Page 59 of Conan
EPILOGUE
DEMI
SIX MONTHS LATER
Judge Parsons lookslike a surly man, but he’s really a marshmallow. Luna and I have worked with him throughout this process and it was a doozy.
The case worker charged with the care of the kids through this transition was a bitch with a capital B. She snubbed her nose at us and had issues with our homes being on club property.
The kids also gave us one helluva ride as they argued over the fact that they’d be separated. The one thing none of them wanted, but once we got them calm, we reminded them that it’d only be for appearances sake.
Auto worked his magic and had Tate’s family home moved onto the back half of the property, and that’s where the kids will convene and have their sleepovers.
They finally gave in and began to settle once we pointed that out to them.
Tate and Hadley moved in with Luna and Marcum. It’s been an adjustment for Luna seeing as she’s about ready to pop any day now, but Tate has been a help to her and Hadley is already attached.
Jordan will give the impression he’s living with Xavier and me so that Brooklynn can stay with us full time while he figures his life out. He primarily stays at their communal home, which is alright seeing as he’s a few months shy of turning eighteen.
Austin is with Hemi, and Landon is with Midas.
So far, everything is working out and there haven’t been any major hiccups with the turn of events, outside of the case worker from hell. Austin and Landon also stay with Jordan more often than not, but they enjoy spending time with their guardians too, so they spend equal amounts of time in both places.
They’re all finding themselves and it’s been good and fulfilling to watch them grow and expand their horizons. I’m especially happy with the fact that all of the older kids have focused on doing what they need to get their schooling up to date. That way, they open themselves up for further opportunities, whether or not they go to a technical college and learn a trade, or a traditional college. Since Jordan and Tate have been gravitating to the security business, the guys have been training them to assist with installs which the club has recently taken on to fluff up their resumes.
Both are mechanically inclined and have also been tinkering with the bikes of the brothers who allow it, making them run better, so I know that Xavier wants them to get their ASE certification because it could develop into a club-owned business down the road.
I roll my eyes as Mrs. Shaw gives her recommendations, her tone dripping with derision. “It’s the opinion of myself and my staff that the kids do not belong in that club. These men and women are not good influences on them and they’ll end up criminals.”
Our lawyer, Greg Manners snaps his head up, and interjects, “Criminals, Mrs. Shaw? These men and women do not have records, they’re upstanding citizens who own homes, have business, and are productive citizens of society. They pay their taxes and donate to various charities. Since the kids have moved in with them, they’re back in school, hold part time jobs, and wear clean clothes as well as have three meals provided to them. So please, Mrs. Shaw, tell me how they’re bad influences.”
“Snap,” Luna whispers beside me, clicking her fingers in front of her face. “She’s had it out for us ever since she stepped foot on our doorstep. Bitch finally got told.”
“Yeah, she did,” I giggle underneath my breath.
“Mrs. Shaw, the court finds your argument doesn’t hold merit. Jordan McMann got his GED and is holding down a full-time job. Austin Learson and Landon Gilly are on the honor roll, even being as far behind their class as they are. Tate has skipped a grade and is set to graduate alongside the other two next fall. They’ve put on weight, and have glowing reviews from their doctors, as well as their court mandated therapists. Their recommendations counter what you’re saying. Do you have a vendetta against these men, Mrs. Shaw?”
“No, Your Honor,” the bitch hisses through the gaps of her teeth.
“Then I’d like to hear a fair assessment from you,” the judge orders.
“They’re thriving, Your Honor,” she seethes.
“That’s what I’m gathering, Mrs. Shaw. The court is going to recommend a new case worker be assigned to these families until I say otherwise. I think there’s a conflict of interest here, and a lot of prejudice on your part. For the next six months, we’ll get the final report from their therapists and then they can be taken off the state's file. I’m granting full custody of the kids to their custodial guardians. Do you agree with that, Mr. Carrington?”
The kids' attorney, hired on their behalf by Parsons, stands up and says, “I do, Your Honor. The kids are happy, adjusting well, and don’t want to be removed from their homes. If anything, I think it’d undo all of their hard work and they’d revert back to the lifestyle they’d been accustomed to. It is my recommendation, as their court appointed attorney, that they stay where they are.”
When the judge bangs the gavel and ends court, Mrs. Shaw snatches up her briefcase, gives all of us the evil eye, and marches out of the courtroom.
“She’s delightful,” I murmur. “Glad she’ll be out of our lives.”
Xavier squeezes my hand and shoots me a wink. “I think this is cause for a celebration.”
Jordan twists in his seat and stares at Xavier, saying, “You promised we’d go for a ride, Conan.”
“And we will,” Xavier swears. “I’m a man of my word, ya know.”
“Yeah, you are. You promised us we’d never go into the system and you made sure that happened. You kept us together. Thank you.”
