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"Alex, you can't walk around without clothes on!" I scolded the naked four year old girl in my arms as she squirmed to get away "Nooo!" She whined as I dressed her, putting on her favorite blue dress and black shorts with a pout on her face. "You want a braid or ponytail?" I asked as I began to brush her hair "Both" She giggled as I purposely brushed her neck, tickling her "Ok, Let's try. Hold still" I began doing her hair as Sue walked in. "Do you need help hon?" She asked placing a gentle hand on my shoulder and I shook my head "I got it. Ain't that hard" I shrugged."A couple of people are coming Wednesday to adopt some of you gremlins, I hope you actually try this time" She stated with a sad smile "I'll 'try'. No promises that I'm actually leaving. Can't leave ya with all the crotch goblins" I teased as I finished Alex's hair, a high braided ponytail and set her down on the ground "Go play" I gently push her away and she runs out of the room."Maximus Keeton, You will do more than try. I want to see you be adopted by a loving couple or a loving single parent. You deserve to be loved and cared for, John and I aren't gonna be here forever," She pulled me into a hug, running her hand through my straight black hair "You know we retire next year, I don't want to see you be moved to a different family. A family like Mary" I grimaced at the name.The woman was batshit crazy. She was my foster Mom before I got here. The reason I moved was because I have sleeping medications I have to take and she made me run out of a 30 day bottle in only fifteen days. I woke up in the morning, ate breakfast, took my meds because she told me to, went back to bed, wake up sometime in the afternoon, eat lunch, take another pill, go back to sleep. Every day it was like this for three months before anyone realized I was running out faster than normal. One of her friends took more care of me than Mary did.The only time I was awake during the day was when she'd drop me off at multiple different daycare programs to do whatever it was she did. That's when I started helping take care of little kids and babies. It was better than being home with Mary."Alright, I'll do my best. I'll go out of my way to get their attention" I promised hugging her back tightly "Let's go make breakfast hon. What are you in the mood for today?" She asked and I smiled as we exited the kids room "Hawkeye Pierce French Toast" I reply entering the kitchen and gathered the ingredients, 2 eggs, 1 ½ cups of milk (around 354 ml), and a dash of vanilla.As I was mixing the stuff Riley comes in from the livingroom "Can we watch twister again, please Max?" He asked with big eyes and I shrugged as Sue pushed me out of the kitchen "Sure bud" I smile and head to the TV and put in the disc before sitting on the couch. Cody, the six month old was laying on his blanket making grabby hands at me so his carefully pick him up and laid him on my chest as the other kids crowded around me.Alex sat on my left, 7 year old Riley on my right, 2 year old Wren had crawled into my lap, the 5 year old twins Connor and Murphy(I picked their names) sat on the floor leaning against my legs, and 10 year old Ashley sat on the other side of Riley. I smiled looking at all my siblings. They were the main reason I wasn't really trying to get adopted, they deserved it more than me. Most of my childhood was already gone, only four years before I'm an adult, can't really do much with me but they still had whole lives before them.Just as we were getting to the third twister Sue called us into the kitchen for breakfast. I paused it and stood, carrying both Cody and Wren to the dining room as the other trailed behind. I placed both into their highchairs and placed booster seats on Connor, Murphy, and Alex's chairs for them to reach the table as Sue placed everything down and John entered the kitchen.She smiled warmly as she placed food on everyone's plate and glared at me as I went to put some of my plate onto Murphy's, pushing my plate away from his "Eat what I give you, boy" She scolded, pointing her spatula at me. I ducked my head sheepishly with a smile "Yes Ma'am" I nod, beginning to eat my breakfast."As I was telling Max earlier, we have a few people showing up on Wednesday to adopt. As usual I expect all of you to be on your best behavior and try to get adopted. I've looked into their backgrounds and they all seem like wonderful people" Sue stated, taking her seat at the head of the table "That mainly goes for you Maximus" I rolled my eyes with a sigh "I know" I shrug as John patted my shoulder "You're gonna do great, kid" He reassured me. "Can we know who's coming?" Ashley asked after dousing her French toast in syrup "We're not allowed to know until they show up. That way our judgment isn't clouded if we know one of the people" I explain and she nodded in understanding "How many people used to be here?" She asked and John shrugged "Over the years of us being foster parents we've housed nearly 50 kids. We loved 'em all too" Riley's jaw dropped "50? Wow. That'd be a lot of birthdays" He exclaimed and I chuckled "No shit. That's a ton of cake" I stated