Quiet Storm

Chapter 21

Pandora Renee Monet

📍Emory Hospital

Atlanta, GA| April 24, 2023

The hospital was finally quieting down. I put on my jacket and grabbed my water. My supervisor Maggie, had just called me into her office, and I was nervous as hell.

"Pandora," Maggie said, motioning me over. My heart skipped a beat. I walked in and sat down in her office. Maggie had this look on her face, and I could tell something major was happening.

"Babygirl, " she started, leaning forward, " You've been killing it lately. Always calm under pressure, handling the ER and the L&D wing like you own it, and honestly, you have the respect of everyone here, which isn't easy."

I nodded, trying to hide my smile

"Which is why..." she continued, "I'm being promoted to Director of Nursing"

My jaw dropped. "Wait, hold up. You can't leave."

"Honey, I'll still be here just upstairs, with all the other managerial people. And someone needs to fill my spot as Head Charge Nurse."

I felt my nerves shoot through the roof. " And by someone, you mean me?

"No, I mean Tommy. Girl! Of course, I mean you! Effective immediately. Head Charge Nurse, Pandora Monet. You've earned it, honey." She said, smiling and hugging me

I hugged her back, letting it sink in. Internally, I was screaming, but kept a calm demeanor. "Thanks, Maggie. I won't let you down."

"Of course you won't," she said. "Now go run this floor."

I drove to Legend's after my shift which was a 30 minute drive. I unlocked his door using my key, one of the perks of having keys to each other's places, and took off my shoes.

"Hey, baby" he said while cleaning the kitchen

"Legend," I said, walking over and putting my arms around him, "Guess who just got promoted?

He dried his hands and picked me up, eliciting laughter from both of us. "Baby.. what? Head Charge Nurse? That's my girl!"

He put me down, having his arms wrapped around me and his hands cupping my ass. "Yeah, baby. Maggie said I've been handling the floor so well that she wanted to make it official starting tomorrow."

Legend gave me 2 pecks followed by a long kiss. "Damn right you are. I already knew you could do it, mama."

I walked over to the couch and sat down, letting out a long sigh. "Honestly? I'm exhausted, but it feels amazing to be recognized for the work I've put in."

He sat next to me and pressed a kiss to my temple. "And you deserve every bit of it, Ora"

I smiled. "Okay, I'm gonna go shower, you're handling dinner tonight?"

"Already on it," he said, smirking. "Go get yourself right. I'll be waiting.

I headed to the bathroom, pulling off my scrubs and wrapping my hair. I turned on the water and turned on the speaker, letting If this ain't love by Teo Glacier play. I stepped into the shower, letting the warmth hit my skin. The steam filled the room and I felt peace. I used my Dove vanilla body wash and used the baby Dove for "fat ma" as Legend likes to call it.I lotioned my body head to toe and wrapped my hair in my bonnet before slipping into one of Legend's t-shirts.

Legend was sprawled out on the bed when I came out, smiling. " Damn, gorgeous, you smell so good."

I smirked, crawling under the comforter next to him. "I know"

We turned on The Princess and the Frog, singing the songs together, reciting some of the lines, and stealing each other' snacks. Halfway through, Legend grabbed his phone.

"Hungry? We can order something. I'm thinking wingstop or whatever you want."

"Wingstop is good." I said, resting my head on his chest. "I damn near don't care what is. Just feed me."

"Yes ma'am"

Wrapped up in a blanket, food on the way, movie playing, I finally let myself breathe. When I'm with Legend, nothing else matters.

He kissed me. "See? This is what our life should be. Just you me, a movie, and food.

I smiled, leaning into him fullt. "Yeah, this is perfect"