Gregory A. Patrick
11/09/2020
Jaiden Chapters 74-75
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Greg Patrick
"Jaiden, this is Mom. I was able to get a flight out of Ashville at seven Thursday night, so I will be arriving at the same time as Jim and Phyllis. I can ride to the house with whoever picks up the Rileys." "Mom, I have rounds Thursday night to check on Seth. It would be nice if Peyton could pick up the three of you and bring you by the hospital."
"Seth is feeling as well as possible, given his circumstances, and said he would really like to meet you and Dad and Mom Riley."
"I talked to him about the possibility of living with Mom and Dad Riley on the farm in Orange Beach, and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. Richard was in the room with us and said it sounded like the best situation for Seth."
"I know Richard wants Seth nearby to be able to see him and help care for him, but he also realizes that Seth would benefit from a loving family atmosphere. Besides, Jenny already has everything planned out for Seth. She called him at the hospital and told him she was so happy to have a new brother and can't wait to meet him. Seth said she sounded like a neat person, and I told him she was - and that she loved to play practical jokes on people. He said he thought it would be fun going to Alabama to live with a family who would accept him as he is, love him, and not try to hurt him."
"Seth said what surprised him most was Jenny telling him she knew he was gay and that it didn't matter to her; she would still accept him and love him no matter what. I told him that was an understatement, that the family would love him in ways he never imagined. That is one reason I would like you and Peyton's parents to come by the hospital to meet Seth when you get here."
"When Dad Riley meets him, I know what he will do, and the kiss on Seth's forehead will reassure him he is loved and accepted more than anything that has happened since the surgery. I'll make sure Richard is with Peyton when he picks y'all up at the airport. That way, he can meet everybody before getting to the hospital."
"Jaiden, it would be nice to see Richard and talk to him on the way to the hospital; I can get a feeling for how he is doing. Jim is furious about this, and it would help him calm down some before he sees Seth. When Jim talked to Phyllis after I called them, he said he wanted to kill Seth's Dad with his bare hands. Phyllis has known Jim all his life, and she said she had never seen him so upset and angry. He truly wants to take care of Seth and give him a loving home."
"Mom, I didn't know Dad was that upset and angry. Seth is stapled together right now. Do you think Dad can handle that?" "He can, Jaiden, for Seth's sake alone. And you know Phyllis too well; she has already planned how she will spoil that boy rotten." Jaiden started laughing when his Mom said that and told her he could see Mom Riley doing that.
"Peyton is walking in the door. Would you like to speak to him?" "I would, Jaiden, put him on the phone."
"Sweetheart, Mom is on the phone and would like to speak to you." "Hi, Mom, how are you?" "I'm doing well, Peyton. I want to know how you are doing. I know it has been a stressful week for you two." "Mom, I just left Seth, and he was in good spirits, so his mood lifted mine. He tried to laugh and discovered it made him hurt where he didn't want to hurt, but he still managed a giggle."
"That sounds promising, Peyton. I will be there Thursday night at the same time as your parents, so if you don't mind, may I ride home with all of you?" "Yes, mam, but Jaiden wants us to stop by the hospital before we head home, so I would like to do that."
"Mom, I think Seth would get a kick out of meeting you three, especially Dad, when he receives the Riley family traditional kiss on the forehead. Peyton that is so funny. Jaiden said the same thing to me. Your Dad is extremely hurt and angry for Seth. Suffice it to say I'm glad Seth's Dad is in jail."
"Do you and Jaiden still have the medicine I left for you last fall?" "Yes, mam, most of it. I don't think we have had more than two each since the stressful events a while back." "Good, bring it with you in case we need it when your Dad sees Seth."
"Good idea, Mom; I didn't think of that. Thanks." "You're welcome, Peyton. I will see you Thursday night around 9:30. Aren't you and Jaiden on an end of the week sabbatical from school due to Seth's case?" "Yes, mam." "Good; I would like for you to do me a favor when you get the babies to sleep. I'm glad to do it, especially if it is what I think it is." "When the babies go to bed and are asleep, kiss Jaiden for me!" "You are the greatest, Mom. Thanks for the request, consider it granted." "Peyton, you are too funny." "Nah, Mom, I'm horny and extremely serious about granting your request in about 40 minutes. We should emerge from the cocoon about three hours later." Jaiden's Mom was laughing hysterically as they hung up the phone.
