Chapter Sixteen - Soon To Be
Ruslan watched his father talking on the phone. That deep etch on his face, between his furrowed eyebrows let out nothing good. Who could the old man be talking to? The conversation was held in a hushed tone, and Ruslan didn't want to intrude, as he knew his adoptive father to be a man of great secrecy.
"I'm sorry, Russy, it was important," Douglas apologized as soon as he was off the phone with the mystery caller. "Do you want to tell me something?"
"How would you feel if I told you that you would soon become a father in law?" Ruslan chose his words carefully, but could not keep in a playful smile.
His father's eyes grew wide and then filled with fondness. "Should I gather that he said 'yes'?"
Ruslan nodded happily. "All we need is your blessing. And, of course, Johnny's mom's, too, which is exactly what we plan for today. I thought about letting you know that I'm taking the day off from work. I know it's in short notice, but I still have plenty of leave days."
Douglas waved. "Do you really think you should worry about such things now, Russy? I know how much you work every day. You really are an asset for my business, and I didn't just give you a job to have something to come back home from. Take as many free days as you need to plan the wedding. Of course, unless you want me and Martin to take care of everything. We would love to do that."
Ruslan got up from his seat by the window and hurried to hug his dad. "I know I would, but Johnny would throw a fit. He becomes fidgety when he has nothing to do. And an imposed vacation wouldn't work on him. I must have him involved. And, seeing how the wedding won't happen sooner than several months -"
"Several months? I thought you, young people, are all for making things happen in a rush."
"Johnny and I decided that he should first liquidate his debts toward Francis Davenport."
"You mean he decided."
"Well, you know how he is," Ruslan said apologetically. "I could squeeze him into doing things how I want, but I am well aware how important his duty is to him."
"I would not call it duty, but plain blackmail," Douglas replied.
"Johnny doesn't quite see it that way. And, since he said he would marry me only after dealing with his past, I can't antagonize him much. I'd rather have him feel happy and free with his decisions, including the one to marry me."
"Ah, Russy, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that you wish to settle down. I would not want to go away without seeing you happy and protected. I have great trust in Johnny that he would do that."
"Hey, it goes both ways, and I'm not helpless," Ruslan protested. "And what's this talk about going away? You're not sick. Are you?"
Ruslan could feel familiar fear creeping in. The old man looked healthy, and nothing seemed wrong, but not all ailments could be easy to notice. He was no doctor to know about such things.
"I'm not sick; don't worry, Russy." Douglas caressed his hair slowly. "I want to know that you are in good hands. I would have expected it to happen many years from now, so I'm happy to see you don't throw your youth away on mindless and reckless entertainment. What's going on between you and Johnny, Russy, is real. Don't you ever forget that. Even if there are moments in life when you might feel differently, don't forget. You love Johnny, and he loves you just the same."
Ruslan scoffed to hide his nervousness from earlier. "We wouldn't get hitched if we weren't serious about one another. Have you ever been married, papa?"
Douglas smiled. "This isn't about me, right, Russy?"
"You never tell me anything." Ruslan pouted, pretending to be childish to rouse a reaction from his father.
"You'll know everything soon enough, my dear child. Soon enough."
Ruslan rolled his eyes. "You're just so mysterious."
"Maybe I exaggerate. But everything I have ever done was to protect you. Forgive an old man a few secrets or at least, to hold on to them a little while longer. Now, Russy, you go and see Johnny's mom. Don't forget that your soon to be husband just has to say the word, and I will arrange for his mother to be transferred to a better facility."
"I won't forget, but Johnny is stubborn. It's all about duty with this man. Of course, once we're married, I'll make sure he understands his new position."
"Make sure you do that." Douglas's face was all a smile.
***
"Do I look all right?" Ruslan patted down his shirt as if he was trying to smooth out imaginary wrinkles.
"You look beautiful," Johnny made doe eyes at him.
Ruslan snickered. "For you, maybe. But I must look good to see your mom, and not just my usual self. Are you going to tell her, Johnny, that we -"
"Of course. She might not understand or forget as soon as we're out the door, but I must try. I would not keep such a thing away from her. I'm getting hitched, and that's the kind of thing moms want to know about their boys."
Johnny looked so serious but in a solemn way. Ruslan felt like walking a bit stiffly, to make sure he didn't appear aloof, given the occasion. After all, he was on the point of meeting his mother in law, or soon to be, as he tried to correct himself mentally.
Ruslan was pleased to see that the care unit where Johnny's mom was housed seemed a decent enough place. Not that he would ever suspect Johnny of not doing everything he could to give his mother the care and protection he needed, but he knew well that limited funds could only do this much, particularly for people with special needs.
He breathed in, one last time, as the nurse nodded for them to proceed and walk down the hall. Johnny squeezed his hand. "Don't worry. She'll love you."
Ruslan wished he could share the same conviction, but the truth was he could not repress the nervousness that had seemed to be with him since he had decided to meet Johnny's mom.
Johnny opened the door and signaled for him to walk in. Ruslan entered and took in the small, grey-haired woman on the bed.
"Mom, this is Ruslan Kent," Johnny said first.
"Hello, Mrs. Bryne," Ruslan hurried to greet her.
"What a beautiful name. Who is this handsome man, Johnny? Is he a prince?"
