After Soldiers Bridge
It is a first season story about Duncan & Richie and of course Tessa.
Warning / Spanking of a teenager in later chapters
Duncan had come back from his morning run. He noticed that Richie still was sound asleep when he checked on him at about 8 o'clock. He let the teenager sleep in once again.
Richie emerged from his room two hours later. He was not in a good mood, because he had several nightmares. He wandered to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee and added a lot of sugar and some milk. He took one of the croissants at the kitchen counter and sat down for breakfast.
Duncan had heard that Richie had come out of his room and went in search for the teenager." Good morning Richie." "Morning Mac", the teenager mumbled.
Duncan poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down too. "Did you sleep well, you look still a bit pale to me", he informed the lad.
"Uhm, I'm okay."
"We have some work to do today. I think your time as a sick teenager is over. But it will not be too strenuous."
"Huh, yes I have enough of the bed, my room and the sofa.
"Good, I'm glad. Then we can start unpack the shipment."
„Mac, I would like to talk to you first. "
"Yes, what is it, Richie?"
"Tomorrow evening I have a date with my friend Angie, and I want to know if you allow me to go out. We want to go to the cinema."
"That's okay Richie, when do you plan you to be back here?"
"About 22.30 or a bit later I think."
"Richie, when does the movie end?"
"About 21.45 but I have to catch the last bus or walk back."
"I don't like it, when you wander the streets at this time in the night, it is very dangerous. I will pick you up at the cinema and give your friend Angie a lift home too."
"You don't have to, you know. I can take care of myself", Richie informed him proudly.
"Richie, you have exactly to possibilities, either I give you and Angie a lift or you will stay at home tomorrow night.
What will it be? Decide now."
"If you put it like that, okay, I would like to go, Mac."
"Fine, do you have other plans for the weekend, Richie?"
"No, not really, Mac."
Good then we can decide later what we do on Sunday.
"Was that all you wanted to ask me, Richie?"
"Yes", the boy admitted.
"Then we can start to unpack the shipment."
They worked the whole day together, but with a long lunch break in between for Richie.
When they stopped Richie was tired and asked if he could go to his room.
Duncan let him go, but was suspicious. Was the lad only tired or was he still not well enough. He would watch it and went to prepare dinner.
Richie appeared some minutes before dinner was ready. Duncan asked him to set the table and to inform Tessa who worked in her workshop.
"Sure, I can do that."
Tessa and Richie entered the kitchen together.
"Do you want some apple juice, Richie? " Duncan asked.
"Yes, whatever".
"Take it out of the fridge and help yourself."
Duncan had prepared some salad and spaghetti with tomato sauce.
Duncan saw that Tessa was not pleased how Richie did eat his spaghetti. He watched Richie's battle with the spaghetti for a moment then decided to help Richie before Tessa exploded because of his table manners.
"Richie I think your method to eat spaghettis is a bit complicated. Let me demonstrate you the proper Italian way."
"Huh, Mac, this is really simple; I've been wondering why you have added the spoons."
He told him that Marco Polo had introduced the Italians to the knowledge to manufacture spaghettis after his visit in China. They experimented and so found out the recipe for the Italian type of spaghettis. He told him some short outrageous stories about his time in Italy with Fitz.
He went to fetch the dessert out of the fridge. "What's that", Richie asked.
"It's Tiramisu, Richie, it means pull or cheer me up", Duncan instructed. "I'm very sure you like it", and Mac was right.
Tessa told Richie to do the dishes since Duncan had prepared dinner. She explained him how to use the dishwasher. Richie made a face but did the duty assigned to him. Tessa didn't react and just joined Duncan in the living room and watched the news.
Richie meanwhile thought that it was okay for the moment to stay with them. He liked the food although they were a bit bossy but they had promised to not yell or beat him up. That was a start. It was certainly better than living on the street or in an orphanage.
Mac had said nothing about a curfew this afternoon when he had ask about his date tomorrow only told him that he would give him a lift. Why did he care anyway?
Normally foster parents didn't really care, if he was save or not. They were glad when he did not bother them or cost too much. He had seldom gotten new clothes or shoes only hand downs from their children, relatives or from the Salvation Army. Some of them had bluntly told him that he would eat too much and had monitored his food. Sometimes he had to go hungry to bed.
