ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 1

Sunday September 27 , 2025

   Richard Norland currently felt like a failure at life. Or at least certain aspects of his own life. Yes , he was a college educated lawyer and now judge. He was well respected in the legal world. He was on the board of directors for Barrington Academy; the chairman in fact. He was on several boards for that matter. He was an extremely wealthy man who on paper should have relatively few issues and problems in his life.

  Except the fact that he was a disaster as a father, he thought as he paced back and forth in the St. Paul's Hospital Center ER waiting room surrounded by the many family members that had arrived at the hospital to offer comfort to him and Nigel.

  His brother Spencer with DuBuis and their daughter Miracle who was sleeping soundly in Spencer's own protective arms ; their other kids had been dropped off at Alfred and Gerald's who also had taken home Richard's other three children for the moment. Spencer had not felt comfortable leaving the teenagers alone in the house at the moment.

  His father Andrew who had shown up with his own estranged wife Glory literally at the same time Nigel's parents Nicholas and Matilda had arrived along with Nigel's brothers Max and, oddly enough, Alexi.

  Faith was back to having the " mother of all " morning sickness bouts so she had stayed home but after dropping the Angeletti triplets back at Gerald and Alfred's Joy had headed to the ER to offer spiritual and emotional support to them.

  Yes , Richard mused as he walked back and forth with a destressed look on his face. He was a terrible father. His memories were returning more and more to him since the amnesia so he knew that for a fact. His oldest son Niles hated him deeply and tried to kill him in England. His other son Lewis wouldn't talk to him about whatever was in that head of his and he kept trying to end his life........ No matter what he was in the rest of his life he knew that he was failing the most important job in his life. And he hated that so much.

  As he stopped suddenly in mid step Nigel came over to him with too much fatigue and stress on his own scarred face. In one hand his husband held his cell phone and in the other a cup of coffee he had gotten from a nearby vending machine. Richard looked at him and felt worse. The young man he loved so much was supposed to be still recovering from the heart transplant. He was sick himself yet he was trapped in this nightmare that emanated from the very parental incompetence of Richard Norland. Richard felt like crying. It seemed like such a long time since they had been so happy at the Club J yet it was still the same night.

  Nigel handed the coffee to his husband who took it blankly. Richard just stared down at the murky dark liquid like he was unfamiliar with what it was really.

" I phoned up Tania , " Nigel said as he came closer to him and wrapped his arms around him in much loving support. " Got the voicemail. I left a message for her. Explained best as I could. Any word on him yet , love ? "

  Richard shook his head slightly, not trusting himself to open his mouth right now. If he did he feared he might rage at the world or just start crying like a baby such as Miracle or his own grandchild Trey.

DuBuis looked up from where he sat beside Spencer at Nigel , his hand firmly gripping Spencer's. " There's no word yet. I did talk to a doctor I know from my ill gotten days here. They're pumping his stomach now with activated charcoal. Nasty stuff but necessary. "

Andrew shook his head in disbelief. " Why would Lewis do this? Again? I mean..... he's in therapy now. Why didn't he turn to his therapist? If not to family?"

Glory squeezed his hand warmly. " It's hard to know what runs through anyone's mind at the best of times but especially not a teenager. Which our grandson is. I'm a retired social worker and mother and grandmother and I can't understand their minds really."

Richard just leaned back against Nigel , secure in his arms, and closed his eyes to the world around him.

  Until the automatic doors to the ER waiting room swished open suddenly and in rushed Tania Kaye followed by her husband Wilson. Tania raced over to her ex husband and shook him slightly until he reopened his eyes in shock.

Tania snapped tersely," You see ? This is why I want full custody ! The vibrations in your home are obviously not appropriate for someone as sensitive as Lewis. He needs to be with me. "

As Richard gaped speechlessly at her Nigel narrowed his eye at the older woman and said sharply," Hold your tongue, woman. This is not the time for talk like this. It will never be the time actually. Richard is a good father. "

Tania pursed her lips. " A good father doesn't let his son try to kill himself ! "

Andrew stood up and went over to them as did Glory and Nicholas. Andrew snapped back," That's just wrong ! My son couldn't predict what would happen. He's not a mind reader. "

Nicholas nodded. " I quite agree. In my opinion my son in law is a fine parent, ma'am. "

Wilson lifted his head proudly as he stood next to his wife. " Well , nobody cares about your opinion. Or his husband. Or his father. Richard Norland is lacking as a parent which is why we have decided to officially go to court for full custody. "

Everyone was stunned at the man's words and nobody spoke in the silence after them.

Then a young doctor came out of the ER doors with fatigue on his face, saying to DuBuis ," Where's the father? "

DuBuis looked at Spencer who looked back wordlessly and then replied," He's right there. " He pointed at Richard who paled and responded," I'm Lewis's father...."

Tania stepped in front of Richard and Nigel, Wilson by her side. " I am his mother. How is my son , Doctor? "

The doctor sighed wearily. " He pulled through fairly well. We're going to be admitting him upstairs for at at least a couple nights. "

Tania stared coldly at her ex husband. " And, after that he will be going home with Wilson and myself. Richard, your house is not safe for him. You are not a fit parent. "