A New Way of Life (LGBT)

chapter 18

*NICO*

I’m sitting next to the hospital bed holding Zainey’s hand when Matthias walks in.  I know Zainey doesn’t really care for me much for some reason, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like him.  I can’t help but like him, attitude and all.  I sigh and look up at Matthias.

“Thias”

“Thias?  What happened to Mattie?

“Huh?”  What is he talking about?

“Outside you called me Mattie.”  Oh.

“I must be talking to Serena too much.”  He gives me a funny look.  Oops.  I guess I said that out loud didn’t I?  I sigh again.

“Look we have some stuff to talk about, but now’s not the time.  Right now I want to know what’s wrong with Zainey and why he’s here.”  He just nods and goes on to explain everything about Zainey’s situation.

It really is sad when a five year old should have to watch himself and not overdue it.  Could explain part of the reason he always seems so much older.  Now that that’s out of the way...

“Thias…” 

“Nico, don’t.  You don’t have to explain yourself I understand.”

“I’m not sure that you do.   I miss you, I really do.  Can we just… I don’t know go out to the usual coffee place and talk.  I don’t mean now, just when things settle in a couple of days or so.”

“I’ll think about it Nico, but you know what you did really upset me.  How do I know you aren’t ever going to leave again?”  I knew he’d ask something like that.  I really have made a mess of things haven’t I?  Somewhere in the back of my head I hear a voice that sounds vaguely like Serena’s telling me that this is where I belong.  With this family, sitting alongside Zainey’s bedside, supporting them through all their trials.

“I know Thias and I understand that, but I promise I’ll find some way to make it up to you.”  As I say this I feel Zainey start to stir next to me.

“Daddy?”  Awe, he sounds like a scared child.  Well I guess that’s what he is; no child should have to go through this poor guy.

“I’m right here Zainey you’re going to be okay.”  He sighs in relief at hearing his father’s voice.  It’s then that he turns his head and notices me.

“What are you doing here?”  Ah, back to his usual attitude now is he?

“Zainey!”  Serena, who just walked in just in time to hear him say that, scolds.

“Nico was worried about you and kind enough to stay with you while I went out for a second.  Now try not to be too rude to the guy.”

“Yes mamma.”  He responds sounding properly scolded.

“Okay well now that you’re here Serena I’m going to leave the room for a bit.”

“I’ll come with you.”  Matthias states receiving a knowing yet resigned look from Serena.

We go down to the cafeteria and grab coffees.  It is then that I decide to ask where Elijah is.

“Hey Matthias?”

“Hm?”

“Where’s Elijah staying right now?”

“He’s staying with my mom.  She offered to let him stay with her tonight; I bet he’s on pins and needles to see how Zainey’s doing.”

“Is she taking him to school tomorrow?”

“Yes she is.  I hate to have to go to work with everything going on and I’m sure they’d understand, but with Serena pregnant again and sick all the time I can’t really afford to take too many days off.  I mean I know I earn a good pay and have extra money saved up, but I still have to work.”  I kind of understand where he’s coming from.

“Okay, so is your mom going to be picking him up from school this week too?”

“That’s the plan.  She’ll come get him or we will hire someone to watch him till I get out of work.  Serena will most likely be here with Zainey during the day.  What’s with the twenty questions?”  I take a deep breath.  Here goes nothing, if all goes as planned it will help get my relationship back on track with Thias.  Besides I love Elijah, he is just the cutest little thing.

“Well I was thinking... I know I get out later then Elijah because the kids I teach are in a higher grade and he’s still at the age that gets out earlier than the rest of the kids, but well…”  Mattie arches an eyebrow at me trying to figure out where I’m going with this.

“Nico, this is me.  Just spit it out.”

“Well I was wondering if maybe I could watch Elijah for a couple of hours every day after school.  I mean he’d have to stay with your mom or someone else for a couple of hours, but I could always pick him up from there.  It would be pretty fun to spend some time with him and it would take his mind off of Zainey, then afterwards I could always bring him back by your place so neither of you have to worry about picking him up.  It would also free up your mom to have some time of her own.”

He looks like he’s thinking it over in his head.  He takes a sip of his coffee and looks at me.

“Well…  Elijah really did like you and he’s been asking about you.”  I nod my head to show that I’m following him and to let him continue.  I hope he lets me.  I can take Elijah to watch a movie or go to the park or other fun stuff kids like to do.  From what I hear he has his father’s love for ice cream so maybe we can go get some.  I really do love kids!

“You are right about how it will help get his mind off Zainey also.”  I practically bouncing up and down in my chair as I anticipate everything Elijah and I can go do.  This is going to be so much fun.  Matthias seems to snap out of his thoughts and starts laughing at me.

“Seems some things never change.  Yeah sure you can take Elijah.  I’ll just talk to Serena and let her know, I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to.”  I squeal and jump out of my seat practically attacking him in the process.

“Yay!  Thank you so much Thias.  You won’t regret this!  Elijah and I are going to have so much fun!  I love you!”  I freeze after saying that waiting for his reaction.  I know I’ve said it several times before, but with things between us still hanging on edge I’m not sure how he’s going to take it.

I sigh in relief when he just laughs at me.

“Yeah, yeah, I know I’m the greatest person there is.  I love you too Nico.”  He almost whispers the last part and my heart jumps to hear him say those words to me once again.