Warnings: torture, molestation
It has been six months since Sewell was captured and life went almost back to normal. Frank had withdrawn from everyone after it became clear that he was the main cause for Joe's current injuries. Joe assuaged his fears that he wasn't to blame; however Frank couldn't bring himself to face Joe.
"Frank, you're my brother and that's never going to change. My injuries have nothing to with you. I don't blame for even a sliver of a second."
"Joe, please don't make me do this. I'm not ready to move on."
"Neither am I." Joe admitted. "Vanessa and I were discussing about adoption and I told her that I couldn't being them to a world where they would have to grow up without their father for a second time. I would never do that to these kids. Vanessa 's ready to move on from that horrific chapter in our lives but I'm not, Frank. Not yet. But it has been six months and no sign of Sewell."
"You don't know that for sure, Joe. You weren't there when mom and dad died." Frank's hand flew to his mouth and he noticed that colour drained from Joe's face.
Frank was surprised that Joe wasn't enraged judging by his brother's understanding blue eyes a second later. You're right. I wasn't. Frank. I couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for you. I'm sorry I wasn't there."
Frank shoved Joe back. "Why are you always like this? Ever since mom and dad died, you never retaliated whenever I brought my anger out on you. I'm sick of it. You always take it in stride. Even now, you're more worried about me and you don't have much of a temper anymore."
"What's that supposed to" mean? Joe replied heatedly.
"It means that i don't recognize you. At all." Frank explained.
"Frank, I am the same person I once was". Joe countered back.
"No, you're not,Joe. Even when I dropped Iola's present,you forgave me."
"Frank, you were been coerced by faradic."
"Even so..."
"Nothing. I won't talk about this"
The brothers heard Vanessa calling their names and they both knew from her tone it was urgent.
"I know who I want to adopt." Van informed her husband.
"They are three kids being abused by their father. The eldest is eldest and the twins are six.
Joe exploded. "What?thats barbaric. When can we sign off on the papers?" Joe asked.
"Joe,there's one more thing, the twins are terrified of men because all of them only see them as " tools for money" and they get punished every single day for not doing chores."
A brief expression of anger appeared on the brothers' face.
" Joe. I want to give them a better life." Vanessa sighed.
"Vanessa, of course. I'll work hard to make sure that they see me as their father. You'll be an amazing mother ,I know. But for me,it is not as easy. Sewell made six incisions because Frank told him to torture me because I'm the broken one. He didn't mean it Van. He was delirious.
Not knowing Frank was listening to their conversation. He stepped in. "Joe, what did i say?"
Vanessa and Joe whipped around to see Frank's crestfallen and heartbroken expression; in six months, Joe and Vanessa were able to keep
"Frank, Its not your fault. You weren't in control of your actions. I never blamed you for any of it because its Not. Your. Fault". He said emphasizing each point.
Tears glistened in Frank's eyes. He went over to Joe and hugged him gently, tear tracks streaming down his tear-soaked cheeks. "I'm so sorry,Joe. I would never say that...I don't know why I would throw my own brother under a bus. I promise you I'll do better."
Joe drew back alarmed and said in a strangled tone, "That's not what I want. You're the best brother and I wouldn't hold it against you for trying to reduce the immense pain."
Vanessa excused herself as her phone rang. A few seconds later, "Joe,that was the adoption agency, we're getting the children. All three of them."
"That's great babe". Joe said, tears sprang to the brim of his own blue eyes.
"Congratulations. Van and Joe. You guys will make great parents. He gave a peck on Van's surprised cheek and said, "You'll be an amazing mother, Vanessa . You're smart, kind, compassionate, but more importantly, Joe and your children are lucky to have you."
"Thank you Frank. You'll be an amazing uncle. I know that it doesn't matter that they didn't come from me"
"It doesn't matter where they come from. I will be an amazing uncle towards them if they let me."
He addressed Joe, "Joe,you're the best brother anyone could ever asked for. Always remember that you need to be patient with the girls and show them genuine love, compassion and kindness."
"I'm going to text the case worker and tell them to send me the videos of them being raped."
"Joe,that's not a good idea."
"I need to... I need to know what those bastards put my children through so I can understand how I'm supposed to bring them from the brink "Frank,I need to do this. For them. They mean everything to me. All the time that I was kidnapped, you,dad,mom and Vanessa didn't stop at anything to save me. You guys fought tooth and nail and every single time, the captors broke me, you guys build me back up."
