A few months have passed and May has finally arrived in Brisbane. Rad has been working diligently with the entire adoption process. Between visits to see Lyon, a few home studies, court hearings, and more paperwork, it has been an extensive journey to ensure that he will get custody of the young wolf husky dog. Despite all that, it seems like the process was worth it. As of now, he will expect an email from the foster home by the end of the day to know whether his case will be accepted.
Rad decided to work on a little project; he came home in his ute with a few buckets of paint, brushes, paint pans, and painting sheets. He got those from Hammerbarn, and he decided to paint one of the spare rooms for Lyon. He brought the supplies inside, headed upstairs, and went inside the room across his bedroom. The room seems empty for the most part since it was just a guest room. It had one bed near the window, and the room had a door that was connected to the verandah outside. It had a reach in closet on the left side of the room somewhat next to the door entrance; just as the room was mostly bare, so was the closet.
Rad invited his brothers, and their families to help with the painting project. He went to the kitchen to bring some drinks for the three to have while painting the room. He heard a knock downstairs to see who it is, and it was Bandit and Stripe. They also brought along their wives and daughters for today's well. Chili was a red heeler, but unlike Rad, she was mainly red without the hint of blue fur. Trixie was a grey heeler, and Muffin appears to inherit a similar appearance from her mother. Socks, however, were much similar to Stripe's blue fur.
"How's it going guys," greeted Rad.
"All good brother. We're ready to pitch in," said Bandit.
"Can't wait to get started," added Stripe.
"Hey Uncle, Rad," said Bingo in excitement. "How ya doing Bluey," said Rad picking up her niece.
"I'm not Bluey," laughed Bingo.
"Really," he said raising his brow. "Yeah, that's Bluey," pointing out to her sister.
"Oh yeah, cause he's blue."
"I'm a girl," shouted Bluey with annoyance.
"Oh yeah, I knew that," he said.
Muffin and Socks also ran up to their uncle to greet him as well. Rad was pleased that he was able to spend time with his nieces today.
"Uncle Rad, why are you painting a room today," asked Muffin with a curious face.
"Well Muffy, remember what we talked about the last time? Uncle Rad is going to be a dad soon, and he's getting the room set up for his future son," explained Stripe to his daughter.
"But he isn't married. How is he going to have a baby," inquired Bluey.
"No, Bluey. He's going to adopt a child from the foster home. Meaning you, Bingo, Muffin, and Socks will have a new cousin soon," added Chili snickering.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot," said the blue-heeler girl. "Who's going to be the new cousin, Uncle Rad?"
"That's going to be a surprise for now. Just until the day he comes," said Rad. "But I'll say this. He's just about your age, and he is a great young boy as well."
Bluey's face smiles when she knew the prospective cousin, whose name still unknown to her, will be around her age. She always wondered about having a cousin who isn't as young as Bingo, Muffin, or Socks.
"Well, I think it's time we get to work," said Bandit to his brothers. "Why don't you girls play in the backyard right now? Me, and your Aunt Trixie will make lunch while the rest of the guys are upstairs painting the room," said Chili. The girls nodded in unison and went to Rad's backyard to play for a while. Meanwhile, the three brothers went upstairs to get started by covering the floor with a paint cloth. The bed was also covered with a paint cloth as well to prevent any paint from splattering on it. Rad took one of the paint cans; he opens the lid, and inside was a dark navy-blue color. He recalled from his previous visits that this was Lyon's favorite color. He dumps the paint on the pan, and the brothers grabbed their paintbrushes. They started in one corner of the room and painted each part of the wall.
Bandit noticed there were paint stencils beside the buckets. "What are the stencils there for, Rad," asked Bandit.
"Ah, those are going to involve the girls a little later," said Rad with a grin.
"Are they going to use those for the room?"
"Yes, Lyon told me he used to have stars on the ceiling in his old room back at his parents' house. He loves stargazing. I figured we can spray paint the ceiling with those stencils with the girls once we're done painting the entire room first."
"Good idea," said Stripe. "I think this room will be awesome."
The brothers kept stroking the walls with the navy-blue paint. Meanwhile, Chili and Trixie were making shrimp and salad for lunch. The two adult ladies were discussing about Rad's decision.
