Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jaime is practically bouncing on his way home from work. They had been contacted by the adoption agency and had been approved now all they needed to do was set up a date essentially speaking to meet a few prospective kids. Taking the time away from both of their jobs had been like pulling teeth but they managed. He’s sure things will change once there is an actual child in the house. It had been grueling but well worth the wait and the aggravation on some days to go through orientation, the home inspections, the overall digging into your life to make sure you and your partner are good candidates for the system. All of it boiling down to the needs and safety of the child or children you are taking on.
Both had agreed to wanting a little girl, there’s already too much testosterone in the Reagan family and not enough estrogen. Jaime sighs, letting the car idle for a moment before turning off the engine, he listens to it tick as it cools down. The blonde inhales sharply then exhales. It’s been at least a week since they have been approved as foster parents and the corresponding agency has been in contact. The door is loud as he shuts it his hands shaking in nervousness and excitement. He can barely open his front door due to his hands shaking so much.
“Noble! Noble babe are you ready?!”

“I’m in here!”

Jaime stops at the bedroom door to find Noble going through his clothes trying to find something. He snorts back a laugh walking over to his life partner. The dirty blonde takes a hold of his partner’s current shirt and pulls him in close nibbling on the back of his ear.
“I’m sure whoever we meet will love whatever you wear.”

“Are you sure? Because I don’t want to overdo it…”

“You won’t love but we have to get going if we’re going to get there on time.”

They both head over to the agency barely listening to the caseworker as they walk in. She stops and directs them into a room. Jaime looks at her questioningly enough that she elaborates on the actual process.
“Now, gentlemen, you’ve gone through all the necessary steps and training that the state requires. Your home has been approved and such…”
“Did we miss something?”
She was a little taken off guard but smiles warmly towards Jaime. We could tell she was going to be working closely with us until we decided.
“And if the child does not get adopted by a new permanent family you will have the option to adopt them as your own. This process can take a while but don’t get discouraged. Here is some information on the children that we do have up for adoption and looking for a foster family. Your first child is Arrabella Sanchez. She’s 5 years old… Your partners good with kids she’s normally withdrawn around adults.”

“Yeah, he’s good at doing that.”

By the time Noble and the case worker arrived Jaime had her out of the corner and playing with a tea set where she is wrapping a feathered scarf loosely around his neck and placing a hat on his head. She seemed to come alive her ringlet curls bouncing about her head as she found the trinkets and toys for them to play with.
They watch from the door way, Noble chewing on the edge of his thumbnail in nervousness. He smiles dropping his hand into his pocket glad that he fell for the New York City cop. One move he never thought would have been possible in his past life. Slowly walking up behind Jaime Noble squats down beside him and pecks his cheek before turning his attention to their play date. Her dark brown eyes widen as she leans back to inspect the newcomer.
“Hey there little lady may I join you?”

“Mmmm… I don’t know. Is it okay for the man with curly hair to join us?”

“Of course Arrabella.”

“My name’s Noble what’s yours?”

“Arrabella, but people call me Bella.”

Noble sits in one of the small chairs and props his chin in his hands watching the two interact. Jaime laughs at something Arrabella says then they both turn their attention towards Noble. She gets up and digs into the chest for something. Noble leans over to see what she’s digging for. She comes up with a 1920’s hat with a handful of play jewelry. Noble laughs as she puts the hat on his head crooked then holds out her hand for his so she can slide the jewels on.
“There now we’re ready for a tea party.”

Chapter Text

Before they know it their visit is over. Jaime looks at Noble his mind racing behind his eyes. Their caseworker mentioned something about two other children that fit what they were looking for on their initial visit. The case worker now known as Ms. Jackson smiles again and shuffles through their paperwork and Arrabella’s.
“Now I see that you are both working. Is there a plan in place for child care once they are in the home?”

“Yes, I will be there. I can work from home.”

Jaime looks at his partner shocked. Never once did he think Noble would give up his dream of owning his own restaurant to take care of their child once they get approved to foster. He takes Noble’s hand into his; both their nerves fraying with anxiety.
“I see. There will be 1-2 months of supervised visits and outings to see if it goes well. And if all goes well and you decide to proceed then they, the child can move into the home and you become their legal foster parents. Are you still wanting to continue?”

“Yes!”

Ms. Jackson looks from one to the other surprised at their unison response. Jaime bows his head in embarrassment but looks back up again then to his husband. It’s more than what either of them could have hoped for.
Smiling and heading out to Jaime’s vintage car they wave to Arrabella and Ms. Jackson. Noble is silent the whole ride back while he listens to Jaime gush over Arrabella. According to Ms. Jackson it’ll be another couple days, they still have to meet the other two children. Vibrating with energy and excitement Jaime rushes up the stairs pulling Noble along by the hand.
“Babe slow down.”

“I can’t help it. Oh my god Noble did you see her!? She’s adorable and her manners. And her brown curly hair… What do you think she’s gonna like in her room?”

