by Trina Solet
"I'd like for you and Ant to come and live with me." He knew it was sudden, but he really didn't want to see them staying here.
Lilly stared at him in astonishment. "Oh, no. You don't want an old lady you barely know living with you." Seeing the pained look on his face, she frowned at him. "We couldn't impose like that."
"You wouldn't be imposing. We're family." As he said it, Phillip realized that it was true. He had just met them, but they were his life now. That's why he wanted to convince Lilly to accept his offer. "I have a large apartment, and I can move us all to an even bigger house." As Phillip spoke, she kept shaking her head and his heart was sinking. "If you want to stay in this area, I'll find a house near here."
"That's not it. I know you want to take care of Ant," she said sympathetically.
"I do, more than anything."
"But I can't just move in with you, even if you do seem like a very nice young man."
Phillip noticed she said I. Maybe he was grasping at straws, but he asked her. "You can't move in? What about Ant?"
She looked thoughtful. Of course she wouldn't want to give him up.
"I know it's too soon to trust me with him," Phillip said.
"It is," she confirmed. "But I have to face the hard truth. I don't know how much longer I can take care of him. You finding him, it's a blessing."
"What if you two come for a visit? Any time you want I can come and pick you up," Phillip offered.
She agreed to a visit when she felt better then she went to the bedroom to lie down and rest. Phillip went to join Leon and Ant's card game. They all sat cross-legged on the floor and Leon dealt the cards. He didn't even bother explaining the rules of the game to Phillip just handed him some cards.
"OK, your turn," Leon told him. "Show us your cards. What you got?"
As soon as Phillip showed his hand, Leon shook his head. "Those are no good. They're weak. Ant, take all his cards."
Ant looked from him to Phillip. "All of them? But then he won't have any."
"That's how this game works," Leon said mercilessly.
Ant looked at Phillip pityingly. He then leaned over toward Leon and whispered, "But he's my Uncle Phillip."
Leon smiled but then he got tough. "No special treatment."
Phillip offered his cards to Ant, and he took them reluctantly.
"Sorry," he whispered.
"Don't worry. I'll give him more," Leon told him. Then as soon as he dealt the next hand, he instructed Ant to take all his cards.
"Again?" Ant said.
The aim of the game seemed to be for Ant to end up with lots of cards though the deck was missing about half of them. But whenever Leon wasn't looking, Ant would sneak a few cards back to Phillip and smile shyly at him.
As they played, Phillip spent most of the time trying to act casual and not fall apart in front of his newfound nephew. Leon was a big help. Ant seemed completely at ease with him, probably because, unlike Phillip, he wasn't an emotional wreck.
About an hour later, Lilly got up and Phillip decided they better go.
"Can I leave some money with you for Ant?" Phillip asked Lilly. "I'll leave my card too. Call me if you need anything, please." He quickly wrote his personal cell phone number on the back of his business card.
Lilly was ready to refuse the money, but seeing the pleading look on Phillip's face she accepted.
It wasn't easy to leave Ant even as Phillip promised to see him again soon. He was so small and shy. He waved down at Phillip and Leon all the way as they walked down the stairs. It hurt Phillip's heart to lose sight of him.
When they stepped outside, the street seemed very bright after that dim stairwell. Phillip was glad to see that Zoe was once again in front of the building. Her baby was crying and she was walking her up and down the sidewalk. Phillip went up to her.
"Thank you so much for your help," he told her while her baby fussed. "This is my card. Please call me if Lilly or Ant ever need anything. You can call any time." Phillip handed her his card with his personal cell phone number scrawled on the back.
Zoe nodded. "I'm glad they have someone now. I didn't like seeing a sick, old lady and a little kid without any family to look out for them."
"I'll be stopping by again, and I'll definitely be looking out for them from now on," Phillip assured her.
When he and Leon got to his car, Phillip got behind the wheel, started the car then he just sat there without putting the car in gear. He leaned back and stared ahead of him. There wasn't much to see. Directly in front of the car, bushes were growing through a chain link fence, almost obscuring it.
