The news got to Andres immediately and he just sat behind his desk frozen for what felt like an hour before James came back and told him they had to leave. Andres knew he couldn't work the case. He knew Leon a lot more now to treat the man behind the wheel with the justice he deserved.

His heart sped up more when he thought of Stuart. Did he know? If he did, how was he handling it? He picked up his phone and told James to go without him. He was heading to the hospital instead.

     Dialing Vlad's number, he tried to be as straightforward as possible.

"And he calls. I was about to call you. What do you want for dinner? Gala and Fyo are screaming for spaghetti. Right kids?"

The kids yelled into the phone but for once, their sweet innocent voices didn't calm him. "Vlad, take it off speaker."

"Oh. Be right back guys."

"Is something wrong?" Fyodor, ever the sharpest, asked.

There was no answer and Andres stood up, picking up his coat before Vlad came back on. "What is going on?"

"Leon got into an accident."

"Govno."

Andres was slightly amused he knew what that meant but didn't spend time on it as he continued, "I'm heading to the hospital now. You should get Stuart's kids."

"Why zis happen few days to end of zis project?"

Andres stopped in his spot to think about it. It can't be planned by the admin right? They couldn't have done it to make them stay longer right? Would they? Could they?

"Andres?"

"Let's meet at the hospital. Your hospital."

"Da."

Then he hung up the phone before dashing out of his office.

...

     "How do you feel?"

Stuart stared at Michaela and Bonnie. His vision was disoriented to the point they both blended to one person but Michaela reached for him, splitting herself from Bonnie.

He held her intense gaze mostly because he felt if he didn't, he was going to pass out. He could already feel himself slipping away already.

"Stuart, stay with me."

He didn't know how he should respond to that. His body felt weak and his heart was racing faster than normal. Was it because of Leon bloodied body or this was just one of his diabetic episode?

"I need something sweet. Sugar... but honey preferably." He muttered. His voice came out too low that Michaela had to lean closer to hear him.

She quickly told Bonnie what he needed and she disappeared to get it. Stuart watched her leave to frantically ask the nurses if they had anything sweet. He watched his world tilt and Michaela caught his head and made him stare at her.

"Look at me. Don't you dare faint on me." Her voice sounded a lot deeper than he had ever heard.

A gloved hand cupped his face and he looked at her. She looked as beautiful as always and he managed a smile for her. "I'm going to be fine. But Leon..."

"The doctor isn't out yet. You need to be strong Stuart."

"He wasn't moving. They said he wasn't even breathing." He felt his panic rise again and it suddenly felt like he was back on that road.

    The weather had gone really dark as if it too was sad. Someone had called the ambulance and it snapped him back to reality when he heard the siren. The person that had hit him just stood there, looking speechless at the unmoving body. All that rang in Stuart's head as he numbly walked up to him was that he was dead. But he never got to him. Someone held him back as they took Leon away. He couldn't even yell or react. He just gazed numbly as the ambulance drove speedily down the road.

The first person he had called was Michaela and she had been the one to find him sitting by the sidewalk. As they drove to the hospital, that was when Stuart told her the story. They were just having a casual conversation when someone came and took him away.

He was crossing the road to get to him.

    Stuart felt the first tear slide down his face and Michaela quickly sat down beside him and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Leon's going to be fine."

Leon wasn't moving. He wanted to scream it to her so she could understand, but he was too weak for that so instead, he stared.

Bonnie finally came back but with more than just honey. Andres tagged behind her and his brows knitted in a frown when his eyes fell on him. Bonnie handed Stuart the honey bottle and he took what felt like a tablespoon of honey into his mouth.

When he felt himself relax slightly and fully conscious, he looked up at Andres who stood in front of him.

"How are you doing?" Andres asked.

Stuart stood up to greet him but his legs wobbled and the Columbian quickly caught him, wrapping his arms around him. "Hey now. Are you okay?"

"Fine," he said calmly as he pulled away from him.

"The guy can barely walk and talk. I wouldn't believe him." Bonnie frowned at him.

"I'm fine." He glared at her. When she said nothing after he looked back at Andres. "Thanks for coming."

"How's he?"

Referring to Leon as he only helped his denial of the situation. Stuart cleared his throat and ran a hand through his short brown hair. "I don't know how to answer that."

"Well, he's going to be fine. The admin wouldn't dare let him die," Andres said, placing his hand on his shoulder and giving it a light squeeze. "If anything, we are all here for you."

Stuart didn't know what to say. Actually, he didn't know what to feel. He had been unbelievable numb to the point if the doctor dropped any bad news, he wouldn't know how he would take it. He slowly nodded at them then fell back on his seat to wait patiently for anyone to come out.

     It had been almost two hours before anyone came out. Everyone jumped out of their seat to ask the nurses if he was alright. Only one replied their cries and they patiently waited for the doctor. The woman was the last to come out, cleaning her hands off with a napkin.

Stuart hastily rushed towards her with Andres and ladies behind him. The woman looked shocked when Stuart clutched on to her sleeve and asked, "How is he? How's Leon?"

The lady looked relieved and smiled, reaching for his shaking hand on her sleeve. "It's okay. He made it."

Stuart wasn't even given the chance to rejoice over that when she continued, "But I'm afraid he won't be able to walk for a while. The impact had broken his legs."

