Intertwined //l.p

The Doctor

Where the walls are white and the sounds of coughing are heard often, a man strides down the halls of the hospital, his white coat billiowing out slightly behind him. Mothers and teenage girls turn to stare at the brilliant surgeoun as he passes but he doesnt give them the time of day. His mind is on his work and on a women who is as beautiful as the flower she is named after.

~L i a m~

"Dr. Payne have you.."

"Right here Monique." I replied handing her a stack of reports. She smiles at me kindly, batting her eyes. I've known Monique for years now and she still flirts with me. It was mild when my wife was around and almost nonexistent after she died but it's back now and while I'm flattered I've never really seen Monique in that way.

"So how was your weekend?" She asks, handing me a clipboard to sign off on a prescription for a patient. I read it over and glance down at her as she leans forward on her desk towards me. I decide to tell her the truth.

"I went out on a date." She looks surprised and blinks several times, sitting up straighter.

"Oh well good for you Dr. Payne." She says with a tight smile. "How did that go if you don't mind me asking." I hand her back the clipboard and smile.

"It went great. I'm seeing her again soon." I continue to smile as I walk away, heading back down the hallway. I shake my shoulders and sigh. I hope she spreads that around to the other single nurses and Doctors so I don't get bombarded with trivial medical questions from them when I know they're just looking for a reason to talk to me.

I don't know why I said I was seeing her soon. I haven't seen or talked to Rose since the night I found out she was eighteen when she had Abby. It's not that I didn't want to talk to her or see her I was just swamped with work and actually hadn't even seen Audrey in several days now.

I sighed, heading for my office. I really did want to see her though, and soon. Would it be weird calling her now after three days? What if she thought I was avoiding her because of what I know? I wouldn't do that. But it might seem like I have. Oh god have I screwed up already?

Sitting at my desk I tapped my fingers nervously on the wood, staring at my phone. I should call her. I really wanted to call her. What job would she be at? Waitressing? Or her secretary job? It's Sunday it must be her day with Maxamillion George.

I looked him up and Carl was right. He looks pretty pretentious and he's notorious for dating his secretaries. That turned me bright red from jealousy. Had Rose and him dated? Carl thought so but Rose put him down. What if he was right and she was just hiding it. Sleeping with your boss looks bad.

What was I thinking! I snapped out of it, un-clenching my fists. Rose wouldn't do that just to become an editor. She would want to work for it. Like she's worked hard for everything else in her life. Now I felt too guilty to call her.

"Dr. Payne, Mrs. Henry would like to see you." A voice said over my phone. That was Sam, the new intern I've been assigned here. I reach over and press a button on the board.

"Thank you Sam." I let go of the button and get back up, leaving my phone on the desk.

I walk toward the elevator and take it up to her room on the third floor. Mrs. Henry has been in and out of her for one thing or another and has been in my office more times than I can count. She's a sweet old women but her time is coming. I always tell her to hang in there, to be strong but she's adamant about that fact that she's dying.

"Hello Mrs. Henry." I say opening the door and closing it. I check her clipboard and scan over all her problems. "Is something the matter?" I ask.

"Oh put that darn thing away Liam and come sit next to me." She says gesturing to the chair. I smile lightly and do as instructed, placing the file back in its slot.

"You wanted to see me?" I ask, sitting down. Mrs. Henry leans in.

"The nurses say that you've got a girlfriend." Monique never fails.

"Do they?" I say feigning surprise.

"Oh none of that!" She says swatting my arm. I laugh. "The nurses love to gossip and they act like an old bat like me can't hear." She says with a shake of her head.

"You're not that old Mrs. Henry."

"I am nearly ninety-five Liam. Don't sugar coat my age." I grin. "Now, tell me why I have not heard of this women yet?" She demands.

"I haven't known her that long." I say with a shake of my head. "We've only gone out together twice."

"What's this I hear about you seeing her soon then? Hmm?" I laugh.

"I told that to Monique so she would stop flirting with me." Mrs Henry scoffs.

"That girl." I laugh, unable to hold it back. "Well it's good you've found someone Liam. You need to stop hanging around old women like me and get yourself another wife." I smile tightly.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"Of course you are!" Mrs. Henry exclaims. "I don't mean to burst your bubble dear boy but it will be exactly two years this March and your Lily would expect more from you Liam. She would want you to be happy." She touches my shoulder lightly and I nod my head, pursing my lips.

"I know." I murmur. Mrs. Henry sighs.

"You deserve to be happy Liam." We're quiet. "Now, don't let me hold you up. Go talk to that girl of yours. I'm sure she's dying for a call from you." I smile as I stand up.

"Thank you Mrs. Henry." She waves me away.

"Oh it's nothing dear. Just get yourself remarried. Then we'll talk."

"You'll be the first I invite." I call out as I open the door.

"Only if you're getting married in December Liam! Bye-bye now." I laugh as I close the door to her room. Mrs. Henry is right. I should call Rose.

Not five minutes later though, I find myself staring at my phone again trying to muster up the courage to dial her number. Taking a shakey breath I decide to call her and ask if she would like to get together this afternoon.