Ch 4 October 23rd
They had been lying there for a while when Benji looked up and saw that Joel was sleeping soundly. He smiled to himself and went to sit up but realized that Joel’s arms were around him and Benji would probably wake up Joel if he moved off him.
Benji smiled and rested his head back down on Joel’s chest- but then it hit him he had to pee.
He pulled Joel’s arms off his body lightly and sat up. Joel stirred and opened his eyes.
Benji smiled and pulled a blanket over Joel, then sat next to him on the couch, “Go back to sleep baby.” Benji leaned down and kissed Joel’s temple running his hands through Joel’s hair. “I’ll be right back.”
Joel smiled and turned on his side curling into a ball. Benji kissed his forehead again and rubbed Joel’s scalp until he fell back asleep.
Benji peed then got a soda and sat back down on the floor by sleeping Joel on the couch. He watched Joel sleep with a smile on his face. His adorable little brother, who’s gone through way too much to still be standing. But now they have each other and nothing else matters.
The phone in the kitchen rings. Benji jumps up and runs lightly to the phone careful not to make any noise and catches it before it rings again.
“Hello?”
“Is this a Benjamin or Joel Madden?”
“Yes this is Benjamin.”
“This is Scripps Mercy Hospital (a/n: oh where I was born) and we have a Jadie Madox…”
Oh shit.
“We understand that full custody is to be granted to a Joel Madden, so Miss Madox’s attorney is asking for his presence.”
“Attorney?”
“Yes, so will he be joining us?”
“Yeah, it might be a while but yeah.” After Benji got more information he hung up the phone, “I don’t want to do this to him.”
Benji stood in the doorway and watched Joel’s sleeping form. He looked so peaceful and Benji knew that the news could make or break him- the latter being more likely.
He stood before Joel one last time and watched him sleep soundly. This was the moment their life would change forever. Nothing would be the same after this- nothing.
Benji sat on the couch, the motion not waking Joel up, buying Benji time. Benji ran his hands through his hair and sighed. Leaning down he kissed Joel’s forehead and whispered his name.
Joel opened his eyes slowly and stretched smiling. Benji half-smiled back and Joel stopped, “What?”
“Jadie’s at the hospital.”
Joel closed his eyes and sat up slowly. He rubbed his eyes with his palms and sighed, pulling his knees up to his chest. He set his head on his knees and took shallow shaky breaths.
Benji looked away- he couldn’t watch anymore.
After a few minutes Joel took Benji’s hand in his, “What do we have to do?” he asked keeping his eyes on the arm of the sofa in front of him.
Benji turned to Joel, “We’re supposed to go to the hospital and meet with her attorney.”
“Then I get the kid?”
“I don’t know. They didn’t say- just that she was there and you had to meet with her attorney.” Benji repeated.
Joel nodded and was quiet another second before he let his head fall onto Benji’s shoulder.
Benji wrapped his arms around Joel and pulled him close. They stayed like this for a few minutes before Joel sat up and sniffed. “Let me get my shoes and we’ll go.”
Benji put the car in park and turned off the engine. He turned to Joel who was staring at his hands.
Joel looked up at Benji his eyes showing no emotion, “I guess this is it.”
Benji nodded and unclipped his belt slowly opening the door then getting out. He shut the door and walked slowly to the other side of the car and opened the door.
Joel slid out of the car and stood by the back of it. Benji stood next to him and after a second Joel looked over this time showing worry in his eyes.
Benji embraced Joel as they stood in the parking lot of the hospital. Benji was scared of what would happen next and hoping that he could make Joel strong.
Joel pulled away and nodded, “Okay, I can do this.” trying to assure himself.
Benji smiled and took Joel’s hand twining their fingers together giving Joel support.
They walked through the hospital hand in hand, not caring about the looks- intent on not letting each other crumble.
They reached the room where the attorney asked to meet them and stopped. Joel nodded and they walked in the room.
Jadie was sitting in a chair at a table in all her bitchy glory. She didn’t look up as they came in but spoke anyways, “My Attorney- I don’t want to talk to you so don’t even try.”
“Like we want to talk to you?” Benji spat back as they sat down.
“Gentlemen,” the attorney spoke, “I think we all would appreciate it if we got this over with quickly.”
“When do I get to see the kid?” Joel finally spoke.
“We need to go over the custody and legal matters then you can.” He began, “Full custody of Baby Boy Madox,”
“Boy?” Joel asked.
“yes. Born October 23, 2002,”
“Yesterday? Why weren’t we called earlier?” Joel interrupted again.
“Miss Madox, didn’t wish you to be here. Moving on, custody of Baby Boy Madox is given to Joel R. Madden. This is closed, no interaction between Miss Jadie Madox and the guardians or child.”
Blah blah blah… all that legal stuff. After Joel signed all the papers and understood the agreement regarding the guardianship, Benji had more questions.
“What do we tell people? What are we allowed to say?” Benji asked.
“Say whatever, I don’t care. It’s not my problem, say I'm dead.” Jadie said bitterly.
“You already are to us,” Benji quipped. With all the legal stuff done the hospital came in.
“What is the name of the baby?” the hospital staff asked.
Joel looked at Benji then back to them, “I don’t know. Can I see him first?”
They left the room and went to the nursery, that would be the last time they saw Jadie, but that was alright!
Joel sat down in a chair and they went to go get the baby. Joel looked at Benji with a completely worried look on his face. Benji read his thoughts and sat next to Joel taking his hand.
The nurse returned with a tiny blue bundle in her arms and Joel began trembling lightly. “Okay, who’s dad?” the nurse asked and Joel replied with a mumbled ‘me’.
(A/n: hahah you’ll just have to wait till tomorrow to read more! Theres gonna be two maybe three more chapters to come. Yep. What do you think the kids name will be? Okay well review and tell me you love me! latas Julie!)