All Chapters of The Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team Series: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Kelsea"So what's the plan?" I ask, moving my hand down Nick's arm before grabbing his hand in mine. He's an anchor, keeping me solid when all I want to do is rage at the injustice of all of this. "There has to be a plan." Glancing a look over at him, I can see he looks just about how I feel – like I'm going to throw up right here on the floor. Or maybe scream, just to get the nerves out. This moment is so crucial. A child's life remains in the balance of what happens in this one set of circumstances that probably will end up being a few short seconds of his entire life. I feel the pressure as I take a deep breath, blowing it out slowly, hoping to relieve some of the tension."He'll go into foster care," Nick says, his voice monotone, his body tight. "Right?" He barks so harshly that I feel sorry for this woman. "You'll put him in some group home, or with a couple who only take children because they get the kickbacks from the government.""There are many options…""Don't give m

Kelsea"What are you going to do with your apartment?" Dad demands as I sit in the living room telling him about the decision Nick and I have made.It feels a little like I'm being interrogated by Officer Harrison right now. While I can understand why he's suspicious, it's still uncomfortable for me. I've never been the type of person to make waves."We're still in preliminary stages right now, but the plan is for Cutter to take over the lease, and he'll keep the furniture. We'll see what the future holds as far as all of that goes."I look between my mom and dad as they share a conversation between their eyes. I'm proud to say I've never been the type of kid who did something to embarrass or disappoint them. For the most part I've been a good kid most of my life. I'm beginning to think I'm about to get yelled at."Kels." Mom crosses her legs, leaning forward with her elbow on her knee. "Do you think this is a good idea? We all know how you feel about Nick, have known it for

KelseaThe last two days have been the longest of my life as Nick and I have prepared to go before the judge. From what we heard, his dad was served and he'll be appearing. I'm not sure how I feel about that exactly. He's always been a faceless enemy to me.Nick and I sit in the court room; we're not allowed to sit next to our attorney, but we're in the front row, right behind him. Nick looks spectacular in his uniform, and I took extra care with my dress and curling my hair this morning. Yesterday we had the home visit, which expedited us to serve as foster parents to Darren, and I'm scared to death we won't leave here with him today. "You okay?" Nick asks as he leans in. "Scared to death they'll think we aren't the best thing for him," I admit, my hand shaking slightly as I smooth my dress over my thighs. He reaches over, grabbing my hand in his. The warmth feels fills a spot in my body that's been cold for longer than I can remember. "We've got this." He smiles widel

Kelsea"Is he asleep?" I ask Nick later on that night. The two of us are getting ready for bed, and I have to smile at the picture of domesticity we make. Who would have thought a month ago, I'd be sitting on his bed putting moisturizer on my face while he came out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, a kid asleep in the bedroom a little down the hallway from ours."Out like a light. He didn't even move when I went in to turn his light off." Nick uses another towel to dry off his hair. I take that moment to look at him. His skin holds a slight tan all year round, and it's obvious he's worked hard on his body. It's cut in places I didn't even know it could be cut, the vee leading down behind the towel is enticing enough it makes me want to follow the path with my tongue. He's got his signature scruffy – not quite a beard, but not clean-shaven face. His biceps and forearms ripple as he vigorously works the towel through his dark locks.When he stops, he drops b

Nick"Hey, I'm leaving for work," I hear the whispered voice of Kelsea."Yeah?" I answer, trying desperately to wake myself up. "What time is it?""Five-thirty," she answers, as she goes to the closet, bends down, and comes back over to the bed. She has a seat, as she goes about putting her shoes on. "Remember, I have an early shift today because we're doing the free clinic? You have to get Darren to school for me."Typically she gets him off to school and I pick him up. We've settled into a nice routine, and so far things have been working well. The problem with today is, I just got off-shift at three. "What time do I have to wake him up?" I yawn as I push myself up onto my hand. "Six-twenty," she answers, reaching in to muss my hair. "You have to leave here by seven to get him there on time, so don't let him jerk you around.""Will he do that?""With his breakfast, yes. He'll keep telling you it's okay for him to have Pop Tarts. That's not the case, he can't have that