"I found him. I really found Tony's son," Phillip said to himself. He took a shaky breath and let it out. He gripped the steering wheel hard, like that might keep him from falling apart. But hearing Leon's deep, mellow voice did him a lot more good.
"Yes, you did, and he's something," Leon told him.
Phillip turned to him and looked into his hazel eyes. As Leon smiled at him, Phillip grinned too. Through the tears in his eyes, he said, "He is, isn't he. He's a sweet, little guy. I just wish I could have been more at ease around him the way you were."
"It's easy for me. After losing your brother, I know you had a lot of emotions coming down on you. Considering all that, you did fine," Leon said like he understood just how much sadness and happiness Phillip had warring inside him. "And I saw Ant sneaking those cards to you. He likes you."
"You think so?" Phillip said, pleased to hear it. "I'll try to do better next time. I didn't even have a gift for him." Phillip only now realized it.
"Hey, what kind of uncle shows up empty handed?" Leon teased him then he narrowed his eyes at him. "Now you have a look on your face that says you're going to buy up a whole toy store."
"I might," Phillip admitted. He wanted to give Ant everything. That reminded him of everything Ant didn't have. "Leon, was that place as bad as I thought, or was I just being a snob and a neat-freak?"
"Both," Leon told him, giving him a wry grin. "I've lived in worse places and with worse people. But Lilly seemed really nice, and you can tell that she's doing her best. And Ant obviously loves her."
Phillip nodded. "I'll make sure they have everything they need. And if Lilly needs better medical care, she'll have that too."
Feeling a little more under control after talking to Leon, Phillip started driving them back. He was amazed that Leon could be such a comforting and steadying influence when he had known him only for such a short time. And he had won over Ant instantly. Phillip was glad he went with his impulse to invite him along.
"Thank you for coming with me. You were so much help," Phillip told him. He also planned to pay him well for his time.
"I didn't do much. I'm really glad you found your nephew and that I got to see the happy moment."
"It's not just today. You've had to juggle things at work too. I know you had to jump into it with minimal instructions from me and everything in turmoil."
Leon tried to shrug off Phillip's praise. "All I did was pass the buck and dump a whole bunch of extra work on your senior consultants."
"I'll be thanking them as well," Phillip said. He had almost forgotten about Mrs. Lahari and all the others who were picking up the slack for him. All of his attention was on Ant, but also on his new assistant. He would have to watch that.
He was too attractive and lively not to pique Phillip's interest. Leon had broad shoulders, and a strong, slim body that Phillip shouldn't have noticed or admired. But who could ignore a kissable mouth that was quick to smile, or hair that begged for Phillip's fingers to tug and tangle in it.
In his kind but humorous eyes, Phillip had glimpsed a depth of hidden sorrows. He hadn't yet asked him about that, nor should he. While sitting next to him, Phillip certainly had other matters that should occupy his mind. If only something would cut off his view of Leon's hand with beautiful, long fingers resting casually on his leg. The muscle of his thigh was clearly outlined under his trousers. As Leon leaned over t
o adjust the A/C on his side, Phillip breathed in his scent.
He didn't know how he drove straight after that. He wanted to drive right off the road and throw himself on Leon, inhale and devour him. However uncomfortable and inappropriate it was to dwell on the intoxicating beauty of the man next to him, there was one thing that he couldn't dismiss. It was Leon who was there to share this incredible day with him.
Chapter 8
Tony's child was real. Phillip couldn't sleep or eat as the knowledge washed over him again and again, never quite sinking in but always making his heart hurt. He was constantly at the mercy of the ebb and flow of happy and sad feelings. After losing Tony, finding Ant seemed like a miracle.
He had already delivered the news to Franny and Moe. They were beside themselves when they heard. He also called Mr. Poller, who sounded close to tears.
