Kevin decided that waking up early the morning so he could pick up Mitch was a good decision.

Even if that meant waking up the kids early.

"Papa! I'm tired!"

"Me too! It's too early."

"I know, kiddos," Kevin whispered, adjusting his tie. He kissed Avi's temple, smiling weakly. "We're going to pick up Mitch. Just be quiet and don't cheer too loudly because Daddy is asleep."

Scott and Kirstie nodded, their smirks growing as they thought about their new friend. They love Mitch and it only made them happier that Kevin is picking him up!

"Where does he live?"

"Somewhere very scary. Let's go, okay? I don't want him to wait."

Scott and Kirstie nodded, running out excitedly as Kevin followed them. His lesson plans are in his arms, a muffin on there for Mitch. If the little boy doesn't know what lunch is, he might not know what breakfast is either.

"You could sleep if you want to. It's still early."

"It's okay. We're staying up for Mitch."

"Yeah," Scott spoke up, a bright smile on his face. He frowned suddenly, titling his head. "Papa?"

"Yes, Scott?"

"I know I just met him yesterday, but I felt something in my tummy when I was talking to Mitch and it wasn't gas."

Kevin laughed, kneeling exactly what Scott was talking about. He smirked a bit, looking at his through the mirror.

"You might have a crush on him, kiddo. That's how I felt when I met your Daddy."

Scott nodded, smiling once more as he poked Kirstie. She laughed and they talked about whatever was on their minds. Kevin smiled, driving slowly as he made his way to Mitch's house.

"Then I said-"

*BANG!*

Scott and Kirstie jumped, widening their eyes at the sound. Kirstie whimpered a bit, biting her fingernails.

"Why was that, Papa? Why was it loud?"

"Um, that was a gunshot."

"Gunshot?!"

Kevin nodded, his heart becoming heavy at the fact that his children never heard a gunshot in their entire lives while Mitch practically grew up hearing them. He pulled up to Mitch's house, frowning when he saw Mitch going outside with his backpack on.

"Mitch? Come over here!"

"Mr. Olusola?" Mitch asked, his smile growing. He ran over to the car, opening the door the best he could. "Why are you here?!"

"I wanted to give you a ride," Kevin answered, smiling as he exited the car. He picked up Mitch up, widening his eyes at how skinny he was. "Wow, you're tiny!"

"My aunt thinks differently," Mitch admitted, frowning a bit. Kevin shook his head, wondering if the little boy still used a car seat. "Thank you though. For thinking that I'm tiny."

"Of course! Now, let's go. We got to go to school."

The kids groaned playfully, causing Kevin to laugh. As he went back into the driver's seat, he gave Mitch the muffin so he could eat it. The small brunet turned it over a few times, raising an eyebrow as he looked back up at Kevin.

"What is this? I never seen this before."

Kevin shook his head, wanting to drive back so he could put some sense into Mitch's aunt and her boyfriend.

"It's a muffin. Kind of like a cupcake without the frosting."

"What's a cupcake?"

I'm going to kill them.

"It's a small cake for your hands," Kirstie exclaimed, oblivious to what Mitch is going through at home. "They're so good!"

"Better than cake," Scott murmured, shaking his head. He held Mitch's hand, smiling a bit. "I love you, Mitchy."

Mitch widened his eyes a bit, sniffling to fight off any tears. He smiled weakly, a tear rolling down his cheek.

"I love you, Scott. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Kevin gripped the steering wheel, ready to hurt the people who are hurting Mitch.

