After Soldiers Bridge
It is a first season story about Duncan & Richie and of course Tessa.
Warning / Spanking of a teenager in later chapters
The next morning Duncan went to rouse Richie about nine. He entered the room and Richie was snoring faintly. Duncan sat down and started to stroke Richie's back.
"Good morning my sleepyhead, it is time to wake up."
Richie groaned and then stretched. "Morning Mac, do I really have to get up."
"Yes, we have a long day before us. Chocolate Milk Toast and scrambled eggs okay?"
"Sure Mac, whatever."
"Good, get up now."
Ten Minutes later the teenager emerged from his room and sat down on the kitchen table.
Duncan handed him the scrambled eggs. His chocolate milk and toast were already placed on the table.
"Enjoy, Richie."
"Thanks Mac."
"You're welcome."
Duncan sat down with a coffee and the local paper. When Richie had finished his breakfast Duncan said. "Before we go on our shopping spree I want you to be clear on what I expect from you.
Richie looked surprised.
You pick what you like and you will talk to me. You tell me when you are tired or need fresh air, you are hungry, thirsty or you need a box stop.
"Huh, Mac, I promise, I try to do that."
"Good lad then go brush your teeth and get your jacket and meet me at the door in 10 minutes."
Duncan drove to the shopping Mall at the waterfront park.
They started at the shopping Mall at the waterfront park at a department store for boxer shorts, socks and pyjamas. Richie didn't like pyjamas and told Duncan so.
"You pick some and you will use them. It is a normal thing to do. If you want to walk naked around I'm not disturbed by it but I'm sure that Tessa will and you too."
"Okay I give in but in summer I can use the boxer shorts."
"You can also find short pyjamas for the summer season have a look at them over there."
Half an hour later they had all they needed from the department store.
"Mac I am thirsty and I want to sit down."
Duncan found it a bit early but was glad that the boy had the courage to tell him.
"Come we can sit over there and you can go and buy yourself a drink." Duncan handed him five dollars.
When the boy was back he said, "Next we will go for some shoes." Richie ended with four pairs of new shoes even thought Richie told him two pairs were quite enough.
"Richie, I have a list from Tessa and she wants you to have at least six pairs of shoes. Be aware that she may drag you all over the town to buy the one not bought yet.
Richie signed. "You always do what Tessa demands."
"No, but I know her. Shopping is one of her hobbies and I know women even worse than Tessa, believe me. You don't want to accompanied Amanda or Gina".
"Are they like you?"
Yes, Richie and their shopping attacks get worse every century. If Amanda gets your credit card in her hands, the limit is reached immediately.
Gina can make Paris uncertain for hours. She never tires and in the end you have no money left also. I'm glad at least she is married with a rich immortal.
"Huh, Mac, I really hate shopping. I try to avoid them! I need a box stop and I'm hungry."
"Okay lad then we go to the waterfront and we have lunch there. Before we just go and put all this bags in the trunk. After Lunch we need to hunt for trousers, T-Shirts, Shirts, pull-over, trainers and Jackets"
"Uhm, you sure we can't lose this list."
"Try and you will find yourself assigned an essay about the necessity of shopping lists, Duncan smirked. I will safekeeping it for you."
"Richie, you can choose the restaurant. There is a French one, an Italian or Indian Restaurant with good food. What will it be?"
"I like Italian best", Richie decided. They walked the short distance and sat down for their lunch.
Richie did not know, what he should order because, he noticed the high prices. Normally foster parents did not invite him to a Restaurant because it was too expensive.
Duncan noticed Richie's insecurity and asked him if he would like the daily special. Richie nodded. Duncan ordered two daily specials and a bottle of water and a coke for the lad.
"Do you feel a little better, now that things with the social security and Mrs. Harrington are settled?" Duncan asked gently.
"Yes, Mac a bit."
At this moment he waiter came back with their drinks and food. They enjoyed the food and the sunshine at the waterfront. After they had eaten their lunch Macleod ordered a coffee for himself and paid the bill.
"We have to continue our shopping spree my lad, ready?"
"Huh, Mac I rather would like to sit in the sun and relax a bit."
"I know but it is necessary you need some of this things Richie. It is not okay that you had only these old battered clothes. Your foster parents should have spent the money they received for you and not for themselves."
"Richie did not like shopping but he was certainly in need of some the mentioned things on Tessa's list. He would not refuse, if they wanted to spend money on him. That would be very stupid.