His grip on her sleeve tightened and said through gritted teeth. "Anything else I need to know?"

"He has slight amnesia but it's nothing to be worried about. He'll get his memories gradually." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please don't force it."

Stuart shrugged her hand off his shoulder then let go of her. He didn't know why but there was something about the doctor he hated. Taking a deep breath, Stuart asked, "Can I go see him?"

Her forehead creased. "I'm sorry. Family members only since it's not visiting hours."

"I'm family." He admitted and glared at her for what she was implying.

Her eyes narrowed at him. "How? Brother?"

Stuart wanted to just strangle her and prevent anymore stupid conversation. His husband was in there and he needed to see him immediately. Balling his hand into a fist, he opened his mouth to speak but Andres beat him to it.

"I don't think you understand. Stuart here is Leon's husband and he has every right to be in there. We don't mind standing out here until visiting hours."

"Oh." Her eyes widened and she took a step away from him. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't... I just... You should go in." She pointed at the room she had just come out from and Stuart took quick steps into it.

When he was about to open it, he froze when he saw the body lying on the bed. For two seconds there, he didn't know what to do or what to say or why he was there.

"Go on Stuart." Michaela said making him look at her. "We'll be waiting right here."

     Licking his lips, he nodded at them before entering the room. His nose instantly picked up on all the chemicals and it made him feel nauseated. He quickly went to open the window and inhaled the fresh air.

Stuart turned back and stared at Leon's banged up body. He had casts on his two legs, neck and a bandage around his head. Now that he could see his body and was definitely sure it was Leon that had been hit, Stuart finally broke down. The huge wall that held his tear quickly gave out and he fell on his knees and gripped on Leon's hand.

He held his hand and wept into the bed. For a while, he just did that until he could no longer let anything out. Then he slowly looked up at Leon to see the man looking back at him.

For what felt like minutes, they stared at each other before Stuart broke into a grin. "Ah, I'm glad. You're okay."

Stuart waited for the man to tease like he normally would because that way, Stuart would really know he was alive. But instead, Leon said, "Sorry but, who are you?"

Those words were like arrows that struck him right in his heart. He suddenly became dumb as he just gapped at Leon with wide eyes.

First, he had witnessed him in an accident now he didn't know who he was? Stuart didn't know where to start. Stuart didn't know how to explain everything to him.

"Um," He stood up and took a step away from him.

Leon's gaze didn't leave him and Stuart just stared back. Then someone opened the door and Stuart's gaze drifted to the door to see the kids with Vlad. The three of them stared at Leon before they dared move closer to him. Mariam was the first to run to him.

"Daddy."

"Dad?" Leon's eyes hadn't left Stuart and it was when Stuart went around the bed he bothered to look at something other than him.

Leon glanced from Mariam to Faun then Vlad. If his neck and legs weren't preventing any movement, he would look seconds from jumping out of the open window.

"Who the hell are you people?" His voice sounded panicked and Mariam gasped.

"What is he saying?" Faun asked from beside Stuart.

Vlad stood by the door just observing.

Stuart turned to Faun and managed a smile for him even though he looked seconds from crying. "Your dad got in an accident. The legs will be okay and soon enough, his amnesia would be gone."

"Amnesia?" Leon spoke up but Stuart ignored him.

"Just take care of Mariam because I don't know if I'm going to be home."

Faun only gave him a weak nod before walking up to Mariam and taking her hand.

"When he's all good, I'll give you guys a call. Okay?"

Faun and Mariam glanced at Leon one last time before leaving the room. Stuart followed them out but stopped at the door to talk to Vlad.

The Russian's shoulders slumped and he gave Stuart a small smile. "It is going to be okay."

"I know." He nodded.

Vlad glanced down the hallway that was now empty then back at him. "Zey are in waiting room. If you want some time alone, I can tell zem to leave. I work here."

Stuart managed a smile. "Thank you."

"Kid will stay with me for time being, Da?"

"You can do that?"

"I do not mind. Take care of him, okay?" He cocked his head at the man in the room and Stuart released a shaky breath.

"I will."

He nodded then turned to leave but abruptly stopped in his steps then said, "One question."

"Go on."

"He does not know who you are right?" Vlad asked as he slowly turned back to him.

"Yes."

"And kid, Nyet?"

"He doesn't know anything about anyone."

Openly saying it made Stuart finally realize the situation he was in and it seemed that was what Vlad was trying to tell him.

Leon knew nothing of The Daddy Project.

"You do not have to tell him anything. Project will end in a couple of days."

"L-Leon and I bought ourselves an extra week. He had crossed the line the first week we came. Or second. It was a long time ago."

"So are you going to tell him?" Vlad asked curiously.

"I have to," Stuart said as he took a step back into the room. "I need to stop being in denial and finally speak up."

Surprisingly, a smile worked its way up to Vlad's lips and he smiled at Stuart but never got the chance to say anything before Stuart closed the door in him.

Then, he took in a deep breath before turning to look at the man on the bed.

"Now, where do I start?"

_______________________
Thank God he didn't die. The Gay Project wouldn't be able to make more of these beautiful stories if he did.

So what do you think Stuart meant when he said "I need to stop being in denial and finally speak up."?

I think The Daddy Project might be slightly longer than the last book. Who can guess what's going to happen next?

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