"Peyton, did I hear you tell Mom you were horny and serious about granting her request?" "Jaiden, she opened the door; I just stepped through it! She was laughing pretty hard when she hung up." "What was her request?" "You'll find out as soon as the babies are in bed and asleep."
"Hot damn, sounds like a rodeo is gonna happen on the ranch!" "You might say that, Jaiden."
"Peyton, it's eight pm, and the boys are fighting to keep their eyes open. Let's get them in bed; I'm so tired." "Jaiden, you're not nearly as tired as you are going to be!" "Really?" "Yes, really."
The boys fell asleep as soon as their Dads put them to bed. As Peyton and Jaiden walked out of their room and closed the door, Peyton pushed Jaiden to the wall and began kissing him like they were on a second date. Dale and Charley were headed to their room and saw the two lovebirds hopping on each other's back. Charley looked at Dale and said, "Damn, Babe, that looks fun; let's give it a try in our room." Dale said, "game on, love, let's go!"
Peyton and Jaiden were lip-locked and never saw or heard Dale and Charley as Peyton was pushing Jaiden into their room and toward the bed.
When Peyton had Jaiden in their room, they started pulling each other's clothes off as fast as possible. When they were naked, Peyton pushed Jaiden backward onto the bed and slid on top of him.
He kissed Jaiden in all the right spots on his neck and started toward the valley's nether regions. Jaiden was up for the occasion, and Peyton took advantage of the flagpole standing at an optimal height. The exercise session was so hot that Jaiden couldn't stop dancing around in the bed. Peyton and Jaiden were panting hard when Peyton pushed him to the center of the bed.
"Jaiden, I have to park the car; tell me when I have it parked far enough into the garage." "Babe, can you back the car up and pull it back into the garage? It still isn't parked completely. Try backing the car out again and slowly drive it back in. Ah, that's it, sweetheart, keep practicing."
It wasn't long before Jaiden heard Peyton backfire and felt the car putter to a stop inside his garage. Peyton achieved his goal of perfectly parking his car, as evidenced by the sweat he brought upon Jaiden's body.
Peyton rolled over and pulled Jaiden into a sweet embrace as they laid in bed trying to catch their breath. "Jaiden, that was so hot!"
Jaiden didn't say a word as he climbed on top of Peyton and started kissing him the way Peyton had kissed him. The game was on again, except this time, Jaiden was the aggressor.
Jaiden practiced parking his car exactly like Peyton did until he ran out of gas and had to pull to the side of the road. Their parking sessions being over, the two had expended so much energy that they could barely move. Peyton had trouble keeping his eyes open as Jaiden went into the bathroom, started a warm shower, and then pulled Peyton in with him.
As he started bathing Peyton, they again rose to the occasion and took full advantage of the events at hand. When the dam broke, and the white water rushed past the dam's breach, Jaiden dried Peyton and himself and led Peyton back to the bed where they snuggled up to each other and fell asleep in less than ten minutes.
The next morning, they awoke to the smell of scrambled eggs, bacon, homemade buttermilk biscuits, and coffee. They got up, dressed, checked to make sure their boys were still asleep, and then went to eat breakfast. Dale and Charley were in the kitchen, putting breakfast on the table in the breakfast nook.
"Good morning, Richard. I hope you slept well." "Jaiden, that is an understatement. I have never slept in a bed that comfortable, and it was so quiet, I was asleep in no time. Thank all of you so much for letting me stay here."
"You're welcome, bro. That is your room for as long as you want to stay. You're welcome to stay until you graduate from LECOM and get your practice set up. It won't cost you anything, so you can save that money to help Seth.
