ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 12

Lewis was sleeping fitfully in his hospital bed in  St. Paul's Hospital Center with Richard still by his side watching him carefully as though he might suddenly disappear.

Nigel touched him on his shoulder gently. Richard looked up at him , saying," He's either sleeping or not talking when awake. I'm worried. What do I do? "

His voice sounded so unlike his usual confident successful self , adept lawyer, Judge Norland , chairman of Barrington's board. He sounded vulnerable and helpless and so confused. It was about to break Nigel's heart in several million pieces.

Nigel handed him the cup of coffee and Tupperware container and fork he held in his hand. " First you eat and drink something," he demanded crisply. " I've been to your father's house. Faith and Joy are at work but Andrew was there with Glory. No , they have not reunited, they're still doing this ridiculous separation of theirs. Andrew gave me leftover chili he had in freezer for you. The coffee is from Keisha Duncan's shop. She refused to charge me you know. She likes the way you handled the case and doesn't blame you for the mistrial. She's a good woman. I heated up the chili in the microwave at nurse's station. "

Richard smiled faintly and put the coffee on the nightstand before opening up the container of food. " I'd walk through flames for my father's chili. Thank you. I love you. "

Nigel sat down next to him in another chair. " I love you too. Especially if you share it. Also I have talked to a hospital social worker about Lewis. Amy her name is. She's very sympathetic. She says the mental health ward here is only for eighteen and up but she recommends the Moss Center. "

Richard swallowed a bite of chili and put more on his fork that he fed to a grateful Nigel. " Moss ? The place where Spencer went? I thought it was just a nursing home and rehabilitation center?"

Nigel replied," It is but they do a good amount of therapy there as well. Individual and group therapy sessions. She said they've had young people there before in crisis situations. That's the word she used. Crisis situations. I figured I would give them a call later today. Get the ball rolling. "

Richard ate more chili and drank coffee as he listened to his husband. With Nigel by his side he felt more like his old self.

" And ," Nigel continued on ," as far as your ex from hades , the queen of crystals, chanting and auras , Tania , I telephoned up Duncan and Associates. Talked directly to Jeremiah and told him what was happening. He's concerned. His case load is a little hectic right now but he is assigning it to an associate there. Hillie Pierce is her name. He says she is a firecracker and good at custody issues. He recommended us trying mediation with her first before heading to court. "

As Nigel took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair he finished by saying," And , yes , I did take all my medicine. "

Richard handed him the container and fork which Nigel accepted with a wink of his eye before starting to eat.

Richard looked at his husband in total amazement. " You are truly remarkable. I can't believe you did all that. "

Nigel laughed out loud. " Of course I did all that. He's our son. I'll do anything for you and our children. All my family really. Besides, my darling husband, I love you but I know that while you are a wonderful lawyer and judge you can be quite..... quite useless when it comes to matters concerning family. You and Spencer have more in common than you think. "

Richard laughed softly. " Now what are the odds of that? "