Family Ties [Sequel to She Belongs To Me]

The Nurse

This is the sequel to She Belongs to Me.  If you haven't read the first book check it out then come back and enjoy. ❤️❤️

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Stella Bennett took a deep breath as she examined her reflection in the mirror.  It was her first night working at the Painted Sentiments Mental Institution and her nerves were starting to get the best of her.  She's never been around someone with a mental illness before, much less cared for someone with a mental illness; but after graduating third in her class the hospital was eager to have her as one of their night nurses.

"Okay, Stella..." She breathed, splashing a little water on her face.  "You've got this."

She exited the restroom and made her way to the receptionist.  The girl sitting behind the desk was young, nineteen or twenty years old, with kinky black hair and blue eyes.  She glanced up from the book she was reading and smiled.  "You must be Stella."  She extended her hand out.  "I'm Shantel."

"Nice to meet you, Shantel." Stella said, shaking her hand. 

"Let's see...." Shantel mumbled, fumbling through the folders on her desk.  She pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Stella.  "Your first patient is number-" The phone on her desk rang and she held up a finger as she answered it.  "Painted Sentiments Hospital, this is Shantel speaking."

She listened for a few seconds.  "Yes sir, she's right here....uh-huh, yeah I'll send her your way."

She hung up the phone and smiled.  "That was Dr. Greer.  He's waiting for you at room 502."

"Thank you." Stella said before making her way to room 502.  Outside of the door were two men, a doctor and an orderly.  That must be Dr. Greer.. Stella thought as she approached them.

The doctor glanced at her for a moment before his eyes fell on his watch.  "You're late, Miss Bennett."

"Oh..." Stella replied, shifting on her leg.  "I'm sorry."

"No worries.." Dr. Greer said, flashing his pearly white teeth at her.  "You're new so I will let you off with a warning."  He shrugged his shoulders.  "This will be your first patient, I presume?"

"Yes sir."

The smile faded from Dr. Greer's lips as he rested his hand on the door.  "Before I let you go in, I must tell you a few things."  He paused for a moment as he considered his words.  "This patient is one of our more difficult patients."

"Because he's violent?" Stella questioned.

Dr. Greer shook his head.  "On the contrary, he is very reserved.  No one can get a word out of him, which makes the healing process much slower." The smile returned to his face.  "Anyway, I just wanted to offer a word of caution before you meet him.  Do not speak to him any more than you have to."

The doctor paused again then said, "You'll be the first female he has seen in seven years."

Stella cocked her head to the side.  "Really?"

"Yes.." The doctor sighed, ."....We didn't want to take the chance of him becoming obsessive."

"Oh..." Stella replied nervously. What kind of patient was this?

Dr. Greer sensed her uneasiness and put a hand on her shoulder.  "Don't worry, Miss Bennett.  I'll stay with you this time to make sure everything goes smoothely."  He shifted his green eyes to the orderly standing next to him.  "And when I'm not around Earl here will be standing right outside the door."

Stella looked at the orderly and he nodded his head. 

Dr. Greer removed his hand from her shoulder.  "Well, I suppose that about covers it.  Are you ready to meet the patient?" Stella nodded her head so he balled his hand into a fist and knocked on the door.  "Graves, we're coming in!"

Stella followed the doctor closely as he opened the door and stepped into the tiny room.  Her eyes widened when she saw the man lying on the bed.  He was much more handsome than she imagined, his dark brown eyes gazing at her curiously.  She glanced back at Dr. Greer and he gave her a nod of encouragement. 

"Good evening..." She hesitated, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear.  "My name is Stella Bennett and I will be your nurse this evening."

The patient did not respond.  He just stared at her with those brown eyes. 

Stella cleared her throat.  "Okay, I'm going to start by taking your pulse.  Is that alright?"  Again, he did not respond but he did stick his arm out towards her.  She gently took his wrist into her hand and put two fingers on it, counting his pulse.  "Your pulse is a little high...but it's nothing to be concerned about."  She jotted something down in his chart.  "Now I just have to get your temperature."

She pulled a thermometer from the pocket of her shirt.  "Open your mouth, please."  He silently obliged.  "Good, now I'm just going to stick this under your tongue."  She eased the thermometer under his tongue and waited until it beeped.  "Normal temperature..." She said, jotting it down onto his chart.  "Okay, that should do it for now.  Is there anything else I can do for you?"

He held his silence so she returned her attention to Dr. Greer. 

He had a scowl on his face as he looked at the patient.  "You sure are being impolite, Graves.  Why don't you introduce yourself to your new night nurse?"  He said, wrapping his arm around Stella's shoulders. 

The patient's eyes shifted to the floor.

Dr. Greer removed his arm from Stella's shoulders and put his hand on the small of her back.  He started leading her towards the door.  "Come on, Miss Bennett.  We're not getting a word out of him tonight." 

Stella glanced back at the patient one more time before they exited the room. Why is he so quiet?  She wondered, feeling a bit sorry for him. He must have gone through something terrible.

~~~

Vincent:

My heart was pounding inside of my chest as I watched Stella leave the room.  I never intended to be so rude but the moment she stepped in the door I was taken with her.  I wasn't sure if it was because she was so beautiful; luscious red hair, powder blue eyes, and sensual lips....or because she was the first woman I've seen in years. 

No, these feelings are wrong....

I couldn't allow my libido to get the best of me, what would Emily think if she knew I was checking out another woman? 

Emily....

These seven years without my love have been the loneliest of my life; and I know she must be lonely too without me to take care of her. I'm sorry, Emily.  I never meant to leave you.  But don't worry, my sweet, I will find a way to get out of this place.  Then, we can be together again...

My blissful thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Greer stepped back into the room.  He folded his arms in front of his chest and glared at me.  "I guess I haven't been tough enough on you, Graves."

I rolled my eyes.  "What are you talking about?"

"I saw the way you were looking at that nurse."  He scoffed, his mouth twisting into a sinister grin.  "You have the hots for her, don't you?"

I decided not to dignify that with a response.  The doctor threw his head back and laughed before turning around to leave the room.  "You would do well to supress your urges, Graves.  Can't have you obsessing over one of my nurses.." 

He stepped out of the room, leaving me there with my teeth clenched. There's going to be a time, dear doctor, when you will pay for your words...

Sighing, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day Emily and I would be together again....

~~

AN: Hooray! I've finally uploaded the first chapter of the sequel to 'She Belongs to Me.' Okay, so I know it's a bit different but I assure you the ride will be a fun one! Thank you guys for your patience and I truly hope you enjoy the story!

Let me know what you think so far! :D

Edit:  The first few chapters will be all about Vincent and his stay in the hospital.  Don't worry Emily fans!  She and the child will be in the story!