Mchapter6

Josh, Joey and Lance looked up when a nurse entered the waiting room.

�Mr. Chasez?� she asked. Her name tag read �Kelly.�

�Yes, that�s me,� Josh answered before asking, �is Leah ok�

�Yes, and she may even be able to go home later this afternoon,� Kelly answered.

�That�s right, it�s morning now,� Joey observed aloud.

Kelly smiled at Joey before speaking, �I suppose you�d like to see her. I can only allow one person at a time.

�One more thing before I go,� Josh said, �how is Justin?�

�The boy she was with?� Kelly asked, and then continued when Josh nodded. �He�s doing ok now, he has a concussion though.�

�Can I see him after Leah?� Josh asked.

�Sure. Come with me,� Kelly responded, turning to walk down the hall, her slender hips swinging gracefully with every step.

�I�ve got to get her number,� Joey thought before turning to talk to Lance while he waited for his turn to see Leah.

Kelly led Josh into Leah�s room and followed him inside. Leah looked over to see who�d come and her eyes filled with tears as she saw Josh.

�Dad,� she cried, finally breaking down as Josh held her tightly in his arms.

�It�s ok Leah, I�m here now,� Josh said soothingly.

When Leah stopped crying, she noticed Kelly and said, �Hey, Kelly.�

�Hi, Leah,� Kelly responded with a smile, �you feel a little better now?�

�Yeah, a lot,� Leah answered, smiling up at Josh, �so when can I get out of here?�

�Soon,� Josh told her, �they just want to be sure that you�re ok.�

�I�m fine, dad,� Leah said, almost whining.

�I know sweetie, I know,� Josh responded, �anyway, Joey wants to see you. And Lance too.�

�Lance? Who�s that?� Leah questioned.

�He�s the policeman who saved you,� Josh explained.

�Oh,� Leah said, �what should I say to him?�

�Whatever you like. Thank you would probably be appropriate,� Josh joked. �Anyway, he�s a really nice man.�

�Oooh, dad, have you got a crush?� Leah teased, her eyes sparkling.

�Leah!� Josh scolded, thanking God that Kelly had just left the room to tend to another patient. �Don�t say things like that!�

�Thing like what dad?� Leah teased, �I�m just joking anyway. And if he�s nice, you should ask him out. Do you think he�s bi? Or gay?� Leah asked.

�I can�t believe we are talking about this,� Josh sighed, �I told you about being bi so you�d know if I found a guy to be with, not to discuss guys with you.�

�Is he cute?� Leah asked, ignoring her father.

�Did you hear anything I just said?� Josh asked, laughing.

�Yeah, I just didn�t answer you. So is he cute, dad?� she asked again.

�Will you shut up if I say yes?� Josh joked.

�Oh, I know it. You like him!� Leah exclaimed, smiling widely, �why don�t you get him and Joey to come in here so I can see for myself.�

�Fine,� Josh grumbled, but inside he was so glad that Leah was smiling. Even if the reason she was smiling was really embarrassing. He exited Leah�s room and saw Joey down the hall, standing next to Kelly. When Joey saw Josh, he said something to Kelly, and then walked down the hall towards Josh, waving. Lance wasn�t far behind him, holding two coffees.

Joey waved a small piece of paper as he got closer. �I got her number,� he whispered.

�Jo-ey!� Josh scolded, but laughed at his friend. Joey just smiled before entering the room. As Lance came up next to him, Josh smiled. Lance was really a very handsome man. His green eyes sparkled as he smiled back.

�I got you some coffee,� Lance said, handing over one of the cups, �I figured you might want some.�

�Thanks, Lance,� Josh said, getting lost in Lance�s eyes for a second before quickly looking away.

�So how is she?� Lance asked.

�She�s doing ok,� Josh answered, �she�d like to see you.�

�All right,� Lance agreed, following Josh into her room. When they entered, they saw both Leah and Joey laughing� hard.

�What�s so funny?� Josh asked curiously.

�Nothing, dad,� Leah said, dismissing his questions with a wave of her hand, and directing a wink at Joey. When she saw Lance beside him, she smiled. He was hot, for an older guy. �Go dad!� she thought to herself while she said hi to Lance.

�Hello, how are you doing?� Lance asked, extending a hand.

�Better. How can I ever thank you?� Leah exclaimed, feeling extreme gratitude towards this man.

�Don�t worry about it,� Lance responded, �I�m very glad that I was there to help you and Justin.� Leah smiled in response.

�Hey, dad? Can I talk to Lance alone for a minute?� Leah asked, her eyes sparkling.

Josh was tempted to say no when he saw the look in her eyes, but changed his mind. He�d do whatever he could to make his daughter happy. He gave her a warning look before leaving the room.

�So,� Leah started, �what do you think of him?�

�What do I think of who?� Lance asked, confused.

�My dad,� Leah answered simply.

�What do I think of him?�

Leah just nodded.

�Uh, he�s nice. Very worried about you,� Lance responded, wondering why she would ask that, �he loves you very much.�

�Yeah, I love him too,� Leah said, almost rolling her eyes at how dense Lance was being. Or maybe she just needed to be more forward.

�Are you gay?� she asked.

Lance blushed. �How�d she know?� he asked himself. He only said, �excuse me?�

�You heard me. Sorry for being so blunt. I�ve just got to know,� was Leah�s only explanation.

�Um, yeah, actually I am,� Lance told her, �how�d you know? Is it that obvious?� He was a little worried that she�d been able to tell because of how he looked or acted.

�Nah, just a guess. My dad thinks you�re hot so I was just wondering if he�d even have a chance. Do you have a boyfriend?� Leah questioned, being very nosy, but doing it for her dad�s sake.

�Not at the moment,� Lance replied, wondering why he was answering her questions.

�Good. This is great,� Leah said, getting excited, �are you interested?�

�You�re offering your father to me?� Lance asked, surprised again at her boldness. �Does he even know about this?�

�Of course not, he�d die of embarrassment if he knew I was talking to you about this,� Leah responded, smiling. �So are you interested?�

�I don�t even know him. And to tell you the truth, I can�t believe that we are discussing this,� Lance replied.

�Hey, me neither. I�m usually the �shy girl� at school,� Leah informed him.

�Could�ve fooled me,� Lance said, laughing.

�Well, I have my moments, and I really want to help my dad out. He�s very lonely. Why don�t you come over for dinner next week so you can get to know him,� Leah suggested.

�I don�t know�� Lance started.

�Oh, come on Lance. We�ll call it a �thank you� dinner. Please come?� Leah begged, her lips forming a pout.

�Ok, fine. But I�m not going to come unless your father agrees.