"Mount Sinai in Queens," Nikolai murmured. He seemed to be in a daze. I'd never seen him so confused, helpless even. I removed my seat belt and shifted to the bench across from me so I could sit next to him. I linked my fingers through his as I called over my shoulder to the driver. “Tony, can you get us to Mount Sinai in Queens as soon as possible, please?"
“Absolutely, Mr. Archer," Tony said.
I turned my attention back to Nikolai. His fingers were gripping mine hard. I leaned into him a little and said, "He’ll be all right, Nikolai. We'll be there soon and you'll see that he’s okay."
"He’s only two," Nikolai murmured. "He’s only two."
I could hear the panic and despair in his voice. I switched my hands so I was holding his with my right one. It freed up my left one so I could run it up and down his back. "He'll be okay," I repeated again.
Nikolai let out a harsh breath and then leaned into me just a little bit. The drive to the hospital seemed to take forever. The closer we got, the more anxious and restless Nikolai became. By the time we pulled to a stop outside the ER, Nikolai was already out the door. To my surprise, not only did he wait for me, he also held out his hand for mine. I took it, fully expecting him to drop my fingers once I was out of the vehicle, but he continued to hold on to me as we rushed through the doors of the ER. As we headed for the check-in desk, a man called out to Nikolai.
Nikolai responded in Russian. I released his hand so he could hurry to the man I could only assume was his father. Sensing the need to give them privacy, I stayed where I was. I tried to gauge Nikolai's reactions to whatever his father was telling him but with all the commotion in the ER, it was hard to make much out.
It was surprisingly easy not to lose myself in the chaos of the emergency room department. I was too focused on Nikolai to notice much else. When he turned and came back toward me, I could see the relief in his eyes and I automatically let out the breath I'd been holding.
"Is he okay?" I asked when Nikolai reached me.
"He's awake," he said. "They're running some tests on him. My sister and mother are with him."
"That's good," I said. I began to reach for Nikolai before I remembered where we were and the fact that his father was watching. It had been one thing when Nikolai had needed me in the car, but I didn't dare risk embarrassing him in public. I dropped my hand and crossed my arms.
"Can I get you or your family anything?" I asked. “Coffee or something to eat?"
Nikolai shook his head and said, “I think we’re good. But I should call Mike to come and get you."
"I’m fine, Nikolai. I can get home on my own."
Nikolai immediately began shaking his head harder. “No," he said firmly. His eyes pinned mine. "No," he repeated.
Before I could argue with him, a little girl called out to Nikolai. Nikolai turned as the child came barreling down the hallway toward him.
"Natalia," Nikolai said as he scooped her up.
“Maks is sick, Uncle Nikolai," the little girl said.
“I know, honey, but he's going to be okay. He always is, isn't he?"
As the little girl nodded, I considered Nikolai's words. The child had been ill before? I’d just assumed this was an isolated event but maybe it wasn't.
"Jude, this is my niece, Natalia,” Nikolai said as he turned to face me. The little girl had long, curly hair and rich dark brown eyes like her uncle. She leaned her head against his chest.
"Hi," she said shyly.
“Hi," I responded.
"Are you Uncle Nikolai's boyfriend?" she asked.
My reaction was one of absolute shock. Nikolai, on the other hand, seemed unfazed.
"Sorry, she asks every guy she ever sees me with that," he said with a small smile. To the little girl he said, “No, Nattie, Jude and I work together."
"He keeps people safe like you?" Natalia asked.
I didn't hear Nikolai's response because I was too busy digesting the fact that he’d just pretty much confirmed the one thing I'd been wondering about since I’d met the man.
Nikolai was gay.
He had to be. Why else would the little girl ask if I was his