Three hours later they had found all Richie needed in Tessa's opinion. Never in his life had someone spent that much money on him in such a short time. Normally his foster parents had sent him to the Salvation Army or they got him hand downs from their children or neighbours.
After coming home, Mac had just ordered him to put his belongings in his room and put the clothes in the wardrobe. Some of them would go first in the laundry.
When Duncan had prepared dinner he wondered about Richie's disappearance. He went in search for him and found him sound asleep in his room. He looked like a little angel. Duncan debated with himself to rouse him or not and decided against it.
He went to fetch the afghan from the living room for the lad to keep him warm and tucked him in. He would emerge on his own when he was hungry or tomorrow morning. Duncan was now free to call Connor and do some work. Tessa had dinner with a girlfriend.
About ten he heard Richie come out of his room. Duncan called, "Richie can you come in my office, please." When the boy stepped in, he seemed to be a bit nervous.
"Did I do something wrong", he asked.
"No of course not, just sit down for a moment please!"
Duncan finished his letter and then looked at Richie. "Are you hungry, Richie?"
"Yes", the boy admitted.
"Well, I prepared dinner, but I thought it best, to let you sleep.
Was I right, Duncan asked the lad?"
"Uhm, yeah I think so."
"Would you like an omelette? We can have tonight's dinner for lunch tomorrow."
"I don't want to disturb you Mac. I can make a sandwich for myself, if I get your permission."
"Richie, it's no trouble. Come we go see, what you can have for a belated light dinner."
Duncan steered the boy towards the kitchen and told him to sit down.
Richie was not used to adults who acted like that. In some foster homes he had not been allowed to eat at a late time like this, when he missed dinner. But he had not missed it. He had been just too tired.
Duncan prepared an omelette with spinach and onion for him. It did smell good, the man must have a talent for cooking, Richie thought.
Duncan handed him the plate with the omelette and told him to dig in. That he didn't need to tell him twice. Duncan just watched him silently.
"Thank you, that was really good."
„You're welcome.
If you are hungry just help yourself, you don't need to get my or Tessa's permission. It's now your home too. There will be always enough.
"Yes, sure Mac."
"Richie, you look pale. Are you all right?"
"Sure Mac, I just have a little headache."
Do you want a painkiller?
Oh, yes that would be helpful.
Duncan went in his bedroom and emerged with two tablets. Here take this with water. He handed Richie a glass.
"Tomorrow we will unpack a shipment. We want you to work off your debt form the burglary attempt as a lesson."
"How long do I need to work for it?"
Duncan told him at least 80 hours and that he would decide when the debt was worked off.
Richie sighed, "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you."
"Yes I know, my lad. But when we make it easy for you, you will learn nothing.
Now go to bed, Richie, it is late. I come and say good night in about five minutes."
Duncan washed the dishes and went to say good night. He knocked on the door and entered. Richie was already in the bed and had put the afghan neatly folded on the bedside table.
Duncan sat down and asked the boy if he was okay again. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"You remember when your headache gets worse you come see me!"
"Sure Mac, I will."
"Good then good night and sleep well, Richie" and he gave the boy a kiss on the forehead and sat down.
"Good night, Mac, Richie said."
He helped Richie to relax and soon the lad was asleep and Duncan went back to his office but he had to think about Richie.
Duncan noticed that the teenager was not used to attention or to be treated in a gentle way, especially not from men. It let him defenceless and embarrassed. He had to watch it. But he had to learn that care not only was meant in the material way. It was not too late for this teenager.
He would make the difference together with Tessa for this boy. He was glad that he had taken the responsibility for him. But there was a long way to go.
He would ask Mrs. Harrington, if it would be possible to adopt Richie and if she could help them. The lad needed desperately to belong to someone and learn what family means.
Decision made, Duncan went to bed and Tessa joined him an hour later. Did you enjoy your evening with your girlfriend, Tessa? Yes, it was a good evening. I see you did manage to survive the shopping spree with our teenager. Did he behave? Yes, he did and we have managed to buy most of the clothes you wanted Richie to have. Good news then my lover.
Well, now we have his size I can always buy more, Tessa said. Yes, sure you can but give Richie some time now. He is not used that he get's spoiled. It would be too much we don't want him to have a culture shock. Oh, you again Duncan, spoiling him a bit will not harm him. Duncan didn't want to continue this discussion so he distracted Tessa with kissing and nibbling.
Richie woke up in the middle of the night after a nightmare. He was very confused. He was not used that people or especially guys paid attention to him or treated him nice. Did Mac and Tessa really not want more than give him a home and a chance? Mrs. Harrington thought so. He did mull over this thoughts for some time.
His headache was back full force and he did fell badly. He had a sore throat and was all sweaty. What should he do? Probably a shower was the right thing to do? Oh, but it was only four clock in the morning. When he showered, he would surely wake up Mac and Tessa. But Mac has told me again that he should come to him if it does not improve.
Richie took all his courage and knocked softly on the bedroom door of the couple. A short time later, the door opened and Duncan stood before him.
"Hi Richie, come on we go to your room, Tessa still sleeps. What's up?"
"Oh, Mac, I feel worse. My headache is back full force and I have also a sore throat.
"Sit down, Richie". Duncan put his hand on Richie's forehead.
"Richie you're all hot and sweaty. You have a fever, my lad. First I'll fetch the thermometer for you."
Duncan came back with a thermometer and pain killers. "So now lie down. We put the thermometer in your armpit and wait ten minutes.
I go and make tea. Stay where you are. I'll be back soon."
Richie was nervous and hoped that the fever was not high. He was terrified of hospitals and doctors.
Duncan came back with a cup of tea for Richie and a few towels and a bowl. He put everything on the bedside table.
The ten minutes are up; we want to see how high your fever is.
Oh no Richie almost forty degrees. This is far too high; we need to go to hospital. No Mac, I will not go. Tessa had been woken up and entered Richie's room at this moment. She had heard the exchange.
What he has almost forty degree temperature? Yes, Tessa, we must bring him to the hospital.
Okay, I go and get dressed. Help Richie to wash and to dress. Then I stay with him and you get dressed. I drive you to the hospital.
Richie struggled first a little against Duncan's help. Duncan, however, was gentle with him but determined. Richie was too dizzy and weak and so he gave in and let Duncan help him. It also helped that Duncan talked all the time quietly with him in a calm manner. He just heard that he must have no fear. Duncan and Tessa would not leave him alone and stay with him.
When Tessa came back Richie was dressed. Tessa sat down beside him on the bed and also spoke soothingly to him and it helped Richie to relax a bit.
When Duncan came back he helped Richie up and led him out of the apartment and into the car. He sat down next to Richie and embraced him. Tessa drove them to the hospital and let them get off at the entrance. Then she searched for a parking lot.
Meanwhile Duncan led him in the hospital and helped him to sit down in the waiting area. Please stay here I go over there and register you.
Duncan gave the front desk manager the necessary information. She checked Richie's insurance.
"I'm sorry Mr. Macleod but Richie Ryan is insured for only the minimum. You must bring him into the public hospital on the opposite side of the town. We cannot take him in."
"I am since two days his guardian and I had not the time to adjust his insurance. I will pay the additional costs. Please take care, that as soon as possible, a doctor treats this boy. He has a high fever.
"Well, please give me your credit card and fill out these forms too.
Tessa had parked the car and saw that Duncan was at the reception and Richie sat in the waiting room. She sat down next to Richie and asked how he felt.
"Oh, I'm still alive Tessa. I hate hospitals but in this one I never was. They will not treat me; you have to take me to the hospital on the other side of Seacouver. My insurance will not cover it."
"Do not worry Richie. Duncan will regulate it. You have an awful health system here in the States. In Europe they would treat you first and then ask for the insurance."
Duncan gave the receptionist the credit card and the filled out paperwork. She made a copy of the confirmation of his guardianship and completed the paperwork. Please go now to the second floor and sign up there at the reception. A paediatrician will take care of the boy. She handed Duncan a permit and some of the completed forms.
Well, thank you. Duncan went back to the waiting room and said: "The children's department is on the second floor. Come on Richie, I'll help you."
In the children's department, they were pointed directly into an examination room.
"Mr. Macleod, a doctor will be with you in five minutes. The boy should take off his clothes", the nurse instructed.
"Sure, thank you."
"Duncan you join Richie and I'll wait here until the investigation is over."
"Well, thank you my darling. Come on Richie", Duncan said.
Duncan led him into the examination room and helped him to take off his clothes.
The doctor came soon. "Good morning."
"Good Morning Doctor. I'm Duncan MacLeod and this is Richie Ryan. I'm his guardian."
"Good, then I want to examine you now Richie. If Richie agrees, you can stay Mr. Macleod."
"Do you want me to stay Richie", Duncan asked gently.
"Mac please stay with me" Richie gave him a pleading look.
