Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,1
your house?” He’s too smart.
“I miss all the little Alpha-Bits close. Garren and Michael are in and out all the time. At least the three days and two nights we’ve been here. The Alpha-Bits are busy exploring the buildings, so I don’t see them so much anymore.”
He nods walking to the chopper. “They happy. Good you have dinner, breakfast, with computer for them.”
I guess. I miss them all being right in the house with me. “Yeah. We’ll be getting the Alpha-Bits from Bravo back and some new in with the kids from this week.” I hope. I like having the kids around, lately, it feels like they don’t need me much. They’re all so smart, they learn everything and are moving before I know it.
He nods and gets cans on as soon as we board. “More Brothers to us good. Safe here. Three day house for us, Alder move, new yesterday. Busy day, Boss. I copilot.”
I nod and sit. I love the little grin I get back, then smile remembering the smile on his house. I hope Alder is smiling today. He was worried and pissed about the kids. There’s another alphabet. We have no idea how many are in this one. I hope it’s not many.
Justice is under the portico talking to Mase when we set down. That whole thing with Indie was bothering Mase. I’m glad she’s back home and happy, more for him than her. I didn’t know her well, she did the job with almost no input, she wasn’t interested in training IT or doing more than her shift work. It kept the Club running right and I can’t say she ever did anything wrong or halfway, but she is nothing like Hannah and AJ. She’s so fucking smart and good, for someone with no interest in the job. Even Stella talks to me more than Indie did. Lukas is a good Brother and excited about moving. I chatted with him three times already and he hasn’t even started yet.
Mase smiles my way then watches the chopper lift off. “Brother, Lukas is excited. Cayden and Jeti have him today. You may bump into them.”
I nod. “He’s a good Brother. I was just thinking about that. The Club is running fine and Cayden is doing great. I’m glad they’ll be close. Jeti was excited yesterday at lunch.”
Justice smiles. “My dad is coming down to help with the bond. Lukas will be fine though.”
That bond thing is weird. The new Alpha-Bits had bond issues too. Akai was worried. With the Brothers helping, it’s getting fixed quick. “I don’t understand the bond, really. Akai said the Brothers are helping. I bet Dakota can help make it less confusing.”
Justice turns his head at an angle. “The bond is like what you feel with the As. You miss them, think about them and connect to each one every day. The connection helps settle your mind and heart so you can keep going forward. They feel it too and need that connection. Garren and Michael will grow closer, you’ll feel it more with them soon.”
I hope so. “I think they feel it with each other already.” It feels good to have them right here, but I don’t feel the same as I do with Ford toward them. Ford is my big brother. He’s teaching me so much and always happy to see me, even on the chat.
He smiles like he understands. “They do. Michael needs you like Garren needs Ford. Time will have you all growing closer and reinforce that bond.”
That makes me smile. “I can’t wait. It feels good to have family close.” I’ve only ever had the As and Brothers. Garren, Michael and Ford are my real family. I’m not sure what that means or why I feel closer to Ford, I’d think I would feel closer to Michael. Already loving them means it doesn’t matter. They’re mine and I’m not just Web anymore, I’m Web Ford, having family feels good.
Mase nods. “It does. I need to get to work. Later, Brothers.”
I laugh when he’s gone. That’s just weird. Justice laughs walking into the office.
The medic room is packed. Bones and Allen are here talking to the new little albinos. Doc and Patcher are already at Alder’s, I guess Bones is filling in here.
Allen sees me and smiles. “Web, new Brothers for us. I give backpacks and information.”
Bones smiles up at me from the floor, it must be easier than bending. “They’ve had showers, got new clothes and I’m doing