Believe me (RHEKKER)

Chapter 12

According to the law of meanness, Ava dealt with the urgent patients almost by lunch break. With her jacket buttoned up and only her keys and phone with her, she was about to go home to get birth control pills, but Maggie stopped her:

"Dr. Rhodes in the hybrid operating room needs your help"

Glancing at her watch, Ava let out a frustrated sigh as she shrugged out of her jacket and walked quickly toward Connor. She arched a skeptical eyebrow at him as she entered the operating room, already briefly aware of what had happened while washing her hands in another room.

"Seriously, Connor? Allow the little boy's father to be present during open surgery?" Ava asked incredulously as med stuff put on a special disposable robe.

"You can lecture me later" Connor mumbled, slightly ashamed, explaining the situation further by holding the bleeding back with his fingers.

"Is that all done father?" smiled Bekker unable to resist mentioning his stupid mistakes, in response to receiving a familiar sight, filled with patience. 

After dealing with the boy, removing the unexpected incision caused by his father, the two of them left the operating room, throwing their dirty clothes on the floor along with their gloves and mask. Connor ran a hand over his face in relief, leaning against the wall in the hallway, catching his breath. He had time to fear for the patient's life, really making an unforgivable mistake. Ava put her hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze.

"It's okay. You only meant well" she encouraged, reassuring him. This was not the time to bite him casually.

"He could have died... Thank you for coming to my rescue so quickly" Connor said gratefully, putting his arm around her, nuzzling her hair, closing his eyes just a little. She instantly conveyed a sense of peace to him.

"You can always rely on me" Ava assured him in a whisper, stroking his back.

Reluctantly, they broke away from each other and went to tell their father the good news. Ava purposely stood aside while Connor spoke to the man who looked very guilty for interfering with the operation.

"So you're not gonna lecture me?" Connor grinned as he finished talking to the boy's father and walked over to Ava, putting his arm around her waist gently.

"I think you've learned it all on your own" she winked, leaning her head on his shoulder as she walked slowly down the hall.

"Avey, how about we go to an evening event together?" Connor stopped and turned to face her, taking her hands gently in his. 

"Connor... I don't think this is a good idea" she breathed uncertainly, seeing the hope in his eyes.

"I know my dad is a total asshole, but we can't avoid him forever, Avey. We're a couple with a future, aren't we? " he said softly, and Ava immediately smiled unconsciously, feeling her cheeks burn. 

"Mmm, okay, Connor" Ava whispered, squeezing his hands, giving him a quick peck on the lips as she headed back to the emergency room, since her break was long over. 

The rest of the shift was hectic: first, critical patients after a mass accident, and then several men from an illegal construction site with fractures and dislocations.

So Connor waited for Ava in the car, having had time to download the first game on his phone out of boredom.

"I didn't know you had such all-round interests" Bekker laughed as she sat down next to him, seeing how much Connor was into racing, but still rolling her eyes at Ava's familiar comment.