Chapter 13 Reese
REESE
Logan Hayes’s office was exactly what Reese had expected—neat, professional, with diplomas on the wall and legal books lining the shelves.
He sat across from them at his desk, a manila folder open in front of him.
She’d not noticed before how much the cousins resembled each other. The Hayes genes must be pretty strong.
“Okay,” Logan said, looking up from the folder.
“Let me make sure I have this right. Marcus’s mother has been gone since late September.
He’s been couch-surfing for months, including sleeping in an alley Friday night.
And Cody is in a foster home where the foster parents’ biological son has been physically assaulting him, including an incident last night where he held Cody’s head underwater. ”
“That’s the situation,” Roan said.
“And you want to know what fostering would look like,” Logan said.
“Yes,” Roan said.
“What about you, Reese?” Logan asked. “Are you here for moral support? Or?”
“I’m here for whatever Roan needs,” Reese said, pulse quickening under Logan’s intense study.
Logan nodded, one brow twitching before he set his hands on his desk.
“Okay, then, I’ll start with Marcus. His situation is relatively straightforward—given the circumstances.
You’re already his mentor through an official program.
He’s been staying with you voluntarily. I can file for emergency temporary custody tomorrow morning, and, given that his mother is missing and he has nowhere safe to go, a judge would almost certainly grant it within a week or two. ”
Relief flooded through Reese.
“But,” Logan held up a hand, “we have to report his situation. It’s mandatory. Missing mother, child without stable housing—that goes to DCF.”
“What happens then?” Roan asked.
“They’ll investigate. Look for the mother, assess Marcus’s current placement with you, and make a determination.
Given that he’s safe, attending school, and you’re already connected through the program, they’ll likely approve the emergency placement and let him stay while we work through the legal process for something more permanent. ”
“How long?” Reese asked.
“Two to three months for kinship care. Vermont allows ‘fictive kin’ placement. Or three to four months for a full foster care license, which gives you more options long-term.”
“Fictive kin?”
“Yes,” Logan responded. “Someone who is not family, but has a significant bond with the child. That’s you.”
“And adoption?” Roan asked.
“If the mother can’t be found, or if she’s found but can’t or won’t complete requirements to regain custody, then yes. But that’s a year or two down the road. First, we get him stable and safe.”
Roan nodded. “And Cody?”
Logan’s expression shifted, became more serious. “Tell me exactly what happened. The incident last night.”
Roan explained about Devon holding Cody’s face underwater in the sink, the Pattersons fighting in another room, Cody thinking he was going to drown.
Logan was already writing notes. “That’s assault. Attempted harm of a minor. This isn’t something we document for later—this needs to be reported immediately.”
“To who?” Roan asked.
“Cody’s social worker, first. And the Department for Children and Families. They have an emergency line.” Logan looked up. “Does Cody have any visible injuries? Bruises, marks?”
“There was a head wound from last week,” Roan said. “He said it’s mostly healed.”
“We should document it anyway. Photos, if possible.” Logan pulled out his phone. “What’s Cody’s social worker’s name?”
“I don’t know,” Roan admitted.
“Find out. First thing tomorrow, you call her or him and report exactly what Cody told you. I’ll draft a statement tonight that you can use. You need to be clear, factual, and urgent—this child is in immediate danger.”
Reese felt her heart racing. “What happens after we report it?”
“DCF will investigate. They’ll interview Cody, probably interview Devon and the Pattersons. Given the severity—attempted drowning—they’ll likely remove Cody from the home immediately while they investigate.”
“Where would he go?” Roan asked.
“Emergency placement. Could be another foster home, could be a group home temporarily.” Logan paused.
“Or, if you’re willing to take him as an emergency placement, and if DCF approves it given your existing relationship through The Bridge Program, they might place him with you while they investigate and sort out something more permanent. ”
“I’ll take him. Right now. Today, if possible.”
“It doesn’t work quite that fast. You’ll report it tomorrow.
DCF will investigate, probably Tuesday or Wednesday.
If they remove him, they’ll need somewhere to place him.
I can let them know you’re willing and able to provide emergency shelter.
