The Judge

I woke up curled in a ball on my dad's lap. Alpha Brayden was sprawled out on the floor and the Alpha couple took the bed.

From the time we were all up Alphas Brayden and Lilly were quizzing me on what to say and how to act. We ate left over pizza and got ready for court. Lilly brought me dress pants a blue dress shirt and a vest.

"Lookin' sharp Alic!" Alpha Brayden says as I step out.

"Ummm... dad?... could you help me?" I ask.

"What's up pup" he asks as he comes up to me.

"Well..." I start but I dont know how to ask so I shake my hand in my hair.

"Sure thing buddy." He says.

We go into the bathroom and he sits me on the toilet.

"I'm sure Brayden has something in here. That pup is always obsessing over his looks." He says looking around the bathroom. I laugh at him calling an Alpha pup. "Here we go." He says as he finds what he is looking for. I could do it myself. He showed me how but I like it when he does it. Dad kneels down in front of me and brushes and styles my hair. "All done... come on we got to get going." He takes my hand and leads me back out.

"Alright. I'll see you later Alic." Dad says as we reach the cars. I am to go with Alpha Brayden but I'll see him after. I give him a hug. "Love you buddy." He says then releases me and goes off to the other car.

"Come on Alic." Alpha Brayden says opening the door. I get in and he goes to the driver's seat. "Nervous?" He asks looking at me in the rearview.

"Maybe." I say

"It will all be over soon." He says and I turn my attention to the window. He starts the car and we are on our way.

The court house is near the police station so it is a short drive. As we walk in I hear a familiar voice.

"Alic!" She yells as she runs up and gives me a hug.

"Hi Ruby!" I say the wind knocked out of me from her attack hug.

"I miss you bro... you need to come home!" She orders.

"I plan to." I answer as Alpha Brayden puts a hand on my shoulder.

"We need to head in." He says as he leads me away from her.

"See ya later!" She calls after me.

Alpha Brayden leads me into a large empty room. He has me sit down in a chair up front. A man in black steps in and sits in front of us.

"So this is an informal hearing regarding the minor Alaric Jameson Cloverfield." The man says.

"Yes your honor." Alpha Brayden says standing.

"The police report says the boy was the victim in this is that right?" The judge asks.

"Yes your honor" The Alpha repeats.

"So the boys Foster father should be the one in front of me not him... this is highly irregular counselor." The judge says.

"I'd agree your honor however in my duties as a psychologist I spoke with the boy and discovered something useful." Alpha Brayden says.

"And what might that be?" The judge asks. Alpha Brayden is so confident. I just sit and listen to the exchange.

"The boy was given a name because when he was found years ago he could only remember his first. As we spoke we talked about his past and he remembered his true name." Alpha Brayden explains.

"Aren't recovered memories notoriously unreliable?" The judge asks.

"Yes your honor, however I wouldn't bother you with this without doing my due diligence. I looked up the name he gave me and found documentation on him." Alpha Brayden says. The judge reaches for the papers and Alpha Brayden walks over and gives them to him.

The judge looks down at the papers then up to me.

"Come here little guy." He says. I look at Alpha Brayden and he nods so I go up. "Come around here Alaric." He says and I walk around. A guard guy helps me up onto the platform.

"Do you know what all this paperwork says?" He asks me.

"Not really sir... but Mr. Brayden says it means I have a family." It feels strange saying Mr. But that was part of my coaching this morning.

"That it does... if it is true." He says examining me. "What is your name?" He asks "your full name?"

"Well... I don't know sir they told me it was Alaric Jameson Cloverfield but that was because no one knew it... I... I remember a man calling me Alaric Grayson tho... I don't know the middle name." It was a lie I know it is Steven but if I am too confident he won't believe me.

"Well you see boy I have a death certificate for an Alaric Steven Grayson right here... says he died when he was only two years old. Do you remember being that young." He asks.

"I remember the hospital... the pain... not much." I say.

"Well if what this man is saying is true you are that boy and your family thought you were dead... how does that make you feel?" He asks

"Ummm I don't know sir... I always wanted someone to be looking for me... they weren't... I guess that makes me sad but I have a dad now! It's like a dream come true... I never thought the memory was real Mr. Brayden said it was a long shot but those papers... they are proof... they give me hope." I say.

"Have you informed the family?" He asked this time to Alpha Brayden.

"Yes your honor they are waiting outside." He says.

"Bring them in I want to talk to them." The judge says. I shift nervously as the doors open revealing my dad, Ruby, and the Alphas.

"Which one of you is the father?" The judge asks as they reach the front.

"That would be me sir." Dad says as he steps forward.

"And the mother?" He asks looking at Alpha Lilly.

"No mother sir. She died the night Alaric was lost." Dad responds.

"Then who are the rest of these people in my courtroom?" The judge asks.

"My daughter Ruby and my closest friends Aaron and Lilly Rose." Dad answers. The judge just nods.

"So you believe this is your son?" The judge asks

"Yes sir."

"And you want to take responsibility for him?"

"Yes sir."

"You will take care of him meeting all of his needs?"

"Yes sir."

"Alaric... do you want to go with this man? Have him as your father? Be his son for the rest of your life?" The judge asks me. The rest of my life I like the sound of that. I can't help but smile.

"Yes sir!" I say looking down at my father.

"Well then I think you've all been through enough. Get me the papers to nullify this death certificate and we are done here." The judge says.

"I already have it. I just need a signature." Alpha Brayden says handing the judge a paper.

"I much prefer this part of my job. Uniting families. Due to the overwhelming evidence and the desires of the child and family I see no reason to keep you apart any longer." The judge announces.

"Thank you sir!" I say hugging the judge. He laughs.

"Go to your father boy!" He says.

"Yes sir!" I jump down and run over to him I pause before I reach him.

"You really want me... like forever?" I ask as he is crouched in front of me.

"Until the day I die and long after!" I run into his arms and Ruby piles on.

"I love you pup." He whispers.

"Love you too dad."

[Brayden has a story up that spans from before Alpha Lilly through to here if you are interested in his story.]