3 years...

I wasn't doing anything the moment he had called. I was glad to see his name on my screen but when I answered I wasn't as glad.

"They took him away!" The sobs erupted through the phone.
"They took them both away!"
"Who?" I asked.
"These men! Cops I think? They took Taurtis and Pearl!" He sobbed.

Social Services. They had probable cause to do so. I mean come on! Having 7 out of 11 kids run away and a multitude of incident reports filed against them it was only a matter of time before they took the kids away.

But why leave Netty and Grian? Netty I guess because she was 18, but do they really think she'd leave on her own while there's still an underaged boy living in that house?

Grian seemed absolutely miserable over the next week. Then, he started to show up during the night. He'd knock, someone would let him in and he'd eat and sleep with us. Sometimes Netty would join too. But most of the time Netty was with her boyfriend.

Grian was both smothered and neglected. It got to the point that they hadn't even noticed that he had packed up all his stuff except for his bed and stored it at our place.

When I turned 18 I bought a place for both of us. He was glad to not disturb my family anymore and have a place he could call his own, but he wasn't ready yet. I got the feeling he wouldn't be until he saw Taurtis once more.

He stayed not ready for 3 more years, finally spending most of his time at the house away from his parents by the time he turned 21.
We had a routine now. He'd come home to me and in the morning I'd drop him off so he could be at his parents' house before they realized he was gone and I went to work.

Grian was doing college now. It was close by but almost a 4-hour commute from his parents' house and a 20-minute drive from ours.

He was in his 3rd year of college when he finally saw Taurtis again. We were walking through the campus. He was talking my ear off about an assignment for his Business minor. He had Architecture for his major and business for his minor.
I had Engineering for a major, architecture as a minor and did a few community Plays on the side.

Occasionally Grian would join and we'd do an improv play with a few others, mostly Iskal.

Either way, we were walking to the Architectural building when a familiar voice laughed and said rather loudly, "oh like that'll ever happen! Look, Sam, I gotta go! See ya!"

Grian looked over and his face filled with absolute joy at the sight of his baby brother.

I thought it would be appropriate to give the rest of this to Grian...

7 years. I went 7 years without seeing my baby brother! 7 years without that light. And now, here he was! Waving to an old friend of ours, Sam, and walking away.

I couldn't help but run to him. I knew I wouldn't catch him. I knew I didn't want to. Would he even remember me? I'm sure he would, but would he care who I was? Would he think I was just some childhood friend?

I didn't know. And a part of me didn't want to find out. But when I touched his shoulder, I sealed that decision.
He looked back and I immediately began to blush. I hadn't thought this through! What would I say? What would I do?

"Hello? Can I help you?" He asked.
My heart dropped and I'm guessing my face did too.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" He asked tilting his head.
"How are you doing Taurtis?" I asked and he paused thinking through his memories.

He always had a bad one of those. I swear he got it from our mom.
"I'm, doing good?" He asked seeming embarrassed by not knowing me.
To him, I was just a stranger that knew his name.
"That's good, where are you now'a' days?" I asked.
"Living on my own. Have been for a little while now.." he stammered confusedly.

"Well I'd hope so, you are 19 now. Are you going to college here or just visiting?" I asked.
He seemed hesitant, completely confused as to why I, a stranger, knew so much about him.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" He repeated.

"Do you do something with air or flowers now'a' days?" I asked, "you were always fascinated with them."
He seemed genuinely creeped out by this.
"Uh, no. Who are you?" He asked.
I paused and once more changed the subject, I could tell he didn't like that.

"What are you majoring in?" I asked.
"Uhm, Business, and Chemistry." He responded.
"Chemistry? Interesting!" I chirped.
"Grian, your class!" Mumbo called.
I looked back and bit my lip.

"Maybe I'll see you again later. Bye-bye!" I chirped.
"Wait!" He called after me but I ran off.

I saw him again at the food court, not a week later. He was with Pearl, Sam, Chan, and Mini.
He saw me and he shot up.
He said something to our friends and family and marched over.

"Ok. You seem to know everything about me. Who are you?" He asked.
"I'm sorry, I was just so excited I lost track of myself. It's been almost 7 years since we last saw each other," I brushed him off and he furrowed his eyebrows.

