*Trisha*

Poor Paul looks exhausted today.  I decided to cancel my meeting with Elliott, Nate's publicist, who was scheduled for this morning.  He needs to put out another statement on Nate's behalf to shut reporters up, but I think I'll make today an easier day for Paul. 

He already has the coffee brewing and is reading a newspaper like an old fart. I stretch my arms up while walking into the main room, and Paul immediately turns his eyes back down to the paper when he sees me.

Right. Tank top and pajama pants. No bra. I wasn't even thinking!

"Mornin' sunshine." I tease while pouring my coffee.  I get a grumpy grunt in return.

"Don't worry. Today will be an easy day, ok? I canceled my morning so we could lounge around before heading to the hospital. Sound good?"

Paul puts the newspaper down and leans back a little, eyeing me now.

"What are you up to, Trisha. You never cancel shit."

"Just a little tired. Could use a morning off." I reply and sit next to Paul at the kitchen island.

Paul nods, now relieved to not be chasing me all morning. He opens the newspaper back up and ignores me.

"What are you? 80? I didn't even know they still MADE daily newspapers, grandpa."

"Are you gonna be bored all morning long now?" He says without looking up from the paper.

"Maybe..."

"Then put a bra on and make me some eggs. You're killing me..."

That's the first time Paul has really somewhat flirted jokingly with me. If that's what you even want to call it.

"I'll make you an omelet, but bras are overrated. Sorry, pal. Just look away."

I get up and start cooking.  I DO notice Paul dropping the paper down a little a few times to check me out from the corner of my eye. The man IS human, after all.

God, if he only knew how attractive he is.  And how antsy I am right now.  I'd do him right on that stool while he's reading the newspaper.

I make the grumpy man food and sit next to him, opting for a yogurt for my breakfast.

"I'm thinking of asking Dr. Patel, if Nate can get discharged soon.  His ribs can heal at home, and we have everything here to check his blood pressure. What do you think?"

"I'm just the bodyguard, remember?"

"Nah, you're his family now. Whether you like it or not." I get no reaction from Paul, so continue talking.

"I think it's probably a good idea. Julia needs to focus on herself right now, and she can't with him around." I say and watch Paul take another bite without looking up at me.

"He's good at taking care of her. He can handle her."

"Think so? With that heart of his?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Eventually, she's gonna be like his sister. She's gonna need to be at the Avalon full time when he goes on tour.  Gallo sure can't do anything now."

The truth cuts me a little, and I slouch down, stirring my yogurt aimlessly. Tears begin to well up in my eyes, and Paul notices.

"Don't you dare." He looks away. I know he can't handle crying. He could never handle Julia crying, and that girl cries a lot.

"I'm not." I squeak.

"Trisha..."

I break down, doing the opposite of what Paul wanted.  I lean my elbows on the counter and cover my face with my hands.

Paul lets out a long-exaggerated sigh and wraps an arm around my back while still sitting on the stool.

"I just want James to wake up.  Nate to be healthy and back to his things were and Julia to get whatever the hell help she needs, so Nate isn't worried sick over her."

"And here I just thought you wanted Nate home so you could marry him and have a million little Nate babies around here."

"Ha. Ha. Ha.... very funny." I sniff but then do laugh a little at Paul trying to cheer me up.

"Anyways, marrying that fool is out of the question. He's too hung up on hot mess express over there."

"Maybe.  So marry James. He'll wake up." He teases me, and I roll my eyes.

"You tryna get rid of me, Paulie?"

"Just don't marry Dave." He pats my back and removes his arm.

"I'm not gonna marry Dave. How bout I marry no one, pal. Babies aren't in the works for me with this job, and I'm in no rush to get hitched."

"I hear ya.."

That's all I get out of Paul.  He finishes eating and hits the shower without another word. Odd man. Attractive odd man, but still...

We do lounge around the rest of the morning.  We put the news on in the background while I do a little food prepping for the week, and Paul does what Paul does best. Sit around, ignoring me. 

*****

"She finally calmed down?" I walk in, relieved to see Julia sleeping.  Paul comes in right behind me.

When I look at Nate and his sad face, I know what happened. Julia had to be medicated.

"No... are you fucking kidding me? Dr. Prade?"  I drop my keys on the me and head to the living room. Paul let's out a sigh, knowing this is far from over now.

"Me" Nate says flatly.

"You? What do you mean, you??" I sit on the couch and Paul plops down next to me.

"Me. I asked her if she wanted something to help calm her down." Nate looks away from me but I can tell from his red eyes, this decision was not taken lightly. Julia must have had a rough time.

This all just prolongs her detox which prolongs Nate from moving on and living life.

"That means... Nate, why would you do that?"

Casey steps in and explains everything. When she's done, I share the same distraught look as the rest of them.

"Nate.... I just talked to the doctor today into discharging you. Your ribs will heal, and I was gonna check your blood pressure often. I thought you'd want to be home. I thought her detox was gonna come to an end soon..."

I watch Nate slouch down and hold his forehead.

"Doesn't matter now.  I'm not leaving her. Whether I'm a patient or visitor... I'll be by her side and help her through this."

"Your heart can't handle this stress, Nate! This is why we hired not one but TWO nurses to take over.  Let them handle her detox. Let that heart of yours rest. Sweetie let's go home. You can get back to living a normal life without dealing with this shit. Let her detox and come visit her but take a step back." I plead, but he doesn't want to hear it.

"I can't. You know I can't."

"This WILL kill you."

"Would you leave my side if it were me?" Nate tries to turn the tables, but this is so different.

"You know I wouldn't, Nate. Obviously. But I'm not the one with the bad heart. I'm not the one with high blood pressure and a history of heart attacks. I'm not the one who's dad..." I stop short, regretting my words the second they come out. I bury my face in my hands.

Paul rubs my back to calm me, trying to be a friend.

*****