Picture This

Warnings and Disclaimers: See chapter one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It had been three days and the psycho that had attacked her son was still on the loose. The three days Lucas spent in the hospital were insightful for Karen. Nathan spent every minute he could with her son. When they thought she was asleep in the next bed, she listened to the soft stolen kisses they shared. She knew she should have been mortified that her son was in love with his brother and in truth, a small part of her was, but Lucas’s happiness had always been important to her.

Nathan had sacrificed his job to be by Lucas’s side. Karen was well aware that the boy was also struggling to maintain an apartment. She’d come to a decision that she was sure most mothers would chastise her for. She was going to ask Nathan to give up his apartment and move in with them. Lucas needed to recuperate from his ordeal and Karen needed to work. Deb was unstable because of her addiction and Haley couldn’t be at the cafe full time. Karen convinced herself that she wasn’t condoning her son’s choice. She was just being practical. Nathan cared for Lucas and asking him to move in would be beneficial to all involved.

During the three days at the hospital she’d almost talked to Nathan about it, almost talked to him about her son as well. She knew at some point she couldn’t avoid it but right now for her own peace of mind, she needed to know that while she was at work, her son was in good hands. Her mind veered in an unsavory direction at her last thought but she willed herself not to go there. It was easier if she didn’t over think the specifics of Nathan and Lucas’s relationship.

The day of Lucas’s release, after they’d gotten him home and settled in his room, Karen broached the subject.

“Nathan, come sit and have coffee with me,” she began. She found she could do most things better over coffee.

Nathan sat, watching Karen nervously pour two cups and dole out milk and sugar.

“Would you like a cookie or something?” She stalled.

“No thanks.” He wasn’t sure why, but he was feeling very nervous himself. In the back of his mind, he could hear Karen about to announce that she knew about him and Lucas.

“I want to make you an offer you can’t refuse,” Karen joked.

Nathan studied her warily and braced himself for whatever was about to come.

“I know you’ve lost your job and that you can’t afford your apartment.”

“I’m fine, I’ll get another job,” Nathan tried to reassure.

“Nathan, I want...I want you to move in here with us.” Karen watched Nathan’s eyes widen. It was clear he was definitely not expecting her to say that.

What she saw next was a look of guilt wash over his face and she knew she needed to say more without saying too much.

“Nathan,” she began, reaching over and grasping his hand, “I know you and Lucas are close and I’d feel better when I return to work if you were here with him, especially with that maniac still on the loose.”

“Karen, I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes.”

Nathan wasn’t sure if he was reading more into Karen’s offer than was there but for a moment, when she said the thing about them being close, Nathan almost felt as if she knew. But if she knew and she was offering this, what was she really saying; that she approved?

Nathan heard himself saying yes before he could really think about it. He wanted nothing more than to be close to Lucas and protect him.

“What about school. Who’ll be with him when I’m at school and you’re at the cafe?”

“Dan has requested a police detail outside our house round the clock.”

“The same police that let an injured psychopath escape and evade capture?”

“It’s all we’ve got. I’ve arranged for coverage of the cafe until noon, so that only leaves three or four hours before your home unless you have practice.”

“I won’t go to practice,” Nathan answered abruptly.

“No Nathan. You will go to practice. I won’t have you sacrificing your future. Besides, all Lucas talks about is you and him going to Duke together.”

“He does?” Nathan’s face lit up.

Karen smiled and nodded. “Haley will cover for me after school, so I can run home until you get back from practice. So, do we have a deal?”

Nathan pretended to give Karen’s proposition careful consideration before eagerly agreeing.

“What about my stuff?” Nathan worried.

“Honey, you only have a bed and a television,” Karen laughed.

Nathan looked at her quizzically.

“Lucas,” she said, “he says your apartment is pathetic.”

“Oh he did,” Nathan laughed, something he hadn’t done in the last couple of days. “When he gets better, I’m going to kill him.”

Karen avoided talking about sleeping arrangements and Nathan avoided asking. He went to check on Lucas who was wide awake when he went to his room.

“Hey,” Nathan said, sitting gently on the side of Lucas’s bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now that you’re here.”

Nathan leaned down and kissed his brother lightly.

“Guess what?”

“What?” Lucas saw a sparkle in his brother’s eyes.

“You’re mom asked me to move in with you guys.”

Nathan nearly died laughing at the look of shock on Lucas’s face.

“She asked you to move in?” He repeated in disbelief.

“She’s worried about you and me apparently. She thought it would help me out financially and give her peace of mind when she’s at the shop and your home alone.”

“Nate, do you think she knows?”

“Why do you ask?”

Lucas shook his head. “I don’t know. Something she said before...before I was...”

“Hey,” Nathan replied. He stroked his brother’s cheek, trying to relieve the tension, “she doesn’t know and if she does and she asked me to move in, that’s a good thing; right?”

Lucas relaxed under his brother’s touch. “I take it you said yes,” he smiled.

“Oh hell yes,” Nathan replied enthusiastically.

“Where are you going to sleep?”

“We didn’t discuss it but I doubt she expects me to sleep in the same bed with you,” Nathan smirked.

“So, when are you moving in?”

“I’m going to run and get my stuff now.”

“What stuff? You only have a bed and a TV.”

“My clothes. I have my clothes.”

“What about your lease?”

“Tim’s parents would gladly finance him moving out and since he practically lives there when you’re not around, I thought I’d make him an offer.”

“Nate, are you sure about this?”

“Look, in a few months we’ll graduate and go to college. Your mother told me how you gush about our plans to go to Duke.” Nathan teased.

“I don’t gush,” Lucas pouted. Nathan couldn’t resist but kiss those pouting lips until they smiled.

“Hurry back,” Lucas said, as his brother stood to leave.

“You can count on it,” Nathan winked.