Reading Time: 113 Minutes

Title: Homecoming
Series: Second Chance Home
Series Order: 1
Author: Duochanfan
Fandom: 9-1-1
Genre: Angst, Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort
Relationship(s): Background Pairings
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Bigotry, Abuse-Domestic, Violence-Canon-level, Discussion-Domestic Abuse, Discussion-Child Abuse, Death-OC Character, Death-Minor Character, False Accusations of Sexual Abuse, Character Bashing, Discussion Attempted Suicide
Word Count: 56,132
Summary: When Maddie handed over the Jeep, the world was opened for Evan to finally get away from his parents. On his travels around the country, he finds a friend to share his adventures with. Learning more about himself and family he didn’t know he still had, all slowly leading him Home.

 

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Chapter Twelve

Evan looked at the mansion that they were pulling up outside of. “This is where Grandma Lizzie lives,” he said, eyes going wide at the thought. He knew that his parents had money, they never really worried about having any. He hadn’t when he was young either, it was only when he got older that he realized that his parents weren’t just well off, but rich.

“This is the address that she gave us,” Zachary said from the driver’s seat.

“Thanks, for coming with me, both of you,” Evan then said as they pulled up, someone was waiting out on the steps for them. “I don’t know what Grandma Lizzie wants to tell me, but she wanted to wait until you were off as well, Zac, so that all three of us could be there.”

“You know that we’re going to be right here with you,” Xiaoli said, as he put a hand on his friend’s shoulder from behind.

Evan looked back at him and nodded, smiling at him. “Yeah, I do,” he agreed.

They got out of the truck and headed up the steps. Evan looked around, the grounds were large and nicely done, he looked at the man who was waiting for them. “I’m Evan Buckley, I was given this address for Elizabeth Buckley?” he said, sounding unsure of himself.

“Mr. Buckley,” the man nodded with a smile, “Miss Lizzie has been looking forward to having you here since she found out that you had arrived in California. Please, follow me,” he said, “She’s in the main den at the moment, tea, coffee, and sandwiches are going to be served as well. Miss Lizzie does like to make sure that guests have food and drink before anything serious is talked about.”

Evan nodded, his stomach tightening a little more with each step. The way that his grandmother had made things sound, made it feel like something very serious was going to be discussed today, something that might change everything for him. She had avoided a lot, telling him that a face-to-face meeting at her home was needed for some of the things she needed him to know.

The man opened the door to a room, “Please, step inside, refreshments will be brought to you all shortly,” he added.

Evan took the lead and walked into the room. His grandmother was already standing and walking over to him, to welcome him to her home. “Grandma,” he said, holding her tightly.

“Welcome,” she said as she let him go, “And you must be Xiaoli and Zachary, but you prefer Zac?” she asked him, as she looked at each in turn.

“I do, Ms Buckley,” Zachary nodded.

“It’s great to meet you as well,” Xiaoli added as he offered his hand for her to shake.

“Evan thinks of you both as family,” Elizabeth began, hugging them both, “Therefore you are family to me,” she stated as she let them go, “Please, everyone sit down, you can call me Lizzie or Grandma, like Evan.”

“So… Grandma,” Evan began, biting his lip as he sat down, his two best friends sitting on either side of him.

Elizabeth looked at her youngest grandson, “There is so much I want to say, but I want you to know, that you are loved by me and you have been since the moment I knew you existed.” Refreshments soon arrived as Elizabeth began again. “Before you were born, Phillip and Margaret had two children. A little girl, Maddie, your sister, and a little boy, Daniel, your older brother,” she said as she reached for an album. She opened it up and handed it over as soon as she got to a certain page.

Evan took it and looked at the photos. There were three pictures on the page, all of them showing a little boy and a girl. He recognized Maddie, the little boy, he looked much like Evan had done as a child, just with no birthmark. “Daniel?” he asked, frowning, “I’ve never heard of him.”

“Hmm,” Elizabeth nodded, “I know, and that is because of your parents,” she sighed, “They loved spending summer here, playing on the beach. I loved having them here. Turn the page,” she told him.

A picture of his parents, and the two children. Looked to have been taken when the little girl was around seven and the boy around six. “They look happier,” he stated.

“It was the last time I felt like they were happy, truly happy,” Elizabeth said, “A few months later, Daniel was diagnosed with Leukemia,” she told him, “We went through everything we could to find a way to cure him. Your parents found that the only thing left would be a marrow transplant, the lists weren’t like they are now.”

“They created me, didn’t they,” he stated, his heart pounding in his chest as he thought about it.

She nodded, “Yes, though I didn’t know that was why she had gotten pregnant, not until you were a year old and the transplant happened,” she told him.

“So it failed,” Evan slumped, looking at the picture of his parents and Daniel and Maddie, “They had their picture-perfect family.”

“And it was ruined in their eyes by Danny becoming ill,” Elizabeth finished, “Though, they were never really happy when anything got in the way of the picture-perfect family. Danny was, he was often berated for getting ill. And the marrow transplant, it worked. He was getting better. Unfortunately, an infection set in not long after and he passed away from that. His immune system, even with the antibiotics was not enough to combat it and he passed away three months after the transplant. Around two months after your first birthday. He loved you a lot and said you were the best gift ever. Your parents…” she trailed off, taking a breath.

“They never mentioned him, not once, not even Maddie. She didn’t even want me to come here.”

“She doesn’t like me because, in her eyes, I was trying to take away a second brother. Though at the time, your parents were ignoring you, neglecting you. They erased every bit of Daniel from their lives. Maddie wasn’t allowed to mention him, and any time I did, Phillip and Margaret would yell at me. By the time you were three, Maddie was adamant that she only had one brother. What they did to her was horrendous as well. I had wanted to take you both, but there was no way that Maddie would have come.”

“She told me not to talk to you, that she hated you,” he said quietly.

“I know, she has made that known,” she said softly, “You may have been created, but know that Maddie, Daniel, and I all love you. We loved you from the moment we found out you existed.”

Evan was quiet, looking through the book and seeing pictures of himself, they stopped when he turned three. There just weren’t many pictures of him after that age, even at home. Only the ones that Maddie took, or were taken by those at school after Maddie left, were around. “I don’t have many pictures of myself,” he stated, “Just a couple when Maddie took them. There were a lot of Maddie, even as we were growing up. Her pictures were on the wall, celebrated, having pride of place. A talking point to friends. Me, my own pictures were candid shots that Maddie had been able to take or were ones taken when I was at school. Nothing that my parents had taken. Now I know why, they blamed me for what happened to Daniel, didn’t they?” he asked as he looked up.

“They did, and they really shouldn’t have done. Nothing you did, or even could do, should have made your parents act as they did. I hated seeing it, but even before Daniel became ill, they were always focused on their image. I haven’t spoken to them since that day when they threatened to have me charged with child abuse. I only talked with Maddie once when she turned eighteen and she told me she never wanted to speak or see me again. I have kept to that. The only one I was never able to contact was you, Maddie, and your parents made sure of that. You didn’t even know that I existed,” she sighed, “That… that hurt when I learned of it.”

“It hurt me to know that part of my family was kept from me,” Evan said honestly, “Maddie, Mom, Dad, they all kept not only you but Daniel from me as well. I had a brother, and I…” he looked down at the last picture. it was of him and Daniel together. He was being held in his brother’s arms and Daniel was beaming happily at the camera.

“He loved you a lot,” she smiled, “Think of that instead. I know it hurts, I love all three of my grandchildren, and I have missed seeing you all grow up. From what I’m hearing from you, you make me so proud, and the dreams you have, I hope that one day very soon, you’ll find that place you feel you belong and set up that home.”

“Thank you, Grandma,” Evan looked up, giving a watery smile, “Xiaoli and I both really want to set up a home for children. But we both know that we’re not fully ready for that yet. We’re going around, learning more and doing things, making sure that we have life experiences as well as the qualifications needed when it comes time. Though we do know that we’ll have to do nearly all of them again since they don’t always transfer from state to state.”

Elizabeth looked at him proudly, “When you are ready, I know you’ll do wonderfully,” she told him as she then began to talk a little more about the family that he didn’t know about.

XxXxX

Xiaoli and Evan spent a little longer in LA than they expected since Evan wanted to get to know his grandmother and some of the extended family that were living around LA. There was an Aunt and Uncle that he hadn’t known about, who were able to tell him more about Daniel and how things once were. They also had children, that Evan got to know, and in one case there was a daughter for one of his cousins. Only a couple of months old.

Leaving LA behind had been hard and both Xiaoli and Evan had decided that in another year or two, they would return and set up a home there. Elizabeth was excited to have them living in the area as well and promised to keep an eye out for a place that they could convert into a Children’s Home.

“Miami,” Evan said as he looked out at the ocean, “I can’t believe you got us to work here.”

“Yeah, well, I thought a little sun would be fine. I didn’t think we’d be in LA for so long, but I’m actually rather glad of it,” Xiaoli told him, grinning, “After that, we’re heading to Minnesota for the Fall and Winter, so, I thought to soak up while we can.”

“I hate the damn cold,” Evan muttered, pulling a face. They had driven across the country, keeping in touch with Zachary and Elizabeth as they traveled.

“I know,” Xiaoli rolled his eyes. It had been the reason why they had gone to Hawaii instead of sticking to the mainland for one year.

“Bartending here?” he asked, frowning as he turned around. They were living in a small apartment near the beach, which meant that he would be swimming in it on and off. He had missed that when he had been in Hawaii, and when in LA he and Zachary had often headed to the beach for a swim.

“Yeah, there are a good few places, and this one was a top-rated club, so we can do both bartending and doorman duties,” Xiaoli said as he followed Evan back to the Jeep.

“When do we head to Minnesota?” Evan asked as they got inside.

“Three weeks, we finish here and then travel up,” Xiaoli told him.

Evan nodded, “Right, next one after this, I’m finding the work,” he grinned, Zachary had been putting a few ideas into his head and he was going to see what the best place he could go to, to start some of the training.

“Oh?” Xiaoli frowned, “What have you got up your damn sleeve, Ev?” he asked him.

“You’ll see,” he laughed, “Though we won’t be doing anything until the new year anyway, and we’re only in July.”

“Fine, have your secrets,” he snorted as they headed to the apartment building that they were going to be staying in for the next three weeks.

XxXxX

The three weeks they had in Miami went too fast for the two men. Their work was easy, and their downtime was mostly spent at the beaches, enjoying the sun and what surf they could get, though that was mostly for Evan. It was mid-July when they headed up to Minnesota and to St. Paul, where Franco had asked them to check in with a buddy of his, David, for some construction work. There were several things that the man needed help with, and some of the qualifications that the two had. David had jumped at the chance to have them on board.

“We have an apartment that we’ve got until mid-November and then we’ve got to find another place,” Xiaoli said as he looked at the notes. I’m going to be starting that search when we have a month left, so we can find somewhere. There are quite a few cheaper places that we can go to,” he told him, already looking at a few listings. “I know you have that money from the settlement,” he began hesitantly, “But-”

“Let’s not touch it,” Evan agreed with the unsaid words.

“I don’t want to either. I don’t want you-” he began only to get a look, “Us to get in the habit of dipping into it when things get hard. We’ve done well in letting it go and it’s gaining interest as well where it is, and I’m hoping that maybe, in the future, as you want it to be used for the Children’s Home, that it will come to a point where it can be used for them, to make sure they have a good start in life,” he bit his lip, not even sure about what he was saying.

“Yeah, I get you. To make sure that any child that we give a home to, will have what they need to succeed in life,” he nodded, a soft smile on his face.

“Yeah, I know that it might seem unfair,” he added, “But, if we can give them the opportunity, then I don’t see why we can’t.”

“Yeah,” he nodded as he began to pull off the highway. They would be stopping for the night soon, since they were going to make the trip to St. Paul in three days, instead of driving straight through.

Chapter Thirteen

Evan and Xiaoli slotted into David’s team with ease. The two quickly made friends and helped out here and there, mainly where they were needed most. Both had skills that were often needed in construction, both had honed them well over the last two years. Even when they were living on the Ranch, they still did the occasional construction work around the area. They had made their home in one apartment building, knowing they would have to move in November.

“So, are you going to tell me what you have in store when we’re finished here?” Xiaoli asked as he went through the listing. November was closing in and they needed to find a place. They had found a few but all had problems they would have to deal with before even thinking about moving in there.

“I was thinking about Zac, he was talking about working as a firefighter,” he said, “There are many things that he is qualified in, to make sure that he is the best firefighter he can be. He talked about volunteering and things like that. So I was thinking we can do something like that, maybe find a place where we can go and volunteer for search and rescue. There are a few training places here that can help with getting a few things in place before we go.”

Xiaoli sat back, “But I thought that was what we were doing when it came to Foster Parenting?” he said, frowning.

“We can still be foster parents, but most have jobs as well. I wanna see if we can gather a whole crew to look after the kids so there are a few of us. Maybe recruit a couple of women to join us, because I know that Zac and Nick are willing to help out. I was talking to Nick, and he’s an emergency placement so he does foster occasionally, along with being a firefighter-paramedic,” Evan told him, putting down the mug that he had been drinking.

“You’ve given this some thought then?” he asked his friend.

“Yeah, a lot. From the things that Zac and Nick have said, it’s heartbreaking at times, but also rewarding, and it… it sounds like something I wouldn’t mind doing, alongside being a foster parent.” he explained his reasons.

Xiaoli listened and nodded. “Okay, you made some good points. I like the idea as well, so we’ll do it,” he agreed.

Evan grinned, “Yeah, so I’ve been looking at the qualifications, and the fire chief here said that we should talk to one of the Captains he has, he has a lot of qualifications and had done some USAR work at one point before he became Captain,” he told him.

“Well, we’ll try and do that in December then, for now, we need to find a place to live. We’ve only got two weeks left here, and we’ve been looking for a month already and not really finding anything suitable,” Xiaoli said as he gestured to the laptop that Evan had next to him, “So help me look.”

Evan nodded, grabbed his laptop, and began to search again.

XxXxX

Xiaoli huffed as he slammed down the paper, “So far we’ve had six places reject us because we only want a short-term lease of three months. Another three didn’t want to touch us as we’re two men renting a place together, bigots,” he added.

“Yeah, looks like the only place we’re going to get is one of those shitty apartment buildings that need work,” Evan muttered, he had come across two so far that they could move into that would be happy with a short-term lease.

Xiaoli sat down at the table, they had three days before they had to be out of the apartment, everything was packed already, and they had basic furniture that they could use and then give away when they were done with it, which is what they often did when moving into an unfurnished place. “Well, looks like that’s going to be it,” he sighed, not happy with the prospect, they had always strived to live in good places. But even though some of the places they lived in were in dodgy areas, they were always well done inside.

“Well, I think we’re going to have to go with them, at the moment I don’t see a choice,” Evan told him.

“Yeah,” he sighed, rubbing his face.

“Though, we could always use-”

“No,” Xiaoli shot him down, “Look, I would go with it, I really would, but I don’t want you… us getting used to using it.”

Evan nodded, “Okay, we won’t dip into it at all, we’ll just use what we make and have saved normally,” he said. He didn’t really want to use that money he had gotten, but to him, it felt tainted. Like if he used it, it would mar what he was doing with it.

