Surprise........Daddy

"So, what are your names?" Randy asked awkwardly, just trying to make conversation.

"I'm Aiden, she's Alanna, she doesn't talk," Aiden said. He kept his guard up. He wasn't going to let himself get close to Randy.

Randy nodded. He could tell this boy didn't like him.
"Doesn't talk? How old is she?"

"Three," Tammy interjected. "Doctors say she could talk if she wanted to, she's been to half a dozen different specialists," she said. "None of them could find anything wrong with her. At the word doctor Alanna clung to her brother, whining and whimpering she was terrified. "It's okay 'Lanna, it's okay," Aiden whispered. "It's okay."

"Oh."
Great, not only would he have to take care of two children on his own, but two traumatized children.

Alanna moved away from her brother and walked over to Randy, staring at him for a moment before smiling.

Randy knelt down to her level, not wanting her to be intimidated.
"Hi Alanna. I'm Randy." He grinned.

Alanna smiled, her blue eyes twinkling. Something in her told her he could trust him.

Randy smiled back and glanced up at Aiden who was still glaring.
"Aiden, I'd like us to be friends."

"That's what he said too," Aiden muttered.

Randy placed a gentle hand on Aiden's shoulder.
"I'm not like him. I wouldn't dream of hurting a kid."

Aiden glanced at where Randy's hand was. This was different, the only time anyone ever touched him was when they hurt him.

Randy's eyes scanned the beaten and battered boy. He wondered how Wade could've done this to something they had made together.

"Don't worry about me," Aiden said softly. "She got the worst of it."

Alanna certainly looked beaten too, but not as bad as Aiden.
"What'd he do to her?" Randy frowned, caressing Alanna's cheek.

"Hit her, stuck her with stuff, he let other people touch her......down there," Aiden listed off.

Randy's teeth clenched, and his hands balled into fists. He tried to stay calm, he didn't want the children to see the nastier side of him. He opened his arms and lifted Alanna into a gentle hug.

Aiden watched the way Randy was with Alanna as he packed up what little belongings they'd brought with them. He paused when Alanna started to whine when he picked up her Belle doll. "Alright, I'll leave her out," he said, looking over at his sister whose head rested on Randy's shoulder.

Randy turned to the door as Tammy entered.
"Can I take them home now? After I fill out the paperwork?"

Tammy nodded. "Just as soon as the papers are done," she said.

After signing his name a few times and filling out loads of paperwork, he was the official guardian of Aiden and Alanna Orton. He grabbed their small suitcases in one hand and scooped Alanna up with the other arm. He glanced down at Aiden, he seemed pretty self sufficient.
"You ready to go?" He asked.

Aiden handed Alanna's Belle doll to her and nodded. He just wanted out of there.

Randy walked out to the car, making sure Aiden was following. He lifted Alanna to the back seat, and gave Aiden a boost up. He set their belongings in front of them and jogged over to the driver's seat.

Alanna looked over at her brother, hugging her Belle doll tightly. She started shaking again. This was change, a big change and she didn't like change too much.

Randy drove in silence until they arrived at the house. He helped the kids out of the car and carried Alanna inside.
"Umm, I guess you guys can sleep in my bed. At least for tonight until I get a new bed for you. I'll sleep on the couch."