Tuesday, December 31st Pt. 5

“It’s quite alright. We are used to this type of reaction from children who come in abused. I can tell by the way he’s calmed that you are his biological father. We’ve been waiting for you.”
I’m stunned when a voice comes from behind me instead of the nurse in front of me. I turn to see an unfamiliar woman in the doorway in front of Julius and Alex. Something about her unnerves deeply and my immediate reaction is to step back.
“Easy Andre, she’s here to help.” Julius tries to calm me.
We study each other silently as I sway gently.
“I understand that you have had a very rough time with the council’s family court. I promise it is different this time. Take a seat so we can talk. Are you okay with me sitting on Harper’s bed?” I nod slowly without moving.
“Mr. Redmen, do you think you can get him to take this?”
The nurse hands me a little cup of purple liquid.
“What is it?”
“Tylenol 3. It has a small amount of codeine in it. Humans won’t give it to children this young but it has been found over the years that werewolves have a very low addiction rate to opioids and children experience pain at ten times the level of adults.”
I take a seat on the bed before taking the cup from her.
“Hayden, this will help with the pain you’re in and help you get some sleep.”
He leans back enough to look me in the eyes. It hurts to see him struggling to maintain it but I fully understand what he’s looking for.
“It’s okay to sleep. The only thing that will happen is we leave here and go to Alpha Julius’s house.”
“No!”
He whimpers as he fights to get away from me. The nurse quickly grabs the medication from my hand allowing me to pick Hayden up and get him back in my lap. He yelps and screams from the initial contact to his sides but this time he’s not as easily calmed.
“No pack house! Alphas hurt.”
He wails as he fights against me. I stand from the bed with him in my arms waiting for his kicking to calm before bringing him to my chest. His reaction is very telling towards his possible interactions with Alpha Redmen.
“I’m going to contact the pharmacy. He’s been here twenty-four hours and hasn’t taken any medication orally in that time. Alpha Julius, are you planning on them staying in the medical wing?”
“Yes ma’am. If it’s not an issue I think it would be best if he keeps his IV.”
“If they are going straight to the medical wing I will approve of him being released with it.” Dr. Carter chimes in as the nurse leaves.
Hayden is back against my chest but is struggling to cope with the anxiety caused by his flight response.
“I have already sent Harper’s cheek swab to the lab to start the paternity test process. She has been far more submissive than Hayden so we’ve been able to get more done.”
“I’m sorry.” I apologize for my son without thinking.
“No need. They are showing the classic symptoms of severe abuse. Girls become overly submissive and withdrawn while boys tend to have an uncontrollable fight or flight response. He’s been extremely protective of his sister. Every time I’ve managed to come in this room he’s either raging or sleeping with her.”
“Has Harper been awake at all?” I can no longer cover the shakiness in my voice that comes from fear.
“Yes. It took sedating Hayden to get her out of the room but she has been awake and she has talked about what she remembers.”
Hayden is finally lying still but is growling quite deeply.
“How is this time different?” I turn my attention back to the social worker.
“It took longer than we would have liked to unlock some of the sealed records on your kids but what was discovered is quite disturbing. The files alone held enough evidence that I elevated it to the local senior committee member in charge of family law. Once we submitted an affidavit of Councilman Kevin’s testimony of intercepting the cruel treatment they were receiving along with supporting evidence of their injuries she has already decided what these kids need.”
I can’t help but tense. I’m struggling just to breathe as my son clings to me with his one good hand.
“Relax Andre, this isn’t a tease. You wouldn’t be here if they weren’t coming with us.”
Julius reminds me as I run my nose through my son’s hair. His scent calms me almost as much as mine calms him.
“Now there are certain parameters that she has set forth considering you haven’t had them longer than six months but her confidence in your ability to raise them without abusing them is very high.”
“Parameters?”
“Unfortunately, due to your father and the catastrophic failure he’s created for you to pick up, she wants me to ensure that the kids are in fact properly cared for. For the first few months you will see me weekly, then biweekly, then monthly. As time goes by the less you will see of me. I will be looking at the home, family members, how the children are adjusting and other things similar to if you had adopted them. Unless something comes up, Vivian Martin has granted you full custody of both pups pending positive paternity tests. Only one child needs to be one hundred percent yours.”
“They are both mine. Alpha Redmen requested a paternity test to be done when they were born.” I pace slowly in front of Hayden’s bed as my anxiety has yet to settle. “What about my mental health?” I cringe as I ask.
“What do you have going on?” She asks softly but I’m beating myself up for even daring to ask.
“Andre was abused as a child and it has continued into adulthood until recently by his father. He recently learned that the man who raised him is really his uncle so if you hear him stumble it’s because he doesn’t have a firm grasp on his relationship with Charles Redmen. Getting back to your question, Andre has been diagnosed with complex PTSD.”
“As long as you can adequately care for yourself and your children without abusing or endangering them there are lots of parents with many physical and mental issues that care for their kids. Your mental health doesn’t automatically disqualify you.”
I nod as my pacing slows. I stop easily beside the nurse so she can push a small amount of medication through Hayden’s IV.
“There’s two things I need to do, then we can walk you to your car.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I need to get swabs from both you and Hayden.”
I nod my head easily as she approaches with the bristled stick. I open my mouth knowing Hayden wants nothing to do with it. She swabs my cheeks roughly but without pain and places the tip in a sterile tube. I speak to Hayden gently, encouraging him to do the same as me. He takes the bait and opens his mouth. She manages to stay with him despite his heavy distaste for the painless procedure.
“I’m sorry for the repeat but I need a second from you.”
She instructs me. I have no reason not to comply. I open my mouth again. Everything is done in less than thirty seconds.
“Alpha Julius, where do you want the kids’ charts to be sent?” He accompanies the nurse outside of the room. Everything is uncomfortably silent as I pace with only the social worker in the room with me.
“Are we ready to go?” I startle slightly at the sound of his voice but manage to nod slowly.
“What about clothes for the kids?” I suddenly realize that they’re only wearing a hospital gown, socks and underwear.
“Harper’s clothes were destroyed when she came in and Hayden was only in underwear. Considering the suddenness of needing to come get them we have fleece blankets you can leave here with.”
“You don’t count me not having clothes for them as neglect?” I’m struggling to comprehend the situation.
“Heather’s search for the kids has created an emergency situation where they need to get out of the territory. Does Heather know you’re living at the Red Moon pack?” I shake my head.
“What they need is safety.”
I nod my head as the social worker walks towards me with a fleece throw, white with a variety of dinosaurs on it. She patiently helps me juggle Hayden while wrapping him in the soft blanket. I peak around her as Hayden settles into my shoulder. Julius is standing silently in the doorway.
“Andre, may I carry Harper?”
He asks slowly with a gentleness in his voice that he only uses when he feels I’ve been severely triggered.
“I need you.” I barely whisper.
He nods as he makes his way to me. He embraces me slowly, trying not to disturb the pup that has finally settled enough to close his eyes.
“Lay your head, Andre. I know what you’re seeking. I just wish you would tell me why this is so hard.”
“I’m not allowed to have them.”
“You have the same rights as the mother to care for these children. Give it time.”