“Whoa whoa slow down love let’s get a shower and climb into bed. We’ll figure it out in the morning. An’ besides we have two more kids to meet before we decide.”

Jaime stops two steps into their apartment pulling his lover in after shutting the door. Pushing him up against the wall he attacks his mouth. Noble obliges his husband but turns the tables on him and hoists him up onto his hips. Jaime wraps his legs around eagerly plundering Noble’s mouth. Breaking away for a moment to make the comment Jaime cocks his head to the side.
“You know with a kid we won’t be able to do this on a whim.”

Jaime just laughs and kisses the end of Noble’s nose. Unfolding his legs he climbs down to just hug Noble tightly about the waist burying his nose into the man’s curly hair, his excitement vibrating through every atom.
After meeting the other two kids both Jaime and Noble came back exhausted. One of them happened to be a young adult about the age of ten. He happened to ignore them the whole visit. Ms. Jackson sighed shaking her head. She can literally see the dejection in their faces at the end of the visit. She suggested on meeting another child but they politely refused.
The weeks flew by until finally the day came when they decided to proceed with Arrabella. He had to fight for the day off and trade some days with others to make sure he didn’t have to come in until the next night shift. Jaime practically rushed through his paperwork for the day and waved goodbye to the oncoming sergeant.
“Whoa Reagan what’s the rush? Let me guess that new husband of yours is got you by the balls.”

“Nothing like that Sarge our house guest is going to be here today and I want to make sure I don’t leave Noble there by himself when she does.”

“Oh is it the little one you couldn’t shut up about? She’s coming today?”

Jaime nods then waves again out the door. Noble is pacing the kitchen watching the clock as it ticks down the seconds, the minutes until Jaime gets home or Arrabella arrives. He hopes that Jaime gets home before she does.
Just as Jaime pulls up to the curb another car pulls in behind him. Nervous he watches as the caseworker and the little brown haired girl get out of the car. Sighing in relief he smiles widely as the two females approach. Arrabella is holding fast onto a well loved teddy bear but follows Ms. Jackson over to Jaime. He can’t help but smile wide at her and holds out his hand.
“It’s okay go ahead and take his hand.”

She looks up to the woman but takes a hold of Jaime’s hand following him into the apartment. Jaime is talking nonstop all the way up the stairs until he opens the door and runs into Noble. They both stand there for a moment until Arrabella nudges the back of his knee, her nose buried in the arm of her teddy bear. Her voice is small and squeaky. Jaime’s face contorts into one of concern before he kneels down to her level.
“Bella are you okay?”

“I remember you.”

She whispers into the arm of her teddy bear but she doesn’t take her eyes off of Noble, who clearly feels out of sorts. Jaime smiles gently at her shifting his weight to both knees then motions for Noble to join him. They give her a moment to process being there. No sooner does he kneel to her level she has her hands deep in his curly hair.
“It’s like mine. Not many kids have hair like mine.”

Noble can’t help but chuckle at Arrabella’s statement. He looks at Jaime and smiles whispering something in her ear making her squeal in delight. She stops though and looks to her case worker who waves her on to go check it out. Jaime just smiles hopelessly at her with a shrug. They hear a squeal coming from the back of the apartment and excited giggles. Immediately heading back to the second room they stop. They find Arrabella with Noble in the corner, a helplessly stuck smile on his face.
She’s gushing over the stuffed animals and the toys in the toy box. Her questions fired off rapidly before she stopped and stared at the doll in her hand. Slowly Arrabella put the doll aside and continued to search through the toys. Noble looks over to his beloved a confused look on his face. Jaime noticed it to but opted to not say anything, at least not right this moment. They’re both sure Ms. Jackson noticed this too. Worried Jaime motions Ms. Jackson to the kitchen. With an exhale Ms. Jackson sets the folder down slowly. They stand there for a moment before Jaime speaks.
“Do we know what kind of trauma she’s been through?”

“No, none had been reported from her previous foster family. That… behavior was a little odd.”

Her voice was hesitant. Laden with hope for the child that they will still proceed and help her through whatever has her traumatized. They seem to be a well grounded couple and more than willing to get things straightened out.
“Is there any more questions Mr. Reagan?”

“Um no, thank you for all your help Ms. Jackson.”

“Good we’ll be doing regular checkups. Don’t get discouraged love first couple weeks is hard to adjust… it’ll get easier.”

From there she pulls out the necessary paperwork to sign and fill out. She informs them that they and the courts will be in touch. She points to the top right hand of the page where her number and the number of the agency sat. There shouldn’t be, Jaime thinks after escorting Ms. Jackson to the front before heading back to the secondary room. When he enters he sees his husband and Arrabella playing with the tea set on the very small table.
“Would you like some more tea princess?”

Jaime’s smile got even bigger at the frilly pink scarf around his neck. They both look to Jaime and bust out laughing.
“Our knight in shining armor has arrived!”