CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"Well. This is awkward."

After walking in on his uncle and the other man.......kissing, the room has been silent and the awkward tension only rises the longer the room stayed quiet.

Ezra stood at the corner of the room, still in shock at what he had just witnessed. He knew or had a feeling that his uncle was bi but he really didn't have any evidence to prove that, until earlier. Something that will probably scar him for life.

Now, Ezra doesn't have anything against that kind of affection between two male as he himself has a hidden affection for a certain blue haired teen. It’s just.......that was something Ezra wasn’t used to seeing, you could say that it genuinely shocked him and made him feel a bit flustered. The next thing he knew, he started imagining how it would feel to have a certain blue haired boy’s lips pressed against his own. Ezra soon realizes what he was thinking and his cheeks turned crimson.

"We're terribly sorry for walking in on you like that. We didn't know and we should've knocked. Again, I apologize." Theodore apologized for the nth time.

"No, it was fine. You have nothing to apologize for Mr.......uh......Wen? I'm assuming." Damian answered as he stood behind Owen, with both of his hands subtly massaging the blonde's stiff shoulders.

"Mr. Wen is my husband, I'm Mr. Xu but you can call me Theodore or Theo. whichever you prefer, I don't mind really." Theodore smiled, noticing the closeness of the two.

"Well then, my apologies. And if you don't mind me asking, what brought you here to the hospital at such late hour Mr–ah I mean Theo?" Owen asked.

"I wasn't busy so I decided to drop by. You know, to check on how the child is doing and all. How about you? How are you holding up? "

The kindness and thoughtfullness of the young man amazed Owen and he found himself smiling at the young man who, though confused, still smiled back.

"Owen is holding up fine and Sammy is one strong little fighter. Seems like all the treatments are going well for him and the Doctor is very good. A bit scary but he's good." Damian explained on behalf of Owen who smiled up at him and placed his hand on top of his hand that was on his shoulder.

"It should be working because People didn't pay for them to fail and to cause more harm than good." Theodore commented and two older male nodded in agreement.

And Theodore stayed for another hour, chatting it up with Owen and Damian. They slowly got to know each other and found out something interesting about one another. To say that they'll be great friends is an understatement. While the adults chat it up, Ezra just sat there in silence, wondering why the chinese male haven’t mentioned about what he did and then it made the small teen realized that the chinese male must not be the type to gloat all about everthing he did. So not only was he generous and kind, he was also humble. What a great example of how a person should be.

When it was time to leave, Ezra was saddened for he didn't want to go. He wanted to stay but his uncle opposed to the idea and told him that he needed to rest as well. Ezra tried to argue with his uncle that he didn't need rest so Owen told him about the kids missing their grumpy babysitter and that they want his cuddles. That made Ezra reluctantly stop with his argument and sighed in defeat.

Ezra remembered the little incident that happened earlier with Sebbie and he debated whether to tell his uncle about it or not before deciding he shouldn't, not right now atleast, because his uncle already had a lot of going on, he doesn't need more things to stress about. Sammy's condition was already enough.

So Ezra bids his uncle a good night then smiled at his uncle's......boyfriend? Ezra was just assuming but based on what they saw earlier, the older male might as well be his uncle's lover. It's not like Ezra would mind. He would be happy for his uncle and now he silently wonders if he could also try finding his father a new lover.

A smile appears on Ezra as they left the room and started making their way to the hospital exit. Ezra decided that his father needed another shot at love, he’d willingly play as match maker, even if Joshua might kill him for that later, It will be worth it.

******

It was half past eleven when Owen was awakened by nothing. He looks around the room and noticed that the room was silent. He looks around and saw Damian sleeping peacefully on one of the uncomfortable looking plastic chairs and he still looked handsome.

Yes, Owen has finally decided to give it another shot. He want to give love another try again not because he was forced or anything, but with his own free will to do so. Damian had been proving him so far that he might be the new love Owen needs in his life. The other missing piece that made Damian feel complete again. Now he just hopes that the brunette feels the same way.

A knock on the glass wall made Owen look away from the sleeping older male and to the one who just knocked. It was Nurse Kristian.

"Just checking in, is everything alright here hyung?" The nurse asked.

Owen smiled a tired smile and nodded. "Yeah, we’re fine."

Nurse Kristian nodded his head, bid them a goodnight and was about to leave when Owen called him that he turns around again.

"Yes Sir, do you need anything?" Nurse Kristian asked.

"Doctor Hudson, do you know where he is right now?" Owen asked. Curious about his best friend’s whereabouts.

"Dr. Hudson just got back from checking on an out-patient. He’s currently doing his rounds." The nurse answered.

"Can I go see him then?" Owen asked.

"Yeah sure, he's also here at PICU and I was just with him but he told me to go ahead and do a couple of rounds while he stayed with one of his patients. It’s the last room from here. Should I come with you?"

Owen only shook his head no. he stood up, stretch his back and arms before putting on his coat, well its Damian’s coat but he likes it better than his own because it was fluffier and warmer.