"G-Grian?" I heard the hitched voice if Mini whimper behind us. Taurtis turned and tilted his head.
"You know him?" Taurtis asked.
I smiled looked back at him and stood up. Not any sooner than that Mini swooped me up and cried into my shoulder.

"Oh, I'm so sorry we couldn't get you out of that hell hole baby brother! We tried! Trust me we tried! But-" he began.
"I'm still technically in that hell hole. Netty visits sometimes but she's mostly with her fiance." I shrugged and he paused.

"Netty has a fiance!?" Mini asked.
(Note: I do believe that Netty is married to Martyn but in this story that would be wrong so she's married to someone else. Pls forgive meh I'm sorrah!)
"Have you not made contact with her recently?" I asked and he shook his head.
"Wait! Little brother?!" Taurtis gawked.
"Yes, Taurtis. This is your brother you dork." Mini rolled his eyes.

"I'm surprised he forgot you. You 2 were joined at the hip till CPS took him away and dumped him with us." Mini sighed ruffling T's mop he calls hair.
"You know T, if he doesn't see you in at least 2 years he won't remember your face. Your name maybe, random facts about you sure. But your face will turn into this big murder mystery to him. He's got the clues have been given hints and yet he's still the worst detective out there," I teased.

"Hey!" Taurtis squeaked.
"All hail Taurtis." Mini scoffed.
"No no! You're doing it wrong! You gotta do it like this-" I countered.

I dug into my pocket pulled out three red plastic flowers and chucked it at him declaring, "ALL HAIL TAURTIS!"
"Ah, I feel the power surging through me! I accept thy offerings!" Taurtis declared.
"All hail, all hail!"

"You guys, are a hazard to society," Mini said plainly.
The words that were usually directed at Zee.
"All hail Mini, all hail." I deadpanned and he slowly backed off.
"You can't run away!" I announced and he ran back to his table.
"Grian," Taurtis whispered.
"Yeah, T?" I asked looking over.
"Can I go home with you?" He asked.

"No. I'm not letting you get hurt anymore, you hear? They took you away for a reason!" I snapped and I noticed the tears well up in his eyes.
"Besides, if you go back to me someone else might steal yo man," I teased.

T had dated lots of people in his life but his crush for Sam never faltered. He had basically become his servant to make him like him at one point. I noticed the tears replaced by a heavy shade of blush.
"I'll see you later T, I got classes," I said and kissed the top of his head.

"Bye T," I whispered to him.
"Bye Mini, bye Pearl!" I waved and Mini waved back while Pearl tilted her head in confusion at my gesture.
I wonder if she forgot too.

I guess I should give this back to Mumbo. It is his chapter after all. . .

Awe, thanks baby~ I love him!

Anyways.....
I had been planning it for years. I've wanted him for years. But even after he knew Taurtis was ok he wouldn't leave. In fact, he was either on campus at his parents' house or sleeping over at ours.

"Babe!" I lightly shook him one day.
He had no classes but it was almost 1 PM. And I wanted to do something with him. It was his 4th year. 4th and final. Thank lord, I'd be able to have him all to myself soon.

And I mean that.
I ushered him about and he finally got everything he needed to be ready, rubbed his eyes, and looked at me.
"I'm tiiirrred!" He whined and I laughed.

"I know baby but I wanna do something with you while we're both free!" I laughed and he smiled.
Just as we were about to leave I told him to get in the car, I needed to grab one last thing. He did so, no questions asked and I ran to the safe I had in the hall closet.

Haha! He'd never check in there!
I kneeled down, opened the safe, took a deep breath, and pulled out the small velvet box. I checked to make sure it was in there in all it's glory. I was slightly worried he'd hate it. But at the same time, I was hoping he'd love it.

The red gem in the center was unusual for a wedding ring. And when I suggested it the guy gave me a look of, "say wha?"
But he hadn't objected and I paid in full.

As I was leaving he asked who my lucky girl was. I had responded with," he's a doll. Don't need anything fancy to please him. But~ he looks good in red."

To say the clerk was surprised would be an understatement. My guess was he was still hungover that "man must marry woman" thing.

But I had already paid and I could file a lawsuit against him if he refused to give me the ring.

