Bayou Des Enfants

by Lynn Lorenz

  Mark rose and headed to the counter. “Well, I wasn’t what you’d call feminine by any means, but I had this friend when I was a kid. He flamed, even at nine. Everyone knew it and made his life miserable. He couldn’t hide it, no matter how much he tried. Eventually he ran away from home.”

  “What happened to him?” Peter leaned forward.

  “Never knew. His family just stopped talking about him. I’d hate for that to happen to this kid.”

  “And Charles needs more than a firm hand.” Scott got his coffee and sat in his recliner. “He needs kindness, direction, and most of all, he needs love. He’s felt the firm hand of his dad one too many times.”

  “You and Ted are the best place for those boys, hands down.” Mark sat with his coffee.

  “Now. Reality check.” Mike cleared his throat. “I’ve been talking to my guys at the fire station, and it’s not good. Some of them don’t care where the boys go. Their votes could go either way. Most want them in a ‘good Catholic’ home. And a few think like Wyatt. No votes there.”

  Billy exhaled. “I’m getting the same thing from the guys at work.” He twisted to face Scott. “They’d follow you anywhere, boss, but it’s the whole ‘kids living with a gay couple’ thing.” He cursed under his breath. “Can’t get it through their heads we’re not a bunch of pedophiles. Man, that really pisses me off. And I hate how some gays reinforce the stereotype. It hurts us all, especially now that more of us are adopting and having kids.”

  Peter leaned over and kissed Billy’s cheek. “If and when we’re ready to be parents, I hope that shit is over and done with.”

  “Probably won’t be, but we won’t let that stop us.” Billy threaded his fingers with Peter’s.

  “So. I’ve been making calls to some of the folks who voted for Ted being my mate, and if I take into account Billy’s and Mike’s head counts, we’re not going to make it.” Scott hung his head. “Merde. This sucks.”

  “We can still hope we can change their minds at the meeting.” Ted leaned over the counter. “I say we bring the boys again.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Charles sure didn’t take it well. I don’t want a repeat.” Scott shook his head. He quickly filled the others in on Charles’s running away so they could understand their reluctance.

  “What if we let them decide? Now that they’ve been to a meeting and seen how it goes?” Ted suggested.

  Bobby nodded. “In some courts, because of their age, the kids wouldn’t have a say, they’d just be given to whoever the judge decided was best. However, this is a pack issue, and I think the boys should have a say.”

  Scott rose. “Okay. I’ll get them.” He left and went to the boys’ room. After knocking on the door, he opened it and leaned in. “Boys, can you come out here? We have to ask you a question.”

  Charles put down the book he was reading, and Timmy, playing with a couple of little horse figures, stood. They followed him to the living room.

  “As you know, tonight’s the pack meeting. They’re going to vote about who keeps you.”

  Both boys nodded. Charles narrowed his eyes, and Timmy stepped a little closer to his brother.

  “I know it was rough last time, hearing the adults talk about you. So we wanted to ask you both if going to the meeting tonight is something you want to do or not. I’m going to warn you, there will be more discussion, and it might not be pleasant. Do you understand?”

  Both boys nodded.

  “There is no wrong or right answer here. There is only what you’re comfortable with, boys.”

  Timmy looked to Ted. “I want to stay with you and Sheriff Scott.”

  “I know.” Ted smiled. “Let me try, Scott.” He squatted to see eye to eye with them. “We want to know if you mind going to the meeting again. It might not be much fun, and you might not like the decision of the pack, but you can be involved in the discussion.” Ted looked over at Charles.

  “I want to go. I want to tell them I belong here. I don’t want to go to the Freemans. I don’t want them to try to change Timmy.” Charles’s expression was all fierce wolf.

  Timmy looked at Charles. “I want to tell them I want to stay here too.”

  Scott looked at Ted. “What do you think?”

  Ted stood. “Well, Charles has had his change, and in a few weeks, he’ll be part of the pack, right?” Scott nodded. “If he wants to go, I say he goes. It’s Timmy I’m not so sure about.”

  Timmy’s eyes filled with tears, and he dashed to Ted and threw his arms around Ted’s waist. “I want to tell them I love you. I want you for my new daddy. And Sheriff Scott.” He buried his head against Ted’s hip. “Please take me!”

