Jeff rolled over in the bed and smiled, he felt a pressure on the edge of his bed. "Come on Dad, get up." Jeff smiled. "Seth, when'd you? Come here buddy." They wrapped each other in a deep hug. Jeff smiled his life couldn't get any better. He had his son and his life was good. Jeff shot up in bed in a cold sweat. He grunted as he rolled over for what felt like the thousandth time in the last two weeks. His conscious was eating at him and he hadn't slept more than thirty hours in the last two weeks. It took him hours to finally fall asleep and when he did he'd have this horrendous nightmare with Seth screaming his name and he'd wake up in a cold sweat. But tonight's nightmare wasn't the same though, instead of guilt, he felt peace. Frustration mounted itself inside of Jeff. Between his job and worry about Seth he was utterly exhausted, all day long he was sulk and his mind would swim about Seth. How was he doing, were they feeding him, was he scared? Jeff groaned and slammed his fists on the bed in frustration. He could have helped him, why didn't he? Fed up Jeff stalked downstairs for another night of hot milk and counting sheep. As he walked downstairs he heard a noise outside. He groaned. "Not again." Jeff pushed the sliding glass door open and gasped.
Laying on the ground was Seth curled into a ball crying. Seth moved like lightening in his attempt to comfort the small boy. Seth flinched as Jeff's hand touched his shoulder, but he managed a weak smile. Jeff jostled Seth's short blonde hair. "Hey little man. You look terrible." Seth let out a small laugh and then grimaced in pain. Jeff frowned. "What's wrong?" Seth wiped his tears and sighed. Jeff would help, he'd have to.
"My ribs, I think they broke one." Jeff's frown deepened.
"The Greens?" Seth nodded slowly. Jeff cursed. He picked Seth up gently in his arms and walked into the house. He set Seth down on the couch and quickly ran upstairs. Seth gasped when Jeff returned with keys and his wallet. Seth fearing being returned to the Greens quickly tried to roll of the couch and back outside, but fell flat on his face groaning loudly. Jeff moved quickly and picked him up in his arms again. "What were you doing?" Seth started to squirm in Jeff's arms. Jeff frowned. "Stop that you're hurting yourself." Seth didn't listen and continued to squirm. Jeff tightened his grip on the small boy and used his stern voice. "Stop it, now." Immediately Seth stopped and looked up at Jeff seemingly surprised. "What's wrong?" Seth looked at him angrily.
"You're taking me back to the Greens." Jeff rolled his eyes and started walking toward the door. He felt Seth stiffen in his arms.
"Relax Seth, I'm just taking you to the hospital." Seth shook his head.
"No, they'll just make me go back. I won't go back!" Jeff sighed, he felt for the kid. Slowly he set Seth down in his corvette and closed the door. When he sat behind the driver's seat he saw Seth visibly pouting in the front seat. Jeff sighed and turned towards Seth. He took his small chin in his hands and made Seth face him.
"I know I lost your trust, but I would NEVER let you go back there. The cops will be notified, we'll find you a safe place to stay." Seth's eyes changed and he glared at Jeff skeptically.
"Can I stay with you?" He was holding his breath, and Jeff took a deep one.
"I don't know if they'd let me keep you." He saw Seth's face sadden. "But if they'd let me I would." Seth gave him a soft smile and put his head down.
When they arrived at the hospital, Seth was immediately ushered into an examine room while Jeff talked to the police. He had Officer Rich call Seth's social worker and try to work things out. Then he placed a call to Vanessa just to add her expertise to the situation. Jeff was sitting in the waiting area hoping to hear that Seth was alright. He was talking so that was a good thing, he couldn't live with himself if something had happened to Seth after he had dropped him off. "Jeff Hardy?" Jeff practically jumped when he saw the doctor approaching him.
"I'm Jeff. Is Seth ok?" The doctor nodded.
"That's one tough little boy. He has three broken ribs, burns, and deep bruises on his arms and upper chest. Frankly, somebody was using this kid as a punching bag." Jeff felt his heart twinge in anger. He felt like killing the Greens. How could anybody do this to a little boy? He started chewing his inner jaw trying to control his anger. He felt Officer Rich walk up.
"Can I see him?" The doctor nodded.
"I gave him some medicine for the pain, but he should be fine within a couple of weeks. He's going to need to take it easy for a while. I want to keep him here for a few more hours just to make sure he doesn't have too much discomfort then I'll release him." Jeff nodded and took a deep breath. He thanked the doctor and turned to go find Seth, but Rich stopped him.
