"What time are you going to meet with Weasel about the Curlew case?" Laura asked, going back to the bed while Remington stayed at the window.
"What?" he asked, pulling his attention away from the scene below for a moment. "I tracked him down this afternoon, actually. He said that he's heard some mention on the street that someone's looking to get rid of a large quantity of diamonds, but they're too hot for anyone local to touch."
"You think Gina Morelli will run?"
"It's possible." Remington watched from the window as Johnny and David started back toward the house. "They're coming back," he told Laura.
"That was a short visit," she commented.
He sat down on the bed. "Once Castlemain leaves, what say we give Johnny the good news, eh?"
"Good news?"
"About the baby?" he said, placing a light hand on her abdomen as he moved closer with the intention of giving her a kiss. There was a soft tap on the door, and Remington sighed. "Yes?"
Constance appeared. "Mr. Castlemain wants to speak to you, Mr. Steele. He's most insistent."
"Very well. Tell him I'll be right there." Constance left again, pulling the door closed behind her. Remington looked at Laura as she started to get up. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Going downstairs-"
He gently pushed her back onto the bed. "No, you're not. Dr. Morgan said the rest of the day. I can handle Castlemain."
"That's what worries me," Laura told him, grasping his hand to stop him from leaving. "He *is* Johnny's grandfather, Rem, whether you want to accept that or not. For Johnny's sake-"
"I'll be the very height of civility, Laura," he assured her, dropping a kiss on her forehead before turning to follow Constance.
David Castlemain was standing in the foyer, Johnny in front of him, his arms on the boy's shoulders. Remington nodded a greeting to the older man. "Castlemain."
"No point in puttin' this off, I suppose," David said, and cleared his throat. "The lad's decided that 'e wants to go back to London with me, Steele," he announced.
Remington's shocked gaze fell to Johnny. "Is this true, Johnny?" he asked in a soft, questioning voice.
Johnny nodded jerkily, not lifting his own gaze from the parquet floor. "I want to go 'ome. I got no place 'ere anymore."
"Of course you-" Remington stopped, aware that conducting this conversation with Castlemain present probably wasn't a wise course of action. "Johnny-"
Castlemain touched the boy's head. "I'll be back tomorrow morning after I've spoke with the Judge, okay?" His blue gaze turned to Remington. "And I'll expect 'im to be waitin' for me. I 'ave to get back to the pub. Some of us 'ave to earn a living."
Johnny nodded again and accepted Castlemain's embrace before moving cautiously around Remington to climb the stairs. Remington watched him go with disbelief. Finally he looked at Castlemain again. "What the hell did you say to him, Castlemain?"
"I didn't say anything," David told him. "'E told me that 'e wanted to go back to London. That 'e's 'omesick." Castlemain looked around the foyer again. "Pity, though. 'E's goin' to miss all of this, almost as much as you and your wife are goin' to miss 'im, I'd wager."
"Then don't take him."
"'E's family. All I got left, besides my pub." The blue eyes took on an avaricious gleam. "Of course, if you and I could come to some sort an - arrangement, I might see my way clear to convince 'im that stayin' 'ere would be the best for 'im."
Remington's own gaze sharpened at the words. "What kind of- arrangment did you have in mind, Castlemain?" he asked.
"Oh, adequate compensation for givin' 'im up."
"You - that's what this has been about all along, isn't it? Money. You never wanted that boy- you just decided that you could get money from me to let me keep him."
"I do want 'im. But I'm only thinkin' about what's best 'im now."
"How much?"
"Let's see. My pub could stand a bit of sprucin' up. New tables and chairs and such. And the kitchen needs work-"
"You don't serve food."
"I could, if the kitchen was brought up to standard. Oh, say, a quarter of a million- American?"
"A-quarter of a million? Is that all Johnny's worth to you?"
"I wouldn't want to look greedy," Castlemain said.