But Mac and Tessa had given him the permission to eat whatever he wanted and he had a bunch of new nice clothes too in the nicely furnished guest room with a perfect bed. What could he want more at the moment?
Oh, he had forgotten to write down the list of food, he didn't like, as Tessa asked him to do. Well, he should do that now. Otherwise he had to eat things he really didn't like. He searched for a notepad and pen and was successful. He sat down and started to write down the food he didn't like and the food he was allergic to in another row and labelled them.
Duncan wondered what Richie did in the kitchen. He had noticed that he had done the dishes. But now it was very quiet. He appeared in the kitchen and saw Richie write. He came over and inspected the list Richie had finished writing and then pinned it at the refrigerator door.
"I'm sure the list is not finished he told the boy", smirking.
Do you like haggis, snails, caviar, frogs or mussels?
"No", Richie shouted and went to write them down immediately. "Do you really eat those things", he asked curiously?
"I certainly know how to cook it. What do you think? It's Scottish or French cuisine, Richie. Tessa and I like it. But I won't make you eat it, I promise!"
"Okay, I'm glad", Richie admitted.
"I thought so, little one. Don't worry."
"What about Tessa", the lad asked.
"Oh I don't know you have to ask her yourself Duncan told him and chuckled. But I think she will have a hard time if she insists. Am I right? "
"Yes you are."
Tessa came into the kitchen and asked; "Why I should have a hard time Duncan?"
"Well, my love Richie doesn't like haggis, snails, caviar, frogs or mussels and he is afraid that you make him eat it."
"Oh, Tessa snorted of course I will."
Richie looked horrified and Tessa started to giggle.
"Richie, we don't eat this things usually and when we do then mostly in a restaurant. Duncan and I will never force you to eat something you don't like or want and that's a promise. "
"Huh, I'm glad. It's good you made the list perhaps you want to add what you like best," Tessa suggested.
"Yes, I can do that."
"Richie, come and sit with us for a while in the living room", Duncan said. Duncan and Tessa sat down on the sofa and Richie sat down in the armchair.
"We can discuss what we do on Sunday. Do you have an idea Richie?" Tessa asked.
"No, I do what you want."
Tessa frowned and said; "What do you mean, Richie?"
"Oh, I don't want to be a bother, just do as you normally do."
"Richie, you are no bother for us, you belong now to our family," Tessa said forcefully.
"During the summer time we normally love to go out on a Sunday, when the weather it allows. Would you like to go rather to the beach or the mountains", Duncan asked.
"Huh, I never was in the mountains but sometimes at the city beach with my friends or some foster families", Richie said.
"There are a lot of nicer beaches around Seacouver but I think we should visit the mountain area. Tessa and I love to live in Seacouver because here you have both," Duncan stated.
"Then Richie I suggest we go in the mountain area, do you agree Richie?" Tessa asked.
"Sure I do, whatever you want, Tessa."
"Richie, it is not what I want, I asked you what you want. It is your decision, Richie. Think about it and tell us when you know what you want. You are now almost recovered. It is our first weekend we can spend together and we do what you like.*
Richie was confused he was not used that foster parents asked him what he wanted.
Duncan sensed that Richie was confused and this discussion should not go on."Richie, you look pale again do you feel okay?"
"Yeah, Mac I fell okay. Just my shoulders and my back hurt a bit. May I go to bed now I am tired."
"You may go to bed; we come later to say good night."
Tessa said when Richie was in his room; "I do not understand Richie! In one way he is a cheeky brat and when we want him to tell what he wants he cannot."
"Tessa, his brash and cheeky behaviour is pure self-protection he is very insecure and vulnerable. He does not know us and he still walks on eggshells with us. I'm sure it was the first time that foster parents asked him what he want to do on a Sunday. He is not used to discuss things and that he can have an own opinion or idea and it is accepted.
When we were shopping it was hard for him to just say what he liked even at the restaurant. If I wanted him to buy only pink T-Shirts he would have not opposed. He is very supple to suggestions; he mostly will give in when he doesn't have one of his tantrums although in certain things I'm sure he can be very stubborn. He needed both to survive.