"Jeff we need to talk." Jeff felt his heart twinge. "I talked to his social worker and she's not budging. The Greens have never had a complaint and Seth's a runaway. Sorry Jeff." Jeff felt his heart contract, he couldn't let him go back. Jeff took a deep breath and walked away he didn't want to hear what else Rich had to say. He walked down a long hallway and smiled when he saw the little boy sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed. Jeff pulled up a chair and watched him sleep.
Two hours later the doctor walked in and smiled. He pulled Jeff aside. "He's doing well, you can take him home anytime." Jeff frowned and looked conflicted. "What's wrong?" Jeff sighed and told him his story. The doctor looked at him intently. "You love him don't you?" Jeff answered without hesitation.
"Yeah, I do." The doctor nodded.
"I've got some friends at social services, I'm going to see what I can do." Jeff smiled.
"Thank you so much," he said shaking the doctor's hand.
"I can't promise you anything, but I sure can try." Jeff smiled and nodded. He turned back to Seth. His heart filled with pride as he watched Seth, he can't let this happen. It would end up in heartbreak for the both of them. He picked up Seth and carried him to the car. He was glad that Seth wasn't awake, he couldn't bear to tell him the bad news tonight. He was still too exhausted himself. The relief that he felt he placed Seth into his bed was overwhelming. He smiled to himself as he walked out of the room. That night was the first night in a long time that Jeff had a peaceful sleep.
Jeff rolled over in the bed and groaned. He'd have to tell Seth for sure today and it was killing him. He walked down the hallway towards Seth's room and opened the door. He smiled widely watching him sleep peacefully. It broke his heart to know he'd have to send him back. There was a tickle in his throat and Jeff coughed. He tried to cough quietly but Seth woke up none the less.
"Hi," he said weakly. Jeff smiled and ruffled his hair.
"Hey Little Man, how you feelin'?" Seth smiled and tried to sit up. He grimaced but managed to sit up.
"Good minus the fact that I hurt all over." Jeff chuckled.
"You're funny. Ready for lunch?" Seth shot him a duh look. Then he turned to confusion.
"Um Jeff, how long am I here for?" Jeff smiled.
"About that, um I don't know how to tell you this, but—" Jeff's cell rang and he held up his index finger-one minute-and walked into the hallway. "Hi Rich."
"Jeff I've got great news for you. Apparently your doctor friend played some super magic on Seth's social worker and he's not going back to the Greens." Jeff couldn't help but feel happy, but his nagging ache hadn't gone away.
"That's great." Jeff was on the verge of tears.
"I thought you'd be happy."
"I am, I want the kid safe." Rich laughed.
"You want him with you." Jeff gave a small laugh.
"Yeah I do." Rich sat back in his chair. He had misjudged Jeff, he's was a great guy, who wanted nothing more than this kid.
"Well you've got an ally in court if you want to fight." Fighting for him hadn't crossed his mind.
"I um I'm going to have to think about it, but I'll for sure let you know." They said their goodbyes and Jeff walked back into Seth's room. "Sorry about that, had to take care of some business." Seth scoffed and rolled out of bed.
"You were talking about me. When are the Greens coming to get me?" Jeff at least could give him that good news.
"You're not going back to the Greens. Your worker is supposed ot call me with details later today." Seth nodded.
"How long am I staying for?" Jeff took a deep breath.
"How about we talk about this after some lunch." Seth shrugged and walked downstairs wincing every few steps. Thank goodness that he'd ran before they could really do damage. Jeff watched Seth eat his lunch and sighed, it seemed that the carefree Seth was gone for good. His whole demeanor had changed. He seemed to be a shell of his former self. That alone broke Jeff's heart. The doorbell rang. Jeff sighed and got up. He was shocked to see Vanessa and Jessie standing in front of him. He gave them both a small hug. "Hey guys, um what are you doing here?" Vanessa looked at Jessie and smiled. Jeff raised his eyebrow. Jessie swung her long brown hair and smiled at him.
"Big bro you always knew how to greet a lady." Jeff frowned slightly irritated. "We are here to inform you that you are the proud new parent of a twelve year old boy." Jeff's neck wrenched back in shock.
"What? What boy?" Jessie and Vanessa broke out laughing. "What Seth's like nine years old." Vanessa raised and eyebrow.
"Jeff, Seth is twelve almost thirteen years old." Jeff's jaw dropped. That small frail boy was about to be a teenager. Jeff took a step back.
"Oh my gosh! How'd this happen?" Jessie smiled, they were now in the foyer talking somewhat quietly.
