"Mr Nightshade please take a seat"

The woman sat next to Mr Ambrose said as I walked into the conference room. I nodded to her and Mr Ambrose as I sat down, placing my bag next to me.

This was it, this was what I'd been working for, for weeks now. I was presenting my case.

Two daycare workers were also seated at the table, one was the man that I'd dropped off with and taken wren from and other was the bitch who put my baby in the corner.

"All of you are aware of why we are here today, for the record we are here to discuss Mr Nightshades report of child abuse, child endangerment and many other accounts against our on site daycare facilities, I am Mrs Delaire, I am here on behalf of the board concerning hr and employment. Let's begin"

She drummed her fingers against her other hand and addressed me.

"Mr Nightshade you may speak first, please can you give your account of the day"

"Thank you Mrs Delaire"

I bent over and pulled a few files out of my bag that I'd be needing.

"On the first of the last month, early Monday morning I dropped my son, Wren, off at the company provided daycare. Now my son is young, he's barely 2 and he has some health issues. He suffers from severe anxiety and panic attacks as well as self harming tendencies and has a very particular diet which we are working hard to help him with"

The 4 at the table with me listened intently as I continued.

"I contacted the facility days beforehand to ensure they were capable of taking proper care of my son. They said they were not only capable, but more than happy to. Wren has 3 comfort items that I also informed them of when I booked him in. His Teddy, his blanket and his pacifier. I knew already wren wouldn't immediately take to daycare as it was a new and strange environment, but had hoped that with the help of his comfort items and the support of staff he'd have had some fun. I was sadly mistaken, he didn't even make it to naptime"

Ricky had convinced me to keep that last line in cause he thought it sounded good. It apparently did as I was getting zero strange looks. And the dramatic tone I'd practised with him had certainly payed off too, keeping their attention and not boring them to such an end.

"Just before 12 I received a call from a coworker of mine, Mark Dowling. Mark called to tell me I needed to pick up my son, something was wrong and wren was very upset. I of course went down to the daycare to find my son, in tears sitting with Mark and his boy away from everyone else. Wrens arms were covered by cuts and bruises, new cuts and bruises. I immediately picked him up and covered him up with his blanket to stop myself from getting any angrier. I signed him out and exited to the hall where Mark explained what'd happened"

I took one file from my hand and put it down on the table

"This is marks account of what happened, but to sum it up. When he went in to pick up his son he saw wren left in the corner without any of his comfort items having a panic attack and injuring himself. When he informed the one worker present who might I add was not even in the room watching the children at first, the other nowhere to be seen. The worker brushed it off as wren probably deserved to be in the corner and not to disturb him. This idiot didn't even know why wren had been put in the corner and just left him there. Mark seeing the obviously distressed child helped wren away, got him his comfort items back and called me"

Mrs delaire was taking notes and nodded on for me to continue.

"From there I brought Wren up to my office and got him calmed down, changed and something to eat, because I haven't even mentioned all that was wrong with his time there. Wren was left in a full diaper for, I have no clue how long, but wren had told me no one changed him, and it was long enough for him to have leaked and developed a rash, just causing him more discomfort and distress. Now I'm sorry for going on quite a bit but I have one more point"

"Speak as long as you need David"

Mr Ambrose said, with a sad smile over what we were discussing.

"As I said before my son has a very particular diet, as do all fledglings, and this daycare said they'd be perfectly able to accommodate. They did in no such way, I took wren away from that place starving-"

"That's just bullshit!"

That bitch interupted me, before Ms delaire could stop her she went ranting.

"The kid refused to eat whatever we gave him, how the hell is that our fault if the kids picky"

I shut that down before anyone could tell her to stop talking, raising my voice.

"We sent Wren in with food we knew he could eat, we had told you beforehand that wren could eat from his lunch if he wasn't eating. You said that wasn't a problem, but aparently there was a problem as wren ate nothing that morning"

I leant back in my chair as I finished that. Ms delaire spoke.

"I would like to remind you all to remain professional while we're in here. Ms Wilson it was not your time to speak, please refrain from interrupting. Anything else you'd like to add Mr Nightshade?"