"Get out of my house, Castlemain. And if I were you, I wouldn't come back tomorrow to get Johnny. Once I tell Judge Harris about this-"
"I'll deny it, Steele. It'll be your word against mine. I've got a claim. A *legitimate* claim for the boy. You go runnin' to the Judge with this, and you'll look desperate to find somethin' to keep us apart. Unless you got proof that you're really 'is father." That brought Remington up short for a moment, with his knowledge that he wasn't Johnny's biological father. Castlemain pulled a card from his jacket and held it out to Remington. "This is were I'm stayin' in town. Give me a call if you change your mind." Remington took the card, barely glancing at it as he tried to control his temper. "Otherwise, I'll be 'ere tomorrow mornin' to get Johnny and 'is things so we can leave for London." He put on his cap and left the house.
Tapping the business card against his open palm, Remington's gaze moved from the door to the landing at the top of the stairs. Climbing them, he passed his and Laura's room, ignoring her as she called out, to go to Johnny's room.
The door was closed for once - and it was locked as well. "Johnny, open the door," he said through the panel. When there was no response, Remington rattled the knob. "Johnny, we need to talk."
"Don't want to talk," the muffled reply came back, and Remington thought it sounded as though Johnny were crying.
"What about supper?" Remington asked, seriously considering picking the lock. It would be a simple matter. A toothpick would be enough to do the job.
"Not 'ungry."
Remington took a deep breath. "I'll have Constance bring something up anyway. You need to eat. But you're not leaving this house until we've talked. Do you hear me, Johnny?"
"I 'ear you," Johnny said. "Nothin' to say. Not anymore."
"Laura's going to be upset."
Silence.
Remington saw Laura come from their bedroom, frowning. He indicated that she should remain quiet, and then turned her back toward the room. "What's going on?" Laura asked. "What am I going to be upset about?" she wanted to know.
He took a deep breath. "Johnny told his grandfather that he wanted to go with him."
"He what?!" Laura questioned, and turned toward the door.
Remington grabbed her arm. "Get back into bed. He won't talk."
"Like hell he won't," Laura said, shaking off Remington's hand. "And stop treating me like an invalid. I'm fine. He'll talk to me."
"I don't think so. His door is locked." Laura stopped upon hearing that. Johnny *never* locked doors. Remington nodded.
"Then pick it!" Laura said, going over to her jewelry box to remove a brooch.
He closed his hand around hers, shaking his head. "And violate his privacy? No. He'll talk when he's ready."
"He can't just leave," Laura said. "He can't."
Gathering her into his arms, Remington sat on the bed. "I know. Thing is, Castlemain doesn't want him." When Laura looked up at him, he said, "He wants money to clear out."
"How much?"
"Two hundred and fifty thousand."
"We'll get it," Laura said.
"And have Castlemain come back to the well time and time again? Thinking that whenever he needs funds he can threaten to renew his suit and take Johnny from us?" He shook his head.
"Then what are we going to do? We can't just- stand by and do nothing!"
"I know, love. I know," he said, rubbing her back. They held each other for a long time, not speaking, not wanting to voice the fears they each held for the little boy down the hall.
When the telephone rang, Remington ignored it, preferring to say where he was, holding Laura, giving and receiving what little comfort he could. But Constance's tap on the door stirred him. "Yes, Constance?"
"It's Miss Krebs."
"Oh. Thank you." As the housekeeper turned away, Remington said, "Oh, Constance, would you mind taking Johnny's supper to his room? He's- a trifle upset."
"Very well, Mr. Steele. What about supper for the two of you?"
"I'm not hungry," Laura began, but Remington said, "We'll have it up here before the hearth, Constance. If it's not too much trouble."
The woman nodded once and left the room.
Before Laura could argue further, Remington grabbed the telephone. "Mildred?"
"Chief. What took you so long? I'm on a pay phone here-"
"I'm sorry, Mildred. We've had a bit of a crisis-"
"Mrs. Steele's not any better?"
"Oh, no. It's not Laura. Um- it's Johnny. Apparently he's decided that he wants to live with Castlemain instead of with us."
"Oh, no," Mildred groaned. "What are you going to do?"
"I haven't decided- other than calling the judge tomorrow morning. How goes the stakeout?"