Given that you’re already his mentor, already have Marcus placed with you, and the situation is urgent, there’s a good chance they’ll approve it. ”
“So he could be with me by the end of the week?” Roan asked.
“Possibly. If everything moves quickly and DCF determines he’s in immediate danger—which, given what you’ve described, they should.
” Logan made more notes. “This also helps your case long-term. If Cody is placed with you as an emergency placement—and it goes well—it strengthens your application for permanent foster placement or adoption down the line.”
“What about the Pattersons?” Reese asked. “Will they lose their foster license?”
“That depends on the investigation. If DCF determines they failed to protect Cody from their biological son’s violence, ignored reports of abuse, or created an unsafe environment, yes, they could lose their license. At minimum, they’ll be under increased scrutiny.”
Roan leaned forward. “And Devon? Can he be charged with anything?”
“He’s a minor, but yes, he could face juvenile charges for assault.
That’s up to DCF and potentially the police, depending on how serious they consider the incident.
But our focus right now is getting Cody safe, not punishing Devon.
” Logan closed his folder and looked directly at Roan.
“I need you to understand something. When you make this report tomorrow, you’re setting a lot of things in motion.
Investigations, interviews, potential removal of Cody from the only home he’s known for an extended period of time—even if it’s not a good home.
And there’s no guarantee DCF will place him with you.
They might decide another foster home is more appropriate.
You need to be prepared for that possibility. ”
“I understand.”
“But you’re still going to report it?”
“Absolutely. That kid tried to drown him. I’m not leaving Cody in that house another day if I can help it.”
“Good.” Logan pulled out a business card and wrote something on the back. “This is the DCF emergency line. If anything else happens with Cody before you can file the official report tomorrow, you call this number immediately. If Devon threatens him again, if there’s any violence—anything—you call.”
Roan took the card. “Thank you.”
“I’ll send you the information about foster parent licensing tonight.
Even if Cody is placed with you as an emergency, you’ll still need to complete the licensing process for it to become permanent.
Start that process immediately.” Logan hesitated, then added, “One more thing you should know. When it comes to permanent placement—adoption, long-term foster care—the system has biases. They strongly prefer two-parent households. Married couples. Stable family structures.” He looked at Roan.
“As a single man, you’ll face more scrutiny during the home study.
More questions. And if another family also requests Cody for permanent placement, a married couple will likely be chosen over a single parent. ”
Reese drew in a long, shaky breath. He could lose them to a married couple?
“So I’m at a disadvantage,” Roan said.
“In the system’s eyes, yes. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible—you have a lot going for you.
Stable income, your own home, family support from Grace and Walter, your connection through The Bridge Program.
But I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you the reality.
” Logan’s voice was matter-of-fact, professional.
“Emergency placement is one thing. They’re just looking for safe and willing.
But permanent placement, adoption—those have higher bars. ”
“I understand,” Roan said quietly.
Logan nodded and moved on to discussing Marcus. “I’ll file the emergency custody paperwork first thing tomorrow morning. Keep him enrolled in school, document everything, maintain your routine with The Bridge Program. Make it clear to DCF that he’s safe and stable with you.”
Logan stood, shaking both their hands. “This is going to be complicated and probably frustrating. But you’re doing the right thing. Both for reporting the abuse and for stepping up for these kids.”
Outside, the snow was falling heavily. Reese and Roan stood in the parking lot, both processing what they’d just heard.
“He could be with you by the end of the week,” Reese said.
“If DCF moves fast. If they believe him. If they place him with me.” Roan looked at her. “That’s a lot of ifs.”
“But it’s possible.”
“Yeah. It’s possible.”
She thought about what Logan had said. Report it tomorrow. Emergency removal. Cody potentially living with Roan by Friday.
“We sure didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into when we agreed to mentorship, did we?” Reese asked.
“No, I certainly didn’t see this coming.”
“But we have to do it, don’t we?” Reese asked. “Even if it means we’re suddenly more than mentors.”
“Are you in because you want to be or because I want it?” Roan asked.
“Those things aren’t opposite. What you want, I want.”
He brushed snow from her cheek. “I want you to marry me. Not for the boys, mind you. But for me.”