"If he goes to live with Peyton's parents, you can use that money to fly down to see Seth. We can help you with that cost if you need it." "Jaiden, that is asking too much of you and Peyton." "Nope, nada. Were glad to do it. If you worry about Peyton and me being short of money, between the two of us, we make about $16,000 per month working at the hospital, not to mention that we have investments worth in the neighborhood of two million dollars." "Richard, you need to pick your chin up off the floor; Your jaw is going to start hurting if you don't."
"Jaiden, are you kidding me?" "No, sir, we have been blessed by doing mitzvahs for people like Seth. For every dollar we have spent helping people, Hashem has given us back ten."
"Jaiden, what is a mitzvah?" "Richard, it is a Jewish term for a good deed, and we refer to God as Hashem. We are devout Jews, so if we use a term you don't understand, ask us; we don't mind." " Jaiden, you are unbelievable to me. I have never met anyone like you and Peyton. I feel so blessed right now."
"Richard, we are happy you feel that way; it is how we want you to feel, and more importantly, it is how you should always be able to feel."
Charley looked at Jaiden and Peyton and exclaimed, "you two look as happy as a lark in springtime." Jaiden got a cup of coffee, took a sip, looked at Charley, and smiled. Charley said, "dang, bro, you do that just like your mother." Peyton busted out laughing at that comment and said, "he should smile like his mother; she's the one who got last night started." Dale laughed so hard at Peyton's comment that he spilled his coffee all over himself.
Peyton said, "Richard, we cut up like this all the time. One of the things you will notice in this home is that we are always calm. We don't argue, curse, scream, or yell. We believe in, and we practice love, acceptance, patience, inclusion, forgiveness, and family, and you are now a part of our family. The inside joke about last night is that when Peyton's or my Mom tell me to kiss him – let's say the kiss leads to three hours of extracurricular activities". This time it was Richard who started laughing and spilled his coffee on himself.
Jaiden quickly finished his breakfast and headed to the hospital to check on Seth. When he got there, Seth was sitting up in bed with a smile on his face. "Good morning, little nephew; you look chipper this morning." "I am Uncle Jaiden. Jenny called me this morning, and she was so sweet to me. We talked for 30 minutes, and before she hung up, she told me she loved me." "I see I have gone from being Mr. Jaiden to Uncle Jaiden." "Well, you called me little nephew, so I promoted you to Uncle Jaiden." "Dude, you are a hoot."
"What time did Jenny call you?" "She called at eight. The lab folks came in and took the other half of my blood just before she called, so I was wide awake when she called."
"Seth, Jenny lives in Oregon. They are three hours behind us in time, so that means she got up at five this morning to call you." "Uncle Jaiden, she cares about me that much?" "Seth, she doesn't just care about you that much; she loves you that much. That's the kind of person Peyton's sister is. She has loved me that way since she heard about me without even meeting me. Seth tried to look out the window as Jaiden saw his eyes turn red."
"Uncle Jaiden, a new nurse came in this morning. If I weren't gay, I would have hit on her. She was hot. "Seth, don't say that to her or any of the nurses; they will get mad. You can say it to me, just not to them." "By the way, I didn't know we had a new nurse on this floor. Describe her to me." "Look for yourself; she's walking in the door. "
"Hi, I'm the hot nurse that made Seth sit up and smile. My name is Sally; you must be Jaiden. The other nurses told me a lot about you. You seem to be famous around here."
"Ms. Sally, Uncle Jaiden won't admit to that, but he is. They named a school here after him and Peyton." "Really?" "Seth, don't tell all my secrets."
Jaiden turned around, shook Sally's hand, and told her it was nice to meet her and that he hoped they would enjoy working with each other taking care of the patients.
Sally said, "I noticed Seth called you Uncle Jaiden. Are you two related?" "Not really, his brother, Richard, is a classmate and friend of mine in medical school. They were at my and Peyton's house having dinner with us when Seth opened up to me and told me what had happened to him."
"I rushed him to the emergency room, and he wound up in surgery for six hours. Plans are for him to go to Orange Beach, Alabama, to live with my in-laws, Peyton's parents, on their farm. My father-in-law is a world-class veterinarian in Orange Beach."
