Wow! What incredible support! Thank you all so much for your responses to the first chapter! Not one person said I should stop writing, so without further delay, here is chapter 2.

***I claim no ownership in, around, on, (enter your own preposition here) White Collar***

XOXOXOXO

As soon as Peter had the bed pulled apart and the boys into new clothes, dinner was ready. All three marched down to the dining room to find the table laid out with spaghetti, green beans and garlic bread. Peter and Elizabeth helped the boys onto the two chairs on which she had placed phonebooks and pillows. Pushing the boys in close to the table, the adults took their seats at each end.

The boys were starving and dug into the spaghetti immediately. Neal had some trouble spinning his fork to pick up the long noodles, but he kept at it until he got some into his mouth. The bread was disappearing quickly as well. Eventually, Neal noticed his glass of milk. He glanced down the table at Peter's glass of wine, and then the other direction at Elizabeth's. He knew why he hadn't been served any, but he didn't have to like it. "Elizabeth, can I have just a little –"

"No, you may not." It was Peter who both anticipated the question and put his foot down, "You may have all the memories of being an adult, but you are still a little boy, Neal."

"But—"

Peter gave him a definitive eyebrow raise combined with a 'stop-now-or-else' finger point. Neal pouted, but he was smart enough not to say anything else. He sulkily pushed the green beans around on his plate without taking a bite.

When the doorbell rang, Peter looked down the table at his wife. Her face lit up as she realized, "It must be the beds. Peter, show them where to set them up please."

He did as Elizabeth asked and then returned to finish his dinner, "They said they'd be done in about 20 minutes."

Mozzie moved to serve himself some more spaghetti when Elizabeth slid the bowl out of his reach. Firmly, she told the boys, "both of you need to eat those vegetables."

Neal was already pouty and the late hour did nothing to improve his mood, "I don't want any." He whined. Mozzie didn't want any either, but if Neal got out of it so would he. He sat quietly, silently cheering his friend on.

"Neal," Peter warned, "behave yourself and eat those green beans."

"I don't want them." The whine was getting worse.

Trying to diffuse the escalating situation, Elizabeth suggested, "Boys, just take two bites, and then you can have dessert."

Mozzie thought that sounded like a pretty good deal, "What's for dessert?"

Smiling at the older boy, Elizabeth answered, "strawberry shortcake."

Mozzie immediately shoved the two bites into his mouth. He barely chewed before he swallowed them. Then he turned to Elizabeth and gave her a big, hopeful smile.

Elizabeth giggled at the show. Even Peter chuckled a bit.

Peter turned to Neal who was sitting back in his chair, arms folded tightly over his chest, "Your turn kiddo. Just two bites."

"No!" Seeing Peter's raised eyebrows, the little boy's bravado faltered some, but he held his ground, "I told you, I don't want them."

"No dessert for you then." Peter said resignedly, "More for us."

"I don't care about the stupid dessert," he placed the bottom of his foot against the edge of the table and was about to push away, when –

"Take that foot off the table this instant, young man." Peter sounded quite serious, but Neal just couldn't help himself.

Not entirely sure why he did it, the little boy pushed just hard enough to make everything rock slightly. It was enough to make his untouched milk slosh out of the glass and onto the tablecloth. Instantly, he was sorry he had done it.

"Neal! What was that about?" He had expected Peter to yell, but this was Elizabeth, and she was angry.

Dropping his foot, he nervously looked from one adult to the other, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean too."

Mozzie sunk down in his chair, afraid for his friend.

Now Peter was on his feet and lifting the little boy out of his seat. Before Neal knew what was happening, Peter held him over his hip and laid four firm smacks on the seat of his pants. It wasn't enough to hurt him, but it certainly got his attention. Despite this, as soon as Peter stood the little boy on his feet, Neal began to wail, "You hit me!" He pathetically rubbed his backside with his hands as fat tears rolled down his cheeks.

Peter knelt down in front of him and patiently explained, "No. What I did was spank you. That's what happens to naughty little boys who don't do as they're told." He waited until the crying reduced to sniffles before continuing, "I spanked you because I asked you to take your foot off the table and you didn't. Now I want you to apologize."

Neal sniffled out a sad, "I'm sorry, Peter."

Hugging the little boy, he comforted, "Okay, buddy. I forgive you. Now, what do you say about taking another stab at a couple of bites of green beans?"

Releasing himself from the hug, he lifted big, apologetic eyes up to Peter's face and with his bottom lip still stuck out, he nodded his assent.

Peter lifted him back up to his seat and watched as Neal quickly ate two individual green beans. Well, it was a start anyway, Peter thought.

Elizabeth served up the dessert, and happily watched as her three guys devoured it.

At 8:30 the delivery men trotted down the stairs, bid the family goodbye and were on their way. The boys, Neal in particular, were having trouble even keeping their eyes open. It had been a long and busy day for them. Taking note of this, Elizabeth decided the dinner dishes could wait for an hour or so. She did, however, retrieve a wet wash cloth to clean the boys' hands and faces first. Both had managed to get spaghetti sauce everywhere. If she hadn't been watching them eat, she would've sworn they had eaten with their bare hands. As she wiped off the last of the mess, she asked, "How would you two like to see your new beds?"

