Maddox Six Months Later
Maddox
Six Months Later
Lynk is waiting for me as I step into Acceptance Alley. ‘I can’t believe I’m doin’ this,’ I think as I walk towards him. The past year has been a complete whirlwind. Kai and I are in a really good place and Lynk is a piece of our little family that we didn’t know we were missing.
Kai met Lynk when he started volunteering here.
Lynk is dealing with some big things, his mom being diagnosed with cancer and his dad in and out of prison.
Add figuring out his sexuality with his dad having a mouth and a short temper, and it made for a volatile situation.
Being the persistent fuck he is, Kai got Lynk to start really talking to him, and in hearing everything he was dealing with, he knew I needed to meet him.
A few meetings with Syliva and a background check later and I was cleared to be his Big Brother.
It took a while but the kid finally relaxed and started being himself around me.
We spent days at the Pier, took a few trips to Six Flags, and had a few movie night sleepovers at our house.
I could see the amazing kid that had been hiding behind a mask of being tough.
Knowing that all Lynk wanted was to be accepted, I had enlisted his help with my plan.
After weeks of planning and making sure everything was set up, it was time to follow through with it.
Glancing around the room I spot Dani waving me over.
Heading toward her, she ushers us into the breakroom where Mel and Ollie were already waiting.
Kai was here leading a group session that was due to wrap up shortly. He was doing amazing in school and was very excited about using what he was learning to help kids like us who just needed someone to listen to them.
Dani shut the door quietly behind me as I walked to Mel pulling her into a hug.
Stepping away, I smiled at her before Ollie pulled me into a hug, slapping my back and muttering, “proud of you, malen’kiy brat,” as we parted.
Grinning widely as I looked between my siblings, I was glad they were both a part of this.
They had been nothing but supportive and had even helped with the plan.
Mel had moved back home a few months ago, and the three of us were closer than ever.
Mel was working at the center in the daycare while she was enrolled in UIC for her MED in Early Childhood Education.
Ollie was still working for Zak. As for the family home, we came together, fixed it up and sold it, splitting the profits between the three of us.
Turning to see the rest of the people scattered around the room, I wave to the Sullivan crew.
Seb was still missing, but he would be here.
Even Tessa had shown up for this. We had a long talk after I came home and came to an agreement.
I know she really only wants what’s best for Kai.
And though we came to an agreement, I bet there’s probably another big reason that she finally relented about me being in Kai’s life.
Zak enters the room, and I turn my head towards the door. He nods as he heads in Tessa’s direction. I watch as he pops the toothpick from his mouth, leaning in to kiss her hello. Yup, they had been together for about six months now. Seems to be going well so far.
As we stood around chatting, Seb entered the room, face pale and rubbing his cheek. Dani stormed into the room right behind him, muttering, “The fuck you thinkin’ walkin’ in here and kissin’ me…” her rant trailed off and my eyebrows shot to my hairline as I watch Dani clench her hands into fists.
Lynk and I looked at each other, shock on both our faces.
Shrugging, I walk over to Dani, pulling her away from Seb and over to where Lynk and I were standing.
Talking her down was not easy, especially since she kept looking over at Seb sitting in one of the chairs, eyes on the ground and occasionally glancing her way with a sheepish grin.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I let out a sigh of exasperation, “Both of ya, knock it off! Let me do this and then we can deal with whatever that shit is.” I say, quietly and forcefully, not leaving room for any argument.
“There’s nothin’ to deal with. He just needs to stay the fuck away from me,” Dani replies, mouth open to say more when the door opens again.
Kai enters the room and freezes, looking around in confusion, his gaze landing on me.
I step away from Dani and Lynk as a knowing look takes the place of the confusion.
“What are you doin’ here? Fuck, wait. Why is everyone here?…No Dax, you’re not…wait...” Kai says, speaking fast as he spins out.
Shaking my head as he spirals, I reach for his hands, dropping to one knee, “Kitten, shhh listen. I’ve put a lotta thought into what I want to say. But words have never been my thing and it never comes out right. So, I went another direction.” I say, looking over my shoulder, “Lynk?”
Nodding, Lynk steps forward and hands Kai a picture frame with the drawing of the sunflower field, the clouds in the sky above spelling out “Marry me?”. Looking from the drawing to green eyes filled with tears. He closes his eyes, shaking his head and I close my eyes, afraid to move.
Frozen in place, holding out the ring box, I think, ‘Is he tellin’ me no?
Did I get this wrong? What the fuck is happenin’ right now?
’ I’m pulled from my own spiraling thoughts when I feel Kai cup my jaw.
Opening my eyes, I find him down on one knee, ring box held out in front of him and laughter in his eyes.
Looking from the ring back to him, confusion fills my voice and my eyes water as I ask, “Wait, you were gonna ask me?”
Kai nods and explains, “I was gonna ask you this weekend when we took Lynk to the hockey game. The kiss cam was all lined up and everything.”
Looking around the room, my eyes land on a guilty looking Lynk, trying very hard to find something interesting on the ceiling. “Lynk, were you helpin’ both of us with this?”
Lynk looks at us both, a huge grin and shrugs and sheepishly replies, “Maybe.”
‘Look at the little shit rockin’ on his heels like he wasn’t doing what he does best. Stirrin’ shit up,’ I think with a smirk and shake my head at him before focusing on Kai again.
Working together, Kai and I stand, laughing at Lynk, smiling at each other before looking around the room. Surrounded by our forged family, we were exactly where we were supposed to be.