ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 171

" Hey , don't look so nervous , " Nigel said as he winked his unusual violet eye at his husband Richard who did indeed look incredibly nervous as he stood in the courtroom of their close family friend Family Court Judge L.L. Handel , looking almost devastatingly handsome and reserved in an expensive and well tailored black suit grey shirt and matching silk tie. " You got this , you bossy constipated twat. " 

Richard took a deep breath and looked at his husband's handsome in spite of the missing eye and scars face. Then he glanced at the smiling faces of his four children as they stood behind Nigel , holding hands , oddly enough. And , then , at his younger brother Spencer with Miracle sitting on his lap. And , his father and stepmother right behind Spencer and Miracle. They all looked so proud. Proud of him. Suddenly he felt a solid lump forming within his own stomach. He actually felt sick. He may have amnesia of which he was slowly regaining memories of family and friends but one thing he had never lost. His ability to do and know law. Law was like second nature to him. Yet..... He felt like he was in danger of disappointing everyone who was currently looking at him with such love and respect and pride in their eyes. 

He gazed into Nigel's warm eye that was radiating beams of emotion at him. " Do I really ? "

Nigel nodded and smiled. " Yeah. You deserve this , baby. Nobody deserves this more than you. Relax and enjoy it. Nobody could be a better judge than you." 

They heard a rather impatient and arrogant  tap tap tap of a long white cane with a red tip on the end and they both smiled at the approach of L.L. with his obedient and well trained guide dog Sadie Dog. 

" Well , " L.L. said kindly with a smile curving his lips. " Ready to do this thing ? I am getting tired of being the baby judge. It's your turn , Richard. "

Nigel held out the dark leather bound bible that belonged to his father and stepmother. Without another hesitation Richard placed his hand atop the bible and lifted his head regally. And , Spencer , Andrew and Glory readied their camera phones. 

And , without anyone seeing him because they were all  focused so intensely on Richard , Niles slipped into the courtroom. He stood in the back and , with an emotionless young handsome face that bore a strong resemblance to both his father and grandfather ,  he watched his father taking his oath of office. 

" I , Richard Norland , do affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America. I affirm that I shall bear true allegiance to the state of Maryland.  I will perform the duties of my office of judge according to the constitution and laws of the state. So help me God above. " 

Niles furrowed his brow and thought to himself , Congratulations , old man. He still hated him though. As he exited the courtroom quietly his younger brother Lewis noticed him leaving. 

L.L. said softly , " God bless you. You will do just fine. Of course,  you haven't met Chief Judge Arnett yet. That will be an adventure. Trust me. "

Richard exchanged glances with Nigel. " Arnett ? , " they both said. 

L.L. nodded. "  Yes. Bernard P. Arnett. Senator Reilly Arnett's older brother. He is a tremendous stickler for the rules. Truthfully the rod in  his ass is bigger than the ones up our own. "