“Right, I’ll call up a couple of places and see what they say,” Xiaoli said as he grabbed his phone and the numbers and addresses of the apartment buildings that he had found for them.

Evan nodded and left him to it as he got up to start dinner for the two of them. Half an hour later, Xiaoli walked into the small kitchen. Evan turned, “Well, were you able to find anything?” he asked him.

“Yeah, got a place lined up. I’m not sure about it, but so far it looks like it will do us until the new year at least. It’s a large apartment building and he will let us go month to month. So there is a bonus on that, it’s fairly low in rent, and I do wanna check the place out before we agree to it,” Xiaoli said, biting his lip, “But I’m just not sure if we have the time to do so, we have three days, to move out and have this place ready for the next tenants to live here.”

“Then, let’s get it,” Evan nodded, “We don’t really have time to keep searching, we’re only going to be there for around two months,” he reminded him, “We’re here until January, at the least.”

“Maybe longer if we get on that course that was recommended,” he added.

Evan nodded, “Yeah, we should get word about that before the end of November.”

“Right,” he smiled, happy that they had a direction to go in, though both were beginning to think about LA being the place where they would settle down to open a home. Elizabeth was still looking for a good place that could be converted into a home for several children.

XxXxX

Evan and Xiaoli walked into one of the fire stations in St. Paul. It was a light brigade and the Captain was someone that the Chief had told them to talk to about qualifications, the man was big on making sure those under him had as many opportunities to get some as possible.

“Gentlemen, what can I do for you both,” a man said as he walked over to them.

“We’re looking for Captain Robert Nash?” Evan said as he looked at the man, trying to gauge who this might be in the pecking order of the firehouse.

“That would be me,” he smiled, “I take it you are Evan Buckley and Xiaoli Huang?” he asked, as he looked from one to the other.

“We are,” Xiaoli nodded as he offered his hand.

“Please, call me Bobby,” Bobby said as he took the hand and shook it, repeating the action with Evan. “The Chief said that you’re both interested in becoming firefighters at some point down the line. Though he didn’t say why you’re waiting.”

“We’ve been traveling around the country, gathering experience, and just living life a little,” Evan said, “We’ve got dreams as well, of things that we want to do before we find a place that we can call home.”

“I’m an orphan, grew up in the system,” Xiaoli stated, “I want to open a home for children, that is what Evan and I plan to do when we find a suitable place. We’re looking at LA at the moment since Evan has family there and we have a good friend living there.”

“He’s the one that suggested we could become firefighters as well as being foster parents. Both of us feel that we could do both. But we want to get some qualifications and even some experience before we apply to the academy in LA,” Evan finished.

Bobby nodded, “It’s not a bad idea to do, as fire academies do look more favorably to those with some experience and such,” he said, “I can give you a recommended list, that you can see what you can do,” he told them, “Hmm,” he hummed, “Come on, I’ve finished lunch and you can eat with us.”

“Oh, erm, okay,” Evan said, a nervous look on his face as the two of them joined Bobby and his crew.

Bobby started setting the food as his team began to join them, helping out as well. “Guys, this is Evan Buckley and Xiaoli Huang, they are asking about qualifications that they could get before they become firefighters,” he said, grinning as the team looked at the two and began to introduce themselves and call out suggestions as they settled down for lunch.

Evan and Xiaoli took a few notes on some of them, “Swift water?” Evan asked.

“Yeah, it’s a good one to have if you’re going to live near water and if you get calls out in those areas,” one of the firefighters said as she looked at them, “Depending on your size as well, close quarter rescue could be a good one. But if you bulk up, then it might not be a good idea.”

“Rope rescues are a staple of being a firefighter. Making sure you have every qualification for it would be great,” another piped up, grinning at the two, “Learn things, as much as you can, and even when you get the job, and get past the probation year, then keep looking for more things that you can do. Some you can even do online, I know FEMA has a few things as well. And there are degrees that you can do.”

“Fire Science,” someone else said, “That’s a good one to go for, there are others as well, but that would be the main one. Oh, and it can be done online as well.”

“Right,” Evan nodded, “Any others?”

“EMT as well, that’s always a good one to get. However, not all states have dual certifications for Firefighters and Paramedics. But having that would be a good one as well.”

“Disaster management,” the first firefighter said, a soft smile on her face, “Never know what might be aro-” she was cut off as an alarm sounded.

“Kyle, you’re the man behind!” Bobby called out as he went to get the information of the call. “Right, Multi-Vehicle pile up. Seven vehicles, we’re one of two stations,” he said as he and the others ran for the engine and truck. The ambulances began to follow the engines out.

Evan and Xiaoli watched as they headed out. They were a well-oiled machine.

“Okay, Evan, Xiaoli. I have a few things to do while they are out,” Kyle said as he looked at them.

“We’ll leave, so you can carry on with your work. Thank you though, to you and the others,” Evan began, “I hope it would be alright to come again at some point,” he added.

“No doubt Bobby will be happy to have you again. Leave your number and he’ll get in contact with you,” he smiled, as he waited for them to write their numbers down.

“Thanks again,” Xiaoli said, looking at Evan as they left the station and headed to where they had parked the jeep, “That was informative,” he said.

“It really was,” Evan grinned, “I’m going to look into the fire science degree, they said that it can be done online. It might be an idea for us to do that while we’re going from place to place,” he added.

“Yeah, sounds like a good idea,” he nodded as they headed to the new apartment. “And damn is it cold,” he added, turning the heat up in the jeep.

“I know,” he agreed, nodding a few times. “Can’t wait to get back inside. Can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner.”

“Four weeks, not that close,” Xiaoli sighed, “I’ve been talking to Kirsty and she’s pointed me in a couple of directions as well, when I mentioned becoming firefighters, she pointed out that if we are going to have a home, there have to be adults there all the time.”

“Oh,” Evan nodded, “Well, we can interview people about that when we find a place. It will take time to set up after all.”

“Let’s put a plan in place for it, and make sure that there is room for them to move into as well,” Xiaoli said, biting his lip. “This is going to be a lot.”

“It’s nothing we can’t do though, we’ll work it out,” Evan said, glancing over as they carried on home.

XxXxX

Evan and Xiaoli got up the next morning. They had found a few faults with the building they were staying in and had been attempting to get in touch with the landlord. They headed to the car park attached to the building and stopped when they saw a familiar face. “Oh, Captain Nash,” Evan said as he went over to the man.

Both of them noticed the smell of alcohol on the man. “Oh, erm, hi,” he said, smiling at them, though he didn’t seem all with it.

Xiaoli and Evan shared a look. It wouldn’t be the first time they came across someone who drank a little too much. “Hey, Cap,” Evan said, as he got a nod from Xiaoli. “Come with us.”

“No, I’m just going to go-”

“With us,” Xiaoli added, he had noticed a few more things about Bobby when they had met at the station the day before, there had been a few things he had heard about the Captain as well. They didn’t give Bobby much of a choice as they guided him to their apartment.

After sitting down with him, the two looked at each other before Evan sat forward. “Didn’t know you lived here,” Evan said.

“Yeah, we fell on hard times,” Bobby said softly, “I had an accident at work, and was out for a long time. Had to go back before I was ready, if I’m honest. Caused… a few problems.”

“Drinking to numb the pain?” Xiaoli asked, “We’ve had a few friends that coped like that.”

“Painkillers too,” Bobby said, his words quiet. “Things have been hard, and I went back. I was… I was sober.”

“We’ll help you get back, AA meetings, rehab, whatever you need, we’ll help. You seem like a great Captain, and from the way you talk about your family, you need to do this for them,” Evan told him.

Bobby looked shocked at the two men that he had only just met, willing to help him get his life back.

Chapter Fourteen

Evan and Xiaoli met up with Bobby again, taking him to their apartment to talk to him. He had to leave the day before to go back to his family. Now, they were going to talk a little more about what was going on with the man. Bobby wanted help, he was just unsure on how to go about it for a second time. Evan came back into the living area with three mugs of tea for them all.

“Thank you,” Bobby said, his voice tight, he was avoiding looking at the two. “I don’t… I don’t even know where to start, or even what to say. You… caught me and I know that Marcy knows that something is going on, she’s… angry at me.”

Xiaoli sighed, “I can understand,” he told him, “First thing, do you want to be in control of your addiction?” he asked him.

“Yes,” Bobby answered, without hesitation. “I feel like I’m drowning and have no way out. I just… I can’t cope anymore without them. I try and within days I’m back,” he told them, “I’ve never, ever gone to work high or drunk, I avoid that, but it’s been close.”

Evan nodded, “That’s one good thing,” he said, “Right, we’ve been researching and we found a first responder AA group in the area. No doubt you can get a sponsor there as well, that would help, someone to talk to you. Not only that but maybe counseling is a good idea as well. Xiaoli and I both do one that is online occasionally, we both have some hang ups and problems that we’re working through. My Grandmother and a friend of ours recommended that we do that. Then there is actually making sure there is nothing in your home that would tempt you. Marcy will need to help with that. Having it in the house is just asking for trouble.”

Bobby nodded, they had alcohol in the apartment, and Marcy liked to have a drink occasionally. “I’ll talk with Marcy about that,” he said.

“She’s going to have to get on board if she wants you sober and clean,” Evan told him, shaking his head, “When someone has an addiction, it affects the family, but it’s also the family that has to help as well.”

“Marcy is… she just tells me to deal with it, to stop everything. She doesn’t… she doesn’t realize that it fucking hard,” he swore, biting his lip for a moment before closing his eyes and taking a breath. “My apologies,” he said.

“Judgment-free zone here,” Evan told him, “curse as you need to,” he added, “But, she needs to realize that if she wants you sober, and that she needs to help, be supportive, and not antagonistic about it.”

“Kirsty is a social worker in Montana, where we stayed, she often sees addiction, and if someone is facing it alone, they often fall off the wagon, there is nothing helping you, stopping you from doing it again. Having a family will help,” Xiaoli added, a small smile on his face. “Having people around you that will stand by you and help you when you falter, and help to keep you going when you want to stop. It’s always a good idea.”

“I’ll talk with Marcy tomorrow and see what she says about it all. I know I need to get sober, to stop it all. I’m just… I’m in pain sometimes and I don’t know how to cope without them.”

“AA and a counselor may just help you find new coping mechanisms that aren’t so self-destructive, you just have to give them time and a chance to work,” Evan told him, “I’ve never really had an addiction, but I have had suicidal tendencies and self-destructive ones. I’m doing my best working through them and am grateful for Xiaoli, our friend Zac, and now my grandmother. All three of them have helped me.”

Bobby nodded, “Thank you, for at least talking with me and helping. You don’t even know me.”

“I can see someone that is a good person going through some shit,” Evan told him, “having friends and family outside of those that I thought I had, has helped me a lot. Do you have any other family other than Marcy?” he asked.

“I… I have a brother, though we haven’t spoken in a long time. We had a falling out after our father passed away. I can’t even remember what it was about. I just never contacted him again. I know he was still a firefighter, but he was moving away. Which I could understand,” Bobby told them, “Why?”

“It’s nice to have family,” Xiaoli said, “I have grandparents in China, I haven’t seen them face to face since I was around five. I talk to them occasionally when I can reach them. But it isn’t as often as I would like.”

“I have a grandmother that I talk to, I’m estranged from my parents, and my sister doesn’t want me to contact her,” Evan said, “It… it might be time to reach out. He might be able to help you as well. If he doesn’t, then at least you tried to mend the fence between the two of you.”

Bobby snorted, “It might, he is older than me,” he said, remembering times when the two brothers got along. “I’d like to see him again, even if it’s just to tell me to go to hell.”

“Then what’s stopping you from taking that step and calling him? Or sending him a message of any kind?” Xiaoli asked frowning, “I might be missing things here, but just sending that first message might be the only thing that is needed to start having your brother back in your life again.”

“I know,” he sighed, “I’ll… give him a call soon, I still have his number. Though I don’t know if he ever changed it. He’s had the number for years, so he might still use it,” he added frowning as he thought a little more about how he would go about contacting his brother.

“If you need us, well, you know where we live,” Xiaoli added, “And you’re welcome to stop by, though we might be at work, we’re working construction at the moment. We’ve also reported the violations in this place.”

Bobby winced, “Yeah, there are many of them. I should… I should do the same.”

“Would be good to have a Fire Captain’s weight against the violations as well. The place should be updated, and yeah, it will take a while for it all to be updated, but hopefully with them doing that, it will bring this place up to code,” Xiaoli said.

“It’s dangerous not to,” Evan added quietly, “It could cause so many deaths if anything happened.”

“Yeah, I’ll make the report later, I’ll go around the building and make note of everything that I see. I should have done it the moment we stepped foot in here. I was… scared to do so in case we get kicked out for it,” he worried. “We were in trouble, with me off work for so long. That’s why I went back before it was advised.”

“And it would be why you ended up relying on painkillers for so long and then alcohol to help when they stopped being so effective?” Evan asked him.

Bobby nodded, “Yeah.”

“We’re here,” Evan said, “We’re going to look around as well and find any violations too, we have several qualifications in construction work, including inspection work.”

“We did that while we were in Montana, though we were able to pass the qualification here in Minnesota as well, we went for them as soon as we arrived since that was part of the reasons David, our boss, wanted us,” Xiaoli told him, “Each state is different.”

Bobby nodded, “Why… why don’t we go around together and do that now?” he suggested, looking from one to the other.

“Sounds like a plan,” Evan said, clapping his hands together and getting up. Taking the empty mugs, he put them in the kitchenette and the three of them headed out into the apartment building to start inspecting it.

XxXxX

Evan had been the one to send in the documents that he, Xiaoli, and Bobby had put together about the apartment building, three days after they had looked things over. The landlord had made a start on some of the repairs and rewiring that needed to be done. Bobby had gone to an AA meeting the same night they had talked about it. Evan and Xiaoli had waited for him nearby, as he joined them in the small all-night cafe. Marcy wasn’t on board with everything, and Bobby had asked the two men to help him talk to them as the kids were at school.

“Marcy,” Bobby called out as he walked into the apartment. The woman was standing near the window of the living room, looking over the small car park that was below.

“Bobby,” she said as she turned, frowning when she saw two young men following him, “Who are they?” she asked, weary of them.

“I’m Evan, and this is Xiaoli, we live in the building too,” Evan said, a charming smile on his face.

“Hi,” she nodded as she looked to Bobby for answers.

“I talked to you about my addiction, about the alcohol and the painkillers. You don’t want to throw away the alcohol,” Bobby said, “I’ve asked them to come and talk to you about it. I need help, Marcy, I do, I know that, and you know that. I’ve let this rule my life for too long and I don’t want to ruin things between us any more than they already have.”

“I’ll make us some coffee,” Marcy said as he walked into the kitchenette and began to make some.

Bobby gestured for the table for them all to sit around. It took a few minutes for Marcy to come back with the coffee and join them at the table. “I’m sorry Marcy, but I tried to talk with you about this, and you just yelled at me.”

“So you thought you should bring in strangers into our problems,” Marcy hissed at him, glaring slightly.