"Seth, that sounds great. Are you looking forward to that?" "Yes, mam, I am. Uncle Peyton's sister called me this morning for the second time and told me how happy she was to have a new brother to love. Nobody has ever said that to me except my brother, Uncle Jaiden, and Uncle Peyton."
Jaiden looked at Sally and said, you two talk for a minute; I need to step into the hall for a second." When Sally looked at Jaiden, she didn't reply to him because she saw the tears welling up in his eyes. She looked at Seth and said, "I'll be right back, buddy, hang on a minute." She stepped into the hall and found Jaiden leaning up against the wall with his face in his hands. "Jaiden, are you OK?" Jaiden shook his head yes before he let his hands down and said, "I have had two cases like this in a row. I didn't know Seth felt so strongly toward me. All I have done is try to love and help him. I feel that if I'm not compassionate toward my patients, I am no good to them. When Seth said what he did a few seconds ago, it got to me."
"The night he had surgery, I sat with him all night so Richard could stay at my house and get some rest."
"Jaiden, I can already see that you are everything Dr. Brannen and the other nurses said you are. That makes me so proud to be working with you and Peyton."
"Sally, I want to apologize for the `hot' comment Seth made. I told him not to say that to anybody else but me, that words like that could anger you. He shouldn't do that again."
"Jaiden, he is a young teenager learning to walk through life. I didn't take him seriously. If the comment came from an adult, I might have gotten angry, but not with someone Seth's age." "Thanks Sally. Either way, he shouldn't say that again." "No offense taken, Jaiden. Now let's go back in and talk to him and assess where he is and chart the notes."
"Uncle Jaiden, where did you go?" "Seth, I needed to take care of something for a second; it's done, and I am back. Sally will check your vitals and record them, and then I am going to give you another once over to make sure everything is the way we want it to be. You are going to have some surprise visitors later tonight, and I want you feeling great when they get here." "Who are they?" "That, my dear nephew, is a secret until they get here. Peyton will bring them to your room about ten tonight, and then they will see you again tomorrow morning. If you are lucky, they may entertain you all day unless you get tired. You're going to love them."
"Now, for the questions I need to ask: how was your pain last night and this morning?" "I didn't have much last night or this morning." " I notice you didn't take any of the pain medicine in the pump. If you need it, don't be afraid to push the button to take it. You can't take too much." "I won't. I really didn't need it." "That's a good thing, Seth." "Sally, were his temp and lab results good last night? Jaiden, when I reviewed them this morning, I was shocked that they were as good as they would be if he weren't in here." "Awesome!"
"Seth, are you hungry?" "Yes, sir, I am. Can you bring me one of Ginny's buttered biscuits with peach jam on it?" Jaiden threw his head back and started laughing as he said, "Sorry, buddy, it's a little early for that, but I'll let Ginny know what you said; that will make her happy. I'll order a soft diet for you. You still can't eat regular food for a while until you heal some more inside. Ginny and Gampy are supposed to come by today to see you. When you get out of here, I'll get her to make a pan full of biscuits just for you." "Peach jam and meat gravy?" "Peach jam and meat gravy, buddy."
As Jaiden said that, Ginny called to check on Seth and Jaiden told her what Seth said. Jaiden handed Seth his phone so he could talk to Ginny. Seth started laughing and said, "Yes, mam, Ginny, thank you. I love you too!"
Seth handed the phone back to Jaiden, who asked, "what made you laugh?" "Ginny said she was going to make me a pan full of biscuits, give me a jar of homemade peach jam, and make me a whole bowl of meat gravy to put on the biscuits, and she said when she did, she wasn't going to let you get any, that you would have to sit outside on the deck. Jaiden and Sally started laughing.
Sally and Jaiden headed to the nurse's station to complete their conversation on Seth's condition. Sally looked at Jaiden and asked, "Jaiden, are you always so compassionate and loving to your patients?" "I try to be, Sally. I'm of no good to the patient if I'm not compassionate and caring."
