Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 183

Bob POV

Today, we all arrived at Thomas's house; we would stay the night. Bethany made the pies for tomorrow's sports day, and I brought some beer. Jacko would stay the night, too, bringing his wife, or is he called his husband? I get confused about what they are when it is the same gender in the relationship. I think I heard Jacko call him his wife. I do not wish to insult anyone so that I will call him by his name. Scott is coming, too, and he will bring Hank with him. I need to get both of them a companion. I am assuming that Scott is into women, but I am not sure, as I have never seen him with someone on his

arm.

That night was like a party. Thomas had invited some of his friends over, girls and guys, and we all spoilt Nate, who was in a special bed in the room. The nurse hovered around him, making sure he did not overdo it. Poor Nate looked like he would have preferred to be up and to join in, but he could not muster the energy to get off the bed; he eventually fell asleep, and the nurse wheeled him out of the room to a room set up on the lower floor for him.

Hank and Scott seemed to get along with some of the ladies, laughing and chatting. It seems both these women liked sports. We were debating the stats of a particular team, and Hank was making sure his point was heard. I can see both these women would become sports day regulars, but being Thomas's friends, I wonder if? No, I am not going there. What they prefer in the bedroom has nothing to do with me.

Jacko's husband/wife, Lucas, was a laugh. He was not what I expected, but he suited Jacko, bringing out the softer side of him you rarely get to see. He was more than content to get involved in the banter around the room and had us in stitches. Jacko, when not having his work hat on, was good company, a side I had not seen before; he was more relaxed, and the lifestyle that Thomas has and that Nate was, well, Nate, he relaxed more around us. Many paragraphs are missing. Read the complete book on Ebookex.com .I think he was worried about being judged for bringing a man the love of his life. But our family does not care; as long as you are happy, who is worried about who you prefer as your partner? Life has so many curved balls; why make more when you do not need to? Morning found me content, being snuggled up to Pam, my arms holding her to me. Until she hit me by accident and then, while trying to get out of bed in a hurry, pushed on my bladder by mistake and rushed to then rushed to the bathroom. I followed her; my need to pee was high since she put pressure on it, that was until I squatted down beside her, holding her hair as she puked in the bowl; my poor love has suffered from morning sickness, and I feel for her. I contributed to getting her in this state; I wish I knew how to help her. I was useless when my other children grew in a belly, and Wendy would not let me near her.

'I am okay. I need to get some ginger ale and saltines, and I will feel better.' I moved to let her up, and she flushed to the toilet and washed her face; I relieved myself and washed up. I followed her to the bedroom, grabbed a robe, and headed to the kitchen to get the things Pam needed to start her day off a little better.

'Morning, Dad.' Bethany said as I walked in. I could see she already had the saltines and ginger ale out.

'Morning, are you having morning sickness too?' I asked, thinking they were both about the same weeks along. 'Nope, I have been lucky and have not had that problem. I had a week of feeling poorly, and now I am as good as gold; I get tired quickly. I got these out for Pam; I heard her earlier, though don't tell her that; she would be mortified.

'Your secret is safe with me, and thank you for this. I took the biscuits and jug and headed back to Pam, who I hoped had gone back to bed, and it was still early. I did not think to ask why Bethany was up; it slipped my mind when I got the cure for Pam's morning condition.

Pam had gone back to bed. She was pale but still the most beautiful woman I had seen. Call me a sap, but that is how I feel. I left the jug and biscuits on the table by the bed and got dressed, leaving her to sleep a little longer.

'Hey, do you want help here?' I offered Bethany and Judy assistance in the kitchen. They were both cooking up a storm for breakfast, and my stomach was grumbling. It needed to be filled with the delicious aroma coming from the stove. 'Sure, do you want to squeeze some juice?' Judy pointed to a machine and a bag of oranges. I was not keen on that particular job, but I graciously accepted, started the noisy machine, and proceeded to cut up the oranges.

The house started to wake up, and it was not long before the television was on; Nate was wheeled over to the side so he could watch the game too, and the nurse joined us all on the lounge chairs to enjoy the game, I took note that one woman has taken to snuggling up the Scott and one was the same with Hank, he has had his arm draped over her, and she had her head on his chest, how long it will stay their once our game starts will be interesting to see.

Bethany took her usual seat on a cushion on the floor in front of Theo, a place she had always sat when watching the game in the beginning when she was very young. It was not unusual for her to sneak in to watch the game, where she would sit at my feet and be quiet and out of the way. Also, Wendy could not replace her, and then later, it was as if that was where she was always meant to be, though instead of being at my feet now, she was sitting at Theo's.

My phone rang, and I answered it, with faces turned to look at me as I did; the game was due to start, and I guess they were concerned I would be called away.

'Hey, this is Doctor Wilcocks. I was asked to give you a call. This is the Police chief?'

'Yes, Doctor, what can I do for you?' I was curious to know who this doctor was.

'I am calling to advise you that early this morning, Mr Horandeze lost his battle and died.

'Thank you, Doctor Wilcocks, for advising me. The doctor hung up, and all faces were still looking at me, even though the introduction to the game had started.

'Horandeze passed away early this morning, 'I told the group. None said a word, just a nod here and there, but the cheering coming from the screen had us turning back and putting that news on the back burner for now.

The game was indeed loud, and the women were no longer snuggled up watching the game but were as loud as the rest of us, screaming at the screen. It made me feel so good to see the whole room involved in the game, not one person arguing or causing a fight between us; it was as if we were all barracked for the same team and were there for the same purpose. In all the years I had tried to have this, I failed. Yet, here, amid everything outside our doors falling apart, while inside, Thomas had managed to pull a group of same-minded people together to have a wonderful day. Even Nate, who kept falling asleep, had tried to be a part of this, yelling at the screen when we scored.

I cannot remember ever having all those important to me in the same room, cheering for the same team and enjoying each other's company as much. We all agreed to come to Thomas's house for the next few weeks until Nate was up and about and could travel to our place or Hanks.

Mini Bob was handed around, so all of us had a turn to oo and ah over him. Judy was excited that five more babies would join the group, and if we kept this up, we could have our own football team soon.

That got us all laughing, and when it was time to return home, none of us wanted to leave.

'Thank you, son, for having us over. Call me if you need help!'

'You are going to be the one that will be needing help, old man, three babies at once; you do know how to make work hard for yourself! Thomas joked along with me.

I had dreamed of having a good relationship with my son and had not known the lengths Wendy had gone to try and spoil that for me; it was her way of trying to control my life the best she could, pushing me away. In her own way, she was trying to protect Thomas from being dragged into her sordid world. But Thomas was always strong-willed, and I doubt anything she could do would make him want that kind of life. 'Catch you next week if nothing pops up before then.' I said to Thomas. Pam gave him a kiss on the cheek, and he smilingly said

'Bye, Mum!' which put a huge smile on Pam's face, and I was so pleased that he would do that for Pam and that it looked like they would get along well. Judy had hinted at the opportunity to have the six children have regular get-togethers to help bring them closer together, and I liked the idea. I would love for him to live closer to us, but that is not on the cards; he is closer to his work here and has made this place into a nice and cozy home.