“They helped me, they helped me find an AA meeting and have been giving me help in fighting this. I need your support as well. I know I’ve made a mess of things, Marcy, I know that. I want to rise above it all, and I feel like I’m clawing at dirt from a deep dark pit and I can’t get a grip. They held out a hand, let me talk, and found help for me. I need your help as well,” Bobby said in a rush, he was frustrated and feeling so alone in his own home. He knew his kids were beginning to sense that something was wrong. He and Marcy were arguing and trying not to do so in front of them but failed most of the time. He was letting them all down, and he didn’t want that. He wanted to be better, to be sober for them.

“We’re just wanting to help, we can tell that Bobby is a good man, who has hit rock bottom. He’s asking and searching for help, and he’s right you need to help as well. Having Alcohol in the apartment is a temptation to him. At the moment he has just started a hard fight, and he will need support, more than what the AA can give him, more than what a counselor can give him. This help comes from his friends and family. From you and the children. It’s an uphill climb,” Xiaoli told her, “One that a lot of people fight every single day. It doesn’t matter if it’s ten years from now, Bobby will still struggle with this.”

“I can’t…” Marcy said.

Bobby reached out to her, “I know when we married this wasn’t what we thought would happen. I know I pushed to go back before I was ready and I’m paying for it every single damn day,” he told her, “I can’t make up for the past, I can only move forwards, and I want to do that with you and the kids. Please, Marcy, help me once more.”

Marcy lowered her head, “Last time Bobby, this will be the last time. I can’t do this again. I see you wasting away and it fucking hurts,” she told him, crying softly, “each time I see it, I wonder where the man I married went. Because you’re not you. even the kids have noticed. I don’t want that for them, so please, make it the last time we go through this. I will be here again. But like I said, I can’t do it again. I will take the kids and leave.”

Bobby nodded, “I understand, I really do, and Marcy, I promise, this… this is the last time. I have you and the kids and I know… I know I can’t falter, I can’t fall off the wagon again. I’m… I think after the new year, I’m going to ask for a little time off. Get my head on right, and take some time to get my back seen to, hopefully, I haven’t screwed it up too badly with going back to work like I did.”

“I’m looking for work as well, we’ll make it work, I promise,” Marcy nodded in agreement, “We’ll get there,” she added with a shaky heaving sigh.

“We will, my injury is still covered by the insurance, I was told that I might have to go back at some point, even without going back to work early,” Bobby told her, “We… don’t have to worry that much about it.”

“Okay, Okay, tell me what to do that you need help with,” Marcy said, squeezing Bobby’s hands.

“All alcohol needs to be gone from the apartment. There will be days when I will be snappy and angry because of the withdrawal. tell me to go to Xiaoli and Evan, they gave me a spare key to their apartment so I can go there. They work construction so it’s a nine to five job they are on at the moment,” Bobby said, giving her a rundown of the things that he needed help with.

“Thank you,” Marcy said a few hours later as they got ready to get the kids from school.

Evan and Xiaoli looked at her, “Like I said,” Evan began, “He’s a good man that’s fallen on hard times and needed a bit of help. We just hope that we can help, we can’t understand fully what he is going through. But we can at least be there to help him when he needs it and a place to land when things get really bad. He doesn’t want that around the children, both of you agree to that,” he finished.

“Yeah,” she nodded, “I love him, I really do, and it’s damn hard to realize just how much he was struggling with things.”

“You know now, and just be there for him, we’ll be around as well,” Xiaoli told her, “Even when we move, we’re just a phone call away.”

“Thank you, again, and we’ll see you soon,” she said as she let them out.

Xiaoli and Evan smiled and left the couple alone.

Chapter Fifteen

It was New Year, things were going well, Bobby was still sober, and he’d had his ups and downs. Marcy had been helping as best as she could and the kids had enjoyed spending Christmas Day with their parents, and two extras, after Marcy had invited Xiaoli and Evan to share the day with the family. A call had gone to Zac and Elizabeth as well, to wish them a Merry Christmas. Now the celebrations for the upcoming New Year were in swing. People getting ready for parties and fun times. Fireworks would be lighting the sky in a few more hours, but that wasn’t what worried Evan and Xiaoli as they saw smoke coming into their apartment.

The two men were quick to get up, falling back on some of the things that Bobby had drilled into them, and what they had been looking into. They covered their mouth and noses with wet clothes and headed out, they could feel the heat rising from below. They were on one of the higher floors. The alarms that should have been going off, were doing so, so quietly they could barely be heard.

Evan began to knock on doors, pounding on them to get attention. Xiaoli doing the same and getting them out of the apartments and heading down. Some of them took the initiative and did the same as they went down the floors. They got to the same floor that Marcy and Bobby lived on, only to see the floor give out under Bobby and someone else as he tried to get to his wife and children.

“Marcy!” Evan yelled as he went near the hole, “Get the kids and throw them to me!” he yelled out, Xiaoli coming up beside him.

Marcy nodded, “Okay!” she yelled as she went to get the kids. Brooke looked scared as she was held in her mother’s arms, her nose and mouth covered, just like Marcy’s. “Here’s Brooke!” she called out, and with all that she could, she tossed Brooke towards them. The throw was hard, but Xiaoli caught her and moved aside as Marcy disappeared back inside.

Robbie was crying as he clung to his mom, not wanting to let her go, “No, I want to stay with you.”

“Robbie, you need to go, okay? I’ll follow behind, but you guys are first,” she told him, hugging him tightly, “Be my brave little boy for just a little bit longer,” she added, letting him go and then trying to do the same with him as he had done for his sister.

Evan reached out, only able to grab a hand of Robbie’s before he began to fall toward the hole. “No,” Evan gritted out as he pulled and yanked backward, falling onto the ground with Robbie on top of him. He stood up, and checked Robbie over before letting him stand with his sister, “Marcy, you now!” he called out.

Marcy looked around the corner of the door. She would have to find a way to swing herself around it, throwing Brooke and Robbie around it had been easy, but herself. It was going to be tricky. She took a breath and began to move, only to jolt as the floor began to give way beneath her. “No!” she yelled out as she tried to jump and twist.

Evan grabbed her hand, holding onto it for dear life as he fell to the ground again. Hanging over the edge of a hole that Bobby had fallen into not moments before. Beneath all he could see was raging fire now. Engulfing the floors below. “Come on,” he hissed at himself as he began to pull, only for the floor above them to start giving way as well. The place was engulfed in flames. They were getting closer.

“Let go and get the kids out,” Marcyu told him, “You have to,” she said, trying to free herself.

“No, I can’t,” Evan said, gritting his teeth and trying to pull her up and out of the way, only for the ceiling to collapse and fall. Some of it hit him and Marcy, causing him to let go. “NO!” he yelled out. “Marcy!” he called, hoping to get an answer, but there was nothing. “Fuck, FUCK!” he yelled out slamming his hand on the floor.

“Evan,” Xiaoli called out, tears in his eyes as he added, “We have to go, we can’t wait anymore, this place is going to give way at any moment,” he told him.

Evan nodded and got up, grabbing Robbie and picking him up. Robbie and Brooke were crying and calling for their mom. “The… the firefighters will find her,” he told them, “They will,” he just hoped that they really would be able to find her.

They rushed down the stairs, the smoke getting thicker and now coming across firefighters as they brought people out of the apartment. They reached the outside, coughing and spluttering as they breathed in air that was thick with smoke.

“You have to let me back in there!” someone was shouting, “My kids, my wife!”

“Daddy!” Brooke and Robbie yelled out, before coughing once more.

Bobby stopped fighting, “Brooke! Robbie!” he gasped, eyes wide as he saw his kids. He broke free of the firefighter that was keeping him back and rushed over to them, seeing Xiaoli and Evan with them.

“I’m sorry Bobby,” Evan said as he could tell he was about to ask about Marcy, “She fell, I don’t know if they have got her,” he added.

“You… thank you,” he said, as a paramedic went over to the group and began to assess them all. They were pulled to one side. As more and more were being brought out. Though most had already lost their lives.

“How… how did something like this happen?” Evan said, “The place was being updated,” he added.

Bobby nodded as he hovered around his children as they were getting oxygen, they would be taken to the hospital soon enough. “I’d gone to the local to get a few things for tonight, some juices and snacks, to celebrate the new year. We were going to watch the fireworks from the roof,” he said, looking at the building doors, and hoping to see a familiar face come out of it.

“Bob!” came the call of one of the fire captains who was on the scene.

Bobby turned and faced the man, “John, Marcy is inside,” he began.

“We… we found her, she’s in bad shape, she’s already being sent to the hospital,” he said, shaking his head. he moved closer as he spotted the kids, “I don’t think she’s going to make it Bob, make sure those kids get to say goodbye, I’ll have them take you and the kids to the same hospital,” he added before leaving, talking with one of the paramedics beforehand.

Bobby cried as he heard, he kept facing away from the children, not wanting them to see. Evan walked over, putting an arm around him. “I’m sorry,” Evan said, “I wish… I had her, Bobby, I had her and I couldn’t… pull her up in time.”

Bobby turned to him, “You… you did your best, I know that. I know you,” he said, as he wiped his eyes and looked at him.

Evan nodded, “You needed to go with the kids, we… we can meet you later. I don’t think… any of us want to really be alone.”

“Yeah,” he said, sighing, “Thank you, I know you saved them, helped them, and tried to help Marcy, thank you.”

Evan looked a little awkward as Bobby then hugged him tightly. “We’ll talk later,” he told him.

“Meet you at the hospital. I’ll tell them to let you through to us if you need to,” Bobby said as he got in the ambulance with the children.

Evan and Xiaoli were then bustled over to another ambulance and taken in as well.

XxXxX

Evan looked at the two children that were seated between him and Xiaoli, they had been cleaned up and fresh clothes had been brought to them. Bobby’s crew had helped out all of them in that. Getting them all something clean to wear. Bobby was in ICU, Marcy had been taken inside and they were going to support her until she passed. There was nothing more that could be done for her, and it would be a miracle if she lived. Her injuries were extensive.

Bobby walked out of the room, “Mom’s awake and she wants to talk to you both,” he said as he walked over and knelt before his children.

“She’s… she’s not going to make it,” Robbie said quietly.

Bobby closed his eyes before bringing the two of them into his arms. “We don’t know, but she wants to see you, just in case.”

The two children were crying but nodding. “Okay,” Brooke said, “We should see Mom.”

Bobby let them both go, as they wiped their eyes, “I know it’s going to be scary, she’s really hurt and everything,” he warned them before slowly guiding them into the room.

Evan and Xiaoli waited outside. Evan was on the phone he had in his pocket and was looking at hotels and places that they might be able to stay, including Bobby and the kids. He didn’t want them to worry too much about things. They had Marcy to think of first. Xiaoli was on his own doing the same thing, but also looking at larger apartments and even small houses that would be able to house them all for the time being.

“I’m worried,” Evan said quietly.

“About Bobby?” Xiaoli asked, getting a nod. “That’s why I’m thinking we should stick with him, this is the time he might fall off the wagon,” he added.

Evan nodded again, “Yeah, sticking together seems like the better idea. I know we haven’t known them that long, but I worry,” he sighed, giving a little shrug.

“I know, so do I,” he said as he looked into the room.

The two went quiet again, going back to looking at places to stay and live. Hoping that they would find something quickly. They had no idea at the moment how many people had died in the building, or even what had caused it. The fire alarms should have been the first thing that had been repaired.

XxXxX

Evan looked at the two children. It had been four days since the fire. Bobby had been going to and from the hospital daily to spend time with Marcy. Once a day he took the kids. Though he hadn’t that day. Marcy had slipped into a coma and it didn’t look like she would be waking up from it. Xiaoli had been the one to find them a home to live in. A small three-bedroom house that was going cheap. Though it needed a little work on it, it was all surface. None of the adults wanted the chance of what happened in the apartment building happening again. Evan and Xiaoli had taken to fixing things up while getting things that were needed. Mostly for Bobby and the two kids.

The door opened and Bobby walked in. Evan knew as soon as he saw him that Marcy had gone. He nodded to the man, and gestured to the living room so that he could take the kids in there and talk to them there.

Bobby nodded, “Kids,” he said as he began to lead the way to the living room. Both of them looked scared, as though they knew what was going to happen.

Evan stood in the doorway for a second and then left them, nodding as Bobby began to tell them that Marcy had passed away. The door opened again as Xiaoli walked in. He had been out buying them a few things to replace what had been lost in the fire. They were both dipping into some of the savings to recover, and they still had work from David that they could do. The New Year hadn’t started off on a good foot at all.

“Where are the kids?” he asked as he walked over.

“Bobby came home, Marcy has passed away,” he said quietly. He could hear the sobbing now coming from the living room as the small family grieved for their loss.

“Ah,” Xiaoli said. They had all been hoping that a miracle would happen, that she would recover, even if it was a slow recovery. When she slipped into the coma, they all knew that it wasn’t going to happen, but they still had hoped for the best.

They were quiet as the children grieved for their mother. Xiaoli and Evan busied themselves with making dinner for everyone.

XxXxX

A knock on the door broke the silence that was going on in the house. Two days after Marcy had died, Bobby was busy arranging the funeral. The life insurance would pay for some of it, and the rest would be put towards renting a new home for them all when it came through. Bobby got up, stretching as he walked over to the door. Xiaoli was on the new laptop, emailing friends about what had been going on. Evan was doing much the same as well.

Opening the door, Bobby gasped, “Andrew,” he said.

“Sorry for not calling ahead,” the man said, he looked a little like Bobby, his hair had more gray in it than Bobby’s did.

“I… didn’t expect to see you,” Bobby said quietly.

“I heard about Marcy, and I… Bobby,” Andrew said, “How could I not come? You and the kids, I missed a lot after that stupid fight. You reach out and then it goes quiet. I heard about the fire, saw Marcy’s name, and flew out as soon as I could arrange it.”

Bobby nodded as Andrew made the first move and the two brothers hugged each other, “I’m… glad you’re here.”

“Same, and sorry.”

“No, it’s me that should be sorry. I should have reached out earlier, should have put everything aside,” Bobby countered.

“Let’s both agree to disagree on that,” Andrew told him, snorting.

“Come on in, I live with the kids and two friends who lived in the apartment building as well. Money being tight until things get sorted,” he said, “Hey,” he nodded to everyone who was watching. “This is my brother Andrew. Andy, this is Evan and Xiaoli. Robbie and Brooke, this is your Uncle Andy.”

Robbie and Brooke looked at the man, they didn’t remember him, since they had only been toddlers when Andrew was last around. “Hi,” Robbie said, getting up, his sister following him as they went to greet their Uncle.

“Sorry, I haven’t been around in a long time, kids,” he told them, kneeling. “I’m here now, to help you both and your dad. I know it’s hard, but I’m here for you as well,” he finished quietly.

The two nodded and hugged him. Bobby looked at his brother before looking at Evan and Xiaoli. The two stood up to greet Andrew as well. Get to know Bobby’s brother as they made drinks for everyone and sat down.

Chapter Sixteen

Marcy’s funeral had been well attended. Andrew had been there with his wife and three sons. Evan and Xiaoli stood behind the family during the service, though Brooke and Robbie had stuck with them as Bobby had to welcome mourners. Andrew had been beside his brother as well. Bobby had done well throughout it all. That was until the next day when he had trouble moving. He had reinjured his back during the fire when he had fallen through the floor.

