ODDS OF LOVE SEASON TWELVE

Episode 176

" I'd like to propose a toast ," Andrew said with a hearty laugh as he held up a glass of cranberry juice," if you can actually toast respectfully with this stuff here. "

He was seated at a large secluded table near the back of Richard and Nigel's restaurant along with his son Richard and son in law Nigel, their children Lewis, Rebecca, Richie and Tanisha and his wife Glory as well as his other son Spencer and Spencer's daughter Miracle.

" I want to," he continued on," give congratulations to my oldest child and my first born son Richard on what is a major accomplishment in his life. Richard, I missed out on so much of your life. On all of your lives. Too much. I don't know much you remember about all that but...... I'm terrible at toasts. I really am. I just want to say that I love you, son , and I am so damn proud of you today and always. You do my name Norland good. "

" Here, here ," Nigel agreed as he enthusiastically planted an impulsive kiss on his husband's cheek. " And, he is a damn fine husband and father too. "

" And , a brother. "

Richard looked in surprise at his brother who had spoken quietly. " Thank you, Spencer. Dad. Nigel. Thank you all. I love you all so much. "

Richie put down his bacon cheese burger in mock disgust and made a face. " Damn , Wide Load , you gone start crying or something? "

Richard wiped his eyes with his napkin. " Or something, Richie. Or something. "

Lewis poked Richie in the ribs gently and said," Leave Dad alone. I saw you crying when he was taking the oath. "

Richie cut his eyes at him. " I did not. Stop playing, boy. I just had dust in my eyes. Maybe I'm allergic to the criminal justice system. "

Lee - Lee came hurrying over to the table with a worried look on her light brown face. " Nigel ! Richard ! Y'all hear about the mess going on at St. Paul's now ? They need to close that place down for real. "

The adults all exchanged glances with each other even as Nigel said softly," What is it ? Not another shooting? "

Lee - Lee shook her head. " Nah. Pookie mama called him. You know she works in the gift shop there. Apparently there's been a couple patients escaped from the psych ward there. That crazy killer Pamela Perkins and the woman who kidnapped sweet little Miracle here. " They all gasped in horror and Spencer lifted Miracle from her high chair to hold her tightly and protectively in his arms. " And," she continued with an almost glee ," they had a hostage ! Some lawyer named Ethan Stone. They say he got choked or something in the parking garage before they took off in his car. "

Richard's face paled and his eyes widened as he thought of Ethan. " Choked ? Is he.... Is he okay?"

" Pookie mama says she thinks so. He's in the ER anyway. But the hospital is a mess today ! Cops all over the place ! "