On The Loose || Chris Taylor

Thirty-Eight

Desi's POV- November 2018

"Knock knock," I said to get my dad's attention.

He glanced up from the book he was reading and adjusted his glasses.

"I knew there was a reason as to why Gavin disappeared"

"Hi, dad" I greeted.

I made my way over to him and leaned down to kiss his cheek. 

"How's the head of yours?"

I took a seat on the edge of his bed.

"I got the stitches removed about a week ago" I disclosed.

He smiled.

"And how are you feeling?"

"I'm not 100% me, but I'm getting there" I replied.

"That's good"

I watched as he reached for his journal. Once turned to a page, he slowly nodded.

"How was Japan?"

"I had fun, the food was delicious and the culture is beautiful," I told him.

 He glanced down at his journal.

"How's Chris?"

"He's back home right now" I replied.

He nodded and looked away from me as Gavin walked in pulling a trolley cart.

"Desi brought snacks and water"

Dad slowly nodded and looked at me.

"So I have a proposition for you" I brought up.

Obviously, Gavin would be unable to make the trip since he had a family he would much rather spend Christmas with his wife.

"What is it?"

"How would you like to come with me to Virginia Beach to spend Christmas with Chris' family?" I suggested.

Chris would be spending Thanksgiving with my family. We had yet to plan out what we would be doing for the New Year, but we did know we wanted to spend it together.

"I don't want to be a bother"

"You will never be a bother," I told him.

I reached over and took his hand.

"Leo says he'll go if you go too, and we can ask your night nurse if she'd be able to make the trip," I said.

He slowly nodded.

"If you can get Nicole to go, then yes"

I squeezed his hand.

"How do you feel about going for a walk?" I asked.

"That sounds wonderful, you can tell me all about your trip"

"I have pictures as well" I stated.

"I'll look at them once were outside.

I nodded and watched as he stood up. 

"Gavin, Desiree can help you fix that after our walk"

"You heard him, let's go for a walk," I said.

Gavin chuckled and finished filling the small fridge with waters.

"I'm almost done, I will meet you two outside"

I stood up and offered dad my arm so he could get a bit of support.

"Remind me where Chris is from?"

"He's from Virginia Beach," I told him.

"I'm going to need a coat then"

"We can go shopping this weekend," I told him.

We made our way down the hallway. As we crossed through, I smiled at the faculty and staff that happened to cross our path. Once we were outside, dad gestured at the bench furthest away.

"Let's go to the bench that's under the tree"

I nodded and slowly led him there. 

"Lionel couldn't make it today?"

"He's got work, but he will be here this weekend" I replied.

Dad took a seat on the bench and looked up at me.

"Remind me what his career is?"

"Engineering" I answered.

He smiled.

"Like his mom"

I nodded and took a seat next to him. He kissed my forehead as I scooted closer to him and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I say I did a pretty good job raising you and Leo"

He then let out a deep sigh.

"You did a great job" I corrected.

I squeezed his bicep and pressed my nose against his arm.

"How long have you been dating Chris?"

"For a couple of months" I answered.

"So I take it it's too soon to ask for grandchildren"

I laughed.

"Yeah, dad it's too soon" I stated.

He looked down at me.

"Do you see yourself settling down with him?"

I found myself nodding to his question.

"Yeah" I answered.

"What about children?"

"We haven't talked about that yet" I replied.

"How is he with kids?"

"He's great with kids," I told him as I remembered how little Trace Forsythe had Chris wrapped around his little finger.

He smiled.

"Do you see yourself having children with him?"

"Yeah, I do" I responded.

A little too fast for my liking.

"You should get to it, you're not getting any younger"

I gasped and touched my chest.

"Excuse you, I've got a few years till I'm 30" I pointed out.

Moments like these gave me a little sense of relief. Alzheimer's was slowly taking away dad's memories, but his personality still remained.