Doctor & Nurse

Chapter 38

Tobias is relaxing in a chair in the lobby, his white lab coat off, hanging over the arm. His blue scrubs catch my attention from the end of the hallway, his eyes scan the crowd for me, our eyes meet, and I feel a smile spread across my lips. Quickly, I walk to him, it takes everything in me not to run to him, even though I saw him a few hours ago, it feels like a lifetime ago. Reaching him, Tobias grabs my hand, his fingertips run along the back of it, squeezing, then tugs me impatiently to the car.

Approaching the car, butterflies fill my stomach. Once we are in the car, Tobias gazes into my eyes, leaning, his lips press gently against mine, muttering, "I missed you today." I whisper, "I missed you too." Tobias pulls out from the parking garage, he asks while swiping his hospital badge, "What would you like for dinner?" Shrugging my shoulders, I answer, "I don't know, why don't you decide." Tobias smirks, thinking about it for a moment, "Okay, let's have Chinese. I have been craving it since Lauren brought some in for lunch." I grin, "That sounds great."

Tobias and I sit on the couch devouring beef and broccoli, sweet and sour chicken, and white rice while discussing our day. Enthusiastically, I inform him about an intricate dressing change I did that requires a lot of time and skill. After, he explains to me one of the surgeries he performed. That night after dinner, while I clean up the dishes and the kitchen. Tobias studies on the couch, then I convince him to bring his book into the bedroom to cuddle into his side while he studies more for his upcoming boards.

Time Skip

Yawning, drinking my travel mug of tea, Christina eyes me carefully, asking, "Are you okay?" I take another sip, attempting to wake up for clinical in the lobby. "Yeah, tired." She smirks, "Wanna talk about it?" I quip, "No," my cheeks heating, she smiles, "Did Four and you finally have sex?" I can feel my entire face heat at the mention of the word 'sex.' I don't answer her, taking another sip, answering, "You know the answer to that." I wish I could talk to Chris about the real reason I'm tired, Tobias, who has been more on edge. Most nights, I spend attempting to wake up while he tosses and turns, moving in his sleep, sweating, panting, only to bolting up in bed like he has seen in a ghost after he yells from whatever nightmare he is having. After some reassurance of his surroundings, he lays down, pulling me close to his sweat-soaked chest. I have tried to mention this pattern to him, but he brushes my concern off, reply, "It's nothing, it's because I'm stressed." I still worry about him. He isn't acting right, he hasn't been for days. He has his boards coming up, and I have been trying to help him as much as I can, but I can tell he is nervous. This test determines if he can become board certified to become an attending in the hospital.

I have been busy with all the extra work Marcus piled on this semester while Tobias studies. Marcus is the devil, himself. Between, Tobias's studying and my extra work, we stay home much of our time together. I quiz Tobias on various topics, he does great, but I can tell he is still nervous. When I attempt to ask why he is so nervous, he explains, a portion of the test is oral, there is no going back to change your answer, and the scenarios in the test are worst-case. Hospital of Dauntless flies doctors from all over the world, doctors who are the best in their field to test you.

From what Tobias explains the test is two parts, oral and written. Tobias muses about some woman named Dr. Jeanine Matthews, who is flying in from London, England, she is a world-renowned general surgeon, who has developed several surgical techniques used in the OR today, and she has won many prestigious awards for her advancements of the medical field. I can feel the stress radiating from Tobias while he speaks about Dr. Matthews. I keep attempting to reassure him that he will be fine for the test, but he is worried and stressed out to the maximum, I don't know how to help him any more than I am.