“Tess, look…I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I really,” Brooke paused. “This will sound crazy.”
“I doubt that,” Tess said. After the last twenty-four hours, crazy seemed normal.
“I like spending time with you. I know we are just getting to know each other. Honestly, this is not something I do every day.”
“No?” Tess chuckled. “Not many damsels in distress with puking kids who happen to deliver your packages that also happen to be in need of saving often, huh?”
“You do have a way with words,” Brooke said. “No, there aren’t, and besides you are Wonder Woman, not me. Remember?”
Tess laughed and then sighed again. She had the unshakeable feeling all day that Brooke was not going anywhere anytime soon. It took her a bit off guard. What gave her the most pause was the realization that she didn’t want Brooke to go that far. “I’m not used to people helping,” Tess confessed.
“Is that a superhero thing?” Brooke teased.
Tess smacked her lightly. “I wish I had that problem. Okay. You take the kids in your car. I’ll meet you at my place. We’ll clean the car together. Only if you let me make you dinner as a thank you.”
“Deal.”
***
It had been a long, but enjoyable day. Brooke had not been surprised to see Tess emerge from her car a bit green around the gills. She had warned her about that. While Brooke was certain she would have found the drive almost equally unpleasant, she was accustomed to tolerating offensive odors and unseemly sights. Those things came with being a doctor. She knew that Tess wanted to continue protesting Brooke’s help and jump in to clean the car. It was obvious that Tess had lost her will to fight that battle after the toxic car ride home. Brooke managed to placate her friend by explaining that she would still be hungry even after the disgusting task that awaited her. Since Brooke’s idea of cooking was throwing something in the microwave, it was in everyone’s best interest for Tess to make dinner while Brooke took care of the car. Less reluctant than she wanted to appear, Tess had agreed.
Tess had made spaghetti for dinner. Davey had picked at it and ended up having some toast and soup instead. Davey and Dani headed to bed early, exhausted from two days of upheaval. Now, Murphy was lying across Tess with his head in her lap. Brooke watched the dog close his eyes in contentment. Big oaf. Big, lucky oaf. Don’t get too used to that, you traitor. Tess looked over and noticed that Brooke’s attention had moved to one of the paintings on the wall. “That’s the first one I ever painted,” Tess said.
“I love it.”
“Thanks. Not really that great, but I enjoy painting. It relaxes me.”
“Just curious. No T.V.?” