Open Heart AU 2 (Ethan Ramsey x Valerie Valentine)

The Morning After: AU2 Chapter 1

Ethan

All good things have to come to an end.

That's what we learn throughout life.

When we're children, we realise one day we will grow up and things won't be so simple once we do. When we're teenagers, we see life as if through new eyes, and sometimes we have to see the difficult truth.

As adults...

Well...adults seem to have a never ending reel of moments where good things come to an end.

There's always that daunting moment when your face falls with realisation that... This is it. The final moments.

And as the sun rises over Boston and the sound of traffic starts to rear its head, I'm left with that daunting understanding. That time isn't in my favour.

I looked away from the window, and down to my side, where V lay peacefully sleeping. One of her arms over me, the other under her as my arm wrapped itself around her huddled form. Her curls fell gently over her shoulder, some falling gently into a face, but so softly that they didn't disturb her sleep...

I sighed, and stroked her hair gently...

We're doing what we know is right for us.

For Edenbrook.

This gives her time to be able to continue her work and become the doctor I know she can and will be. This can't...this won't tarnish her reputation before her career is fully of the ground. I'll be damned if I let that happen.

——

I was torn away from my incisive thoughts as her phone buzzed on the bedside table, bringing a quiet stir from her.

"mmm..." but she refused to open her eyes, and instead burrowed her head against me just wanting to block out the sound.

I chuckled softly, holding her close with one arm before leaning over and picking up her phone with the other to turn off her alarm. Which, is definitely the start of this good thing coming to its end...

I sighed and placed it back, before lying down on my side to face her.

"Valerie..." I said quietly, stroking a curl from her face.

"mmm..." she moved closer again, keeping her eyes tightly closed.

I smiled and kissed her crown, bringing her into a hug.

"time to wake up..."

In a tired and raspy voice, she spoke against my chest "that means it's over..."

"isn't that my line?" I raised a brow.

"mmm... As true today as it was all those months ago."

I stroked her hair soothingly and said "...its not the same, remember? Its just....how things have to be for a while. Until there's another way."

"bet your wishing you stuck to your principles now, huh?"

"Whatever gives you the impression?"

she pulled away slightly and looked up to me, our eyes meeting for the first time that morning.

"...You told me before that once you start making exceptions to your principles, your exceptions become the rule."

"...and I still believe that's the truth. but some principles...should be changed, Valentine. And not all exceptions can lead to bad consequences."

she smiled softly, and I reflected her expression, before she lay her head on my chest, her the as we held each other for a moment.

"Lets hope there are no bad consequences..."