The female doctor tried to smile as she responded with a slightly raised shoulder.
"He's…well. I think you should go and see for yourself, sir," her gaze fell back on Nate.
It took her a whole lot of self control and consideration for her profession not to melt in front of this man, dreading the thought of all the negative outcome that could come from it.
She scolded herself and tried to maintain a firm expression.
"But he is stable, for now," she added further. Gil indulged her by nodding and smiling at the piece of information and then, she suddenly felt Nate's gaze on her.
She froze instantly.
He haven't spoken a word to her, yet one look from him and she could feel her whole being tremble inside. Her thoughts became a jumbled mess and she tried to filter them.
"Uhm…excuse me," she stuttered feeling awkward and stupid but at the same time she cleared her throat and used that as her cue to avoid an impending doom that her lustful thought might inspire.
As the two young men finally sauntered into the private ward that housed him. Nate felt his jaw clenched.
There was a steady beep sound that reverberated across the room, from the EKG. Lying with a half opened eyes was a slightly grey man with some features that highlights Nate's.
Broad shoulders, taut chest, squared check bones. It was all still there, the man on the bed just looked older and his black silky hair was now a rumpled shade of grey.
Nate looked upon the old man, as he received intravenous chemotherapy drip, that had been inserted on his hand through the vein. His nose stung. He had always hated hospitals and the fact that they owned one…he dispelled his immediate thoughts as he beckoned on the dilapidated man.
"Dad," he called almost softly as he inched closer to the bed covered in white sheets.
His eyes strayed to the bouquet of varieties of flowers. Mostly lilies, that surrounded his bed. Only, family members and close relatives were permitted to visit him as his illness was still yet to be publicized. It has been rumoured though.
It took a while before the man tilted his neck to the position where the young man who looked like his son stood.
He heard his father's laboured breathing as he seemed to take in air from his lungs with great difficulty. A constant reminder that he has very limited time.
"Hi, Audrey. See who I brought here as promised…as much as it was a whole lot of work. Obstinate as he can be. I hope you're happy to see him?"
The old man's lips twisted in an attempted smile as he looked at Gil and then his gaze shifted to his son.
"What took you so…long?" the man drawled weakly.
Nate's gaze entangled with his father's as he unclenched his teeth. It took a minute before his voice came out roughly.
"Why? Your wife isn't keeping you company enough?" Although his words sounded slightly out of mirth but they were a bit cutting.
Gil, heaved a dispirited sigh as he passed a judging look over to his grumpy friend.
A wary chuckle escaped the old man's lips as he spoke again.
"Son, your mother is giving me the best company. I can die happy, knowing I have such a doting wife," Nate made a rueful face.
"How sweet," he mumbled.
"Your siblings had also taken out time for your old man. Being attentive and taking care of me. They're also lovely," he noted compassionately inspite of Nate.
"Yet, another reason to die happy," Nate remarked with a sardonic smile and a shrug in response, causing Gil to roll his eyes.
"True. But you know what else would really make me die happy?" The atmosphere seemed to turn heavy as his father's tone transitioned into something serious.
Nate's dark blue eyes dilated as he peered into his father's light blue ones.
"Pray tell," Nate requested with just about the same vigor as his father.
The man's cheek seemed to crack up a smile as he began to speak.
"Nate Harrison. You know with each passing day I am getting closer and closer to death's cold arms," Nate exhaled already guessing where the conversation was transcending to.
It was not that he never intended to visit his father from the first day he had been admitted to their family hospital.
He honestly have no excuse for not coming. But he has never seen his father in such weak state. It somehow causes his jaw to clench just by thinking about it. His father's sudden ailment had blown him away. He could never get used to seeing his all so powerful father crumpled up in a hospital bed hanging on to the little life left of him.
When his father was diagnosed of this heart disease known as the pulmonary artery disease about a year ago. He had envisioned this and it had killed him. The thought of his father being in this dilapidated state. That thought…of course he cared about his father. But it cannot be helped. He was going to lose another parent. It reminds him of just how fragile life can be.
"You don't have to state the obvious, Dad," he spoke in a cold tone while he clasped his hand.
Audrey wasn't affected by his son's grumpiness. If anything, he felt sorry for the boy.
"Well, I better start stating the obvious now, Nate. Don't you think?" Nate raised his brows impatiently.
"Ok, what I'm trying to say in essence is…I'm going to be leaving behind everything. And you should know you'll be in the space to have and take bigger responsibilities than the once you have now," he exhaled as tried to read through his son's expression.
"You should know that I am so proud of you son. Your accomplishments, your contributions and impact to The Harrison's eagles group. It is phenomenal and I'm proud," he made a slight pause as he gasped for more air.
"I know it's hard seeing me like this. And it's why you've been avoiding me. I want you to know that I'm not mad about that," Audrey displayed a half smile and after what seemed like an eternity Nate suddenly asked.
"What do you want from me, Dad?"
Of course, It was typical of Nate to ruin any sentimental moment. Nate was a lot of things, possessing an emotion was certainly not one of it. If anything he grew impatient by every passing second and he had no time to entertain any stalling.