serendipity

07: "we aren't going anywhere, buddy."

(seraphina's pov)

since that monday night at ezra's, the guys and i have gotten incredibly closer. max and i hangout with them everyday after school and sometimes we have dinner together with valentina, ezra's mom.

she's lovely and she provides the motherly warmth that i've missed for years now.

i haven't spoken to alex since i went to his firm, which was a couple weeks ago, but he told me he would call when he got further details. the worst part is the wait, i'm going crazy not knowing what's going to happen.

it's now friday and ezra and i are in music class. we've been sitting here for ten minutes doing nothing, so i offer, "wanna play 20 questions?"

he nods his head for me to continue so i ask, "what's your favorite color?" with a tilt to the head.

he looks me right in the eye and says, "emerald, what's your favorite book?"

"hmm...well right now it's probably the dance of theives duology but i bet when i read my next book it'll change," i shrug. "what's your favorite movie?"

"game plan. what's your favorite movie?"

i smile and exclaim, "tangled! that movie is a cenamatic masterpiece!"

he nods his head in agreement and i feel satisfied with that answer until he says, "never seen it."

my eyes go wide into a horrified expression. "i'm making you watch that movie whether you like it or not." i calm down and ask curiously, "what do you wanna do when you get out of high school?"

he sighs and sheepishly smiles, "i've always wanted to be a chef. during the summer, i try and get a job at a diner or restaurant to improve. what about you?"

"you'll have to cook for max and i some time!" i exclaim, excited. and then i answer his question, "well, i'm thinking about going to the community college here and getting my associates in business. then, hopefully, i open up my own cafe where people can come to read. think of it as a barnes and noble but you can get meals and just chill," i say with a soft smile.

a genuine smile breaks through his nerves and he says, "anytime, ser. favorite music artist?"

"i'll listen to most things but i love artists like james arthur, matt cooper, and the driver era. favorite tv show?"

he disappointedly says, "the 100 but seasons 5-7 are shit." he asks, "what about you?"

"definitely supergirl or gossip girl. oh my goodness, nate and serena should've ended up together, point blank. and i really only watched supergirl for chris wood," i smirk at the end then ask, "what's your middle name?"

"ross, what's yours and max's?"

"mine is rhea and max's is adrian."

"rhea," he tries it out then says, "i like that."

eventually, the bell rings and we meet keaton and leo to go get max.

we all hug him and talk to him about his day while walking to the parking lot. just when we were about to split up to our cars so we head to go get some food, my phone rings. i look at the caller id and see that it's my attorney.

i bend down to max who is holding my hand and say, "stay with them, i'll be right back."

i ignore their questioning looks and walk a little ways away and answer the phone, "hello, mr. johnson."

"miss. ariti, i'm sorry to inform you this over the phone but, unfortunately, the situation will be taken to court. is there somewhere we can meet to go over the details tomorrow?"

"yes, there's a coffee shop right by my apartment, i'll send you the address. how about 10 tomorrow morning?" i ask sighing sadly.

"that works, i'll see you tomorrow miss. ariti." and then the line is dead.

there is no way this is happening.

i walk back over to the guys and say, "is your mom off work today?" to ezra. he nods and a look of understanding comes to his face. "can we please go see her? i'll explain everything."

they nod and we head to ezra's house. max doesn't know anything because i didn't want to overwhelm him with something that i wasn't sure of yet but i know i need to tell him today.

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we arrive and head inside.

we see valentina at the kitchen table on her laptop. she looks up and when she sees my face, she nods and puts a movie on for max in the living room.

we all sit down and i say, "they're taking it to court. i'm supposed to meet alex tomorrow morning for more details."

worry overtakes all their faces and we sit in silence for a few minutes until i break it by asking, "valentina, do you think you could go with me to meet him tomorrow?"

"of course, honey," she says with a motherly smile. one that tells you everything is going to be okay. i nod gratefully and call max into the dining room.

he takes a seat next to me. i think for a second how to explain what's happening in a way he can understand.

"agápi mou, something has come up and we have to attend court. our mother has a sister and she found out about us. she thinks that you would be better taken care of with her instead of me. i don't think that so i'm gonna fight to keep you in my care, okay bud? it's gonna be overwhelming and you might not understand some things but we have everyone at this table to help us through it," (my love) i say in a soft tone hoping he understand what i'm saying.

"what happens if i'm taken into her care?" he questions, looking very confused.

i sigh sadly and say, "you wouldn't be living with me anymore."

tears form in his eyes and he says in a broken tone, "but i wanna stay with you sissy."

"and i want you to stay with me, so that's why i'm gonna try as much as i can to keep it that way."

he just nods and hugs me while i cling to him hoping and praying everything will be okay.

i feel a wet patch on my shoulder and i know he's crying. "it's gonna be okay, bud. don't worry. you and i, remember? it will always be you and i," i say softly.

the four others at the table are frowning slightly knowing how much this is hurting max and i.

"you and i," he says back with a break in his voice.

ezra, keaton, and leo get up and hug us providing as much comfort as they can.

i'm grateful for them. i'm not sure i'd be as put together as i am right now if it weren't for the support they have provided max and i.

suddenly max jolts up and looks over at the three guys who have us in their arms and says, "your not going anywhere, right?" with a pout.

they all immediately shake their heads no, smile a warm one and leo says, "we aren't going anywhere, buddy."

max just nods back, satisfied with his answer and snuggles back into the warmth we're being provided.

how are we gonna do this?

i can't have max out of my custody.