"Bailey are you going to any of the days of the conference" Richard walked into her office
"I am Sir" She didn't look up from her paperwork which was buried in. She found herself buried in paperwork often. Especially since her son Tuck left for college. The house is so quiet now that she's alone. She often just stays at the hospital so she doesn't have to face the silence.
"How's Tuck doing at college" He looked at a picture of her and Tuck at his high school graduation. The 19 year old favors his mother in so many ways. They even have the same bright smile.
"He loves it there. He is in several orgs and gets along well with his roommate" She nodded
"Well maybe tonight you head home instead of burying yourself in paperwork Chief" He put his hand on hers
"Just a few more things to read through" She gave him a fake smile
"Bailey what happened to slowing down" He raised an eyebrow referring to her heart attack she had a few years ago
"I did slow down. I took a break. Spent time with my son. And now I'm back to work" She looked at him with frustration plastered across her face
"Got it, leaving you alone" He stood up and walked towards the door as he was opening it Jackson was about to walk in
"Jackson" Richard greeted him
"Hey Richard. You going to the conference" He asked
"I'll catch a few lectures" He nodded
"Yeah me too. There's a plastics guy coming in from L.A. who's been working on developing growing organs in a lab setting"
"Growing organs" Bailey looked up
"It's like my spray on skin idea on steroids" Jackson looked at her "I was hoping to ask him some questions maybe bring him to the lab"
"Well Karev did grow a trachea" Richard added
"I may go hear that lecture myself" She nodded
"We could go together" Richard smiled
"I'm sure Chief Bailey didn't mean that sir" Jackson chuckled
"I sure didn't. Are you trying to babysit me Sir" She looked at Richard
"I figured we as colleagues could attend a lecture together" He shook his head
"It was years ago. Move on" She huffed going back to her work "you think I'm going to have another heart attack at a lecture Richard"
"Well excuse me for caring" He walked out
"I'm just going to head out too. We can talk another time" Jackson stepped out
Miranda knew Richard meant well but it was just so annoying. She was doing just fine. She changed a lot of habits in her life. She was taking her medication. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. She felt herself tugging at her fingers.
"Stop that Miranda" She said to herself and placed her hands on her desk. The words of her therapist ringing in her head about not engaging in compulsive behaviors. Her OCD started flaring up when Tuck left for college. She thought back to when she first was diagnosed. The only thing that managed to keep her calm was her son. Whenever she felt like she was going to do something compulsive she would take a deep breath and imagine her son's face to ground herself. She got her medicine adjusted when he left.
She pulled out her phone and FaceTimed him
"Hey mom" He smiled. She could tell he was in his dorm by the LED lights. She remembered Tucker helping him put them up. She offered to help and they both laughed because she's so short
"How was your day" She smiled
"Great. Today the dining hall had shrimp and rice and it was absolutely delicious" He smiled
"Hey Doc" His roommate Joey yelled in the back
"Hello Joey" Bailey laughed. When she first introduced herself to him he asked if it was okay if he called her Doc. She agreed and It's been their thing ever since. He's a senior and Tuck's a sophomore but they get along like brothers.
"You in your office" Tuck asked
"Yeah finishing up some work" She sighed
"You been sleeping" He asked
"William George it is not your place to take care of me. I'm your momma" She cut her eyes at him
"And you're the only one I have so I want to make sure you stay alive" He gave her the Bailey stare. She wasn't sure when her son perfected the stare his mother pulled off so well.
"Doc you gotta keep being a doctor. All those people at GreySloan need you" Joey added
"I hear you boys. I am going to finish up this work and then home it is" She smiled
"And bed" Tuck added "actually get some sleep tonight momma"
"I raised you a bit too well. You're annoying" She laughed
"Dad says I'm a mini you" He chuckled "but Im not sure how he meant it"
"Your father is a piece of work but he was probably referring to all the good parts of me" She covered up what she really wanted to say about her ex husband.
"Well maybe" Tuck shrugged. He missed his mom and he worried about her. He wished she had someone to go home to. Someone that cared about her as much if not more than him. He knew her colleagues were like family but she wasn't going to open up to them. Not the ways her son has seen her. He has only seen his mom cry a few times but he was sure they've seen her cry a lot less.
"Hey kiddo, oh sorry young man. What's on your mind" She asked
"Are you okay mom. Like really" He asked
"Yes Tuck. You don't have to worry about me" She nodded "I love that you do but you're my son. I just want you to focus on yourself and your academics"
"Lock in Doc. We gone check on you" Joey walked over to the phone " You the only momma we got so we gotta make sure you're lit. You feel me"
"No Joey I don't feel you because I barely understood what you said" She chuckled
"That's fair Doc" He nodded "Basically we gotta look out for you cause you looks out for us" Joey smiled
"Okay boys you win" She held our hands up in defeat
"That's better now head home and rest" Tuck gave his mom the Bailey look
"Don't Bailey look me. I gave you that look" She tried to hide her smile. Her son always knows how to get her to crack
"We love you" Joey waved
"Love you guys too" She blew kisses to the phone and hung up. Joey was like the brother Tuck always secretly wanted and the second child Miranda never knew she wanted.
As promised she finished up her work and went home. She showered and put on her night gown. She laid in bed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe she should get a pet? No they smell like feet. Well a fish wouldn't. But what kind of company would a fish make.
Pathetic she thought to herself. She's laying in bed wishing she had an animal of sorts to keep her company. She gave up on dating years ago. The thought hadn't crossed her mind until right now. Laying in bed feeling lonely she wished she had company
YOU ARE READING
Holding On For Dear Life
Fanfic"Now that I got you, I'm holding on for dear life" You ever met that one person that you loved so much you felt you had to hold onto them forever? Well Ben Warren has.
