Chapter 18: THE Bomb

Chase's POV:

I can understand Leo's frustration at this point. I'm sure I'd feel the same if my siblings were sitting on a secret, so to speak. "So I had some suspicions that Adam, Bree, and I might not be biologically related.", I say as my opening statement. That seems like a better place to start than, I'm dating our 'sister'. Leo quirks his brow at my statement, but remains silent. He makes a hand gesture, signaling me to continue. "And so of course, Chase being Chase, he did a bunch of ner-I mean really smart, computations and stuff.", Bree follows up. I see she just barely stopped herself from calling my work process 'nerdy', but old habits die hard I suppose. She obviously didn't mean anything bad by it. "Which I then brought those findings to Bree-", I start. "And they seemed pretty legit to me.", Bree finishes for me. It appears that she's taking Leo's, why don't both of you explain this together comment, quite literally. I don't really mind this either, it sure beats me running the risk of boring Leo to death as he would put it. "We came to the conclusion that asking Uncle Douglas for a honest explanation would be the best course of action, and since things have been really quiet in Centium City ever since the attack it seemed like the perfect time to stop by.", I finish off. Okay, now that the context as to why we're here has been laid, we can transition into why that's relevant. "So THAT'S WHY you were in a hurry to look for Douglas earlier.", Leo says while pointing a finger at us and nodding his head. Bree lightly snorts at Leo's mannerisms. "That and we did really wanna see how he was doing.", Bree responds.

Bree's POV:

Okay so far so good. Chase hasn't turned into a stuttering mess, I haven't lost the ability to form sentences, and Leo's actually letting us talking without interrupting to ask questions every 5 seconds. This is going even better than I could've imagined, I just really hope it stays that way. "So what happened? Not that it really matters anyway, I mean we'll all still be a family no matter what right?", Leo asks. Chase and I immediately nod our heads. "You and Adam will always be our brothers no matter what.", I tell Leo. Leo smiles at us. "Okay then, if that's the case, please do continue!", Leo chirps. Chase and I laugh at Leo's high energy. I really have missed his Leo-ness. "My suspicions were proved correct, Adam, Bree, and I aren't biologically related to each other, or Mr. Davenport and Douglas for that matter. Hence why we've called a family meeting tonight, so Douglas can clear the air and tell everyone the truth.", Chase explains. Leo nods again while giving us this, ahh I gotcha look. "Guess that's why you went as far as to bribe Adam with Douglas's wheelchair.", Leo replies. "And why we insisted we should all be back together in Mission Creek.", I add. After a hot minute I glance over at Chase to see if he's gonna start this next part off, or if I should just jump in. Our eyes meet and he gives me a short nod. "Now we're gonna tell Leo the other thing right?", Leo pushes. I roll my eyes and try to hide my amused smirk as Chase straightens his posture. Though he already looked like he was standing perfectly straight, so I don't really know what that fixed. He's probably just trying to hype himself up to drop THE bomb.

Chase's POV:

No matter how many times Bree and I break the news to someone, it's still as nerve-racking as ever. Especially since our friendship with Leo could be on the line. Leo's always been Adam, Bree, and I's biggest supporter ever since he found his way into our lab all those years ago. We wouldn't be the bionic heroes we are today, heck we probably wouldn't even be alive right now, if it weren't for him. We're just as close to him as we are to Adam, it'd truly be heartbreaking if Leo wasn't supporting us now too. "Bree and I, are dating.", I say. Bree's about to contribute to my statement as Leo does a double take. "Hold up, hold up, hold up.", Leo says as he raises his hand. He stands up, and the shred of confidence I had metaphorically flew out the window. "I MUST HAVE HEARD YOU WRONG. I know you didn't just tell me that my brother and sister are DATING.", he says with a really apprehensive look on his face. Oh dear, things aren't looking so well just by judging his facial expression alone. "Believe me, if just last week you would've told me I'd be dating Chase, I would've asked you what kind of crack you were on.", Bree sympathizes. I shoot her a look, but say nothing. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt in assuming she's going somewhere with that, and didn't say that just to poke fun at me. Leo does snort at her possible attempt at a joke. Perhaps she's hoping to ease his nerves and make things less serious by squeezing some humor in her explanation? "We didn't mean for this, us, to happen but it did. Chase and I really like each other even though we tried so hard not to.", Bree solemnly says.

