Shelter Fic - Completion

[raynedanserwrites]

TITLE: Completion
AUTHOR: Den / raynedanser
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: What happens when Jeanne finally does something that isn't selfish?
SPOILERS: Not really.
A/N: Part of the Finally Home 'verse. More glimpses into their every day life. You can find the rest of my Shelter stuff HERE

As Zach stared at the envelope on the table in front of him, he was glad Shaun and Cody were out for the moment, though a quick glance at the clock assured him that yes, they would be back anytime. Jeanne's small, almost illegible handwriting addressed the thick envelope to both him and Shaun. He held the envelope with one hand and tapped the fingertips of his other hand against it. He had a pretty good idea what was in there, but was he ready to see it in black and white? He didn't know.

Finally, he inhaled deeply and slid his finger under the flap, breaking the seal and pulling it open. He pulled the thick paperwork out and stared. The top sheet was a letter from Jeanne, short and to the point. He exhaled slowly and set the papers on the table top, then rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes. This was how Shaun found him a few minutes later when they got home.

“Zach?” Shaun asked, alarm hitching his voice just slightly. “Are you OK?”

Zach forced a smile. “Hey, Cody, how about you see if there's any cartoons on in our room, OK buddy?” He knew that was a dead give away to Shaun that no, he wasn't OK. After all, they didn't use the TV to babysit Cody. He'd gotten enough of that before they moved, but he and Shaun needed to talk. He pushed the papers across the table.

Shaun glanced at them quickly and pulled them over with his fingertips. “What's this?” he asked quietly.

Zach shook his head slowly. “Just read it.” He sat in silence, waiting while Shaun read the letter and flipped through the attached paperwork. When he was done, Zach was pretty sure Shaun's expression matched his own. “She's serious?”

Zach shrugged and stood up. “Seems to be. It looks organized. Real. What do you think?”

Shaun stood up, wrapped his hands around Zach's waist and pulled him close. “I think I'm going to call Larry and see if one of his lawyer buddies can look at this, make sure it's not something that can bite us in the ass later.”

Zach kissed Shaun quickly, then went back to the table and picked up her letter again. “And you don't mind this?” Zach asked. He held the letter in his lap and crossed one leg at the knee, bouncing it in nervous energy. “She kind of just assumed and didn't even ask.”

“Why would I mind?”

Zach sighed with frustration. “Shaun. You're being asked to be daddy – permanently. She didn't even ask if that's what either one of us wanted to do.”

Shaun sat in a chair next to him, leaned forward and pressed one hand on his jittery knee. It was meant to both still Zach's leg and reassure him. It almost worked.

“She never has asked, Zach. Never. She's always taken and taken until she's bled something dry. She almost bled you dry until I got you out of there. Now, she's doing the one completely unselfish thing she could do and she's giving that little boy down the hall a fair chance in life with two people that love him.”

Zach stared. “You're really OK with this.”

Shaun shrugged. “I'm really OK with this. He's a part of you.”

Zach nodded. In Shaun's world, that was the only explanation he needed. “How do we tell him?”

Shaun kissed Zach quickly, and then stood. “Together. I'll go get him.”

Comments

[bellamyrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey. This was wonderful. I have to agree with Shaun. Giving Cody to them is one of the most unselfish thing she could do, both to him, but for him as well. I just adore these boys, all three of them. I just love that they're going to go tell him together. I think that too many times, the children's feelings are overlooked and some parents don't even bother to inform or ask them anything. Looks like Zach and Shaun are going to be better than that. :D

PS. I've already rewatched. lol.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Thank you baby!!! I think Zach has the determination to be everything that he didn't have growing up. He definitely has the family gene. Shaun is just an awesome guy. Period. And he doesn't know how to be any other way.

How many times? I can't even COUNT how many I've seen it at this point. ;-)

[bellamyrose.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree with you totally about Zach. He wants to give Cody the life he himself should have had, with all of the things that he wants and needs.

I'm kinda, sorta, just a tad crushing on Shaun. He's just great, IMO, but yeah, it really does seem like he doesn't know how to do anything else. If it's important to Zach, Shaun automatically makes it important to him as well.

Well, as of now, only twice, lol, but I"m sure it will be more than that before long. They're kind of addicting. Even though I know now what's going to happen, it's worth watching again and again, for the pretty, but also for the story. It's just an excellent movie and has moved to my list of top favorites.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Shaun is easy to crush on. ;-)

If it's important to Zach, Shaun automatically makes it important to him as well.

Exactly!! He did that from way early on in the movie... He knew Cody was a huge part of Zach's life, so he just kind of drew him into their plans.