"Don't worry my lad I will stay with you."
"Well then that is regulated." We first want to measure your fever. And then he began to examine the boy very carefully. Then he handed Richie a hospital gown and Duncan helped Richie to dress.
"Mr. Macleod, we must keep the boy here. The fever must be treated immediately and he has pneumonia."
He rang the bell and a nurse appeared. "Please, Kate bring Richie to room 27 and start to cool him down in cold cloth wraps. The fever must be tackled first."
"Yes, Doctor, Richie please sit down in this wheelchair I'll take you", the nurse said.
Mr. Macleod, I want to talk to you. Sure, but Tessa should be included she is my partner.
Duncan waved and Tessa was instantly at his side. "Doctor, that's Tessa Noel."
"Good morning Mrs. Noel."
"Good morning Doctor."
"So please follow me to my office. Please be seated."
What do you know about Richie", the doctor asked.
"He is an orphan and has spent the last two months on the street. I just took over the guardianship. It's his third day with us."
"That explains a lot. He has pneumonia and his high fever is of concern. Unfortunately, this is not all. He is also very underweight and malnourished. He also has a sexually transmitted disease. But he now gets antibiotics, so the problem can be treated simultaneously. The blood test I will receive this evening."
Oh, my good Tessa exclaimed. He is only a fifteen year old boy.
Well, Mrs. Noel it is not unseen but the sexually transmitted disease is in the second phase and that means he has it about more than a month. He must have felt uncomfortable.
It is fortunate for the boy that you came immediately to us and did not try to reduce the fever yourself. Richie has to stay a few days with us and then he is as good as new."
Well, we cannot change it. I'm glad you can help Richie and he will be healthy again. What we can do after the hospital stay, "Duncan asked.
"Check and control his eating habits. Make sure he eats plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and he should take a vitamin and mineral supplement. I will issue you a prescription at discharge. Make sure that Richie makes some sports. Not to intensive in the beginning. He must first rebuild his muscles and his stamina."
"Well, I'll teach him Tai Chi and yoga when he's better."
"This is a very good idea, Mr Macleod. So I think we should go now and look after Richie. He gets cold compresses. He receives an infusion and soon he will feel a bit better", the doctor said.
"Can we stay with him", Tessa asked.
"Yes, of course you can, we have no limit in this department", the doctor answered.
Duncan and Tessa accompanied the doctor to Richie's room. "Hi Richie", they greeted him.
"Hi", Richie said. He looked miserable, vulnerable and very young wrapped in these wet and cold cloths.
"How you are doing Richie", Tessa asked.
"Huh, I hate it, it's cold and wet."
"It is necessary to bring down your fever", the doctor explained.
"Richie, I will now hook you up on an infusion. It will help you to feel better. You will also receive some pain reliever and some antibiotic. It will help against the pneumonia and the sexual disease you have", the doctor told him.
"Huh, you found out about it". Richie was immediately red in the face and did not dare to glance at Tessa and Duncan.
"Well, it will be treated Richie. But we will have a conversation, my boy, when you are discharged and at home again", Duncan said.
Richie just looked a bit anxious up at him and nodded but said nothing.
Duncan tousled Richie's hair, sat down and said; "Don't worry. I'll stay with you this morning and this afternoon Tess will be with you. I'm going to spend the night here, so you're not alone."
Richie was so distracted that he had not noticed immediately that the doctor had put an IV in his arm.
Duncan took his other hand in his and Richie calmed down slowly. Tessa and the doctor said goodbye and soon Richie fell asleep.
Richie spent the next few days in the hospital. It was the first time that he was not alone and someone always took care of him. Even Mrs. Harrington had visited him.
He was glad when he was discharged on the sixth day around noon.
Duncan brought him home and put him straight to bed. Richie would have liked to protest but he knew it was useless. The next days were boring for Richie because he could only be in his room or on the living room sofa. At least he could now watch TV.
Richie had enough time to think about his life. Since Emily Ryan had died he had never had so nice and understanding foster parents. Duncan and Tessa were good to him even if he was sometimes in a bad mood. They were attentive but a bit too bossy with him. For the moment, but he could live with it.
Mrs. Harrington completed her first visit at their home and was satisfied. Duncan had asked her whether it would be possible to adopt Richie and whether she would support it. Mrs. Harrington assured Duncan that she would support it.
They agreed not to tell Richie about it at the moment.
Thank you for reading, please review. Next chapter coming soon!