ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 94

" I've got two bits of news today, love ," Nigel said as he was sitting on the side of his hospital bed in a thin chilly gown talking to Richard. He was getting a little stir crazy in the hospital like he was. Okay. A lot stir crazy. He was used to doing stuff. Of course he wasn't going to be jumping back into the company the way he had been. He planned on taking it easy. Spending time with the kids and Richard. Chilling with friends. Maybe even doing some PTA activities. He just wanted out of the hospital.

" Good or bad, darling? ," Richard asked as he anxiously watched him. He touched Nigel on his bare leg and the mere warmth of his hand made Nigel smile with contentment.

" Depends on how you see it. My doctor said I might be able to come home on Friday. I can't wait. And I promise I will rest more. "

The smile on Richard's face at those words made him look at least five years younger. "That's excellent ! You are missed at home. And not just for your chocolate chip pancakes. Which I also miss. But not as much as you. "

Nigel smiled at him. " I miss you too. And the kids too. The other news I don't know how you will take it. Mum called me. Apparently Mary went into labor prematurely at school. I can't believe I'm saying that. My sixteen year old sister went into labor at school. Oh well. She's actually here at St. Paul's. She had a baby boy. Big lad too. Eight bloody pounds. Poor girl. They're doing good. "

Richard fell into silence. He was remembering more and more each day especially about his family and certain friends. He was also remembering that his teen son had made him a grandfather at forty three years old. He was a grandfather. A grandfather with a twenty eight year old husband. His most vivid memories were of his younger days especially back in college and when he looked in the mirror he expected to see that Richard staring back. Not some old man with salt and pepper hair and lines on his face. An old man who was starting to hear creaks in his body when he got up.

He was now a grandfather. He was not sure how to take this. He still didn't trust his oldest son whose previous acts he was recalling with horror. All Niles wanted from him was money. His generous monthly allowance was not enough even though it paid for the very nice Takoma Park  apartment the young couple lived in now. He idly wondered how they would fare now that the baby was here. Niles had been hinting to him via recent texts about a trust fund for the baby and a nanny. Richard was considering the nanny because he wanted them to stay in school. And, he had actually added the baby's trust fund to his will although only Nigel knew this fact. Of course it would be administered by Spencer. He had also added in both Richie and Tanisha. Niles would still get his two quarters.

Richard finally said," That's..... nice. Well. I guess we should go see him in the nursery. Maybe? Did they name him ? "

Nigel smiled slightly. " Yes. I think Niles did it to play on your heart. "

Richard lifted an eyebrow. " What do you mean? "

" They named the baby Richard Niles Norland the third. They're calling him Trey for short. "