Each time I watch it, I catch an expression, SOMETHING that I missed before. There's always something to see when you watch it again. ;-)

[true-enough.livejournal.com]

The scene in the film where Cody tries to engage Jeanne by calling her on the walkie-talkie and she brushes him off by telling him to watch the TV and he just turns and watches and doesn't try again always got to me. For one thing she's so distanced from him that he calls her Jeanne most the time and he already knows better than to keep trying. When you wrote that they didn't use the TV to babysit Cody that scene came flooding back. Just that one policy that they have speaks volumes about how they feel about Cody. He's not a pet that gets in the way or demands too much attention or something that can be left behind if they decide to move on. I'm sorry, I'm going on and on but this really touched a chord with me. Very nicely done.

Re: the unlocked link: muchas gracias. It's very much appreciated.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

The scene in the film where Cody tries to engage Jeanne by calling her on the walkie-talkie and she brushes him off by telling him to watch the TV and he just turns and watches and doesn't try again always got to me.

Exactly. She couldn't be bothered with him and ugh.... Just so wrong. Like a friend said. She was his mother, but not his mom.

When you wrote that they didn't use the TV to babysit Cody that scene came flooding back. Just that one policy that they have speaks volumes about how they feel about Cody.

Oh YAY it hit the way it was supposed to. *dances a jig* That's what I was going for, so I'm SO glad it came across right. YAY!

I'm sorry, I'm going on and on but this really touched a chord with me.

No no no!! It's ok, believe me! Talk away! This is the bunny that kinda crashed into me last night while we were talking. :D

Re: the unlocked link: muchas gracias. It's very much appreciated.

De Nada. You will never find anything locked in this journal. :D

[brokeback1963.livejournal.com]

Eileeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen, baby do you speak Spanish? That's wonderful!! I'm Spanish!! You made my day honey!!

[true-enough.livejournal.com]

Oh hermanita, I wish I did! I've lived in California my whole life so I've picked up a few words here and there but only enough to start a conversation and then bring it to an abrupt end. I need to work on that. ::big hug::

[gabilady.livejournal.com]

So wonderful. A great beginning to an ending that works for everyone.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

[manaie.livejournal.com]

*desperately hugs the Shelter fic*

I can't get over this movie, it's like I constantly need more of it! Thankfully we've got awesome people such as yourself filling that craving!

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

awww.... *blushes*

Um. Can I ask two favors? I noticed you had some of my icons (yay!), but could you credit this user name instead? Also, I noticed you were using the icon I'm commenting with and that one I hadn't planned on sharing. Would you mind terribly removing it? please? *makes big sad puppy eyes at you*

[manaie.livejournal.com]

two favours huh? *crosses arms and looks threatening* why?


Nah. Sure.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Is muchly appreciated. ;-)

[manaie.livejournal.com]

Welcome.

I specifically remember saving it as a reference with the words DON"T USE in capital. ...
but apparently that didn't happen... oh well... all good now.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

LOL It's all good. Really. ;-)

*sigh* More bunnies. Why don't these boys leave me alone? lol

[manaie.livejournal.com]

I couldn't answer that because they don't leave me alone either. It's no wonder I haven't been paying attention in my lectures all week...

*feeds the bunnies*

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Oh nooooooo

But then again, as long as I'm not the only one in this boat. ;-) Wouldn't want to get lonely! ;-)

[manaie.livejournal.com]

Oh don't worry about that, I think we're all there with you.

In fact, I even managed to get my friend obsessed with it and she hasn't even seen it yet! See? it's positively addictive.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

MWHAAHAHAHAHAHA

So did I!

[manaie.livejournal.com]

Spread the addiction!!!

[rosiet.livejournal.com]

This was beautifully done.

My favourite part...

***Zach stared. “You're really OK with this.”

Shaun shrugged. “I'm really OK with this. He's a part of you.”

Zach nodded. In Shaun's world, that was the only explanation he needed. “How do we tell him?”

Shaun kissed Zach quickly, and then stood. “Together. I'll go get him.” ***

I LOVE that word. Together. Sigh.... Thank you!!

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

No, thank you! I'm really glad you liked it. :D

[brokeback1963.livejournal.com]

Oh my!! I'm so so so happy now!!! Another Shelter fic!!! I think I'm gonna cry!!

This is so gorgeous, baby! I'm swooning!!

I'm seriously in love with Shaun and the way you wrote him is just delicious and beautiful!!

I love how they don't use the TV to babysit Cody. That says a lot about how much they care. They are so so so special!!

Thank you so much for this. I think I could quote the whole thing:


Zach sighed with frustration. “Shaun. You're being asked to be daddy – permanently. She didn't even ask if that's what either one of us wanted to do.”

Shaun sat in a chair next to him, leaned forward and pressed one hand on his jittery knee. It was meant to both still Zach's leg and reassure him. It almost worked.

“She never has asked, Zach. Never. She's always taken and taken until she's bled something dry. She almost bled you dry until I got you out of there. Now, she's doing the one completely unselfish thing she could do and she's giving that little boy down the hall a fair chance in life with two people that love him.”

