Normal | Rhekker

Chapter 22- The Manuscript

"Afternoon" Ava came into the board room, setting a coffee down for Ini.
"Thank you" she took the cup.
"Excited?" Ava asked, sitting down across from Connor and Owen.
"Thrilled"
"So Ava did know something" Owen nodded.
"I always know something"

The door opened behind them and Mr. Harris stepped in.
"Break a leg" she sat back in her chair.
"Good afternoon everyone" he stopped at the head of the table.

He made the announcements for the following two weeks and the events the chairs had planned, including a trip to Omaha In the coming weeks.
"Now we have some exciting news from Dr. Rhodes" Mr, Harris sat down, "take it away"
"Thank you, Mr Harris" he stood and nodded.
"I have proposed plans to Mr. Harris and the Mayo Board for a hybrid OR"
"Some of us may have heard of the hybrid OR in Gaffney, Chicago"
"And some may have never heard of this before, so what is the hybrid OR?"
"The hybrid OR concept was designed by myself and Dr. Bekker, Ava, who would have worked on it with me in Chicago"
A few looks were thrown her way.
"We were in both working the ED one morning when we had a patient come in at critical condition. He was taken up for emergency surgery, but he started coding"
"We lost him, in transport to an OR. Which is where this idea stems from. The faster we can get patients into the OR the more time we have to save them"

"We'll take a vote, all in favour say I" Mr Harris looked around.
The majority passed it.
"Well that looks positive" Mr. Harris smiled.
"Dr. Rhodes has already gathered all of his funding for the project, I see no reason why the board shouldn't pass it"

Connor thanked the group and took his seat across from Ava. He felt something brush his leg, glancing under the table he found a pair of painted black high heels. He glanced back to Ava when was keenly looking at the board, taking notes. She sat up and pulled her leg back as Mr. Harris turned around. As they began sharing their opinions, Connors shoe touched her ankle and the ghost of a smirk appeared on her lips.
"Dr. Bekker, any thoughts?"
Connor brushed up her calf quickly. She inhaled quickly before composing herself.
"I think it's a brilliant program" she explained, elaborating further.

*

Connor and Ava's shifted ended after the meeting, him driving them back to the hotel.
He picked her up, setting her down on the desk in his room.
"You can't keep on wearing these pencil skirts, your killing me"
"That was the idea" she smiled.
"Your speech was great"
"I don't what to talk about work now" he kissed her neck, pulling her skirt up.
"Wait, wait" Ava put her hands over his.
"I'm on my period" she said quickly.
"Oh, okey" he nodded, "do you not want to" he pulled his hands back down to her knees.
"I don't want to get blood on your sheets"
"I'll put a towel down- But We- we don't have to if you don't want too" he pulled back further, touching her hair.
"I want to" she decided finally, it wasn't like they hadn't before.
Connor picked her up off the desk, laying them back on the bed.

"Do you feel alright?" He asked, cuddled under their duvet, freshly showered.
"My stomach hurts a bit, but I'm perfect other wise", she opened her eyes. "Cramps aren't took bad"
Connor moved to touch her stomach gently, thinking of what to bring her tomorrow to make her feel better.
"I'll be back" he kissed her forehead, walking to the bathroom. Ava took the opportunity to spread out more on the bed. Ava could hear the taps running, knowing he wasn't in the shower she didn't question it. Connor return with a towel heated with warm water.
"Here" Connor placed the towel on her lower stomach, pressing down.
The towel was warm and only a little damp from the water.
"Thank you" she breathed as he returned to the mattress.

Connor slid an arm under Ava's head, pulling her into his chest as she kept the towel steady.
"Why do you always prefer your room?" Ava asked.
He paused, "When you leave my bedsheets smell like you- lilac"
Ava smirked up to him, Connor glanced away, "if I recall Dr. Bekker you are quite fond of my water pressure"
"That I am" she leaned up to kiss him.

Ava made a habit reapplying her perfume before the end of her shift, staying in his sheets longer. Connor didn't mind, he started to turn down the cleaning service. Preferring the comforting scent of Ava's perfume in her absence.