Bobby walked back into the house. The kids were out with Andrew and his family, who were still in St. Paul for another week before they had to go home. He hung up his coat and took off his boots. He was cold, the January weather was rotten and all he wanted was something hot to drink and a blanket to wrap himself in.

“How did it go?” Evan asked as he walked over, hot chocolate in hand, ready for Bobby to drink.

“Oh, thank you,” Bobby said as he took the mug in his freezing hands and walked to the living room. Evan followed him. “As for how it went, I’ve done something to my back, I need to get it seen to. They think I might have torn a muscle, if that’s the case then I might need some minor surgery,” he said, worried about the future.

“Then that’s what’s needed. I know it’s going to take some time for you to heal as well,” Evan said.

Bobby nodded, “Andy… I called him and told him. He said that I should go and live with them in San Diego for a while, while I get back on my feet. I don’t know if I want to uproot the kids at the moment. They… they need some time.”

“It’s a good suggestion,” Evan told him, “But I can understand not wanting to uproot the kids just yet. Xiaoli and I haven’t got anything lined up for a couple of months. Might be enough to start you on your healing journey before finding out what Brooke and Robbie want.”

Bobby sighed as he sat down, sinking into the couch a little. He was in pain and had been since that night, well, worse than normal. “I’ll talk with them later, the doctor said that it could take two to three months for me to recover. I don’t know how I’m going to cope with that. I can’t really afford to take time off work.”

Evan bit his lip, “I… don’t worry about that, just worry about getting yourself to 100% again, Those kids need you, they lost their mom and if you go back to work before you are ready, you’re just going to come to a point where they might just lose you as well,” he pointed out, “Me and Xiaoli are willing to help and so is your brother as well. Even if that means moving across the US. The doctors over there might be better than the ones here,” he added.

“I don’t want to take advantage, I already feel like I am with all of us living together. It’s not really fair on you both,” he stated.

“It’s fine, really. Xiaoli and I talked, and we’re willing to help where we can,” Evan smiled and nodded. “Just… when it comes to it, pay it forward to someone else that needs it,” he added.

“You’re a good man,” Bobby said, giving a yawn.

“Why don’t you get some sleep while you can? I know that the pain has been keeping you awake at night,” Evan suggested.

Bobby nodded, “I think I will, I know that Andy will be back with the kids in about two hours,” he said as he slowly struggled to his feet.

Evan went over and helped, “There, now go and get some sleep, rest while you can.”

Bobby smiled and headed for his bedroom to get a little sleep while he could.

XxXxX

Andrew looked at his brother and sighed, he could see the pain on the other man’s face, but he could understand why he wasn’t taking anything for it. He had just learned about how Bobby was struggling with addiction, and he didn’t want to make his little brother go down that path again, after being clean for over a month already. Bobby was fighting hard against so much, that he didn’t need his addiction added on top.

“So,” Andrew started, “What do you plan on doing?” he asked.

Bobby sighed, “I’m going to have to have the operation, there is some tearing in the muscles in the back from what they can tell. They need to fix that. Recovery time will be between two and three months but could be as long as four with some rehab. I don’t know if I can be away from work for that long. And I’ll have to do some of the requalifications, to make sure that I’m still able to do them,” he signed again, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’m at a loss Andy, I really am. I can’t put that on Xiaoli and Evan, even though both have said that I’m welcome to stay with them while I recover, even if that is months.”

“Well, you can travel after a month of recovery, from what you said. If you want, stay here another month or two, have the operation, and start the recovery. Then come out with me and Anita, we’re both happy to house you and the kids for however long you need,” he told his brother, “I wasn’t here for a long time. Hell, I moved across the US in a temper because of our falling out and I didn’t want to chance seeing you. I knew that we were both in the wrong that day, it was a stupid and petty argument that had no place even happening or even taking on the life that it did.”

“That’s behind us now, we’ve said our sorries and forgiven each other,” Bobby pointed out, “But how… I don’t know if I should be relying so much on others. I should be able to get through this myself.”

“Bobby,” Andrew sighed, shaking his head, “You’re my little brother, you just lost your wife and found out that you have reinjured your back. Relying on someone isn’t something to be ashamed of. Xiaoli and Evan seem like good strong men who will be able to help you. They are young and they love those kids. They have even taken a shine to mine.”

“They want to become foster parents, and no, they aren’t together. I thought that at first as well,” Bobby snorted as he saw the question that Andrew had been wanting to ask.

“They are so comfortable together,” Andrew smiled and gave a quick shake of his head, “Anyway,” he began again, “they want to be there for you and the kids, and so do Anita and I. Take the help when you can Bobby, we’ll be around, no matter what. I’m a phone call away, and when I go back to San Diego, I expect at least a call every day or so. Especially while you’re recovering,” he finished.

Bobby nodded, “yeah,” he said, “The kids, they… have said that they don’t want to be here. That everything reminds them of Marcy. I think that a move might be a good idea in the end anyway. I’ll be asking the chief for some recommendations for when I’m ready for that step. He knows that I’m going to be in recovery for a while, and he said that there is always going to be a place for me at St Paul.”

“Well, when you’re ready to move, I’ll be there ready to help,” Andrew stated.

Bobby nodded and the two talked a little more about what Bobby was going to be going through. He had already organized the operation for himself, knowing it was better to get it out the way before it got any worse.

XxXxX

Evan and Xiaoli waved as they saw Bobby, Robbie, and Brooke off at the airport. They hadn’t brought much apart from clothes and a few essential items that they would have needed over the two and a half months after the fire. The Nash family was heading to San Diego, to go and live with Andrew and his family while Bobby finished his recovery. He had already made a little noise about finding a job with the LAFD instead of the SDFD, much to Andrew’s disappointment. He had wanted a cleanish break and would be heading to their academy to get a refresher and to learn the way the LAFD operated. Evan had put Bobby in touch with Zac and Nick so they could give him a bit of a hand when he finally found a station he would be captaining.

“Well,” Evan said as he looked at Xiaoli, “What next?”

“It’s almost April, we have that last course, Swift Water and then you said you wanted to find a place where we could volunteer along with work,” he answered, smiling, “So wherever you want to go.”

“Well, there are good places that allow for Volunteers and will do on-the-job training as well, in Colorado, Great Lakes, and Montana, near the Ranch. We saw them in action a few times,” he added, grinding.

“You’ve already talked to Jo, haven’t you,” Xiaoli snorted as they began to walk out of the airport to where they had parked the jeep.

“I did,” he smiled, “I couldn’t help it, I was thinking about it and I ended up talking with Jo, and she suggested that we go and stay with her and volunteer there, and work on the ranch during our free time. This means we are still earning, but we are also doing SAR work and training as well. Not only that… but I feel like I need to go back.”

“Dana?” he asked, looking over at him.

“Yeah, I know she’s still in prison, and will be for a while longer, I just need to go back and face it. My therapist agrees that it could be a good thing,” he answered, “I just… felt like I was letting it control and rule me too much and I didn’t want to do that anymore. So I want to go back, confront the demons as it were, and just… live my life, how I want to live it. I don’t want what she did to be that shadow. I haven’t even really tried to see anyone since then. A little too afraid of what might happen,” he finished with a heaving sigh.

Xiaoli nodded “Alright, then we’ll head to Montana and do that,” he agreed.

Evan smiled back and the two got in the Jeep to head home. “So, I talked with Jo, and she is happy to have us come down whenever we are free here. Since we have the one last qualification we’re going for here, I thought we could head down a few days after that finishes?” he said, as he started up the jeep and made their way out of the car park.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Xiaoli said.

XxXxX

Evan pulled into the driveway of the Ranch, he smiled and sighed happily. He was back, the warm feeling he got when he thought of the Ranch was back as well. No longer did he feel the pit of dread when he thought of the Ranch and the town it was near. Instead, that warm fuzzy feeling was back and he grinned widely as he glanced at Xiaoli. Their Swift Water Qualification had been finished and they had been able to leave two days later after finishing up with David and the work he wanted them to do before leaving.

Jolene and Grant were standing there, waiting to welcome them back. There were a few new faces, including a very tiny one in Marlene’s arms. Getting out of the jeep they were swarmed by the family, hugged, and welcomed back.

“Well,” Marlene said as she went to greet them, “There is a new face. Evan, Xiaoli, meet the newest member of the family, she is two weeks old, this is Christine, little Chrissy.”

“Hey,” Evan cooed, as Xiaoli did the same, “She’s adorable, I can see why you waited to tell us, seeing is better.”

“It really is, she is beautiful, Marlene, Rick,” Xiaoli said as he looked at the couple.

“So, how long are you two going to be staying?” Jolene asked them, “I hope for a good long time at the very least,” she added.

“We were hoping to stay until at least just before Christmas, Grandma Lizzie wants us to head to LA for Christmas. She is insisting,” Evan told her, “Is that alright, we have volunteer work already lined up with the SAR Volunteer Unit here. We go for training in a couple of days,” he finished, a hopeful look on his face.

“That would be wonderful, to have you around for so long,” Jolene smiled at him, hugging him once more, “Come on, let’s get you both settled back into your room. Hope you don’t mind sharing again,” she added.

“We’re fine with that,” Xiaoli replied, smiling back as he and Evan went to the jeep to get some of the things.

Jolene and Grant looked at the two bags they had, “You lost a lot in the fire I take it?” Grant asked them as he led the way to the room they would be staying in.

“Yeah, we lost practically everything. I think the only thing we saved was our phones and the keys to the damn jeep,” Evan snorted, “And that was because I automatically picked them up when rushing out.”

“We’re going to be getting a few more things while we’re here,” Xiaoli reassured them as he saw the looks they were getting. “Clothing and such, we picked up a few things before we came here. Other things, we can get when we need them.”

“Alright, but if you need any help, you know to ask,” Jolene reminded the two of them as Grant opened the door to the bedroom. “We gave you one of the larger ones to share, and near the back of the house,” she added, “We thought that might be best with you two boys being on a rescue team. They can do some really long hours and you might end up sleeping at different times than the rest of us.”

Evan put his bag down on one of the beds, grinning as he saw that it was a homemade bed frame with a custom mattress, “This is bigger, longer,” he said.

“Well, there is no way you’re going to fit comfortably on a normal twin,” Jolene snorted, as Grant laughed.

“Rick and I made the frame and got the mattress custom-made, and before you argue about it, we know it will be needed by more than just you in the end,” he added, “Now, get some rest, dinner will be being cooked in about three hours, you have until then before the other descend on you both. You’ve been missed by more than just us,” he told them, smiling and nodding before leaving the two men alone. Jolene hugged them one last time.

“It’s great to be back,” Xiaoli said, flopping down on his bed with a yawn. His own bed was just as long as Evan’s.

“Yeah,” Evan said, “It really is,” he agreed, lying down and listening to the familiar noises of the Ranch going on around him.

Chapter Seventeen

Evan and Xiaoli were subdued as they reached home. Jolene was waiting for them on the porch, like a shining beacon in the dark. A family of six had gone missing in the forest around the mountains. Search and Rescue had been brought in and, including Evan and Xiaoli’s team, four teams had gone into the forest to search for them. There had been a few mudslides in several areas. One of which was where the family was last said to have been. Evan and Xiaoli’s team had been the one to find the camp that they had made.

It had been washed away in the mudslide. All six of them had been found, but there had been one little miracle, the two-year-old, their youngest daughter was still alive. It looked like the parents and the two oldest teenage children had done their best to protect the youngest two. Unfortunately, the second youngest had died before help could arrive. Evan had been the one to hold him as he had passed. The little girl had clung to him after that, crying for her parents and not understanding what was going on.

Evan looked at the car seat that was in the back. The two-year-old was sleeping, wrapped up, and now safe. Evan, Xiaoli, Jolene, and Grant had been asked to have her as an emergency placement until her extended family could arrive. The two men had gone with her in the helicopter that had picked them up. Staying with her as Social Services came and she was being checked out.

Evan pulled over and parked the truck that Grant had let them use for the last couple of months. He got out as Jolene walked over to them. Xiaoli quickly followed as Evan got the little girl from the back, holding her as she slept in his arms.

“How is she?” Jolene asked them both.

“She’s tired and exhausted, superficial injuries only. She was lucky, what the family did to save her was just about enough. They kept her above the mud,” Evan explained, “She has an Aunt in Arizona, who is coming in to take her. The family were on vacation here,” he added as he looked down at the sleeping toddler.

“Let’s get you all inside, I’ve got some warm broth for you boys, and there is a cot now in your room. You both said you would rather her be near,” she added, “Which with how you found her, I don’t blame you.”

Evan nodded, neither he nor Xiaoli wanted to let her out of their sight if they were both being honest. Evan went to their bedroom, seeing the cot that was set up for the toddler, he gently laid her down and covered her over. Making sure she was okay before taking the baby monitor and heading to the kitchen, where Xiaoli was seated at the table. Jolene was serving up some of the broth into two bowls and set them down.

“You boys take your time. Your captain told me that it was rough,” she said.

“We found them, the two youngest were still alive,” Evan said, looking at the food before him and not knowing if he could stomach it. “The little boy, his name was Freddie,” he began quietly, “I was holding him, and waiting for the paramedics to arrive. We knew before they even got there that there wasn’t much we could do.”

“Aimie was crying softly,” Xiaoli then added, “She was reaching for Evan, for her brother. She was scared and wanted someone familiar. Evan…”

“I look a little like her dad,” he said, “Not much, but it was enough that she thought I was him.”

“He stopped breathing and we did CPR, but even when the paramedics arrived, there was still nothing. We lost him,” Xiaoli finished.

“We got Aimie out of there, the Paramedics cleared her for transport, and she screamed each time she was taken from me, or I was out of her sight. Even though she was confused when she saw me in the light, she still clung to me. She knows I’m not her dad now, but I’m familiar, I think. Which is why we have her,” he added with a sigh.

“Poor baby,” Joelen murmured, “And I’m sorry you went through that.”

“It’s what we signed up for, we knew that while we may rescue some, we may fail with others,” Xiaoli said with a nod, “We understood that before we even started this path.”

“Doesn’t stop it from hurting though,” Evan snorted.

“No, it won’t,” Jolene agreed with them, “Hearing, seeing, and doing, are three different things after all. Try and eat, the both of you could do with warming up. It’s late as well, and I think the both of you should have a bath afterward and then get some sleep, no doubt little Aimie will be awake soon enough. Though if you need to, I don’t mind watching over her while you both get some extra rest.”

“Yeah,” Evan nodded in agreement, “We don’t know why they went camping in that area, people were told not to.”

“There are warnings around the roads in the area to warn of slides, since there has been some heavy rainfall recently,” Xiaoli added, shaking his head and beginning to eat the broth.

“Unfortunately, things happen,” Jolene told the two of them, “All you can deal with is the aftermath.”

“Yeah,” Evan sighed as he began to eat as well. The food didn’t taste of anything, as his mind went over what he had done, wondering if there was anything that he could have done differently.

Jolene sat down across from them, watching them closely, “Don’t do that, Evan,” she told him with a shake of her head.

“Don’t do what?” he frowned as he looked up from his food. “I’m not doing anything,” he was quick to deny.

She sighed, “I can see it, you know, the what if I did something else, scenarios already going through your mind. You’ll be debriefed, from what your captain told me what happened and that he will be talking with you both tomorrow when you go in for it.”