  Ted put his hand on Timmy’s head and looked down into the boy’s tearstained face. “I’m just trying to protect you, honey. Some people might say some mean things about you and Charles. Or about me and Scott. Understand?”

  Timmy sniffed and nodded. “Like Mommy tried to protect me from Dad.”

  Ted shot Scott a glance. “Yeah, just like that.”

  “I still want to go. You need me to help.” Timmy’s small voice just broke Scott’s heart.

  “Okay. But if it gets too rough in there, I’m going to send you out with Maman. Okay?” It was the best Scott could come up with.

  “Fine. Let’s get going. It’s almost time.” Ted headed for the front door, with Timmy in tow.

  The men all stood and headed out to their cars.

  Ted drove Scott and the boys to the meeting. A loop of the vote going against them played in Scott’s head as he stared out the window.

  His gut roiled. In an hour or so, he’d learn whether or not he had a family or if the boys would be stripped from him.

  And a month ago, he would have been happy to see them go.

  But now, his wolf was ready to fight for his cubs.

  »»•««

  Scott held his breath as the murmuring pack filled the chairs. All acknowledged him, but most didn’t look him in the eye. Not good. The boys sat with Maman and Ted on the front row, and this time, no pretenses; the gay contingent filled the rest of the row in a show of solidarity.

  They were fighting for what, to Scott, felt like the boys’ lives.

  He called the meeting to order and opened it with why they were all there.

  “Before we vote, each side will speak for five minutes. Hold your questions until the end, please.” Scott looked over the crowd, searching for any sign of the vote going in his favor. Not much.

  “First up, the Freemans.” He nodded to the couple, and they stood.

  John cleared his throat. “So. You all know us. The deal is we agree to take both the boys. We’ll work with the lawyer to make sure their parents’ estate is set in trust for their expenses. Since we already have two teenagers, we think we’ve got the experience to raise the boys. Our kids are good kids, belong to the CYA at St. Jerome’s, and do well in school. Rena and I feel we can bring that Christian upbringing to these troubled kids.” Rena nodded so hard it was a wonder her head didn’t fall off.

  Scott glanced over to the boys. Charles glared at the Freemans, and Timmy chewed on the foot of his plastic pony.

  Although the Freemans hadn’t said anything awful, labeling them as “troubled” just pissed Scott off. It was true they had experience with kids, but who really knew what their kids were like? They could be awful. Or the Freemans could be great parents.

  And all their talk about money? What John meant was he would take care to make sure he didn’t have to spend a dime to keep them. And that pissed Scott off, because he would have taken those boys without a penny from their parents’ estate, whatever that might be. And knowing Wyatt, it probably was what the house was worth minus his mortgage. Not much, he bet.

  John seemed to be finished. “Any questions?”

  Ginnie raised her hand. “What are you going to do about Timmy?”

  “What about Timmy?” Rena crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Well.” She clear
ed her throat and glanced toward the boys. “I mean, if he has certain…traits. Certain characteristics that might mean as he grows up, he might not want to…live his life…uh, as you expect.” She exhaled.

  Wow. Scott had never thought Ginnie would bring up the possibility that Timmy might be gay. Had she had a change of heart? If so, he hoped she’d talked to some of the other ladies.

  Rena looked at John. “Well, we discussed it with this organization we found, and they say there are places and ways to change that. To stop those…urges.”

  Billy gasped and stood. “You mean one of those places where they basically torture kids to ‘convert’ to heterosexual? Or will ‘pray the gay away?’ When will you people get it into your heads? This is not a choice. It’s not a demon or the devil or just wanting to act out. This is in our DNA. We’re wired this way. I’m gay because it’s part of who I am.”

  Peter stood and put his arm around Billy’s shoulder. “I’ve known I was gay since I was a kid. I knew I was different, and I tried so hard to hide it from everyone. My father was alpha of his pack, and I knew…well, when he did find out, he threw me out of the pack. Homeless. Penniless. Refused to pay for my college.” He addressed the Freemans. “Is that what you’ll do if he’s gay? What if all that shit fails?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’ll tell you what happens to those kids. They live on the streets and have to do whatever they can to survive. I did a lot of desperate, bad things, until I came here to St. Jerome and found my mate.” He smiled at Billy. “If you can’t accept and support Timmy in whatever comes his way in life, then you shouldn’t take him.”

