Page 23 of RiffRaff's Reward

“He knows he has a sister, he’s understandably devastated with his mom’s death, and the foster family he’s staying with has himin therapy to help him cope with all the changes. He doesn’t know about his mother’s wishes yet, simply because I wasn’t sure how you would react.”

“Understandable. So, what are the next steps, Jo?”

“I need to do a home visit, check out your house and make sure all is in order, then I’ll go and talk to him. Y’all will need to meet so he learns to trust you and get comfortable enough with you in order to come home with you. He needs to wrap his head around the fact that while you’re a virtual stranger to him, you’re still family. The only one he has left. You’ll get regular visits from me, some will be scheduled while others won’t be, and once we ensure that this will be a good fit for him, you’ll be able to petition the state to adopt him.”

“Then let me show you around since you’re already here,” I reply, glad that for the most part, the house is in good shape. It’s lived in, of course, but both Kimber and I thrive in an organized environment.

“Lead the way,” she says, smiling at me. She’s got a notebook and pen in her hand as we start going through the house.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Jillian

“Holy smokes,”I murmur. “This is happening so fast. I need to talk to Kimber after school, and let RiffRaff know what’s going on as well since I’m meeting Callum for the first time tomorrow at the DFCS office.”

Right now, however, I’m taking care of the animals and talking out loud. I have my own notepad and pen shoved in the lab coat I wear over my scrubs whenever I’m at work. While I’m in a regular T-shirt and jeans today, the coat pockets hold what I need to take care of each animal, so I don’t have to go back and forth.

Taking out my phone, I call RiffRaff, because this is something he needs to know. He’s explained what being his ol’ lady means, of course, but when he left, I hadonekid and now it appears I’ll have two, with the second one not quite five yet.

“Hey, Jilly,” he says when the call connects. “What’s going on, sweetheart?”

I shake my head because I haven’t said a word, but he somehow knows there’s something up. Maybe it’s because we usually text during the day and talk on the phone at night. “What makes you ask that, handsome?” I tease. “Is it because I’m calling hours before I normally do?”

“Yeah, babe, it is. Not that I don’t always wanna talk to you because it’s something I look forward to every night, but to hear from you in the middle of the morning tells me there’s something wrong.”

Quickly, I tell him about the social worker’s unexpected visit, Callum, and that I’m going to be meeting him the next day. I wrap up with, “And I’m worried about how Kimber’s going to take it, to be honest.”

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair, which has it sticking up every which way at this point because it’s not the first time I’ve done it since Jo left my home. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out a scrunchie and do what I can to fix it, ending up with a messy ponytail bun creation on the top of my head.

“Callum, huh?” he muses. “Wonder if he likes fishing. I mean, it’s not as easy this time of year, of course, but it’s possible. He probably hasn’t had much male interaction if his mom was sick that long.” I blanch because that was not a topic I anticipated him talking about. But then, a smile spreads across my cheeks because this man always seems to amaze me.

“You’re a good man, RiffRaff,” I whisper, tears clogging my throat. “I was so worried you’d throw your hands up and decide me being your ol’ lady was too much,” I admit.

“Babe. Listen to me, Jilly,” he demands when I go silent. “Being my ol’ lady isn’t a temporary thing, it’s a forever situation. Iain’t running anywhere and to be honest, I’m kind of excited to help you raise this little guy. I know we haven’t talked about our future beyond that, but I was hoping to move in with y’all since my cabin on the property isn’t big enough and you’ve created a beautiful home.”

“Really? I… I may have already ordered the matching wardrobe for the bedroom suite for your clothes,” I reply. “Because I was going to ask if you’d move in. I know you have to go to the clubhouse for meetings and stuff, but I want you there all the time. Is that okay?”

His robust chuckle soon has me giggling, especially when he murmurs, “Sounds like we’re on the same wavelength after all.”

“Yeah, I guess we are,” I reply.

“Now, you’re not going alone tomorrow,” he advises. “I’ll reach out to Brick so he and Ryleigh can come. This little boy needs to know he’s still got a strong family unit standing behind him.”

Tears are now streaming vicariously down my face at his words, as I attempt to inject Moby with his antibiotic. I blink a few times to find the black cat glaring at me since I’m still scruffing him. “Sorry, Moby,” I whisper before I finish my task and toss the used syringe in the sharps container.

“You at the clinic, babe?” he asks. I can hear his fingers tapping away and know he’s sending a text to Brick. A man I haven’t met yet who is my man’s son. Warmth fills me at how RiffRaff is taking care of me, even though he’s states away.

“Yes, Dr. Webber and Cora are both down with the flu, so the clinic is closed. I’m just here to give out meds, walk the dogs, scoop the litter boxes, then feed everyone. Probably have to dothe same thing tomorrow as well, plus Kimber and I will have to return later tonight after dinner for the next round of shots.”

“Babe, I can get Brick to have a prospect come and help. Y’all shouldn’t be there alone after dark.”

“Whatever you think is best, RiffRaff. Oh, God. I have to find out from Jo what Callum wants for Christmas, too!”

“Once you find that out, I’ll get Ryleigh to help. Rory too, most likely. Hell, all the women since they all like to shop. Christmastime is like an addiction to them, and the stores are their drug of choice. Don’t worry, whatever that little guy needs, we’ll make sure he gets, okay, Jilly?”

And just like that, my racing heart settles. “Thank you, RiffRaff,” I tell him. “Right now, I feel like I’ve been tilted off my axis or something, you know?”

“Definitely understand that one. When we realized that Ryleigh was a club princess, it turned the whole club on its head, that’s for sure.”

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