"All I'll say is I was promised that my son would be well taken care of, he was instead hurt both inside and out. And as my research has shown me, so have other children"

I placed down three more files and saw Mr Ambroses eyes grow sadder.

"These are just some of the people from all around the office whose children were abused at this daycare and when they tried to report it they were ignored. This place is a disgrace and bringing our company down, I believe it should be removed or put under new management. Thank you"

"Thank you Mr Nightshade"

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"What're you drawing there baby bear?"

I asked as I knelt next to wren, who was lying on his tummy in his playpen, doing some drawing.

I tried to sneak a peak at Wrens picture but he covered it up and whined, putting his head down over it in an attempt to hide it more.

"Baby what's up?"

Wren whined again, curling over himself and slightly sticking his butt up. I had to refrain from laughing as I rubbed the back of his onesie.

"Wren baby can I see the picture"

"Noh!"

Wren pushed me away and rolled onto his back, holding the paper to his chest.

"No chu, oo no see"

I frowned.

"Wren why can't daddy look at your picture"

"Noh fuh dada"

"Oh and whys that?"

Wren squirmed and kicked as I bent down to pick him up, letting out a long whine.

"Noh Daddy no"

He started working himself up as I pulled him out of the pen. I held him close to my chest as he continued trying to push away from me.

"Sweetie no pushing, youre going to make Daddy drop you. Oh Shshsh baby it's ok"

I sat on the couch and held wren in my lap. Wren glared at me while still keeping hold of his picture. I was downright curious at this point over what it was.

"Wren why can't daddy look at your picture, I'm sure it's very pretty"

Wren looked down sadly

"Noh fuh daddy"

"Who's it for then?"

"Fuh Papa, oni papa see"

"Oh-"

I ran my fingers through his hair.

" Thats ok baby bear. Can I ask what you've drawn or is it top secret?"

"Secwet"

"Okay baby bear, that's ok. Just say that to me next time instead of nearly making me drop you with all you squirming you little worm"

I tried to tickle his sides but wren just whined and pushed my hands away. I frowned in worry.

"Baby what's wrong"

Wren shifted while looking down

"Nuffing, jus wanna d'aw"

I smiled for him, while still worrying inside.

"Ok bubba, you gonna finish your top secret papa drawing?"

Wren stayed silent but nodded and I stroked his hair

"Ok baby-"

I stood and brought Wren back to his little play pen. He grunted a little as he kicked his legs out and got comfy on his tummy to continue his drawing, completely ignoring me.

I sat back on the couch and turned on some tv for myself while still keeping an eye on wren and his very intense art.

He scribbled at the page furiously with the blue crayon. I'd have to ask David to tell me what it was later when he was allowed a look.

I zoned out for moment until a loud rip sound brought me back. I looked to wren, who stared in shock at his paper, now split into two by his crayon technique.

I rushed to try console him before the crying could start but was too late as wren began to wail loudly. I attempted to talk over him while not shouting, or getting drowned out by the cries.

"Wren it's ok. Calm down baby-"

"Bwoken!"

Wren screamed as he held a piece in each hand and waved them about. I thought I'd try my luck and reached into the play pen to take out the crying boy.

Wren thrashed as he was lifted, crying even more if possible about the drawing being ruined.

I tried to keep my voice calm and wren began to throw a tantrum in my arms.

"Daddy can fix it baby, its ok, there's no need for tears"

Wren obviously didn't understand as he started pushing at me again, maybe trying to get down, maybe just cause he was angry. The pushes turned to be more like hitting as I continued my attempts at calming him down.

"Shshsh my little baby bat, its all ok. Daddy'll fix your drawing bub"

Wren cried loudly and in his overwhelmed state hit me in the face.

I stopped talking and took a breath, realising wren wouldn't be calming down like this. I carried him out of the sitting room and into the kitchen before taking his highchair and moving it to the corner. Wren continued crying.

"Little bat I know you're upset right now"

I put Wren down in the highchair and pried the drawing pieces out of his hands and set them on the counter.

Wren put his head down and covered it with his arms, letting out a dramatic gutteral scream. It pained me to hear.

