ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON SIX

Episode 20

As DuBuis was sending out texts that Andrew had been found, Richard stared down at the grassy ground , looking as vulnerable as a child in the body of a forty two year old man. " So , " he said quietly," is this part two of your leaving us ? "

Andrew looked at his son. " No. This had nothing to do with you. Or your brother. "

" It had nothing to do with us ," Richard spit out tersely. " Really? My brother texted me you were missing. We didn't know where you were. You could have ran away. You could have been drunk. " He waved his hand casually at the bottle of alcohol. " You could have been robbed or hurt or..... How dare you say it had nothing to do with us ? With me? We love you, old man. I love you. Stop leaving us! "

DuBuis looked up at Richard from his phone but remained quiet.

Andrew said," I'm sorry. "

Richard looked at him and his eyes were reddened as though he had been crying. " I don't want your damn apologies. I'll take the house but I don't need it. I don't need or want your money. I need you as my father in my life. I need you as a grandfather to my children. Why? Why did you just take off? "

Andrew sighed and put the bottle down on the ground. He put his hands on his face. " Your sister said she hates me. "

Richard laughed bitterly. " My son said he hates me. I didn't run away from my family. I didn't go buy alcohol. "

" My sister Sylvia said she hated me," DuBuis said quietly.

Richard exclaimed," See ! Yet DuBuis here is still here. He didn't run off from Spencer. Lorraine is an awful person. She's my sister but it's true. I'm not perfect but her..... She is a cold wife. An unreliable mother. She is selfish and self centered and self absorbed. She is the reason we lost you for years. Her and Mother. Who cares what she thinks or says ? We love you. Don't leave us anymore. Nigel is finishing up plans for our wedding tomorrow and you are my best man remember. I need you. " He bowed his head. " I need you so much. Today I ...... have to take Rebecca to the lab at the hospital for DNA testing because another man says she is his daughter. I could lose my little girl. I need you."

Both Andrew and DuBuis stared at Richard in shocked disbelief.

Andrew said," I'm.... sorry, son. I..... I can relate. Do you want me to go with you? And Rebecca? Today? "

Richard blinked his eyes. " Yes. Nigel will be there and I love him but yes I want you there too. "

Without hesitation , DuBuis said," Today is my day off. If you want Spencer and I can come too. For moral support. "

Richard looked at his brother in law silently for a long time and then he nodded. " Thank you. I can't lose her. "

DuBuis crossed his legs and sat back on the bench. " Andrew, for what it's worth, I need you too. My own father died when I was nine. I never wanted another father. I had a stepfather but.... Nobody could ever take my father's place. Big shoes to fill. " He looked at the older man. " But I consider you to be a father figure. And a friend. I need both now. My doctor just diagnosed me with bipolar. Only other person knows is Faith. I haven't even told Spencer yet. I'm afraid of what he might say or think. "

Andrew put his arms around both of the men fatherly. " DuBuis, I don't think you have to worry about Spencer's reaction. "

Richard laughed. " I know you don't. My brother thinks you invented the universe. He adores you. "

DuBuis smiled slightly. " I adore him too. Look. Let's go home. Before we get mugged or something. "

Andrew was agreeable. " And without that whiskey. Let it be someone else's demon. I have a feeling Glory is mad. "

Richard agreed. " Candy. "

DuBuis nodded. " Roses. "

Andrew murmured," Sex. "

DuBuis made a face that resembled Luci's own. " Not in my house. You better go to that rental. Y'all noisy. "

Richard furrowed his brow. " I don't even want to know. "