Bree's POV:

"You definitely can't knock us for a lack of trying.", Chase comments. I smirk at him. He's not wrong lol. "No you can't, we tried everything didn't we?", I ask him. He smiles at me, and I know this isn't really the time, but man does it feel like I have butterflies in my stomach. "Well just about everything possible except killing each other or leaving the team.", Chase jokes. I can't help but bust out laughing at that. He's once again right. We, or me at the very least, tried avoiding the other. Which didn't really pan out. Then we tried dating other people, again, didn't really pan out. Leo loudly clears his throat. I my face heats up out of embarrassment when I realize Chase and I have been staring at each other like we were the only 1s in the room. We look away from each other before focusing on Leo again. "I hate to break up, whatever this is. Actually no I don't, cause this is weird, but I have to ask. Are you gonna bring this up at the meeting tonight?", Leo asks while wildly gesturing at us. Weird would definitely be a word I'd use to describe us, but a good kind of weird. Like bionic superhumans living in a basement that was converted into a lab kind of weird. "That is the plan yes, after Douglas reveals to everyone that we aren't related of course.", Chase answers. Leo slowly nods. "Yeah, I don't think things would go over too well if you 2 went 1st.", Leo agrees. "That's probably an understatement.", Chase snorts. Leo cracks a smile at that, a pretty contagious smile I might add. "Oh I KNOW that's an understatement. It'd be an absolute blood bath, you know how freaked out Mr. Davenport can get.", I laugh out. As soon as Chase starts cracking up it's all over, and we're all practically rolling on the ground laughing.

Chase's POV:

It takes us all a moment to compose ourselves after hysterically laughing for a few minutes. We all appear to look like we're in better spirits, I'd say a good laugh was just what we all needed. Especially to help break the remainder of any awkward tension. "So, are we good?", Bree asks him. Signs would point to yes, but that doesn't stop me from holding my breath in anticipation after the question leaves Bree's lips. Leo playfully rolls his eyes. "Of course we're good. I love you guys and you know I've got your backs no matter what.", Leo shrugs off as if it's no big deal. It's of course a huge deal. Another member of our family knows about Bree and I, and accepts us. I can't help but briefly acknowledge how lucky we are that Douglas swiped us from different foster care units. This might be an entirely different story if we were actually biologically siblings. Bree squeals before super speeding over to Leo. I start walking over to them, and can't help but look amused as Bree almost completely bowls over Leo with a hug that could only be described as bone crushing. I join Bree and squish Leo between us. Leo starts to struggle between us. "Okay guys, I love you too, but you're crushing me. I can't breathe..", Leo rasps out. We let him go and he immediately places his hands on his knees in attempts to quickly catch his breath. "Jeez, do you just completely pass out when Adam hugs you?", Bree jests. Leo shoots her a mild glare as he straightens up. "NO! I remind him that my body is more delicate than you robots.", Leo quips back. He has this playful look in his eyes that tells me his remark was all in good fun.

