Doctor & Nurse

Chapter 27

Waking with a start, my eyes glance around the room, I'm in my bedroom, but how? I remember falling asleep on the couch. How did I end up in my bed? Stretching my limbs, I shake the sleep from my body, letting a yawn fall from my lips. My eyes dart to the clock. It's eleven in the morning. I never sleep this late! I'm surprised Tobias didn't wake me sooner. Walking into the living room, my eyes glance around, looking for any sign of Tobias, but I don't find any. Tugging open the fridge door, there isn't much to eat. My eyes fall on fruit, and suddenly a craving for fruit salad overcomes me. Grabbing a scrap of paper, I go through the pitful looking fridge and cabinets, making a list of what we need at the grocery store. Suddenly, my eyes catch a note on the countertop, it is from Tobias, reading:

My dearest Tris,

In case I'm not back in time when you get up, I went for a run this morning. I have my cellphone with me should you need to get ahold of me. Please be ready by two o'clock, which is when we need to leave to get to my appointment on time.

Love you,

T/4 xoxoxo

P.S.

Don't forget to eat breakfast or lunch.

Stuffing the remainder of my fruit salad into my mouth, I jog to the shower to get ready for the day. I pull from the closet, a pair of blue jeans, a long-sleeve black t-shirt, and a light green scarf. As I am lacing up my converse sneakers, I hear the front door open and shut. Tobias appears in the living room, sweaty from his run, his hair sticking up in every direction, his shirt clings to his chest. He stops dead in his trace, stares at me, grinning, "Good morning, beautiful!" I giggle, "Morning, how was your run?" He looks adorable. He attempts to take a step closer to me, replying, "It was productive, come here and give me a hug. I missed you while I was gone." I shriek, "No!" Taking off into the kitchen, running to the opposite side of the island. Tobias chases after me, asking, "Why?"

I answer, "You are all sweaty! Maybe, after your shower, I will think of giving you a hug."

"Fine," Tobias pouts, leaving the room. I busy myself making lunch for both of us. By the time, I am placing his grilled cheese sandwich onto a plate, he is back, standing in front of me in the kitchen, a smile tugging at his lips. I open my arms to him, and he slowly walks over to me, kissing my cheek, I whisper, "I made you lunch, you should eat it before it gets cold." Tobias murmurs into the crown of my head, "It smells amazing!"

Tobias downs the sandwich, then grabs my hand, pulling me out the door, to leave for his doctor's appointment. Tobias drives, he pulls up to the front of a large, brick building. The building has ivy on the side. Tobias seems nervous, as he looks at the building, he begins to play with his fingers, once again. I grab ahold of his hand, say confidently, trying to calm his nerves. "It is going to be okay. I'm right here to support you. I will still love you, no matter what happens in there." Tobias gives me a small smile, and he kisses the back of my hand. My nerves kick into high gear as I exit the car with him. A lady is sitting behind a clear window, Tobias says something quietly to her, I can't hear him, she smiles at him, he comes back, sitting next to me, and takes my hand with his. We wait, Tobias plays with my fingers. About five minutes later, someone calls Tobias's name, he glances at me, takes a deep breath, then stands, takes a step, he turns, his fingers reach for mine, I stand, and follow him down a hallway, to a room with chairs and a couch. My mind wanders: I was preparing myself to sit in the waiting room for Tobias. I didn't think he was serious about wanting me to come with him, but I guess he was because here I am, sitting in a room with him. I begin to feel nervous. Tobias pulls me to sit on the couch, leaving a small space between us. A man comes into the room, a young man, he is tall, lean, muscular, with very sharp features. Tobias and him, shake hands, I take in his appearance: dark jeans, a black button-down shirt, and black riding boots, a silver necklace peeking out from under his shirt. Tobias turns to me, motioning, "Dr. Cipriano, this is Tris, my girlfriend." The man shakes my hand, saying, "Nice to meet you, but please, call me Patch. Dr. Cipriano is way too formal for me. I have been trying to get Four, here, to get call me Patch forever, but he refuses, he says it is disrespectful. I blame it on the military side of him." He winks, and as he does I look into the man's eyes, I notice they look black. I smile, "Hello, it is nice to meet you, too."