Ken wasn't nearly as emotional. As usual, he had all kinds of warnings for him when he heard how Ant and his great-great aunt lived. His misgivings and well-meaning advice couldn't make a dent in Phillip's elation.
Even while at work, Phillip split his time between doing his job and trying to adjust to his new role as an uncle. At the moment, Phillip was not exactly earning his paycheck. He was browsing the real estate listings, looking for an ideal place to live. He thought he might be able to persuade Lilly to move if he showed her a beautiful house. Maybe something traditional with a lush garden might appeal to her.
Meanwhile Leon was actually doing his job. He delivered some files to him, set them down on Phillip's desk and then he lingered. Phillip turned away from his laptop to look up at him.
Leon smiled apologetically. "I don't mean to be nosy, but did you go back to see Ant and Lilly yet?"
"I probably wouldn't have been able to keep it to myself if I had," Phillip told him. "I called Lilly and spoke with Ant for a few minutes. I asked her if I could come by tomorrow. I wanted to go today or even yesterday, but I don't want to make a nuisance of myself."
"You should make a nuisance of yourself," Leon urged him. "I bet Ant would love to see you. Sorry. I don't mean to butt in, but you shouldn't be afraid to spend time with your nephew. I think he really liked the idea of having an uncle."
"He'll like it even better when I bring gifts tomorrow like a proper uncle should."
"Good thinking." Leon smiled and Phillip found himself smiling back and staring at him too long.
Leon was staring too and then they both got embarrassed and mumbled something about having work to do. At that moment, Phillip was sure that Leon was gay. Not that it mattered.
He really had to stop paying so much attention to his good-looking, new assistant. Sometimes he wondered if personnel had deliberately hired him to put temptation in his way.
Phillip had asked Ms Prescott in personnel for someone not too set in his or her ways. His last assistant had been rather inflexible. Maybe that was why she chose Leon. He was young, only twenty, and had limited experience. On his resume, he had one other full time assisting job plus some temp work – not that Phillip had any complaints. He had been incredibly helpful, and Mrs. Lahari had only good things to say about him.
When he first started, Phillip wasn't fully aware of him or just how enticing he was. He had only just found out about Tony. His heart was weighed down with grief, his vision blurred with unshed tears and gut wrenching memories. For a while he was blind to everything that he now found irresistible about Leon.
Ever since he had taken him on his search for Ant, Phillip had become aware of an intense attraction to Leon. Now he was extra cautious around him so he wouldn't give himself away. That's why he hadn't asked for his help in picking out gifts for Ant though he desperately needed a second opinion.
Phillip had turned to the Internet and did some research instead. He looked up the most highly rated toys appropriate for a three-year-old and ordered the top three choices from a local store for immediate delivery then two more just in case. They were lined up on his office sofa at home, a sweet reminder that there was a little boy in his life now.
Setting aside his real-estate search, Phillip decided to do some actual work only to be interrupted by a call on his cell phone.
"Is this Phillip Morton?" a woman's voice asked as soon as he put the phone to his ear.
"Yes, it is," Phillip said. He didn't recognize the number, but he thought he recognized the voice. "Zoe, is that you?"
"Yes. I'm calling because of what you said. You see, Lilly is in the hospital."
Phillip closed his eyes tightly. "And Ant? Where is he?"
"He's here with me."
"All right. Which hospital? Simon General in Garston?" Phillip said remembering the name of the hospital closest to Danning.
Zoe confirmed it. "That's right. It's kind of far. I have to take three buses. I wish I could take Ant, but even if I left the baby with my cousin..."
"I'm going to stop by, pick up Ant and you as well and take you both to visit Lilly. When is a good time?" Phillip asked.
"I'm not busy now, and Ant is a little ball of nerves over it what with Lilly passing out and the ambulance coming to take her away."
Phillip assured her that he was on his way and got off the phone. Taking a deep breath, he went out to talk to Leon. Even before he told him anything, Leon knew something was wrong just by looking at him. After giving him the news, Phillip once more had to tell him to shuffle his schedule.
