Single and Seeking Barson story

Chapter 2

Olivia got to Dr. Lee's with Noah at 7:50, it was now 8:05, but it felt like an eternity. She wished Dr. Lee wasn't on vacation. On days like this she even wished she wasn't a single mom, it would be nice for Noah to have a father, it would have been nice to have an extra pair of hands this morning. She had no food in her system, but more importantly she had no coffee She didn't have time to put a drop of makeup on, she was sure she looked exhausted, and no matter what happened she would be late for work if she went at all. The good news was that after she gave Noah a bath, he seemed cooler and a little less miserable. Noah was sitting on her lap, and she gently rubbed his head. "It's ok sweet boy", she said softly. "Olivia" Lucy said entering the waiting room, and sitting in the chair next to her. "Hey bubby" she said to Noah. "I bought you a coloring book." She held it up, and the little boy touched it with his left hand. "They didn't call you in yet?""No, he was fine last night, early this morning he woke up screaming." Olivia said her voice full of worry."I'm sure he'll be fine Liv, he's not crying now, you can go to work if you need to.""No, Lucy, I need to be here. If it's not serious, I'll go soon."""I'm sure you have a lot to do today.""I have a lot to do everyday, I'm his mother. I need to be here. If he's not seen soon, I do have to call in.""No one from the station called you yet? I'm shocked.""I'm not. My squad thinks I'm having coffee with Barba.""Did you call him?" I ask because I know he was worried about you after the townhouse." Lucy said, her voice laced with guilt. "That's why I called him, and Lucy you did the right thing telling me about the townhouse situation." Lucy smiled, but Olivia still saw guilt in her eyes. "You did the right thing. What time is it?""8:20." Lucy answered glancing intently at her watch."I think I did the wrong thing bringing Noah here. I should have brought him to the emergency room.""Dr. Lee is so good with Noah, and she's always on time.""Dr. Lee is on vacation. We're leaving." Olivia said getting up from the chair she had been sitting in since 7:50. "We're going to the hospital." She held Noah tightly."As if on cue a nurse in pink scrubs opened the door. "Olivia Benson. You can bring Noah in now." Olivia turned her head in the direction of the nurse, and walked through the door to the employee/ patient area. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting", the nurse continued. She smiled at Noah and Noah clung to his mother. The nurse led them to an examine room that was painted pale blue. Olivia sat in the black chair next to the examine table. "The Dr. should only be a few minutes more. Noah is not here for a checkup correct?""No, he had his checkup. I called the answering service this morning because he woke up sick, and I didn't want to take any chances. He was warm when he woke up, but cooled down after a bath." Olivia answered. The blond nurse nodded, and then looked at the chart in her hand."Does Noah go to school or daycare yet?" The blond asked."Yes.""Well I think you did the right thing, there's a lot of bugs going around kids are picking up. He had all his shots right?""He's up to date on them Yes." Olivia answered."Good." She said walking across the small room, opening the door, and walking out. Olivia sighed, took her phone out and dilled. She placed the phone on her ear, and waited for it to connect. "Fin it's me. Noah woke up sick this morning, so I took him in for an emergency appointment, but Dr. Lee has someone coving for her. I'm in the examine room, but we haven't seen a Dr. yet. I hope this Dr. knows what he or she is doing." At that moment Olivia saw the door open."I assure you I know what I'm doing." A tall man with blonde hair, and brown eyes said, stepping into the room, and quietly closing the door. "Oh Fin, I gotta go. The Dr. is here. I'll call when we're done." She hung up her phone."Yes I'm the Dr.", said the man, he was wearing tan pants and a matching shirt."I'm sorry Dr. It's been a long morning.""I understand. You trust Dr. Lee, you don't know me, and I kept you waiting. This young man must be Noah", he said softly. The Dr. stretched out his arms to the boy who still clung to Olivia."Noah", she said, "this man is going to let you sit on that table, and mommy is going to be here the whole time. I'm not going anywhere." Her words were more for the Dr.'s benefit than Noah's. The boy stopped clinging to Olivia, and allowed the Dr. to lift him up on the examine table. Olivia slipped her cell phone into her pocket and stood. "I'm Dr. Taylor by the way," He said looking at Olivia. What's seems to be the problem today?""Noah woke up early crying, and screaming. He barely said anything today, and he felt very warm when I picked him up. The bath I gave him seems to have helped " Olivia watched as Dr. Taylor began to examine the little boy. "I think it could be an ear infection, I hope that's all it is. She said."According to his chart, he has a history of them.""Yes and respiratory issues.""I can see why you would be concerned. She watched as Dr. Taylor listened to Noah's heart, and lugs."Well,his lugs are clear, let's check out your ears Noah." Dr. Taylor shined a light into both ears. "You're right. It's an ear infection, he has no fever right now. I'll give you eardrops.""Are you sure there's no fever because if there is I have to call in?""No, he has no fever." Dr. Taylor answered, as he wrote out the prescription. "I would keep an eye on him, but he should be fine." He looked at Olivia, handed her the prescription, and continued speaking. "You work?" He said giving her a little smile."Excuse me?""You said if Noah had a fever you would have to call in. I don't see a lot of working moms in this area.""Yes, Dr. Taylor, I work, many mothers do." Olivia answered picking Noah up from the table. "Come on, sweet boy, I think a nap is in order.""I know women work, but not so much around here. Most of the time I see nannies taking care of kids while their mothers are getting their nails done. I see a lot of Manhattan high society. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. It's fantastic when a woman works, I really just don't see the mothers of my patients doing it." I'm a male feminist."Olivia smiled. "Thank-you for your help Dr. I really have get going.""Sorry for the long wait MS.?""Olivia Benson." She answered. "Here's my cell number in case Noah needs me. It's much faster than the answering service."" He said handing her a card from his pocket. "It's fine, Dr. Taylor. Thank-you. for the prescription. I feel better knowing for sure it's an ear infection and nothing more serious." "Brad please", he answered. "Listen, I love kids, but I need a little adult conversation and by that I mean intellectual conversation. Do you mind having dinner with me, say Friday at 8?""That's sweet, but I don't think so. I'm very busy.""Please. let me make up for the long wait. I really need to get out.""OK," Olivia answered half heartedly walking toward the door. "I gotta run. My cell is in Noah's file. You should know , I don't have the best record of keeping plans. I get called into work emergencies a lot.""I see. You're not a Dr. by any chance?""A cop", she said simply, rushing out the door with Noah in her arms.