Adjustments 2: Life Starts Here - Patt

Two weeks after Jim had come to terms with everything, he and Blair were looking for a house.

"Jim, Thanksgiving is coming up and Harp and Mey asked us to come for dinner. What do you think?"

"I think that would be very nice." Jim smiled over at his love.

"Cool." Blair got things ready to go to see another house. "I hope this is the house. I'm tired of looking at them. Are you?"

"I sure am. I can't wait to find our home. Maybe today will be our lucky day. You never know." Jim tried to soothe his lover's soul.

When they met the agent in front of a very old house, they questioned her sanity. It looked very, very old. "Jim, let's have a look first. Please?" For some reason Blair loved the house. He didn't know why.

"Sure. You know I would do anything for you." Jim smiled at Blair and then said to the agent, "We'll have a look around."

"It's a great price because it needs a lot of work. I hope you like it. Why don't I leave you both alone to look at it. I'll be doing paperwork in my car." Sue said.

"Thanks, Sue. You're a doll." Jim said and as soon as Sue turned and left, Blair reached over and pinched his nipple.

"Fuck, that hurt."

"Wuss. Knock it off, Ellison."

"I did nothing. I've been accused of something I didn't do." Jim snickered.

"Stop flirting with women. I mean it."

Jim realized his love was very serious. "I'm sorry. I was teasing you, but I won't from now on."

"Let's see this house." Both men walked up hand in hand making Sue smile from her car. She thought they were the cutest couple she had ever met. And that Blair was very possessive.

They walked in and saw the huge entryway with wood like they had never seen before. "Man, this is beautiful."

"No lie. It's really old, however, it looks like it's been taken care of." Jim added.

"Jim, look at all of this gorgeous antique furniture. Do you think they would sell it with the house?"

"Maybe. We could ask. But let's see the rest of the house first. I hope it's got more than one bathroom." Jim whined.

"I brought my handy-dandy paper here that gives us all of that information. It has three bathrooms. One on this main floor and two upstairs. Geeze, it's got four or more bedrooms. And they look really big."

"Look at this living room. I love it. Let's put in an offer right away." Jim said almost in a Blair bounce mode.

"Slow down. We need to see the entire thing and see what needs to be fixed first. Then we'll make plans."

"That fireplace screamed your name as I walked by." Jim teased.

"All the more reason not to buy it, you nut."

They went through the huge formal dining room, then went into the kitchen and found themselves totally in love. There were cupboards everywhere and tons of countertops. Just the way Jim would want a kitchen to look.

"Chief, this is a beautiful kitchen. I've never seen one this great. I love it."

"It says there is a master bedroom on this floor. Where is it?" Blair looked around and then just followed Jim. Jim led him right to a door and opened it. Inside was the most breathtaking looking room they had ever seen.

"Chief, we're getting this bed."

"Jim, we're getting this house."

"Oh goody."

"But I still want to see the entire thing." Blair led the way out of the bedroom before he jumped Jim and embarrassed them both.

"Chief, you missed the closets. Look at how big they are."

"I'm going upstairs. See you up there." Blair started running, but found himself easily caught.

"Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?" Jim kissed him softly.

"No, so now was a good time. Jim, look how nice these bedrooms are. And all of the bathrooms have those claw feet tubs. I love those. Do you?"

"Yeah, they have enough room for my legs. What do you suppose is up here?" Jim pulled the door open and walked up the narrow staircase. Once he reached the top, he called down, "It's a dormer. It's great."

"It has a garage outside and it has a basement with the washer and dryer already here. And it says the furniture can be bought for the right price."

"Slow down a minute. Who's going to help me clean this place?" Jim teased.

"I know. We can become foster parents and make them do it." Blair laughed as Jim cuffed the back of his head.

"That was sick, even for you. Seriously, Chief. Can we keep this up working our schedule?"

"I think so. Just don't mess it to begin with."

"Yeah, right. Like I'm the one that messes."

Blair just smiled over at him and let his lover win for a change. "So what do you think, Jim?"

"We need to get Sue in here and have her tell us what repairs there are, because I've been looking and I didn't see one problem." Jim said.

Blair went called Sue on her cell phone and she joined the boys inside. "What do you think?"

"We both love it. But you said it needs work. What's wrong with it?" Jim asked.

"Nothing, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. The couple is having a hard time selling it, because it's so large. But you mentioned you might have children some day. I figured this would be perfect."

"Chief, even if we didn't have kids, this is a perfect Nephew and Niece house. They would love it here." Jim was very excited.

"Jim, do you have your heart set on the dormer?"

"I have it all planned already. What else do we need to do, Sue?" Jim wanted this house bad.