nudging Murphy "Language" Alice scolded pointing her fork at me causing me to stick my tongue out at her. "I was gonna take you to the park later but maybe not" I fake sighed sadly "And we were gonna get ice cream" She gasped loudly before pouting. "I want ice cream too-" Connor was quick to cut in "We're going too right?" He asked "Of course, you're not the one acting like Captain America like her just cause I said a bad language word" I saw the tears forming in the girls eyes and I calmed her down "I'm joking Alice. We're all going," I said grabbing her hand "You just gotta finish eating first" all the kids started eating faster, besides Wren and Cody who were already done with their food. I finished eating and picked up the two youngest "Imma go clean them up and get ready to go" I told Sue, thanking her for breakfast as well.I cleaned them up and got them dressed, Cody in a cute dinosaur onesie and Wren in a Wonder Woman shirt and green watermelon leggings(I let her pick it out). After I finished with them I walked back to the livingroom the see the other kids finished and ready to go. "I'll be right back" I rush to my room and grab my phone(It was a cheap flip phone, nothing special) and one of my many notebooks. I was strapping the little one into the double stroller as Sue handed me their diaper bag "I put some money in the front pocket for ice cream later. Make sure they eat lunch first" I nodded as we left the house."You know the rules, one hand on the stroller" I order and they all did, Connor, Murphy, and Riley on the left and Alex and Ashley on the right. The park wasn't that far from the house, only about five minutes. "Alright. Tell me the rules of the park" I state as we arrive "Don't talk to strangers" Connor started "Stay in your sight" Murphy continued "Be nice to the other kids here" Alex said "If you call us we come back to you" Riley finished and I nodded "Good job. Go play" I shoo them off and they run into the park.I walk over to the sandbox, gently putting Wren in it to play and laid down a blanket on the grass, laying Cody down onto his stomach, placing random toys in front of him. I look around to watch my siblings playing with the other kids here with a small fond smile as I pull out my notebook and a pencil and continue a story I'd been working on for a while. I was focusing on writing for around half an hour when I heard footsteps approach me from behind "Hey look, it's Mommy Maxie" A voice said and I sighed, rolling my eyes, looking behind me to see Hayden, a boy from my school. "Can I help you?" I ask raising a brow at him and his two friends, Gage and Dylan. "Yeah, what's this?" He asked yanking my notebook from me and I jump up "Give it back" I stepped forward to grab it but the other two blocked me from him as he began reading my story aloud."'His blue shirt is purple in the front from when he finally ended the one who caused him great pain. He raises his hands in the air and two officers cuff him, then shove him into the back of a cop car.
"We have the suspect in custody, heading to the station, over" An officer says to the walkie-talkie looking to the back of the cop car, at the teenage boy. On the surface he looked innocent, his eyes the same as a lost puppy, but under the façade was a cold hearted killer who tortured and killed over seventy people, trying to find his sisters killer.
He was silent the ride to the station, not even to answer the officer driving. Then the officer heard him singing a familiar tune, "Please don't take my sunshine away" He sang quietly from the backseat causing a chill to go up the officer's spine.' What the hell even is this junk? You think yourself a writer? No one will read it Maxie" Hayden stated before tearing the pages from the notebook."Stop! What the hell dude!" I yell before punching Gage in the face, storming over to Hayden, ripping it away from him. His eyes were wide in shock "You realize we're not in school right now. I don't fight back there because I don't wanna get in trouble but here I can beat your ass," I seethed "Now get the fuck out of my sight! All of you!" I shout and the three boys take off running.Cody was crying on the blanket and I went over, picking him up "I'm sorry I was yelling, they were just assholes" I explained to the baby "Asshole" I hear and turn to look over at Wren with wide eyes "What?" I ask and she smiled at me "Asshole" she stated and my jaw dropped as I got Cody to calm down. "Your first word is asshole... Great" I groan, Sue and John are gonna kill me. I look over to the play ground to see my siblings watching me. I wave them over and they came running."What happened? Are you okay?" Ashley asked sitting next to me "Yeah I'm fine. A bit upset about my story. Mostly impressed. Wren said her first word" I told her "What was it?" Riley asked as the others watched the 2 year old "Wren, say it again" "Asshole!" She shouted and they all started laughing. "Seeing as I'm fine, go back to playing, I need to fix my story" I said and the all ran off again. We spent the next four hours at the park, Wren had been using her word for everything, the kids tired themselves out and I managed to rewrite my story, now