Once that had been completed and approved, next came background checks and financial assessments. Of course, those were a no-brainer and passed quickly and easily.
The final step was agency approval and final approval by the county. And this was where things sort of went off the rails. Everything came to a screeching halt. Six weeks passed without any word or progress, not a peep. Every call or inquiry was met with, "It’s in process. Someone will contact you when everythingis complete," which had everyone frustrated and at their wits' end.
Finally,finally, a call had come from the agency, informing them they'd been approved and only needed to schedule an appointment to sign the paperwork.
They stepped out of the office and crossed the hall.
As soon as the door swung open, Aiden slammed into them with a joyful shriek. “Yes! Can we go home now?”
Dean tousled his hair. “Yes sir, we can go home now. Are you all packed?”
Aiden enthusiastically nodded his head and Dean, still overcome with emotion, hugged him tight.
Aiden began to cough and dramatically wave his arms. “I…I can’t breathe!” he wheezed.
Dean released him with a smile. “Alright, enough of that. You’d better get used to it, kiddo, ‘cause there’s a lot more hugs in your future.”
Aiden beamed with a radiant smile. “I can handle it, promise.” Dean stood and offered his hand to Aiden, who took it and fell in stride between Dean and Colton.
“Can we get milkshakes?” He blinked at Dean with puppy dog eyes, knowing Dean couldn’t resist. Dean threw his head back with a belly laugh, then playfully tapped his chin with a finger. “Well, itisa special occasion. So…yes.”
Aiden pumped his free hand in celebration and Colton patted his head with a chuckle.
They stepped through the front door of The Castro Center and were greeted by Sebastian, the director of the center. “Hey, Aiden. Are you excited?” He asked with a fist bump.
“Yes! I can’t wait. You have to come see my new room. It’s huge!” Aiden grinned, bouncing with delight. “And we’re getting milkshakes too!”
“Wow!” Sebastian patted his shoulder. “That’s very exciting.” He smiled and shook hands with Dean and Colton. “Dean. Good to see you again. And Mr. Merrick, I’m a huge fan.”
After handshakes and a lengthy discussion about milkshakes, and which flavors were the best, they made their way to Aiden’s room.
Aiden bounded up the stairs ahead of the adults, brimming with excitement. He opened the door to his little room and began to gather the boxes he’d packed. The residential rooms were small, but functional. Each room had a small closet, an elevated bunk bed with a desk underneath, and a small sofa and TV on the opposite wall. Each floor had a central bathroom and shower facility.
Aiden had already been keeping his valuable items at Dean’s loft, so there were only three boxes of Aiden’s possessions that needed to be moved.
After loading the boxes and saying goodbye to The CC, they stopped for shakes on the way home. Dean sighed with contentment and rested his head on Colton’s shoulder, enjoying the sight of Aiden attacking his second milkshake and then complaining of brain freeze.
Could things be more perfect than this?
“There we go.” Dean set down the box of Aiden’s stuff. “You officially live here now.”
Aiden flashed a brilliant smile, his blue eyes shining, and hugged Dean within an inch of his life. “Thank you…so much!”
Dean squeezed Aiden around his shoulders before stepping away with a quick kiss on his head.
“Now, get unpacked, then we can decide what we’re having for your first official dinner.” He smiled and walked toward the bedroom door, pausing when he noticed Colton wasn’t moving.Instead, he sat on the bed helping Aiden open his boxes. “Colton, are you coming?”
Colton smiled and winked at Dean. “Be there in a sec. I’m gonna help Aiden get started, and I want to talk to him about something.”
“Oooh kay.” Dean raised an eyebrow. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
What the hell is that about?he wondered.
***
Colton
Once Dean was out of the room, Colton leaned in and whispered to Aiden. “Okay bud, I’ve got something planned and I need your help.” After hearing Colton’s idea, Aiden grinned devilishly and rubbed his hands together. “Oh yeah! I’m in.”
