I own nothing of the Outsiders, S.E Hinton does.

Chapter 20

J.D's POV

I drove to Darry's house quietly. I was wearing a suit and a red shirt. We went to court today. Patrick and Mikey have been staying with Darry for a week. Mikey got out of the hospital about five days after he was rushed in by me and Eric. I had the boy's papers in the passenger seat. All their health, school, and birth records were sealed away in the one little folder. I remember going to court to get guardianship after Dad died; now I had to do it again.

I pulled up and got out of the car. Soda's car was here too. I walked in and saw the boy's rushing around getting ready. Mikey was putting on his shoes. Patrick was straitening his tie. Darry was running around trying to find something. Lizzy was drinking her coffee and helping Soda tie his tie.

"Hey boys." I say. M.J looks up and rushes to me. He wraps his arms around my waist. I bend down and kiss his forehead, smoothing his hair and avoiding his stitches.

"Hey baby brother, you ready to go yet?" I ask him.

"Yeah, I'm ready. What do you think the judge is going to say?" he looks up at me with puppy dog eyes.

"I think no matter what, the judge will put you and Patty where you need to be." I was just hoping it was with me. In only two weeks, things were looking better in our favor. I got a job with the law firm that Sherri Valance managed, and I got to quit my job working at the bar.

Patrick walked over to me, messing with his jacket. I smiled and hugged him.

"I can't get the stupid buttons right!" he grumbles. I chuckle and help him with the jacket. I then realize that this was Dad's old coat. Patrick was growing up, fast. I didn't like it. I missed the sweet, innocent little seven year old boy that called me sissy. The buttons were in one of those weaving patterns, so it was hard to figure out.

"There, all good." I smooth out the front of the jacket and look at him.

"How do I look?" he asks.

"Like Dad." I smile weakly.

"Is everyone ready to go?" Darry asks coming out.

"Yes, I think so. All you boys look great." I drawl.

"Thank you. Alright, Patrick and Mikey are riding with me and Aunt Lizzy, and J.D is riding with Soda." He says clapping his hands together.

"Why can't we ride with J.D?" Mikey asks.

"Because, you and Patrick aren't supposed to see Johnny Dallas until the trial. We've already broken the rules by having dinner together last night." Aunt Lizzy reminds Mikey.

"Okay." He sighs.

I and Soda get to the court house first. I carry the folder with me into the court room. There's another trial going on as the others get here. Eric arrives with Cola and Shay. We have to wait twenty minutes until Ms. Valance gets here. I get up to shake her hand.

"Sherri."

"J.D, how are you doing?" she asks quietly as we sit down.

"Fine, thank you. Are you ready?" I ask.

"Yes, everything is in order. You'll get your brothers Ms. Curtis, I can almost guarantee it."

We were up next. Me and Sherri went up to our desk. CPS was sitting at the opposite desk. So was our caseworker.

"All rise!"

Everyone stood. Our case number was called out. I looked back at my brothers and smiled. Pat put his arm around Mikey nodding. A middle aged man came out with a long black robe on. He sat in his chair and banged his gavel.

"You may be seated. State your case, Ms. Smith."

"Thank you Your Honor. The minors Patrick and Michael are currently in the care of their older sister, Johnny Dallas. Michael was in an accident about two weeks ago, that could have been avoided if in the right care. Child Protective Services do not believe that Johnny Dallas is responsible enough to be their caretaker, and advise that in the minors best interest be transferred into the care of their uncles."

"Anything else?" he asks looking through papers.

"No, Your Honor." She says.

"Ms. Valance?"

Sherri rose putting a hand on my shoulder. She removed her glasses and looked at the judge.

"Johnny Dallas Curtis is not only a responsible adult, but a loving a caring guardian. She has given up her education and part of her life to get custody of her brothers. Their father died only a year ago from cancer. Not only did she get custody, but their father wanted her to have custody. She has a full time job at my law firm, money in savings, and receives money from Social Security in death benefits for the two boys. In short, your honor, it would not be in the boy's best interest to be removed from their sister. This family has already lost their parents, Your Honor, don't make them lose each other."

The judge sighs and rubs his eyes. "Ms. Curtis, why should I give you custody of your brothers?"

I stood up nervously. "Well, Your Honor. I've know the boys better than anyone. I've known them all their lives. I was there when Mikey and Pat were born. I was their surrogate mother when our mother was killed in a hold up. I dropped out of school so that I could be there for them when we found out that our father had lung cancer. I left my fiancé so that I could focus on my brothers. I know that Darry or Sodapop could take them, but they don't know them like I do. I know that they would take good, if not even better care of them then I would. I know that I can do this, sir. I just want to keep my family together." I sounded like I was begging. But all of it was true. I knew my brothers better than anyone, and I could do this.

"You seem like a responsible and confident woman Ms. Curtis. Custody is ordered to Johnny Dallas Curtis. CPS will continue check-ups every month, to make sure the boys are taken care of. Next case!"

He bangs the gavel, and hands the bailiff the folder. I turn back to my brothers and hold them close to me. Mikey is bouncing, and Pat is chuckling as I mess up his hair. I pull them back and smile.

"Can we go home now?" M.J asks. I chuckle.

"Yeah, let's go home." I say.

We had ice cream and ribs as a victory dinner. Everyone came over, Steve and Debbie included. I sat next to Mikey and Pat on the couch. Instead of Mikey reading, Patrick was.

"Hey, Pat, what you got there?" I nudge him,

He looks up. "Nothing, just an old notebook of Dad's."

I lift the book to see the title.

"The Outsiders, by P.M Curtis. Wow, when did Dad write this?" I look at the book closer.

"It says November 5, 1967. Almost 30 years ago. Dad was about my age when he wrote this." Pat replies.

"Wow, where did you find it?" I take the book from him, flipping the pages.

"I found it in Dad's office desk. The drawer was locked." He answers.

"Wow, would you mind if I read it after you're done?"

"No, I wouldn't mind." He takes the book back.

I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Eric standing behind me. He smiles and holds out his hand. I take it and get off the couch.

"Mind if I borrow J.D for a minute?" he asks my brother.

"Go ahead." He says.

Eric leads me outside and closes the sliding door.

"What are you doing?" I ask. Eric smiles and leads me to the old tree that we use to lay under together.

Eric jumps on the big limb of the tree. He pats the spot next to him. I smirk and jump up next to him. I lean against the tree and take Eric's hand.

"You got the boys back." He wasn't asking.

"You don't seem too thrilled about it." I question.

"I am! I really am, but Johnny. I don't want to be the same jerk as last time. I won't leave you again. I still love you, J.D." he gets on the ground.

"Eric…"

He gets down on his knee and pulls out the ring he presented to me the night Dad collapsed.

"I won't make you choose between me and the boys. I'll support you in everything you do. I will be the best father figure and father to the boys. And I swear to you, Johnny Dallas Curtis, I will never leave you again. Will you marry me?"

I hop off the tree limb and bend down to Eric. I take the ring and slip it on my finger.

"Yes. A thousand times yes."

I put my hands on his face and kiss him deeply. Eric wraps his arms around me and lifts me up to stand. He spins us around and chuckles.

Please Review. Only one chapter to go…

Thank you for being patient. It's been a LONG semester. I'll be starting two more stories soon.