(I have a question for you guys at the end in bold. It would help me out a lot if you answered it! Thanks frens.)
Josh's POV
Things, for the most part, had gone back to normal between Lynn and I. School was a little tough for her after what happened her first day, but she was getting through it. Either way, we'd fallen back into a routine. Lynn would come home from school, do homework while I practiced, occasionally ask questions. Once she finished homework and I finished practicing we'd try (in vain) to cook dinner. Sometimes we burned it so badly we'd just order Chinese food (which turns out to be a favorite of Lynn's) and eat it while watching The X-Files.
I was a little more than excited when I got her hooked on the show. I watched it all the time as a little kid with my dad, and it felt oddly comforting to pass that down to Lynn.
The week was slowly coming to an end, and so was the break from tour. Granted, we had until next week on Wednesday, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't know what I was going to do about Lynn. Ms.Ricks was thinking about it, too. A lot.
She called a lot more frequently, and each day her tone became more stern and urgent. I knew fully well that I had to make a definite decision soon. Extremely soon. I was only going to be able to foster Lynn for another month, and if I wanted to be her legal guardian up to the cut-off date, I had to be able to carry out a few things.
First, I had to be able to keep her in school somehow. Online school was definitely an option, but Ms.Ricks wasn't exactly all for it when she was coming back so soon. Second, I had to be able to have a sit-down meeting with Ms.Ricks and Lynn, also not possible while on tour, where I would sign some more papers and Ms.Ricks would make sure that Lynn was well taken care of.
I talked to Tyler about it over lunch one day.
"I've thought of everything," I sighed. "There's just no way to make it work. But I want it to work. I really want it to work."
Tyler nodded knowingly, biting his lip for a second and putting his burrito down. "Josh, I know you do. I do, too. But at this point you have to think about what's best for Lynn," he leaned forward ever-so-slightly on his elbows. "What do you think is best for her?"
I put my face in my hands. "I don't know," I said breathlessly. I looked back up at him, "She needs a real family. She deserves a real family."
"And she can't get that like this," Tyler admitted somberly.
"But I want her to be able to," I urged. "She feels like family, Tyler. You can't just let family go."
"What are you saying?" he asked.
"I'm saying I think I want to adopt Lynn," I placed the words carefully. It seemed so much more real as soon as I said it out loud.
Tyler smiled softly, "I want you to, too." His smile faded, "But how can we make that work? She's a kid, Josh. We're touring all over the country, and soon the world. It isn't just about what I want or what you want. This is her life we're talking about."
I looked down at my food, which suddenly seemed less appealing, as my heart dropped into my stomach. "I know. I'll figure it out."
•••••••
I finished practicing once Lynn finished her homework.
"I have a question," I started.
She looked up at me, her bright green eyes widening under stray strands of chestnut hair. "Hm?"
"Have you been roller skating before?"
Lynn shook her head, "Nope."
"Tyler and Jenna are going roller skating tonight, and they wanted to know if we wanted to come, too," I raised an eyebrow at the girl sitting on my kitchen counter. "Do you want to go?"
"Definitely?" she nodded enthusiastically. "When are we going?"
I smiled, something about the thought of helping Lynn learn to roller-skate was really... heart-warming? I couldn't find a word for it, but whatever it was, it was good. Geez, I really did act like a dad. I looked over at the clock, "A few minutes."
She smiled wide, "Sweet."
•••••••
"So, Lynn, are you excited to eat my dust?" Tyler raised a challenging eyebrow at the girl.
She laughed, crossing her arms, "Please. You're a singer, stay in your lane."
Tyler gave a mocking gasp, "Did you just use my own song against me?"
"Maybe," Lynn flashed her eyebrows up and down before breaking into a fit of laughter.
I couldn't help but laugh, too. I stood up, Lynn, Tyler and Jenna following closely behind, all in rented roller-skates.
Lynn had to steady herself on my arm, laughing a little and looking up at me, "I have a pretty good feeling I'm going to eat it."
"Aw, don't say that," I tried to encourage her, but I was laughing too.
She just rolled her eyes, smiling, and carefully made her way to the rink. As soon as she hit the slicked floors, she involuntarily spun around, having to grab at the siding to stop herself.
Tyler started laughing hysterically, easily stepping into the rink. "What was that about staying in my lane?" he teased.
"Oh shut up," Lynn laughed.