  Ginnie gave Billy and Peter a gentle smile. “I’m with Billy and Peter.”

  “What?” The color drained from Rena’s face as she stared at her friend. “But you said you thought we’d be a good choice.”

  Ginnie shrugged. “I’m sorry. This week I’ve been looking into gay kids, Timmy’s age and older. It’s horrible what happens to them. Most of the kids who are living on the streets are gay and have been thrown out of their homes. Tossed out like trash from the one place and the people they trusted to love them unconditionally.”

  People murmured and heads bent together. Most of them frowned.

  “So, John and Rena, if you can’t love these two boys, unconditionally, no matter what ‘issues’ they may or may not have, then you shouldn’t take them.” She sat.

  For the first time that evening, Scott thought they might have a chance.

  “Anyone else?” Man. He wanted this to be over and soon.

  Timmy had moved closer to Ted and wedged himself under his arm. Even Charles had moved closer to Ted, stopping short of leaning against him.

  To Scott’s shock, his mother stood. “Now you’ve all known my boy since he was a kid. He’s a good man. He’s our pack alpha and our elected sheriff. If for one minute you can think he’d be anything other than a good parent, well, shame on you.” She glared at them.

  “Maman. Unless you have a question for the Freemans, please sit. You can speak after Ted and I have our say.”

  She huffed and sat.

  “I’m sorry, John, Rena. Any other questions for the Freemans?”

  Charles raised his hand. “I got one.”

  Scott looked at Ted, who shrugged. “I think that’s fair, since this involves you.”

  The boy stood and faced the Freemans. “I know you only wanted Timmy. But you have to take me to get him. So. How are you going to treat me? If I’m bad, are you going to send me away somewhere? Put me out of the house? Even if I’m not a fa—gay?” The look on his face ripped a hole in Scott’s heart. How could a kid so young feel so alone and so abandoned?

  John opened his mouth and then shut it. Rena clutched his arm. “Well, Charles, we’ll expect you to behave in our home.”

  Charles nodded. “Figured. You said, ‘our home.’ Guess that says it all. Will it ever be my home? Our home? I don’t want to live where I might be thrown out at any minute.” He shrugged, as if something itched his back. “I already lost my folks once…” He choked on the words, swallowed, and then sat.

  The room fell silent.

  Scott fought anger and sadness welling deep in his chest. Afraid to speak without letting everyone in the room know how he’d been affected, he gritted his teeth.

  As if he sensed Scott’s difficulty, Ted stood. “Can you answer him, John? Honestly? Because this is these kids’ lives we’re messing with. They’re pack, and it’s not like you can just hand them back. You’re going to have to adopt them to keep them out of the CPS system. Make it permanent.”

  John and Rena clung to each other as they glanced from Charles, to Scott, and back to Ted. Rena looked up at her husband. “John?”

  He cleared his throat. “We’ll do the best we can for them. That’s all I can promise.”

  Timmy stood. “What kind of promise is that? It’s not good enough. Do you promise to love us? No matter what? Just like a real mom and dad?”

  John shut his mouth. Rena sighed. “All we can do is try to raise you the best we can. I…we can’t promise more. Maybe in time…”

  Timmy frowned and turned to Charles. “I’m staying with Ted and Sheriff Scott.” He crossed his arms and sat, determination etched on his sweet face.

  Scott smiled. “If there are no more questions, I suppose it’s Ted and my turn to speak.”

  Bobby Cotteau stood. “I call for a vote. Right now.”

  Scott looked at Ted, who shrugged. What the hell was Bobby up to? But if Scott trusted anyone, it had to be Bobby.

  Billy stood. “I second that motion.”

  Scott held out his hands in a plea. “Uh, I guess we have a motion on the table. Everyone who agrees, raise your hand.”

  Hands shot up. Scott did a quick count. “Motion passed.” He licked his lips and ran his hand through his hair. “Time to vote. All those in favor of the Freemans adopting the boys, raise your hand.” Merde. He hoped like hell Bobby knew what he was doing.

