"Morgan?" A female voice called from the hallway.
We were sat in a waiting room, a lot like a doctors office. Helen had helped to organise this meeting so I didn't know who we were meeting. When I looked up I saw the same comforting brown eyes, brown hair and the soft scent of vanilla and caramel lingering that I met when I was a vulnerable 12 year old who's life had been upended. It had been six years and yet she still looked exactly the same.
I stood up to greet her as a large smile graced her face.
"My, you have grown up into a stunning young lady," she complimented and I blushed.
"You remember me? You must see thousands of kids!" I remarked.
"I do, but I remember the ones who make an impact on me," she smiled. "I could tell you wouldn't be eaten up by the system, despite your shitty hand in life. That, and I was able to place you with Helen and Craig," she said gesturing to my foster parents.
"Something I'm grateful for every day."
"Shall we?" She said, gesturing down the hall to her office.
Everyone else got up to follow too and one by one we all filed into her small office.
"You have quite the group with you!" She observed as she sat down at her desk.
"Uh yeah, well you know Helen and Craig. This is my boyfriend Joey and his mom Sophia. Sophia was in the system all her childhood too. But more than that, she has accepted me into her family," I glanced from Joey to Sophia, who placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Honestly, it's so great to see that you are doing well," she said to me before looking to Sophia and Joey. "My name is Carla Hogan, you may have gathered that I was Morgan's social worker when she was placed with the Robertson family and I've worked closely with them over the years with dozens of cases. I only wish they were still fostering!"
"We are getting a little too old these days," Helen defended. "Not all the kids were like Morgan!"
"You are all talking me up too much," I muttered embarrassed.
"So where did you two meet?" Carla asked, thankfully changing the subject.
"At College. I live in Arizona now, Joey is cousins with my roommate and things went from there," I explained briefly.
"Ah young love." She sighed before her facial expression turned more serious. "As much as I would love to sit here and catch up on your life, Helen briefed me about what's happened and I've done some searching."
"Ok. I'm listening," I said.
"Did your mom tell you anything about your brother?"
"I only got a letter this morning, it has his full name and date of birth. She said he was taken from her at birth and I don't think she ever tried to find him," I explained, now feeling a bit pathetic with the tiny amount of information I had come here with and hoped for answers.
"I have to say, I thought it might have been more difficult to find him just with your mothers name and his, but it turns out one of my colleagues has handled your brothers case since birth," Carla explained while pulling a file from her desk. "I just want to confirm with you the full name and date of birth your mother gave you before I tell you anymore."
"Uh yeah," I say pulling the letter out. "Beau William Sanders, born November 10, 2014. I can only assume he would have been born here because as far as I know, my mom never left San Diego. But then I didn't know she had a second child either."
Carla scans over the folder that she has in her hands, checking the information that I told her. I feel my palms starting to sweat and my heartbeat pick up. She looks up at me and smiles before handing me a photo.
I looked at the photo, my breath hitching and the feel of tears building in my eyes. There's no doubt about it, this boy is related to me.
"He has my eyes," I whisper, running my fingers across the photo as I feel Joey's arm around my back.
"This is Beau? My brother..." my voice croaked as a few silent tears fell.
"Yes, Morgan. That is your brother."
"Where is he now? What's his story been?" I asked, finally looking up from the photo as Sophia handed me a tissue.
"He is still in the system. A few times there were adoptive parents interested, but it fell through. The latest report says he is a shy child, good natured. But he struggles when he goes to a new home."
"How many? Homes that is?" I asked, even though I'm scared of the answer.
Carla pursed her lips. "Remember, not everyone is as lucky as you were. It can be a lot harder on kids who are here from birth, they've never known what it's like to have a family, never felt like they belong anywhere."
"Carla, please. Don't treat me like the 12 year old you met six years ago. Just tell me straight. I can handle it," I insisted.
"He is in his fifth home. The last two years in particular have been hard, having moved three times since the age of five. He hasn't adjusted to school as well as hoped, he is bright, but socially he is lacking and that can cause issues. While he is generally good natured, he can lash out when kids pick on him. Kids are cruel to those who are less fortunate."
My heart sunk. While it's the sort of thing I expected, I was desperately hoping he would have been adopted out and living with a real family.
"Can I meet him?" The question was out of my mouth before I could even process what I said. After all my uncertainty over what I wanted, now being here and hearing it, I knew. I needed to meet him, I didn't know if I could give him a life that he deserves, but anything would be better than what he has now.
"We can arrange it," Carla hesitated. "But Morgan, you need to consider that meeting him, letting him know he has a family member could be worse for him in the long run if you still have to leave him behind."
"I know, but he's my brother," I argued weakly.
"Maybe you should sleep on it? Discuss everything with Joey and Sophia, then tomorrow we can decide what steps to take," Helen suggests.
"Even if I meet him, I don't have to whisk him away to live with me. He needs to adjust to the idea of having a sister too. We can meet, get to know each other and I can support him from afar."
"Babe, I know you have all the right intentions, but I also know you. If you don't like what you see, where he is living you will want to take him with you instantly," Joey tried to reason.
