Here it is. The final chapter. Thank you all so much for the nice reviews and all the favorites and follows. You guys have really encouraged me to continue writing even when I thought I couldn't anymore and I'm proud to say that my first chapter long fic is complete! Love you all!
Altair didn't even bother to get the house prim and proper for Sofian's arrival. The house was still in mostly good shape from last week's sterile wipe down and Altair figured any damage to be done had been already so there was no point. The boys had prepared their things, though not a single one of them was happy about it, and more than a few tears had been shed on everyone's part already.
The little family was sitting on the couch watching silly cartoons when two o'clock came around and there was the expected knock on the door. The boys swapped looks equal amounts of fear, anger, and sadness. Altair slowly reached for the remote and muted whatever show they had been staring at but not really watching. He turned to the boys and gave them all a firm hug, a private goodbye before Sofian tore them away. Then Altair stood and carefully walked over to the door, wary of the person he would undoubtedly find on the other side. Taking a deep breath, the door was pulled open.
That was not what Altair expected. Standing before the door was not Sofian. It was an older man with darkened leather like skin that was very wrinkled. He had a scruffy gray beard, no hair on his head, and wore rather casual clothes, which further surprised Altair.
Sofian was late? Altair couldn't fathom the suggestion. Sofian wasn't the type to be late. But he had to be if this man was here and Sofian was not. Who was he, anyway? Certainly no one Altair knew, so why was he here?
"Can I help you?" he asked the elderly man.
The man cleared his throat and offered a kind smile.
"Yes, sorry to surprise you like this." the man spoke in a gentle tone that was soothing. "My name is Jabal Nagi, I'm here in place of Abbas Sofian." he explained.
Altair's gut twisted and his expression hardened. He nodded curtly and opened the door, allowing the replacement social worker inside. He wondered why Sofian had not come personally. Surely he would take great pleasure in ruining Altair's life by his own hand.
Jabal stepped inside and noticed the boys sitting quietly on the couch, looking curiously over at the unexpected arrival. Once the door was closed he turned back to Altair.
"Allow me to explain myself."
Altair waved his head, bidding him to continue.
"Abbas has recently been suspended due to a criminal investigation." Jabal began.
Altair's eyebrows shot up at this news.
"Apparently he has been doing his job unjustly and several families have already suffered for it. I have come by in his place to see if his evaluation is fair. I hate to intrude upon you so suddenly, but I need to do an inspection." Jabal said apologetically.
Altair didn't mind, in fact, he rejoiced. This was a second chance! He thanked God, or however was up there, that he had another opportunity to keep the boys. He readily agreed with Jabal and allowed him to go about the investigation. If by some chance of fate that Abbas had judged him unfairly, Altair could still have his brothers by the end of the day. This new hope was almost surreal.
Jabal was polite and kind as he walked about the house, unlike Sofian. He poked and prodded some places and asked questions, but never showed how he felt about any of the answers, making Altair nervous. He sat everyone down in the living room and interviewed them, where Sofian had separated them. Altair wondered if the boys gave the same answers they had last time or changed them in hopes of staying.
By the end of the second home visit, Altair was exhausted and about ready to just beg Jabal what his verdict was. The boys were sent off to their room while the two adults sat to discuss what had happened. Jabal crossed one leg over the other and looked down at the clipboard he had brought with him.
"Mr. Ibn-La'Ahad, in Mr. Sofian's report, he states that you are lazy, uncaring, irresponsible, and overall a terrible guardian for your brothers."
Altair grit his teeth and realized his fists were clenched tightly.
"I think that he's wrong."
Surprise showed clearly across the golden eyed man's face and his hands went slack.
"If I have seen anything today, it's that you clearly love these boys. You are doing a lot to take care of them, even taking up two jobs, and have had to deal with a lot since they came under your custody. I believe that you've done, and are doing, everything you can for your brothers' best interests. As far as I am concerned, you are fit and able to remain the guardian of those four boys."
Altair's heart caught in his throat and he froze. Had he just heard what he thought he just heard? Was Jabal...letting him keep the boys? The idea was more than he could hope for. It couldn't be true. No, Altair must have heard wrong.
Jabal's chuckle brought Altair back to the present. He gave Altair a smile that almost seemed fatherly.
"You look like you've swallowed a fish." Jabal said, amused. "Didn't you hear me? The boys will stay in your custody."
It finally managed to sink into Altair's head. He was keeping his boys.
"Thank you." he eventually spoke, his voice sounding choked. "Thank you so much." Altair almost wanted to break down in tears of relief.
"You're welcome, Mr. Ibn-La'Ahad. I'm sorry for the undue stress that Mr. Sofian's misconduct has caused you." Jabal stood as he spoke. "Well, I think I've done all I can here, good luck to you sir, I'm glad to know those boys are in good hands."
Altair politely saw Jabal out the door, thanking him several more times. When the door was closed, the boys anxiously poked their heads out of their room, clearly confused as to why they were still here though the social worker was not.
"You get to stay." Altair barely breathed the words. A bright smile spread across his face and he repeated it with more enthusiasm. "You get to stay!"
The boys cheered and charged Altair, crashing together in a big group hug. Altair laughed and kissed each one of them on the head before pulling them close. He thanked whatever holy beast there might be that his boys got to stay with him.
They stayed in a people huddle for a very long time before they finally broke away and Altair declared ice cream for dinner. He unwisely let Ezio dish out the frozen treat, not caring about the mess that would ensue, while he hunted down his phone and dialed Maria's number. Altair excitedly told her that the boys would stay and she rejoiced, congratulating him and making a smart comment. Next, Altair had the urge to call Malik. Over the past seven days they had grown closer and someone could even describe them as friends. Altair's ridiculous attraction for Malik had only grown in that time as well.
"Hello, Altair?" Malik asked, sounding apprehensive. He knew full well what was supposed to be happening today.
"Malik, I have them. The boys. They're staying." Altair couldn't contain his glee.
"That's great!" Malik said enthusiastically. "What happened?"
Altair explained about Sofian and Jabal and Malik congratulated him again and said how happy he was for Altair. A slightly awkward silence followed that and Altair had the urge to do something totally crazy.
"Hey, Malik?" he asked, a slight hesitance edging into his voice.
"Yeah?"
"I know this good restaurant around here that has pool tables. Would you wanna go sometime?"
There was a pause and Altair gulped.
"Like...a date?" Malik asked carefully. Altair couldn't tell how the other felt about the notion.
"Yeah. Something like that." Altair admitted.
Another pause. Oh God, he's gonna turn me down. This was such a bad idea. Maybe he's not gay? Neither am I-What if he hates me? Shit, this wassucha bad idea.
"Sure."
"Really?" Altair had to clear his throat to keep his voice from cracking.
"Yeah, I have free time on Saturday. You have that day off, right?"
"Uh huh. So...I'll pick you up at seven?"
"Sounds like a plan. See you then, Altair."
"Bye, Malik."
They both hung up and Altair openly whooped. Today could not have gone better. It was such a blissful treat at the end of a terrible week.
"What?" Clay asked Altair about his cheer.
"Nothing for you to worry about, shortie." Altair said cheerfully, ruffling Clay's hair. "I have a date."
My mom always tells me about her first date with my dad was they went and played pool. I thought it was freakin adorable and rather original.
Anyway, this is the end. Seeya all! *single tear slids down my cheek* Thank you all for reading.