When Jaiden walked off, Sally turned to Pam and said, "that guy is amazing with the patients." Pam said, "Sally, this is only your first day. Keep your eyes and ears open; he will blow your mind with how good he is. In June, he becomes a full-fledged doctor and will go to St. Jude's in Tennessee for his pediatric oncology and surgery residency. Peyton will be doing the same thing. The lady who raised Jaiden from birth to high school and her husband is going to Tennessee with them to take care of his five boys."
"Pam, did you say he and Peyton have five boys?" "Yep, and they are six months old; one set of triplets and one set of twins. Peyton's sister, Jenny, offered to be and was a surrogate mom for Jaiden, and her sister-in-law, Jennifer, was a surrogate for Peyton. Two of Jenny's and Jennifer's friends, Marty and Angie, were surrogates for Dale's and Charley's four boys and daughter. All ten babies were born two days apart last June, and they all live in the same house together. "
"How does he take care of five children, go to medical school, work 24/40 shifts on the weekend and stay sane? We have all asked that question, and we don't have an answer. I can tell you this: he is always like he was when you first met him a few minutes ago.
"Unbelievable!" "Wait until you meet Peyton this afternoon. He is just like Jaiden, and if you didn't know better, you would swear they are twins instead of spouses. They weren't here six months when every employee in the hospital unanimously voted them employees of the year."
"Jaiden, I thought Peyton was making rounds tonight. He was, Pam, but our parents are flying in tonight to meet and surprise Seth. If you want to see something amazing tonight, be in Seth's room at ten when Peyton's Dad and my Mom walk into the room. Peyton's Dad is one of the most loving and compassionate men I have ever met, and he will make Seth feel so special. My Mom is a doctor in Abingdon, Virginia, and she has the same effect on children that Peyton's Dad has. It is going to be a fantastic meet and greet!
Jaiden, I go off duty at 9, but I think I'll stay in Seth's room until they get here; I'd like to meet them too.
Peyton called and told Jaiden their parents got in early, and they are on the way to the hospital.
"Pam, they got to the airport early, and Peyton is on the way to the hospital with them. They should be here in fifteen minutes." "Jaiden, I'll watch for them and go to Seth's room when I see Peyton." "Take Sally with you; she'll get a kick out of the surprise."
"Jaiden, we are in the parking lot. Make sure Pam is in the room; we are on the way up." "Peyton, there is a new nurse on the floor, and her name is Sally. She'll also be in the room. Seth said she was hot and that he would hit on her if he weren't gay. She walked in just as I told Seth he couldn't say that to her or in front of the other nurses. She died laughing and said she didn't take offense to such a young boy saying that. By the way, it's true . Tell Richard she is single."
Mom looked at Peyton and asked him why he was laughing so hard. "Mom, Seth is apparently feeling much better. There is a new nurse on the floor, and she heard Seth telling Jaiden that she was hot and that if he weren't gay, he would hit on her. She died laughing as Jaiden told Seth he couldn't say that. Jaiden was laughing when he said Seth was right. Richard, he said to tell you she is single."
Richard and Dad Riley got a big laugh out of what Seth said and did.
Jaiden was waiting at the elevator when they got off. He got Pam and Sally so he could introduce them to his parents. Jaiden told Pam and Sally to go back to Seth's room and start talking to him and get ready to laugh.
Dad walked into Seth's room and said, "boy, what are you doing saying the nurses are hot?" Seth's eyes got as wide as a saucer as Jaiden walked into the room. Dad said, "son, are you going to answer me?" Then he walked over to Seth and kissed him on the forehead. That's when Jaiden's Mom walked in. Seth looked at her and then asked Jaiden, "Dang, are all the weekend night nurses that good looking?"
"Seth, I talked to you about saying things like that!" "I know, Uncle Jaiden, but she is gorgeous!" "Seth, she is my Mom, Dr. Peggy Reynolds." "Dang, Uncle Jaiden, if my Mom looked like that, I'd go home early every night!" Jaiden's Mom started clapping her hands and laughing so hard she lost her breath.
Peyton's Mom walked into the room, and Seth said, "Uncle Jaiden, I have to close my eyes!" "Why, Seth?" "I'm gonna get in real trouble if more good-looking women come in the door, and I'm gay."