Evan sighed, “I can’t help it though. Three kids, Jo,” he told her, shaking his head, dropping his spoon into the broth, “three children, fourteen, thirteen, six, all dead because of a bad choice by the parents. There were so many warnings out there that we came across. Why didn’t they listen to them? Then there is the fact that we were out there for hours and hours before we found them. We must have been looking for at least ten or eleven hours in total.”

“No idea why they would ignore the warnings. A lot of people ignore them, there is nothing that you can do about that. The only thing you can do, is watch over that little girl in there, rest up yourselves, and get ready for the next rescue. I hate that you had to deal with this, both of you.”

“But it’s what we signed up for, not just the rescues, but the tragedies that we might see on the mountains and the forests around the area,” Xiaoli said, looking over at her, “We know. Doesn’t mean we can easily put things behind us.”

“I know, and I think you should talk to someone about it, a loss like that is hard. I’ve never really had to face such, apart from family passing away. I may say goodbye to the children that we take in, but it’s not a total loss, I know they are out there living their lives,” she advised them softly, “Now, eat your food, bath, and bed, both of you.”

Xiaoli and Evan gave her a weak smile and carried on eating as she got up and went to run two baths. Glad once again that they updated the place to have more than one bathroom.

XxXxX

Evan sat on the couch in the den. Aimie in his arms, sucking on her thumb, clinging to him. Across from him was Kirsty and Aimie’s aunt, Gemma. “I wish we weren’t meeting at all,” Evan said as he gently rocked Aimie.

“Neither do I,” Gemma added, her eyes were red, she had been crying. Aimie had cried the moment that Gemma had tried to take her. Reaching out for Evan to take her back. She hadn’t spoken a word at all. Just cried or screamed. if she wasn’t doing that, she was silent.

“How was she during the night?” Kirsty asked.

“She woke a few times. And at around five, she refused to go back in the cot. I stayed up the rest of the night with her. She fell asleep on me for a couple of hours around seven,” Evan answered her, “she’s clinging on at the moment, sometimes stable I think, after what happened. I don’t know how much of it that she understands, but no doubt it was scary.”

Gemma nodded a few times, “I don’t know what I’m to do? What about paperwork? I know my brother and sister-in-law left me as next of kin. Never thought anything would happen with to them that woul…” she broke off with a sob.

Kirsty put a hand on her back, “I wish there was a magic wand to help with everything like this. Paperwork, people that need to be informed, and there is so much more to it all. I know, at the moment, we’re all going to help where we can as Aimie’s parents don’t live in this State and were only visiting for a few weeks. The case will be transferred to someone else in Tucson Arizona, since that is where they lived and where you live. It will be at least another day before you will be able to have emergency custody put in place. From there you can return to Tucson, and the paperwork can really begin to get you full permanent custody.”

“I thought all that was needed was a will?” Gemma frowned, as her sobs broke off as she asked her question.

“That’s the main thing. But with a sudden change like this, there is often paperwork needed to make sure that you’ll be able to take guardianship of her and make the decisions should something happen. Like making medical decisions, and taking them out of nursery and school. Those papers become important,” Kirsty informed her, “I know, it’s all confusing, but don’t worry, the lawyers and caseworker should be able to help you with it all.”

Gemma nodded, wiping at her eyes. “She has no idea just what she has lost, and in the end, she… she won’t have any memories of them and it jus-” she said hiccuping as she stopped herself from crying again.

Aimie turned her head at the hiccup. Staring at her aunt, she rested back against Evan’s chest, but reached out a hand, making a grabbing motion towards her.

“Gemma,” Evan said softly, “Come and sit beside me on the couch,” he asked her, “I think she wants you to come here,” he added.

Gemma nodded and got up. She went over and her hands were caught by Aimie’s. “Hey Aimie,” she said softly as she squeezed the hand gently and gave the little girl a sad smile.

Aimie turned over so that she was looking at her aunt and holding her hand. She made no sound but just stared.

“She does know you,” Evan said, a hint of relief in his voice.

“I was over as often as I could. I think if I had my way, I would have lived with them both,” she snorted, “I just… I don’t even know where to begin with bringing her up. I’m not married, not even got a partner. It’s just me.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t be there for her. Be there for her, love her, and make sure to tell her stories about her family, and have pictures around. Don’t hide them away, that will… that will bite you,” Evan told her, thinking about Daniel and how hurt he felt when it had been revealed to him. He knew that his parents were a lost cause, but he had thought highly of Maddie. The betrayal and hurt he had felt about Maddie keeping it all from him was the worst part of it all, not the fact that he had a brother.

Gemma nodded as she played peekaboo with Aimie, getting her to giggle a little and reach out a few moments later for cuddles. Evan stepped away, sitting on another chair, keeping in sight of Aimie as she had started to look upset at him moving away from her.

Kirsty looked at Evan, “How did the debrief go?” she asked him quietly so that Gemma wouldn’t hear her.

Evan sighed, “I went early this morning, while she was still sleeping. Jason told me that we did everything that we could. Their bodies have been brought back now and they are being seen before being sent to Arizona. From what I heard, Gemma was able to get that part sorted just before she came here. Though, I think it may have gone through lawyers and not just her,” he said as he looked over at the woman that was happily playing with the toddler.”

Kirsty nodded, “I’m not asking about that, I’m asking about you and Xiaoli,” she told him.

“We’re doing okay. It was a tough one, and I don’t really want to have to do something like that again. Children, I can’t…” he shook his head, “But knowing we were there to at least save that little girl. That… I think that in the end made it all worth it,” he sighed, “I’m not looking forward to going back as I know when I do someone else is going to be in trouble and will be needing help. But at least if I go then I can help them. Being here, I think that it would be tough to stay away. Part of me feels that both being a foster parent, and being there during the last few hours for Aimie, is what I am meant to be doing, just as much as being out there to help rescue her has been,” he admitted quietly. “I know Xiaoli feels the same as well,” he added.

“Where is Xiaoli?” she asked, “I thought he would be here with you.”

“He’s on a call in the bedroom, a kid we helped a couple of years ago called. He does it a few times a month. They talk for a few hours each time. I get to talk to him occasionally as well. But the kid and Xiaoli really bonded that first time,” Evan told her.

“Ah, that would be Luke?” she asked, getting a nod, “I remember him telling me about the kid.”

Evan nodded as the two adults remained in the room for another hour before Gemma had to leave to get a few more things sorted so she could return home with Aimie.

Chapter Eighteen

Aimie left with her aunt the next day and Evan and Xiaoli carried on with the Search and Rescue team that they had volunteered with. They had a few more tough calls, but none that reached the level of that one for them both. As November moved toward December, the two started preparing to leave at the beginning of December. Zachary had offered his home to them again, but Elizabeth had beaten him and asked the two to stay with her over the holiday period and that Zachary and Nicolas were both welcome to join them since neither of them had families in the area.

“Another year,” Evan said as he looked over his emails, seeing another from Bobby. The man had emailed them at least twice a week with updates and called at leave once a week. The man had recovered well and had gotten a new job with the LAFD a few months ago. He had started at a station that had a lot of trouble because of racist, sexist, homophobic Captain and then a revolving door of them going through the station. Bobby had been asked to clean it up, and the man had plans to do so.

“Bobby is in LA, and has asked if we want to visit over the holidays as well since he knows we’re in town,” Evan added as he looked up at Xiaoli.

Xiaoli nodded, “yeah, it will be great to see them all in person again,” he smiled, “Brooke and Robbie are settling into their new school. Bobby is doing well, and is still clean and sober. He found a good AA group and a sponsor,” he murmured, remembering some of the calls and emails they had gotten over the last several months.

“Yeah,” he grinned, nodding happily for his friend, “He’s been cleaning up the station he’s in. He said that Andrew and his family will be around as well. So we can meet up with them at the same time.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he laughed as he went to the drawers, “So, we’re doing a three-day trip or a five-day one?” he asked, as he brought out a few of his clothes to pack away. They had a lot more now than what they had first arrived with.

“I was thinking if we take the five days we could stop at a place or two for a bit and just have some kind of vacation time. We hadn’t really done that since we were in LA the last time. And I know we’re going to be doing the same thing, but I feel like it should just be the two of us for a little bit,” he said with a shrug.

Xiaoli thought it over. “Yeah okay, we are on the road for a good few hours and we find a place that looks good along the way or go out of the way to go there. We have time,” he said, as he went back and grabbed a few more things.

“Maybe Las Vegas?” Evan suggested, “There are a couple of shows that we could see that are going on for the month,” he told him as he glanced over.

“Why not,” Xiaoli snorted. “As long as we’re not going to be gambling our money away, why not,” he added.

“Las Vegas is more than just weddings by Elvis and casinos,” Evan reminded him, “And yeah, we’ll go and see a couple of shows, stay in a hotel somewhere for a bit. Have a little vacation before heading on to Los Angeles,” he finished, already planning the route in his head.

“Should be fun at least,” he agreed.

Evan nodded, “Yeah,” he said, getting up to start packing up a few things himself. “I can’t believe we’re really leaving again,” he stated, “Though, I think this time, I don’t feel so gloomy about it. I feel like we’re moving onto something bigger.”

Xiaoli nodded and smiled as he carried on packing, Evan now joining him and doing the same. Since they would be leaving in two days.

XxXxX

Elizabeth was on the steps of the mansion she lived in. A large smile on her face as she saw her grandson get out of the driver’s side of the jeep. Beside her were Zachary and Nicholas, both of them joining her to welcome Evan and Xiaoli back to LA. “Hello my Little Star,” she said as she went down the steps and hugged her grandson tightly, “Xiaoli,” she greeted a warm smile on her face as she let Evan go and hugged Xiaoli as well. “I’m so happy that you both were able to make it. Talking to you on the phone and that just isn’t the same as you both being here.”

“Thanks for inviting us to stay with you,” Xiaoli said, hugging her just as tightly. He would be leaving for two weeks in a few days, to spend a little time in China with his grandparents. Evan was going to go with him, but Xiaoli had gotten him to agree to spend some time with his own grandmother. They had a lot to catch up on.

“I wish you didn’t have to go, but I know you’ve been looking forward to seeing them for some time,” Elizabeth said as she walked the two of them up the stairs as soon as they grabbed their bags from the jeep.

“Yeah, we talk all the time on the phone, but seeing them face to face. I’ve been dreaming of doing so for years. Since I was a child. They weren’t allowed to come and see me often when I was in foster care. Something about them just taking me and kidnapping me. My grandparents wouldn’t have done that. Since they felt I was better off remaining in the US than going back to Mainland China,” Xiaoli said with a soft wistful smile on his face as he talked. “I’m really looking forward to it, they are getting on in age, and I know I might only be able to see them a few more times before they pass, they are well into their eighties as they had my parents late in life.”

“Yes, see them whenever you can, don’t wait,” Elizabeth said softly, a melancholy smile appearing on her face as she looked at Evan, “Come, let’s go to the living room, refreshments are waiting for us all,” she said, linking arms with Xiaoli as they walked into the mansion.

“Welcome back,” Zachary said as he and Nicholas joined Evan as they walked inside. “Somethings going on with Lizzie,” he whispered, “I don’t know what, but she’s been having things changed around the mansion. She invites us to come and see her at least once a month to have dinner, so we talk often, but something is going on, and Nic and I are worried about her.”

Evan frowned as he looked toward his grandmother and then nodded. “In her calls over the last month or so, she sounded a little sad,” he added, “I’ve been trying to find out what’s going on, but instead she told me that she is having some of the mansion remodeled.”

“Wonder if that is just a distraction from what is really happening,” Nicholas suggested as they followed Xiaoli and Elizabeth into the living room. There was a nice spread of sandwiches and mini cakes and drinks all laid out for them all.

“Let’s have something to eat and catch up a little bit,” Elizabeth said with a soft smile as she let go of Xiaoli’s arm and sat down gracefully.

The talk was pleasant and normal for a bit until Evan finally blurted out, “What’s going on, you’ve… been odd on calls and things like that for a while, and you insisted that we come here for Christmas this year.”

Elizabeth sighed, “I was hoping to leave this until after the holidays,” she told him, “I really just wanted to enjoy this one,” she finished quietly.

“I’m sorry, Grandma,” Evan said, biting his lip and worried that he had ruined things.

“No, there is nothing to be sorry about. I didn’t want to keep this from you for too long,” she told him, “I was getting my usual yearly medical a few months ago. I found out that I have a brain tumor, inoperable, that isn’t going to be able to get to where it lays. There is nothing that can be done. It’s causing a number of problems, and has been the last two months,” she added, reaching out for him.

Evan shook his head, “No, that… I only just found you. I don’t want to lose you,” he stated, tears beginning to gather.”Please, there… there has to be something.”

“There isn’t, we’ve been looking into things for seven months already. The last two are when we have come to terms with that. I wish I could spend a lifetime more with you, my Little Star,” she told him, bringing him into a hug, and holding him tightly.

“I don’t,” he began, holding her just as tightly.

“I know, Little Star,” she murmured, “Unfortunately this is happening, I have around six months, maybe seven before things happen. I’ve already got things ready and taken care of for End of Life Care, there is no need to worry about that.”

“I… I want to be here, I don’t want you alone, I have to be,” he said, eyes closed as he felt tears run down his face.

“That will be fine, but you don’t have to,” she said softly, as she slowly let him go. She saw the tears and wiped them away, giving him a melancholy smile.

“I want to, you’re my grandmother, and we may not have been in each other’s lives for a long time, but we have that now, and… I really don’t want to lose it at all,” he hiccuped a little.

Elizabeth smiled, smoothing down his hair, “I know, I wish as well, but wishes don’t matter. Now,” she said, “let’s have a wonderful holiday together. You said you want to head down to Peru after the new year. I would like to go with you for a little bit.”

“I… yeah, I’d like that too,” he nodded, giving her a watery smile.

“Good, now, good feelings and time are ahead, they might be short, but they will be good,” she said, kissing his forehead and turning to the others. Evan remained silent through the rest of the morning, coming to terms with what Elizabeth had just told him.

XxXxX

Evan walked through the mansion, it had been two weeks since they had arrived and Xiaoli was in China, messaging and calling daily. Evan had to admit that he missed his best friend. Spending time with Zachary and Nicholas was nice. Though Evan spent more of his time with Elizabeth, afraid that she would pass away before he could spend as much time as he possibly could with her. He walked out onto the balcony near the back of the property. It was a favorite place of his, looking over the large garden of the home. There was a play area that had been old and worn the first time he had seen it. Now it looked new and restored. A new lease of life on it.

Evan sat on a chair and leaned on the fencing around the balcony. “It isn’t fair,” he muttered to himself.

“No, it is not, young Evan,” came a voice from further along.

Evan turned to see who it was. “Oh, Nigel,” he greeted the man as he walked over.

Nigel nodded. “Evan,” he smiled, “you are right, it isn’t fair. Bad things happen to good people. And Miss Lissie is one of the best. She helped my family, which is why I am happy to work for her. I will be sad when she passes, and I will be here, serving her as I have done for the last twenty-three years,” he told him, looking down. “And I hope that when the time comes, you will let me help you as I do for her.”