"You know, I think it's nice that Rad is fully committed to his decision in adoption," said Trixie.
"I do too. It'll be nice for Bluey to have a cousin her age to play with," stated Chili with a smile on her face. "I think she'll enjoy it."
Just now, Bluey entered the room to see her mother. "Mum, can I ask you something," asked Bluey.
"Sure, sweetie. What's up?"
"So, Uncle Rad is going to be a dad soon, but it's not a baby?"
"Correct. He's adopting a boy from the foster home."
"Why?"
"Well, sweetie, this kid happens to be the son of his friend."
"What happened to his parents?"
Chili's expression changed to a worried look not knowing how to explain to her daughter the real reason behind Rad's decision. Trixie's eyes widened as well, worried about how the six-year-old heeler to understand. But Chili decided to have a proper talk with Bluey. "Come here sweetie," she said as they both sat by the island counter. "Remember that day when you, and your dad found the budgie?"
"Yeah, I remember. It was sad that the budgie died," said Bluey with a saddened look.
"Well, in a way, the boy lost his parents too. They died in some sort of accident. The boy was sent to the foster home after his parents passed away. Rad found out about his friend, and he wanted to help his son by giving him a home."
Bluey had a worried expression. "That's even sadder too. Why did the parents die as well," she said.
"These things are hard to predict, sweetheart. Just as your dad said about the budgie, it's out of our hands. The same applies to him as well."
"Still, sad," said Bluey trying not to cry.
"I know," said Chili consoling her daughter. "But look at it this way. Uncle Rad is making a huge difference for your future cousin. He'll have a new home. You girls will have a new cousin to play with. Things will turn out just fine. I promise," said Chili with a happy face.
"For real life," asked Bluey.
"Yes, for real life," said Chili hugging her daughter. Bluey wags her tail as she hugged her mother. "I just hope he likes us," said Bluey, wondering what the new addition to the Heeler family will be like. "Can you tell me who he is? A hint maybe?"
"Sorry, sweetie, but that's still a surprise until Uncle Rad lets us know," added Chili. Bluey nodded and thought it was best that this remained a mystery for the time being, and went back outside to play.
"Well, that went well. Didn't think she would take that easy about his parents," said Trixie with a sigh of relief. "Yes, Bluey is aware of the concept of death. I know she's strong," stated Chili, knowing that it wasn't easy to talk about death to her child.
Bluey went back outside to the rest of the girls. "I thought of a new game. Let's play adoption," suggested Bluey. Everyone agreed and decided to pretend to act as a family. Bluey was the mother, Bingo was the father, Muffin was the adoption worker, and Socks was the foster child.
"I can't wait to see our new child," said Bluey in a high posh accent. "Indeed babe. I'm excited to give our child a new home," said Bingo in a deep voice. The two girls pretended they were entering a building and saw Muffin near the garage building. "Hello, welcome to our foster house, where we provide our kids a nice home," said Muffin. "Are you here to take a child home?"
"Yes, my name is Millicent, and this is my husband, Edward," added Bluey pointing out to Bingo. "We're interested in adopting a girl."
"Yes, we do have one with us right now. Let me go get her," added Muffin. She went behind the garage building, and Socks was beside her acting as the foster girl. "This one is a fun, loveable child. She's always full of energy, runs fast, and loves to give kisses by licking your face. Her name is Beatrice." Socks was barking and jumping up and down on all fours to Bluey and Bingo pretending to be parents.
"Aw, what a sweet little girl," said Bluey with her hands together awing at Socks. "Okay, we'll take her."
"Yeah, this one is amazing," stated Bingo using the same deep voice. "Okay, let me get the paperwork to have you sign, and you should be able to take Beatrice home," said Muffin. She grabs a leaf pretending it to be a paper form for both pretend parents to sign. Bluey and Bingo used twigs as pens to sign the leaf. "Okay, you can take your child to her new home."
"Horary," said Bluey and Bingo in unison. Then Bingo halted the game. "Wait, doesn't adoption take a while? Uncle Rad said it takes a while," she asked with a question. All four girls shrugged with confused faces.
"I wonder what our cousin will look like," said Bluey bringing up that topic.
