Page 115 of Sticks and Stones
Chris just laughed.
Why did they not expect that?
This was, after all, Tony.
“Or not,” he said. “Clearly, I was adopted,” he stated, teasing them. “The straights won’t let me collect my own father’s organs.”
That was enough.
“Go,” Elizabeth said. “Find me clothes and get out of here before I slap you stupid.”
That was all he had to hear.
When they disappeared through the curtain, she brushed some of the hair off of Charlie’s face and stared into her own eyes.
“I love you, Dad.”
He kissed her knuckles.
“I’m good, baby girl. It takes a lot more than a gallbladder to take me out. I’ll be right as rain in a day or so.”
She hoped so.
“I’ll see you when you come out,” she said. “Don’t give them shit.”
He laughed.
“I mean, I’m not pissing off the people who control the pain meds, honey. I’m not an idiot.”
Well, at least he had his priorities straight. He tended to whine during the man flu. She couldn’t imagine what Sam would have to deal with if he didn’t get medicated post-operation.
Kissing him again, she headed out, leaving him and Sam alone. When she was gone, the bedridden man stared at the other one.
“I scared you,” Charlie said.
When he closed his eyes to take a settling breath, and then opened them, Sam had tears in his eyes.
“I can’t lose you, Charles. I don’t want to live in a world where there’s no you. Your lack of common sense when it comes to your health is going to be the death of me.”
He kissed his knuckles next.
“I’ll start taking care of myself,” he promised. “I don’t want you to be stressed out.”
He sighed.
“Thank you. I love you, Charles. I love you so much and I always will.”
He pulled him down, and kissed his husband. It was soft, sweet, and filled with love.
When he set him free, he stared into his eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise. We’re going to get old together, and die in our bed after sex. You promised me that.”
That he did.
Sam only hoped he kept that promise.
A life without Charlie LaRue would be a lonely one. If he died, there was no way Sam could keep their family together.
