Count On Me

Part Fifteen

Coop eventually opened it, wearing just a pair of shorts, and looking like he'd just woken up.

"Shit bro, thought there was a real emergency..."

Oscar rolled his eyes, ducking in out of the cold, "have I disturbed you?"

Coop winked, "the kids were asleep...the snow is on its way..."

"God, you two..." he rubbed his hands together, "I just wanted to know how things were."

His friend leaned against the work surface, "why don't you go knock her door?"

Oscar groaned, "I just want to know they were ok."

He nodded, "they went out with Freya earlier, then I gave them a ride, they went to see a movie across town. Picked them up about an hour ago when it finished."

His family had come good and stepped up in his absence.

He held out his hand and shook Coop's, "thanks...it means a lot."

Coop shrugged, "hey you've always been supportive to me!"

He hadn't, not over Freya, but their friendship went back a long way before that.

Lizzie was sat curled up under a blanket, watching the sky through the window, a street light was creating enough glow that she'd see any snow when it fell. Though so far she was disappointed. Glancing through to the bedroom, she smiled as she watched Nate sleeping peacefully on one half of the double bed. He barely moved once he was asleep, and tonight was no different. Standing, she crossed to close his door, then plugged her phone into the small radio that sat in the corner and selected a playlist.

Depeche Mode always reminded her of her college days - the only time she'd really had no responsibility and she'd been dragged to indie and alternative clubs by Vicky. This was a sound track of those years. Smiling she collapsed back onto the sofa, kicking up her feet when she heard a knock at the door.

Groaning she pulled herself up, then opened the door to reveal a frozen looking Oscar, hunched in his coat, his dark beanie hat almost pulled over his eyes.

"Oscar? Shit you look like ice." At that moment she shuddered at the blast of icy air coming through the door behind him. "Wow, it's cold. Come in."

Tugging him in, she slammed the door behind him.

"I just wanted to check you were ok." he offered awkwardly.

She gestured around the room, "all good. How was your day?"

He shrugged, "long...not what the doctor ordered really."

She peered out the window, "the snow has started...you should get home before it's too bad...how far is your home?"

"A fifteen minute drive..."

He was pale, and still looked freezing cold, "you need a hot drink, a quick hot chocolate? Freya gave me some earlier."

Oscar moved to the window and looked out, "I should go..."

"A quick cup. Warm you up."

He nodded, "I'm shattered, that might wake me up."

Lowering himself to the sofa, he watched her potter, warming milk, then whisking chocolate into it. His stomach rumbled, he hadn't eaten since a sandwich in JFK, and that was hours ago.

"Was that your stomach?"

He looked up and sighed, "I've not eaten much. I'll get something soon."

"I can rustle up some toast..."

"It sounds like heaven."

A few minutes later, she brought the drinks and three slices of buttered toast. He had taken off his coat, loosened his tie and kicked off his shoes. He looked tired, but he pounced on the plate of food with enthusiasm. Lizzie watched him from over the top of her mug. It was rewarding to have someone devour something, even if it was just toast, so wholly.

"The snow's deep Oscar..." she'd stood and watched the white blanket cover the street below them for a long while before she spoke. "Are you going to be able to get home?"

When she turned her heart melted. He'd fallen asleep, the plate on his thigh, the mug empty beside him, and his mouth slightly open, but his eyes closed.

She smiled, then moved into the bedroom to find a spare pillow and duvet.

He looked uncomfortable, still in his suit, so she shook him gently.

"It's too late, and too snowy to go home. I found this t-shirt...and there's a warm blanket..."

Oscar smiled, "you looking after me kid?"

She flinched at that word, 'kid', it sounded like something Janis would say, "just thinking that sitting upright in a suit looks uncomfortable. I don't know who's this t-shirt is...but it's got to be comfier."

With that she turned on her heel and disappeared into the bedroom.