What Now? - a Rhekker, Chicago Med Story

Chapter 8

Connor and Ava stood there for what felt like an eternity and everybody's attention was on them, even the patients sitting in the treatment rooms could sense tension and chemistry in the air. After a moment, Connor cautiously walked towards Ava, not taking his eyes off her face. As he got closer he could see that she was trembling slightly and her eyes were watery. Finally, he was standing a few centimeters away from her and quietly uttered under his breath so only she could hear it. 

C: I've missed you. You look beautiful. 

One tear fell onto her cheek and she quickly wiped it away and then glanced down at the ground for a moment before turning back to Connor. She opened her mouth to speak but didn't say anything, and then suddenly turned and walked quickly away down the corridor. Connor was left there staring at a wall before he realized that she was gone. He looked up and chased after her. Connor found her sitting on a couch in some break room across the other side of the hospital. 

C: Ava?

A: What do you want Connor?

C: I just want to talk to you. That's it. 

A: Ok.

C: So how have you been?

A: How does it look like I have been? 

C: Pretty good to me. 

A: "What part of this", she said pointing at her belly and then her smudged mascara "looks good to you?!"

C: Well I thought having a baby would be a good thing. I'm also assuming that you have found a partner here in Chicago so that's a good thing too. 

Ava stood there with a look of disbelief on her face and then stormed out. Connor decided not to follow her as he had clearly said something to offend her and thought it would be best to give her some space to cool off. He collapsed into the couch and then a moment later Nat came in and sat down next to him.

N: Hey, it's so good to see you, Connor! I can't say the same for Ava though. What did you say to her? I just saw her walking out and she looked a tad upset.

C: I just asked her how she was and told her that she looked great. I thought girls usually like that sorta thing. She has me thoroughly discombobulated Natalie. Oh, and I also said that I was happy for her and her partner about the baby!

Natalie was now looking at Connor with the same blank look Ava had just given him. Although she seemed considerably less angry. 

C: What is with that look? I have now gotten it three separate times in the last 10 minutes by three separate people! What is it?

N: Connor? Natalie paused. About how far along does Ava look in her pregnancy to you? Professionally speaking. 

Connor paused for a second and thought hard about the question. 

C: If I had to estimate purely by looking at her belly I would say 4 to 4&1/2 months. 

N: Alright good. And now think about how long ago it was that you and Ava spent that night together after the Aortic dissection surgery? 

Connor thought for a second and then suddenly all the color completely drained from his face. 

N: AAAAND THERE WE GO. 

C: Oh no. What have I done!? And why didn't any of you tell me!!! 

Connor stood up quickly and started nervously pacing the room. He was muttering to himself rapidly under his breath and getting increasingly more agitated. Natalie stood up and walked over to him. 

N: Connor calm down. Just go find her and try not to screw it up this time genius. 

Natalie turned Connor around to face the door and gave him a gentle push. Connor had a sudden change of energy and walked quickly out the door to find Ava. 

Connor looked all over the hospital for 20 minutes and had no luck finding Dr. Bekker. until suddenly he had an idea. Connor ran to the on-call room where the two had shared their first kiss the day they also spent the night together in his apartment four and a half months ago. Sure enough, there she was, sitting on the edge of the bed. Connor thought she looked so perfect.

C: Hey.

He walked over and sat down next to her. She immediately went to stand up and leave but Connor gently grabbed hold of her hand. She looked down at him and then sat back down.

C: Hey. I'm sorry Ava. I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere ever. I promise. But why didn't you tell me? I would have dropped everything for you and this baby... Our baby.  You could have told me.