Bree's POV:

"Yes, quite delicate, like glass.", Chase replies. I slap my hand over my mouth to stop myself from wheezing again. Leo smacks Chase's arm while sporting one of the most offended looks I've ever seen. Chase throws his hands up to do that, hey I mean no harm, type gesture. "I am NOT LIKE GLASS! I'm like a ROCK, tough and sturdy, but with too much force I can be crushed. If anyone's like glass here it's you Chase.", Leo defends. Chase quirks his brow at him. You know whenever I see someone raise their eyebrow like that, I can't help but remember Marcus, the brother we lost. Sure he was evil and everything, but he was still our brother. We all got along great back in high school, when he was pretending to be good. Sometimes I wonder how things would be if Uncle Douglas could've reprogrammed Marcus and he was still around.. "I don't get the wind knocked out of me from one of Bree's hugs.", Chase points out. Before Leo can think of a comeback, Adam walks in. "Hey guys, what're you talking about?", he asks us. "How Leo's d e l i c a t e like glass.", I giggle. I hear that sounds kinda close to a growl come out of Leo's mouth as soon as Adam starts snickering. "We were talking about how I'M like a rock and CHASE is like glass.", Leo says while crossing his arms. This only makes Adam laugh harder as he makes his way to the couch. "No you're not, you're both like, something that's really easily to smash.", Adam snorts. Chases rolls his eyes before bringing up what happened a hot second ago.

Chase's POV:

"Well 'mister rock' here is the one who couldn't breathe after a hug from Bree and I.", I defend. I do have self defense skills and years training along with my bionics you know. I'm not that easily defeatable. I move to sit in the arm chair to the left of Adam. Bree trails behind me, while Leo more like stomps as he's attempting to defend his masculinity. "That's because I'm thin and you 2 were squeezing me from both sides.", Leo groans out as he throws himself onto the sofa next to Adam. The sofa barely bounces, but no one comments on it. Leo looks like he's close to snapping at one of us if we continue to poke fun at him. "Wait who's Mr. Rock?", Adam asks as soon as Bree sits on the arm of the arm chair I'm currently occupying. By the way she quickly glances over at me and down at my lap, I'm guessing the arm of this chair wasn't exactly her first choice of where she'd be sitting. "ME, I AM! I'M MR. ROCK!", Leo exclaims while flailing his arms about. If anything he's more like the inflatable tube men that sway in front of car dealerships and other various stores. Adam looks like he has a comeback ready, so I loudly clear my throat to get his attention. He looks over at me as I widen my eyes and start shaking my head. Leo whips his head in my direction, and I try to still my movements as quickly as possible to avoid getting caught. Adam clearly doesn't get the hint. "In what world are you-", Adam starts saying before I clear my throat even louder. Bree even starts trying to wave him down.

Bree's POV:

I love my brother, but does he have to be this thick headed most of the time? "Chase I think you've got something stuck in your throat dude.", Adam tells him. I slap my own forehead. "Oh for God sakes just drop it Adam!", Chase exclaims. Adam looks offended somehow? "Jeez dude I was just trying to be helpful. You kept clearing your throat like-", Adam starts saying before Chase cuts him off. "Not that! I meant with Leo, if he says he's mister rock then he's mister rock. Just leave it okay?", Chase sighs. Wow, sometimes I forget that there's someone who can be even more oblivious and thick headed than Kaz. "Well why didn't you say that in the 1st place?", Adam asks him. I look over at Chase and see his right eye twitch. He's probably not used to Adam's, personality, as much as he used to be either. I guess that's what time apart does to families, I don't think I like it. Before Chase can get any more annoyed I jump in with the 1st thing I can think of. "SO! What do you guys do for fun now that you have a lot of free time on your hands?", I ask. I internally cringe as soon as that comes out. I'm not 100% sure if I worded that right or not. On 1 hand it sounds like I'm asking if they have any new hobbies, but on the other hand it sounds like I'm kinda pointing out that they're not needed as much anymore. Adam lights up though after I ask that, and I visibly relax. "I usually spend my free time kicking Leo's butt in video games, kicking Leo's butt in training, and trying out new food recipes.", Adams says.