“You know what my goals are, Grandma is looking out for a place where I can set up a home for children, to give them a place where they will be safe and loved, just like any Children’s home should be,” he sighed, “That’s the main thing I want to do, as well as being a firefighter,” he added, “I think I may apply next year, or the year after for that. Thinking more the year after now, with what is going on with Grandma Lizzie,” he finished quietly.

Nigel smiled at him. “Now, young master Evan,” he said.

Evan sighed, “Please, call me Evan as you just did.”

“Miss Lizzie always said the same, and I never did, as I said, she saved me and my family. Evan,” he said, “Miss Lizzie, has a few things in motion already when it comes to the Home you want to set up. She has been talking with people on how best to set up such a place,” he told him, “I think you can see where I’m going.”

“Here… she plans to have it here,” Evan said as he began to sit up straight and stared at Nigel.

“She does. She loves the thought that when she passes this place will be filled with children that need a home, that need a family. She knows you will think of them all the same. She has been talking to those who work in the CPS about what a home needs and putting out feelers for people who will be able to aid and help you. I have a friend interested in helping as well, her husband has just passed away and her only child, a son, is in Med school, and doing very well. There is also a couple that she has been talking to that already work within the childcare sector,” Nigle answered him, smiling, “She is so happy to be able to help. Since the moment you told her what you wanted to do, she has been looking into it. She has even been talking to family about it.”

Evan was shocked. “She’s really done all that already?” he asked. “Why… why hasn’t she told me?”

“Because she wanted to have it ready for when she passed away. So that you have something else to continue with. She started in your and Xiaoli’s name, adding her own and her wealth to it, with the rest of your family’s blessing, she has worked hard. So have they,” he answered, shaking his head as he sat down. “Miss Lizzie is working hard, to make sure this is all in place and ready to go. She says that she has until June or July, but it may be sooner or even later. Mizz Lizzie is a stubborn woman after all. Had to be. She runs several businesses, which… well,” he trailed off, “She is sorting that out at the moment.”

Evan nodded. “Yeah, I just,” he sighed, “wish ya know.”

“I do,” he agreed, “As I wish the same.”

The two went silent as they stayed outside for a little longer before heading back inside.

Chapter Nineteen

Evan walked through the park, a smile on his face as he could see Brooke and Robbie already, they were playing on the playground. It had been a few months since they had been able to see each other face to face. Bobby was nearby, sitting on a bench, a book in his hand, though he was paying more attention to his children than to the book. “Hey, Bobby!”

“Evan!” he greeted as he got up, a warm smile on his face as he hugged the man, “How are you doing?”

“I’m doing well, well, as well as I can, I found out that Grandma Lizzie is dying,” he said, putting a downer on things straight away, but he wanted to get that out the way before the children spotted him.

“I’m sorry, kid,” he said, as he squeezed him tightly. “How long?” he asked.

“June, or July, they are saying. I’m upset, but there isn’t much that I can do about it. Nothing can be done, no matter what we are wishing. She’s… made her peace with it, and I’ve got to do the same. I’m trying, I really am,” he said, giving a heavy sigh as Bobby let him go.

“I’m sorry to hear that, I hope you’re talking to someone?” he said, giving him a look.

Evan snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I am, the same one I’ve been seeing for a while. Like I told you the last time it was brought up, I do therapy online. Since I move around a lot. Xiaoli and I are here until the New Year and then heading to Peru, we have a job set up down there. We’re thinking that it’s going to be the last one we’ll do before coming back here and settling down.”

“I know you’ll miss traveling,” Bobby said as he joined Evan on the bench again.

“I don’t think I will,” he replied, sitting down and looking at where the children were still playing. Robbie was watching over his sister, the eleven-year-old keeping a careful eye on the ten-year-old.

“Oh?” Bobby said, frowning.

Evan smiled slightly, “I’ve been traveling around since I was eighteen, almost nineteen. Going from one place to another, working my way around the US. I left in 2011, and it’s what, 2015 now, four years, traveling around, learning things, seeing things, and finding what I want to do with my life.”

“That long?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’ve been a doorman, bartender, and construction worker, I volunteered for SAR in Montana for a while as well,” Evan answered “And a few other things here and there when money is tight. It’s been… a journey, helping me look at the world as well, the bad and the good too.”

“It’s nice to have that experience, so what are the plans then for when you return?” Bobby asked him.

“Well, I was thinking about applying to the fire academy here,” he answered, grinning at him, “You made a good case for it in St. Paul, and with SAR training as well, I think I want to be a firefighter more than going on a SAR team though.”

“Well, go for it, I don’t mind writing a recommendation for you as well, and Xiaoli too, if he wishes to join up. I know that the Captain you worked with in Montana contacted me as well, asking me what advice I had shared,” Bobby said, a proud tone in his voice, “He would be happy to do the same.”

“Yeah, he mentioned it for when I’m ready. I was thinking about applying for next year’s class. But I think what with Grandma Lizzie, I might wait until the year after. I want to spend time with her, even though we’re heading to Peru, she has insisted, she is even coming along for a little bit as well. She… doesn’t know how badly things are going to affect her when the tumor grows more. At the moment she is forgetting things, so anytime she gets something or figures something out she writes it down. In her room there are post-it notes everywhere,” Evan murmured, “She hates that she’s forgetting things. Aunt Amelia is helping as best as she can, taking over some of the running of things. Her husband, Uncle Gavin is doing the same, the three kids they have are a little older than me, almost my sister’s age.”

“Good to know that family is around at least,” Bobby told him.

“Yeah,” he nodded, looking at him, “Aunt Amelia has been helping Grandma Lizzie since she was a teenager. My Uncle Terry helps as well, he takes care of a lot of the traveling for the businesses that Grandma owns,” he said, shaking his head, “I’ve looked at a few things, and everyone took part in a few business classes so I could at least help a little here and there. I think a business degree might be needed if I want to help them more. I’m already knee-deep in a Fire Science Degree at the moment, have been for the last year,” he added, “So I don’t know if I will take that on. I was never really good when it came to school unless there was something that appealed to me.”

“Sounds like you know what you want in life at least. Take the time you have with Elizabeth, she is a wonderful woman, I got the chance to meet her a couple of times since I moved to LA,” he added, “She adores the children, and Brook and Robbie are going to be sad when she passes.”

“I think a lot of people are, she is a good person, and I hate that this is happening,” he said at the twin cries and calling of his name.

“Evan!” Brook and Robbie ran over, smiling as they greeted him with hugs.

“Hey, hope you two have been behaving?” he asked the two of them.

“Yeah, we have,” Brook said with a grin, “Always.”

Robbie snorted, “Most of the time,” he said, giving his sister a look.

Brook rolled her eyes. “Yeah,” she huffed.

Evan laughed as the two children started to tell him about their school, and what they had been doing. It was coming up to the anniversary of Marcy’s death, and both Evan and Bobby knew that it was going to be a hard Christmas and New Year.

XxXxX

Xiaoli returned a week before Christmas Day, happy and content after seeing his grandparents for the first time since he was a child. He had been able to meet some of the extended family that he had barely been able to talk with often. Cousins, Aunts, Uncles and more. There were so many family members that he had been cut off from after his parents had died.

“I plan to make it a yearly thing, to go over there and visit for a couple of weeks,” Xiaoli said as they decorated the living room ready for Christmas. They had all waited for him to come back before doing so.

“I’m happy that you were able to see them,” Elizabeth said, “And you really should go as often as you can. They have missed you, no doubt.”

“They have, they told me a lot about my parents, what they were like, and showed me photos of them that I didn’t have. A lot of the things they had were sent back to my grandparents, so I never had them with me,” he told her, “So I have photos and even a couple of old videos,” he smiled softly, “My Aunt Ming-Zhu was really helpful in that. Though my Mandarin needs a little work,” he laughed.

“Oh?” Evan asked him.

“Yeah, I’m a little rusty since I don’t really use it that much, only to talk with them. So I’ve been told that I need to practice more. So I’m expecting a lot more calls from my family for that. My cousin wants to work on his English as well, so we’ll be calling each other. They are going to make sure that my Grandparents will be able to contact me when they want to as well,” he said, humming as he began to put the lights on the tree.

“I’m happy for you,” Evan said softly, “I know you’ve been wanting to visit them for a long time.”

“Yeah,” he smiled over at him.

Evan grinned back as they went back to putting the lights on the tree. Elizabeth directed them both.

“Done,” Evan said as he and Xiaoli stepped back, “What’s the… traditions that you have, Grandma?” he asked, turning to face her.

“There aren’t many. The family all gather for the morning and dinner of course. But for me, when they were little, Darren and I, would let them have the one gift on the night before they went to bed. It was always new pajamas,” she smiled, “Something warm and snuggly,” she laughed, “Always matching.”

“Sounds good,” Evan smiled.

“Zac and Nic will be coming on Christmas Eve. They both are working until the morning and then on the 26th, so they have Christmas Day off,” Xiaoli said.

“Yes, already have a few gifts for them, for everyone,” she said, “And yes, I have made sure that little tradition is part of it,” Elizabeth said as she saw the question on Evan’s face.

Evan smiled widely, “I can’t wait to see what they are,” he laughed brightly as they sat down. Nigel had come into the room and had brought them refreshments.

Elizabeth picked up the coffee and sighed as she gave a sip. It was brewed to her liking, as always. “Perfect,” she murmured, “And I hope you all like them,” she said, “And Evan, I ask… that you continue that little tradition please, when you create a Home, continue it with those that live with you.”

Evan nodded, “I will,” he promised her.

“Good,” she smiled.

Xiaoli could see that his friend was still upset over the news, and he knew that Evan would be going over anything and everything that could be done to help Elizabeth. Even though she had said that there was nothing that could be done. Evan wouldn’t stop. No doubt the Aunt and Uncle had even tried to find things that could help. No one wanted to see the beloved woman die.

“Bobby is going to be coming with the children as well,” Elizabeth said, “He isn’t going to be working Christmas Day, he was able to make sure he had it off this year since it will be the first year without Marcy,” she added, “So I’m going to be making sure those children have what they need and Bobby is well taken care of. I know that he had planned to go and see his brother in San Diego, but they have a bit of a family emergency going on and they are in San Antonio for Christmas. They should be back by the New Year, if things go well from what Bobby said.”

“Oh, he didn’t tell me something was going on?” Evan frowned.

“His wife’s mother has taken ill, and they’ve gone to help out for a couple of weeks as she recovers,” Elizabeth said, “nothing serious at all, so there is no need to worry.”

“Okay,” he said, “I’m glad that Bobby is joining us.”

“I have already made sure that there will be no alcohol in the house either, not a drop will be in these walls at all. I do not doubt that temptation will be high with the time of year and the anniversary,” Elizabeth said. Bobby had been open with Elizabeth about his addiction, and how he was coping with it.

“Thank you, Grandma,” Evan said, “I know he’ll appreciate that.”

“He did say not to do so, but that is no way to be, friends and family are there to help lift someone up when they are having trouble. To do our little part to help, and this is such a small thing,” she stated, shaking her head.

“A lot don’t think like that,” Xiaoli added quietly, “Some will think that it’s their addiction, their problem, and nothing to do with them. When in reality, it would affect not only the addict but those around them. While there are very few that will be able to truly understand, it doesn’t hurt to learn and find ways, even small ones, to help.”

Elizabeth nodded, “It’s not like I drink. Most of the alcohol in the house is what Darren had brought in. I’m not much of a drinker. Maybe the odd drink once or twice a year. And Nigel and the others that work here don’t drink either.”

“Right,” Evan nodded.

They talked a little more before Elizabeth headed to bed. Xiaoli and Evan remained in the living room, looking at the tree that took over a large portion of the room’s far corner.

“How has she been?” Xiaoli asked him, not having had the chance until now.

“She’s forgetting things, a lot,” he told him, “She forgot how to make herself a cup of tea, she likes to make herself one in the morning. Couldn’t remember at all, she was in tears. It was something she had been doing for so long. Such a simple thing,” he said, “Nigel took over for her, he was so caring and gentle with her, helping her to slowly remember what she needed to do.”

“That… that’s,” Xiaoli tried to find the words, but couldn’t.

“It’s scary. To think you could forget something that you’ve done every day for years, a habit that you’ve had since you were a teenager, and now forgetting,” he shook his head, shuddering. “I can’t imagine how she felt when that happened. She’s had a seizure as well, the tumor is continuing to grow and is placing a lot of pressure on parts of her brain. There’s nothing that can be done to help with them. Medication isn’t really working,” he added, telling Xiaoli all he could about what was going on with his grandmother.

Xiaoli listened to him and nodded, “I can’t… It’s going to fucking suck when she passes away Evan,” he told him finally, “I can’t imagine her gone. She’s… a lot of fun and caring. She welcomed me, Zac, and Nic into her family and has made all three of us part of it. Including Bobby and the kids,” he added, his voice soft and full of sadness.

“Yeah, Aunt Amelia said that she is always like that. Most of the people who work for her are those whom she has helped in her lifetime. Even Aunt Amelia and Uncle Terry’s friends were adopted into the family. She does it to everyone. My own parents wanted nothing to do with her after she tried to get custody. She says they were grieving, but in my eyes, they wanted to keep me to punish me for failing to cure Daniel. Because that was my life, it was a punishment, a constant one. They told me daily they didn’t love me, they were disappointed in me. They didn’t care. Maddie did for a while, but after she left for college, even she didn’t care,” he shook his head, “Well, it’s in the past. They’ve made their beds, they can lie in them.”

Xiaoli nodded and let Evan change the subject to asking more about Xiaoli’s family instead.

Chapter Twenty

Christmas Day had been a lot of fun with everyone gathered at the Buckley Home. The extended family came together to celebrate the holiday with Elizabeth since they believed it would be her last. Brook and Robbie both had a few occasions where they needed some quiet time, to give for their mother and show how much they missed her. Bobby was doing well in keeping the two distracted, even though he was feeling his late wife’s loss just as much.

The actual anniversary of the fire and Marcy’s death had been the hardest time for the Nash family. Evan and Xiaoli had gone along with the family of three as they went to Church to offer up some prayers for their mother. Marcy was badly missed by her children and husband. Robbie had become extra quiet as they left the Church, quietly observing everyone and keeping mostly to himself. Brook had attached herself to Bobby and didn’t want to let the man out of her sight at all. Not that anyone could blame her.

With the New Year, Evan and Xiaoli were going on their last adventure before they made their home in LA. Elizabeth had started the ball rolling when it came to converting the Manor House to a Children’s home. Rooms were being divided up and changed. Areas were being converted so that those with disabilities would be able to live comfortably as well. So much was being done that Evan had stared in awe at the plans that Elizabeth and his Uncle Terry had shown him.

Evan had protested the conversion and had even asked why it wasn’t going to Amelia or Terrance. Both had told him that they thought it would be more fitting with their family and Elizabeth’s legacy to convert it than to have it remain a drafty old mansion where only a couple of people would live. Since it was meant for a very large family or even several generations of one. There would be, by the time the Home was complete, room for at least twenty children, maybe even up to twenty-five. Depending on how many workers they would be able to get in to live there and help look after them.

The manor house itself had been brought by Darren and Elizabeth when they had married. Both families were wealthy, and the two continued to grow the wealth that they had. It was full of memories for the family. In one room, there were even marks on the wall where all the children had been measured, the years marking them, including grandchildren were there. Maddie and Daniels were there as well until Margaret and Phillip decided to go no contact and take them away. Even three marks for Evan were there.

