Author's Note:I don't own any of these characters and I'm sorry if you don't like my writing. I have a learning disorder and it's hard for me to do spelling, grammar, and everything else. If you can't understand then don't read my story. I'm writing this not because I want to please people but because I love to write; so please no hate reviews. Thank you.
Edited by VanillaAshes and Sanctuaria.
Now enjoy this chapter.
Phil's point of view:
After May got the girls into her car we had our goodbye kiss and we watched as Mel, Skye, and Jemma drove away leaving me in charge of the boys.
"Alright let's go. You can't be late for your first day of school, now can you?" I ask rhetorically, making sure the boys grabbed everything they needed. "Is everyone ready?" I asked. They all replied with a series of yeses. "Alright,let's rock and roll." I said making sure the boys were in correctly; I started the car and then we were off.
"Lance, do you think will have a class together?" asked Grant.
"I don't know but that would be so cool if we did!" exclaimed Lance, playing with his soccer ball nervously.
"Calm down, Lance. You'll do just fine," said Trip, wrapping his arm around the younger boy.
"Yeah, you're the best player in our family," said Leo giving Lance a big smile.
Lance returned the smile, "I'm sorry, guys. It's just- I'm so nervous. What if I am not good enough?" Lance questioned.
"Hey bud, you are a very good soccer player. So, just try your best. That's all you can do." I said locking eyes with Lance through the rearview mirror.
"Thanks Dad," Lance replied, with a genuine smile.
"And if you don't make it this year will help you get better for next year," Grant offered, making Lance smile his million dollar smile and not everyone got to see that smile.
"Thanks guys, you're the best," said Lance pulling all three of his brothers in for a group hug.
Watching the boys sent me back to how we got Trip and Grant.
(flashback)
"Mel, seriously, we don't have to do this. We don't have to have kids to be happy," I said as we pulled up to the adoption center.
"And I love you for that but you always wanted a big family. Even though this child won't be ours through blood that doesn't matter because they'll be ours," replied Mel, making me smile.
"You're the best, you know that," I remind her as I press a kiss on the dimple in her cheek.
Melinda gave me a smile. "I know," she joked, making me laugh.
Together we got out of the car and hand in hand we walked inside the building. The lady at the front desk gave us a bright smile. "Hi, how can I help you?" she asked.
"We are looking to bring a little boy home." I said. However, before the lady could answer, two blurs ran past us.
"Careful!" shouted the lady before letting out a small laugh.
"Trip, wait!" said the younger boy trying to catch his breath.
"No chance, Grant! We have to push ourselves if we want to be like Captain America!" replied the older boy, Trip.
Mel let out a laugh as my eyes got wide at the mention of Captain America, "So you boys like Captain America, huh?" I asked, walking closer to the two boys.
"Yeah! He's the best Avenger ever!" said Trip,
"I agree with you completely," I said making Trip smile "What about you buddy?" I asked, looking over at the younger boy, Grant.
"I like Hawkeye; I think it's cool that he's human," said Grant, giving me his own toothless smile.
"He's my second favorite too," I said not mentioning there was a fifteen-year-old at shield that went by the codename Hawkeye.
Mel came down to their height. "Hey, how would you both like to come home with us?" asked Mel, making my eyes go wide- we haven't talked about getting two kids but since they were so close it seemed heartless to tear them apart.
Grant's eyes widen before looking at Trip. "Both of us?" asked Grant.
"Of course! Who wouldn't want two amazing kids like you, huh?" Mel asked rhetorically, giving them a gentle smile.
"Okay." Trip and Grant said in unison.
"Okay! It's settled then," said Mel, standing back up, "We would like to adopt these two children," Mel told the lady.
"Of course, right away, you'll love them never a dull moment with those two." said the lady, making Mel laugh.
"There's no doubt about that," agreed Mel looking over at that boys fondly.
Two days later the boys were officially welcomed into our hearts and home, it was a fast adoption because they were in a group home. We haven't regretted our decisions since.
(End Flashback)
I felt a smile as I drove to Trip's school, he was already in middle school. God help me; I was not looking forward to when our kids left the nest.
"Have a good day at school, Trip," I said.
"Thanks, Dad! I'll see you guys later." Trip replied, before looking at Lance and adding, "and Lance, good luck." He got out of the car and closed the car door.
"Thanks!" yelled Lance, trying to get Trip to hear him. Leo just snuggled into Lance's stomach, now that Trip was gone and there was more room to cuddle. Watching Leo cuddle with Lance sent me into another flashback on how we got Leo.
(Flashback)
"Have you seen Lance?" asked Mel looking rather concerned.
"No, I haven't- I thought you got him when you picked Grant up from school?" I said putting down my mission report.
"No… Grant said he didn't see Lance all day and Trip said there was a fight at school today so I'm a little bit worried." Mel said, the concern evident in her voice.