"Uncle Rad said it was going to be a boy, but he wanted it to be a surprise for now," said Bingo.
"I want to know now. Do you think he will be fun to play with," asked Muffin. "It's hard to tell, but I'm itching to know who the boy will be," said Bluey containing her excitement.
"Kids, can you come back inside? Your dads and Uncle Rad want to talk to you," hollered Chili. The girls heard and rushed back inside the room where the three adult men were in.
"Ah, there you are. We got a little thing we wanted you lot to help with," said Bandit.
"What is it," asked Bluey. She then saw the star stencils and spray cans. "And what are those?"
"We decided that you girls would like to help with the ceiling. It's quite easy, and fun too," said Rad. He decided to demonstrate to the girls by taking a stencil, and a spray can. He puts a stencil on top of the ceiling and sprits the stencil with the can. The color was white, and after spritzing the ceiling, it appears to have a few stars. The girls were amazed at how the stars turned out perfectly. There were three ladders for Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin to stand on while spraying the stencils to make the stars while Bandit, Stripe, and Rad hold on to the stencils for the girls.
"Wait, there are only three ladders. Doesn't Socks help too," asked Muffin.
"Socks is a bit too young to do this, Muffy. She can watch us," said Stripe. Socks, however, was saddened she was going to be left out. Her ears were down and sighed. Stripe notices his daughter all sad and rubs his neck in awkwardness. "Sorry Rock Socks, this isn't something one-year-olds can't do. But maybe you can watch us spray paint." Socks ran out in disappointment to the living room. "Oh, boy," mumbled Stripe.
"You'd better go check up on her," advised Bandit. Stripe nods and went downstairs to talk with the one-year-old.
"Is Socks okay," asked Bingo. "Yeah, I think so. She's just a bit sad she won't be able to help up with the spray paints," added Bandit. "Does this mean we won't be doing this? Uncle Stripe just left the room, and there's only two of you to hold us while we spray paint," pointed out Bluey.
"Oh, yeah, then Muffin won't be able to do this without Stripe," said Rad. "What? But I want to help," complained Muffin. She had her pouting face, and arms crossed. The two brothers looked at each other with awkward faces. Classic Stripe, thought Bandit. Bluey thought this would be a good time to ask Rad about the new boy. "Uncle Rad, I have a question," said the blue-heeler girl.
"Okay, shoot," said Rad. "Since it's going to be a boy, how come you won't tell us who he is yet?"
"Well, Bluey I did say I wanted to be a surprise until I get an update from the foster home."
"But can't we know now?"
"Sorry, squirt, but that'll spoil the surprise. Also, both I and your Uncle Stripe know too so don't even press on the details," said Bandit.
"Aw, but we need to know now," said Bluey. "Soon, but not yet," said Bandit rubbing her daughter's head. Just then Stripe entered back into the room again. This time Socks wasn't with him.
"So, how'd it go? Where's Socks," inquired Rad.
"I told her that this was for older children, and suggested she will be with Chili and Trixie finishing lunch. Hopefully, that'll be enough to keep her distracted," added Stripe. "Does this mean we can start," said Muffin all impatiently.
"Yes, Muffy. We can start," said Stripe. The three girls said hooray in unison. Each brother had one girl with them on the step ladder. The brothers were holding onto the stencils on the roof, while the three girls were held by each of them spraying the cans on the stencils to make the star-shaped paints. Bandit was with Bluey, Bingo with Rad, and Muffin with Stripe. "This is fun," exclaimed Bluey. The three girls giggled as they were finishing each area of the room's ceiling.
Finally, they finished the entire ceiling; all six of them saw how the ceiling looked like a real sky with stars. "It feels like we're stargazing," said Bingo. "That's the idea. The new boy likes to do that with his parents back then," said Rad.
It was now lunchtime, and the rest of the family was eating shrimp and salad. They were outside at the verandah porch's dining table.
"The room's like a real night sky, Mum. You should see it," said Bluey. "Sure thing, after we finish lunch," added Chili.
"This shrimp is so good," said Stripe. "Well, I did make it after all," boasted Trixie. While they kept on eating, Rad felt a vibration from his phone. He stood up from the table, and excused himself from the others to check on it. It was an email notification from the foster home. He immediately clicked on the message and read it.
