ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 40

" I heard what happened to you at your home," Ethan Stone said over the phone that Nigel held up to his ear as he sat up in his hospital bed trying to stay awake long enough to flip through cable tv channels. Nigel was actually alone in the room because he had actually made his family leave to get some rest themselves especially Richard who was looking too tired to him. Nigel had made Richard promise he would go home and get a nap , some decent food, coffee, something.

" Why do you care ? ," Nigel asked. He was not totally stupid. When he had worked at the firm , which seemed so long ago at that moment in time , he was fully aware of the fact that Ethan had disliked him. No. Ethan had hated him. And Nigel knew why. Nigel had read the why in Ethan's face every time he caught Ethan watching Richard. Or watching Richard with Nigel. Nigel knew back then that Ethan Stone loved Richard and not just as friends.

" I don't care. I'm wanting to know how Richard is doing. He doesn't talk to me anymore. "

Nigel wanted to laugh. Of course his husband didn't talk to Ethan anymore. Even though Ethan had voted to keep Richard at the firm his husband considered it a betrayal that Ethan had not fought harder for him. Gotten other law partners on his own side against Claire. Nigel could understand Richard's thinking on it but very recently he had been trying to get him to contact the man. Renew the friendship as it was. Whatever it was. When he finally died Richard would need all the friends he could get. " Richard is doing.... He's saying he is well but I know he's barely holding it together. His own shooting. The amnesia. Lewis being shot. His stepmum has cancer. Now me. It's a lot. "

Ethan was quiet for a few moments. " It would be. I hope everything works out for you. Because of him. "

Nigel didn't know why he said what he did next. His thinking since the collapse from chest pains and the stabbing had become so morbid really. He had been thinking about his own death and what came  afterwards.  For his family. For Richard. He wanted his husband to be taken care of. To be supported. To not waste his days mourning him. " If - when - I die I want you to tell him the truth. "

" What? "

" I want you, Ethan Stone, to tell Richard the truth. " He coughed again. His eye closed wearily as he rested his head on the pillow. " I want you to be there for him. You love him. Most don't know that. Richard doesn't know that. But I do. I saw it on your face at the firm and recognized it because I feel it every day for him. I want him happy. I don't want him trapped in grief for me. Please. When I die tell him and be there for him. Help him. Love him. Be there for our children. "

Ethan was amazed. At least his voice was sounding amazed as he said in disbelief," Are you actually giving me permission to go after your husband? "

Nigel smiled faintly and sadly. " Only if or when I pass on. If I'm still alive I'm saying stay the fuck away from him. Otherwise I'll cut your balls off and feed them to our dogs , Mr. Ethan Stone , esquire. "

Ethan laughed. " You love him that much. "

" Of course I do. Don't you? "