"Well, Gina Morelli left work at five and went directly home. Then she left again fifteen minutes later, carrying a suitcase."
"Where did she go?"
"To the airport." She sounded wired, as if she were excited.
"The airport? She decided to make a run for it after all," Remington realized. "What flight did she catch?"
"She didn't. I- uh, managed to stop her."
"You did? How?"
"Grabbed her suitcase, claimed it was mine. She tried to get it back and- not seeing that I'd opened the latches enough so that it would come open and scatter the contents everywhere- including the diamonds."
Remington laughed softly at the mental image. "Good work, Mildred. Where are you now?"
"The police station, finishing the report. I called Mr. Curlew as well to let him know."
"Thank you."
"Just doing my job, Chief," Mildred told him. "At least you won't have to leave Mrs. Steele and Johnny, right? You can get things sorted out?"
"I hope so, Mildred. Have a nice weekend."
"I'll probably drop by tomorrow to see Mrs. Steele- if that's okay?"
"She'll appreciate it. Lunch?"
"For one of Constance's meals, I'll be there with bells on," Mildred promised.
"Night."
"Good night, Mr. Steele. Tell Mrs. Steele I hope she feels better."
"I will." He hung up the telephone, shaking his head.
"What?"
"She's come a long way, has our Miss Krebs."
"Mind clueing *me* in on the conversation, Remington?"
"She followed Gina to the airport, and stopped her getting on a flight by claiming Gina's suitcase was hers, instigating a scuffle, in which the bag opened- and-"
"Revealed the diamonds. She's found something that works for her," Laura said, managing a smile. "You're right. She's come a long way since she entered our lives."
Remington stood up. "I'm going to have another go at talking to Johnny. Want to come along?"
"You mean you're actually going to let me out of bed?"
"You're the one who told me to stop-"
"I just didn't think you'd listen," Laura said, leading the way out of the room and to Johnny's door again. "Johnny?"
There was a sniffle before the response came. "Y-Yeah?"
"Open the door," she said quietly.
"Don't want to."
"We need to talk about this, Johnny. About why you changed your mind."
"No reason. 'Omesick. I miss London."
"I thought were happy here," Laura said.
"Was. Not now."
"Why? What changed?"
"Don't want to talk," Johnny said.
"Johnny?"
Remington saw her open the brooch she was still holding and start to put it into the lock. He grabbed her hand, shaking his head. "You'll let Constance in with your supper, won't you?"
"I-I guess so."
He pulled Laura back to their room again. "Why did you stop me?" Laura asked.
"Because breaking into his room isn't going to help matters," Remington pointed out. "He'll talk when he's ready."
"I just don't want to lose him, Rem," she said, and he pulled her close.
"You won't. We'll find a way."
***
"No, Johnny! Come back!" Remington cried out, sitting straight up in bed. He looked around the dark room as Laura sat up beside him, rubbing his back. He ran his hands over his face, trying to stop shaking.
"Nightmare?" Laura asked.
He nodded. "Yes. Everywhere I looked, I saw Johnny. But when I reached out to grab him, to pull him close, he'd take off running, trying to get away." He put an arm around Laura, drawing her close, fighting back the tears that were threatening to escape. "Oh, God, Laura. I can't give him up. There has to be some way-"
The bedroom door opened slowly, drawing their attention as Johnny slowly appeared in the shaft of light from the nightlight in the hallway. "I thought I 'eard someone call," he said in an uncertain voice.
"I had a nightmare," Remington told him, then stretched out an arm. "Come here."
Johnny approached the bed and let Remington pull him up to sit between him and Laura. "You 'ave nightmares?" he asked.
"Sometimes. Especially when I'm upset or troubled about something."
"I - 'ad a nightmare too," Johnny confessed in a soft voice.
Remington looked at Laura as she asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I was all alone. Back in London again. No grandfather, no anyone. 'avin' to take care of myself."
"Johnny, do you *want* to go back to London with your grandfather?" Laura asked.
She held her breath, and sensed that Remington was doing likewise as they waited for the child to answer the question. "I got no choice," he insisted. "There's no place for me 'ere."
