looked at her, and it was clear that she too was grieving Greyson and Miranda's loss. Like many in town... like Jenna herself was.
Smiling back, Jenna nodded. "I'll do my best. I can't imagine what he is going through..."
She shared a look with the receptionist for a moment before separating and walking back down the hall. Room six was easy to find and Jenna boldly walked through, only to be greeted with a pair of beautiful blue eyes wrapped in glasses.
The kid was chubby, tired and had a cute set of brown ringlets on his head. He was younger then Jeremy, and just a little shorter. Maybe fourteen at the most, but despite his age the kid looked sadder then anyone she had ever seen. Utterly exhausted, like the world had already kicked his ass.
"Hi... Mathew."
The kid smiled, nodding as he somehow hid most of the utter exhaustion that had been etched onto his face just minutes before. "Hi... are you Jenna?" She managed a nod, and listened to his voice. She knew he had defiantly been teased, he had an effeminate but really articulate voice that held a slight accent she couldn't quite place. "Dr. Gilbert talked about you sometimes, when I was sick. Your as pretty as he said you were."
Yes, she blushed, no she was not ashamed of that. "Well, Grayson always was a charmer... how long were you in his care?"
"Fifteen years, technically." He chuckled at her confusion. "I'm fourteen but he was helping me in the womb too. I guess my mom was... sick and he was helping her for free. She was pregnant with me, so that means he was taking care of me too. Anyway, I guess my mom was also a drug addict so I was born with some issues. A form of Chronic Fatigue syndrome and Insomnia... Migraines and a few other things. Dr. Gilbert made sure that where I went in the System, he could be my Doctor and treat my issues. I liked him." The kid's eyes swelled with tears, he turned away and wiped them. "I'm so sorry, I know he was your brother in law, you probably don't want to see a stranger crying over him."
She shut him up by grabbing his hand. "You cared about him too, your allowed to grieve... do... do you know why I'm here, why we both are here?"
"Uh.. not really, they didn't tell me. My foster parents just made sure I was dressed nice and took me here. They don't tell me anything, I'm too young to hear anything."
She shivered, rubbing her shoulders absently. "Of course they leave it to me... okay." Taking in a deep breath, trying to remember those three yoga classes she took in college, she tried to centered herself. "Okay. Six months ago, Grayson put in an application to adopt you."
The boy froze, his eyes wide and a look of almost fearful disbelief filled his face. "Are... are you serious?"
"Completely... when... when he died, I, I gained custody of my Niece Elena and my Nephew Jeremy. Apparently he almost was finished gaining custody of you... and I was asked if I wanted to take you in."
The kid actually recoiled, standing up and walking towards the windows behind him. He was shaking, pale and tired. "Do you... do you want to take me in, after losing your brother and sister... " All emotion had ripped away from his voice, leaving him cold and pained.
The answer came easily to Jenna. "Grayson had to record a declaration of why he wanted to adopt you. I got to read it... he really loved you, kid. Apparently my sister was really excited to meet you. They were setting up meetings before they passed... " She gulped and felt a familiar shiver of fear, the same she had felt when taking in Jeremy and Elena. That same broken, desperate hope in the boy's eyes. The same fear that came with the knowledge that she had the power to destroy that hope with a single word. Like with them, it was that hope that forced her hand before her brain could really catch up with her. "Yes, I want to adopt you, if you want to live with us."
With a smile, the kid nodded. " Yeah... I think I do. Thank you... Jenna."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This is going to be so much fun. I have a lot of the plot already made, and I am working only on a few details...
Any suggestions or people to bounce ideas off of are welcome!
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika!
