Down the road of memories

Everything that you ever dream

Noah POV

Nothing seemed to bother me on this Tuesday morning. The absence of the receptionist due to illness or even the malfunction of the photocopier did not disturb me. Just being able to wake up next to Elle this morning brought a smile to my face. She even got up at the same time as me and made me my favorite breakfast, pancakes, while I was in the shower.

I wish she could have joined me for lunch but with the time difference, she had a Zoom meeting with medical students during my lunch hour for whom she will be tutoring this year.

At 5:00 p.m., I closed my computer and went to my apartment. As I passed by the reception, two of my colleagues called out to me:
- So, you're coming to the pub tonight, Flynn?

Normally, I was up for all these outings, avoiding a solitary meal and an isolated evening in my apartment. But not tonight! It was amazing how my life had changed in 2 weeks. Tonight, I come back from the office knowing that Elle is waiting for me at the apartment.

Upon opening the front door, I was greeted by a smell of lasagna cooking... one of my favorite meals. The table was set with glasses and the bottle of wine already opened but no Shelly in sight. I went to see if she had fallen asleep on my bed but no. The bathroom was unoccupied. Her computer and her articles were placed on my desk next to mine but without her. I softly called her name but no answer. Irrational, a little panic began to creep into me until I found her, asleep on the couch in my living room. The relief I felt when I found her. She was dressed in a sleek red sleeveless tank top and black pants, clearly showing her off. I contemplated her beauty and how lucky I was that this gorgeous woman was willing to give me another chance.

I knelt next to her, gently stroking her hair. She was so cute asleep and I felt so lucky that she was here with me. I couldn't help but lean in to place kisses on her cheek and chin. She began to move and open her blue eyes:
- Noah!" She said, looking at me all asleep and then putting her arms around my neck.

I simply responded by holding her against me. It was so good to see her again after a day's work. I couldn't get enough of the feeling of her body against mine. I was about to take things a step further and carry her into my bedroom when my oven timer went off.
- Do you want to eat right now?" She asked, her mouth still in my neck.
- I'm rather hungry for you!" I said, kissing her neck passionately.

She got up to take the lasagna out of the oven and I chased her all the way to my bedroom. She was laughing when I knocked her over on my bed, giving free rein to the passion I suppressed all day.

Several minutes later, I went to the living room while Elle was getting dressed before dinner. I approached to close the curtain of the living room when I saw a figure leaning against a lamppost on the other side of the street. I recognized Allyson's car parked on the side of the street. I sighed and told myself that I had no desire for a sticky ex-date.

Elle walked into the kitchen wearing a dressing gown and I knew a sexy nightgown underneath. As a teenager, Elle had gotten into the habit to sleep in one of my T-shirts and I've always found her sexy in my clothes. It reminded me of that first morning when she slept in my bed with my T-shirt on. But, Dr. Rochelle Evans' version slept with sexy nightgowns and it had a way of turning me on instantly.

Ignoring my intense gaze on her, Elle took out the plates and began serving the meal.
- What!" she said, handing me my plate.
- You know that it wasn't part of the deal you cooked up while you're in Boston. " I said, picking up my plate.
- I know, but I would have thought it unfair if you had come back from work and had to cook when I spent the day here," she replied, pouring herself a glass of wine.
- I appreciate your cooking, Shelly! I'm going to be totally unsettled when you go back to LA. Just thinking about it depresses me. " I said, taking her hand.
- Have you heard any news about your client transfers?" she asked as she walked over to the table.
- Yes!" I said with a sigh. "I tried to negotiate for an earlier transfer for the LA office. But the two bosses had already agreed to keep me in Boston until Thanksgiving. All I've managed to get is the ability to work remotely in LA, mostly starting at the end of October.
- So, you'd have until the end of October in Boston to stay here.
- Yes! It depresses me. I would have liked to give my 2 weeks notice and leave for LA. I'm going to find it hard to see you leave on Sunday night," I said, stroking her hand. "I think I'll get used to seeing you home in the evening.
- Tell yourself that this is a taste of what your life will look like in a few weeks.

I smiled at her before kissing her hand that I didn't let go of the whole meal.
- Are you ready for your presentation at Friday's conference?" I asked to her.
- Yes, I spent a good part of the day revising my notes and the visual of my presentation.
- What is your presentation about?
- It may seem boring to you, but ... on the effective cares of children in a general emergency.
- I've always wondered why you didn't choose to become a pediatrician. With your big child's heart, that would have been perfect.
- You're not the only one who asked me this question. I don't know if you remember when I called you on a Thursday night during my first internship at Children's Medical Center during my sophomore year at Johns Hopkins?
- You called me crying and completely discouraged. It gave us the chance to have a stolen weekend in New York. " I said to her with a wink.
- I don't know why you have such fond memories of this weekend. What I remember about those moments is that I couldn't stop crying.
- I was with you alone, which hadn't happened in a very long time. I was glad you called me when you needed a friend. I'm always happy to be with you!
- And at that point, I think I would have given up on medicine if you hadn't been able to cheer me up and make me believe in what I could do. You convinced me to conquer my fears and give myself body and soul even if it was difficult. That's when I started looking for best practices for treating children in emergency situations. It's not always easy, I don't just prescribe antibiotics for ear infections. Seeing a child victim of an accident or neglect is very confronting. And I think the guys are very happy to pass the pediatric patients to me at Los Angeles Medical Center. Especially Dr. Browns, he has no patience with children and parents.
- I haven't had enough time to really get to know Dr. Browns, but he seems quite aloof in front of others. It must be the same with his patients.
- And in pediatrics, it's not easy! You can't be indifferent. Of course, there is a difference between being sympathetic and empathetic.
- Let me guess, you tend to be sympathic with your patients? Give yourself body and soul so that they can be better?
- How did you guess?" she said with suspicious eyes.
- Mmmm... maybe it's because I know you well. And this strength of always wanting to give the best of yourself made me fall in love with you! I'm really proud of you, Elle!

We joked around and made plans for the rest of the dinner. Once the table is emptied and the dishwasher is loaded. I took Elle in my arms and carried her to my bed. I wanted a second round...