Peyton's Mom and Peyton lost it at that point. Peyton stepped into the room and said, "Seth, this is my Mom, Phyllis Riley, and the big man is my Dad, Dr. Jim Riley. They own the farm where you are supposed to go live in Alabama."
Seth closed his eyes and asked, "Uncle Peyton, have I died and gone to Heaven?" That's when Richard lost it, slunk to the floor, and started laughing so hard tears were flowing from his eyes.
Jaiden looked at his Mom and Mom Riley and said, "I told you he was a hoot!"
Jaiden's Mom went to Seth's bedside and checked him out. She looked at Jaiden and Peyton and asked, "what have you done with this boy? He is doing exceptionally well, enough so that he may be able to go home earlier than expected!"
"Mom, do you remember when you helped us when the reporters stressed us out, and I said something about it? You looked at me, smiled, and said, "I told you I was a great doctor." Well, Peyton and I aren't great; we are awesome as a team." "Jaiden, I believe that after seeing Seth!"
"Mom, lets walk down to the nurse's station so I can introduce you to the crew and let Dad and Mom Riley talk to Seth. Pam, you and Sally stay in the room if you want to. I told you why earlier."
"Hey, ladies, I'd like to introduce you to my Mom, Dr. Peggy Reynolds."
"Dr. Reynolds, it is good to meet you; your son is a wonderful, compassionate man."
Jaiden's Mom started laughing when she saw him blush. "Thank you for saying that, ladies. Jaiden has always been like you know him, even as a child." "Peyton walked up and said, "Jaiden, do you know how cute you are when you blush like that?" Jaiden turned even redder as the nurses and his Mom started laughing. Jaiden said, "I love you too, Peyton." That caused Peyton to blush. Dr. Mom said, don't they make a cute, blushing couple?" Pam was standing behind them and said, "Yes, mam, they do." Jaiden and Peyton looked at Pam and smiled.
Jaiden looked at Pam and said, "Pam, do you hear that?" They both turned and looked toward Seth's room, and Jaiden said, "that is Seth laughing his head off. I told you my father-in-law would put him in a good mood."
"Jaiden, can Seth live with Peyton's Dad without the two of them getting into mischief?" 0" Probably not, Sally, but Seth sure will have a lot of fun in Alabama." "Hearing them now, I can believe that."
Dr. Brannen walked up unexpectedly and said, "Peggy, when did you get into town?" "Hello, Don, we got in about an hour ago. Listen to Seth; he is having a ball with Peyton's Mom and Dad."
"Jaiden, is he doing that well?" "Dr. Brannen, every test he has had over the last two days has been perfect, and he had been laughing like that for the past hour." "Interesting. I'm going to check him right quick. Peggy, would you like to help me?" "Don, I'd be happy to."
"Jim, this is Dr. Don Brannen. He is the one who operated on Seth." "Jim, it is good to meet you finally. I have heard a lot of good things about you; and hearing Seth laugh so much interacting with you cements in my mind what Peyton and Jaiden have told me."
"Seth, let me check you over and look at your test results for the week, and then we'll talk about you going home right now." "Dr. Brannen, please don't joke with me about going home." "Seth, I am serious about that. We never expected you to do this well so quickly. Peggy, are you going to be in town for a while?" "Don, I can stay the week if necessary. I'll call Becky and get her to reschedule next week's appointments over the two weeks after this coming week." "Peggy, let's look at Seth's chart and see what you think about him going home. If you are here for the week, I think he will be OK going home while you can keep an eye on him."
"Blood gases are excellent. Lab results couldn't be more perfect for someone who has endured what Seth has endured; no infection; blood pressure is excellent. Seth, hasn't used any pain medicine in two days."
"Seth, I want you to get up and walk down the hall with me. If you do OK with that, you can go home right now with Jaiden and Peyton. They can take the week off with pay and spend it with you and their parents. All three of you have earned that."
Seth got out of bed and walked down the hall using a walker. When he got to the end of the hall, he looked at Dr. Brannen and said, "the walker has to go. I can walk better without it."
