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You pulled up to the cash machine, inserting your mom's card in to take out a couple of thousand dollars before putting the card in an envelope, addressing it to your mom and dropping it in the public mailbox before heading to the airport.
You sit in the car park, looking at all the planes flying by. You couldn't believe that you'd choose to leave, leave everything behind expect a single bag of essential's. You glance down at the wad of cash you had in your hand, you were so guilty that you could pick up the phone right now and tell your mom how sorry you were. But you didn't. You didn't want to see her, you wanted to see your dad.
You head into the airport and manage to get a last minute ticket to Seattle, and soon enough you were on the plane, free of your mom and Mark. You felt a sense of guilt that was eating away at you, your mom had no idea that you were about to board a plan to travel across the country, never mind having a job interview awaiting you in Seattle.
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Two weeks later
You were in your hotel bathroom, making yourself look smart for your work day. It was a barmaid job so you tried your best to look smart but casual at the same time.
You spent your day pouring pints and chatting with customers, you were introduced to regulars and you had a fairly pleasant day. You were talking to a customer you knew as Meredith, she was telling you all the gossip about her love life. How her boyfriend turned out to be married. You were well and truly intrigued in the story.
Two of the young woman's friends enter and the boy was praised by your boss. You smile softly as you furrow your brows, curious of the situation. "I don't want to talk about it!" the man sternly snapped, making you smile wider at his anger. You couldn't help but it humorous.
"Can I have a beer please?" he requests as he sits down, you nod, "Mhm". You pour a beer for him and place it on the bar table. Just after a few moments of him drinking, you turn after putting his drink into a tab for the night and you got your face soaked with beer as he spat it out.
Your jaw dropped as you looked down to your shirt, the beer sinking into the fabric, and as you sigh, a crash is heard. The owner, Joe, suddenly collapses on the floor.
Later that evening, after Joe was taken to hospital. You walked into the hospital after your shift at the bar, you decided you give yourself a good reputation and go and check on your boss. You look around the place, the familiar scent filled your nostrils, reminding of the memories of you spending many days at your parent's work. You smile a little as the images float around your brain but you quickly shake them off, not wanting to tear up in front of the receptionist.
You ask the receptionist where to go and she asks for your name. "Y/n Montgomery Shepherd" you answer as she types on her computer, she looks at you with a smile as she looks over the lens of her glasses, "You're not related to Dr. Shepherd, are you?"
You smile and chuckle a little, "Yeah, he's my dad, and the other one is my mom" you hoped you weren't confusing her, you often confused others with the fact your parents had the same name. She smiles and nods, she was obviously very fond of your parents. "Oh, sweet. I was speaking to your mom not too long ago." she smiles, looking back to the computer.
You furrow your brows, you chuckle a little in confusion, "What, on the phone?" you ask, the gap between your brows thinning. "No, she was standing right here, about an hour ago."
Your jaw drops and you back from the desk by a step. You were, in just a second, now panicking, feeling like she was standing right behind you, or watching you from afar where you couldn't see.
You go up to the ward Joe was on, your guard was up, hoping that you didn't bump into your mom every corner you'd turn.
Much to your pleasure, you don't but you do notice familiar figures in a private room when you were just about to pass a nurses station. You see the red hair of your mom, laughing and joking with a man you recognise.
The man notices you, but he doesn't recognise. You had grown since the last night he saw you. "Can I help you?" He asks with a firm but also gentle tone. Your mom turns and you were met with the eyes you'd looked into many times before. Her face softens when she sees you, she was so relieved to see her baby girl unharmed. She had been so worried about you.
Just as you were about to speak, you hear footsteps behind you, you instinctively turn and your jaw drops slightly when you identify who it was.
You immediately hug your dad, he wraps an arm around you, leaning down and kissing your head. He briefly looks back to your mom and the man, a hard look on his face.
He sighs as he looks to them, his hand on the top of your head, gently stroking it. Your mom clears her throat and speaks to the man before picking up her coat and handbag.
She grabs your upper arm as she walks out, taking you behind a corner. "I'm sorry, okay? I was just sick of you and Mark!" You blurt, trying to make her reason with you already before she was starts shouting.
She just sighs and brings you into an tight hug, holding your head to chest as she kisses your head. "I was so scared" she almost whispers in a shaky tone. You sigh, knowing she was terrified that something had happened to you. "You're paying me back every penny you stole."
You nod immediately, knowing that was a reasonable expectation. "I know. I will". You break the hug and take 50 dollars out of your pocket, putting them in her hand. "1,950 to go" you chuckle.
She smiles softly, looking down at the cash in her palm. She reaches over, smoothing down your baby hairs on the top of your head. She then notices an odd scent coming off you, her face hardens a little.
"Why do you smell of alcohol?" She questions. Your gaze softens, not knowing how she'll react to the fact you've got a job in Seattle. "Uhm, I'm working in a bar down the street. That 50 is my tips for tonight."
She bites her lip, not knowing how to react to the news. She just nods, "Mm" was the only noise that came out of her.
"Mm" you repeat, not knowing what to say. "So..." she starts off, "So..." you say, waiting for her to say something. "So... where's dad been staying? I assume with that sweet intern."
You furrow your brows, "What sweet intern?". Her expression changes, she thought you knew all the gossip about your fathers relationship by now. "You know, blue eyes, dirty blonde hair..." she describes, gesturing her hand as the lists the features of the young woman, hoping you'll catch on soon enough, but when you don't, her hand stops mid-air. "You have no idea who I'm talking about, do you?"
"No. I've been staying in a hotel, I haven't seen dad at all." You say, curious of this young woman she speaks about. You then realise. "McDreamy..." you whisper.
"McWho?" She had no idea what you were talking about. You think for a moment, analysing everything. "No freaking way. It was right in front of my eyes!"