XxXxX

The plane landed in Peru after a pleasant flight. In first class, since that was Elizabeth’s wish. The two Buckleys and a Huang headed to the resort where Xiaoli and Evan would be working and where Elizabeth would be staying for a few weeks before she headed back to Los Angeles. The resort was a large one, and had several bars and other things that Xiaoli and Evan would be working at while they stayed there for a couple of months.

“It’s been a long time since I truly went on a vacation. I think the last time was when Darren was still alive. He took me to Japan for a cruise,” Elizabeth smiled as she was being escorted to her room by Xiaoli and Evan. The two went with her mainly to carry her luggage and to see that she arrived there safely.

“Aunt Amelia did say that you were always working too hard. And Uncle Terry told me that retirement was never really in your future. I can see why, since you still work a lot,” Evan snorted, shaking his head with a soft smile on his face.

Elizabeth laughed brightly, “You are all right there. Even though our family has always had money, we all were taught the value of it. That we should always work hard, and that nothing in life should be easy, because if it is, then it’s not a life that has been lived. You are just the same, Evan. You have always worked hard. Even when you were supposed to be on vacation, you took up a little work here and there. Vacations aren’t really made for us Buckleys unless there is a reason to go out and enjoy time with family,” she pointed out as they reached the door of her room.

Xiaoli nodded in agreement. “Yeah, Evan is very much like that,” he smiled at the slightly younger man, who pouted at the two.

“Really?” he said, rolling his eyes at them as he unlocked the door.

“Really,” Elizabeth smiled. “And thank you for bringing me to my room, you didn’t have to,” she told them both.

“It will help us in the long run,” Evan told her, “We may be asked to do this kind of work while we’re here. So it’s a good idea to learn the layout and the way that the resort is numbered and divided up.”

Elizabeth thought for a moment and nodded, “Yes, I can see how it would be helpful.”

“Right, we’re going to head to our accommodation,” Evan told her, hugging her tightly. “If you need anything, or feel unwell, call me straight away, don’t hesitate. I don’t want anything happening to you at all,” he murmured into her ear, holding her as tightly as he dared.

“I will promise,” she told him, “Now, go and get yourselves sorted. I’m going to bathe, and rest a little before I go out. It’s a little too hot for me at the moment,” she added.

Evan snorted and let her go, “Okay,” he told her as they made sure that her bags were easy to access and then left her alone.

XxXxX

Evan looked up from the drink he had finished making and smiled as he saw his grandmother relaxing by the pool. She had gone surfing, swimming in the ocean, and several more things around the resort and the beach. She was having the time of her life, according to her. It saddened him a little that it was only happening now when she couldn’t truly enjoy everything to the fullest. Either he or Xiaoli would go with her on these mini adventures, taking part and having a good time together. Making memories, getting videos and pictures to share with the rest of the family.

“She’s going to be leaving tomorrow,” Xiaoli said as he walked over to the bar, after having taken some drinks to one of the tables.

“Yeah, I’m going to miss having her here,” he said with a small smile on his face as he continued to watch his grandmother as someone went over and began talking with her.

“Same here, well, in two weeks, we’ll have Zac and Nic joining us for a little bit,” he reminded him.

“Yeah,” he nodded, “Looking forward to it, we’ve even got a little time off around then as well, so we can spend some time and go hiking as well,” he grinned. They had made a few plans on what they wanted to do while they were all together.

“Evan,” Elizabeth said.

Evan turned and smiled at his grandmother, “Grandma, you okay?” he asked, seeing the slight frown on her face.

“I’m not feeling quite right. I don’t think I should go to my room alone at the moment,” she added, “I feel… a little lost, I… I’m not sure I remember,” she spoke so quietly, that Evan had trouble hearing her.

“It’s okay Grandma,” he smiled at her, reassuring her, “How about I get some tea and we’ll go to your room and have a little bit. You can rest and I’ll stay there,” he said, gesturing to one of the others in the bar to cover for him. “I need to take her to her room,” he whispered. “I’m going to remain with her for a bit, she has a few memory problems.”

“Damn, scary,” the woman said. “Sure, go, I’ll cover for you.”

“Thanks, Aitana,” he said, going past her making a pot of tea and setting up a tray to take with him to Elizabeth’s room.

Evan led the way, Elizabeth walking beside him. “I hate this,” she said softly.

“I know,” Evan sympathized as he unlocked her door with one hand balancing the tray carefully.

Elizabeth walked in, “I’m forgetting more and more. I have an album, a small one that I keep with me all the time. On the back is a reminder of who is in the pictures. I have yours right on the front, so I know I can count on you, and there’s one of Xiaoli as well. I’m so scared of losing who I am, this tumor is taking bits of me away each day,” she said, as she took his hands as soon as he put the tray down.

“And we’ll be there every step of it, reminding you of all the good times we’ve had together. The day trips to the beach, the surfing, and everything else. You showed me family, and let me show you and remind you of that very same family that we both love so much,” Evan reassured her, “Now, let’s have a nice cup of tea and we’ll relax out on the balcony, you can see a good view of the beach from yours.”

Elizabeth smiled, “That sounds wonderful Evan,” she told him, kissing his cheek. “Your grandfather, Darren, would be so happy and proud of you. You have a wonderful heart,” she said as she then patted his chest before letting go of his other hand.

Evan nodded and began to pour the tea, making sure to add a dash of milk and a small spoonful of sugar. He did his own, adding a little more sugar than his grandmother likes, and brought them out to the balcony where she was already sitting. He joined her, and talked softly about the family, mentioning cousins, aunts, and uncles, to make sure that they were still in her memory.

XxXxX

“How was Elizabeth when you left her at the airport?” Xiaoli asked as he saw Evan walk back into their shared room.

“She was happy, she enjoyed herself. She told me she made some good memories, and that there are enough pictures to share with everyone back home,” he smiled sadly.

“You could always go back, follow her back to LA,” he pointed out to him.

“I know, I even suggested it, she told me not to. That she… she knew that things were going to be even harder. Her tumor is advancing, she wants me to keep having fun, so when I do go back, I have more stories to share,” he sighed, shaking his head, tears welling in his eyes. “I don’t…” he said, breaking off as he gave a broken sob. “I’ve only had her for a year, just… a year, and now I’m losing her already. It’s not fair, Xiaoli.”

Xiaoli stopped what he was doing and went over, sitting beside his friend, he hugged him and let him curl into his side, “I know. It really fucking isn’t. She’s an amazing woman, and I hate the fact that we’re losing her. Spend as much time as you want with her. Even if she said no, if you want to go, you go,” he pointed out, “We have no idea, no true idea how long we have left with those we love. Even those that are dying, we don’t know when they will leave us.”

Buck held onto his best friend and nodded, “I know, but she… I wanted to go with her, but she really didn’t want me to. She doesn’t want me to see her as she deteriorates. She’s forgetting things more, she’s had a few blackouts and that as well. It’s getting worse and she… she doesn’t want me seeing, she doesn’t want anyone seeing. She has hired someone to come in and help her.”

“At least she will have someone there, even if she is trying to find a way to ease the pain that her family will be going through, and that includes you. She’s trying to lessen the pain. it doesn’t really work, but she is trying,” he said gently, hugging him tightly.

Evan nodded his head, “I know, I know that, and I hate that at the same damn time. I’ve got Auntie Amelia and Uncle Terry telling me as many stories as they can remember of Daniel already, and they are also doing the same of Grandma Lizzie,” he murmured, sighing softly as he added, “I just… wish I had my own memories of the days on the beach, trips to zoos and things like that, that they all have with her. I know we made a few of those, but I wish I had a lifetime with her. I love and adore her, Xiaoli, and I don’t want to see her gone. To only have memories instead of her.”

“I get you,” he replied, “There’s nothing much we can do, we can remember, love, and spend what we can when we can, with those we love. You never know when something might change.” He was now thinking about Marcy, and how one minute she was alive, the next she was gone. She had a whole life ahead of her, seeing her children grow, them finding their own partners, and maybe getting married and having children themselves. She wouldn’t be there for any of that, and Xiaoli was remembering that about his own parents. Each of them had lost something with the death of a loved one. However, Evan didn’t even know that he had lost someone for the longest time. And now he was about to lose a member of his family.

Evan remained where he was for a little longer before moving away, “Can’t sit around for too long, we have a shift in the club area,” he said, starting to get up.

“We do,” Xiaoli agreed, “When will Zac and Nic arrive?” he asked.

“They aren’t due for another three weeks, and they’ll be here for about two after that before returning home. We’ll be following a month after that, unless we get word from Nigel,” Evan said, taking a shaky breath. Nigel had promised that when it came closer to the time, he would call Evan home. So he could be there to say his final goodbyes.

Time went past as it does. Three days after Zachary and Nicholas went back to LA after their vacation, Nigel called and told Evan that it was time. Breaking their contract was easy as Evan and Xiaoli quickly packed and got on a flight back to LA. Elizabeth Annette Buckley passed away, with her family and close friends around her. Evan, his Aunt, and Uncle beside her in her last moments.

Chapter Twenty-One

Evan looked at the open casket. She looked like she was sleeping, a little pale, but still, just sleeping. His Aunt and Uncle were beside him, both of them dabbing at their eyes as they tried to contain their tears. He had been shocked when he saw his parents for the first time since he had left them five years ago. He was no longer the naive eighteen-year-old he had been when he first left. Maddie was next to them with Doug. The man glared at him as soon as he saw him. Maddie hadn’t been happy either. However, Evan hadn’t spoken to any of them.

The last of the service went by in a flash. The wake was being held in the main hall of the manor. Food and non-alcoholic drinks were being served. Evan walked into the manor home. He loved the place, and he could still picture Elizabeth walking around, telling him the different stories that went with each room of the house as it was slowly being converted. The twelve bedrooms were large and most were being split to make them smaller. Some would remain as they would host a small group of children instead of just one or two. Elizabeth had done as much of the leg work as she could, while Amelia and Terance helped her.

“Evan,” came a voice from behind.

Evan turned and came face to face with his sister. “Maddie,” he said, showing no emotion. He hadn’t talked to her since the day on the phone when he had asked her about Elizabeth. He had stopped sending her postcards and everything from that day forward, he had stopped talking or communicating with her at all.

“I-” she began, “I told you not to.”

“I don’t care. You told me not to because you didn’t want the chance of me finding out about Daniel,” he told her, “You didn’t want to learn that I had people out there who loved me. Unlike Phillip and Margarett who couldn’t give a damn about me. You stopped that, do you think Grandma Lizzie would have cut you from her life, cut you from my life should I have gone with her instead of remaining in a house where I was despised and hated? Where I was told daily from the moment I can remember that I was a disappointment and a waste of space.”

“Mom and Dad love you, Evan, they do!” she insisted with a hiss.

“No, they don’t. Want me to prove it to you?” he asked her, “Because I can, so fucking easily,” he added, feeling hurt and angry that his sister still didn’t believe it. “You lied about them to the lawyers and CPS when they came calling. You stopped that, you stopped me from having a childhood that would be happy, where I would know I was loved every single day. Instead, I had two people that complained about being my parents, two people that loathed the very fucking sight of me, and a sister that left me in the dust when I was nine years old to cope with it all. By the time I left, I was suicidal, passively suicidal. Took me a couple of years to figure that out. I crashed my bike on purpose that day because I wanted out of that life. Away from them.”

“They-” she began again, shaking her head in denial.

“Want me to prove it?” he asked her, “Go over there, hide, I’ll get them over here so you can hear the vitriol that spit at me. Because they’ve already been glaring at me. Just like you have.”

Evan didn’t even need to get them to come over. They headed towards him as soon as they found him standing alone in a quiet corner of the room. “Mom, Dad,” he greeted them with a small nod.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” his father was quick to demand.

“I’m here at the funeral and wake of my Grandma Lizzie,” he answered, with no emotion in his voice.

“You have no right, no right whatsoever to be here,” Phillip hissed at him.

“I do, I have just as much right as my cousins and Maddie to be here. Why? Why don’t you want me here? Afraid of what I will learn, a little late for that. I learned a lot from Aunt Amelia and Uncle Terry, and of course from Grandma Lizzie. I was here, when she was dying, when she died as well. I was here, holding her hand. I’ve no doubt you’re only here for one thing, and that’s image and money,” Evan snorted, “like always.”

“You’re nothing but a waste of space, we should have… have left you or just tossed you away like we wanted to,”

“Why didn’t you?” he asked seriously, “Why not, you both hate me, so why didn’t you?”

“Of course we hate you, how could we love anyone that let… let-” Margaret hissed at him and then trailed off, clutching at her chest.

“Daniel died. That wasn’t on me. Grandma Lizzie told me that it was an infection that killed him and that the transplant was working. But because his immune system was so weak, it couldn’t fight it off,” he told her, “So no, nothing was my fault, you just wanted someone to blame and you chose me. An innocent baby because you didn’t want to deal with the fact that the picture-perfect life you both wanted was now gone. The two children, one girl and one boy that you prided yourselves on were no longer there. Instead, you had a baby that you didn’t really want, and instead of letting me go to someone who would love and care for me. You wanted to punish me for the so-called failure that was an infection,” he stated.

“You… you have no right!” Margaret yelled at him.

“I have every right to talk about my brother. I’ve seen pictures, watched videos, and listened to the stories told about him. He sounded like he was an amazingly fun kid. bright and happy. Until he got ill,” he said, shaking his head, “I’m sorry, for your loss. But that didn’t mean you needed to take it out on me,” he finished.

“it didn’t matter that it wasn’t you. In my eyes you were the failure, you were the one we didn’t want or love. You were a blight on this family and I’m glad you left. But you are the one that should be dead, not Daniel. We wanted him, not you,” Margaret said as she turned and walked away, Phillip quickly following her.

“There you go Maddie, that is what I grew up with. They put on a show for you and everyone else. But to my face, this is how they were. I don’t even care if they drop dead tomorrow. I wouldn’t shed a damn tear or spend a minute longer thinking about them. I want nothing to do with them,” he told her as she came out of the little hiding spot she had. “Now you know the abuse I lived with, no doubt you lived with much the same. Get some help, mental help, I did. The best thing I ever did was that, and meeting Grandma Lizzie. I know… Doug isn’t who he pretends to be, he doesn’t give me a good vibe. Be careful and when you’re ready, you have a lot of family here in LA,” he finished as he then walked away.

Evan met with Xiaoli and gave him a nod, feeling a little more grounded and better now that he got Maddie to see what the Buckley parents were actually like with him. There was one last hurdle to go through before he could finally see the back of his parents for the last time.

XxXxX

Evan sat with his family. It was only family for this part of the will reading. The friends that Elizabeth had already been seen to, when it came to the reading of the will. Now, it was just the family that would find out what was left to each of them.

“I am Ralph Vilkas,” the man stated as he sat behind the desk in his office. “I have been the lawyer on record for Elizabeth Buckley for the last decade. The bequeaths for the friends of Ms. Buckley have already been shared and sorted. The rest is what I have to hand out,” he told them all, back straight as he looked at the family that was gathered.” He was quick to begin with the Children of Amelia and Terence. Along with the great-grandchild she had met before her passing.

“Maddie Kendall,” he then said, turning to face the woman, “You are to be left $100,000.”