Chase's POV:

"Hey! You only kick my butt some of the time.", Leo objects. Bree and I lighty laugh at the scene before us. I wish it could be like this more often. It appears that the four of us have had a lot of down time as of late. Quite the shame that Bree and I can't take more frequent trips down here. "And by some you mean all.", Adam smirks. I glance over at Bree and her smile is lighting up the entire room. Whenever anyone on the team banters and it's amusing she smiles or laughs of course, we all do. Yet this smile is different, this is the one reserved specially for our brothers. "I meant what I said.", Leo replies with a glare. "You both should stop by the penthouse more often.", I blurt out. Everyone turns their attention towards me. "That's a great idea Chase! Since Mr. Davenport's making a big deal about us leaving Centium City, you guys can just leave the Bionic Island.", Bree cheerfully chirps. I love seeing her this happy. Leo glances over at Adam, who parrots that action. "I'm not sure if Big D will let us off supervising duty.", Leo sighs. The new generation of bionic superhumans already graduated a some time ago, I think they can handle themselves by now. Mr. Davenport doesn't need to take this level of extra precautions anymore. "It feels more like babysitting to me.", Adam sulks. It basically is at this point, or more like standing in the background and observing. "Have you talked to Mr. Davenport about it yet?", Bree asks. Leo scoffs. "Have you met Big D? He wants us here and that's it, especially ever since the attack. He's been extremely clear that 'it's too dangerous for us to be there'.", Leo informs us.

Bree's POV:

I roll my eyes. That's a load of bullshit. "We've been on a multitude of dangerous missions before when we were younger and less experienced. Mr. Davenport didn't seem to have an issue with it at the time.", Chase points out. I immediately nod my head. Chase's an intellectual, he knows what he's talking about. "Yeah and since when have you 2 ever listened to Mr. Davenport, and not gone behind his back and done the thing you weren't supposed to do anyway?", I ask them. I mean Mr. Davenport's probably just trying to protect them like any Father/Uncle would, but they're big boys, they can make their own decisions. "She's got a point.", Adam agrees. Chase lightly pats me on the shoulder after Adam says that. I'm pretty sure that's all he figured he could get away with in front of Adam. Leo of course we don't have to worry about anymore, but I don't think he'd be too happy if we started upping the PDA a bit more than we ever used to before. "They both do. I don't blame Big D for trying to watch out for us, but honestly this is overkill. He's gone into like Papa Bear mode ever since Douglas got hurt. I think he'd completely lose it if 1 of us got hurt too.", Leo explains. Okay I can kinda understand that, but what does Mr. Davenport expect to do, keep Leo and Adam at the Bionic Island forever? Honestly wouldn't put it past him but come on, he can't possibly think that 'plan' would pan out. "It's normal to want to shield and protect the people you care about, especially when something traumatic like Uncle Douglas's injury occurs. The lesson to be learned is that you can't hide someone from the world in hopes that nothing bad will befall onto them. Over sheltering someone doesn't solve anything, and will only make said individual feel suffocated. Leading to them lashing out in whatever way they deem appropriate.", Chase rambles.

Chase's POV:

Mr. Davenport's a smart man, surely he sees what he's doing correct? He is stubborn enough to realize such a thing, yet insist on things remaining his way due to the belief that he's still right. "I have no idea what you just said.", Adam deadpans. I should have figured as much. Perhaps I should've simplified my analysis? "Big D's treating us like little kids, and he needs to back up with that shit.", Leo explains. Adam's eyes widen. "Oooo right, yeah he's totally doing that.", Adam agrees. I'm glad to see we're all on the same page here, because I have a really good idea that Mr. Davenport probably won't like. "If anything he should be placing you both where you're really needed.", I comment. It's not exactly a secret at this point that, if I'm putting it bluntly, Leo and Adam are practically useless here. "We're needing here- oh who am I kidding, we haven't been needed ever since the new gen graduated.", Leo admits. Bree looks over at me, as if she's attempting to figure out where I'm going with this. She frantically searches my face with her eyes, and I wish I had the ability to mind link so I could clue her in. It takes a moment, but I can see a metaphorical light bulb go off in her head. She immediately returns her attention to our brothers. Apparently her staring caused Leo to quirk his brow at us and Adam to look lost and slightly confused. "And they must have plenty of field experience by now, so they wouldn't really miss you both if you were say, gone.", Bree points out. I'm impressed, I do believe she's on the correct train of thought.

