Blaine

There was no way in hell I was going to tell her about what happened today.  She has done enough for my family, and I really am worried it's taking a toll on her pregnancy.  I walked to the bedroom Cora had stayed in and slightly opened the door to see if Will was asleep. When the light hits him just right, he looks so much like Cassidy, it's haunting. 

I quietly shut the door and went downstairs for a stiff drink.  What happened today was completely traumatic.  Here I was accusing my sister of being crazy, when the crazy person was looking straight at me.  If I wouldn't have walked out when I did, it could have been me laying in that morgue.  Corey passed away at the hospital, and Will lost everything he has known his whole life. 

I sat in the dark and drank a glass of scotch.  I need to snap out of this! Will needs me, along with Cora and my entire family.  Mom is going to be devastated, but at least I'm bringing Will home.

I keep reminding myself that it's over.  I met the woman of my dreams, and she agreed to marry me.  My imagination takes me to happy days where I get to see Cora say 'I do', and then I imagine her holding her baby.  I couldn't care less that the child isn't mine, I love the girl, and the rest will fall into place. 

I headed off to bed and woke early to get Will ready for our flight.  My men gathered his belongings, and I'll have most of them sent to my place before we join Cora in Liberty. 

Will is okay, and he is trying to act tough, but I can see he's scared.  This boy has grown up faster than most his age.  That's changes now, I will make sure he has a good childhood from here on out. 

It's his first time flying, and its a pretty long flight.  He met my pilot and watched out the window as we flew through the clouds.

"You know if you need to talk, I'm here for you," I said.

"Thanks, but I'm okay.  I never really seen my mom much, and Aunt Savannah was great, but I'm going to miss Uncle Corey the most.  He wanted to take me to New York and said I had a big family waiting for me." He said.

"Well, we really aren't that big, but it is about to get bigger," I said.

He smiled.  "How?"

"You remember Cora, right?"

"Yeah, she's a babe." He said, and I had to laugh.

"Yeah, she's beautiful for sure. Can you keep a secret?" I asked.

"Sure." He shrugged.

"She's going to marry me." I said with pride

"Wow, you're lucky.  She's really hot." He said. 

Damn, this kid is only nine years old.

"Well, she's expecting a baby this summer. The dad is someone else that didn't treat her right, but we are going to be a family," I said.

"You're really going to raise me?" He asked.

"Like you're my own kid.  I loved your mother, she was the best little sister I could have had. I just wish we wouldn't have lost so much time." I said.

"She talked about you a lot, just like she did Cora.  She really loved you guys and said I would be safe with you."

"You are safe.  We'll go meet your grandparents, and then we will all go see Cora.  She's moving to New York with us.  We'll have to get you enrolled in school, but I'm sure you'll like it.  It's the same school I went to, it's very prestigious." I said.

"What kind of school?  Do you mean rich kids?" He asked.

"Well, yeah I guess," I answered, and he groaned.

"Why can't I go to public school?" He looks worried.

"Well, I guess I never thought about it.  Maybe Cora will know what's best."

Damn, strike one.  I keep forgetting he didn't grow up the way I did. I know nothing about the public education system.

He looked back out the window.  "I can't tell you what to expect with my parents.  They are very high in the social circles of New York." I said.

"Like you?" He looked back over at me. 

I shrugged.  "I guess, but that's not the life I would enjoy with a family.  Cora will know what to do."

Dammit!  It's a damn good thing I met Cora.

"Is Cora raising me or are you?" He had a smirk on his face.

"Both, I guess." He laughed, so I must have given him a funny face.

He pulled out his Nintendo Switch I bought him and I felt some relief.  This isn't going to be easy, but nothing that's worth it in life is easy.

We landed just after he had fallen asleep, so I carried him to the car.  This kid is heavy, but he is tall and bigger like I was at his age.  Actually, I see quite a bit of myself in this kid. 

We got to my place, and I thanked God when he woke up in the car.

"How'd I get here?" He looked shocked.

"I carried you, you're really heavy by the way."

"You carried me?  That's just weird." He said.

Strike two.

I gave him a tour of my home and he looked around in awe.  "All this is yours?" He asked.

"For now, we should probably build a home with a yard and stuff," I said.

"Yeah, babies like that kind of thing." He said.

"Kids do too from what I hear," I smirked at him.

He shrugged.  "Yeah, but the pool is pretty cool, for the baby I mean."

"Right, for the baby." I teased.

We had dinner, and I almost lost it when he asked for chicken nuggets.  We ordered from the restaurant and, of course, that's not on the menu.  I made a mental note to have it added before Cora comes here to live. He settled for pasta, then chilled out in front of the television and watched The Avengers. 

I called Cora when we went to bed.  We won't be in until late Saturday or maybe even Sunday.  It depends on my parents and what they decide.  I'm not even sure what they will say about me raising Will.