(A/N: This is just a set up chapter before the world ends, they'll probably be one of two more before we get to the actual apocalypse)
Mason lets out a sigh of relief as he steps into a nice hot shower, after a long day's work at the construction site. He's been working at the site on his days off from his real job at Sarges Workshop, as a mechanic.
Sarge the owner was a friend of his Fathers before he died, Mason's being working there since he turned 15 after dropping out of school to help out the Orphanage after the funding was cut, that was nearly two years ago now.
Not even 15 minutes later, Mason was clean, dry, and dressed. Ready to head home.
*Ring Ring*
Mason pulls out his and presses answer without even looking at the screen. "Hello, Mason speaking" he said into the phone as he tosses his work bag into the passenger seat of his truck.
"Mason Its Emily"
A smile immediately forms on his face, "Ah Miss Anne. I'm just on my way back" he said the smile on his face could practically be heard on the other side of the phone.
"Good, I hoped to catch you before you left. Samantha has picked up a little cold, could pick some cold medicine?" Miss Anne asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Of course. How is my favourite little Orphan?"
Mason could hear a slight huff of amusement from Miss Anne. "How many times have I told you, you shouldn't have a favourite"
With a shrug Mason replies, "I was yours"
"No, you weren't" Miss Anne counters
"If that's what you tell yourself to help you sleep at night so be it"
"Just get home safe Mason"
"I will, be home in 3 hours" Mason says hanging up the phone. Turning the car keys the engine roars to life, and Mason begins his drive home.
~Few hours Later~
Pulling into the Orphanages driveway, he kills the engine, grabs his work-bag, and an additional bag filled with some shopping. Sliding out of his truck, locking it and heading into the Orphanage.
"Guess who's returned?" He yells as soon as he steps through the door. And he's greeted by a chorus of yells.
"Masons back!"
"Mason!"
"Yes, Masons here!"
Mason doesn't even attempt to stop the fond smile that forms on his face, as he is slowly crowed by his fellow orphans and little siblings. Looking at the tiny sea of children, 8 kids strong he raises his shopping bag. "Guess what I've got?"
A wave of 'What?!' hits him. "Ice Cream!"
The cheers the ring out soothes his soul and body from a hard day's work. "To the Kitchen" Mason yells like a commander and the sea of children obey rushing into the Kitchen to prepare themselves for battle against their ancient foe that is Ice Cream.
"You spoil them" A familiar voice scolds him from the stairs. Looking over, Mason merely smiles with a shrug.
"That's my right as the elder brother" he tells her, before pulling out the cold medicine. "I'll be up after I take care of these gremlins"
Miss Anne takes the Medicine before pausing halfway up the stairs, "Don't call them Gremlins!"
Mason chuckled softly, watching her disappear up the stairs. He turned back toward the kitchen, where the sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air. Bowls clattered; spoons scraped against tubs, and a few small hands tried to sneak extra scoops when they thought he wasn't looking.
He leaned against the doorway, letting the warmth of the moment settle over him. For a few precious minutes, the weight of the world, the long hours and the aching muscles seemed to fade away.
After all the bowls were emptied , Mason sent the kids off to wash up and get ready for bed. He stayed behind to clean, humming an old tune his father used to whistle. The sound of rain began to patter softly against the windows, a gentle rhythm that made the old building feel even cosier.
When the kitchen was spotless, he made his way upstairs, careful not to wake the younger ones who had already drifted off. When the house finally quieted down, Mason quietly headed upstairs. Carefully avoiding the steps the creak, a tad too loud for his liking
He paused outside Samantha's room and knocked lightly before pushing the door open. The small lamp on the bedside table was on tell him that Samantha was awake. Samantha was bundled under her blankets, a faint pink to her cheeks and her nose just a little red.
"Hey, trouble," Mason said quietly, crouching down beside her bed. "Heard you weren't feeling too great."
Her eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep. "Hi, Mason," she mumbled, voice groggy but warm.
He smiled, spotting medicine on her nightstand. "Miss Anne says you've got a bit of a cold. You'll be back to running laps around everyone by tomorrow, I bet."
She gave a sleepy giggle, snuggling deeper into her blankets. "You think so?"