Mozzie was excited to see them. It was all he could do to stay in his seat and not run up right now. Neal tried to be excited, but he was just too sleepy.

Peter, noticing this, decided to carry Neal up. "Looks like someone is ready for bed already."

As he was lifted into Peter's arms, Neal weakly protested, "I'm not sleepy," but the big yawn gave him away. He snuggled into Peter's neck and watched with one eye as Mozzie jumped to his feet and looked expectantly at Elizabeth.

She laughed, "Go on Mozzie. Lead the way." They all followed as he dashed upstairs.

Mozzie pulled up short upon entering the bedroom. The others entered shortly after to find the little boy, mouth agape, looking up at the amazing bunk beds. They were shaped to look like a pirate ship. There was a rope ladder to climb up to the second bunk, a moving ship's wheel sat above the lower bunk's head board, both bunks sported a brightly colored plastic parrot on the footboards, and a Jolly Roger flag even hung on the wall.

Running to the ladder, Mozzie exclaimed, "I get the top bunk!"

"Nu-uh!" Neal turned to Peter, "That's not fair! I wanted the top!"

Looking up at the older boy already perched on the top, he made his decision, "sorry kiddo, but you're too little to take the top bunk. Mozzie gets it."

Seeing Neal's eyes begin to tear up and his lower lip quiver, Elizabeth stepped in, "Peter's right, but I think you'll like the bottom bunk better anyway. Go take a closer look."

Peter put him down and nudged him in the right direction. Neal thought she might be trying to trick him, but went to look anyway. Upon closer inspection, he still didn't see what was so special about the bottom bunk. He turned around and gave the adults a 'so what?' shrug.

Elizabeth walked back to the door, "sit on the bed." He did. "Now look up." As he lifted his head, Elizabeth flipped off the lights.

"Cool!" Neal gasped.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Peter went to sit on the floor beside the little boy. Looking up, he was taken in by the galaxy of stars above. "El, this is amazing."

"What? What am I missing?" Mozzie demanded as he scrambled back down the ladder. When he saw the stars, he changed his mind about wanting the top bunk. "Ahh! No fair! I want this bunk!"

Elizabeth laughed, "Mozzie, we'll get you some stars for the upper bunk too, okay?"

He grinned up at her, "Thanks Mrs. Suit."

"Mozzie, I've never liked that name much, and I am certainly not going to let you call me that now. Why don't you call me Elizabeth like Neal does?"

Abashed, he answered, "yes Mrs.— errm – Elizabeth. Thank you for the beds and all this stuff. It was really nice of you." Shyly he approached her. He was surprised when she scooped him up in her arms and gave him a big hug.

"You're welcome, Mozzie." She planted a kiss on his cheek that the embarrassed little boy quickly wiped off.

Realizing his manners were lacking, Neal turned to Peter, "Thank you too, Peter. You didn't have to take us in, but you've been really great."

Ruffling the little boy's hair, Peter said, "We're going to get you two back to your old selves soon, but until we do, you are both more than welcome here. Now, let's get sheets and blankets on these beds so you two can get some sleep."

Neal still thought it was too early for bed, but he was exhausted and beyond fighting about it at the moment. Peter and Elizabeth put the sheets and blankets on the top bunk while the boys struggled with the bottom. When the adults completed their task, they helped finish the bottom bunk as well.

Riffling through the jumble of children's clothing, Peter eventually found pajamas for the boys. He tossed a pair to Elizabeth who handed them to Mozzie. He was perfectly capable of undressing and dressing himself. Conscious of their modesty, she went to retrieve their new toothbrushes from the packaging.

Neal was another problem. He thought he should be able to do everything his older friend could, but even getting the t-shirt he was wearing off over his head was a chore. Peter offered to help, but the little boy pushed his hands away each time, "I can do it, Peter."

Peter knew he could too, with enough time, but Neal was beyond exhausted and every task was even more difficult now. He let Neal struggle a bit longer before finally just grabbing the shirt and pulling it off.

Neal huffily regarded the older man, "I said I could do it, Peter."

"I heard you, but that shirt had you by the neck. I was afraid it might try to bite your head off. It was your safety I was concerned about." Getting a small begrudging smile from the little boy, he continued, "Now put your arms up and we'll get your pj's on."

"Are you arresting me now?"

Peter looked at the boy to see him fight to keep from smiling. As Peter's own smile creased his face, Neal couldn't help himself and started to giggle as he lifted his arms.

Peter slipped the shirt down over the boy's head and gave his sides a quick tickle. Neal erupted in giggles as Elizabeth returned.

With mock severity, she admonished, "Peter, stop winding the boys up before bed. Boys, go brush your teeth."

Still smiling, Peter answered, "Yes, El."

"Yes, Elizabeth," the boys said in unison as they headed for the bathroom.

Once they had clean teeth, Peter and Elizabeth tucked them into bed, gave them each a kiss on the forehead, and shut out the lights.

Elizabeth smiled as she helped Peter with the dishes. It made Peter's heart lighter to see her so happy.

XOXOXOXO

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed! The next chapter is in the works now.

I don't suppose I can expect the same kind of response to this chapter as I got with the first one, but it was certainly inspiring to hear from so many. Please consider leaving a note if you enjoyed this one too.