Joe's pov
I had requested ACS stay with the children while I got things sorted and while we waited on the DNA results, not that I was not already convinced, and had been at practically first sight. Having never met my Dad and losing my Mom this past summer, I was in need of some advice. Especially once I got the DNA results that proclaimed me a father 7 years too late. Irony upon irony, Jojo was actually named after my father, Joseph Connor. And though my then-girlfriend had never met my uncle, Dan was named Daniel Fitzgerald, same as Uncle Danny. Emily Rose was the thirdborn and only girl, with William Hunter rounding them up. Joe and Dan were identical, while Emily and Will were fraternal. After visiting both my parents in their resting places, I called the Reagans to gather at the Bay Ridge house, needing to vent and ask for guidance. Grandpa broke the silence
"What's on your mind and how can we help?"
I sighed
"The car crash case. The victim was also slashed twice to death and left behind 7-year-old quads with no other family but their biological father. That's me. What now? Work-life balance how? Quads whose lives I missed for seven years? And she was coming to see me with them. I'm the reason Taylor is dead. What do I do next?"
A brief silence took over the room, until Pop broke it
"Congratulations. I'd love to help with the children."
The others expressed more of the same, and I spoke
"Thank you. But how do I become the parent they need?"
Uncle Danny spoke next
"We can help you. With do's AND don'ts."
That elicited a chuckle from me, and it was a much needed one. I sighed sadly partway through their tips and tricks
"My parents are grandparents and can't even enjoy it..."
Thankfully, my family comforted me, and Aunt Erin spoke
"I can get some essentials from the store and the mall, then I can go with you and the kids for some more personal items. You'll also have to get their stuff from Rhode Island and see about selling that house if there's no one to claim it."
Right, there was still legal things I had to deal with in another state. I ran a tired and overwhelmed hand through my hair until my Uncle Jamie spoke
"Tell us about the kids."
Grateful for the distraction and interest, I recounted everything from names and placements in order of births to how collected and somewhat bossy Emily could be. My Aunt Erin smiled in approval
"Smart girl. And funny that they ended up being almost like me, your dad, Danny and Jamie in birth order. And very interesting that without knowing Danny, Taylor even got the middle name right."
I nodded, letting out a laugh
"Yeah. Along with the third generation of Josephs in the Reagan family line. Even if all three last names are different. Reagan, Hill and Anderson."
Pop spoke again
"I can't believe I'm a great-great-grandfather."
Smiling, Grandpa spoke
"That makes me a great-grandpa. Look at that."
I smiled
"I can't wait for you all to meet them. And I also have to close the custody issue, which should be easy with the paternity testing positive. Then there's the legal stuff in Rhode Island, all while I'm raising the kids and working Taylor's case."
Not to my surprise, my family spoke in almost one voice
"But we're here to help, in any way we can."
I was so grateful for my family. And a bit more confident things would be ok going forward.