Bear

Chapter 37

Today was my office day at work, meaning I didn't see patients. I did all my charting and updated my notes in the system for the week. It also meant that I followed up with any physicians that were treating my patients and touch base with them as well.

Even though days like today were long and tedious, I didn't mind them. It let me have a day to kind of reset for the next week ahead of me, and plan any changes that were needed with each patient.

I was stepping out today for the first time. Isaac wanted to get lunch in town. There was a steakhouse in town that we both liked, and I figured it was a safe place to go so I wouldn't run into Mia.

I pulled up outside the restaurant, and parked. He was sitting outside the front doors when I walked up.

"Hey, next time we do lunch, it needs to be earlier. I'm dying." He said as he got up and walked inside with me.

"It's noon. I'm not getting lunch before that." I said shaking my head.

We were seated at a booth by the bar. A waitress came up to our table wearing a shirt that was about three sizes too small and had a few too many buttons unbuttoned. I rolled my yes and just stared straight ahead, while Isaac smiled at her and enjoyed the view.

"What can I get you guys to drink?" she asked us.

"I'll take a jack and coke... Lisa." Isaac said.

"Just water, please." I said as I picked up my menu.

She walked away and Isaac followed her until she was behind the bar. I was giving him a hard look when his eyes met mine.

"What?" He said.

"First of all it's noon, and you're ordering a jack and coke, and I'm about to smack you for drooling over an 18 year old in toddler clothes." I said shaking my head.

"I'm allowed to look, and I'm allowed to drink. I don't have to work." he said.

"Yeah, I'm just your sugar daddy." I said, getting a big smile from him.

"That's dirty." he said.

"Shut up and figure out what you're eating." I said.

'Lisa' brought us our drinks and Isaac ordered a t-bone, and I ordered a ribeye. She put some bread on the table just before walking away again.

"Want some?" Isaac asked as he took a bite of the bread. I shook my head 'no'. "Oh right... carbs are bad... Don't worry I'll eat it all so you don't have to." He said, taking another bite.

"My hero." I said sarcastically, as I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever." He said smiling and shaking his head.

Our food was brought out, and more flirting happened between Isaac and Miss.Big boobs, causing me to lose most of my appetite.

We ate, and I paid the bill, thankfully leaving the flirting behind.

"Come with me to find a new pair of shoes." Isaac said.

"I have to get back to work." I said shaking my head.

"You have until 2, and its 12:45. You have time." He said.

I hesitated for a moment before walking across the parking lot to the strip mall that was there. We walked down the sidewalk for a while before the store he wanted was in view.

I was lost in thought when I heard a little voice say, "Bear!"

I turned to look in the direction I heard it, and saw Izzy running to me.

Mia's POV

Amy and I were out looking for a pair of shoes for Izzy to match the blue dress she was wearing in the wedding. She was holding my hand and swinging my arm as we stood outside a store and talked about what else we should get while we were out, when she suddenly pulled her hand out of mine.

I hear say, "Bear!" as she took off running.

It took a second for my mind to register what she had just said. I started walking after her and watched as she ran into two arms that wrapped around her. I took in a sharp breath as I saw Damien holding her tight. It was like all strength had left my body, and I knew I was pale as a ghost.

I watched as he stood up with her in his arms, and lifted his eyes to search for me. I was trembling and breathing short shallow breaths as his eyes met mine. He slowly walked towards me as he held Izzy and spoke softly to her.

He stood in front of me for a minute as we just looked at each other.

"Hi Mia." He said as he leaned his head against Izzy's.

"Hi Damien." I said at barely a whisper. I could feel Amy behind me. I ran my hand through my hair and tucked it behind my ear. Damien's face immediately turned angry.

"What is that?" he said through gritted teeth in a demanding tone.

"What?" I said looking down and over my clothes. I froze when I saw my engagement ring. I didn't move for a minute, then slowly I looked up to him and swallowed hard before saying, "I'm engaged."

His head slowly turned without breaking eye contact, waiting for more.

"She's engaged to Liam." I heard Amy say from behind me.

He closed his eyes as he turned his face into Izzy. He slowly knelt down and put her back on the ground. Cupping her tiny face in his big hands, he smiled at her.

"I have to go back to work, baby. I need you to be a big girl and go with Mommy, ok?" he said.

Izzy nodded as she flung her arms around him again. "I love you, Bear." I heard her whisper.

"I love you too, baby girl. More than you could ever know." He said as he kissed her cheek. "Go with Mommy." He said as he stood up.

Izzy backed into my legs, and as Damien's eyes lifted to mine, his smile fell. He stood there for a second looking over my face, before turning and walking to Isaac, and walking away.

When he had disappeared into the parking lot, I took Izzy's hand and we walked back to my car. I silently got Izzy buckled into her seat, and handed her a water and a packet of fruit snacks.

"Thank you, Mommy." She said as Amy and I got in the car.

"You're welcome." I said as I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.

"Mommy, did you know that birthday wishes come true?"

"Oh yeah?" I said as I opened my eyes and only half listening to her.

"On my birthday, my candle wish was for Bear to come home." She said as she popped fruit snacks in her mouth.

I leaned forward and rested my forehead on the steering wheel as a tear ran down my cheek.