  Hands came up, and Scott started counting. Ten. Thirteen. Sixteen.

  “I count sixteen for the Freemans.” That left a lot of people. He cleared his throat. This was it.

  “All in favor of Ted and me adopting the boys, raise your hands.”

  Hands came up all throughout the crowd. Scott lost count and had to start over. “Keep your hands up. I need to count again.” He got out his pen and scribbled off totals, row by row. “Wow.” He lowered his head, fighting back tears. He blinked and raised his head to face his pack.

  “Wow. The count is”—he looked down at the paper to check the numbers—“for the Freemans, sixteen; for Ted and me, thirty-two.” Not the full pack had attended, but the numbers would be enough. They had a majority.

  Scott turned to Ted, who hugged the boys to his side. “Ted and I will adopt the boys. Thank you. Everyone. I can’t tell you how much this means to us. All of us.” He couldn’t believe it.

  Before anything happened, he rapped on the podium with his knuckles. “Meeting adjourned.”

  The crowd erupted in a cheer, and the boys broke from Ted and rushed him. He swung Timmy up onto his hip and dragged Charles to his side in a hard hug.

  Their friends were the first to them, but the rest of the pack made their way to the new family. Scott and Ted shook hands, had their backs slapped, and their cheeks kissed.

  Ginnie, wiping her eyes with her hand, came up to them. “I’m so happy for you, Scott. Ted. Boys.” She leaned down and ruffled both the boys’ hair. “I know this is what Marie would have wanted.” She leaned in and whispered into Scott’s ear so the boys didn’t hear. “To hell with Wyatt.”

  “Thanks, Miss Ginnie.” The boys grinned up at her.

  Eventually, everyone left. Scott, Ted, Maman, and the boys locked up.

  “We need to celebrate. How about pie and ice cream at the diner?” Maman offered. “My treat.”

  The boys jumped up and down, pumping their fists. Ted joined them, and with a deep laugh, Scott di
d the same. Maman chuckled and shook her head at them.

  “And they say I’m crazy.”

  Epilogue

  Scott opened his eyes and glanced at the clock. Five thirty. The boys would be up in about an hour and a half, if he was lucky.

  And damn it, he was lucky. Scott exhaled and snuggled back into Ted’s embrace. His mate’s cock rubbed against Scott’s ass, sliding between his cheeks as if it knew its home.

  With the first touch, Scott’s hole tightened, sending delicious waves of arousal through him that landed in his balls. Damn him, he wanted Ted inside his ass. Pounding him.

  Ted sighed, moved closer, wrapping his arms and dragging Scott against him. His breath tickled the back of Scott’s neck, and Scott groaned. His mate slipped his hand along Scott’s flank and gripped Scott’s cock. He squeezed, and Scott growled.

  “Fuck me, mate.”

  Ted chuckled deep in his chest. “What the wolf wants, the wolf gets.”

  He pushed Scott down flat onto the bed, pressing him into the mattress. Scott would never admit how much it turned him on to have Ted dominate him. For the time Ted took control, Scott didn’t have to be in charge. Those were rare moments, for sure.

  Rare and freeing. Just to let go, let Ted take him on a sexual roller coaster, complete with slow climbs and fast drops.

  Ted licked a line from Scott’s neck down his spine to the crack in his ass, where he teased Scott’s rift with his tongue. “Oh God.” Scott hissed with pleasure. How could that drive him so crazy?

  Another deep chuckle from above him. Ted spread Scott’s cheeks. Scott tensed, but Ted didn’t let Scott keep him from going in deep with his tongue. Unable to help himself, Scott arched his back as Ted licked his hole.

  Never would he have said he’d love being rimmed as much as he did. Who knew there were so many wonderful nerves down there? And who knew licking, touching, and blowing on that area would drive him wild with the desire to be fucked?

  But it did. In spades.

  This wolf wanted to be fucked by his mate.

  Ted shifted, dug under the pillows for the lube, and then kneeled behind Scott. With two quick moves, he bullied Scott’s legs apart and moved in closer. He grabbed Scott’s hand with his and pushed it down, holding him in place. With the other hand, Ted guided his cock to Scott’s entrance and pressed in.