"What makes you say a thing like that?" Remington asked. "You're my son-"
"No. I'm not. I 'eard you talkin' earlier." Remington looked up at Laura, alarmed. "You said that you weren't my father."
"And does that make such a difference to you?" Remington wanted to know. "Because it doesn't make a bit of difference to me." He rested his cheek against Johnny's head. "Even if I'm not your biological father, it doesn't matter. Because in here," he placed a hand to his chest over his heart, "you're my son."
"But you don't 'ave a place for me anymore. Not with another baby comin'."
"You heard that, too, hmm?" Laura asked.
Johnny nodded his head. "I was stayin' with some cousins awhile back. Liked stayin' with 'em, too. They were nice and Cousin Tessie could cook-almost as good as Constance- but I one night they called my mum and told 'er she 'ad to come and get me cause they were goin' to 'ave a baby of their own and there was no room for me anymore. Mum was upset cause it meant she 'ad to give up 'er new job."
"Oh, Johnny," Laura said, rubbing small circles on his back as Remington continued to rock him gently. "We've more than enough room. In our home- and in our hearts."
Remington lifted his head as Johnny looked up at her. "You do?"
"Oh, yes."
"But- you got sick cause I was 'ere."
"No, that didn't have anything to do with you. It was me. Trying to prove things to people that I didn't need to prove anything to. Including myself. You know what?"
"What?" he asked, sounding still a touch uncertain.
"I'm going to need a lot of help with this baby. I was really counting on you being here to give that help."
"You were?" he asked, his eyes falling to her hand where it lay on her abdomen.
"Big brothers have a big responsibility."
"I would be a big brother, wouldn't I?" he questioned, and Remington let out the breath he'd been holding, sending a silent prayer of thanks.
"That's right," he told Johnny. "So. Do you still want to leave?"
"I'd- like to stay, if it's all right with the two of you."
"Oh, it's more than all right, mate," Remington said, giving him a hug, then releasing him into Laura's embrace.
"You don't ever have to leave, Johnny, if you don't want to."
"I love you, Mum," he said in that tiny voice again, and Laura blinked, aware that she had tears running down her face.
"I love you, too."
"Can I- sleep 'ere tonight?" he asked. "I'm not bein' a baby or anything, I just-"
They all three lay back, moving Johnny to the other side of Laura. "Comfy?" Laura asked.
Johnny nodded, already half asleep. Laura turned to Remington. "We still have a problem."
"Castlemain," Remington nodded. "I think I have an idea about how to take care of it. Let's get some sleep, hmm?" he suggested, giving her a kiss before pulling her against him, placing his arm over them both before closing his eyes . . .
***
David Castlemain left the lift on the eleventh floor of the high-rise and began looking at office numbers. It was relatively easy to find Suite 1157. The bloke's name was plastered on the door. The building was almost deserted with it being a Saturday and all, so David was a little surprised when he pushed against one of the glass doors and it opened into the spacious reception area.
"'Ello?" he called out, not hearing any sounds.
From the open door in the corner of the room, he heard Remington Steele's voice. "In here, Castlemain."
Steele didn't sound too happy. Probably didn't like the idea of giving up some of his money, David thought as he peered into the office beyond the door. It was larger than the reception area, with a couch and chair against one wall-, which was covered with various photographs of Steele- and a large desk near the windows. It was here that Remington Steele was standing, his blue gaze locked on David.
"Nice set up you got 'ere, Steele. Come a long way for a 'omeless scrap of a lad from Brixton."
Remington didn't move from the desk. "I'm not here for a walk down memory lane, Castlemain," he said.
"I knew you'd come round to seein' my way of things," Castlemain said, approaching the desk. "What's a few dollars to a man like you to keep Johnny 'ere?" He glanced at the desktop. "You 'ave the cashier's check?"
Remington pulled a paper out of his jacket. "Right here. As agreed. But first-" he pulled a second paper from the desk and slid it across the smooth surface toward the older man. "I want you to sign this."
