ODDS OF LOVE : SEASON ELEVEN

Episode 109

" Lewis, what are you doing here? ," Nigel asked from beside Richard's bedside where he still slept on peacefully. Nigel turned in his chair to look at his stepson who stood beside him. " Aren't you supposed to be home with your siblings and grandparents? "

Lewis bit his lip and ran his fingers through his hair. " Yeah I am but I wanted to come see Dad again. And you. Poppy wanted to drive me but I needed time to think so I took the Metro here. Didn't take long. "

" Are you ok ? Is there something wrong , son ? "

The word son slipped out before Nigel could pull it back. They both chose to ignore it.

Lewis shrugged as he went to the sit in the other chair beside his father. He looked so young and vulnerable and troubled to Nigel. "I'm ok. I guess. I just wanted to see him again. And I want you to come home. You need sleep. And food. Dad wouldn't want you getting too tired. You know that. "

Nigel smiled faintly and stretched out his jeans clad legs in front of him. " I do know that. I don't want to leave him but I will come back home for dinner tonight. I promise. He's in good hands here. St. Paul's is a very good hospital. "

Lewis watched his father's immobile face. "Poppy made chili for us to eat tonight. And me , Richie and Rebecca found an easy brownie recipe online. We're going to make it. Because you like brownies. "

Nigel felt like crying. Why was he so emotional lately? Even before the shooting. Maybe it was a medicine side effect. He could always mention it to his doctor on his next visit. " That sounds wonderful. It really does. And yes you all are right. I do like me some chocolate brownie. Thank you all for thinking about me. "

With the exception of Rebecca and his precious little Tanisha he had not thought that the boys didn't really appreciate his efforts as a stepfather. Not that he tried to act like their father. He tried to be more of a big brother instead. He was so young; only twenty eight. He would be twenty nine in August. Then he would be thirty but no need to think about that now, was it? Richard was not the only one with age issues. He was almost thirty and what had he accomplished at a big age?

Orphan.

Rent boy.

Secretary.

Not much. There was the restaurant but its success was more about his staff and kitchen crew not himself. The restaurant would still survive without him. It would have to when he started working for his father. His family and friends could also survive without him. He was meaningless actually. Not like his husband. Nigel swallowed hard. Richard was the sun. You needed the sun.

" And ," Lewis said hesitantly , " we want to watch a movie after dinner. Bambi. It's Dad's favorite even though he claims it isn't. But it is. "

Nigel wiped at his eye. " He loves Bambi. Don't listen to him. He always cries when they shoot Bambi's mum. When we leave we'll pick up popcorn from Trader Joe's. Make it a real movie night. "

Except Richard wouldn't be there. He wished he would wake up. It had been days already. Why wouldn't he just wake up? Dear God. What if he never woke up again? What if he....

Lewis stared at his father's face. Then he whispered," I love you, Dad. Please wake up. "

He looked up and at Nigel's pensive face. "I love you too, Nigel. "

Lewis' words sent the waterworks overflowing from Nigel as he looked back at Lewis and said firmly," I love you too, son. I'll always be there for you. I promise. "