CHAPTER 14

Neal's plan was perfect. By going to bed early he woke up earlier than the adults and he could make his escape. He felt a little bad about escaping, but he knew it was for the best.
The Burkes would just like the Morgans and the Smiths realize that Neal was way too much to deal with and they would regret their choice to take care of him. Everyone had always regretted that choice, everyone except his own mother or maybe even she regretted it.
The last week of her life Neal had been nothing but a bother. Maybe Neal just wasn't meant to have a family.
With that thought echoing in his head he quietly descended the stairs.
Neal reached for the alarm but just as he pressed the first button a light turned on in the living room.
"Going for a walk?"
Neal knew he was busted so he slowly turned around to see Peter sitting in the couch, Satchmo sitting proudly next to him.
The dog had probably alerted Peter as soon as he heard the boy heading for the stairs.
Neal glared at the dog, feeling betrayed. He had told Satchmo his plan and begged the dog not to rat him out this time but it looked like the dog hadn't listened to him.

Neal hung his head, waiting for Peter to get up and yell at him or even hit him, but Peter stayed put until Neal looked at him.
The agent calmly patted the space next to him and Neal reluctantly walked over and sat down on the couch.
"Why do you want to escape, Neal?"
Peter asked but the boy remained quiet, looking down on his worn out sneakers.
"You seemed very happy when the social worker said you could stay"
Neal remained quiet and he could hear Peter sigh deeply.
"How about I make you a deal?"
Neal looked up at Peter. He had never had a foster parent willing to reason with him before, they had all just ignored what he wanted since he was only a child and they were the adults.
"How about you stay here for a week and if you're not happy then you tell us and we will let you go"
Neal couldn't believe his ears, he just needed to stay for one week and then he could go. He could leave the foster system behind and he could stay at June's and wait for Mozzie.
"Do we have a deal?"
"Yes"
Neal answered eagerly before shaking Peter's hand. Just one week before he was free forever.

Peter of course had no intention of letting the child go, he had only told a necessary lie.
The couch wasn't that comfortable and Peter didn't want to spend every night on it just to prevent the child from escaping. He was also hoping that a week from now the boy didn't even want to escape, he hoped that a week would be enough to make the child understand that they didn't want to hurt him.
The agent realized that the boy wouldn't trust them if they promised they were not going to hurt him, they were gonna have to prove it to him.
Peter didn't know the details about Neal's background but he had experience in dealing with victims of abuse.
They had more often than not lost their faith in other people's words and he guessed that was the case with Neal as well. He had a feeling that with Neal actions spoke louder than words.
"It's only 4 am, you could still get some sleep"
"Not tired"
The boy answered before he got down on the floor to pet the dog.
Peter was still tired but there was no way he was going back to sleep when Neal was still awake.
Even if he wouldn't escape, Peter dreaded what the boy could get up to without any adult supervision.
So instead he reached for the remote and turned on the tv. He zapped through the channels trying to find something child appropriate.
The only thing he could find was some old black and white movie. While Peter was displeased with the lack of sport games ,Neal seemed intrigued by the movie. The boy got up from the floor and sat down next to him again.
Peter rarely watched these kind of movies, except for when Elizabeth forced him to. Peter had been hoping that the kid would be into sports like himself but it seemed like he had ended up with another El.

Satchmo pushed at his leg and Peter opened his eyes. It was the tenth time he had almost fallen asleep.
"I'm awake"
He mumbled before looking beside him, surprised but relieved that Neal had finally lost his struggle to stay awake and was sleeping soundly.
The man couldn't help but smile at the sight, how could he not when the boy looked so innocent and adorable in his sleep.
Peter was just debating about whether he should leave the child in the couch or carry him upstairs when the boy stirred in his sleep and his tiny head ended up on Peter's lap.
Peter didn't have the heart to move him so instead he turned off the tv and closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep.

The first thing Elizabeth noticed when she woke up was the absence of her husband.
It took her a few seconds before she remembered that he was sleeping downstairs tonight, and there was nothing to worry about.
At least that's what she thought until she decided to check in on Neal and only found an empty bed. Suddenly she was not only worried but furious.
Neal had ran away again and Peter hadn't even bothered to wake her up?
Peter would have to get really comfortable on that couch because he would spend the next month or so sleeping on it.
She hurried down the stairs but came to a halt when she saw the couch. All the anger and worry disappeared and instead she had to cover her mouth to prevent herself from letting out a big 'aww' at the sight in front of her.
Peter was sitting up, his head against his shoulder, and lightly snoring while Neal was snuggled up to Peter. His head pressed against Peter's chest while Peter's arm was wrapped protectively around Neal's body. Satchmo was placed by their feet, looking more satisfied than ever.
Elizabeth grabbed her phone and took a photo of the trio.
She stood there watching them for minutes, thinking about how right the picture was.
It was like Neal was a puzzle piece missing from their family. She had spent years wishing for a child, and finally there he was, the perfect child for them.
She wiped away her tears before walking into the kitchen, ready to make breakfast for her three favourite boys.