"I can go on my own. Can you please stay here while I'm gone? I won't be long, I just need to talk to Dr. Hudson about something." Owen said as he made his way to the door.

Kristian didn't answer but nodded with a smile and entered the room.

"But what shall I tell your husband when he wakes up?" Kristian nodded his head to a now snoring Damian.

Owen didn't know where he smiled more, Damian adorably snoring or hearing the nurse call Damian his husband, probably the latter.

"Tell him what I told you." And with that Owen left the room, for the first time, and started making his way to last room at PICU which was only three rooms down from Sammy's.

When he got there, he peeked in the room first and saw a small child sitting on the bed with many wires connected to him but unlike Sammy, the child looked well. Small round glasses sat on the bridge of his nose and under those round glasses are eyes like a fox's. Sharp and a beautiful shade of amber.

The child was reading a book with a teddy bear sitting next to him, the teddy bear being almost the same size as him and Jeonghan could already tell just by looking at him that he was an intellectual kid.

Owen then looks around the room but Joshua was nowhere to be seen. For a moment Owen thought he got the wrong room but then a voice suddenly spoke behind him, startling him and making him turn around to see his bestfriend standing there holding a mug of steaming hot chocolate milk while trying not to smile.

"Owen, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back at your son's room?" Joshua asked as he walks past his bestfriend and into the room, he placed the mug on the bedside table by the child's bed, who thanked him for the milk, before turning around to face his bestfriend.

"I came here to talk you Josh." Owen answered then noticed that the child was watching them while sipping his hot choco milk. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

The child placed the mug down, fixes his glasses before answering, "Ivan Segovia, Sir."

"How old are you Ivan?" Owen asked. The child looked skinny and must be younger than Sammy because his son was a tall boy.

"I'm eight." Ivan replied surprising the blonde male.

Owen then turned to his bestfriend while Ivan turned his attention back to his book and hot choco milk.

"How long has he been here?" Owen asked in curiosity.

"Four months" Joshua answered as he and Owen went to sit down on the chairs at the corner of the room.

"Does he....Does he have leukemia too?" Owen asked hesitantly and sighed in relief when Joshua shook his head no.

"He has pneumonia and he's terribly weak immune system was making it hard for him to get better. But the Doctors are doing their best to cure him and so far so good. His immune system is slowly getting stronger." Joshua answered.

"Poor child, where are his parents?"

"He doesn't have one." Joshua sighed with a saddened look on his face and Owen frowned.

"What happened to them?" Owen asked looking at child.

"They don't exist. Ivan is from the Childrens Home downtown. He's an orphan Owen." Joshua said, his words made Owen's heart ache.

"So he doesn't have anyone? Oh my, who's paying his bills then?" Owen asked feeling genuinely concerned.

"He has a sister. Her name is Irene and she's back at the orphanage. She visits his twin brother whenever she's allowed. In fact, she's on her way here right now. She was crying and has been asking non-stop to visit her brother. But Shhh, Ivan doesn't know so it'll be a surprise for him." Joshua told him.

Owen nodded, a little smile gracing his lips but then he frowns in confusion. "So who IS paying for Ivan's bills?"

Joshua chuckled at that. "I think that’s kind of obvious already."

Owen's eyes widen as he stared at his bestfriend in shock. He’s always known that his best friend had a great sense of generosity but to this extent really surprised the blonde.

"You were already paying for Ivan's bills, then you're still offering to pay for my son's bills? Pay for my debts too while you're at it." Owen joked making Joshua chuckle.

"As much as I want to do that, I can't, someone already did Owen." Joshua said, the smile on Owen's face turns to a frown.

"Someone already paid for my son's bills? And my debts too?" Owen asked in pure disbelief.

"That's what I was told when I went to check at the cashier earlier." Joshua explained and Owen was baffled. He could not think of anyone who would do such thing. Who would do it if not Joshua himself?

"They said someone named Mr. Theodore Xu paid for everything under your name and your debts were counted as well." Joshua added. He was also shocked, moreso surprised when he found that out earlier.

"Wait, Theodore? Why would he pay for me? May be it was a mistake." Jeonghan asked, a little panicked.

"Nope, there was no mistake because he personally came to the cashier office and paid strictly under your name. They described Theo perfectly. Mullet and all, wearing Balenciaga from head to toe. They also saw a small grumpy teen with him and when they said small grumpy teen, who I instantly knew was my son." Joshua chuckled.

Theodore's generosity is second to none and for that Owen was greatful to have met him, even just for a short time.

He wish he could do something in return to thank the Chinese man but what could he do to someone who already has everything, and basically can afford anything as well. A simple thank you is not will not suffice because what Theodore did was worth a million of Thanks.

A soft knock on the glass panel walls made the two male snapped out of their conversation and turned to the door where they saw a male teen standing by the entrance with a small girl standing next to him and sleeping male toddler in his arms.

"Irene!" Ivan shrieks from the bed, reaching out his arms and made grabby hands to his sister who immediately ran to his bedside.

Joshua stood up from his seat and helped Irene get on the bed. The two little kids where they instantly cuddled each other. Irene being extra careful with wires connected on her brother.