We have to be patient with him and reassure him to tell us what he needs and wants. It is also important that he knows and experience that we are there for him and at least we listen and try to find a solution."
"You are right Duncan. What do we do now about this weekend?"
"Nothing, Tessa if he doesn't decide we go to the mountain area this Sunday. That's fine for me, Duncan."
"Tessa I think it is important that he perceive us as a unit and that it would be good for him when we both together would say good night. If only one of us is at home than this one is responsible.
I will stay with him and take him through the relaxing exercise. You don't have to stay."
"Yes, Duncan I agree with you we should do that together. He needs to know that we care both about him.
"I am concerned about his shoulder and back ache."
"Why don't you give him a massage? That's a good idea he seems to be tense."
"Well, go and take care of him, Duncan. I join you in about fifteen minutes. "
Duncan knocked on Richie's door but there was no answer so he entered and sat down on the bed. Shortly after that Richie emerged from the bathroom.
"Richie, I'm concerned about your shoulder and back ache."
"It's nothing Mac, it will be over tomorrow."
"I would like to give you a neck and shoulder massage with herbal ointment Richie, it seems that you are very tense. Please take off your T-Shirt and come here."
Duncan noticed the brief fear and distrust in Richie's eyes.
"Richie, you are always safe with me. If you don't want a massage you are free to tell me. I won't be angry. I just want to help you."
Richie hesitantly took off his T-Shirt and went to stand in front of Mac and then turned slowly around. Duncan opened the herbal ointment and began to massage the tense neck and shoulders parts.
"Ugh, Mac that stinks awful."
"I know Richie but it usually helps."
"Where did you learn that? I learned it in a monastery in China and later in Tibet, Malaysia and India. I learnt a lot more about massage techniques, energies points, reflexion exercises, meditation, Yoga and Tai Chi. It was an interesting time."
"Huh, I bet."
"Do you feel a bit better now?"
"Yes, it helped a bit."
"You can put the T-Shirt on and then hop in your bed."
Richie did and Duncan covered him and sat down in the chair.
Richie, if your headache won't get better we'll see a doctor. Huh Mac, it isn't necessary, Richie said.
At this moment Tessa knocked and entered. "So did Duncan's massage help a bit?"
"Yes it did", Richie said.
"I hope you lose it during the night and you feel better tomorrow. Good night Richie and sleep well", said Tessa and kissed him on the forehead.
"Good night Tessa. See you later Duncan."
"Hmm, yes I bet."
"Good then good night and sleep well, Richie" and with that he did give the boy a kiss on the forehead as well and sat down again.
"Good night, Mac", Richie said.
He helped Richie to relax and soon the lad was asleep and Duncan went in search for Tessa.
On Saturday morning after breakfast Richie had to help first Mac and then he had to go grocery shopping with Tessa. Shopping with Tessa was the most strenuous thing he'd ever experienced. Richie was downright tired.
"Mac, I now knows why you wanted to supervise the shop. This is unbearable and cruel to go shopping with this woman."
Duncan smirked, "Richie every man has to go through that from time to time even me. I made lunch so go on I'm sure you are hungry and then come back here I have some more work for you."
"You are a slave driver Mac."
"A slave driver wouldn't feed you first. Now go and have lunch Richie."
Half an hour later, Richie was back in Mac's office and sat down, with a plop on the vacant chair.
"So, what do you need me to do Mac?"
"I want you to bring this letter's to the post office around the corner and post them for me." Duncan handed him the bundle.
"You have to go now because they close in half an hour and you want to go to the cinema with your friend Angie."
"Mac is it okay when I don't come back here because I can catch the bus near the post office."
That's fine with me. Then we meet about ten in the Starbucks near the cinema, Richie."
"Yeah Mac, we'll be there."
"Fine, we'll just have to find out whether you have earned your allowance this week or not."
"Oh, Mac, you know that I gave my best. Yes, you usually have. Here 60 U.S. dollars I think that is enough for the cinema and what else you need."
"Oh, for sure thank you Mac."
"Well, go now and have fun!"
"I will see you later Mac."
Richie had a lovely evening with Angie. About ten Duncan met them at Starbucks and first brought Angie home.
