HIS UNMATCHED AFFECTION

Chapter 20

Maryse's POV

Am happy to help Eric. I have collected all his dirty laundry, made his bed and dusted his carpet. I can't wait to tell Allan his shy boy is bringing a girl home. It's every parents dream to see their children expand their social borders. After cleaning his room I go through Jake's too. I do the same then go to the kitchen to prepare them some cake and drinks.

The front door clicks. I already heard his car in the driver way. I love it when he comes home on time and not stuck on their tedious surgeries that make him late. He Finds me in the kitchen or seated on the coach watching.

"Where are people in this home?" He asks.

"In the kitchen hunnie welcome back", I say putting the cake in the oven.

I know how much my boys love cake. All of them including the big one.

"I smell cake, how’s my lovely wife?” He asks hugging me from behind.

His warm breath on my neck makes Goosebumps to sprout. The tip of his nose is tickling me am almost laughing out loud when his hands massage my belly. I turn around for his daily evening kiss. Usually he likes it in the bedroom but since we both in the mood, judging from how he is looking at me, we can do it here. Allan is very handsome for a forty-five year old am even scared of student nurses the age of my sons might snatch him at the hospital. I hold the nape of his neck and kiss him passionately. His lips are still smooth like I remember.

"Remind me again what’s the occasion? Wait don't", his says trying to remember something.

It's definitely not on the walls or cabinets of the kitchen where his eyes are looking. Am just smiling.

"Did I forget your birthday again?” He asks looking worried.

He has to be. The last time he forgot he had to sleep in the guest room for two weeks. That's not even the worst part. He had to explain to Eric and Jake why he wasn't sleeping in our room. Every time they asked me I simply said "Go ask your father" he never forgot my birthday again. I can hear the second car pulling over in the driver way.

"No hunnie, you didn’t”, I assure him checking the cake.

"What is it then? “He asks following me around like a five year old.

"Go welcome our guests, delay them I need everything to be in place”, I say busy with my kitchen chores.

He obediently goes to get the door while I prepare the drinks.

Eric's POV

When dad opens the door both Jake and I look at each other. Since when does he get the door? Personally am scared maybe mum is not home yet even though I can see her car in the driveway. Sometimes she uses public transport to cut on costs. Something dad and Jake can't do. No wonder she likes me.

"Dad”, Jake says.

"I was asked to usher in our guests, I will deal with you two later”, He teases.

"Hey Mr. Brown”, Stacy says shyly.

"Hello, how’s your leg?” He asks walking towards us.

"Healing I guess”, She says.

"Remind to look at it before you go, and I guess you are Clara’, he says turning to look at her.

My heart beat escalates. Why is dad acting funny? He is too friendly today.

"Yes, nice to meet you Dr. Brown”, she says with reverence.

The smile on dad's face can tell it all. She is the first one to refer to him with his title. We usually don't call him doc.

"You hear that boys...let's get in your mum is waiting" he says leading the way.

The smell of cake hits my nostrils. I can see Jake's ears flapping in joy. For me if I had wings I would have flapped them too. Dad and Jake make Stacy and Clara comfy while I quickly go to my room. I hope mum has done what we agreed on.

"Where's Eric?” I can overhear mum asking about me, her favorite son.

"Coming mum!" I shout from upstairs.

I ran down the stairs almost falling when I stop in a halt, there is a tray of fresh baked cake and glasses of juice. I know what mum is doing, making a good first impression. It's too much but I like it though. Too bad Jake fed us coke and chips.

"There he is Eric pray for the food”, she says.

I can see Jake and dad holding laughter. Am not good at praying. Am a science guy. We and God really don't get along but to cut the long story I say the Lord's Prayer,

"Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil..."

I say a hasty amen and sit down. Am not sure if I did it well but since no one is laughing I guess I did well. Everyone is matched up, mum and dad, Clara and I and Jake with Stacy. No one is willing to break the silence that is dominating the room as we munch cake down our throats.

"Welcome Clara, this is your first time who are your parents?” Mum finally asks.

She looks at me before answering.

"Linda and John Meyers”, she says.

"The sheriff?” Dad asks.

"Yes"

"A very nice woman, I've met her”, Dad says.

Jake and I are waiting for mum's reaction. We both know how jealous she is when it comes to dad. Sometimes they disagree just because he complements the TV anchor. I remember there was a day we almost slept on empty stomach when he refused to apologize.

"Boys we have visitors keep that look away. I know her too send my regards when you get home", Mum says lightly.

Stacy's POV

"Dr. Brown may I have my check up now?" I ask.

"Sure, meanwhile Jake you can help your mum to clear the table", he says getting up.

Eric looks at Jake and bursts into laughter. We both laugh as though it's so awkward for him to clear the table. I think it's only Clara who might not be aware of the fact that his celebrity status ends at the door. The moment he gets in the house he is a normal boy.

"Eric because you were the first one to laugh, make your guest comfortable and help Jake mum wants to watch", He adds on helping me to get up.

No one apart from Jake laughs this time. And as they say who laughs last...laughs longest.

"Thanks hunnie", maryse says changing the channel.

As Allan and I walk to his study, maryse is set to watch her telenovelas that am sure mum is watching too, Jake is obediently cleaning the place while Eric is taking Clara upstairs where she can get comfy. When we get to his study room he asks me to sit on a chair above it a head lamp. I can't help but admire his elegant library.

"You rear all this books Mr. Brown?" I ask.

"No, most are reference books. Interested in medicine?" He asks putting on a pair of gloves.

He picks a small hammer and walks towards me.

"Not really that fits Eric”, I say smiling.

"Sure but you can do it to, and speaking of Eric”, He starts, “tell me where it hurts”, He says hammering lightly on my leg.

"Ssh, there. What about Eric?” I ask

"How is the pain on a scale of one to ten?” He asks ignoring my earlier question.

"A four five”, I say.

I don't know why he introduced the topic only to stop on the way. He notes down something on a notepad and ungloves.

"You are doing well, I will contact your doctor to see if we can give you more painkillers but the joint is good”, He says.

"Thank you Dr. Brown, can't you just prescribe them for me?"

"I can but I have to let him know first, it’s unethical to take up an active patient from another physician”, He explains.

Although I don't understand what he means with the explanation I just nod in agreement. I want it to be over soon.

"Okay, once again thank you”, I say getting of the chair.

"Eric, we are worried about him but now that he looks happy with Clara I don't think it's important”, He says in an inviting tone and style.

"He is fine, we don't hang out that much but we are still in the same class I will watch out for him”, I assure.

He looks relaxed than when he aired his worries to me. It gives me pleasure to know that his parents think of me as a very important person in his life. I love such responsibilities. They should give me more because Jake is also knocking.

"Thank you Stacy", he says.

Jake comes in out of the living room severing his shoulder, I literarily said knocking and the bastard knocks. I don't know if he is actually hurt or he was just looking for an excuse to see me. The latter sounds better even though I still can't answer Clara's question from back at the game.

"Doc dad or dad doc which sounds better?” He asks smiling.

I love their free and friendly relationship some fathers out there are so strict.

"What’s with the shoulder buddy?” He asks.

"I think It broke when I tackled Eric", she says.

"You against Eric? Who won? “Allan asks curiously.

I give Jake that glare on my way out.

"He let me win”, Jake says in a whisper.

I know it's embarrassing but he can't take credit for everything. Its time he learns that. From far I can hear his father mocking him.

"So you're scared of her just as much as am scared about your mum"

And he says the nicest words I have ever heard him say ", we browns are afraid of what we love"

I smile. Wedding bells? No I can’t stop thinking about James.