Apéritif [ Carmy Berzatto || THE BEAR FF ]

Chapter 9 - New-born chance

"We need those test results for Room 203."

"Code Blue in 215. Code Blue in 215."

"Is Dr. Meyervich available? I need him in an ER room at the moment"

There was scurried but calculated footsteps all over the hospital floor. The linoleum tiling was slightly scuffed but shiny enough to reflect the overhead fluorescent lights that buzzed a bit too loudly. The scene was all too familiar, the dance the nurses and doctors did across the floor while shouting out numbers and codes made Carmy feel like he was back at Eleven Madison Park.

The memories of his time in New York started flooding in. The verbal abuse, the physical and emotional toll it took on him? He got up and started to pace around as his eyes anxiously darted from the small glass window in Sugar's hospital room and the swinging double doors at the end of the corridor.

He made one last look at the clock before remembering what his actual plans were for that night. He pulled his phone out before hovering over the numerous missed calls and messages from Y/N. He sighed before looking back into Sugar's room. He pondered, biting his lips before he started to type.

Carmy felt a knot tightening in his chest, the obnoxious ticking of the wall clock didn't help whatsoever. The knot tightened. And tightened. And tightened. To the point he couldn't breathe and it felt like he was grasping for air. Although the door muffled the sounds of Natalie's screaming, it echoed in his ears.

He stumbled back onto the waiting chairs that lined the corridor almost dropping his phone, his hands trembling and his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the chair. Memories flooded his mind. Mom, Richie, Sugar, Mikey. All the screaming, the anger, the tears. The family dinners and the Christmas nights together went by like a blur. Mikey, however, his face showed up clear as day. In a dark room, Carmy didn't recognize with the door slightly agape. It looked like a room you wouldn't want to be in but everything was tidy, clean even. He didn't understand why he was thinking of this right now, why his mind decided to turn on him at the birth of his sister's child.

It was a nightmarish scene happening in Carmys mind right now and he was so desperately trying to brush it off to not cause a scene. He desperately wanted to enjoy this happy moment but instead he was having a panic attack in a cold hospital. But like a lifeline, her face popped up.

Her brown hair, her bright eyes. The way her lashes fluttered with each blink, slightly reaching her brows whenever she looked up. The soft pillow of her lips and the curl of the corners whenever she would smile. It was such a vibrant and clear image it was as if he could see her right in front of him, maybe even smell her. The floral scent she paraded and claimed to be her favorite perfume since college. Slightly sweet, comforting and fresh. That was what he needed.

Carmy's eyes shot open and the blinding hospital lights flooded his vision just as Richie swung open the door.

"Dude, why didn't you text me you were here?"

"Um I don't know-" he cleared his throat, " I wasn't sure if I should come in."

"Well the baby is here." Richie placed a firm but comforting hand on Carmy's shoulders before he stood up. "C'mon."

______

"Ay, que hermosaa ~." Tina cooed.

"Who knew Pete could make such a cute baby." Tina smiled at the picture of Natalie, face still in distress, holding her new baby girl with Pete right beside her.

"Yeah that's what I was thinking too." Carmy laughed in agreement.

"Sooo." Tina nudged his shoulder. "You're an uncle now Jeff."

"Uh yeah, uncle."

"Get ready for all the babysitting... and diapers." Tina laughed before returning to her station. Carmy was still a bit shaky from last night. There was a lot for him to process, let alone the news of him being an uncle. There was so much he tried to block out this morning that he ended up showing 4 hours earlier than everyone else. Keeping himself occupied by trying new flavor combinations and practicing old techniques.

"Hey Carm." Sydney had trickled in with everyone else. The kitchen started filling up with the same faces and the same distinct chatter.

"So, how was it?"

"The birth? Well, I only—"

"No, no," Sydney waved off. "The date, did you go? And also, what baby?"

"Nat's baby!!" Tina chimed in.

"Actually, that reminds me." Carmy excused himself from the bustling kitchen, retreating into his office. Pulling out his phone, he swiped through to Y/N's contact. Despite having already listened to the voicemails multiple times, he played them again, his nerves instantly working up. Taking a steadying breath, he pressed the 'call' button.

The phone rang and after a few moments, Y/N's soft voice graced the line.

"Hey."

"Hey, um..." There was a beat of silence before Carmy continued. "I know what I did last night was, well, shitty—"

"Yeah." She cut off.

"And I know this is going to sound like a big excuse, but I swear on everything, my sister Natalie went into labor, and I was there the whole night." He sighed, hoping his sincerity could traverse the distance through the phone.

"Oh, well, congrats to the baby." Y/N's tone obviously unamused. She was clearly not willing to let this slide so easily, especially after the advice her roommate desperately tried to give her while she stuffed her face with ice cream.

"Look, I should've texted, but I'll make it up to you."

"Really?"

"Y-yeah, I would— I will." Carmy held his breath, awaiting Y/N's response.

"I'll make you dinner myself... at my place, Michelin star style? And we can really get to know each other." If only Carmy could witness the subtle smile that grew on Y/N's face, how her cheeks got warm at the invite. "Does today sound good?"

"Okay. This is your second chance!" Y/N laughed lightheartedly.

"'Kay, it's a date." The air seemed to lighten a bit and relief washed over Carmy.

"CARMY!" Fak yelled throughout the kitchen.

"YES FAK?!" He pushed the door open with a deep sigh knowing his day has officially started, and now he had to tend to the nonsense his team had in store for him.