Adoption

Heading down stairs to the dining room, Nate and Charlotte found that the guys were already there.

They each looked at one another then to Bull.

"Your Dad will be arriving this afternoon.", Bull said calmly.

"Really!", Charlotte said excited as she looked at the others whom all confirmed by shaking their heads.

"Nate, I would like you to take a walk with me after breakfast.", Bull said clearly.

Nate looked surprised as he responded, "Understood."

All the guys exchanged glances as they knew what they would be talking about.

Breakfast resumed and ended just as quickly.

Charlotte went with Axel to play some games while she waited for Nate to return.

Bull motioned for Nate to follow him as he headed to the garden.

Visibly nervous, Bull walked to the statue of the goddess and took a seat on the bench.

Nate could feel something was happening that was incredibly important, as Bull seemed to be searching for a spot to start the conversation. Nate took a seat beside Bull and waited patiently.

Beginning to worry a bit, Nate looked up at Bull hoping he had not done something wrong that would ruin his chance at being part of this family.

'I love them all. Please.........don't say I did something wrong and you guys no longer want me', Nate thought to himself. Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he began to clearly show worry on his face as he rubbed the palms of his hands together.

While Bull had been silently thinking of where to start the conversation, he looked over to see the state that Nate was in and realized he had held the silence for too long and the boy was worried.

Bull shook his head and placed a smile on his face as he put his arm around Nate's shoulders. "It's okay, Son. You have not done anything wrong.", he simply said to clear the air.

Nate looked up at him relaxing a bit as he searched Bull's face for some indication as to what the conversation would be about.

Bull began, "I don't have any children as this job has taken all of my time and attention. I have always felt that Charlotte is my child and never had the need for any other children.........that is until you."

Nate looked up immediately with shock clearly visible on his face. His mouth slightly open in his shocked state.

"You are the Son I have never had and I really feel that I could be the Father that you have not had.", Bull stated matter of factly. "I would like to adopt you and make it official. I know you are older now and maybe do not need.."

"I DO NEED A FATHER!", Nate interrupted louder than he meant to be. He then quickly closed his mouth and began looking around feeling a bit embarrassed by his own shout.

Bull laughed as he patted Nate on the back, "Okay then. I will make it so."

Turning to Bull, Nate threw his arms around him and began to cry. Bull hugged him back and allowed him to cry.

The tears finally under control, Nate pulled back and looked up at Bull and smiled a sweet smile. His happiness clear as his eyes sparkled brightly with the understanding that he meant something to someone as a Son.

Bull ruffled Nate's hair and spoke with a smile, "Your new name will be Nate Lockhorn."

The pride in Nate's face as if he had just met his god given Father, "Can my middle name be changed at the same time?"

Bull did not expect that question and thought about it for a second before responding, "If that is what you want, it should be easy enough."

Smiling with joy, "Would it be okay with you if my middle name became Bull?"

Bull could not have felt more pride in his new Son, "I will make it so."

Nate smiled the biggest smile he had ever had. 'This is the happiest day of my life', he thought to himself.

Walking back to the house, Nate could not stop smiling.

Bull told him that they would announce to everyone at lunch when Charlotte's Father arrived so that the entire family would be present.

Coming into the house, Nate went to find Axel and Charlotte proceeding to observe as they played video games.

Bull went into the kitchen to find Alan speaking with the Chef ordering lunch and a cake to celebrate the new addition to the family. Looking over and seeing Bull watching him, Alan ended the conversation with the Chef and turned to Bull raising his eyebrows awaiting the confirmation. Bull smiled a sweet smile confirming that Nate had agreed. Alan smiled, "Congratulations on your new Son." He then walked directly over and slapped Bull on the back, "I knew he would agree. He loves us."

"So what is for lunch?", Bull questioned.

"Nate liked it a lot when we had Italian and Boss likes it too.", Alan stated. "Nate also likes when the cakes have fruit on top so I chose that as well."

"Good thinking. Thank you for everything.", Bull said with meaning. He appreciated the fact that Alan ordered the cake fully believing that Nate would agree.

Upstairs Grayson and Seth were having an argument over decorations. One wanted to go with a theme and the other wanted to be more festive with color without a theme holding them back.

"You're seriously going to argue about this?!!!", Seth asked aggravated.

"You bet your ass!", Grayson argued back.

"This is an important occasion!", Seth stated as he stood up.

"I know that! But the themes that you are offering just because we have the stuff for it.........well they don't make sense!", Grayson said calmly.

They both now standing turned to look at the items they had available. At the same time they both came up with an answer. Turning they headed down stairs to Axel at break neck speed.

Bursting through the door they both found that Charlotte and Nate were in there with Axel. Looking at each other they walked up to Axel and without saying anything to him, the eye contact between them gave clear instructions to Axel that they needed to speak with him in private.

Axel turned to Nate and requested that he take his place at the table to finish the game, as he needed to speak with Seth and Grayson.

"Sure.", Nate agreed as he sat down in Axel's seat preparing for the next game to start.

"Bring your laptop", Grayson and Seth stated to Axel in unison.

Reaching over, Axel grabbed his laptop and headed out of the room with them both.

Taking him up the stairs to where the decorations were, they both turned and pointed at the pile they had to work with.

Axel wrinkled his nose, "This won't do guys."

"We know.", they both said together.

Axel took a seat and opened his laptop to supplies for parties.

He then got a big smile on his face as he turned to the guys, "I've got an idea."

Seth and Grayson looked at each other wondering what Axel had in mind.

After tapping on his computer a few times, he turned his screen to the guys and they both smiled and nodded back.

"That is perfect!", Grayson clapped.

"Awesome choice, man!", Seth agreed.

Axel hit some buttons then closed the laptop. "The supplies will be here within the hour. Keep an eye out for it and station a few guards at the door to the dining room to keep it a surprise.", Axel stated. " I will leave you guys in charge of setting it up. I believe Alan has handled the food preparations."

"This is going to be quite the celebration.", Seth stated and Grayson nodded in agreement.