2020-05-07 - Healing and Family - Chris, Patrick, Noelle, Stuart, Lauren, Blaze

Chris settles himself on one of the couches and lets himself flop. The midday sun streams in the window and warms him. His back aches, his ribs are tender and his right hand is wrapped in a removable cast. The pressure of the cast helps the pain but he’s still a little loopy on T3s from the clinic. The lump on the back of his head is thankfully going down but he has to keep his head turned to the right so he doesn’t roll onto that too. He’d do it all again though, without question. He stares at the TV and contemplates turning it on but doesn’t yet. Noelle and Pat have been awesome and he’s comfortably changed into an old pair of grey sweats and his loose red team canada hockey t shirt. His feet are bare. Chris hears a knock at the door and then his father’s voice.

“Boys, are you home yet? The clinic said you would be….It’s dad….” Stuart Peterson knocks again a little frantically. He’s dressed in one of his usual suits for work.

Patrick sits on their other couch watching his brother and thinking about all that happened.  He hadn’t been in the office while Chief Greene was there, but he remembered Logan and Gareth heading for the call.  But it wasn’t until they got back that Chief Stanley had called him into the office to tell him what happened.  It was still another hour before a replacement could come in to cover the rest of Pat’s shift while he went to the clinic.  When they were released, Pat had gotten both Noelle and Patrick back to their homes.  Noelle had come over after taking her son to school and was in the kitchen cooking.  He opened his mouth to tease Chris about it when the knock came.  Getting up, he moves to the door to open it.  “Hey Dad.  Come on in.”  he backs away from the door.  “Chris is on the couch like he’s on vacation.”  he’s in a pair of grey sweats and a plain white shirt.  “I think they’ll be food soon…”  he suggests, but doesn’t mention Noelle by name yet.

Noelle is in the kitchen making a relatively simple lunch for them.  Her face is battered and bruised and she feels ugly, but not ill.  It isn’t helping that Christophoros told her to take the day off .. not because of her face .. or so he’d said … but Noelle was already self conscious.  When she heard the knock and voice, she froze like a deer in the headlights.  Their father …  oh …  she wasn’t sure she was ready to meet the family TODAY.  She looks down at herself.  Bare feet, loose blue sweats and a thin boat neck sweater that was easy to get on.  In other words she looks like she just threw herself together.  Even though Pat mentions cooking, he doesn’t mention her … so she just cooks and half hopes she’ll go unnoticed.

Stuart steps in and claps Patrick on the shoulder as he slips out of his work shoes “He’s allowed to rest now. Be nice.” Stuart calls out to Chris “How are you doing over there Chris? I did pop by the clinic last night but you were already asleep and I didn’t want to wake you.” He sniffs at the air. Patrick had mentioned food and then realizes there is a woman in the kitchen. He looks between his boys and then back to her “Hello there….I’m Stuart……”He starts walking towards her with a hand extended to shake.

Chris hears Pat’s jab about him acting like he’s on vacation and instinctively raises his right hand to flip his brother the bird and then sighs. His bird flipping finger was out of commision. He less enthusiastically flips the bird with his left hand “Hi Dad...I’m fine. That’s at Pat, not you…..oh...shit...um Dad...this is Noelle.” He actually has to shift his whole body on the couch to look back and smile at Noelle. It’s difficult, but he does it “She’s my girlfriend….or i’m her boyfriend….basically she’s the love of my life.”

Patrick smirks.  “If I’m too nice, he’ll think he’s having a bad reaction to the medication.”  He argues with good humor.  He watches as his father sort of swoops in on Noelle.  Then he grins.  “Basically is a bit of an understatement.  Lets blame the drugs, shall we?”  because Chris is not so hurt to qualify for NOT being teased by his twin.

Noelle starts when she is addressed.  She does a sort of check of her hair, pants and sweater hich leaves traces of flour on her hair and sweater.  “Um … hi ….”  she shakes the proffered hand, possibly leaving flour on it too.  “And I am .. and he is and .. yea … love.”  and she blushes crimson and wants to dive into her pot of stew out of embarrassment.

Stuart looks between Chris, Noelle and Patrick and then back to Noelle, just beaming at her “The love of his life! Fantastic! Good to meet you Noelle.” He doesn’t notice the flour and shakes her head warmly “Lauren will be so jealous I got to meet you first. And you’re gorgeous!” He sniffs again at the air “And what are you cooking over here?” He’ll step in closer for a look after letting go of her hand after they shake. Stuart is in some ways like an older version of Chris.

