Love Lost and Found

Chapter 37/37 (Epilogue)

4 months later

Viggo sighed contentedly, lovingly entangling his fingers in Orlando’s brown curls as they lay peacefully on the woollen blanket. Orlando was partly draped over him, his head resting on Viggo’s chest. He was breathing deeply and evenly and it seemed that he slept without nightmares for the first time since MacLachlan had been killed. A shadow crept over Viggo’s face as he thought of the last hours in those catacombs. Their lives had not been the same ever since then and he knew that things would never be the same again.
For on thing, he would never let Orlando out of his reach again. Ever. After Orlando’s abduction – and rescue - filming had been delayed again and they still had three months left till they had to be on set again. At first Orlando had been afraid of leaving the house and Viggo had been more than just surprised when his lover had suggested having a picnic in the garden. //A family picnic.// Viggo thought, a happy grin spreading over his face. Lazily he glanced up into the bright blue sky, glad to be lying in the shade. His jeans were almost too warm for this day.
“Henry?” he asked, squinting to his left as footsteps rustled through the deep green grass and came to a halt behind him. “I’m honoured that you think I’m younger than I look,” a voice replied dryly, “but I’m not that young.” “Goodie!” Viggo patted the blanket on the side Orlando was not lying on. “Have a seat! What brings you here?”
“Well,” Goodie said slowly, warding off an enraged wasp as he sat down. “Something and nothing, I guess.” “And that means?” Viggo asked nervously, cursing the fact that he could not get up without waking Orlando and fearing that Orlando might wake and hear what Goodie had to say. Grinning mischievously Goodie shook his head. “Something happened, but it’s nothing that Orlando shouldn’t hear.” “Shouldn’t hear what?” A drowsy voice suddenly asked. “Mornin, luv.” Viggo smiled, still playing with Orlando’s hair.
“It’s not morning, it’s afternoon.” “Oh?” Viggo raised an eyebrow “I didn’t think you’d noticed.” Goodie leant back and watched the two actors bicker for some time before he brought their attention back to himself. “Where’s Jamie?” he asked.
Instantly Orlando’s eyes misted with worry. “Jamie? He’s swimming in the river.” He said, pointing over his shoulder towards the back of the garden. “Alone?” Goodie’s disapproval was apparent. “No...no.” Orlando quickly shook his head. “John and Henry are there, too. And Torsten with his two kids, Mary and Stephen, I think. Why?” “Henry’s my son.” Viggo put in. “I know Mr Mortensen.” Goodie started to explain but Viggo interrupted him again. “Why did you come to talk about Jamie?”
“We got news from the child-welfare center.” Goodie said gravely. “Jamie’s been adopted.”
“Adopted?” Orlando echoed incredulously after a shocked silence. “But... they can’t do that to us! To him! They allowed us to foster him! We signed all those contracts and stuff!” “I know.” Goodie sighed, the teasing tone completely gone from his voice. “But Mrs Johnson, who’s been assigned to Jamie’s case, thought that it would be the best for him to have a family again. A real family. Not a foster one.”
“And they think that taking him from us and giving him to some people he doesn’t even know is better for him than living with us?” Viggo growled, struggling to stay calm and trying his very best not to scream. “I have always known Mrs Johnson to be a very capable social services worker.” Goodie replied neutrally. “How can she be capable if she wants to tear a traumatised boy from the only ones he’s got left? Jamie has improved so much! He even spoke a few words again!” Orlando whispered, tears swimming in his eyes. “I can’t do anything about his decision.” Goodie said earnestly. “It seems that someone used quite a lot of influence to hasten to he process of Jamie’s adoption.”
“Is there no way for us to foster him any longer?” Viggo whispered in resignation. “I’m afraid not. I’ve brought the necessary papers with me.” Goodie slowly pulled out an envelope and handed it to Orlando and Viggo. “Where do we have to sign?” Orlando asked, quickly scanning over the pages.
“Nowhere.” Goodie grinned. “Unless you’ve changed your mind.” “Nowhere? Why nowhere?” parroted Viggo. “Because,” Goodie’s grin became even broader. “You already signed the necessary papers some months ago.”
“Some months ago? But... but we only sighed that we would be willing to foster Jamie till we or somebody else would be allowed to adopt him... and...”
“Exactly.” Goodie said triumphantly. “I had to twist a few arms but your request has been granted. You’ve been accepted as Jamie’s adoptive parents. “
“Granted?” Orlando’s eyes became as wide as saucers. “He’s.. he’s ours now?” “Yes.”
“But,, but that’s wonderful!” Orlando jumped up and hugged first Goodie and then Viggo, while the Dane was still staring ahead unblinkingly. “He’s ours, Vig! He’s our son! We’ve got as son now!”
Viggo finally reacted to the news, a lopsided grin slowly spreading over his face as realisation set in. “A son...” he repeated quietly and then drew Orlando closer, kissing the younger man thoroughly. “Come on, let’s tell him.”
Goodie was left on the left on the blanket, shaking his head and smiling indulgently as he looked after them.
“Love,” he muttered, “it really does make fools of us all.”

The End