"What do you think Sophia?" I asked.
"I'm honestly torn. I think you should meet him, I know what it's like to hope every single day that someone will come along and save you from your shitty life and give you a place to belong. But I'm also worried that you aren't ready to give that to him. I have no issues with bringing him home to our house, David and I already discussed it, but what about when the summer is over and you go back to college?"
"I haven't thought that far ahead. It's only been three days since I got that phone call."
I buried my face in my hands. It was all so much to think about, so much to consider and so many unknowns. I know that no one was expecting me to make a decision right now, but if I didn't I would stew on it for too long. I'm more of a right now kind of person.
"I want to meet him. The rest we can figure out," I said firmly.
Carla glanced around at everyone else in the room looking for their confirmation too.
"It's your decision, we will be here with you," Joey confirmed for everyone.
"Ok then. I'll contact his foster carer's and set up a meeting. I'll text you as soon as I have a time and give you the address," Carla said. "I'll do my best to get back to you today."
"Thank you, thanks for everything," I said.
"Honestly, it's been a pleasure seeing you again. I wish it were better circumstances."
Once we were out of the stuffy office and back in the street I let out a big breath I didn't realise I was holding in.
"You sure this is what you want?" Helen asked me again.
I nodded confidently. "Yes. Absolutely."
"Alright then. It won't be easy Morgan, but I think I speak for everyone when I say we trust your judgement."
"When was anything in my life ever the easy path to take?" I smiled at her as she shook her head.
We said goodbye, telling them that I would call them as soon as I heard anything. When we arrived back to the hotel we went back to our rooms, everyone feeling exhausted after such an emotional day.
As we entered our room Joey pulled me into his arms. "Why don't I run you a bath in that giant tub in there and you can relax."
"Will you join me?"
"Only if you want me to," he replied.
"I'd love nothing more right now."
With a quick peck on the lips Joey moved off to the bathroom where I heard the water starting almost instantly. I made my way to the bedroom where I stripped from my clothes, put on one of the giant fluffy hotel robes and tied my hair up into a bun.
When I walked into the bathroom, the bath was already full, he had even added some berry scented bubble bath. Joey stood up from testing the water and turned the off tap when I approached.
"You are amazing, more than I deserve," I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"I love you Morgan, I'll do anything for you."
I nodded before pulling his head towards mine and crashing our lips together. Joey quickly responded, pulling my body close to his.
With everything that has gone on, all the people around us constantly and the heavy emotions wearing us out, me in particular, we hadn't had a chance to be together like this in days. Just the two of us, appreciating our love.
The kiss deepened as I opened my mouth and allowed his tongue to enter mine. My robe started to fall open, the friction between us causing the light knot to unravel and the robe start to fall from my bare shoulder as Joey pulled away. Both of us catching our breaths.
"Hop in the bath before it cools too much," he whispered kissing me below my ear.
I pulled the robe off me completely, sneaking a glance back to Joey who was watching my every move. I could tell he was trying to control himself as he admired my naked body while I dipped into the water. Once I was in he quickly stripped off himself and sat behind me, his legs either side of me and pulling me flush against him, his hardness pushing against my back.
"You feel what you do to me every time?" He said between sweet, soft kisses on my bare neck.
"Mmhmm," I replied, enjoying the feel of his body against mine and the kisses. "Touch me Joey, please," I begged softly.
"We can just relax you know, just because we are naked together we don't have to do anything."
"Or you could make me come and then I'll relax," I replied sassily.
"Fuck Morgan," he growled as one hand moved to my breast and the other snaked between my legs.
It felt so different in the water as Joey first gently stroked small, soft circles around my clit, before adding more pressure and just before I start to beg him, he inserted a finger. I let out a soft moan as he continued expertly moving his fingers, now adding a second inside me as I grip my own breasts allowing him to send both hands under the water.
I squeeze my breasts, pinching my nipples as Joey watches my hands work, his breathing laboured. He uses one hand to rub circles on my clit as the other pumps two fingers inside of me, curling and exploring as I moan louder.
"I'm going to add another finger Morgan, maybe two more. Is that ok?" He asked hoarsely.
I nod silently and moan loudly in response as I feel him stretch me with his fingers alone, once again proving he is amazing with his hands. My orgasm not far now as my stomach clenches, my legs start to shake and I squeeze my own breasts harder all the while Joey keeps his hands going and let's me ride out my high.
Once my breathing calms again, he removes his hands and holds me close.
"How was that?" He asks smugly.
"You know damn well how that was. You sure as hell know how to ease then tension from my body," I sighed.
"I'll help relive your stress anytime you want baby," he whispers in my ear.
Finally feeling relaxed for the first time in days we lay together in the bath, watching the ocean views and making up fake life stories for the people below until the water is too cold to stay in any longer.
I checked my phone when we got out seeing a text message.
10am tomorrow morning. Rushmore park on Barkers road. See you there, Carla.
A/N
Just wanted to say thank you <3! There are a couple of you who are always first to read and vote on a new chapter and it makes me so happy!