Jenna and Tyler started skating together, and I stayed with Lynn to try and help her. "It's like walking, just with longer strides," I offered, skating out in front of her before turning around to face her again. "See?"
I made my way back over to her as she slowly eased into it. I was tensed, ready to help her if she started to fall, but I couldn't stop smiling. Okay, maybe part of that was because it was really funny to watch, but I swear I was proud, too. It was just a little funny.
"Okay, I think I've got it," she assured herself, and she was right. She picked it up fast.
"See, I told you!" I smiled wildly. "Not that bad, huh?"
She smiled up at me, "Not that bad."
Eventually we started messing around with Tyler and Jenna, doing stupid things like racing or attempting to jump while skating (which never ended well, but was attempted relentlessly).
Tyler was showing off, skating backwards with a cocky grin plastered on his face. "Try it!" he urged Lynn lightheartedly.
"I'm going to fall," she stated simply.
"No you won't," he waved her off, picking up speed and continuing to skate backwards. "Come on!"
Lynn sucked a breath inward and turned around, scrambling to attempt it. Tyler started skating backwards beside her, saying words of encouragement while competing with her to get faster at the same time.
Jenna and I stood by, laughing at them and moving slowly around the sides of the rink.
"I think Tyler's as much of a kid as she is," Jenna giggled, her gaze following the two shouting and smiling back and forth.
I watched, too, as they shoved each other in attempts to put the other off balance. I couldn't help but laugh, they fought like siblings. I nodded, "Definitely."
Tyler and Lynn had circled around the rink and made their way back over to Jenna and I. Tyler easily moved around Jenna, taking her by the hands and pulling her within him. She laughed as he spun her around, her blond hair flying behind her.
Lynn on the other hand, was trying desperately to turn back around. She finally succeeded, only to catch on the front of her rollerblades.
"Help! I'm falling, I'm falling!" she gasped, grabbing at my arm to try and steadier herself.
I was no use, and she fell flat on her back, bringing me down with her. We both stayed down, laughing in a tangle of laces and Lynn's hair.
"You were supposed to catch me!" she wheezed through her hysteric giggling.
Laughter bubbled in my chest, "Hey, I'm on roller skates, too!"
She turned to look at me with eyes that were tearing up she was laughing so hard, "Now look who's making excuses."
"Guys, you look like maniacs," Tyler smiled and helped us both up.
Lynn shrugged, a smile still plastered to her face, "Well, at least we're blunt.
•••••••
The day came to an end too early, and before I knew it Lynn and I were back on my couch eating Chinese food and watching The X-Files. It was a little later than usual, but neither of us were willing to give up an episode. So, we ordered takeout and watched Scully and Mulder solve mysteries as the sun fell behind the sky-line and the stars slowly flickered into view.
Finally, at 10:30, we finished the episode. "Okay," I started, looking down at Lynn, who was resting calmly against my shoulder. "You have to get to sleep now."
But Lynn was far ahead of me. Her chest slowly rose and fell, and her eyelids stayed calmly shut as she slept against me. I smiled softly and picked her up bridal style, careful not to wake her up. I carried her back to her room, softly lowering her onto her bed and pulling covers over her.
Lynn stayed lost in dreams that must have been good, judging by the small smile on her lips. I didn't have the heart to wake her up. She didn't have good dreams very often.
"Good night, Lynn," I whispered softly as I shut her bedroom door.
I smiled to myself as I headed to my own room. It reminded me of the first night she spent here, when we watched Stranger Things. It seemed unreal, how I barely knew this girl then, and now couldn't imagine living without her.
I couldn't imagine living without her.
I shut my bedroom door and pulled out my phone, sitting on my bed and listening to it ring.
A sweet voice I could recognize anywhere answered. "Hey, Josh! It's nice to hear from you again."
"Hey, mom," I smiled. "I, uh, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Of course, what is it?" she asked intently.
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. Now or never.
"I think I'm going to adopt Lynn."
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
A/N:
I know, I've been waiting for it forever, too. It's finally been said!
Okay, but onto my question for you guys. I'm planning on writing another fanfiction (not an adopted by, more of a traditional one) and I wanted to know:
Do you guys want a Josh or Tyler fanfiction next?
Please let me know, it would seriously help me out! I'm on the fence about it, and I would love to hear what you guys think.
Also I just noticed we gained 200 reads since the last chapter. You guys are the most dope humans in the world oh my lord.
Until next time
Stay street, frens |-/