“Bob Marley. I like that.” She smiled and cooed at her baby as I quietly exited the room.
Pulling my lab coat closed, I hurried down the hall and caught the elevator to the first floor, feeling a renewed energy about the path ahead. This was the first time in three years that I’d delivered a baby, and all I wanted to do was deliver more. Maybe giving up my residency in the E.R. wouldn’t be just for love.
“Any other fires?” I asked as I smoothed back my hair, I wore in a ponytail.
Denise smiled as I approached the nurse’s station. “You can go. Dr. Boswell was pissed when she heard how Dr. Tan almost fucked up that delivery, recommending an unnecessary C-section. She made her work longer and said that you can go home since you safely delivered a baby without surgery. It’s not too late, you could still spend Christmas with Carter.”
“He’s at his ex’s house with his family, and I don’t know how far away it is. I don’t want to pull him away from his people,” I lamented.
“At least call him.”
“Yeah. I could at least do that. I haven’t spoken to him since he left this morning. I miss him,” I wistfully said.
She shook her head. “That man has you so sprung. You're rocking that hair, wearing makeup, and pretty earrings instead of that Plain Jane look.
“Um...the same look that got Carter’s attention? You mean that look?” I reminded her with a twist of my neck.
Denise giggled. “Just saying that love looks good on you.”
“Thank you. He does look good on me.” I flicked my tongue at her, pulled my phone from my pocket, and ducked off into an empty lab room.
“New York.” Warmth caressed his deep voice. “Must be on break. Haven’t heard from you all day.”
“That’s because I averted a medical fuck-up crisis and delivered a healthy Christmas baby after five hours of labor.” I leaned against the counter.
“Congratulations. Not bad for the best resident at L.A. Pacific,” Carter bragged.
Gripping the phone tighter, I added, “Now, I get to go home, and I wanted to see you. I know you’re with the fam, so I can stay up late and wait for you. I can catch a ride with one of the nurses since I don’t have my car.” I respected and accepted thathe didn’t like me to drive late at night alone or catch rides with strangers.
“Or I can leave and pick you up now. We’re just sitting around talking at Darren’s house. Ethyn already left. Elle and Sekani are playing video games and will stay here. Just have to drop my Mama off at my house first.”
“Are you sure?” I bounced a little, getting happier by the second at the thought of seeing him soon.
“Be there within an hour.”
“Okay.” I clicked the cell and danced around the room. I loved that man, desperately.
I stopped moving and hugged myself, wishing I said it to him when he professed his feelings yesterday. It’s been exactly a month since we officially met in this hospital, and my logical side couldn’t let go of the plausibility of falling in love so soon. As much as I wanted to reciprocate his words, something in me stopped me. Can I really love someone after a month? Then another voice screamed.
Yes, and he needs to know.
An hour later, I pulled on my jacket as I strolled out of the sliding doors, full of anticipatory energy. Ready to shout my love for him as soon as I saw his handsome, chocolate face, and the man waiting for me stopped my heart. He held a beautifully wrapped gift in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” I screeched. My chest burned with rage at his audacity to not only show up at my job but on Christmas.
Bishop smiled sheepishly. “I’ve been waiting for hours. Stopped by the house first and then came here.”
“You were at my house?” I grabbed the collars of my jacket. My breath seemed caught in my throat. Bishop was here. Standing in front of me with a silly ass grin. How did I ever think this man was worthy to be my husband?
His face frowned with concern, and he moved closer. “Shh...it’s alright. I know you’re in shock. It’s been a long time.”
I held my hand up. “Stay away from me. My man will be here any minute, and I don’t want any trouble.”
Bishop rubbed his bald head in frustration. “Let me explain why I left you, like I did. Please.”
“I blocked you for a reason. I. Don’t. Give. A. Fuck.” My clapping hands accentuated my thoughts.
The security guard walked beside me. “Is he bothering you?”