"What is it?" David asked with suspicion.
"A paper signing away all of your rights to Johnny for now and until he comes of age when he can make his own decision," Remington informed him coldly.
"I never agreed to-"
"I'm not going to have you coming back every time you need something done to that bloody pub and asking for more money by using the threat of taking Johnny away," Remington said. "You either sign, or I'll tear up the check and take my chances in court."
"Johnny wants to come with me."
"Not anymore. We had a little chat last night, the three of us. Johnny knows that I'm not his biological father- and that Laura's going to have a baby- but that he's more than welcome to stay here for as long as he wants. Your only tie to him is through his mother."
"'E's family. I won't turn my back on family."
"Strange words, coming from a man who turned his own daughter away twice." Remington tapped the paper and placed a pen beside it. "Sign." When Castlemain hesitated further, Remington held the paper he'd taken from his pocket out and grasped it, as though he were going to rip it into two pieces. "I'm not in the mood to be patient this morning."
David picked up the paper and read it, then put it down and grabbed the pen, signing his signature to the paper. Tossing the pen aside, he glared at Remington. "There. Now where's my money?"
Remington took the paper and examined the signature, handing the check over to David. "Here you go."
"What's this?" David questioned, looking at the check. "We agreed on two hundred and fifty thousand. This is-"
"Five hundred. Should be more than enough to pay for your having come to Los Angeles and to get you back to London."
"We 'ad an agreement, Steele," Castlemain said in an angry tone, only to turn in surprise toward the other door in the room as it opened to admit Laura and Judge Harris.
"And what agreement was that, Mr. Castlemain?" Judge Harris questioned.
"Uh- Uh, Judge. Steele 'ere said he'd buy me out. Offered me -"
"He tells me that you brought the suggestion up," Judge Harris told David. "The authorities here take a very dim view of selling children, Mr. Castlemain."
"I wasn't-"
Remington handed the paper that David had signed to the Judge. "Mr. Castlemain has vacated his claim to Johnny, Judge," he said.
"I didn't know what I was signin'," David insisted, and looked at Remington. "'E tricked me!"
"Then if I were you, I'd thank Mr. Steele for making certain you have the funds to return home before I report you to the proper authorities," Harris said.
"I other words, Mr. Castlemain," Laura clarified. "Good bye."
"I don't even get a chance to say goodbye to the lad? 'E's my grandson-"
Remington tapped the paper in Judge Harris' hands. "Technically, perhaps."
"You'll receive a copy of the custody papers when they're filed, Mr. Castlemain," Judge Harris said. "This-" he held up the paper, "gives you the right to send birthday cards and such to the boy, but no contact without the prior approval of his guardians. Unless Johnny himself specifically asks for that contact."
David Castlemain looked from the Judge, to Laura, and then to Remington, then backed down, realizing that he'd lost. "Tell 'im- you'll tell 'im that I really did want 'im with me- but I knew 'e'd be better off 'ere, with you, like 'is mother wanted, won't you?"
When Remington didn't answer, Laura spoke up. "Yes."
"Have a nice flight back to London, Castlemain," Remington said.
David turned and left the office, looking smaller and older than he had when he'd entered.
Remington took a deep, cleansing breath, and looked at the Judge. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me. I was leaning toward giving him custody. I'm glad you were able to clear things up." He folded the paper. "Monday morning. Ten o'clock. And I promise not to be late this time," he added.
Once they were alone, Remington pulled Laura into his arms and held her for a long time.
***
On Monday morning at ten o'clock, in Judge Harris' chambers, Remington and Laura Steele were granted full legal custody of John Harrison Castlemain, who, from that moment forward, would be legally known as John Harrison Steele.
Johnny looked up at the two of them, smiling. "That's it, then?" he asked.
"That's it," Laura confirmed. "You're all ours."
"I've got a family," Johnny said, grinning from ear to ear. "A real family."
"A real, live family, mate," Remington agreed, bending to lift the boy into his arms and then pulled Laura close, reveling in the fact that he finally had a family as well. The lost little Irish lad had finally come home.
The End