"Don't worry about anything here. And text me when you know more about how Lilly is doing, please," Leon said as Phillip rushed out the door.
Phillip turned back for only a second. "I will," he promised and saw Leon give him an encouraging smile.
"She'll be OK. And Ant too. They have you now," Leon told him with calm confidence.
With those words in his ears, Phillip hurried out. He was tempted to ask Leon to come with him, but he couldn't lean on him that much. It was enough to know that Leon was here if he needed him.
Phillip broke the speed limit the whole way and arrived in front of the rundown apartment building to a familiar sight. Zoe was out there on the sidewalk with her baby and Ant was sitting on the steps. Seeing how anxious he looked, Phillip went right up to him.
Ant jumped up from the step to greet him. "Hi, Uncle Phillip."
"Hi, Ant. I'm going to take you and Zoe to see your Gran-gran," Phillip told him and they walked down toward Zoe together.
"Don't you guys be too worried," Zoe said. "Lilly will be in and out of that hospital and right back home." She spoke to both him and Ant, and Phillip wondered if he was letting his worry show.
That wouldn't do. While Zoe went to drop off her baby, Phillip talked to Ant on the same front steps where he had first seen him. The big tree made bright yellow patches on the dirty, gray concrete, but this time a steady breeze made them shift.
As he tried to step on the moving patches of sunlight, Ant went over what happened to Lilly. "I couldn't wake up Gran-gran. She was cold. I runned to get Zoe. She couldn't wake her up either."
"Were you scared?" Phillip asked though he knew he must have been.
Ant nodded and bit his bottom lip.
"There's no need to be scared any more. The doctors are going to take good care of your Gran-gran."
"And you are here," Ant added and smiled tentatively.
"Yes, I am," Phillip said and managed to keep his voice steady. "You'll get to see Lilly soon when you, me and Zoe go to visit her."
Ant nodded but his expression turned serious again. Phillip hated to think of such a heavy burden on his tiny shoulders. He looked at his curly hair and thought about Tony, but he could only picture Tony smiling at that age.
The two of them had lived carefree lives before their parents died, but Ant had already lost both his parents. That's why Phillip would make sure that Lilly had excellent medical care. Ant wasn't going to experience another loss if Phillip could do anything about it.
Zoe came back from her cousin's place. Luckily, it was just down the street. They all went
to Phillip's car, and Zoe whistled, impressed by his BMW. As Ant climbed into the back seat, Phillip realized he didn't have a car seat for him.
"I don't suppose Lilly has a car seat for Ant stashed away somewhere?" Phillip asked Zoe though he didn't hold out much hope.
"No car seat or a car to go with it," Zoe said.
"I guess it will be OK for today. I'll make sure to get him one," Phillip said as he watched Zoe buckle him in. He wondered what else he hadn't thought of when it came to Ant, but for now the main thing was to take him to see Lilly.
During the drive, Zoe tried to distract Ant by pointing at things out the window. He would only look for a second then stare ahead anxiously. They couldn't get to the hospital soon enough.
When they were about halfway there, Phillip called Leon and put him on speaker.
"You have my card playing buddy with you?" Leon asked.
"He means you, Ant," Phillip told him.
"I'm here and Uncle Phillip and Zoe," Ant said.
"You're not talking and driving, are you, Ant?" Leon asked him.
"Me? I'm not driving," Ant told him.
After that Leon had Ant tell him all the jokes he knew. He knew only two and neither one of them made any sense. That was OK since Leon was better at distracting Ant than the scenery.
"We're pulling into the hospital parking lot now," Phillip told Leon.
"OK, I'll let you guys go. Say hi to Lilly for me," Leon told them.
Ant scrambled out of the car in a rush, but as soon as they stepped through the front doors of the hospital, he started to look really scared. He looked around wide-eyed, and the hospital smell probably didn't help. Zoe was already holding his hand, but Phillip put out his hand too.