Dr. Brannen stopped at the nurse's station and requested a set of release orders. He completed the orders, gave Jaiden the prescriptions Seth would need for another week, and told Seth, "Boy, get your butt up and go home. I'll stop by Jaiden's and Peyton's the first of the week and check on you."
Seth said, "Dr. Brannen, I don't have any clothes to wear home." Richard looked at him and said, "Yes, you do, Seth; I brought them in yesterday while you were asleep." "Richard, get them out and help me get dressed. I want to go home."
Pam brought a wheelchair to Seth's room and told him she wanted to be the one to roll him to the car. When they got to the hospital entrance, Peyton pulled up in the Lincoln, and Seth said, "Wow, a Lincoln. I have always wanted to ride in one of those."
Jaiden said, "Buddy, that is the only car we have. You will ride in style at our home. They helped Seth get in the SUV's back seat and buckled him in with a pillow between him and the seat belt. Luckily, there was enough room in the Lincoln for everybody to ride home together.
Dad and Mom Riley and Dr. Mom all had tears in their eyes. They didn't expect Seth to be able to go home tonight and neither did anyone else.
When Ginny came in the next morning and saw Seth sitting in the den, she sat in the dining room and cried her heart out, and so did Granny. When they calmed down, they went into the den and gently hugged and kissed Seth. Then Ginny turned, walked into the kitchen, and proceeded to make Seth some biscuits. Jaiden said he could have one with some gravy, and that was all since he was on a soft diet. When Richard saw his brother so happy, he walked onto the deck and lost it. Dr. Mom went outside and sat and talked to Richard. She got him calmed down, and they came back inside.
"Dr. Riley, I was concerned about Seth moving so far away, but after watching him last night and this morning, I don't think he could be in a better place with better people to love and care for him. Thank you for wanting to do that for Seth." Mom Riley walked to Richard, hugged him, and said, "Richard, any time you want to come and stay with Seth on the farm, you are welcome. We'd like you to stay at our home during the summer and take Seth to the beach and spend time with him. You both deserve that time together."
Richard put his face in his hands and sobbed. Mom Riley held him and rubbed his back like she did for Jaiden the summer before. Jaiden's Mom walked to the bedroom downstairs so nobody would see her cry. She couldn't be prouder of her sons and Richard and Seth.
Jaiden and Peyton walked to Richard, huddle-hugged him, and said, "Richard, we meant what we said when we told you we loved you and Seth, and we meant what we said when we told you not to worry about money. We will take care of everything for both of you. Spend the summer with Seth and Peyton's parents. We promise you, you won't regret it, and your heart will be more at peace about everything. Seth will be the happiest he has ever been. Richard held on to Jaiden and Peyton and cried his heart out. That scene really got to Dad.
"Richard, can my wife and I and Dr. Reynolds talk to you in the dining room for a minute and discuss some rules that are mandatory at our homes?" "Yes, sir, coming."
When everybody had a seat, Dad said, "Richard, we have a hard and fast rule, and there is no compromise on it: I am not Dr. Riley, and Peyton's Mom is not Mrs. Riley to you. Jaiden calls us Mom and Dad, and Peyton refers to Jaiden's mother as Mom. We want you and Seth to do the same thing. The second rule is that if you need something for school or anything else and don't tell us, we won't be happy campers, and I can tell you from experience that when Jaiden's Mom gets upset, her bite is decidedly worse than her bark. Do you understand what I am saying?" "Yes, sir, and thank you. Peyton and Jaiden told me you would say that."
"Our third and final rule is there is no screaming, yelling, accusing, or I told you so comments in the house. We are a loving and accepting family, and we don't do that to each other. When something is wrong, we talk about it and find a peaceful way to get around it, OK." "Yes, sir."
"We will get you and Seth a cell phone, and we expect you to talk to each other at least once a week. If you two want, talk to each other every day. If you have breaks from school and want to stay with Seth, you better let us know so we can get you a round-trip flight to come to Orange Beach."
