It was early morning, about 7:30. Francis awoke and saw what might be the second most beautiful thing he would ever see. He saw the love of his life, his Arthur and he saw their child. The only thing that would make this sight better was if… Alfred was there. Today was the day they would visit Alfred in the hospital. Then maybe everyone would breathe a little easier.
Francis felt the pangs of guilt in his gut. It wasn't his fault, but… His son. He put the feelings aside, and made his way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. He tied back his hair into a ponytail, took some old bread from the bread box and started on French toast. He picked out eggs from the refrigerator when he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked to his side to see Matthew, still in his nightshirt.
"Bon Matin, Papa. What are you making?"
"French toast. Would you like to be my sous chef, Mattie?"
"Oui, Papa!"
Matthew dragged a footstool to the counter and proceeded to grab a wooden spoon.
"Now, Mattie, what do we know about cooking?"
"Never measure!"
"Oui! Go by instinct. Tell yourself what to cook. Make it with love, not a book."
"Is that why your food is always so yummy, Papa?"
"Oui, Mattie. That's my secret ingredient."
"Can we bring some love to Alfred today, then?"
Francis did not see that coming. He reached out to pat his son on the head.
"Yes, Mattie… We will bring your brother all our love."
The toast was ready in no time. They served the plates at the table with some berries.
"Now, go get your Daddy, tell him to come sit before it gets cold."
They all sat down to breakfast, Matthew doused his toast with syrup, Arthur scolded him, Francis laughed.
Francis cleared the dishes while Matthew and Arthur packed some toast for Alfred.
When they finally got out of the house, Matthew was nowhere to be found.
"Matthew! Where are you?" Arthur looked around the grounds, in the car. He finally found Matthew in the garden.
"Matthew! What are you doing here? Papa and I have been looking all over for you! What are you holding?"
Although covered in dirt, he proudly presented his prize, a bunch of yellow roses.
"I'm going to bring love for Alfred!"
Arthur laughed. "Alright then, you sweet little child. Lets go."
The drive to the hospital in silence. Matthew tended to his flowers dutifully, while Francis kept his eye on the road, and Arthur just stared out the window.
When they reached the hospital, they were told to wait for awhile until a nurse was available to see them in.
Francis and Arthur took seats next to each other while Matthew wandered the room.
He noticed a big man sitting in chair with a small girl with short blonde hair next to him. The man held I large bunch of sunflowers. Matthew approached the man and introduced himself.
"Hello. I'm Matthew. Are you bringing flowers for someone too?"
The big man wore a pink scarf around his neck which covered his mouth, which Matthew thought was funny since pink was a girly colour.
"Oh hello, little Matthew. Yes, I'm bring flowers for my sister, Natalia. She had a bit of a kitchen accident awhile ago and happens to need stitches. I am Ivan, and this is Inga, my other sister."
"Would you like one of my flowers, Inga?" Matthew asked
The girl blushed and nodded.
"She is very shy," the big man told Matthew as he handed her the flower. "Here, as a thank you, you may have one of our flowers."
Matthew heard Arthur call from across the room, and quickly gave his thanks to the man, and ran towards his parents.
"Where did you get that sunflower from, Mattie?" Francis asked.
"The big man with the purple eyes."
They were led into Alfred's room by a pretty nurse who called herself Elizaveta. She then introduced the family to a serious looking man called Doctor Roderich.
"Well, the good news is that his condition is very treatable. It is a case of Pneumonia, which as you probably know, is an infection of the lungs. It can be fatal, but this case is not so bad. He needs lots of bed rest, and he needs to take this twice daily," He said, presenting Francis and Arthur with an orange bottle containing medicine.
"But, sir," Francis started to ask, before being cut off.
"Symptoms of pneumonia include serious fatigue. In children, the symptoms can strike quite quickly. There is no reason to be alarmed. Now, I have other patients to attend to. My assistant, Miss Elizaveta here, will assist you for the rest of your visit. I take my leave."
As soon as Doctor Roderich left, the family surrounded Alfred's bed, and he was bombarded with questions.
"Ah, please! Give him some space," Nurse Elizaveta exclaimed. "Here, little one, while your parents talk to your brother, would you like to talk to me? Those are lovely flowers you have. Are they for your brother?"
Matthew nodded. He was meeting so many new people today. He pointed at her head.
"I like your bandana, ma'am…"
"Oh thank you, my husband got it for me, actually… He's the doctor who was just in here." She sighed and looked at the door. "He seems so distant lately… We're both so busy…"
"Love sounds painful. My daddies fight all the time. Do you fight with your husband, miss?"
"That's a rather personal thing to ask, don't you think?"
"I'm sorry," Matthew said, looking ashamed.
"Oh, dear its alright. I was talking to myself out loud where you could hear me. Yes, we fight, but… I love him, so it's alright. I'm certain your daddies feel the same way. Love can hurt, but the good makes it all worthwhile. Do you love anyone?"
"Oh, lots of people! I love Papa, and Daddy, and Alfred and Kumatachi…"
"That's all very good. Someday you'll find a different type of love though, more like what your daddies feel like about each other, so be prepared."
"Oh, someone you want to spend your life with?"
"Like that, yes."
"Oh, like that pretty girl in the waiting room! I like her. She was nice. She made me feel like I couldn't breathe.
"Matthew! We have to go home now! We're taking Alfred with us, so you can talk together in the car."
"Ok! Bye, Miss Eli- Eliza- Miss Nurse."
"Matthew! Let's go!"
"Coming!"
Matthew sped up and grabbed his Papa's hand, while Arthur carried a sleeping Alfred in his arms.
After they left, Doctor Roderich came back into the room, and wrapped his arms around Elizaveta.
"What a happy family…"
"We'll have our own soon," the doctor said as he put his hand on Elizaveta's stomach.
She smiled. "I hope so… Even if the last one…"
He stopped her mid-sentence, hushing her. "Don't worry… It'll work out."
They walked hand in hand out of the room.
"You're wearing the bandana I gave you."
"Yes, I am."