The Ties That Bind

Side Story 1 - A New Home

Side Story 1 - A New Home

A/N: Please do not read the side stories before reading the rest of The Ties that Bind.

     "This will be your room, Trevor, you'll be sharing it with Kolton here, and this is your bed." Kelsey indicated one of the neatly made twin beds, before placing the boy's box of clothing on it.

     There was a small writing desk with a lamp next to the bed for him to use as well. Kelsey began removing clothing from the box and placing it in one of the drawers, all while she continued her explanation of what was what.

     "The bottom two drawers in the dresser are for you, and we've made room in the closet for your clothes. We're all so happy to have you join our family, Trevor, if you need anything at all tell, let us know. Okay?"

     "Thank you, Mrs. James," the boy answered politely. "I will."

     "Oh, we'll have none of that 'Mrs. James' stuff here, Trevor. You can call me either Kelsey or mom, if you want to, that is. It's up to you, okay?" She knelt down to be at eye level with the little boy who was nodding and doing his best to hold back a sob. He knew that his chances of being adopted had been low, and yet, here he was, along with Simon, adopted into the family of his idol, Kasden.

     "You and Simon are my sons now, Trevor, just like Kolton and Kasden." She pulled the boy into her arms, giving him a warm, welcoming hug; her eyes were filled with tears, which he was desperately trying to hold back.

     Kenton watched from the doorway, barely keeping his own tears locked behind his eyes. It was such a blessing that they'd been able to adopt the two boys from the orphanage giving them a 'forever home'. He and Kelsey had been completely taken with the two boys from the moment they'd met during their visit that fateful Sunday earlier in the year.

     The adoptions had been tedious and time consuming. The family had to go through an evaluation by the Department of Social Services, followed by several interviews and meetings, then tons and tons of paperwork. Why the state made it so difficult to adopt a child when there were so many children languishing in the system, Kenton would never understand. They did manage to complete the process before Simon aged out of the system though. He would have a few months to live with his new family before he started university and moved in with Kasden and Luke.

     It was fortunate that the adoptions were finalized at the same time. The James' hoped that having Simon there would make the transition to a new family easier for Trevor, since the younger boy knew him well. The Miltons had explained to them that it could take a while for the boys to get used to the transition from the orphanage to a family, even though it was something that all the children hoped for.

     "This will be your room, Simon, until you start university, and move in with Kas and Luke." Kelsey said, leading the boys across the hall to a room that had been decorated for a teenage boy. It was only temporary since Simon would move in with the other two boys once he started at the school, but until then, the James family wanted the time to get to know the boy better, and so he would live with them until the school year started.

     As soon as the two boys were shown to their new rooms, Kasden threw his arms around his parents (he now considered Kelsey to be his mom), telling them how much he loved them both. He'd been surprised when they'd approached him to ask about how he would feel if they adopted the two other boys. It was something he'd never expected, and yet it showed him how much they really did love him, that they went out of their way to adopt the two other children he loved most from St. Jerome's.

     Kelsey hugged him back and whispered that she loved all of them. They'd had a chance to invite the boys to their home on occasion, when Kasden and Luke were coming for Sunday. The boys were usually driven into town by Mr. and Mrs. Milton, who the James' had gotten to know and love just as much as the boys. Today, though, was different. The boys wouldn't be going back to the orphanage when the evening was over.

---

     "I love you so much," Kenton told his wife as they sat watching their five children, and Luke (who they treated like one of their sons), playing video games together. "I am so happy right now I'm afraid my heart could burst. My only wish has come true, Kel, having Kasden back in my life. I never thought he'd introduce us to other children that we just couldn't live without, but I can't imagine our life without these two in it as well now."

     Kelsey snuggled into his side, smiling up at her husband. "I know how you feel, Ken. If anyone had told me when Kasden came back, that our family would grow so quickly, I'd have laughed and called them crazy. But I already love them all, just as much as I love the twins."

     Kenton kissed the top of her head as they returned to watching their expanded family. Kori was actually letting Trevor win a round now and then. The boy was no good with the controllers, having never used them before, but he would improve with time. After the last round, he'd slid over and sat on Kasden's lap. Luke was saying something to Simon who was laughing and shaking his head. Kolton turned to the two boys and said 'no way' before returning his attention back to the game, which he was losing to his twin sister.

     During the evening, each person took a turn challenging Kori, who was the best gamer among them. Simon came the closest to knocking her off her throne, but at the last minute, she'd managed to outmaneuver her new brother, and she kept her championship title in the end. By the time the challenges ended, it was time for bed for the youngsters. Trevor, the youngest of them, was barely keeping his eyes open, but refused to fall asleep before saying good night to Kasden.

     That evening was one of the most memorable family nights of the James family. It was only to be the first of many, many more like it in the future.

A/N: Fun Fact - When I started writing The Ties that Bind, I had intended for Kasden to adopt Trevor once he graduated from the university and had a stable job, and home with Luke. As the story progressed, I realized it made more sense for Kenton and Kelsey to be the adoptive parents, and that way, they could also adopt Simon - I hadn't planned on his being adopted in the story - I glad it worked out though.