Bree's POV:

"They would too miss us. Who else is gonna crack jokes on the job and distract everyone from what they're supposed to be doing?", Adam asks with this 'duh are you dumb' type of look on his face. Chase and I let out a pftttt of laughter. Leo leans forward and in front of Adam a little bit. "What he MEANS is, we make the job fun and bring the life to the pa-er missions.", Leo says like that's any better than what Adam said. Chase and I's pfftts turn into full blown giggles. Chase clears his throat and his face gets real serious all of a sudden. "You're right the moral of the their team would suffer greatly from that loss, but the fact still stands that you're both being undervalued. Their team can successfully accomplish missions with or without the presence of you both. Where you're needed and would be extremely useful, is in Centium City with us.", Chase says. Man he really laid it all out on the table. Honestly we could've won our last fight with Rodissius and his hoard of kids, or at least seriously kicked some ass if Adam and Leo had been there. I hate to admit it but Chase and I's team needs some serious help and/or powerups, preferably both. Speaking of powerups, I should probably tell the rest of the family I have superpowers now. With everything's that's been going on it's completely slipped my mind. Uncle Douglas knows of course since he was still staying at the penthouse when that went down. Adam pushes Leo out of his way so he can look at us, he looks pretty excited. "Wait can we do that?", he asks us.

Chase's POV:

Leo sighs before placing a hand on Adam's shoulder, that's not a good sign. "Big D won't even let us visit you guys, us asking to join up again wouldn't go over well.", Leo points out. He's of course right, but I won't let Mr. Davenport's sudden overprotective nature stop us. "Well it looks like we're giving him another thing to bitch about then during tonight's meeting.", Bree comments. I nod my head in agreement. Glad to see she won't be giving up so easily either. "Are you sure that's a good idea? You'll be dropping bombs left and right, that might be a little too much for Big D to process.", Leo asks us. Since when has Leo ever shown this much hesitance when it comes to challenging Mr. Davenport's authority? He's been defying his step father ever since we became a family years ago. If he's truly happy in his current position then he should voice those feelings. Otherwise there's no such need to coddle Mr. Davenport. He needs to learn that his children are old enough to make their own decisions about what they want to do with their lives. "Like actual bombs or?", Adam asks. I smile at Adam's silly question. "A lot of shocking news is more like it.", Bree giggles out. Leo's eyes slightly widen, and he makes a face that tells me he wished Bree had worded her explanation more carefully. Adam looks really intrigued. "Ooo like what?", he asks her. Adam's not as nosey as Leo and has a shorter attention span, one would assume he wouldn't too much time trying to piece together what shocking news we might possibly have to share.

Bree's POV:

Shit, I take it back I take it back. No shocking news to share here! I wonder if saying something like that would work on Adam. I mean it IS Adam after all, but he does have his moments. Chase shifts in his seat while Leo's sitting next to Adam sweating bullets. Idk what he's so nervous about it's not even his secret, but it's nice to see that he cares. "Hey look over there!", Leo jumps up and screams while pointing outside to where the pool is. Chase and I turn around and start trying to figure out what the Hell Leo's pointing at. Adam jumped up and started looking around too. "What is it I don't see anything? Oo is it a bird, or another drone, or maybe a really weird looking bug?!", Adam asks while sounding super hyped. I hear Leo scoff, it sounds forced and face af. "What, don't you see it? Step a little closer it's really not that hard to miss.", Leo tells him. So Adam takes a couple of steps, and he ends up standing next to the chair Chase and I are sitting at. "What exactly-", Chase starts asking before Leo cuts him off. "HUSH, if you still can't see it from there Adam you probably need to move a little closer.", Leo says. I give Chase an apologetic glance after seeing how annoyed he looks that Leo shushed him. Adam moves up a little more. "How this?", Adam asks as he whips his head around to look at Leo. Leo shakes his head before slightly yelling, "Nope I think you're still too far away, scooch up there a little more. More, more, that's it keep going. I'll tell you when to stop.". Adam walks outside and we hear Leo pspspsps us, so we look over at him.