"I know so," Mason said, tucking the blanket under her chin. "Now get some rest. Doctor's orders."
"Are you the doctor?" she teased, eyes already drifting shut again.
"No, I'm a mechanic" he said softly.
"Which is a doctor for cars" Samantha quips.
A chuckle escapes Mason before he nods sagely. "Exactly" he puts his hand over her eyes, "Now sleep"
For a moment, Mason stayed there, listening to her breathing even out, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. The rain started to patter gently against the window, and the whole world seemed to exhale with her.
He stood, flicked off the lamp, and glanced around the room one last time before stepping into the hallway.
As he closed the door behind him, the sound of the rain and the soft quiet of the orphanage wrapped around him like a blanket. The day's aches finally began to fade.
~Six Months Later~
Mason has what would be considered a very busy life; his weekdays he works at Sarge's Workshop as a mechanic in Atlanta. The pay is good, and the hours aren't too bad plus Thomas or Sarge as he's called is a good boss taught Mason everything; he knows about fixing up cars and Mason gets Wednesdays off.
The Weekends Mason has a part time contractor work which lasts from 7am to 2/3pm. Then he also must find time for the gym, doing repairs at the Orphanage and lastly to get some time at the shooting range to keep sharp for if or when he joins the Military like his father.
Then he has to spend some time with his siblings, even helping set up birthday parties. Luckily, though he managed to skip out on the Party set up as he's gone to collect birthday gifts for Alex whose turning 12.
The Gift is simple nerf guns and some Lego, but the real surprise is the beautiful German Shepard pup he has stashed at his apartment.
Entering his apartment Mason hears the familiar clacking of Cheshire's nails against the ground. Crouching down just in time for Cheshire to come bolting out into the hallway. "Come here girl"
She leaps up onto Mason her little tail waging a mile a minute. Mason fusses her for a minute before deciding its best not be late.
"Alright. Down" Cheshire swiftly drops down off his legs. "Sit" she follows the command again without hesitation.
"Let's get you out" Mason says grabbing a lead and a harness.
~~~~
By the time Mason pulled into the orphanage driveway, the Sun was beginning to set turning the sky into various shades or red and gold.
Cheshire, restless from the car ride, stood with her paws on the passenger seat; ears perked forward and tail thumping against the door.
"Alright, easy," Mason said with a chuckle. "You're about to meet your new pack."
He cut the engine and grabbed the wrapped presents from the backseat, then clipped on Cheshire's leash before stepping out.
The moment her paws hit the gravel, she started sniffing everything in sight. As Mason opened the orphanage door, he was greeted instantly by a familiar wall of noise.
"Mason's back!"
"Did you get the presents?"
"Where's the cake?"
"Relax, relax," Mason laughed, holding the bags high above the sea of eager faces. "Gifts first, cake later."
The crowd of children swarmed him like bees to honey, bouncing on their toes and trying to peek inside the bags. But their excited chatter died down the second a soft bark sounded from behind Mason's leg.
Eight pairs of eyes widened.
"Is that a dog?" Little Olivia whispered.
Mason crouched down beside Cheshire, gently rubbing behind her ears. "Everyone, meet Cheshire," he announced. "She's a good girl and she's the birthday surprise."
Alex froze mid-step, his mouth falling open. "Mine?"
Mason grinned and nodded. "Close, she's everyone's but will stay with me."
The room erupted into cheers and laughter. Cheshire wagged her tail furiously, overwhelmed by all the new scents and voices, but she didn't shy away. Instead, she stepped forward, nose twitching as she sniffed each curious hand that reached out to her.
"She's so soft!"
"She likes me!"
"Can she do tricks?"
Mason laughed, standing back with his arms crossed. "She knows sit and stay...kinda. You all can help me teach her the rest."
Miss Anne appeared in the doorway, arms folded but a smile tugging at her lips. "You're supposed to bring gifts, Mason."
Mason shrugged innocently. "She needed a home, and we're quite good taking care of strays."
Alex knelt down as Cheshire licked his cheek, giggling uncontrollably. "Thank you, Mason," he said between laughs.
Mason's chest warmed at the sight. "Anytime, buddy."
-End