Chris makes a face at Patrick and then watches their dad “Oh now I’ve lost her…” he jokes. “No one can beat Dad’s charm….”

Patrick watches Noelle’s awkwardness get brushed aside by their father’s charm.  “Well Noelle .. one down … and only mother and sister to go.”  he watches them a moment longer and turns to Chris.  “You can beat Dad’s charm.  I have none of it .. so you MUST have stolen mine.”

Noelle shakes and nods.  “Yea .. and he of mine.”  she murmurs before the subject moves on to Lauren.  But the word ‘gorgeous’ makes her blush and look down.  “No … my face…”  but then he distracts her.  “I’m making a stew.  I can boil eggs for it if you’d like.  I’m vegan but I can adapt for people I cook for.”

Stuart just gets right in there and stirs it with the spoon beside the pot “Oh we don’t need eggs...this is perfect. Is that kale? It smells Italian…...Christopher where have you been hiding this culinary genius from us?” He looks back at Noelle “And your face is lovely…” He has a look of dawning with her injury and what he’s been told about what happened. Suddenly his smile falters “You were the one attacked...by….” Now Stuart struggles to even say the name Jack Rose. He grits his teeth just like Chris does and looks down “I’m so sorry Noelle. Are you ok?”

Chris chuckles at Patrick “Yanked it right out of the fuckin gene pool..” He teases. When his father asks the question he nods solemnly in confirmation.

Patrick snorts and watches his father with his twins girlfriend.  She’s already part of the family … but he can’t help himself.  With a wicked grin at his brother, he mouths ‘Tell Dad her full name…’  he thinks that might bring the mood up a bit.

Noella smiles.  “It is .. I grow a lot of the herbs in my garden.  Chris and Pat helped me .. oh that was a long time ago.”  she muses.  “I’d like to be a chef someday.”  and then she sobers and nods.  “Yes….  him ….”  she can’t say the name herself now and shudders slightly.  “I’m ok, besides this.”  she motions to her stitched up cut.  “Chris saved me.”  she gets a little dreamy eyed.  “It’s ready ….  Who wants some?” She knows where the bowls and spoons are.

Chris watches his father and Noelle with a swelling heart. He knew his parents would instantly adore her like he did and care about her as one of their own. He catches Patrick’s word mouthing and laughs “Dad, can I tell you something else you’ll love about Noelle?” He looks apologetically at Noelle, touched that she feels he saved her and isn’t focussed on how she’d seen him become violent towards another human being. “Yes please to the stew Miss Noelle Holly Snow….”

Stuart beams at Noelle and then Chris and then his head snaps back to Noelle and he looks at her with a huge open mouthed grin “Is THAT your full name? Really…..I’m sorry we have to include Lauren in this...she’ll never forgive me if we don’t…..” He pulls out his phone and goes straight to a video chat option.

Lauren Peterson answers looking like she’s in some kind of trailer and covered in dirt and sweat. She has on an old button up plaid shirt. She’s a pretty middle aged woman with chin length greying hair sticking out from under her straw hat and she’s drinking something from a camp mug “Stuart?” She smiles into the camera “Are you with the boys? How’s Christopher? I was thinking he might need more pillows to convalesce…..can you bring them some pillows from the house….”

Stuart can barely contain himself “Yes...yes fine pillows. Lauen! Our Christohper has a girlfriend, a wonderful girlfriend. Do you know what she’s called? Noelle Holly Snow!”

Lauren gives a little shriek of joy “I hope she likes Christmas! Why did you get to know first?” She demands “We should meet her together….”

Stuart just grins and turns the camera “Sorry to put you on the spot Noelle….this is Lauren.”

Noelle hears her full name spoken while she is dishing out the stew into four bowls.  She turns and is suddenly hearing Chris’s mother.  Noelle hates Christmas, but she doesn’t mention that.  When the camera is turned to her, she is again aware of her stitched and bruised face.  “Hello Mrs Peterson.  It’s nice to meet you.”

Patrick starts to laugh.  He loves how his parents call Chrs by his full name.  Moving into the kitchen, he collects two of the bowls, puts spoons in them and takes them to Chris, setting it down and moving the spoon in the stew so Chris can eat.  He lowers his voice slightly.  “You can never marry her now … Christopher … just live in sin and name your eight kids after reindeer.”  and he begins to eat, happily.

