Odds of Love: Past Wounds

Episode 37

Luci was not psychic but she was right. When she had called DuBuis and told him that Theodore was sick and they needed to go home now he had sensed something was wrong even over the phone line. As they waited for him in the front Alan had gotten the cook in the kitchen to make Theodore a cup of really strong coffee to drink and they had found a couple of breath mints for him too. Luci was hoping and wishing and praying that between the pool adventure and the coffee and mints that it would be enough to make Theodore less drunk. He did seem a tiny more alert and he was crying less as they sat silently next to each other. In fact Theodore had stopped talking altogether and wouldn't even look at her or Alan. As they saw her uncle's car coming towards the front entrance of the still noisily active house Alan's long slim and artistic suntanned hand had shoved a note in her own brown hand. Alan said," I really do like you, Luci Moore. " His eyes cut at Theodore whose eyes were shut tightly. " I hope he's ok. Look I didn't know what was going to go down. But I'm sorry what happened. Text me when you all get home. "

Luci nodded as DuBuis stopped the car and got out. He strode over to them. He looked at the house. Then back at Luci and Theodore. " What happened? He got sick? How sick? Theo , you need to go to the hospital or what?"

Before Luci could say a word Theodore's stomach agreed that he was sick as he promptly threw up all over the ground.

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As Richard was putting a sleepy Rebecca to bed in the guest room and reading her a chapter of the well worn and obviously loved copy of Charlotte's Web that she had brought over in her overnight bag , Nigel was in the bedroom that they had determined to be his during her visits until they got married. He was cross legged on the bed in his bare chest and briefs, making related notes on his phone in the special note he called merely The Wedding.

He was trying to make a list of who he could invite to the wedding and after several frustrating minutes of concentration his mind hit a blank on him.

He sighed. It was obvious that his side was going to be so much emptier than Richard's own would be. He had no family. Hell except for maybe Marco and definitely Richard he had no real friends. Acquaintances from the Pink Lady and Zest didn't really count in his head. Even River Steele who he had given a hand job to one night at Zest mainly because he was frustrated over his inability to shake his crush on the boss he had assumed was straight and unavailable.

They were all club and party mates. Not anyone he felt close enough to invite to his wedding.

His fingers instinctively traced the still healing burns on his face.

Maybe this wedding wasn't such a good idea.

Then his door opened and there stood Richard who smiled at him from the doorway. " So I put Rebecca to sleep. It only took three chapters, four denied requests for water , two trips to the bathroom and I had to check the closet and under the bed for some type of monster that oddly looked like my mother when she described it. " He smiled softly. " Now I'm going to put you to  bed. In my own particular way."

Nigel burst out in a flurry of words," Richard, I don't want this wedding. "

Richard's smile slid off his face quickly and his skin seemed to blanch as he stared at him in disbelief. " What? "

Nigel continued on," I don't want a wedding. But I do want to marry you. " He hesitated a second before whispering," I want to elope. Would that be all right with you? "

Richard walked over to him and sat beside him on the bed. He smiled once more, this time it was radiating a lot of relief , as he pulled the man in his arms. " I don't care when I marry you. Or where. I just want to marry you. Eloping is perfectly fine with me. What about next week? Wednesday night? At my family church here in Arlington? With only a few to watch. Spencer and his family. My odd little nephew Theodore. My father and stepmother.  Rebecca. We can stream it for Lewis in England so he can essentially be there as well. Even that Marco if you insist. I can make all the arrangements if you want. "

Nigel nodded. He felt better. " I want. "

" I love you, Nigel. "

" I love you too, Richard. "

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Lonnie Hawkins lingered outside Richard Norland's building where he and the meal ticket lived.

He took a deep drag off his cigarette. He smiled. He could not wait for their wedding. It was going to be so very profitable and satisfying to him. Not as much to them though.

But who really cared about them ?