Sue did all of the paperwork with them, and got it all set up for the loan. "I'll call you as soon as possible. He has to accept the offer first."

"Just offer him what he wants." Jim said quietly.

"Jim, you love the house that much?" Blair asked.

"There's something about it that's drawing me into it and I want to live and love here." Jim smiled over at his mate.

"Hang on and I'll call him with your offer." Sue went into their beautiful kitchen and talked to the owner. She walked back out smiling and said, "It's yours."

"Holey Moley, Batman." Blair jumped up, wrapping his legs around Jim's waist.

"Jumping Jimminey, Robin, you're heavy." Jim laughed at the look on Blair's face.

"I asked him about the furniture and since you gave him such a fair offer, he's including it in the sale. He told me to give you the keys now." She handed the keys over to both of the men and they were beaming with happiness.

"Sue, can we call our friends over to see our new house?" Blair asked.

"Of course. You have the keys. We'll close in about 14 days, but go ahead and move in." Sue hugged both men and left happier than she'd ever been. "Wait, do you need a ride?"

"We'll ask our friends to bring Jim's SUV." Blair said.

"Thanks, again, Sue." Jim called out and almost slammed the door on her. Blair was having a hard time keeping from laughing.

Blair dialed a number and heard, "Harper."

"Hey, Harp. Wanna come and see our new house? Make sure and bring the kids. And could you stop by the loft and pick up the SUV?"

"If I didn't know better, I would say you like them more than us." Jim was listening and could hear the grin in his voice.

Jim and Blair tried to sit still while they waited for their friends. It wasn't working, so Blair got on Jim's lap and they began to make-out.

"Chief, they're here."

"Oh goody. Now we both have boners." Blair growled.

Blair opened the door and Harp said, "Holy crap, Blair. This is huge."

"Hey, kids. Come on in. Uncle Jim will order us a pizza. We have plates and everything." Blair said as he hugged each of the kids.

"Harp, do you get the feeling we don't exist any longer?" Mey began to laugh when the kids looked puzzled.

"Mey, we love you." Nadine said softly.

"As we do you, sugar. We were just teasing Blair. He's so fun to tease." Mey said smiling.

Blair gave everyone a tour of the house and the kids were telling Uncle Jim which room would be their's when they stayed over. It turned out to be a wonderful day and night. Mey and Harp took the sleepy kids home at 9:30 and Jim retired to the new bedroom with Blair.

"Are you sure you want to sleep here?" Blair asked.

"Sure. It's a great house. It's a great bed. We have pizza leftover for breakfast and we have some cokes left. We're set, baby." Jim pulled Blair into his arms and they snuggled.

"Jim, do you think we'll ever get a baby?"

"First of all, we asked for any age. So chances are we might get an older child instead. They're harder to place."

"I love you so much, man." And they were off like rockets. They broke the bed in nicely and then slept like logs all night long.

In the morning, Jim was staring at his love when Blair said, "All right, what's up, besides you?"

"I wanted to tell you that the dormer is going to be your new office. Remember how you said you wanted to write a few books? Well, now you'll have your own room. We can pick out some great furniture at the antique store we like so much. Is that all right with you?"

"More than all right. Man, you are an angel. Thank you." And they were off again.

Two weeks later, they signed the papers on the house and moved everything in. Rafe and Brown bought the Loft. So the boys would still get to see it now and then. This made Jim smile a lot.

The day before Thanksgiving morning, the phone rang and Jim answered, grumpily, "Ellison."

"Mr. Ellison, this is Mrs. Hayes from the State. I hate to bother you on a holiday, but we have two children here that have no homes to go to for the holiday. Would you consider being a foster parent for now?"

"Could you tell me more about them?"

"Jesse is ten months old. His parents were both killed in a car accident, two months ago. His parents were orphans, so there are no family members to find. But he should be easier to place, since he is still a baby. Then Hannah is six, going on 30. She's a darling child, but very sad. Her parents just deserted her. What do you think? Maybe for this month and next, so they won't be alone over the holidays?"

"Can I talk to Blair really fast?"

"Sure, I'll hold." She already knew they wanted children badly and would take them in any way, shape or form.

Jim talked to Blair and Blair picked up the phone and said, "Mrs. Hayes? When can we pick them up?"

"I can bring them out now."She said with a smile in her voice.

"How soon?" Blair asked.

"Give me the new address and they'll be there in an hour. Calm down, they are only children after all. Happy Thanksgiving, Blair. Tell Jim I said that to him, also. Bye."

Blair put the phone down and went into Jim's arm and began to shake.

"Chief, what's wrong?"