Chase's POV:

I immediately take notice of how frantic Leo looks at this very moment. "Run, while he's still distracted and you have a chance!", he loudly whispers. OH, now Leo's odd behavior suddenly makes sense. He's giving us a way out, a chance to dodge Adam's curiosity. He doesn't have to ask Bree twice, because she's already standing. She pulls me to my feet and we start briskly walking towards the exit. "I still couldn't find what- hey where are you guys going?", I hear Adam call out from the other side of the room. "Ugh, so close.", Bree sighs. I don't want to lie to Adam, and I know that's not Bree's intention either. Perhaps being caught during our attempt to escape is a sign that we shouldn't be putting off telling Adam the truth? "Let's just get this over with.", I tell Bree as we turn around. Adam's walked further into the room, and his brows are furrowed. Leo appears to look even more nervous now than he was a few moments ago. "Are you sure about this Chase?", Bree asks me. Her face fills with uncertainty. "Sure about what?", Adam asks with clear intrigue as he tilts his head slightly to the side. "It's either now or later, and in the long run it'd be best if we can keep the chaos to a minimum tonight.", I deduce. Bree nods as she nervously swallows. "What's happening to- oh right the family meeting.", Adam says in a bored tone of voice. If only said meeting would be as boring and trivial as Adam expects it to be. "Oh BELIEVE ME, this meeting's not gonna be the same as all the other ones.", Leo comments.

Bree's POV:

"What do you- okay now I'm even more confused. Why are you guys acting weird, are you hiding something? Is there some kind of party I don't know about? Is it a surprise party?!", Adam asks. How we went from us acting weird to a surprise party is beyond me, it's not even a holiday or anyone's birthday. "No Adam I'm afraid there won't be a party occurring tonight.", Chase tells him. The smile Adam ws sporting drops. "What's so special about tonight then anyway?", he pouts. Welp it's now or never, or more like now or tonight. Though I think Adam would be kinda pissed at us if we outright lie to him. I know I'd be if I were him. "Well, we were going to wait till tonight to tell you, but I guess there's not really a point in waiting.", I tell him. "You might wanna sit down for this.", Leo adds before plopping his butt in the arm chair Chase and I were sitting in earlier. Adam shrugs his shoulders before slightly nodding, and sitting back down on the couch. Funny enough, he sits in the same spot Leo was sitting in when we broke the news to him. Chase and I walk in front of the couch. "I'll start us off this time.", I tell Chase. He nods and gestures to Adam who's patiently waiting. Which is a rare sight to see, Adam's one of the most impatient people I know. "Okay so to put a long story short, er, shorter. Chase had a theory that we weren't related by blood, that we don't have the same parents and Uncle Douglas just adopted us.", I start explaining until Adam starts laughing. "Ah, I'm sorry, but that has to be the dumbest theory I've ever heard. No offense Chase but we're obviously siblings. You heard Douglas, he created us.", Adam points out.