I...hate...them.

~~~

"Mr. Olusola? We have a new case."

Avi nodded, putting his call on hold for a minute. His security smiled, putting the folder dyed for him to read.

"Is this recent?"

"This has been happening for five months, so yes. The person is sixteen and just left a negligent foster family. You have to talk to them until they are ready to go to their new home. Is that okay?"

Avi nodded, taking the folder off his desk. He opened it, nodding carefully. He sighed, wondering why anyone would hurt their child.

I wonder if Mitch is being abused.

It was obvious. Kevin looked freaked out when he came back home, his eyes full of tears. The children were asleep and thank God because they were far too young to know about what was happening. Kevin told him immediately what happened and that they should look into it, but they can't do that without the CPS.

And only God knows that CPS doesn't exactly do a great job sometimes.

Avi wanted to look into it himself, but he would lose his job since he is a psychologist. He could work with abused children, but he can't save them. Many abused children went to his office and begged to have searches done of their houses and families do that they can leave.

Avi had no choice but to reject their request. It broke his heart whenever the child cried while begging for a better life. He wanted to give them new lives terribly, but he could only make a suggestion for a child to move to a foster home. Most of the time, nobody listened to his request and those kids usually...die.

"Mr. Olusola? We have terrible news."

"Yes?" Avi asked, looking up to see his secretary with tears in her eyes. "What happened?"

"One of your patients moved away. You won't be her psychologist anymore."

Avi sighed, his eyes welling up with tears as he nodded. Patients that ha the chance to be in better homes had to leave Avi once and for all. The transition was hard for him and he wants them be his patients forever.

"Alright. Thank you for telling me."

Avi nodded, looking down at the folder one more. The door closed, causing Gino pick up his phone immediately. The phone rang a couple times until someone finally picked up, causing Avi to sigh in relief.

"CPS, how may we help you?"

"Yes, I would like to report an act a child abuse."

"Okay. Do you know the name of the child?"

"Mitchell Grassi."

"Okay. Age?"

"Five."

"Okay. Parents' names?"

"They're dead. He lives with his aunt and her boyfriend."

"Okay. Do you know their names?"

Avi was about I answer, but he realized that he didn't have any information of Mitch's aunt or her boyfriend. He sighed sadly, shaking his head.

"No, I don't."

"We will not be able to work in the add without any vital information. Goodbye."

The phone hung up, causing Avi to shake his head. He slammed down the phone, glaring at it as if he could kill it with one look. CPS is of no help right now.

"I'll save you, Mitch. I promise."

~~~

Kevin smiled as he saw the kindergarteners play around, squealing loudly as they chased each other around the room. He looked over at Mitch, frowning when he saw that the little boy was playing by himself. He played with a doll, brushing her hair back as he gave her some 'tea'.

"Here you go, Nel. Oh, Mike is home!"

Kevin's heart began to ache, not knowing how a little boy could make him so sad in such a little time. He shook his head, putting a smile on his face as Mitch picked up a male doll.

"Hey, Mitchy," Kevin spoke up, causing Mitch to look up at him. The little boy looked scared, holding onto to the dolls tightly. "Mitchy, what's wro-"

"I'm sorry," Mitch apologized quickly, throwing the dolls down. He picked up a truck, his eyes shining with tears. "I'm sorry for playing with dolls."

"Why are you sorry?" Kevin asked, turning around to pick up the dolls. Mitch pushed the truck back and forth, his hands shaking as he did so. "Mitchy, why are apologizing?"

Mitch sniffed, his lips quivering as he wiped his eyes. He stopped playing with the truck, looking up at Kevin the best he could while tears fell out of his eyes.

"Dolls are for girls."

Kevin shook his head, picking up the truck from the play mate. He gave it to a girl who was eyeing it earlier and she smiled, hugging his legs and ran back to her new friends. Kevin smiled, sitting done as he gave Mitch the dolls.

"Scott plays with dolls and he's a boy. There's nothing with that."

"But I'm crying," Mitch replied, moving away from the subject. He reluctantly picked up the male doll, wiping his eyes. "Boys aren't allowed to cry."

"Avi, Scott, and I all cry and we're all boys," Kevin pointed out, picking up the female doll. Mitch nodded, sniffling a bit more. "It's okay to love dolls and to cry, Mitch. Don't let the fact that you are a boy change that."

"My auntie's boyfriend Paul tells me I'm a girl because of it," Mitch admitted, shivering a bit. Kevin knew it wasn't because of the A.C. "He tells the truth."

"Well, he's lying," Kevin argued, shaking his head. He moved the doll around, smiling a bit to hide his anger. "Want to play dolls with me?"

Mitch nodded, his smile growing as he began to play dolls with Kevin. He's never felt this much love from a male before.

Ever.

"This is so much fun! More fun than the game I play with Paul!"

Kevin nodded, his heart skipping a bit as the little boy continued to play innocently. He sighed, paying it Cubs back gently.

"What is this...game he plays with you?"

"He tells me I can't tell anyone. It's weird though. He says that every man does it to their son. Do you play it with Scott?"

"No, I don't. I won't be able to tell if you don't say anything."

Mitch shook his head, fear in his eyes as he looked back at Kevin.

"I've said too much. I can't say anymore."

Kevin sighed, looking at his watch. He stood up, flaming Mitch's hand into his.

"Let's get ready for the lesson. We have a lot to do today."

Mitch nodded, picking up the dolls quickly. Kevin widened his eyes, never seeing a child clean up so quickly before.

I'll find out what they're doing to you, Mitch. I promise.

A/N: Sorry for not updating this.:( I'm pretty sure you all know what Paul's favorite game is. Also, next chapter might be one of the stuff Mitch goes through when he is at home. The chapter is going to very triggering so I suggest that you don't read it if you are easily triggered. Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐧🐧🐧