ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 130

During the beginning of the free period for both students and staff at Barrington Academy Gerald HighTower was in his office finishing off the last of his bottled water after doing fifteen minutes on the exercise bike. Then he heard a familiar tap tap tap scraping across the floor, a sound that had him smiling for the first time that day. Maybe for the first time since that young girl had opened fire in his school really.

He turned around to see Alfred standing there, hunched over his walker and beloved companion Stan , his dark eyes almost radiating fiery waves of love and kindness directed to Gerald. Gerald's own smile grew as he came over to him.

" And , how can I help you, Mr. Giadello ? ," Gerald asked in a voice that had an undercurrent of love and appreciation edging it. " Although I do admit you are a tremendous sight for sore eyes right now. This school has had an awful time lately. "

Alfred licked his lips , his eyes turning sad all of a sudden. " Yes. The school has. And so has my family. My mother's cancer. Even though it's turned out better with Miracle found and returned to Spencer and DuBuis she's still wracked with guilt. And, Drew is drinking again.... Well , he was. Oddly enough he stopped when Miracle got kidnapped. I ..... feel guilty too. "

Gerald laughed in disbelief at him. " Guilty for what reason? Why do you feel guilty? "

Alfred hesitated slightly. " Because I..... I am so happy right now. I'm happy because I have you. I didn't know how I got so damn lucky. You seem to care so much for me. You don't care about the walker and my other issues. You think I'm.... handsome. You think I.... I matter. You want me to move in with you this weekend. To your home. Where do I get off feeling so happy? When there's so much pain around me ? What kind of person am I, Gerald? "

Gerald's smile softened as he approached him steadily on his sneakered feet. His hand rose up to tenderly stroke his partner's classically handsome troubled face. " It makes you human. That's what it makes you, Alfred. A beautiful gentle intelligent human that I more than care for. I love you. I don't just think you are handsome. I know you are. And of course you matter. You matter to more people than you assume. Even to that slightly intimidating and annoying sister of yours. I love you and I can't wait until Saturday. "

Alfred smiled and a little brighter with each of Gerald's words. " I love you too. I didn't come in here for me to whine all over you. I.... I just wanted.... I know we're at school now and you're not totally out here but..... I just needed a kiss. "

Gerald didn't even hesitate as he moved closer to the other man and claimed his lips in a kiss nearly as gentle and warm as the man he was presently embracing in his arms.

" Oh , dear God above! ," they both heard from behind Alfred in the still open doorway. Gerald opened his eyes and looked up at the person. Alfred slowly maneuvered his walker around and then gasped.

They stood staring at an open mouthed Cassandra Mayfield, Co President of the PTA and wife of Senator Palmer Mayfield.