The nagging feeling of getting that close to Kate but couldn't say anything suddenly alarmed Quinn as he made a mental note to change that another time thus he knocked on Alvin's bedroom door.
" Come in'
" Hi Dad" he cooed as Alvin turned his attention stretching out his hands to call him over which he didn't hesitate to accept as he laid beside him.
" I take it that you missed me" he scoffed ruffling his hair as he giggled rolling over to escape the embarrassment of being tickled.
" You're my parent after all Alvin nods scrutinizing him.
" Out with it. What do you want? Quinn scoffed leaning on his chest.
" A look at your laptop. Mine isn't working at the moment" Alvin pecked him handing his laptop to him.
" Is that all?
" And I'm sleeping over"
" Sure. Come here" but Quinn slipped out of bed taking a seat beside his bed.
" I have some research to do"
" Need some help with it? Quinn nods in refusal
" I got it" Alvin held his hands up in submission choosing to watch him instead but that too failed as he slept off.
Quinn grinned accessing his files then paused wondering if he was doing the right thing by snooping on his Dad but he was so close to finding his mother.
He didn't want to miss the opportunity to know her. He doesn't mind being a friend to please his father.
He'll spare him the embarrassment of revealing his identity to her.
So he clicked on the files and searched between then saw a photograph of Kate and Alvin's wedding. His eyes widened as he zoomed in then searched for her with the photo and learned her name.
Kate Patterson Reagan
He couldn't help but jump up in ecstasy squirming which had Alvin staring at him. Quinn cleared his throat.
" I passed the survey test" he informed him.
It seems Alvin has met his match in deception.
" That's my boy. It's time to sleep now. You can write the test another day" he cooed reaching for him as he huffed logging out of his system to sleep.
After hours of thinking about his meeting with Kate, he decided to seek Alvin's opinion.
" Dad?
" Yes, son?
" Do you miss Mom? Alvin's closed eyelids snapped open as he stared at the ceiling then sighed.
" I don't miss her. She left us. So good riddance" he tells him with uncertainty.
" What if she never left? I mean she should be nice" he asked testing waters.
" I don't remember. I recall nothing about her. We're better off without her"
" What if she isn't happy? Maybe she misses us or she might be regretting her decision to leave. I know you loved her" Alvin rubbed his arms.
" Perhaps I did but that's in the past. You're my number one priority. I love you son" Quinn wrapped his hands around him.
" I know. Sorry, I asked. Good night Dad"
" Good night Quinn" Alvin retorted switching the bed lamp off.
Watching Louis act like he was fine repulsed Kate as she interrupted his work.
" What's up? He asked noticing her darkened face.
" This is," she said showing him a test paper. His eyes dropped as he snapped it from her grip in anger
" Who gave it to you? Alvin promised never to tell you"
" I have other means, Louis. How could you hide something like that from me" she cooed as he run his hands through his messy hair.
" Because I'm handling it
" With Alvin's help, I can see that. I can't believe you didn't trust me enough to tell me about your health. Just who am I to you?
" I didn't want you to worry. Alvin has been handling it. I'm fine Kate" she warned him with pointed fingers
" Don't you dare lie to me? Are you crazy? He'll think we're a family of Sickies. I'm asthmatic, Mom is diabetic and you have a tumor. Aren't you reasoning? This is the major reason he thought I was his property because he fends for my family. Can't you guys just rely on me for once? Fine, I didn't have money then but I do now. I want to take care of you guys. Please leave Alvin out of this. I'm tired of being indebted to that bastard" she yelled as Louis stepped back staring at her like she has grown two heads.
" I can't believe you're saying this Kate. Have you forgotten what he did for mom? He found her two kidneys worth millions. We didn't ask for it yet he secured admission for me in the best colleges in Jamaica yet we didn't request for it then he married you then he took care of mom despite your disappearance. Mom's diabetes is gone all thanks to him. Are you implying we should renounce such a person? He queried glaring at her.
" Which was possible because of the sacrifice I made just to see the smile on your faces. I paid for every penny he spent on you two. He used me for it. I went through hell for it. None were freebies Louis yet you went to him for help again. I didn't imagine my life this way, Louis. It's time you learn how to take care of yourself. Whatever it is I'm here for you Louis. I love you more than I love myself. Please leave Alvin out of this. Let heaven be our judge. I'm going to say it for the last time. He's not welcome in my family" Louis huffed, dropped the wiper in his hands, and walked away but Kate followed him.
" Why the hell are you walking out on me Louis? She yelled which had him halting.
" I'm tired of being a burden, Kate. You've made a lot of sacrifices for us yet I have done nothing to repay you. I'm ashamed of myself Kate. I hate been sick" Kate's furious eyes dilated to that of worry as she pulled him into a hug.
" You're not a burden Louis. You're my favorite sibling" he chuckled knowing she said it intentionally.
He was her only sibling.
" You'll be fine. I'll go through thick and thin with you Louis that's how much I love you and taking care of you is my responsibility. I'm not complaining, am I? I have the money to take care of you if you'll let me. We can manage your tumor. I hear it's curable" he wrapped his hands around her in consolation.
" I have been managing it for years now. I'm having the last procedure soon. It's a fifty-fifty chance of survival. I'm scared, Kate"
" We can do this. If there's one thing I know we are even though we're Sickies. We're survivors. You'll be fine. I got your back. No is Alvin meddling in, please? She requested as he hummed holding her tightly.
" You'll be fine Louis. I assure you. We're in this together. Gosh, Louis" she muttered trying to hide her fear.
Grief always had a way of dealing with her and she wasn't ready to go through it again.
Not after losing Simon and Dante.