Doctor & Nurse

Chapter 40

The next morning when I awake, Tobias looks awful with bags underneath his eyes like he didn't sleep well. At every noise in the house, he jumps, hyperaware of everything. His eyes constantly scanning the area for trouble. Walking up behind him, I lightly tap him on the shoulder, and Tobias practically jumps out of his skin. Wrapping my arms around him, I whisper, "Baby, what's wrong? You look like you are ready to lose it." He replies, "I am fine. There is nothing to worry about. I'm just stressed from work, and everything that happened to you a few days ago," pulling me close, continuing, attempting to change the subject, "I am looking forward to this weekend. How are you feeling? Are you experiencing any pain? How are you incision lines looking?" I respond, " I am feeling fine, just a little sore still," lifting my shirt slightly off my abdomen to reveal my bruises with several incision lines. He leans to examine my incision lines closely, his eyes narrowing slightly while he inspects the lines, his fingers hovering over them Tobias stands back up, grinning, "It looks like everything is healing well, but don't overdo it today. I will be home as soon as I can, rest, that's a doctor's order." I mock salute him, and he smiles slightly while I answer, "I'll miss you today," standing on my tiptoes. He leans down, his lips press against mine. I reach my arms reach around his neck, my fingers run through the back of his hair. His hands rest on my waist, and he draws me closer to him careful not to place too much pressure on my stomach. When we both pull away from the kiss, we are breathless. Tobias has a slight smile on his face. He looks calm, cool, and collected. On the other hand, I feel like a hot mess. My hair is going in every direction. I attempt to smooth down my unruly hair with no success. I change the subject to this weekend to get the subject off of me, I ask, "Aren't you glad after today you have the next few days off?" He answers truthfully, "I am, I think, I am going to make an appointment with Patch, I'm not feeling right." Holding onto his hand, I reply, "That sounds good. I have noticed you have been jumpier lately, and it seems like you are constantly looking for trouble," I hold my breath waiting for his argument, but it never comes. He nods, a brief smile crosses his lips, "Perhaps, I have noticed the same. I have to leave or else I will be late to work." He leaves me after pressing a kiss against my lips once more then runs out the door.

I attempt to call Marcus to explain the situation, and to let him know I will not be at clinical today. I wait for him to answer, for his wrath, but luckily, I get his voicemail. Christina calls me on her way to clinical to check on me. After speaking to her, I walk around the house bored, not able to do anything. I play a bit with Patches, but he quickly grows tired of me. Mid-day I check my cellphone, and I notice I have a few new text messages from Tobias, who is checking up on me, a missed call from Christina, and another missed call from an unknown number. Listening to the message from the unknown number, it is from the hospital wanting a statement about what happened with Eric, and to notify me that Eric is no longer working at this establishment, he was arrested due to what occurred. After listening to the message, I breathe a sigh of relief at never having to deal with Eric again. A shiver runs up my spine at the thought of having to face Eric again in a courtroom when I have to testify against him, and tell a judge what he did to me.

When Tobias walks through the door from work, he looks exhausted. While I'm making dinner, a pot falls from the cabinet, he jumps at the bang, and every sound he hears throughout the house, he jumps even more than he has recently, sending alert signals flying through my mind. During dinner, I discuss the phone call I received from the hospital today, he attempts to act pleased by the news, but he isn't acting right when I question him, he explains, "I had another stressful day at work. My attendings are starting to expect more from me since I'm moving up in my program since I passed the exam." Nodding my head in understanding, I grab the dishes, placing them into the skin. Suddenly, the next-door neighbor slams their front door, my eyes shoot to Tobias, he visibly flinches while walking down the hallway mumbling, "I'll feel better after a hot shower." I hold my breath, hoping that is the truth.