Count On Me

Part Thirteen

"You going soft on me old man? Is that what two kids does to you?"

Groaning Coop backtracked, "so sue me for worrying about you, you ungrateful bastard."

Oscar roared with laughter, there was the man he'd known for years; maybe their friendship could get back to the level it had been at previously. "You are! Henpecked and under the thumb, never thought I'd see the day."

He knew he was being defensive, and that Coop wouldn't care. He was a different man since he'd got involved with Freya and there was no one who knew more about what he was going through than his friend. He was solid and reliable, and as predicted.

Instead of retaliating, he merely chuckled, then said, "so what time you getting in? I'll pick you guys up...Freya is about to explode with excitement, and I'll be glad to get out for an hour. Will you text me when you land? I should be at arrivals before you that way."

Oscar smiled, "cheers, Coop. You are a good mate."

He merely laughed...again, "you deserve some good luck buddy, if you need anything else..."

Oscar was still grinning when he made it to Lizzie's front door. And when it opened that smile turned into a laugh as Nate ran into him like a bulldozer.

"Oscar! We're going in a Nairyplane!"

He was skipping around like a Tazmanian Devil as Lizzie appeared in front of them, "I told you darling, it's AN aeroplane!"

Oscar chuckled as he met her eyes, she looked tired, like she hadn't slept, but she had a sparkle in them that he hadn't seen there before.

"Been an excitable morning?"

She laughed, "I didn't tell him we were going until last night...and he's barely slept. He is so excited. Keeps talking about your sister's kids too."

He grinned at her, "I am so glad you agreed to this. You'll have fun I promise."

Nate was still running around fuelled by adrenaline when they checked in and headed to the departure lounge. There Oscar directed them to the children's play zone, which was conveniently next to a bar. As Lizzie settled into a seat where she could watch Nate climbing and playing, Oscar disappeared to the bar, only to return with a bottle of Prosecco and two glasses.

"Are we celebrating?" She asked watching him open the bottle.

As he handed her a fizzy glass, he nodded, "this is the first time we haven't been riddled with sadness. Not that I'm brushing off Janis. But we're going on a trip, a break, and that deserves to start on a high."

She gulped, amazed that tears were still so close, that it only took a kind comment to set her off.

He smiled, "no tears. Come on. Here's a toast to Janis, and to our little holiday, ok?"

Oscar watched her drink, he'd wondered if it would seem too much for him to buy the drink, but he was so excited taking his son to meet his family, to see his home, that he couldn't hide it. With tears still in her eyes, she was sipping at her bubbly and smiling at him, and it warmed him.

Nate came running from the Play place before he could say anything, excited and happy.

"I got you some crisps and a drink," he glanced at Lizzie who nodded her permission before he handed a carton of juice and the snack to the boy.

Without prompting he climbed onto Oscar's lap and offered him a crisp, "thank you!"

All the way through the flight as Nate took in the wonders of his own in-seat TV with virtually unlimited viewing options, and the tailor made children's meals, Lizzie couldn't forget Oscar's face as he'd sat on his lap in the departure lounge, chatting. He had been so stunned, so amazed, and had given him his undivided attention. For the first time she resented Janis for keeping him out of Nate's life. This could have been different. She knew that would mean that she wouldn't have had the last two years, but Nate would be so much happier.