Chase's POV:

I give Adam a sympathetic look as I nod my head. "No offense taken.", I softly say. Adam glances back and forth between Bree and I. "Why're you both looking at me like that?", he asks us. "Adam, when Uncle Dougie says he created us, he's talking about when he gave us our bionic chips. We talked to him today, and he told us that we were taken from 3 different foster care systems.", Bree explains to him. Adam starts shaking his head. "No, no that can't be right. You're my brother and you're my sister, we're family.", he frantically says as he points to Bree and I. Oh dear, he's immediately not taking this too well. We rush over to sit on either side of him and offer some sort of comfort, but he jumps off of the sofa before we get the chance. "We are family, and we always will be. You'll always be our brother, and we'll always love you. That'll never change.", I tell him. I should've known this would have a bigger impact on him than it did Leo. After all we never thought we were biologically related to begin with, we weren't raised together. I'm sure Bree and I would react similarly if we hadn't have been hoping that such a situation was true. To spend your entire life being told the two people before you are your family, that you share more than just a living space, you share parents. To have that close of a bond with two people for the longest time, only to have it ripped away from you. These two people aren't who you thought they were, you in fact, are not who you thought you were. "Nothing has to change okay? We just thought you should know the truth.", Bree says in an almost pleading tone of voice.

Bree's POV:

Adam runs a hand through his hair, and he won't stop shaking his head. I didn't think things would go this bad so soon. If he's this freaked out now, what's he gonna do when he finds out I'm dating Chase? "How could this not change everything?!", Adam snaps. I slightly flinch, and I don't notice Leo sneaking up on Adam until I see his hand on Adam's shoulder. He tries to shrug Leo's hand off, but Leo doesn't let him. I feel so selfish right now. I'm putting my family through all this drama and angst just so I don't have to hide the fact that I have a boyfriend now. I mean it's a little more than that, but that's basically the gist of it. If I was fighting for the right to date anyone else in the world, I'd say this isn't worth it and back out. I feel a hand on my back, I don't have to look over to know it's Chase. He starts rubbing small circles on my back, I'm guessing he saw me flinch. I let out a small sigh, as selfish as it may be, Chase is always worth it. Besides, we've already come this far, it'd be dumb to back out now. "We're not related, but we're still brothers aren't we?", Leo asks Adam. Thank God Leo's here, I wouldn't have even thought to point that out. Adam reluctantly nods his head. "Well yeah, but that's different.", he retorts. Leo shoots him this 'really?' type look. "You know it's not. It doesn't matter that I wasn't around you guys growing up, and it doesn't matter if Chase and Bree were. We're still just as much of a family now as we were yesterday. Family's more than just who you're related to.", Leo says. I have to wipe my eyes after Leo's short speech. Awww that was so sweet!

Chase's POV:

I'm truly touched by Leo's heartfelt declaration, and it's clear to see that Bree is too. Adam's previously hostile facial expression has softened quite dramatically. "Come on big bro, bring it in.", Leo says while spreading his arms open. Adam wastes no time hesitating and takes Leo's offer up on that hug. I'm tempted to join their hug, but I don't think I should unless the invitation is extended. I glance over at Bree and I can tell she's thinking the same thing. I can see the hesitation in her eyes as she gnaws on her bottom lip, looking on as this touching moment occurs. "What're you 2 still doing standing there? Get in on this.", Leo tells us. I suck in a breath as I attempt to gauge Adam's reaction to Leo extending the invitation to us. He might not have the desire to hug us as well, he may need some time to process things. Bree appears to be quite nervous, she fidgets a bit before hesitantly stepping forward. Adam loosens his grip on Leo enough so he can turn and look at us. Bree stiffens, as if she's afraid he'll say something harsh. He looks apologetic. He opens his mouth to say something, but the words never come out. Instead he chooses to pull Leo forward with him, bringing the hug to us. I immediately relax into the group hug. "Since I already know what you guys were gonna say at the meeting tonight, I can just skip it and get Douglas's wheelchair early right?", Adam questions. We all laugh at his attempt to weasel his way out of tonight as we pull apart from our hug. "That was the announcement Douglas is planning to make. We happen to have our own announcement, separate to his, but in relation to it.", I explain. Adam looks confused once again, I really do need to plan my words out more carefully around him, making sure to simplify more complex terms. "What're you guys supposed to be doing?", Adam asks while scratching his head. I'm not sure you'll like the answer to that.