At home he ordered Richie to go immediately to bed. Duncan and Tessa came to say good night and Duncan stayed as always. Richie felt worse and worse and he suddenly jumped up and disappeared into the bathroom and vomited.
Duncan went after him and when he saw that the teenager vomited. He wet a wash cloth and then filled a glass with water for him. Then he bent down and stroked the lad's back. When Richie was done he gave him the glass.
Richie drank a little and sat down on the toilet lid.
Duncan did run the wash cloth gently over Richie's face and neck.
"Richie, do you feel better now?" Richie could not answer he had to vomit again and Duncan bent down and stroked Richie's back reassuringly.
He heard a knock and Tessa entered. "Oh, le pauvre, can I help something Duncan?"
"Yes, if you can fetch a glass of coke for him, it's in the fridge."
When Richie was done Duncan handed him once again a glass of water and instructed him to just rinse his mouth.
Tessa came back with a glass of coke and handed it to Duncan.
"Now, Richie, just sip slowly some coke, it will help to settle your stomach ache." Duncan handed him the glass.
Richie did as he was told and saw that Tessa had disappeared.
"Do you think it's over now, Richie?"
„Yes, I think so, Mac."
"Then I suggest that you lie down again."
"Okay, Mac." Mac helped Richie back to his room and then tucked the boy back in. Duncan sat down and took Richie's hand in his and began the relaxation exercise. Richie had a long time until he finally fell asleep. Duncan gave him a kiss on the forehead and then switched off the light and went into his bedroom.
"How's Richie?" Tessa asked.
"He is sleeping now.
"Do you think he will be okay tomorrow so we can go out? Tessa asked.
"Yes, I think so. We go to the mountains when Richie is doing well. We want to enjoy Richie's first Sunday with us."
"I agree with you, Duncan."
At nine o'clock Duncan stepped in Richie's room and woke him. "Good morning Richie, how are you today?"
"Oh, leave me alone, it is Sunday. I want to sleep some more", moaned a very grumpy teenager.
Duncan sat down on the bed and stroked his back several times.
"Why can't you let me be", the boy groaned.
"No, I want to know how you feel and you have to get up."
"I feel better today but I want to stay in bed."
"Well then you remain in bed and you may only use the toilet. Absolutely no reading, watching TV or listening to music, said Duncan. Nothing is allowed."
"Huh, but you are cruel."
"No, you do not feel well so this result is logical. Then I'll bring tea and crisp bread. For small patients this is the best."
"Mac, I'm doing really well, I wanted to sleep just a little more."
"Okay, you are either in 20 minutes at breakfast or you stay all day and all night in bed without distraction. It is your decision."
"I hate you; you are a cruel man Mac." the teenager moaned.
"That does not bother me. It is normal for teenagers to hate their carers from time to time. I'll leave you alone so you can sulk. But it would be a shame; it will be a bright, sunny and warm day, just right for a picnic, my lad."
Duncan left the brat alone with the knowledge that he felt better when he was so rebellious.
"Well, did you had some success with the awakening of our teenager", asked Tessa and handed Duncan his mug with coffee.
"Yes he was quite rebellious, he feels better. He can now choose between 24 hours bed rest without distraction and crisp bread with tea or a picnic in the countryside."
"Oh, but you are a villain."
After 20 minutes Richie appeared in the kitchen.
"Good morning, Tessa and Mac, he greeted.
"Good morning Richie, so you've decided to get up yet", Tessa said.
"Hmm yeah."
"Well then eat something and then we head into the mountains. We want to make a beautiful and pleasant trip, Duncan stated.
"Eat your breakfast, and then go brush your teeth. Put on good shoes and do not forget your jacket. In the mountains it is colder. Take an additional sweater. We'll meet at ten o'clock at the door. Understood little brat?
"Yeah Mac, do I have a choice here?
"No, we see you later and leave the kitchen in a clean state."
Tessa and Duncan went to their bedroom and emerged about ten again. Their teenager did await them pouting.
"Get in the car, Richie. Stop now with the pouting there is no reason for it."
"This is so easy to say for you. You don't have to do always just what you're told."
Yes that's because we are adults and you're still a child that is the difference between us. We will not leave you alone at home, this option you can forget.
"I'm fifteen not five, Mac and you know it."