having it up to three chapters. I packed them all up and put everything else in the stroller, minus the huge ass rock the twins dug up and wanted to keep, I instead let them pick new ones two bring home. We made our way to get lunch and ice cream.Another hour spent at McDonalds before we headed home. It was a great day. We entered the house and I set Wren on the floor and she ran to find our adults. As I sat down on the couch Sue came in carrying the toddler "Care to explain why she can swear now?" She asked and I chuckled "Little altercation at the park, I called some kids an" I paused and Wren called out 'asshole' "because he tore out and ripped up pages in my notebook" I shrugged."No more cursing in front of her. Understood?" She stated "Yes Ma'am" I replayed as I turned Twister back on, the kids piling onto the couch the same way as this morning, only without Wren and Cody, who were changed and put down for their naps. Near the end of the movie I fell asleep, completely smooshed by my siblings.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
I stood in front of the mirror as I fixed my hair, preparing to meet the adopters of the day. I was wearing a 'Join the Hunt' T-shirt with a red flannel with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows to show off the many bracelets I have, black ripped skinny jeans, and my favorite red converse, my only other pair of shoes being black combat boots. Monday night I had Sue help me cut my hair, it was the typical shaggy 'emo boy' style but now it was shorter and a mohawk.I was currently spiking it up, Connor, Murphy, and Riley mimicking me and doing their hair as well. There were three bathrooms in the house, one in Sue and John's master room, one upstairs(The one we are in) and the girls bathroom downstairs. I was the only kid with my own room, the twins and Riley share one, Ashley and Alex share, and Wren and Cody have the nursery together. Perks of being the oldest, not because I chose for them not to be there but it was a restriction from the system.I finish and look over at the boys "You guys ready?" I ask and they nodded excitedly "Let's knock 'em dead" I gave the three fist bumps before exiting "Oh good. The first couple will be arriving soon. Do your own things but dont forget to interact" Sue said and we all nodded. For days like this there's a bunch of stuff for the kids to do in the livingroom, like arts and crafts, reading, or watching movies. I sat on the chair in the corner next to Cody and Wren's pack-n-play, writing in my note book.As Sue had said, the first people arrived, a young couple who instantly went to the two youngest. I ignored them as I got lost in my story. I dont know how long I sat there until the front door opened again and a gay couple entered, talking to Sue(I didn't assume, they were holding hands and giving eachother lovey eyes). "Max! Come play with us!" Murphy shouted as he tried pulling me from the chair "Oh alright" I pretended to sigh getting up, leaving my note book behind.They sat me down in front of the TV and handed me a controller the Wii. "I want King Boo!" Connor whined and I stuck my tongue out "Too bad, he's mine" I laughed as Murphy sat in my lap "You're cheating" I scoffed "Not cheating if we're winning" They said together. The door opened and more people entered the house but I was too focused on the game to pay attention.
Norman's P.O.V
I parked my bike on the street beside the address I was given to a foster home. I wanted to adopt a kid, a sibling for Mingus when he comes over and someone for me to care for when Mingus was at his Moms. He'd been coming over less and less these past few months and I was starting to get lonely with just me and Eye in the dark at home. I walk up to the door, reading the sign to just walk in then check in with the foster Mother named Sue. I entered and a lady in her mid fifties greeted me "Hello. You're Mr. Reedus right?" She asked holding out her hand "Yep, you must be Sue" I greeted back, shaking her hand. "So, what age range are you looking for?" She questioned looking around the kids in the livingroom "Well with the kind of work I have I'm guessing around thirteen?" I suggested, thinking of Mingus' age. "We don't have anyone of that age but we have 10 year old Ashley Reid and 15 year old Maximus Keeton" I furrowed my brows "Is that really his name?" I asked and she nodded "He goes by Max though, unless he's in trouble"."I'll go talk to Max"
Max's P.O.V