Lauren Peterson beams at Noelle but then looks sideways scowling at her husband “You could have warned me I was meeting Christopher’s girlfriend. I’m still in my shit shovelling shirt. Avery’s been teaching me the finer points of...humanuring...yes that’s exactly what it sounds like dear. And please call me Lauren. So nice to meet you Noelle.” She tilts her head looking at the stitches but doesn’t comment. Lauren is not fully in the loop yet at all. She’s pretty sure the boys are nearby so she bellows “Hello boys!”

Stuart chuckles “My darling you look ravishing even covered in manure...no matter the type. Funny conversation for our mealtime. Noelle has been cooking something glorious. I’m going to pass you to Christopher so I can have some of it. Give Avery my love.” He winks at Noelle and walks Lauren to Christopher. She waves to Noelle as she’s carried off.Stuart sets the phone up on the coffee table so his one handed son can still eat.

Chris was loving his father’s adoration of Noelle but as his mom gets intehre and starts talking about shovelling shit he looks like he might want to crawl under something. He gives his brother a belated left handed bird flip over the reindeer children joke before taking his soup. “Thanks…” As his mom calls out he chimes in with his brother and says “Hi Mom” in unison before she’s in front of him a moment later.

Patrick shrugs at the bird, gales at the shitscaping or whatever it was and then automatically says hello to his mother at the same time as Chris.  “Hi Mom.”  They did that a lot without even thinking.  He sits back and begins to eat his stew while Chris talks to their mother.

Noelle arches her brows at the conversation but is smiling.  When Lauren gets passed off to Chris, she puts spoons in the remaining two bowls and hands one to Stuart.  Then she heads into the living room, where she perches herself on the arm of the couch Chris is on, keeping herself politely out of sight.  But she eats and is pleased it turned out so good.

Stuart gratefully accepts the bowl of stew “Thank you so much Noelle.” He seats himself at the kitchen table because it’s easier when he’s still in a suit not to spill than sitting on a couch. He does observe from afar as he eats.

Now Lauren looks teary eyed at Chris “Are you ok? Really? I’m sorry I couldn’t come home darling….”

Chris holds up his casted hand because it’s his dominant one “Mom...I’m ok...really. It’s just a few little breaks. I’ve had worse from hockey…..and..” He smiles darkly “He’s worse.”

Lauren swallows hard “Good. I don't normally condone violence but good. He was attacking someone and you stepped in?”

Chris looks towards Noelle and nods “Yeah...it was Noelle.” He gulps “I would have killed him if Josh hadn’t knocked me out.”

Lauren fully bursts into tears, her head in her hands “God……” She catches her breath and sniffs, wiping at her face.

Chris reaches out his arm, cast and all and slides it around Noelle and looks at her with love.

Patrick simply eats and listens.  When they conversation goes to Chris beating up Rose, he nods.  Thinking about it, he isn’t sure if he would have stepped in this time or not.  He watches Chris reach for Noelle and realizes how that must have felt … and Pat may not have been able to stop Chris for a change.

Noelle goes through her soup, listening.  She says nothing.  Chris had asked her not to talk about what he’d told her and she is keeping her word, not knowing if his parents know that he told her … and if they would approve.  But when he reaches for her, she slides gently down onto the couch, bowl and all, not spilling a drop.

When he hears his wife start to cry Stuart comes closer to the family, risking a spill on his soup. He sits down on the other couch beside Patrick, giving him a little nod. They were a close family.

Lauren smiles a little at Noelle as she comes into view “I’m glad Chris was there.” She looks around like she’s making sure she’s alone “You may not know this..” She looks at Chris and is cut off by him.

“I told her…..I hope it’s ok with…” He looks into the camera “Where is she?”

Lauren nods “I’m alone and yes it’s ok. Avery’s gone to help Morgan with his dishes. He’s not been well you know. I had no idea but it seems he’s really become a frail old man. He won’t see a doctor….so Avery cares for him...which is maybe good for them both. She wants to see you Chris, when you’re able to make the trip.” She shifts her eyes to Noelle “You should come too. Don’t let my husband have all your attention. He’ll take it you know….” She looks around “Where’s Patrick? Pass me to him next, would you dears?”

Noells smiles sweetly and feels more involved.  Yet .. she glances at Chris and thinks about Blaze … she’d heard that kids from previous relationships could be deal breakers.  “I’ll try…” is all she can make herself promise, resting her head gently against Chris.

Patrick listens and hears his name.  Reaching out he takes the phone.  “I haven’t broken any bones, Mom.”  he announces.  “Or hearts, either.”  he winks in Noelles direction.