"This isn't good." I said standing up. We brought Lance home about six months ago and he was fitting in quite nicely with his brothers but one thing we learned about Lance is that he's most likely going to be the one in the family to get in the most fights, since he was pretty protective of those he loves. It's a part of his nature and while I find it touching, Lance was always getting into trouble which worried us.
"What do we do?" asked Trip walking into my office with Grant by his side. It was easy to tell that they were worried about their new brother.
"Let's go drive around to the school and see if anyone has seen him." I suggest.
"Okay, sounds like a plan," said Mel.
We left Jemma and Skye with their nanny, since they didn't need to see or know what could happen to their brother. Together we got the boys into the car and headed off for Grant's and Lance's school. We drove around for 30 minutes before we saw a little boy about 5 waving his arms and jumping up and down; he was covered in blood.
"Phil! Stop the car!" Mel exclaimed, already unbuckling her seatbelt. The four of us rushed over to the young boy, "Are you alright, sweetie?" asked Mel gently, her eyes scanning over the young boy.
"I am- but my friend is hurt, please help him!" said the little boy.
Mel nods, "We will, don't worry- What's your name?"
"Leo… Leo Fitz- please help my friend!" he exclaimed, running off.
We all followed him to a kid that was covered in blood and was beyond pale, I swore my heart stopped when I saw who it was. I heard Mel gasp, before covering her mouth; it was Lance….
"Oh my God," said Mel, looking over at our son. He was out cold and was losing blood fast.
"Can you help him?" asked Leo with tears coming out of his blue eyes.
"We sure can, kiddio," I said, still focused on the sight in front of me.
Trip pick Leo up, he's coming with us." Mel ordered.
Trip, doing as he was told, picked Leo up and was surprised when the young boy didn't fight back.
"You three go to the car now," I said
"B-but Dad…" Grant began complaining, but I interested him.
"NOW!".
"Come on, Grant." Trip said quickly, leading the boys back to our car.
"Lance, sweetheart, please open your eyes," begged Mel who had begun to cry.
"Mel, we need to take him to the hospital." I said with urgency.
"You're right... you're right." said Mel, standing back up.
I gently picked up Lance who moaned at the sudden movement. I heard Mel hold in a sob and I couldn't blame her- She always showed her true emotion when it came to the children, it was one thing she couldn't hide or control. It hurt to see our son in this bad shape.
Once Mel got into her seat, I handed Lance to her to hold for the drive. Right away, tears silently ran down her cheeks as she whispered comforting words and pleas. I got into the driver's seat and swiftly drove to the hospital. Once there, Lance was instantly rushed into the ER, Mel went with him and the other children sat on the chairs as instructed, all looking worried.
"Leo, where are your parents?" I ask, sitting in the seat opposite him and the boys.
"Do you have anyone we can call?" asked Trip, after a few moments, when Leo didn't answer.
"No… I got no home," Leo replied softly, looking down and avoiding eye contact as he continued talking, "I don't have no parents- I was walking and waiting for the lady to take me to a new family- and then the mean men were trying to take me - but I was waiting for the lady- nobody would miss me, that's what they said," Leo replies. He takes a few moments before continuing, "That's when they boy came and stop them, but he got hurt- it's my fault." he says as he begins to cry.
My eyes widen when I realised that Lance stopped a kidnapping and got hurt because of it. I was proud of him no doubt but I was scared we were about to lose our son.
"What do you mean, you don't have any parents?" Trip asks the younger boy, not understanding the severity of the rest of what Leo said.
"They are gone and they are not coming back. I had lots of homes and I was going to a new home." Leo explains to the best of his ability.
I instantly realise that he was in the foster system, and Trip seemed to understand too as he looked at me with the question in his eyes.
"Dad-" Trip starts.
I take a deep breath, "Leo, until we work out what's going on, I'll call in a favor and you can stay with us for a while. Okay?"
Leo nods.
"He always says that. It means that we are now your brothers." Trip says, pulling the younger boy into a hug.
"Really?" Leo asks, hugging Trip back. Grant joins the hug too.
I decide to not tell them about the long procedure that he had to go through, or that he may not be able to adopt Leo. But he knew now that he would have to try his hardest. I gave a small nod of confirmation, making the younger boy smile widely; I just hoped I could keep my promise.
Mel came back, "He has three broken ribs and he was shot. But he is going to live."
I sigh in relief and give her a hug before explaining the situation with Leo.
"Six, final number. No more needed," Mel whispers.
I nod in agreement.
We both turn and watch Lep laugh with his older brothers; the adoption was finalised after a gruelling 8 months. The longest of them all.
(end flashback)
"Alright boys, have a good day." I said pulling up to Lance's, Grant's, and Leo's school
"Will do, thanks-Dad-see-you-later," said Grant grabbing his and Lance's backpack while Lance helped Leo out
"Bye Dad," said Leo waving at me.
"Bye, Leo," I said, watching my boys walk up to the school hand in hand. I felt so proud of them and could not wait to see what the future held for them.