Dear Mr. Heeler,
After your visits, we believe Lyon would be fine in your capable hands. You have demonstrated that you are able to provide a welcoming home for the boy, and we see no reason why he wouldn't be right for you. While we are pending final approvals, we will finalize your case within a couple of weeks. Once that has been settled, you should be able to bring him home by the end of May. We thank you for making a difference in a child's life. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Again, congratulations.
Sincerely,
Amelia Stewart
Rad's face beams with happiness. He went back to the porch to speak to the rest of the family. "I just got word from the foster home, and it turns out I am qualified to adopt the kid. He should be able to be with us by the end of the month," said Rad.
"That's awesome news," cheered Bandit.
"Congratulations brother," said Stripe.
"Aw, thanks, guys. I can't wait to get started," said Rad.
"You'll do just fine Rad," added Chili.
"So, who's going to be our new cousin," said Bluey impatiently. Rad did say he was going to show who he was the day he came home, but for the sake of the girls' excitement, he decided it couldn't hurt to show them the photo of Lyon.
"Well, I think now would be okay," he said while scrolling through his photos. He then showed a picture of Lyon to the girls. Bluey's eyes widened when he saw who her new cousin will be. The same kid who had grey and white fur, and bright blue eyes. "Wait, dad. Isn't that the same kid we saw before? At the playground," she said pointing out to Lyon. "Yeah, mate. Coincidence," asked Bandit with a smirk on his face.
"He's going to be our new cousin," asked Bingo.
"That's right. He's going to be Rad's adoptive son. We thought this may be a surprise for the two of you since you have seen him before." Both Bluey and Bingo squealed in delight. "We got a new cousin. I can't wait to meet him," said Bluey. The adults chuckled and smiled to see the girls' excitement.
Meanwhile, as the weeks passed by, Lyon heard the news that he is finally going to be adopted. He couldn't believe the day he was finally going to be in a new home. He was preparing his briefcase before tomorrow with all his stuff in it. I can't believe this is real.
He heard a knock on the door, and it was Dana. It looked like she had something behind her. "You excited for tomorrow, Lyon," she asked with a grin. "Yeah, and nervous at the same time."
"Why are you nervous? You're finally going to have a new home."
"I mean, what if I do something wrong? What if something bad happens like before with mum and dad?"
"I promise nothing bad will happen. Things will turn out just fine. You just have to believe in yourself," she said consoling the wolf-dog kid. "I have a surprise to give you." She held out what turns out to be a dark brown leather jacket. Lyon's eyes were wide when he recognized whose jacket was. "This is…"
"Your father's jacket. When we were at your parents' old home, I thought you wanted something else to remember him by. Also, this too from your mother." She held out what looked like a small red velvet box. A small ring. It turns out to be a silver ring with a small sapphire gem. "My mother's ring…," he said silently. "Where did you get this," asked Lyon.
"I also found this as well in her room. I couldn't find the other ring so it was the only one there. Your mum must have forgotten to take it with her the day they went out. I thought you could have something to remember her by as well."
Lyon let out a weak sigh, not trying to cry. He held both the box and the jacket to him knowing how meaningful these two were. "I don't know what to say, Ms. Dana," he said.
"There's no need to. I know you cherished them very much and having two things that will help you remember them may help you keep them in your heart."
"One problem though. This jacket is way too big for me, and this ring looks too girly for me to put on," he said.
"Well, you could wait until you are older to wear it, and the ring just keep it somewhere safe. You don't have to wear it. Also, one more thing to give to you." She showed Lyon a piece of paper, which is his adoption certificate form.
The certificate had his information, and his new surname: Lyon Alexandre Heeler. He didn't think he had to abandon his old surname, but he knew he was going to be with a new family. "Thank you," he said to the adult terrier.
"No problem. It's time for bed. You should get rested before the big day tomorrow," suggested Dana. Lyon nodded and went to his bed. He said goodnight to Dana, and she closed the door. Lyon tried to go to sleep, but he was both excited and anxious about tomorrow. He's finally going to be in a new place he was unfamiliar with. Although he liked Rad as his new father, it will be strange to call him dad. For now, he decided to rest, and wait until what will happen the next day.