The teen male sat down at the chair that Jeonghan gave him. He thanked the older and then softly hushed the toddler that began whining in his arms.

"Thanks for bringing in Irene, Harry. I appreciate it and so does Ican." Joshua smiled as he watch the twins read the book together.

"By the way, Ivan this is Harry, he looks after the twins." Joshua introduced. Owen smiled at the teen who smiled back at him while the toddler in his arms continues to whine.

"And this little whiny munchkin here is Tris, he's two years old and is also an orphan under Harry's care." Joshua continued as he leaned down to the peek at the toddler's face, only to meet his wide eyes as he scans his surroundings.

Owen cooed at the toddler when it smiled a toothed smile at him. Tris giggled before resting his head on the teen's shoulder. He suddenly yawned and rubbed his eyes with his chubby hands, his eyes started to get droopy again.

"Who drove them here?" Owen wondered.

"I asked my driver to pick them up." Joshua answered as he checked the time on his watch.

"Shoot, it's time for Ivan to sleep. He can't stay up late or it will mess up with his recovery."

"Harry, you and the kids can stay in my office for the night. I'll ask my driver to bring your things up here." Joshua said. Harry nodded and carefully stood up, cradling a sleepy Tris, while the doctor went to Ivan's bedside.

And as much as he didn't want to do it, he had to seperate the twins, for now that is.

"Come on, Irene. It's time to go." And as expected, the little girl started whining.

"Irene, you will be staying in my office for the night with Tris and Harry. You won't be far from Ivan. You can see your brother first thing tomorrow, I promise." Joshua tried convincing the child who only pouted up at him.

"Ivan really needs to rest now. You want him to get better right? And the sooner he gets better, the sooner he'll be able to come home with you, right?" And that seemed to do it as the child stops pouting and nodded her head.

She raised both of her arms up and Joshua smiled as he lifts her off the bed and to the ground. Ivan bid his sister a good night before turning to cuddle his teddy bear.

Irene said her good nights before she and Harry left the room, little Tris already snoring his life away. Joshua sighed and stared at the kid's leaving form, on Tris moreso.

"I know that look on your face. You want to adopt him, don't you?" Owen stood next to his bestfriend who snorted at his remark.

"Harry? No, he's already past the adoption age and I don't think he and my son would get along well. Harrys like a sun, bright and happy while my son is the total opposite. Always grumpy and annoyed with pretty much everything."Joshua rambled.

"I meant Tris" Owen rolled his eyes and his bestfriend stops rambling.

"I....I don't know. Maybe? I mean I've missed having someone to take care of, someone to cuddle at night and someone to spend my time with whenever Ezra's not there." Joshua sighed.

"Are you sure you're looking for a child to adopt? Because it sounded like you were looking for someone to marry." Oweb joked making his bestfriend to playfully glare at him.

"I meant it. I want to have another child. I'm done with relationships, so please stop it." Joshua said.

"Even if I would stop, doesn't mean your son won't do something about it." Owen said as they started walking back to Sammy's room.

"Excuse me, my son? What does Ezra have to do with my relationships?" Joshua asked in confusion.

"I saw the look on his face when he left earlier and it looked he was planning something. So I suggest ready yourself." Owen chuckles. They walk past a vending machine and Owen decided to get him and Damian a snack. And something for Kristian too.

"He better not be planning something bad or I'll kill him. Figuratively? I'm not sure." Joshua said with much seriousness that Ezra decides to ignore. It would be amusing to see what the seventeen year old would do.

"Let’s face it Josh, your son is growing up. He will start needing a father figure to guide him into manhood." Taking the four snacks that came out of the vending machine, the two began walking again.

"But I already am his father figure, if anything he should be looking for a mother figure or better yet he should not be looking at all." Joshua said exasperated.

Owen chuckled as he hands his best friend the other snack who took it with a small hmph.

"Josh I'm gonna be honest with you but you are more of a mother figure to Ezra." Owen said and tried not to smile when his bestfriend stared at him in utter disbelief and shock.

"Are you saying I'm not manly?" Joshua asked, his voice going a few octaves higher causing Owen to snort a laugh.

"Not technically, It's just that......you're too gentle and a nagger which are both traits of a mother. So....." Owen couldn't stop smiling. He really loves teasing his bestfriend because his reactions were always too funny.

"Well if you and Damian were to get together then that would make you the mother too so ha, jokes on you." Joshua countered and tried to look mean but he failed, miserably.

"Please, I don't mind being the mother figure for the boys. Because being a mother is not an easy job." Owen said as they stopped outside Sammy's room.

"Face it Josh, and accept it, even though Ezra calls you Dad, for him you're more of a mother figure. And there's nothing wrong with being a mother figure." Owen smiled a genuine one as he noticed the worry ghosting his bestfriend's face.

Joshua was silent for a moment before he lets out a sigh and finally nodded his head.

"I guess you're right." Joshua smiled.

Owen playfully rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Bitch, I'm always right."

"Shup up, Hoe."