Julie’s face turned bright red. “Oh God, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were the ones dating. Ok well that explains a lot more now. Ok let’s go see Shay’s room. Also could you show me where the smoke detectors are?”

Whew. Julie seemed fine with it—Shane finally started to breathe normally again. When she led Julie into the boy’s bedroom, Carmen stole a glance at Shane, who smiled at her while simultaneously biting one side of her bottom lip.

After the smoke detectors had been counted and Julie met Max to fill out some paperwork, she went over a couple more things before she left.

“Ok so you need to have a fire extinguisher by the time I come by for your next home visit and make sure to get a lock for the back door. Other than that it looks like we are all set. I’m going to go to the office and file the paperwork on Max and I’ll call you when I’m done. Then you guys can meet me at the group home where Shay is staying. Here are the directions. Hopefully we can get this done today so you can have him home tonigh.” She smiled at the couple and walked towards the front door.

Shane squeezed Carmen’s hand. Carmen couldn’t help but feel her heart melting over the whole thing—Shane not running away, Shane letting Carmen help and not pushing her away, and as much as she tried to ignore it—that teeny little part inside of her that couldn’t stop daydreaming about what a cute little family they would all be.

They showed Julie out and thanked her for coming.

As the door closed, Carmen cupped her hands around Shane’s face and let out a small squeal.

“Babe this is great! Are you excited? You may get to bring home your baby brother tonight!”

“Shit, it’s kinda scary when you say it like that.”

“Don’t worry you’re going to be great. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Shane pulled Carmen onto the couch and held her close. “I can’t wait for you to meet him either. I think he is really going to like you, but hey um, Carmen?”