(Complete) When Tim Burke meets Julie at a party, she isn't impressed. When they see each other again, Julie decides to give him a chance. As Julie faces burdens and sorrow in her own life, Tim and his family provide the support and love she needs...
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Michael texted Clare on Saturday morning suggesting they meet at a restaurant near the medical center at nine. Part of her didn't expect to hear from him, especially after she told him about Marco.
She and Marco hooked up once or twice a week, but when they saw each other at work they acted like friends so none of the staff expected the benefits part of their friendship. The arrangement worked fine for Clare. She didn't tell her family about him - not even Nick who she was the closest to.
She worried about what she would wear to breakfast, but he had already seen her in shorts and an old tank top. It was not a date. She told herself she felt excited because the restaurant had outside seating so he could bring Teddy.
She arrived wearing jeans and her favorite Lake Sebago t-shirt. He was there wearing cargo shorts and a golf style polo shirt. Her first thought was preppy, but at least it was navy and not pink. Then she noticed his glasses, he wasn't wearing his sunglasses. Instead, he had on a dark framed pair which made him look like Clark Kent. He smiled at her and Teddy, who was under his chair, perked up and started jumping.
Clare wasn't sure which of the two she was more excited to see. He greeted her with a big smile which Clare assumed was because she was kissing the dog like a crazy woman.
She smiled at him. "I like your glasses, do you have a cape, Clark?"
Michael rolled his eyes and laughed. "I've heard those jokes before. Did you agree to come because of me or this fluff ball?"
She smiled. "Teddy, of course. Someday I'll have a dog... hopefully."
"Why couldn't you?"
"With my career I could never have one if I lived alone. My hours will be too erratic to worry about feeding a dog or letting him out."
"I'll miss this guy when he goes home today. He's good company, and he kept me from working too much. I have a tendency to do that."
"I hardly do anything but work and sleep. Good thing I love what I do."
"What's your specialty?"
"OB/GYN." She watched his face to see if he understood what it meant.
"I've heard more recounts of births from my sisters. It's the most bizarre thing, because they can't decide if they want to win the prize of the best birther or the martyr for the hardest. They're very competitive."
Clare laughed, because giving birth was one thing she would never compete with her brothers on. Although she would very much like to experience giving birth one day. In her family, Julie had already won the prize for the craziest woman in labor.
"I compete with my brothers on everything, but I'll be on my own in that category."
"You won't be alone. You'll have your husband or..."
