Without You

Fourteen

Fourteen

I smiled as I watched Mr. Hanks fall asleep. He had been having trouble sleeping the past few weeks but, being the flirt he was, said it was because I hadn't been spending as much time with him as I used to. I gently kissed the old man's pale cheek before making sure he was tucked in and quietly left the room.

I walked to the center desk and spotted June's red hair. Her natural dark roots were starting to show. "Hey, do you know if Damien is in today?" She jumped at the sound of my voice before responding.

With her hand to her chest, she replied. "Yeah, he was actually asking for you earlier... is there something I should know that is happening between the two of you?"

I shook my head. "No. I just need to tell him something regarding a patient Ms. Nosey-Pants. Do you know where he went?" She shook her head, wearing a disbelieving look at my prior statement as she raised her eyebrows at me. Biting my lip, I informed her I was going on my lunch break.

I hadn't brought lunch so I decided to walk down to the cafeteria. The food variety was quite limited but much better than nothing, especially since I would doing double shifts tonight. I decided on a wrap and headed to the courtyard. Once I sat down, I spotted Damien talking to another doctor. I decided to wait until he was done talking to him and when I had finished my food to talk to him.

Once I was nearly done eating the wrap, I felt someone sit next to me. I suppressed the smile that wanted to form on my face when I realized it was Damien. "I heard you were looking for me."

I could only look at his smirking face as I chewed. Once I was done chewing and swallowed, I spoke. "I was. I need to speak with you about Harvey. He's been declining and he really needs that surgery done before next week. Do you have any open slots this weekend?" We continued to talk about Harvey's condition and what we could do to reduce worsening his condition before his rescheduled surgery on Sunday afternoon.

"Now that we are done with work talk... I was wondering if you could accompany me to the premiere of the new thriller movie Saturday night?" I blinked for a couple of seconds. Did I hear that right? Me and him, going to watch a movie tomorrow?

"Sure- wait no! I can't go." I pouted, why did Evan have to ruin my life continuously? "I'm going to see some... family this weekend. But, I could definitely do a rain check on that." I felt blood rush to my cheeks. Ugh, I felt like a high schooler all over again.

"So it's a-" He was interrupted by his pager. Reading the message his lips rested in a straight line. "Call me when you get there. I'll see you later." With that, I was alone once more, watching Dr. Damien King's butt rush into the hospital, his long white coat flying behind him.

***

I watched as Ian played with his cars. They were the small cheap ones yet he loved them so much- not that I'm complaining. "Hey bud." He turned his head, dropping the toys. "Do you want to go on a little trip with me and Lia or do you want to stay with Auntie Nikki?"

My lips twitched as I watched him set his hand on his mouth, in thinking position. I had packed my bag but I was still questioning if I should bring Ian. I was unsure of Evan's reaction to my presence, nonetheless his son he never knew about. "I'll go with you. I miss you."

Bending down, I hugged him. He was growing up so quick. In a couple months, he would be starting elementary school and I still couldn't grasp that concept. My son was going growing up. "I've missed you too, E." I glanced at the time. Lia would be arriving in the next hour. "Let's start packing your bag."

As I picked out a few outfits, Ian tidied his room. Luckily, all his clothes fit in his suitcase and his toys were snug in his backpack.

I set his bags next to the door as knocking rang throughout the apartment. "I'm coming!"

Opening the door revealed Lia's excited face. "Are you ready? Zach is coming up to help with the bags if needed." I rolled my eyes.

"Lia, I have been managing for the last five years. I'll manage carrying a few bags down an elevator." Holding up her hands up in surrender she stepped into the apartment. "Can you get Ian? I - more like he - decided that be should come on our little adventure."

"Great! I was hoping he would come."

We were a few feet away from the car when I saw a man leaning on her car. It was quite beat down, the red paint was dull and it had a series of scratches on it. "Please tell me we are not driving this car all the way to Nocatee." The smile on her face was too familiar.

"Okay. So... I was thinking we could take your car." I shook my head, Lia, really never changed over the years.

"You could've told me that before we passed the parking garage!" The man's face turned towards us. His light brown skin complimented his warm brown eyes which were focused on our little circle and began to walk over. He finally stopped in front of us, wrapping his arm around Lia's waist. "I'd like to think that you are the famous and very useful Zachary."

Smiling he nodded. "And you two must be the wonderful Mya." He offered his right hand and I shook it. He then bent down so that he was eye-level with Ian. "And you must be Ian. I've heard a lot of good things about you." Ian's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Yup. I've heard that you're a really good big boy and that you love cars." Ian nodded enthusiastically. "Well good. Cause I have special presents for big boys." He opened the car and grabbed a chocolate bar. "Here you go. Make sure to check with your mom before eating it, okay?" Ian nodded and looked at the chocolate bar. He then wrapped his arms around Zach's neck. I couldn't help but awe internally. Times like this I really wished that he had a father figure.

With that, we headed to my car which was luckily not parked too far away.