CHEXTON: My White Butterfly

Time to Move On- Chapter 1

 April could have sworn it was a holiday or something because any and everyone seemed to need help. She kept waiting for her shift to be over so she could change and go, but then right before 5pm, this woman brings in her baby girl who is having trouble breathing and Nat was busy with another patient. So, that meant she had to work with Ethan. Why?! she screamed in her head. She knew they worked well together, but she needed a break from him if she was ever going to heal from him not loving her.

"April, something is blocking her airway. I am not sure I can get to it without surgery."

Stunned, April shouted "Surgery! She doesn't need surgery. Here give her to me." While Ethan was still shocked, April held the infant in her arms face down and placed a little pressure on her chest upward. After a couple of thrusts, the magnet seemed to come back up and Ethan was able to get it out with forceps. The mother was so elated, she hugged April and said "Thank you Doctor". April smiled at her warmly "I'm not a doctor, but I was a mother. We have to be prepared for anything." She gently touched the woman's arm and left the room. Ethan, quickly on her heels, grabbed her elbow.

"I don't think I have ever seen that done. What did you do?" He looked at her with admiration and puzzlement.

"When I was pregnant, I studied all of the newest methods of first aid for infants and toddlers. I figured with all the advancements in medicine, I could use ideas that were "out of the box", for my baby." She paused and looked off solemnly. Ethan instantly regretted making her sad thinking about her miscarriage. However, the truth was she was thinking of the children she dreamed of having with him, the ones they now will never have. She noticed his pensiveness and just as he was about the apologize for bringing it up, she stopped him.

"Ethan don't worry about it. I'm fine. But to answer your question, there was a new study that showed if the baby could breath, that supine positioning and movements that mimicked the Heimlich, could move some swallowed items back into the airway enough to be removed easily. You could keep it from progressing too far where the airway was completely blocked, while not physically putting the baby through too much pain." She smiled softly.

"I guess I have some reading to do, huh?"

"Why? Your specialty is not pediatrics. But if you and Vicki do decide to have kids, you may want to read up on it." Her smile faded some, and at the mention of Vicki's name Ethan's posture stiffened. Once again she had made it awkward, because he chose to love someone else. She had to get out of there now. April looked at the clock. "Damn, its 5:45! I have to get dressed." Before Ethan could ask why, she quickly ran to shower.

Six o'clock on the dot. Kelly looked but April was nowhere to be found. Kelly smiled to himself, he actually thought it would be better to go to the desk for her. He wanted everyone, especially Ethan, to know April had someone there to visit her. April had previously mentioned that when she was helping the squad convince Dr. Rhodes to save Stella's lungs, Ethan had alluded that April was more focused on helping him not Stella. So, although there was only friendship between them, Kelly wanted Ethan to realize what it would be like to see April with someone else. He had no problem bringing his new woman in front of April, so why not stand in front of HIM.

"Hey Maggie. Where's April?" Kelly smiled charmingly.

"Ooooh! Kelly you look good man! What you want with April?" Kelly grinned at her question, but didn't say a word. Most of the team had filed out into the center work area, when April emerged from the locker room. Kelly could not help but smile- April looked GOOD! She had chosen a lavender V-cut sweater, dark fitted jeans, and heeled ankle boots, with her hair open and out. He had to admit she looked hot, and as Kelly could tell from the corner of his eye, Ethan thought so too.

"Hey Starbright!" April giggled and smiled broadly.

"You haven't called me that in forever," she replied as Kelly helped her put on her Leather jacket.

Maggie had observed Ethan's white knuckles on the desk, so of course she thought more information would be necessary. "What's a Starbright?" Maggie asked.

April and Kelly smiled at the same time. "I used to call her that in high school, because she always found a way to light up my life and it just stuck."

"But only Kelly could call me that. No one else dared." She paused. "Honestly, I don't think anyone ever saw me except Kelly. I wasn't that popular."

Kelly laughed, motioning for Noah to come closer, as he walked out of a patient room. "Noah, your sister just told Maggie she wasn't popular in high school. And that no one ever 'saw' her." At this, Noah let loose a belly rumbling laugh.

"Let her tell it. Every day, some dude would ask me how I could help him get a date with my sister. Shoot, the gifts they gave me for her, helped me get my high school girlfriends!" April's mouth dropped appalled. "What?! You wouldn't take them, so why let them go to waste?"

"Okay. Okay." April interrupted shaking her head. She turned to Kelly. "You ready to go?"

Kelly nodded, placing his hand on her lower back.

She turned to the team as she walked out "See you guys in a few days." Everyone waved and smiled, except one- Ethan. He almost looked sick and April worried how Vicki would make him feel better. And as if on cue, she leaned into Kelly upset and all the team could see was him holding her close as they walked to Kelly's car.

As they drove off, Kelly looked over to see a crying April. "What happened? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just saw Ethan's face when we left and he seemed upset."

"Good. He needs to know you can move on too!"

"Was that what 'Starbright' was about?" He nodded. "Well, all I can think of now is how Vicki is going to take away that sick look on his face." Kelly felt bad she was upset, but as a man he knew what Ethan was thinking and needed to realize about April.

"Look April. Truth is, a man will allow himself to be comfortable and spend time with anyone he likes. But he'll do his damnedest to make sure no one else spends time with the person he loves. We don't want anyone else in our spot!"

"Well, I don't know if I believe that. Ethan is not like most men. It was actually one of the things I loved most, and hated, about him." She closed her eyes and all she could see was disgust on his face. "I just need to get over him and move on."

Kelly listened to his friend. He knew April. Her voice signaled that she was beginning to shut down on her feelings. And if the past is any indication, she'll be walled off for years. He had to help her see what he did. Ethan still loved her. "April, I know you don't believe me, but you're hurting because you're in LOVE! You allowed yourself to feel for him in a way you never have, even with me or Tate. And you're scared and retreating." April scoffed at Kelly's accurate assessment, but he had one more comment before exiting the car. "BUT it's not just you! He still loves you and you can have the life you want... but you have to be willing to stay in the moment!" April ignored his comment and jumped out the car. It was then that Kelly decided he would have to speak to Ethan directly.

"You have nerve to talk!" April jumped. "We both know Stella loves you STILL, but you being scared to bare your heart and feelings to her, will keep her away!" Kelly dropped his head, closing her door.

"So I guess it's good we're here to help eachother get our lives straight. Because if we don't, I guess we will end up witheach other!" April and Kelly looked at each other and burst into laughter,walking into Molly's with their arms wrapped around each other. They grab atable and order drinks and food as Stella leaves out the back of the bar.