Zach stared. “You're really OK with this.”

Shaun shrugged. “I'm really OK with this. He's a part of you.”

Zach nodded. In Shaun's world, that was the only explanation he needed. “How do we tell him?”

Shaun kissed Zach quickly, and then stood. “Together. I'll go get him.”

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

*beams*

Thank you!!! I have not had this fun playing with bunnies in a long, long time. *g*

[shopinchickcas.livejournal.com]

OH! That was just so perfect! I love that ending!

Zach stared. “You're really OK with this.”

Shaun shrugged. “I'm really OK with this. He's a part of you.”

Zach nodded. In Shaun's world, that was the only explanation he needed. “How do we tell him?”

Shaun kissed Zach quickly, and then stood. “Together. I'll go get him.”

Together... so sweet!

Loved it! Thanks for posting it
Cassie

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

*blushes*

Thank you! I'm so glad that you liked it.

[boonesfarmgirl.livejournal.com]

I like your stories. Like you these boys seem to have gotten under my skin. A happy "ending" can be just as moving as a sad and no angst! I mean angst is ok, just not as an ending.

So more stories? There is so much to explore....the rest of their lives.

Chelle

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

I agree. There is a LOT to explore.... I have this big ol' list of things I want to get written. It's awful. lol

[delibby.livejournal.com]

awww

love these boys. they're so sweet, and this was just adorable.

[pixeestyx.livejournal.com]

Thanks hon.

I'm going to try and make some progress with *our* boys this week. ;-)

[spikedluv]

Awwww! So sweet. Love the boys adopting Cody. And Shaun reassuring Zach. *sniff*

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

hee!! (are you playing some serious catch up or what? *g*)

I'm really glad you're enjoying these. They *are* my happy place right now. They're both so damn good for each other.

[spikedluv]

I am, lol! I got the movie in my hot little hands on Tuesday, and since then I've watched the movie three times (once with commentary, and then once more to take notes *g*), as well as all the extras, and even written my first baby fic. Whew! (And I just may have to watch the movie again. *g*)

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

The movie is like nothing I have seen in a long, long while. Everyone that had any connection to it brought a little bit of magic, it seems. :D I had a download of it, but my DVD arrived today (YAY) and now that I'm not baby sitting my nephew, I can watch it. I adore commentaries more often than not, so I can't wait for this one. *g*

(did you manage to get the soundtrack yet?)

Seriously, I'm so glad you found this little corner of fandom.

[spikedluv]

No, I don't have the soundtrack yet. I saw it linked in a recent post here, but since I'm still on dial-up *shakes fist at the internet gods*, it will be a huge surprise if it actually downloads. *g*

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Do you want me to load them individually for you?

[spikedluv]

Thanks so much for the offer! I'll try DL'ing it first, and if I can't (in addition to being on dial-up, my stupid provider disconnects me after 4 hours *head desk*) I just may take you up on your offer. Right now I'm trying to see all the graphics. There's one icon post with 100 icons, and some headers, so I'll be letting that page open overnight, lol.

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

OK, just let me know and I can ... I dunno. Filter them for you or message you the links or something. ;-)

And OMG! That is so ridiculous. I used to get so damn pissed when I was still on dial up and try not to go over 40 or so because anything beyond that is insane for dial up.

[spikedluv]

I will, thank you!

I know! I usually don't attempt to open graphics posts with 100 icons, but HEADERS! I couldn't resist the lure. *g* (I'm supposed to have accelerator with this provider, but it's not worked right since my old provider sold out to them and we had to switch over, so usually all my graphics load at full quality instead of lower quality to speed things up. I'm waiting very impatiently for cell towers that were supposed to go up last August, as that will at least get me DSL. *crosses fingers*)

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

DSL capabilities are very spotty out where I live (we're pretty rural). There's signs up that it's here, but whenever I called to get it, I was told they didn't have the right phone lines run, so here it's dial up or cable. Well, we remodeled our house last year and took out the phone line completely, so it's cable! (aw shucks)

OK, keep me posted how the download goes.

[fansprez.livejournal.com]

Shaun shrugged. “I'm really OK with this. He's a part of you.”

Love this line! So much, I do.

[jess-d-10.livejournal.com]

I've been toying with the idea of making this scenario work in a fic. Obviously, it's a difficult, complicated, and emotional situation for everyone involved. But this pretty much clarified all of my uncertainties on the things that really matter:

“She never has asked, Zach. Never. She's always taken and taken until she's bled something dry. She almost bled you dry until I got you out of there. Now, she's doing the one completely unselfish thing she could do and she's giving that little boy down the hall a fair chance in life with two people that love him.”

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

Wow. High praise indeed. Thank you so much.

[girloftheburbs.livejournal.com]

This was gorgeously written and I love that they were able to adopt Cody. :)

[raynedanser.livejournal.com]

*beams* Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.