"Wren-"

I said using my firmest voice, wren looked at me with teary eyes as he sniffled and breathed heavily.

"I know that you're very upset, but daddy is trying to help. I'm trying to help you and fix your picture but you hit me baby. Hitting is a big no no wren, you know that"

Wrens lip wobbled but I held strong.

"I'm putting you in time out for a few minutes hun so you can calm down, once you've calmed down you can say you're sorry for hitting daddy and i'll help you fix your picture,"

I set the egg timer and gave Wren a little temple kiss before pushing his dangling paci into his mouth and leaving the kitchen. He cried, oh he cried and screeched in that seat. I could hear him hitting it or pulling at the straps or something but I waited till his time was up.

Wren calmed down as the 5 minutes went on. He stopped yelling at me and I could only here little sniffles by the end of it.

The timer went off and I walked straight over to wren and lifted his chin up so that he was looking at me.

"Wren can you tell me why you were put in time out?"

I rubbed wrens back as he evened out his shakey breaths.

"I- I- w-wrenny hith dada and sceem and be meanie"

He choked up a little and I patted his back.

"Thats right sweetie, and what do we say?"

"Am sowwy, w-wrenny weawwy sowwy dada"

Wren stuttered out quietly and I smiled. I picked wren out of the chair and hugged him close, whispering little praises as I ran my fingers through his hair.

"Good boy, my best little boy wren. I love you so much and thank you for apologising"

Wren grabbed my sweater in his fist and whimpered quietly.

"sill bwoken dada"

He pointed to the ripped turned over piece of paper.

"Oh I'm sorry baby bear, daddy'll fix it right away"

Wren sniffled and I wiped his away any stray tears as I set him down on the counter.

"I'll hold you in just a second baby, just gotta find the tape"

I mumbled to myself while rummaging through our drawer of jumbled items. Wren held onto his paci with both hands and swung his legs. I smiled at him until finally my hands landed upon

"Aha!"

Wren jumped a little when I shouted

"Found it!"

I reached out to touch the paper, to align it but wren whined and tried to stop my hands.

"No thee"

He lisped, I cupped his face with my hand and rubbed gently

"I'm not looking baby bat, its ok. Daddy's not looking"

Wren lowered his guard and I went to tape the picture back together. I taped down 3 pieces along the rip line.

"There, good as new. Take a look darling, Daddy's not looking"

I covered my eyes and heard wren let out a tiny giggle. After a bit wren squeaked out.

"It good"

I took down my hands and saw wren holding the drawing to himself, it bending a bit unnaturally along the break line.

"Thats great baby"

I picked him back up and he wiggled a little but soon rested his head on shoulder. I walked back to the sitting room for a little more down time.

Just as I was about to sit down wren asked

"Dada?"

"Yes baby?"

"When papa get home? Miss 'im"

"I-"

I sighed

"I don't know baby, but he'll be home soon"

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"Ms Wilson will you please calm down-"

I smirked on the inside as Mr Ambrose snapped at the bitch. She'd been going off on me for a good while now and I'd been close to snapping myself. She blamed me and Ricky for the treatment of wren, saying we didn't teach him him his manners or some shit.

I kept neutral throughout, knowing that if I were the one to snap, it'd come off looking bad on my part, but I never expected Mr Ambrose to be the one. I thought maybe Mrs Delaire, but not so.

"-might I remind you, that this is once again a professional setting, and to please refrain from using such language. Especially when referring to a child"

The man, who had remained silent throughout the entire meeting sunk a little in his seat, almost like he just realised he was fighting a losing battle. Sure, they had a bit of a chance at the beginning. But since that bitch opened her mouth, they were ruined.

He still tried to salvage though.

"Mrs Delaire, Mr Ambrose"

He stuttered a little but gained his footing.

"I can assure you, that Jane- um Ms Wilson does not represent our day care facilities. She is just an outlier-"

I bit my lip to stop from laughing as their defense crumbled and they turned on eachother.

"What the fu- hell Chris?"

The two bickered for a moment until they were stopped by Ms Delaire.

"

Mr Grant you are just as at fault as Ms Wilson, are you not in charge of hiring within the daycare so responsible for Ms Wilson hiring?"

