ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON THIRTEEN

Episode 172

" The doctor said the new x-rays look good," Gerald said as he sat beside Alfred's hospital bed and handed him a cup of coffee he had gotten from Keisha Duncan's little cafe. Alfred took it gratefully and drank a little before lowering it almost timidly. Gerald sipped at his own coffee , saying," Good coffee. And it's a small business too. I like supporting small businesses. "

Alfred looked down at the top of the cup.

" The doctor said you should be able to go home today. That's better than your sister whose going to be here a while. Which is good in a way because your mother is still unsure of where she will go when released. "

Alfred nodded , his eyes still looking down , his lips still quiet.

" Your nephews are oddly concerned about you. Especially Franco. There might be hope for those boys yet. So is Spencer. He told me that DuBuis and Richard went to Manassas to see the grandmother. They think she's not telling the whole truth about Andrew. We shall see. I hope all turns out well. Your mother is at home. With the boys and hopefully resting. "

Gerald glanced at his fiance with much concern upon his face. " Alfred, what is wrong? Are you in pain? If so talk to me. Please. "

Alfred looked up at his fiance. " It's okay if you want to back out. I won't hold you to anything. "

Gerald looked at him in amazement. Then he laughed out loud. " What are you talking about, honey? Hold me to what? Back out of what? "

Alfred whispered," I.... I will not get any better than I already am. I know this. In fact I'll get worse. More mobility issues. More possible surgeries. More falls. I may die sooner than most people. I ..... I don't want to keep you back. I don't want you to start to resent me. Pity me. "

Cheat on me, Alfred wanted to say but the words wouldn't come out.

Gerald narrowed his eyes at him and shook his head , lifting his head up in a proud gesture. " I thought you said you loved me. "

Alfred murmured," I do love you but....."

" No buts , damn it to bloody hell. No buts. You can't possibly love me or respect me if you choose not to believe how much I adore you. Because I do you know. I adore you. I respect you. I need you. I don't care about your supposed limits. All I see and care about are your strengths. Your character. You are the strongest man I know. You literally rescued yourself from Pamela Perkins and Flower Dennis. Damn you for not trusting me to always be there for you. " His hand rose up to stroke at Alfred's face as the younger man began to cry. " I know you have insecurities but I want you to know and believe that I will never leave you until the day you bury me in the cold cold ground. Please believe me. I'm not going anywhere. And you can't make me. "

Alfred closed his eyes and sighed before saying," I'm sorry. I'm sorry..... I just feel so...."

" I know. I understand. I've felt that way about my weight. I can lose weight and I am. More every day but I still feel insecure. What if you decide you want a younger man? "

Alfred's eyes fluttered open. " I only want you. "

Gerald's lips curved in a slight smile. "Same, my love. I will always only want you. Why do you think your ring says My Heart ? "

Their lips met in a gentle kiss before Alfred's phone on the nightstand rang shrilly.

Alfred was still smiling faintly as he answered it.

Glory said on the other end," Alfred, they found him ! Your stepfather. In Manassas. He was at that bitch mother's house. She apparently wouldn't let him go. I don't know. It sounds unreal. "

Alfred widened his eyes as he looked at Gerald who lifted his eyebrow at him questioningly. " They found Drew ? That's wonderful. Is he okay, Momma? "

" He's shook up. His heart and pulse rate was very high. He's anxious. And..... they said that hideous old woman made him drink. She made him drink! That bitch. He's at the hospital there. Richard says they want him to stay overnight but Richard is trying to get him transported to St. Paul's here instead. Oh. And the old woman had a heart attack. She's in severe condition. They don't think she'll live past the night. "