A figure walked in front of the TV causing the twins to yell at the person "Move!" Connor shouted "Outta the way!" Murphy yelled. The man moved to reveal me in first place "Ha! Thank you my good sir" I told the man, finally looking up at him as I won, dropping my controller and saying "Holy shit" The twins looked at me "Language" They said in unison before looking the the man as well. Murphy jumped off my lap and the two boys rushed over to him with wide eyes. "Murphy!" Was all he said jumping up and down, pointing at the man.Norman Reedus stood there looking down at the two five year old's before crouching down "You two are too young to know that movie" He stated with a chuckle "How'd you watch it?" He asked and they both pointed to me. "What's your names?" He questioned "I'm Murphy" "I'm Connor" Norman's eyes widened "You're kidding?" He asked and they both shook their heads "Nope. Max named us when we came here" Connor started "Because our Mommy didn't have names for us" Murphy finished."Why don't you two go play. I wanna talk with Max" He suggested and they both took off leaving the two of us "Hi" He greeted sitting beside me "Uh, hi?" I said awkwardly. "So I'm gonna guess you know who I am" He stated and I nodded "The first movie I ever seen you in was Blade II as Scud. Still feel so betrayed every time I see him. Favorite has to be the Boondock Saints, hence the names for the twins" I say and he nodded. We sat in silence for a moment before I asked "Why are you here?" His brows furrowed in confusion "What everyone else is here for, adopting a kid. Helena and I broke up a couple years ago and Mingus has been coming over less and less. I wanted to adopt a kid to take care of and raise and then Mingus could have a sister or if you want, a brother" He explained. "There are the other kids. They can be raised and have more memories with you than I can" I state turning away from him."While that may be true Max, I'd have to take off time from The Walking Dead and all the other fun things I can take you to" He said and I glanced at him "You're serious about taking me?" I ask and he nodded "If you want that is" A smile stretched across my face. "Hell yeah!" I hugged him tightly before jumping up of the couch "I wanna say bye to the others first. and grab my stuff" I say quickly before running off to find the kids.There were more people than I had realized, now seeing at least of kid with either a couple or an adult "Guess who's getting adopted!" I exclaim holding my arms out and they all ran to me, hugging me. "About time Max" Riley stated and I gently wacked his head "Shut it"
Norman's P.O.V
As Max rushed off to gather his stuff and say goodbye to the other kids a walked over to Sue "I'd like to adopt Max" I stated and she looked shocked "Did he actually agree?" She asked and I looked at her confused "Yeah, why?" I asked. "He's been in my home for five years and has always refused to be adopted, thinking that he didn't deserve it because of how much had been ignore in his last homes and three years here" She explained. I looked over to where Max was standing with all the kids wrapped around him."I'm glad he agreed to me at least" I smiled as he let go and rushed upstairs "I think the main reason he said yes to you is the fact that you've been his hero since he arrived here. We allowed him to watch The Walking Dead when he was twelve and he went around telling people his Dad was Daryl Dixon" She mused with a smile, almost lost in thought before she snapped out of it "Ok. Let's get started on the paperwork"
Max's P.O.V
I grabbed my duffle bag and began tossing my clothes, notebooks, and other stuff into it. I left everything else in case one of the other kids wanted my room. Going back down I was surrounded by the others "We're all getting adopted" Alex said hugging my leg "Really? Who's taking ya?" I question and she grabs my hand, leading me to the gay couple who were playing with the twins. "This is Max" She told them and I waved as the two boys hugged me as well "You two are taking all three or just Alice?" I questioned "All three. They're such sweet kids" The blonde man stated with a fond smile and I snickered."I gotta warn ya, these two are a handful. They truly live up to their names. Wee pranksters. They will try to draw on you when your sleeping," I stated ruffling their hair causing them to laugh, swatting my hands away "Alice is allergic to peanuts so watch out for that. She likes to watch My Little Pony and and her favorite toys are Monster High dolls. She's got a huge collection of them" I inform them."You really care for them huh?" The brunet asked and I nodded "I've been there for them since that arrived. I'm glad their being adopted by seemingly loving people" I say giving the three kids one last hug "Be good. I love you guys" They went back to the couple with exited smiles. I went to Riley the lone woman "Hey bud. Who's this?" I ask crouching down next to me "This is Mrs. Melissa. She's my teacher at school. She wants to adopt me" He said "That's awesome. I'm leaving soon and wanted to say goodbye" I hugged him before going around to the others, meeting their adopters and saying goodbye.I picked Wren up off the floor and hugged her tightly "Don't learn any more bad words, got it?" I asked and she tilted her head "Max?" She asked and I felt my eyes water "You be a good girl Darlin'. I think I'm gonna miss you most" I pressed a kiss onto her forehead before handing her off to the young couple who also held Cody. "She, uh, she needs a specific type of diapers because she has sensitive skin. She really likes strawberry scented Baby wash and loves taking baths, especially if its a bubble bath. Cody doesn't like water getting in his ears and his favorite food is the Gerber banana baby food and blue raspberry go-gurt" I leaned over and pressed a kiss against his head as well."Bye buddy. Love ya" I whispered