"Well, your amazing attorney friend here decided to call up Ms. Social Worker and inform her of the penalty for ignoring blatant abuse. Then she very nicely put her on a conference call with a Mr. Mark Callaway and a Sgt. Troy Carerra who very politely informed her of the penalties of messing with this family. So, now you're a new papa." Jeff grabbed Jessie in a bear hug and kissed her cheek.
"I always knew you were worth it!" Jessie rolled her eyes.
"Enough of thanking us, go and tell your son." Jeff smiled and nodded. His son, boy did he love how that sounded. When Jeff walked into the kitchen Seth was still sitting there dejected playing with his chips. Jeff couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Hey Bones, I got some great news for you." Seth looked up. Bones? "I just got the word on your new family." Seth sighed and turned to face toward Jeff.
"Well," he said lowly "who are they?" Jeff smiled and glanced at Jessie and Vanessa in the corner.
"Me." Seth spat out the chip that he just ate.
"What? How?" Jeff motioned towards Jessie and Vanessa who were smiling widely.
"Seth this is my little sister Jessie slash social worker in training and this is Vanessa aka Ms. Wrong Attorney to mess with. They worked on your adoption." Seth's eyebrows furrowed.
"Adoption? Like forever?" Jeff smiled.
"Totally." Wincing completely Seth ran to Jeff and wrapped his arms around him. "I love you, Jeff" said into Seth's hair.
"I love you too."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX'
By the grace of God, the adoption was finalized on Seth's thirteenth birthday. For Jeff and Seth it had been six months of fun and adjustments. It started out slow but then they moved fully into father son mode. Seth was working on his mouth and Jeff was trying not to be a total pushover. With Jeff's help and three square meals Seth had shot up from his frail 4'9 frame to a whopping 5'6. Neither of them could believe it. Seth was drastically excited. He took a deep breath and blew out the candles. He looked up to see his whole family clapping. All the Uncles were there along with Cori and Jessie.
"Good job, Bones." Seth rolled his eyes and stared at Jeff who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Dad, I've gained wait. No more bones see?" He said motioning towards his body. "How about you just call me Seth?" Jessie walked over and gave him a quick hug.
"You should know, once you get a nickname in this family it never goes away. I'm 21 and they still call me Kid. I mean who are they kiddin'?" Jessie ducked as John threw a dishtowel at her. Cori took this as her opportunity to get off her perch on John's lap and hand Seth his gift.
"This is from Me and Daddy. Welcome to the family." She was smiling as she gave him a quick hug. They were already pretty good friends as Cori spent the first week of her Christmas break with them. They took great pride in tormenting Jeff and having fun choosing a color to streak their hair in. Seth usually chose black while Cori got the more drastic neon colors, but they had fun just the same. Seth opened the large box to reveal a motocross helmet. He looked at John confused. John smiled at him.
"It's so that you don't break your neck when Mark buys you a dirt bike." Seth looked at Mark who smiled.
"Everybody in this family will ride a bike." Everybody laughed as he threw a pair of keys at him. "It's outside waiting for you." Seth gasped as he headed towards the door only to be grabbed by Jeff.
"Finish here and then go and marvel." Seth frowned.
"Dad-" Jeff shot him a look that shut him up. John and Randy looked at each other laughing, maybe Jeff did have a backbone. Soon Seth was smiling ear to ear basking in his racing gear, new bass guitar, and Psp, which was as Jessie and Cori said a 'must' for long plane trips in between Uncles and road trips while on tour. Seth anxiously looked at Jeff who nodded. Everyone took off outside for a day of riding dirt bikes.
Seth looked around his room and couldn't help but to smile. His life had gotten better than he ever could have imagined. He remembered his mom and missed her greatly, but he loved Jeff. He was his dad. Even though Jeff was a tough cookie, he appreciated how he called him on his crap. He had even grounded him a couple of times. Seth couldn't help but smile as he thought about his new family. The Greens were now a distant memory and he was basking in his new ones with this puzzle like family. All these jagged pieces put together to make one big masterpiece. Jeff knocked on the door. His heart leapt with pride as he watched Seth smile at himself.
"Hey Bones." Seth sighed but laughed. Jessie was right.
"Hey Dad." Seth smiled that word still brought a smile to his face. Jeff sat on his bed and pulled out a small box from his pocket.
"What's this?" Seth was slightly amused, Jeff had already given him a flat screen TV for his room.
"Just open it." Seth shrugged and opened the box. He gasped as he opened it. It was a knife just like Jeff's except a different color handle. Seth was speechless. "Every Hardy man has one." Seth felt his eyes fill with tears and he gave Jeff a hug.
"Thanks Dad." Jeff smiled. He was Seth's Dad and Seth was his son. Now's that's a tale for the ages.
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