Page 45 of Heal
"You're right, it's the best way. Honestly, it's the only way we're keeping them together. I'll come to you on Monday. You don't have to worry about leaving work. I don't know how you managed such a perfect history, but you thought of everything. Covered yourself better than I could have if I'd have done it myself."
"I have good sources," Beau told him.
"So are you going to tell the kids?"
"I guess I could. I mean, how sure of a thing is this? Is there any chance it won't happen?"
"I don't see anything getting in the way. I mean there is always a chance that something could pop up, but honestly, I'd say you are sitting at ninety-nine percent that this will go through. The adoption will be tougher, but not impossible, but foster parenting, I'd say it's nearly a sure thing."
"Come tell them with me," Beau suddenly said.
"What? Are you sure? Don't you want it to be a family thing?" Parson wasn't sure he belonged there.
"Did you see the pictures of us online this morning?"
Wondering about the sudden change of subject, Parson said, "yeah."
"I'm hoping for more like that, which means we'll be dating, which means you're going to be around the kids a lot of the time too. I'd like to include you in this if you want to be part of it. Even if you've decided we shouldn't date, as their caseworker, as one of the people who promised you'd try your hardest to keep them together, come down and share the news with them."
Parson smiled. Beau couldn't have said that more beautifully than he had. "Okay, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes or so. You're sure?"
"I want you here, and I think they will too."
"Then I'll see you in a bit. Thanks, Beau." Parson was flattered to be included.
"Bye." Beau hung up.
As Parson hurried to his car, he thought about what Beau had said. He still hoped they would date. With all the stuff with the kids going on, Parson hadn't given the future between them a lot of thought. He remembered the kissing, the feel of holding Beau tightly against him, but he hadn't really thought about where they would go from here.
Did he want to move forward with this? Could he look beyond the hacking and lying to get what he wanted? It wasn't as if Beau was the first person to do something like that. Parson had seen his father do the same sorts of things from time to time. Money did give you power, and if you knew the right people, you could get things done. Still, it was a moral issue.
If it was about anything other than keeping the kids safe, he probably would have walked away by now, but it was about the kids. What Beau had done was what was best for them.
The drive to the hospital gave him time to think about everything. He really liked Beau and wanted to get to know him better. He knew all the stuff on the internet, but there were so many layers to the man that weren't available online. Those were the things he wanted to know. That was the man he wanted to spend time with.
There was no denying the attraction, both physically and mentally. Beau stimulated his body and his mind. No matter how hard he tried to deny it, he wanted to see where this would go with Beau. He didn't want to ever look back and wonder.
He was nervous as he headed to the elevator to meet Beau. For now, with the kids around, he would play the role of the caseworker and not worry about the relationship stuff. It could be all sorted out when they were alone.
He knocked on the door, slowly pushing it open. "I heard there was a party going on in here, can I join?"
Beau stood from where he was sitting at the foot of Jeff's bed. "Parson, of course you're welcome to join us." He walked over and hugged him.
Parson hugged him back, holding him a little longer than he probably should have, when he pulled back, he found both Lisa and another girl watching them. "You must be Faith. I don't think we've had the pleasure of meeting yet." He offered her his hand.
Faith stood and gripped the end of his fingertips. "It's nice to meet you."
Beau came to stand beside them. "Faith doesn't like to touch people she doesn't know."
Parson nodded. "That's okay." He remembered what Beau had told him about Faith and completely understood why she might not like to be around strangers. He wondered how she would react if Beau and he decided to date. He smiled at Lisa. "How are you?"
Lisa shrugged. "Nervous. Beau said he'd have to make us leave the hospital soon."
Parson glanced at Beau. "Is that true?"
Beau grinned. "Yep, I'm thinking Tuesday or Wednesday."
"Hmm, guess that means I really need to get things going so you two have a place to stay." He rubbed his chin. "There's not a lot available right now that will take two kids in."