to the sleeping baby. I walked away but stood near the entrance to the livingroom, looking over the house, silent tears falling down my face. A picture sat on the table near the front door, a picture of us kids with Sue and John and I picked it up, sliding it into my backpack. "Max, you ready to go?" Sue asked walking up beside me and placing a hand on the back of my neck. I shook my head and hugged her tightly, crying into her shoulder "Oh honey" She muttered hugging me back, running her hand through my hair as another set of arms wrap around me, the smell of John's cologne telling me it was him."I'll try to come back and visit sometime soon. I'm gonna miss you guys so fucking much" I cried quietly "Sweetheart, I know. We're gonna miss you too. But you gotta go now. Go with your Dad" She whispered and I laughed weakly as I pulled away from them. "Thank you guys so much for taking care of me. I'll never forget you" I hugged John and wiped away my tears, turning to see Norman waiting patiently a few feet away from us, not watching but not awkwardly ignoring us, wanting to give us space.I took a deep breath before walking over to him "I'm ready to go now Mr. Reedus" I stated hauling my duffle bag onto my shoulder "Alright, lets go" He said with a soft smile, leading me out the front door. He was quick to hand me a black helmet and I gave him a confused look. He nodded to the street at an awesome black motorcycle. "We're riding that?" Norman smirked and walked over to it "Yep. There's a Bluetooth in the helmet so we don't have to yell over the wind" He explained, putting on his helmet and swung his leg over the side.He waved me over and I broke out of my shock, placing the helmet of and getting on behind him, wrapping my arms around his torso awkwardly. Apparently my grip was too loose because he grabbed my wrists and pulled them tighter around him " 'old on, ain't got seatbelts" He said in his Daryl voice before starting the bike and tearing off down the street."Holy Shit!" I shouted as I was flung back slightly at the force but gripped onto him tighter "Told ya" He laughed as we sped down the main road, through New York, weaving in and out of traffic. "This is awesome!" I exclaimed, one arm wrapped around him, the other in the air, feeling the wind rushing passed us and Norman laughed, raising an arm up as well "Both hands on the bar man, you just got me, don't want to damage the merch just yet" I tell him "How come you get have all the fun?"I laugh at his question "Because I'm not the one driving Mr. Reedus" I respond patting his shoulder. We drove for about twenty minutes before we pulled up to a nice house, three stories, huge garage, big front yard with plenty trees. "Come on" He waved to me as we dismounted the bike and I pulled off the helmet, tucking it under my arm as we entered the house(Could I even call it that?) looking around the huge foyer. I walked to the back sliding door in the kitchen to look out over a large underground pool with a fancy waterfall at one end and boulders around it. A deck led out to said pool and beyond those was a lush, green yard, beautiful flowers and random yard decorations around what I guessed to be the boarder of Norman's property."Why have you never done a house tour like other celebs?" I ask staring out the door "I like my privacy. I already have paparazzi following my every move, I don't want them in my home" He explained and I nodded wandering around the livingroom seeing pictures of him and Sean Patrick Flanery, TWD cast members, and Mingus. He had a nice leather L shaped couch with other chairs scattered around the room, 50 inch flat screen mounted on the wall, surround sound stereo around the room and a few plants."Wanna see your room?" He asked and I turned to him "Sure" I shrugged following him up one flight of stairs, down a hall, and stopped in front of a door. He opened it slowly for dramatics and I dropped my bag on the floor when it was fully opened, stepping into the large room with my mouth agape. "Mr. Reedus, I-I can't take this! This is huge!" I state looking around. A king size bed was pressed against the wall in the middle of the room, a desk with a gaming PC next to a huge floor to ceiling sliding glass leading out to a balcony, black out curtains covering it. An oak book shelf stood between two extra doors, a small black chandelier hung down from the 13 foot ceiling."Well I don't have any other rooms to give you. There's mine, Mingus', and the rest are guest rooms. This ones yours" He told me before opening one of the extra doors, revealing a large bathroom with a shower stall and a fucking jacuzzi tub. "H-how am I supposed to accept this Mr. Reedus?" I questioned opening the door to the balcony and looking out. Two metal chairs and a glass table sat there overlooking the yard. "You can start off by calling either Norman or Dad if you comfortable with that. Second you're my kid now. I'm gonna spoil you like I do Mingus" He said laying his arm across my shoulders.I turn into him, wrapping both arms around him with a huge smile on my face "Thank you Dad" I say, inside I was screaming from happiness of being able to call him that "No problem, Max"