Anyways! I'm getting off-topic! I pocketed the box in my pocket and closed the safe and closet. I hurried down to Grian who was already napping in the car.

"What do you say, carnival?" I asked.
"The boardwalk carnival? Sure I guess. Never really gone-" he began.
"And I never went to the Halloween festival before you." I retorted.
He sighed, hit me in the arm, and returned to his half-asleep nap.

We got there and almost immediately after the car stopped running Grian woke up and sat up slightly dazed.
"Alright, lunch or fun first?" I asked.
He paused and looked up at the fairly small carnival.

This one lasted all summer and since it was the start of summer it had just opened a few days ago.
"Wow." He hummed as we got out of the car.

I adjusted my jacket and he quickly took my hand.
"It has a Ferris wheel and a rollercoaster!" He shrieked and I laughed.
"Ok?" I laughed and he squeezed my arm tightly.
"Our festival never had those! Oo! Can we get on the rollercoaster then eat and then play some games?" He begged.

"Of course!" I laughed and he dragged me in.
I paid for wristbands which would get us on anything or allow us to buy anything without having to pay every time. It cost maybe 100 bucks? But today'll be worth it.

Especially if he says yes.

We rode the rollercoaster in which he screamed and clung to me 70% of the time and when we got off he was laughing and gasping for breath at the same time.
Another fact: Grian loves rides but gets scared too easily so he usually gets on excited but terrified and when going through it either can't watch his surroundings, clings to the nearest person, or doesn't let go on the ride's safety bars.

Cutie.

Next, we got some food. Though we waited a minute so we knew he wouldn't puke it out a moment later. When we were sure we were safe we got funnel cake and hotdogs. Which were heavenly.

Then we played some of those rigged games. Though I swear Grian was cheating because that boy got the highest ring on his first try.

Cheater.

Though it was worth it. The stuffie was actually really good quality of a chicken that was maybe a quarter his size and he was beaming like the devil on Wels' birthday.

Uhm, don't ask...

Then we tried some others. One earning him a nest full of eggs which he placed on his head happily and one he won a bear a bit too big. He got it mostly because if him haggling with the vender. Getting ok winnings and then trading them in for better prizes till eventually, he trades it to the point he got the best prize.

The vendor said the haggling was probably the most fun he's had the whole day.

This bear was almost the size of Grian. A big white bear with red hearts on his feet, hands, freckles, and a little black heart for a nose. We had to place all but the chicken in the car so we could continue doing stuff. But before we left the haggling vender Grian proudly held it up to me.

I clapped and smiled as if proud of his accomplishments. Which, I was. Dude's gots some odd future.
But I noticed the vendor raise an eyebrow and watch as Grian chuckled.
"No silly, for you!" Grian declared.
Which only made my fast beating heart beat faster.

"Oh baby, don't do this to me!" I whined taking the giant bear from his arms.
"Yay!" He cheered and I huffed.
"Let's go put these in the car so we can do other things, capiche?" I suggested.
"Sure thing hottie~" he flirted and I quickly hid amongst the giant bear.

He was lucky he's so gosh darn adorable.
We went on a few smaller rides and then got Dinner. Which consisted of cotton candy, and steak that was rather juicy.

He couldn't quite hide his laughter whenever it squirted out the juices. Which was ultimately adorable.
I guess I zoned out on him because he took his chicken and pecked me with him, the hard plastic if the eyes hurt.
"Ow!" I protested and he hummed.
"Whatchu thinking about baby?" He asked and I blushed.

"Only the best," I joked pinching his cheeks.
"Hey! You know I hate that!" He whined swatting me away.
I chuckled and kissed him for a moment.

He blushed and leaned against me his legs kicking the empty space happily under the table.

The sun was getting low and in the newly found beautiful light, I took a picture of Grian hugging his Chicken while we waited in the line for the Ferris wheel.

He looked over while I took the second picture. The third picture of him I took was him beaming brighter than the sun.
When in the time to board Grian squeezed my hand and we entered into a booth alone.

The thing swayed but other than that he was completely safe and comfortable in the layout.
I took a ton of pictures of him against the backdrop of the carnival below us and even some shots of just the carnival below us or the ocean to our left.