"I need to tell you that your professor, Andy, and I grew up together in Orange Beach, and we are best friends. He stays in contact with us, and he will let us know how you are doing and if you need anything."
"Your med school tuition has been taken care of for the rest of this year and your final year at LECOM. You don't have to worry about that, so that stress is gone. We only ask that you do your best in your studies."
"You will stay here at the house until you graduate and get set up in your practice so you can have a peaceful and comfortable place to live and study. It won't cost you a cent for anything. We expect you to eat here and to go out to eat when our boys go out to eat. We consider Charley and Dale our boys as well, and we have the same arrangement with them. Son, do you have any questions about anything I have said?" "No, sir. I'm finding it very hard to understand how you can love Seth and me and do all this for us." "Richard, get used to the fact that we love you two; the love is here to stay. It will never go away no matter what."
Richard put his face in his hands and cried hard. He asked himself how he and his little brother could be so blessed. Dale fixed Richard a cup of coffee the way he likes it, sat it in front of him, and said, "Richard, I told you that is how it is here. It has been that way for Charley and me for the last six years. Dad means what he says."
"When Charley and I came out to our parents, they disowned us and had nothing to do with us. Jaiden's Mom flew to Alabama without us knowing it, and she and Mom and Dad went to our parents, and Mom Reynolds backed our Dads against the wall and chewed them a new one. My Dad told me that she was like a pissed off lioness protecting her cubs. Our parents apologized, and we have had an excellent relationship since, and they are incredibly involved in our children's lives. Get used to the love; it won't go away. You and Seth are now part of our family, and our family is a forever family."
Richard said, "Wow, this is so surreal for Seth and me. Our parents never loved and talked to us this way."
"Richard, we were going home Monday afternoon. We have changed our plans and will be here for the week. If we can get the legal stuff taken care of, we would like to take Seth with us when we go home. Tears were flooding from Richards eyes as he looked up and said, "Dad, thank you so much. I hope that can happen. I have never seen Seth as happy as he was talking to you in the hospital. He never laughed like that at home. I'll talk to him and let him know what you are trying to do for him." Mom Riley said, "Richard, you and Seth will share the room here. It has been a stressful two weeks for you, so if you and Seth want to sleep late, do it, and don't worry about it. I'll prepare breakfast for you two when you decide to get out of bed. Now, go get Seth and take him out on the deck and let him sit in your lap on the lounger and hold him. You don't necessarily need to talk to him; just hold him to reassure him that you love him and will look out for him."
Richard went into the den, took Seth by the hand, and went onto the deck and held him like Mom Riley told him to. He rubbed and kissed Seth's head. When everybody woke up the next morning, Richard was holding Seth the way he was when everybody went to bed. Tears streamed down Mom Rileys face as she remembered seeing Jaiden holding Peyton the same way. She took a picture with her phone and texted it to Jenny. Jenny called a few minutes later, and she and her Mom cried together.
When Ginny and Granny came in the next morning and saw Richard holding Seth on the deck, she hadn't expected to see that, and she and Granny went into the dining room and cried their hearts out. Gampy and the Reverend were there, and they joined their wives in the dining room. That was the first time Jaiden and his Mom had ever seen Gampy get emotional.
Dad called Andy and asked him to come to the house. He told Andy he would have a cup of coffee waiting on him. When Andy got to the house and saw Richard sitting on the deck holding Seth, he couldn't believe it. When Dad told Andy that Richard had held Seth like that all night, Andy joined the rest of the family and let go of his emotions.
"Jim, how did Seth get out of the hospital so soon?" "Andy, I had Seth laughing night before last when Don showed up at the hospital unexpectedly. He was so amazed that he and Peggy looked over all of the tests and notes on Seth and said what he was seeing was unbelievable and that Seth could go home right then. We brought him home at 11 that night." "Unreal, Jim. Peyton, and Jaiden must have pulled off a miracle. Andy, Don said it had to be a miracle."
Andy went on the deck and put his hands on Richard's shoulders and whispered to him that he was incredibly proud of him for taking care of his little brother. Richard looked up and smiled without saying a word. Seth was still asleep and resting well in his brother's lap.