“What!” Maddie exclaimed, her eyes going wide. “Why did they?”

“There is a video that is to be shared on why,” Ralph said, hiding a smirk as he gestured to the TV and pressed play.

On screen was Elizabeth, she looked healthy and fine, so it must have been taken some time ago. “Hello Maddie,” she greeted, “If you’re seeing this then you came to the will reading, and wondered why you get so little compared to your cousins. You get so little as you lied, you lied about what was going on in the home you grew up in and left little Evan to the mercies of your disgusting parents. You had the chance to get him out of there several times and you never took it. I am disgusted by how you have grown up and I don’t know why you continue to do so, considering you tried to stop Evan from talking with me after I reached out. That is all you will get from me. And think yourself lucky that you even get that.”

Maddie flinched as she remembered what she had learned during the wake. She had always been so insistent that her parents had loved Evan, even when faced with the reality that they hadn’t.

“Now,” Ralph said, gaining attention from those in the room, “To Philip and Margaret Buckley,” he began again, “You get nothing but $1,” he stated, “Again, a video,” he said, pressing play once more.

“Margaret and Phillip, it is to my shame that I even give you $1, I bet you are surprised I even gave you that. The dollar you are getting is the first one you earned. You said it was for the family. Now it’s returned to you because you are not family to me,” she said, shaking her head. “You abused a child in your care and lied about it. Lied as well about the fact that Daniel existed. You cut me out of your life, Evan’s life, and Maddie’s. You moved and tried to paint me as an abuser. Well, now I have evidence of what you did, of everything you have done. Try and contest the will, and Ralph has orders to release it to the public wherever you live, even if you move. I am so glad that Darren never got to see what a disappointment you have become Phillip. He would be so ashamed of you, as I am.”

Ralph paused the video, “Now for her businesses which is to be split between her two children, Terrance and Amelia. Except for three of them, of which her grandson Evan is to have ownership of. Elizabeth hopes that Terrance and Ameilia will help Evan as he runs them. The three that he has been working with over the last year, are to be his. Each of her two remaining children, Terrance and Amelia are also to receive $15,000,000 each, with their spouses to receive $5,000,000, to do with as they wish. Have some fun, make a charity, anything.”

Terrance smiled, “Told you,” he said, as he looked at his nephew, “I told you,” he repeated and laughed, “That’s what she was doing when she got you to start helping. It’s what she has done with the kids,” he added, as each of the children had a small business that Elizabeth had been running, most of them coming up with their own businesses and her funding them, handling them until she handed them over fully after her passing.

“How many business does… did Grandma Lizzie have?” Evan frowned.

“A lot. She and Dad started up almost twenty between them before Dad passed away. She managed them all, and she loved it, the chaos and the deadlines and the pressure of it. She thrived under it all. Then each of us, except for Phillip, came up with our own, just like we taught the kids. Which is why there were even more. She had majority control of them all, which she handed over to those who came up with them. The rest are being divided between me and Terry, and then the three small businesses for you,” Amelia smiled, reaching out and squeezing his hand, “She knows you’ll be fine, and your Uncle and I will be there to help if you ever need it,” she told him.

“There is one last thing, the remaining assets of Elizabeth Buckley. The home she lived in, is at the moment, being converted into a children’s home. It will fall under the care of her grandson, Evan Buckley. It will remain in his hands, and those of his family as long as it remains a children’s home. They remaining money after gifting grandchildren, and great grandchild, is to be put in trust for the Home, for Evan to manage to maintain the Home, the ground and the children’s futures that call the place their Home,” Ralph finished, “There is one last message for Evan,” he added, as he pressed play one last time.

“Evan, my sweet grandchild. I missed watching you grow, but I can see the man you are. You are so much like Darren, he would be so proud of you, and what you plan to do with your life. Live it to the fullest and enjoy it. I know the legacy that you are making is going to be an amazing one. You and Xiaoli are doing something wonderful, and I’m proud to know you both. Have fun, stay young in your heart, and be true to yourself. I love you Evan, and I did from the moment I met you that first time and you smiled at me and called me Grandma,” she smiled and laughed, “I will miss more of your life, but know that I’m always watching. I’m watching you all, my children, my grandchildren, and my little great-grandchild. I will miss you all, and know I love each and every single one of you, and the children to come to you all. Love you all. Goodbye.”

Ralph stopped the video, “I will hand out a few things,” he stated as he handed a check to Maddie and then a picture frame to Phillip. “That is those two done, just the paperwork for everything else to be done, and that will be all. Though Evan Buckley, you and I have a few more things to go over.”

Evan nodded as Maddie followed her husband and parents out of the room. Evan watched them go, and sighed, not knowing if he would be seeing or speaking to his sister again. He turned to Ralph and went over, there was one last thing he wanted to set up with the money he had received and he needed the man’s help.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Evan walked into the manor house and said, “Can’t call it the Manor house anymore,” he stated, getting a look from Xiaoli.

“Oh?” his friend asked.

“I think we need to give it a name, a name for the home we are going to create,” Evan said, with a grin. The place was almost finished. There were inspections going on and CPS and more would be coming in to see if it would be a suitable group home.

Xiaoli nodded, “Yeah, we can’t really call it that anymore. It does need a name,” he frowned as he tried to think of some.

Evan was quiet for a few moments. “How about… Second Chance Home?” he suggested, “This is where I got my second chance at a family, with Grandma Lizzie,” he reasoned.

Xiaoli smiled, “That… sounds good, Second Chance Home.”

“We have interviews with those that are going to be living with us,” Evan said as he got down to business. There were four people that were going to permanently live in the home. And a couple more that would be coming in during the daytime to come and help. With some rotating in during the night. Elizabeth had brought three of them to his attention, and he had been talking to them on and off since she had.

The last was someone who had come recommended by the Home nurse who had taken care of his grandmother in her last days. Carla Price had gotten him in touch with the last of the team he was putting and building together. Clive Lichfield was a young man of twenty-four. He had full custody of his eight-year-old brother, Joshua. Both would be living in the home. He had qualifications for fostering as well as Child Care and others. The other three were also doing the same and getting them.

XxXxX

Carla looked at the young man before her, “Evan,” she smiled as she greeted him with a warm hug. “How are you doing?” she asked.

“Carla,” he grinned, hugging her just as tightly, “It’s good to see you again. I wish you could stop by, we’re getting ready to open things up. Getting the last certs we need and the qualifications for me and the others. We have four that are going to be permanent residents in the Home. We have six that will be doing a rotation of overnights as well. To help. Me and Xiaoli do plan on working as well as being in the home. But we’ve talked that through with people, including the LAFD since that’s who we want to work with.”

“Oh, making some good plans then,” she told him, “You’re doing a good thing, Evan,” she told him, “I got to know Lizzie in her last few months. I wish I had known her sooner, she was a good woman.”

“Yeah, she was, I still miss her. But I… I set something up in her memory. To give orphans and those who live within the foster system help when it comes to their education. The profits from the companies that I own, and help run with Ralph’s help, along with my Aunt and Uncle, are going to go towards a fund that will give scholarships out and that will also cover all educational and living expenses while they are at college and that,” he grinned, “Ralph is going to keep on top of that for me. I’ve got so many things to do.”

“Tell me about the ones that are moving in, I know about Clive, of course. He’s a good kid, I met him when his little brother was two. He was a struggling eighteen-year-old then. His dad had been killed and his mother had just been charged with attempted murder. The courts wanted to separate them, but well. I helped get them on their feet,” she smiled.

“You did, he still sings your praises, which is why I want to ask if you would come and help at the home occasionally. We’re set up for those that have disabilities as well. I need someone who will be able to help navigate the red tape of making sure they have everything they need available to them,” he asked her. “I know you want to carry on with your work, but I would appreciate all the help you could give. And of course, you will be paid for all your services to Second Chance Home. It’s a paid position,” he added, hoping to sweeten the deal a little bit more.

Carla shook her head. “Oh, dear boy, you should not use those eyes on me,” she told him, laughing, “I will be happy to help where I can. I don’t mind being on call for you unless I am with a client. I have three that I help at the moment, though one has decided that they are going to head into a hospice for end-of-life care, instead of remaining in the family home.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said softly. He knew Carla got a little too attached to some of the clients she took care of, and the ones she was looking after at the moment were much the same.

“As am I, I will miss spending time with him, he has some good stories to tell,” she smiled, “Now, you going to tell me about them, or not?” she asked.

“Okay,” he laughed. “We have a married couple. Slyvia and her wife, Janaia Gupta, they are both in their late twenties, and both have degrees in child care and others. They’ve worked hard in the Care sector for children. They are CPS-certified foster parents as well, which is something that we all have, along with what they want in being able to look after a group of children and those living in a home. Along with a lot of other qualifications that they like to see. The last is older, and that is Alicia, she is a child psychologist, who has worked with children for over twenty years. Has a grown son in med school, and lost her husband a couple of years ago. She and Grandma Lizzie know each other, because of my Aunt. She and my Aunt are good friends. So she came very highly recommended,” he laughed.

“Have they met each other?” she asked, “I’m rather curious about them all. I shall have to stop by and see.”

“They have, and they get along well. Clive is the youngest, the same age as Alicia’s son as well,” he told her, telling her what he could about those who would be living in Second Chance Home.

XxXxX

Christmas came, and it was a loud affair once more. Though Elizabeth wasn’t there, everyone else had come together, Nigel remained with the house and had been getting his certificates to remain there and help with the children as well. Happy to find a new role in the home he had been living in for the last thirty years. With the celebration over, the last-minute things crept up on them all as they got the place ready for the first child to come in.

January 19th and the home was opened for the first time. Within hours they had the first child come in the door. With Evan taking the lead, they were welcomed and settled into a room that they would have on their own. A few gifts waiting for them as they arrived, things they would keep no matter how long or short their stay would be.

Evan walked out, leaving the eleven-year-old boy on his own as Alicia got the notes concerning the child to see if there was anything that she could help with.

Xiaoli smiled at his friend, “Well, we did it,” he stated.

“Yeah we did,” he agreed, sighing and laughing, “I can’t believe we’re actually doing this. Six years. Six years to the day we met, we opened this home. Can you believe it?” he asked.

“I still have to pinch myself,” Xiaoli snorted. “It’s amazing to be doing this. I feel… like I’m where I need to be. I… am now unsure if I want to be a firefighter,” he admitted. “I don’t mind you doing it, but part of me doesn’t want to work outside of the home.”

Evan put a hand on his shoulder, “No matter what you decide, know that I’m right there with you supporting you. I can understand not wanting to work outside of here. Part of me wants the same. I also know myself well enough that being here all the time will not be good for me. I need the physical aspect of work just as much as the mental. I’m almost done with my fire science degree. I’ve sent in my application for the Fire Academy as well.”

Xiaoli smiled, “I know, and I can’t thank you enough. If it wasn’t for you and Lizzie, this… this wouldn’t be happening. I would never have been able to afford all this. Never,” he added, shaking his head a few times, “So thank you,” he told him again, “I would… like to work here, instead.”

“Then you shall,” Evan told him, smiling, “You’re my best friend, Xiaoli, have been for six years. The one who knows me as well as anyone does. Zac doesn’t even know me as well as you do. He’s one of my best friends too, but you… you are an amazing friend, giving me something to work toward. Something to aim at. Zac gave me another aspect of what I want to do with my life. I think being a firefighter is something I am meant to do as well.”

“Then we both have something, that is just ours, but shared. I am still going to keep up my certs and volunteer for things. So I may end up helping here and there,” Xiaoli told him.

The two nodded and went to join the others. Joshua ran over and grinned as he had a new friend who would be staying with them. The eight-year-old was bright and bubbly, though a little sickly at times, over the last five months of knowing them fully, they had seen a worried Clive keeping a close eye on his brother and doing his best to make sure he had everything he needed.

“Hey, Josh,” he smiled, as the kid wrapped himself around him.

“Hi, Evan, we have someone new,” he gushed, grinning.

“Joshua,” Clive called out, rolling his eyes, “Come on, you have the rest of your homework to do, and then you can go and play,” he told him.

“Fine,” he murmured, letting go of Evan and easily going with his brother.

Evan shook his head and smiled as he watched them go. “He’s a good one,” he stared quietly.

“He is,” he agreed, “Come on,” he said, as he patted his friend on the shoulder, “We should head to the den and wait for Alicia to finish her talk with the kid. It’s going to be a little overwhelming with him being here alone for a while. Having six adults living here, and surrounding him is going to be scary as hell,” he reminded me.

“Yeah, I bet,” he snorted as he looked at Xiaoli. “Ever had that problem?” he asked, a little curious.

“I went to live with an older couple that still had two of their fully grown children living with them. It was… scary, I have to admit. They were one of the few homes that made me feel welcome. One of their kids was studying Chinese history and had learned some of the language. So we would talk in Mandarin occasionally. It’s not often that you get that,” he added. “Oh, and Jo sent a message congratulating us on having the first kid come to live with us. She and Kirsty are happy we continued to work towards this. Also, Jo and Grant may come for a visit, and say hi a little later on in the year. Wanting to make sure we have the place up and running fully before they come.”

Evan grinned, “It’ll be nice to have them here.”

“I know CPS said that anyone living in the house has to have a background check done, even if they are only staying for a few days. Background check. But those that are staying for longer than two weeks will need more,” he added, “That’s more because this is a Children’s home and is seen as that instead of someone’s home.”

“I know,” Evan said.

“So does Jo, she and Kirsty are looking into things. Bobby has been told as well, it’s really gone through the gossip chain already,” he laughed.

“What did Bobby say?” he asked, curiously.

“Congratulations and hope they settle in well,” he answered smiling, “happy to say that everyone’s messaging me, and no doubt your phone is blowing up with the same as well.”

“Yeah,” he nodded as he pulled it out and saw the number of notifications. Including his Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

“We did it,” he said once more, still in awe that they had managed to open a home. it hadn’t gone the way that they had thought it would. They had been saving hard to try and find a small place. The money that Evan had received from Dana, was still sitting there, doing nothing. Though he would add it to the Home’s fund soon enough. Then there was what he had gotten from his grandmother. Things had a way of coming together sometimes.

“We did,” Xiaoli agreed as they went into the Den to meet the others, Clive in one corner watching over Joshua as he did his homework, and healing when he was asked.

“We’ve got one kid, how many do you think we will have in the end?” Janaia asked as she looked up from the book she had been reading. She was back in school doing a part-time course in Child Psychology.

“We can house a maximum of fifteen children. Ranging from newborn to eighteen,” Evan said, thinking about it. “I think we’ll be at max soon enough,” he said finally as he went and sat down. “Alicia is with him at the moment. Talking to him as he settles in,” he bit his lip, “I just hope we don’t mess up.”

“All we can do is to make sure we do the best we can for each kid that comes through those doors, “Sylvia said as she sat beside her wife, “There’s nothing we can do.”

Evan nodded and settled down, each of them wanting to meet the new kid in the home, but knowing it would be a bad idea to crowd him. By the end of January, they would have seven kids living in the home, ranging from eight months to fourteen. Evan would have the acceptance letter for the Fire Academy. Xiaoli would be running the Home full-time, making sure they stayed within their budget and providing what was needed and wanted for the children they looked after.

 

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