Vanessa and Frank exchanged a knowing glance. "I understand. I can tell you're going to be an amazing father"
Joe made the call and a few minutes later, he watched a forty-five minutes video of three kids being forced to do menial tasks and then been abused. Joe forced himself to watch the punishment that they were subjected to and tears pricked his eyes at the cruelty. The girl has to watch as her beloved dog is about to be kill She struggles to save the dog, the younger sister said, "Master please. I'm sorry. I'll do all my chores." The master gave a derisive laugh before shoving her to the ground.
The eldest leaped in defence of the younger sister. "Leave my sister, master. Punish me instead of her."
Joe felt a surge of pride for the young girl who was giving herself up for her sister and immediately he thought about Frank who always protected him except for a few weak moments when he told Sewell to torture Joe and even then he didn't mean it.
Joe finished the forty minutes emotionally drained and exhausted. Despite everything that he had to endure, not once did he ever averted his eyes. He didn't know how anyone could be so cruel and heartless to kids.
He went out and searched for Frank.
He turned to Frank and asked politely, "Frank, do you mind if my children have our parents' room."
"I don't mind,Joe. These kids need a home,Joe. I know mom and dad would be proud of you as am I."
FGFGFGFG
The kids arrived at their house. Vanessa was so excited. She and Frank went on to meet them as Joe was preparing his parents' bedroom.
"Please don't leave us with these strangers"
"Don't worry. We won't hurt you" Frank assuaged their fears.
"Who are you?" Vanessa asked politely.
"I'm their uncle, Robert. I would like to keep them but I have three children of my own and a wife whose diagnosed with cancer."
"Don't worry, my husband and I shall take good care of them. You can see them whenever you like. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask us."
"Excuse me, Mr. Robert. Do you have any advice for us especially my husband? "
"Just be patient and they would want to talk about what happened. I couldn't go watch it."
"My husband willingly watched it so he could know what we need to do for them to give them the love and compassion they deserve."
"He watched it". Robert said, shocked. "My brother disciplines his children with smacking, starvation and whipping. He sometimes kisses them and molest them"
Hearing this, Frank felt a surge of pride for his brother and the lengths he was willing to undergo for these kids.
"I can't afford to look after three more children as I have a sick wife and three young kids myself, all under the age of four
"I'm so sorry. If there's anything we can do just name it." Joe's magnanimous heart broke for the family.
"There is something. My nieces have been through a lot and they don't trust men except people they've known quite well. So please don't."
Don't worry my brother and I won't take it personally. We'll discipline them the way my parents disciplined my brother and I. My parents didn't believe or condone corporal punishment and they always told us what we've did wrong. Don't worry. We won't raise our hand towards them. You can trust us.
The man looked at the genuine expression on their faces before replying, "Okay." The man left his nieces with them before leaving."
"Hey, don't cry. Okay. Look. I'm sorry that your master was so mean to you, but my wife and I promise to never be like your master. If you let us, we would be glad to be your father."
Frank looked at the scene unfolding and felt a surge of pride for his brother.
"You serious?." The eldest of the nieces said, her voice breaking
"Of course I am". He smiled at his children.
"Why don't we decide after I show you to your room, okay."
"Okay." The nieces hugged him and said, "thank you, dad. " Tears glistened in Joe's eyes at the sudden turn of events.
"Why are you crying, dad?" the eldest, Erica asked.
Wiping his tears, Joe responded ,a few seconds later, I know I just met you a few minutes ago, but I'm blessed to have such wonderful children." Vanessa came forward and knelt down. "I'm your mother , from now on. If you'll have me."
"Mom". The nieces said in unison.
Tears started to brim in Joe's and Vanessa's eyes. The indescribable feeling of being called 'dad' and 'mom' was far too much for Joe to handle. Tears started streaming down their face. They wiped their tears and tears started streaming down the children's faces. Frank stood apart at the happy and joyous scene taking plave before him. After everything Joe had being through, it was good to see him have a happy ending. Frank couldn't be more happier for his brother and sister-in-law.
Hope you guys like this chapter. Please review and comment. Four more chapters and aftermath will come to an end before its picked up in the sequel. This sequel is going to be the last instalment in the betrayal series. Don't worry I'll be doing stories-series even. With Fenton, Laura, Gertrude and callie alive. In the betrayal trilogy, they are all dead.