"Scared is all. Not to worry. I'll get over it soon."

"I'll hold you as long as you need, Chief."

"Isn't it weird that one of the bedrooms upstairs has a bedroom all set up for a baby? That's past handy, eh?" Blair laughed.

"We need to move our room upstairs so we can hear the kids."

"Jim, you're a friggin' Sentinel. I think we're safe."

"But he's only ten months old. He's just a baby."

"We'll think about it in a while. I bought some things for the rooms in case we ever got any children. Do you mind if I desert you and fix up the second bedroom for Hannah?"

"Go... Do your thing, babe." Jim smiled after Blair's retreating form. "In fact, can I help?"

"Yeah, that would be nice."

The boys worked in silence, smiling at each other and finished the room quickly. "Do you think Hannah will like this room?" Blair asked.

"She'd be nuts not to. You did a really great job, Chief." The room was in soft pastels, but not too girlie. It was balloons rising up to blue, blue skies. Anyone that came in the room would feel good immediately.

"Thanks. I've been really excited. I went shopping two or three times with Harp's kids. They told me what kids like and don't like."

Both men stepped back and looked over the room appraisingly. They had indeed done a fine job.

As they walked down the stairs, the doorbell rang and Blair jumped two inches off the stair he was on.

"Calm down, Chief. They're just kids."

They answered the door together wearing large smiles. "Hello, Mrs. Hayes, come on in." Jim stepped aside to allow all of them in.

"The house is fantastic, Jim. It looks just beautiful. Hannah Jones, this is Jim Ellison and his life-mate Blair Sandburg."

She held her small hand out and said, "It's very nice to meet you. Thank you for letting us stay until they find us a new home. The last place was icky."

"Well, you won't find Icky here. Not to worry." Jim smiled fondly at the child.

"Gentlemen, this is Jesse Jameson. He is ten months old, but walks and does his share of talking too. He's going to keep you boys on your toes." She smiled at the way they were looking at the baby.

"Can I hold him?" Blair asked.

"Of course." She handed Jesse over to Blair and saw the instant chemistry.

"Oh man. Jim, look how cute he is." Blair looked over at Jim with the eyes. The ones that would be able to get him this child.

"Is there any chance of having them stay longer than two months?" Jim asked.

"Well, we have a family for Jesse in January. But maybe Hannah could stay for a while." Mrs. Hayes explained.

"You couldn't tell them that something came up? We'd really like a chance at these kids." Blair was almost begging.

Jim was suddenly upset watching Hannah. "Hannah, would you like to stay with us forever?"

"I would love to. Can Jesse come too?" the little one asked.

"We'll have to see what Mrs. Hayes says first. What do you say?"

They all looked at Mrs. Hayes and she said, "Talk about pressure. We'll do up the paperwork and if all goes well, in six months they will be yours."

"What does that mean?" Hannah asked Jim.

"It means you belong to us." She jumped into his arms and held on tight. "I want to belong to you guys. Thank you."

"Jim, would you like to hold your son?" Blair asked smiling.

"I sure would, if Miss Hannah would let go of me and run to her other Daddy."

She did just that. They exchanged kids and laughed and talked with Mrs. Hayes.

After she left, Blair said, "Would you like to see your new room?"

"Oh yes."

They all went upstairs and she ooh'd and aah'd over everything. "Blair, I love this room. Is it by Jesse's room? He gets scared sometimes."

"You be a kid. We'll take care of Jesse during the night, all right? During the day you can help us." Jim said calmly.

Blair held Hannah for a while and asked, "Miss Hannah, we're invited to our friends' house for dinner on Thanksgiving. How do you feel about that?"

"Do they have kids?"

"They have three." Blair answered already knowing what the outcome would be.

"Yay. We already have cousins?" Hannah asked.

"You sure do. There is Natalie who is 6, Nadine who is 13 and Nicolas who is 11. They're great kids. You're going to love them." Blair knew this to be true.

"I'm going to give Jesse a bath before bedtime. See you all later." Jim held Jesse in the air and made goofy noises at him as they climbed the stairs.

"Blair, do you think you could like me?"

"Honey, I already like you. Why are you asking that?"

"People always like babies first." Hannah said sadly.

Jim held a naked Jesse in his arms and he said, "Miss Hannah, could you show me how to do this?"

"Sure, Jim. Come on, Blair, and I'll show you too." She was thrilled to be in charge.

Blair winked at his partner and knew Jim had been listening.

Things were going to be all right. They were a family. Life starts here.

The End.

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Acknowledgments: Thank you, Mary. Thank you to Amy for the cover. Your work is always gorgeous.