BK 5 - Chapter 53 - Part of the Family
After the funeral service, everyone went to the main house. Brian didn't feel he should go, but Laurie insisted it would be okay. He felt slightly uncomfortable and out of his element when he saw the house they were pulling up to. He had grown up with only his mom after his dad had been killed. Being a drunk shifter is hard to do because their metabolism burns the alcohol off faster than humans, but she managed somehow. When it got bad, she found reasons to hit Brian. He left home at sixteen and never looked back. He'd been on his own ever since.
He looked at Laurie and the rest of the family with envy. Brian imagined growing up in such a warm, loving family would be incredible. Everyone that had spoken to him had been friendly despite their grief. Laurie stayed by his side as though she was scared he would leave if she didn't. He assured her that he wasn't going anywhere. With his only female role model being his mother, finding his mate had never been a priority. Although now that he was with Laurie, he was glad that he went to the interview in Granite Bay. Otherwise, he would have had no reason to be there when he heard her singing.
Brian went to school to be a therapist. He specialized in kids with abusive parents who had substance abuse problems. He'd never had any help growing up and didn't want kids, human or shifter, to feel like they were alone. When he overheard someone talking about group homes, his ears perked up. He turned to Laurie and whispered.
"What group homes are they talking about?" He asked.
"My family has group homes for kids, both human and shifters. Grandma Cat and Grandpa Trey started them a long time ago. They're for kids who come from abusive families or who have been abandoned. We also have one for abused women." Brian's mouth fell open in disbelief. He had heard about the group homes but never dreamt that they were run by shifters.
"That's incredible. I went to school to be a therapist for kids who were abused and have parents with substance abuse issues. I was only in town for an interview at a small clinic not far from the funeral parlor." Laurie looked at him with a huge smile.
"You can work at our group homes. We never have enough therapists. Come on, I'll introduce you to Grandma Cat and Grandpa Trey." Brian stopped her.
"No, not today. This is a day for them to grieve." Laurie took his hand and pulled him toward her grandparents.
"Trust me, it will be fine. Grandma Valerie was a therapist like you with the same specialty. You're exactly who they need to talk to right now." Brian swallowed nervously as they approached her grandparents.
"Grandma Cat and Grandpa Trey, this is Brian. He's a black bear and my mate." Cat stood and smiled at the young man. She could feel his nervousness. As sad as today was for them, she loved when her grandchildren met their mates.
"It's nice to meet you, Brian." She said, smiling at him. Trey shook his hand.
"Brian is a therapist who specializes in abused children and children of parents who suffer from substance abuse." Laurie smiled as Grandma Cat's face lit up.
"Are you working anywhere now? We need more therapists with your specialties." Cat pulled Brian over to the couch to sit next to her. She knew it was hard to find therapists specializing in the children they helped. Cat believed Brian may also have some personal experience in that area, but she wouldn't pry.
"Uh, no, ma'am, I was here in town for an interview," Brian answered.
"Please call me Grandma Cat and my mate Grandpa Trey. You don't have to go on any more interviews. Laurie can bring you to the group homes on Monday. That will give you two a few days to get to know each other." Cat winked at her granddaughter, who blushed profusely.
"Thank you, ma'am, I mean Grandma Cat." Brian felt like crying. He had never known his grandparents. The emotions that took over inside of him were making it hard to breathe. Cat saw what was happening and wrapped her arms around him, stroking his head. She whispered in his ear as his breathing slowed down to normal.
"It's okay. I don't know what happened to you, but you have a family now." Trey watched Cat comfort Brian. He had seen the signs of a panic attack on the young man's face. It reminded him of Cat when they first met. He was concerned about what happened to Brian that made him feel like that. He saw him calm down in Cat's arms as she whispered. When she pulled away, he looked better.
"Laurie, why don't you take Brian outside to the gardens, where it's less crowded." Cat looked at her granddaughter, who nodded.
"Okay," When they left, she looked at Trey.
"He's been hurt badly, and I don't believe he's ever gotten help for it." She leaned against Trey as he put his arm over her shoulders.
"He's in the right place then," Trey replied, kissing her forehead. After over sixty years, Cat was just as beautiful to him now as she was back then. He just hoped that they had many more years to love each other and watch their family grow.
Outside, Laurie led Brian to the swing in one of the smaller gardens. They sat down and swayed silently while holding hands.
"Did you grow up here?" He asked, taking deep breaths of the cool, fresh air.
"We live not far from here, but this is the family home. We all come here for get-togethers whenever we need to meet as a family. Where did you grow up?" Laurie asked.
"Near Stockton. When I left home at sixteen, I came to Sacramento. I lived on the streets for a while. Sometimes, I stayed at shelters. I got my GED and then applied for community college. I was able to work a couple of small part-time jobs so I could afford an apartment. I just graduated a few weeks ago, and it's been hard, but it was all worth it." Brian looked at the blue sky and felt peaceful for once in a very long time.
"I help out at the group homes. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I didn't go to college. I take that back. I wanted to sing but didn't think I was good enough. I still don't, and I don't know how I would begin finding places to sing." Laurie looked down at their hands. Brian turned slightly to face her.
"You are good enough. Your voice is beautiful. I'll help you get some gigs so you can get your name out there." He stroked her cheek gently and looked at her lips. Laurie smiled and leaned forward before he had time to react. Neither had kissed anyone before, so it was quick and uncoordinated. Both had red faces when they pulled apart.
"Thank you. I'm really glad you showed up today." Laurie rested her head on his shoulder, and Brian let a tear slip out as he smiled. For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere. More importantly, he had a family. That meant more to him than anything else.