"Well yes but-"

He was cut off

"Did you not leave a room full of young children without supervision?"

"But Jane was supposed to be-"

"I do not care, what 'Jane was supposed to be doing', you should try enough common sense to know that you cannot leave one new employee solely in charge of that many children"

"But-"

"Mr grant I've heard enough. This case is disturbing as is, I'd rather not hear your pathetic excuses for abuse"

Ms delaire took all of the files layed out on the desk and compiled them together, tapping the side to even them out before putting them in her bag.

"I think I've heard enough to make a decision, and while I can't speak entirely for the board-"

She stood

"Mr Grant, Ms Wilson, I suggest you get your affairs in order"

The man put his head in his hands as the woman shoved him

"Mr Nightshade-"

I pulled myself away from smiling at the pairs defeat to pay attention to the woman.

"Thank you for your report"

I nodded to her and she revealed a small smile before leaving. Mr Ambrose soon followed her, quickly calling me out after him.

While no one was looking I gave the Jane one a very unprofessional glare, simply because I could.

I followed Mr Abrose out, and he stopped just as I shut the door behind us. He turned to me.

"Nightshade, I'm sorry for everything this has put you through. You're a good man, I certainly know that"

He seemed like he was going to say something very profound but caught himself and made a joke instead.

"And I'm especially sorry you had to come in over the weekend ha-ha"

He slapped my shoulder before taking some steps back

"I'll see you tomorrow Nightshade"

He turned and walked off.

I took a breath, and laughed to myself. Weeks of work had finally paid off and I could return home with all my free time to be spent with my two favourite people.

I headed to my car and drove home, happily humming along to the radio and I drove, tapping the wheel with my hands in time with the music. I was in an incredible mood.

I pulled up and parked my car in the driveway. I quickly left the car, locking it as I made my way to the door.

"Hellooo?"

I called out as I opened the door. Not a second longer than I closed the door did Ricky yell out.

"Wren baby, look who's home!"

He was lying down on the couch with wren sitting on top of him, messing with his hair. Wren looked up at me and squeaked in delight.

"Papa homes!"

I chuckled as I strode towards them, quickly taking off my overcoat and hanging it up before reaching over the back of the couch and swooping wren into my arms.

Ricky sat up, his hair sticking out in all directions from wrens meddling. Wren had all his attention on me as he giggled behind his paci and pulled at my face. I let him mess about and talked to Ricky.

"How are you"

"Exhausted but surviving"

"Well that sounds alright, any trouble?"

I tickled wrens tummy as I said that and wren squealed. Ricky laughs.

"Well this tiny one got a bit upset earlier, got myself a tiny smack but nothing a little thinking time in the corner couldn't solve"

Wren whined a bit and covered his face before shoving it into my suit jacket to hide.

"Oh? Bubba why'd you get upset?"

I rubbed wrens back and he huffed, before snuggling in deeper.

"Baby bear-"

Ricky leaned down to wren

"Wasn't there something you wanted to talk to Papa about"

He peeped out and nodded while shyly looking down.

"Well then, I'll clean up the nursery a bit while you and papa have a bit of a chat, drawing's right there baby"

Ricky pointed to the coffee table where a taped together piece of paper lay. He then placed a gentle kiss to wrens temple before giving me a quick peck on the cheek, smiling and running off down the hall.

I held wren more upright and he looked up to me.

"So bubba, what's all this about?"

I said as I sat down. Wren pushed my protective hold away and crawled away from me, before reaching out towards the piece of paper.

I lent forward and supported wren, eventually taking the piece for him as he couldn't quite reach it. I gave it to him though and he crawled right back to my lap.

He got all comfy before letting out a little sigh and leaning back against my chest.

"What's wrong princess, you can tell papa"

Wren held the taped up paper to me and turned it around, revealing another one of his drawings that was about as clear to me as all his other ones.

So I did as we usually did when wren shows me his pictures.

"Ok baby, you know i'm an art dummy, what's happening here?"

Wren let out a tiny giggle before deflating again. I rubbed his tummy comforting and encouragingly.

"Go on bubba"

Wren whined a little bit before finally telling me.