The doorknob begins to rattle, almost like they do in horror movies where the bad guy is trying to enter to kill someone.  Suddenly the door bursts open and Blaze comes flying in.  “Cis!  Cis.”  he flies across the room.  Noelle gets out of her sons way just in time to save her soup.  “Blaze, no!”  She tries to get up, but it’s too late.  Blaze has launched himself into Chris’s lap, hugging his left side as hard as he can, beaming like a little star.

Lauren looks lovingly at Patrick “You don’t need to do things like that for us to want to know how you are too dear. As long as you’re not getting your heart broken either…..” She trails off hearing the rattling sound and looks curious and then she hears what sounds like a child’s voice and Noelle reacting. It’s not all clear to her and she blinks “Is that one of the McLeod girls?”

Stuart turns at the rattle and looks momentarily concerned and then surprised as a small child runs in and dives for Chris, just as Noelle saves her soup. He looks between the child and Noelle and then between his wife and Patrick “Not a McLeod child…..”

Chris grins widely as Blaze bursts in and opens his arms to welcome the hug but of course isn't quite expecting the landing. “Ahhh….” He tries not to scream but makes a noise. He doesn’t want to scare the little guy and starts trying to adjust him so they can still hug “Ow...uh….hey buddy good to see you...come this way ok? Chris has an owie over there…” he leans with Blaze trying to get gravity to assist him in his attempt as well as quikcly putting his stew down on the coffee table. It makes his back hurt more but he smiles through gritted teeth. “Did you have fun at “school”? He knows Blaze likes it when they call daycare school because he feels more important with that word.

Blaze is moved easily.  He just wants to be with Chris, who makes him and his mom so happy.  Nodding he replies to Chris.  “I learned nm’bers.”  he announces.  “I’m TWO.”  and he holds up three fingers, proudly, looks at them and lowers one after a thought.  Then he remembers his mother, looks at her, and reaches to steal her stew, which he begins to eat with a smile.  Mouth full he looks at the other sofa.  “At!”  he waves at Patrick and the other man.

Noelle can’t help but wince as her son lands on Chris, but he handles it.  She doesn’t protest her food being stolen, but she tries not to look concerned.  She watches his fingers.  “Good!”  she praises him and reperches herself on the arm of the couch.

Patrick winces in sympathy for his brother and that whole stealing food thing.  He smiles as his name is butchered and returns the wave.  Then he sits back to finish his stew.  Never a dull moment these days.  Chris can explain it.  All of it.

Lauren’s eyes go side to side “Who’s our little friend?” She asks curiously. “Patrick...turn me please…” She requests politely.

Stuart looks both amused by the child and like he wants more information too. But he waves back at him because he’s the type of sweet man who waves back at little children no matter where he is or who they are.

Chris beamed at Blaze about his knowledge of numbers and held up three fingers back to him on his left hand and took one down as well. He  looks at Noelle and then his parents a little sheepishly. He hoped they would be cool about this part too “This is Blaze...Neoille’s son and my buddy…” He gives Blaze a little tickle in the side as he gobbled down Noelle’s lunch “A a stew thief…” He jokes.

Lauren’s look is hard to read. She clearly likes children from her smile but there’s a hint of concern in her eyes “Hello Blaze.”

Blaze made short work of the remaining stew, getting most of it on himself.  When Chris tickles him he laughs, spitting stew onto his buddy.  Then he looks at the lady in the rectangle and smiles.  “Piddy!” he exclaims, getting down and slapping one stew covered hand on the pretty lady’s face.  Stuart’s phone.  Then he turns to his mother and, because he is still hungry and that is his priority he asks.  “Kookie?”  and moves to be picked up and delivered to his order.

Noelle gives a nervous smile at Blaze’s introduction and a wince when Blaze puts his stew covered hand right down on Lauren’s face … in Stuarts phone.  She is almost grateful when he demands cookies.  “I think that’s our cue …”  she picks up Blaze and leans in to give Chris a quick kiss.  “Love you.”  she whispers, low.

Blaze also leans over and kisses Chris’s cheek .. covering is a bit with the stew that was on his face.  “Wubs Cis!”.

Noelle blinks at Blaze’s words and wonders if he is just parrotting her.  She hefts Blaze up and heads for the door, which Blaze left wide open.  “It’s wonderful to meet you both.  Chris, I’ll call you later tonight …”  and she closes the door behind herself.  Retreating Blaze can be heard breaking into song.

“Twinkle twinkle widdle star!  Dat me!  Blaze Star!”

