A home is much more. There are people you love, feelings you share... and memories that connect you.
"Daaaaddyyy!" Zoey shrieked with joy and ran into the waiting arms of her father. Zach was right behind her and stopped shortly before. He was unsure if he could just run into that familiar hug.
"Come here, buddy." Jay said. Zach smiled slightly and slipped into his father's protective arms.
"I'm sorry, dad. I didn't want that." Zach sniffed.
"Hey bud, I'm the one to apologize. I wasn't there for you two. Much worse, I hit you. I'm so sorry."
"I have provoked you all the time."
"Nevertheless a father doesn't hit his kids." Jay said.
"Daddy, can we stay with you?" Zoey asked anxiously. She did not want to go back. She was glad when her brother took her with him. Antonio and Sylvie take good care of her, but all she wants is her daddy.
"Of course, honey. Nobody can separate us three. I love you both so much." Jay whispered and lovingly pressed the kids to him.
"We love you more, dad." Zach said.
"A lot more." Zoey smiled.
"I want a hug, too." Sylvie sighed in the background. She and Antonio stood a bit offside, watching the heartbreaking scene.
"You even get a kiss." Antonio whispered, pulling his girlfriend into a hug.
Meanwhile, Jay lifted his daughter up into his arms. She relaxed her head on his chest.
"Bah. Adults are really disgusting." Zoey frowned.
"Your dad kissed you too." Antonio said.
"Yes, but on the cheek."
"I think we should leave them alone." Jay grinned.
"Oh no. Jay, you don't go home with your kids now. You still invite us to dinner." Sylvie laughed.
"Sylvie even took us to the fire department. They have really big cars." Zoey explained with great enthusiasm.
"Yeah? Were you also been allowed to get behind the wheel?" Jay asked curiously. It was already late, but the child just could not calm. Instead of falling asleep, 1,000 other things were much more important and interesting.
"Oh yes, and we were even allowed to climb the big ladder."
"You are allowed to do that? I am really jealous." Jay beamed. He thought it was good that Sylvie distracted the kids with a visit to the fire station while Antonio played the liaison man.
"The fire department is much better than the police, daddy." Zoey explained,
"Because they also have a firefighter dog."
"The police also have dogs."
"Yes, but not the intelligence."
"That's true. Now is bedtime. Good night, honey." He said, leaning over her forehead for a good night kiss.
"Good night daddy." Zoey said and Jay left her room. Jay realized that next to still light was burning. He gently knocked on the ajar door and slowly entered the room.
"Does it hurt a lot?" Jay asked as he saw Zach grab his hand under the bandage. He nodded slightly and Jay took a seat at the edge of the bed.
"I'm very sorry, Zachary. You really have to believe me, I didn't want to hit you. I-I had a..." Jay tried to explain when he was interrupted by his son, "I know you had a nightmare. Dad, I'm not mad at you. I'm just glad I'm home. It was terrible. I mean 17 foster siblings are really hell. I always thought Zoey was exhausting."
"So you forgive me?" Jay asked softly.
"If you forgive me? I wasn't exactly friendly to you."
"Of course I forgive you. You are an amazing boy and a fantastic big brother. I'm so proud of you."
"That happens when you have the best dad." Zach grinned slightly. Jay laughed and ruffled him through his short brown hair, "Don't overdo it."
"We're not overdoing." Zoey squeaked and jumped on Jay's lap.
"I thought you were sleeping?" Jay asked irritated.
"Are you kidding me? I had to sleep full nights without my daddy. Please may I sleep with you?" begged Zoey with big puppy eyes.
"Sure." Jay grinned and before he knew it they were lying to third in the big bed. Jay slid to the far end of the mattress. The blanket has long been out of reach, although Zoey snuggled up to him. These two little kids got really big. Jay put his arm around both children and fell asleep happily.
With the intense smell of freshly baked pancakes and hot chocolate, the children woke up.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Zach asked confused.
"What does it look like? I'm trying to toady myself in with my kids."
"There is breakfast in bed?" Zach asked bewildered.
"Of course. Move a little bit aside, so I have room again."
"But Mommy says we must not eat in bed." Zoey said.
"You know, Zoey, I'm pretty sure Mommy would make an exception." Jay said and took a deep breath, "Next time I have a bad dream, please let me sleep. I don't want to hurt you kiddos."
"But you always wake us up when we sleep badly." Zoey explained.
"I know, but if you hit me, it doesn't hurt so much."
"Alright, we'll let you sleep next time." Zach said.
Enthusiastically, the children reached for the pancakes. They ate, chatted, and then they had a pillow fight. Of course only when the tray was out of reach with food and drink.
"Dad?" Zach asked, lying next to his father after the pillow fight.
"Mh?" Jay asked.
"Do you think grandpa is still mad at me?"
"No. I think he was not even mad at you."
"And me?" Zoey asked, lying on the other side of her father.
"He's not mad at any of you." Jay said.
"Do you think I should apologize to him anyway? I was very mean to many people." Zach said softly.
"I was too. What do you think? We're having a BBQ evening with the whole family."
"Oh yes!" Zoey was happy.
"Brilliant!" Zach grinned, throwing Jay off with a pillow, demanding another pillow fight. They raged to third across the house, which Jay thoroughly cleaned up in the absence of kids.
"Fuck!" Zach shouted and stopped at the living room window.
"This one doesn't say." Zoey instructed her brother.
"We have a problem." Zach muttered, pointing out of the window at the DCFS car. Jay closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. He had completely forgotten the youth welfare office. The doorbell rang.
"Stay here. I'll handle that."
"Hello Mr. Halstead. Unfortunately we have to inform you that your children are run away this morning." Susan Winter said.
Confused, Jay stared at her. Did he hear right? The DCFS wants to kidding him now...
"You come to me three days after my kids disappear and want to tell me that they are gone today? Are you fucking seriously?"
"Mr. Halstead I think you are misinformed." she tried to talk herself out.
"I'm by no means misinformed. For me it looks as if the DCFS has nothing under control."
"That says the right one." She remarked and chuckled into the house, "You are very messy."
"That can happen from time to time."
"Yes, when children are at home. Do you know how it looks to me? You kidnapped your own children."
"That's absurd. I don't have to kidnap my kids in order for them to come home."
"You are and will remain a risk of violence towards the children."
At the same moment Zach appeared next to his dad, "Dad didn't kidnap us. We want to stay with him."
"Zachary. Your dad just is not able to take good care of you. Look around here."
"A bit messy so what? It shows that we have fun and that we are doing well here." Zach said and Jay put his hand on his son's shoulder.
"And the slap? I have to take you and your sister away from him."
"We want to stay with dad."
"Mrs. Winter. I understand that this is your job, but there are families and children out there who need your help more than we need. If the children were really at risk with me, they would not come back to me. I'm right?" Jay intervened.
"I am sorry. Rules are rules. You may be lucky if I don't report you for kidnapping." she said, "Please Zachary get your sister."
"No way! We won't come with you!" he shouted.
"Zach. I'll handle that." Jay said.
"Dad. I'm not going back. You have promised that we will stay with you."
At the same time it rumbled loudly and there was a cry. Startled, Jay looked up the stairs.