"Daddy? Will mommy be at home too?" asked Troy hopefully.

Bo swallowed gently and bit his lip as he shook his head.

"No..."

Troy's lip quivered. "She don't want me no more....does she?"

Bo didn't know how to answer...how could he tell a child that his own mother didn't want him...even though he was sure that Troy already knew. Swallowing softly, he pulled Troy into his lap again, hugging him close.

"I'm sorry Troy..."

Troy started to cry clinging to Bo. "I didn't mean to be bad...I didn't..."

"Troy you weren't bad...your mommy's just....a busy lady is all...i'll take care of ya...I promise..."

"You'll leave me...like Mommy..."

"I'm not gonna leave ya Troy...i'm not. You're gonna come home an' your gonna have a much bigger family that's gonna love ya like ya never felt before...I promise ya...things are gonna be much better an' i'm gonna be right there with ya..."

Bo said softly, rubbing Troy's back

"Promise?"

"I promise Troy..."

Bo said with a nod of the head.

Troy sniffed hugging into him more. " If you do I'll cry hard," said the small boy honestly.

BO couldn't help but chuckle a little.

"No you wont...cause I aint ever gonna leave ya..."

Troy cuddled closer into him, his thumb finding his mouth.

Bo sighed and held him closer in his arms, rocking him softly.

"Love Daddy..." murmured the small boy around his thumb.

Bo swallowed softly, resting his chin gently on top of the boys head.

"I love you too Troy..."

Troy relaxed resting in his daddy's hold, the tickle fight having taken a lot of his energy.

Bo was content to just sit with the young boy, soothing him gently and thinking through everything that taking Troy on would mean. He couldn't really see why he was so afraid of it before...holding Troy like this just seemed so right..

Troy wiggled closer to Bo in his sleep, his thumb in his mouth taking hold of the corner of Bo's yellow shirt in his other.

Bo watched him with a small smile...it was amazing how, although Troy never knew him up until now...he still had all his characteristics...and looks.

A nurse came in and smiled. "He looks comfy," she observed.

Bo looked up with a smile and nodded softly.

"Yeah..."

"I'm afraid he has to be put down. I got orders to give him another shot."

Bo frowned a little

"Can't ya just do it like this...he'll put up less of a fuss..."

"I can try..."