"It's so pretty up here!" He beamed and he too took a ton of pictures.
Although most of them seemed to be of me from what I saw him doing.
As we went back down he curled up into me and we kissed. We were let out and I told him there was 1 last spot we were going to go for the night and if he wanted to do 1 last thing.

He begged me to ride the flying saucer. I agreed and we got into the flying saucer. The gimmick was that you were against a wall that spun you so fast that when they took the floor away you'd stick to the wall. Which was terrifying but it was much like the- oh what was it called? Bamboozler is what my family always called it. Where it spun so fast that it could lift you in the air and turn you sideways and you'd stay to the ride with little protection but a bar for your hands and a loose rope at your waist.

When we got off I was dazed at first but quickly recovered and Grian laughed at my dazed state.
Then just before the sunset disappeared along the horizon I took him to an isolated area that wasn't really part of the carnival.

There I took a deep breath let him stare at the water with the sunset took a bunch of pictures and got on one knee. I pulled the box out checked one last time that the ring was still there and asked the question.

Ok, I can guarantee you that this was the most terrifying experience I have ever gone through! I don't think my body started functioning again until Grian let out a sob and responded with the best word you want to hear when you're proposing to someone.

"Oh my god, Mumbo..." he sobbed.
"Of course! Yes! 100 times over yes!" Grian announced hugging tight to me.
We earned a few cheers from the people around us which had only been a single couple and a family walking the beach.

I slipped the ring onto his finger and he hugged me again and kissed me.
If I said I wasn't thrilled I would've given you the full right to smack me and throw me in a ditch to be left for the wild animals.

Grian was my everything and from this point forward I swore I would die before I let anyone lay a hand on my baby.

I gave Grian a 3 day grace period where I let him brag about the proposal on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter.
We got a lot of "congratulations!" And "finally! It's about time!" From our followers.

Iskal sent us a photo of a seal holding up a ring to a puppy. Which was adorable 1 and 2 the caption was, "bet it looked something like this".

Comments
____________
Grian: don't know too busy bawling my eyes out 😭😂

NettyPlayz: awwwwww 1 Evo'll stop being an Evo at the beginning and the other at the end!

Grian responding to NettyPlayz: maybe if we don't procrastinate

MumboJumbo responding to Grian: yeah no. Let's not procrastinate on this one sugar 😅

___________

On the fourth day, I got to work with cutting his toxic parents out. He texted all his friends and siblings to text me until further notice. Then we changed his phone and phone number. Thankfully all but the contacts moved over to the new phone.

I told people on Twitter through private messages to text me their names so I can make sure Grian gets their number back. And sure enough, everyone gave me their names so I had them on my phone and Grian had them on his phone. He made sure everyone knew it was him too.

He may have switched Iskal and Xisuma when I gave them to him but when they told him his mistake he quickly added parenthesis making their names instead:
Iskal(no wait its Xisuma)
&
Xisuma(Iskal. Oops).

Which means he just doomed himself to always get the wrong number. Which has already made for some hilarious conversations with my 2 brothers.

He blocked his parents on any and all social media platforms and gladly officially stopped paying rent for their house.

Although he had thinned what he was paying in the past month. He was still paying and I wasn't going to let him give in like that anymore.

Now don't get me wrong! If he wanted to see his parents I would have been totally ok with it. Seeing anybody and everybody else was completely fine but his parents have fractured his leg 3 times, gave him a concussion 6 times, split open his lip, constantly gave him a black eye, bruise him, cut him, injure him, kick him out only to force him to come home not hours later. Look, what I'm getting at is these guys could go to jail easily with multiple people to back him up if he wanted to.

The only reason they haven't tried is because they're scared to because Commander's the chief of police. But that wouldn't matter in the court's eyes. An abuser is still an abuser in the court's eyes. At the very least they could get a restraining order.

And on the 7th day, Grian hopped onto the bed, smiled at me and sighed, "I never want to take this pretty thing off~"
"Oo! Maybe we could buy a house and get lots of cats!" Grian declared his eyes sparkling.
"I love cats!" I declared and he happily squealed.

"I can't wait!" He happily declared.

He was free. We were free.
But most importantly we were happy. And that was all that mattered.