Patrick is thoroughly amused. He waves goodbye and gets up to get his brother a moist napkin.  On his return, he sits.  “So … yea …  Blaze …”

Lauren actually looks quite delightedly at the stew hand slap down compliment “Aww thank you Blaze.” As soon as he’s not in front of her she murmurs “Adorable….hmmm…” when Noelle and Blaze are heading out she calls back “Nice to meet you too dear and you Blaze…..” She can’t help but giggle at hearing the singing.

Stuart  doesn’t react to the stew hand on his phone with anything but a little laugh. They’d had three kids and he’d had much worse happen to his things at their hands. Stuart smiles sweetly at the way Chris and Neolle part, even with the child in the mix. “Thank you for the stew Noelle. It was delicious.”

Chris just laughs and shakes his head at Blaze interacting with his parents and his Dad’s phone. He’s pretty used to it now. He was half covered in stew and had hardly batted an eye. Kids were kids, Clothes could be washed. He kisses Noelle back gently and says not as quietly as she does “I love you too.” and then Blaze gets his cheek with more stew and possibly copies her...or maybe not. Chris looks a little melty about it for a second and then quips back “Wubs Blaze too buddy….even when you stew me. And thanks Noelle, it’s really amazing. Talk to you later….” He takes the napkin from Pat and smiles at him and then tunes in to their expectant parents “So yeah she has a kid….the dad’s not around and he was an ass….I don’t know what else to say. I love her, and I love Blaze.”

Lauren inhales stiffly and looks between the three men “It’s a lot to take on Chris. Are you up for it? Because if not you’re hurting them both…”

Patrick smiles and watches his parent’s reaction.  More he caught those words from Blaze and his brother’s look.  When his mother asks Chris if he’s up for it, Patrick actually sits up and rests his arms on his knees.  “Mom … Chris has been in love with Noelle for YEARS … maybe even before Blaze came along.  The kid is not a surprise and loves Chris.  I mean .. you know he’s good with kids but Blaze is … different.”  he pauses.  “He can handle this.  Trust him.”

Chris can feel his temper starting to rise “Mom i am not going to hurt either of them. I have loved her for years. She’s been through hell...I’m not ever going to put her through more. I’d marry her and adopt the kid if I could like tomorrow. But I’m not Blaze’s biological father and this is a new relationship. The father thing is complicated because the guy also got her friend Daisy pregnant...probably the same night. I’m up for this. You said when you met Dad...you just knew….well..I know.” He finalizes.

Lauren sighs and nods at Patrick and then Chris with a sigh “By Daisy do you mean Daisy Dale? We did the mother’s funeral and I heard all about her story. I didn’t know it happened twice....I found out later we spelled the name wrong on the stone too.”

Chris just nods in confirmation about Daisy Dale.

Stuart sighs and looks between his wife and his boys “No one’s asked to have it recut though….that really was how it was spelled on the death certificate. Chris I know you’re up for it but it does sound very complicated. Not that we’re new to complicated right now…that little boy really adores you.” He notes “wubs you even.”

Chris laughs “I hope so. Because it’s mutual.” He smiles over at Patrick “Thanks for having my back.”

Patrick watches his family and smiles.  He’s got his brother’s back but the family is close … most of them.  “Good .. now we know and have a couple new additions to the family.”  He looks at his father.  “And in case you were worried …  I’m going to be here to take care of Chris too.  I told the Chief not to expect me next shift and, depending on how things go, the one after that.”

Lauren looks relieved “You’re a  good brother Patrick.” There’s a squeak as the trailer door opens and Lauren looks up “Hey I’m on with the boys and dad...come say hi?” Lauren watches the door hopefully and then sighs as it slams shut again. “Too many of us...she’s good with one conversation at a time right now.”

Stuart rubs at his face looking anguished and nods “I’m here for Chris too.” He looks between Lauren, Chris and Pat “Covid deaths went down...so I’ll be more available...I mean regular people still die..” He jokes and gets up, taking his bowl to the kitchen.

Chris looks at Patrick in protest “I can manage...you’re all awesome. But seriously...Avery?” He calls out just as the door shuts. He slumps “Guess not today….”

Patrick shrugs.  “It’ll be a week before you can even THINK of getting that cast off.”  he explains.  “So deal with it.  I got vacation time coming anyway.”  He looks eager for a moment when he hears his sister and then deflates, biting his lip.  He tightens his jaw and, uncharastically for his more even temper growls.  “Damn you, Rose.”