"It does not matter to us because you always seem to do mischief, so it is not an option to leave you alone at home, Tessa confirmed.
This is not true. Then you can prove it in the future, but today we want to enjoy the rest of the day and not argue. Understood my little brat, Duncan said.
"Okay, okay, I give in" but he was still sitting sulking back in the car.
Tessa and Duncan said preliminary nothing to him and talked about various things. Richie soon lost interest and went to sleep.
When they had arrived at their destination Duncan said gently.
"Wake up lad, we are at our destination." Richie stretched and groaned und got off the car.
"Oh, that looks like a mountain to me. I won't climb it. It is too strenuous."
Duncan grinned and said; "It would never occur to me in a dream to let you climb this mountain. That would be too hard for me even though I am immortal. Look there is a cable car we can use. I hope you're not afraid of heights."
"Huh, Mac, I've never been up so high."
"Don't be afraid. The cable car is safe and it is only 1300 meters high. High mountains are twice as high."
Tessa had already purchased three tickets and waited for the two. "Come on, we want to be on the mountain top in half an hour. The cable car travels in 5 minutes."
Richie was a little uneasy but he did not try to show it, because he was a tough guy.
Once at the top Richie admired first the view. "Are you sure that here are bears and wolves, Mac?"
"Yes but they are too shy we won't see them. Perhaps chamois and smaller animals like squirrels, marmots and small lizards or snakes."
"Snakes oh my God, are they poisonous?"
"Snakes are more afraid of you. Only if you make them afraid, they will bite you", Duncan reassured him.
Duncan took Richie's hand and said. "Come now let us walk to the lake and make our picnic there."
"How long do we have to walk", Richie pouted.
"About half an hour, I'm sure you can do that."
"Huh, for sure is this just the limit for me."
"Well, come now", look Tessa is already over there. For Richie it was so unusual. He was not used, that someone was nice to him. It embarrassed him. They met Tessa soon because she was waiting for them to join her.
"You okay, Richie?"
"Yeah sure."
"I only wanted to be sure, Richie", Tessa said.
Half an hour later they arrived at the lake and Richie relaxed slowly. It was a beautiful afternoon and Duncan told a couple of interesting stories and explained the vegetation and wildlife in the mountains a little. He could enjoy the return with the cable car now.
When they got home Richie was allowed to watch TV until dinner was ready and it was a relaxed evening till Tessa broke the mood with her announcement.
"Richie, it's time for you to go to bed", Tessa said as the show was over.
"It's only half past nine, I am not tired and don't want to go to bed", the boy protested angrily.
"Richie go to bed, Duncan told him. No, Mac I'm not tired, I don't want to and I am fifteen not five.
Richie go to bed, Duncan said more forcefully. Richie stood up, gave Tessa and Mac a furious look and shouted angrily; "It gets on my nerves I'm not a baby that needs to go to bed so early every evening."
Duncan just calmly got up grabbed his arm and accompanied him to his corner.
"Calm down Richie. Stand now in the corner as I have instructed you. Think about your behaviour."
Richie followed the instruction but only slowly and still angry. He knew that if he resisted Duncan, things would only get worse. The time did not pass for him and he was really bored.
He heard them discuss in French for a while and then Tessa left the living room. After twenty minutes Duncan ordered him to sit down in the armchair.
"Richie, we won't tolerate your outburst and you arguing with us about your bed time. You stop now immediately to fight us on this. Do you understand me? You may speak.
"Oh, Mac this is really too hard. I am fifteen. That's really unfair."
"We know that you're fifteen years old and that's why we send you to bed at a decent time. We don't want to deal with a grumpy teenager every morning when it is not necessary. "
"Huh, I'm not grumpy in the morning. I just need time to wake up. Not everybody is awake at five in the morning."
"Richie, it is enough. Make sure you stop arguing about it. You still think it is too early to go to bed?"
"Yes, I'm not tired."
"Well, Richie it is not your decision. You go immediately to bed or you receive another punishment."
"Huh, then I choose to go to bed" Richie decided.
"Good lad, then go now."
Then minutes later Duncan and Tessa went to say good night as usual and Richie was soon asleep.
Thank you for reading, please review. Next chapter coming soon!
