Chapter Ten
As Drew had thought and would text Rick, although his mother had never threatened to try to gain custody of their unborn child she couldn't anyway, The seventy-something year-old woman didn't have grounds or jurisdiction. Drew had stitched up the arm of a family law attorney who had cut in her arm in her kitchen.
She was happy to give him free counsel.
"Well, you said your husband's parents live in Vermont? A very liberal state that wouldn't take kindly to people filing on the basis of sexual orientation, even before the SC ruling. And since these people cut ties with their son when he came out and readily acknowledge that, they wouldn't have a chance in family court. In Vermont or here. Plus they would have to establish residence here and file here, Vermont doesn't have jurisdiction. Sounds like she just trying to make a time that is supposed to be a exciting and happy for you two–a miserable one. Not to mention the age factor doesn't work in her favor. I don't think you need to worry.
"The only person you would have to worry about is your sister. She's the only person who could stop the process. Even then your husband would have rights as the biological father."
"Thank you," Drew said. Taking out his wallet he asked the woman what he owed her.
The woman waved her unstitched hand.
"Don't worry about it. You paid me with this," she said pointing to her arm.
Afterwards he text Rick what the attorney-patient had said.
"Now you can tell your mother to fuck off," he ended the message.
Rick called him back a minute later.
"Thank you, dear, for the reassurance," he did feel and sound relieved. "But I wasn't aware you could get free legal advice at the ER unless you were handcuffed to a stretcher."
As much as Rick was still trying to treat his mother with respect, this was making it hard. He now thought about telling his mother what she and his father could do with their thoughts about his "choices." Living as his true self for the first time, Rick was happy. He was done with people like this in his life—even if they were his parents. His family now was Drew, their expected child and of course, Claudia.
"I'll explain that one, later." Drew chuckled. " See you in the morning."
The rest of Drew's shift was a blur. A triple MVA put on him, TC and Jordan on site until sunrise. As of the end of the shift two patients were still in surgery and the other four were stable in ICU. The two in the OR weren't expected to survive. There had been a seventh person, the drunk driver who caused the whole thing, she was pronounced dead on arrival. Whatever her blood alcohol level was, the odor of booze still radiated from her. Beer cans and an empty liquor bottle were in the front passenger seat.
Drew flopped onto the couch face down, totally exhausted and drained.
He didn't hear him but he felt Rick come up and begin to massage his shoulders.
"Keep that up and I'll fall asleep right here," he murmured.
Rick knew his husband had horrible shift. The crash had been all over the news since he got up that morning. "When's the last time you ate? Besides coffee or cheese crackers?" He asked.
"I don't know," Drew said, sleepily.
"C'mon," Rick tried to coax Drew. "I'll get you some breakfast before I tuck you into bed."
"Unless we have cocoa puffs I'm not interested," Drew said, only looking up slightly.
Rick smiled at how a soldier-doctor could turn into a five-year-old when he was tired.
"You're in luck. I'll get you some cocoa puffs and toast," Rick chuckled. "And my side of the bed is all ready for you."
"Such a prince. I know why I married you," Drew followed Rick into the kitchen.
Rick made sure he had turned off the news. Just before Drew got home, it was scrolled on the bottom of the screen that two victims from the car crash had died. Rick thought Drew needed sleep before he heard this. He hoped no one from the hospital sent him a text.
Nobody did.
Drew was practically asleep the moment his head hit the pillow when he got in bed.
"Sweet dreams, baby," Rick said, kissing Drew's head.