Chapter 18

6/13/2040

When Luca stopped crying, he looked at Patrick with bloodshot eyes.

"Baby, stop pushing me away when you're scared," Patrick advised.

"How can you still love me after Abbie died?" Luca wondered.

"Because I never stopped," he explained as he kissed Luca on the lips. "Come on, we have to unpack and eat," Patrick said.

"All right," Luca said, nodding. They went into the kitchen to make scrambled eggs for breakfast.

"We'll need to go grocery shopping because we're out of food," Patrick explained.

The only sound in the kitchen is the ticking tocking of the clock on the wall.

"Are we going to keep in touch with Dr. Evan and Dr. Luke?" Luca asked, looking up from his plate.

"Yeah, through video conferencing," Patrick agreed.

"Can we order groceries online instead of going to the store?" Luca inquired.

"Sure, but why?" Patrick raised his eyebrows and inquired, perplexed.

"Right now, I don't feel like being around people," Luca explained.

"We'll take it slowly at first," he said. "For the time being, we can only see one person," Patrick explained.

They unpacked everything after they had eaten and Luca had taken his medicine.

"We can use this room as our office," Patrick said as they entered and noticed the view of the woods and the driveway. When Luca turned to face Patrick, he was setting up his laptop on an oak desk.

"Can we get a baby book, Pat?" Luca asked, biting his lower lip.

"Sure, babe," Patrick replied, "whatever you want." They had finished setting up their office and headed to their bedroom.

Patrick hung his clothes in the closet on one side. Luca hung his on the opposite wall. Their shoes were discarded on the closet floor. The rest of their clothing was stored in their four-drawer dresser. When everything had been unpacked and placed properly, Patrick sat down at the computer and ordered everything that he and Luca desired. When the order was completed and the laptop was turned off, it was nearly noon. As soon as they left the office, their stomachs grumbled.

"Let's get some food in our bellies," Patrick suggested. Luca nodded as he looked at him. For lunch, they prepared grilled salmon, boiled potatoes, and drank orange juice.

There was a knock on the front door while they were eating. Patrick rose and walked over to the door. When he opened it, he saw his father standing on the other side.

"Dad, good afternoon," he said.

"Hello, son," Ken said.

"Come on in," Patrick said, stepping aside to let his father in. Luca poked his head into the hallway after hearing the door open and close.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Brown," he said.

"Good day, Luca," he said. "How are you doing?" Ken inquired.

"I'm still sad, but I feel better after crying," he explained.

Ken took a seat at the kitchen table, across from Patrick and Luca.

"Luca, if I'm going to be your father-in-law, you should start calling me dad," he suggested. Patrick became aware of Luca's fidgeting.

"It's fine," he said.

"What about my dad?" Luca's voice became slightly panicked.

"Your father isn't allowed near you or here," Ken explained. Luca looked at Patrick and asked, "Is that true?"

"Yes," he confirmed with a nod. "The doctor asked for it." Luca's surprise faded and happiness took its place.

Ken rose from his seat and walked to the front door. Patrick and Luca were close behind.

"If you two need anything, just ask," he said as he turned to face them.

"Thank you, sir, I mean father," Luca corrected himself. Ken smiled and exited the house.

"Is it true, Pat?" "My father is no longer going to hurt me?" Luca inquired.

"It's true, sweetheart," Patrick nodded. They cuddled on the couch and watched The Food Network after cleaning up the kitchen.

"Beat Bobby Flay is up next," Patrick announced.

"I really enjoy that show," Luca said. "It is so funny how they tease Bobby," he said.

Luca was relaxing and watching TV when his phone rang. He took his phone from the living room table and unlocked it. Luca frowned as he looked at the screen.

"What's the matter, babe?" Patrick inquired as to why his boyfriend had suddenly turned pale. Luca handed the phone to Patrick with trembling hands. Patrick's blue eyes narrowed in rage, and he immediately blocked the number.

"It's okay, babe," Patrick said, pulling Luca close. "We'll keep blocking him whenever he tries to contact you." Patrick felt fear, panic, and sorrow coming from Luca.

Luca sighed heavily and stood up, unable to concentrate on what they were watching.

"What's the matter, babe?" Patrick asked, looking up at him.

"Nothing," Luca lied. "I'm just going to the restroom," he explained. Luca had lied for the first time since they had met. Fortunately, Patrick trusted him enough not to hurt himself again and did not press the issue. Luca poked his head into the living room and said, "I'm going to take a bath," before disappearing into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, Patrick heard the bath water running and the song Phoenix by Cailin Russo and Chrissy Costanza coming from the bathroom.

"He doesn't usually listen to music in the bathroom unless something bothers him," Patrick thought to himself. Then he remembered the phone call from earlier. Patrick got up from the couch and went to the bathroom.

"May I join you?" he asked, knocking on the door. Patrick didn't hear anything for several seconds until Luca softly said, "Yea." Patrick walked in and opened the door. Luca was neck-deep in bubbles. Patrick undressed and entered the hot water behind Luca. Luca scooted back and leaned into Patrick's chest.

"You are so tense, baby," Patrick said, massaging Luca's shoulders.

When his phone rang in the living room, Patrick noticed Luca's body tense up under his fingers.

"It's fine, babe," "Nothing will happen," he said, close to Luca's ear. Luca relaxed into Patrick's embrace, closing his eyes. Luca's tears streamed down his cheek.

"I'm sorry I lied," Luca apologized, his voice breaking. "I'm just scared," he admitted. Patrick held him close as Luca shared his concerns.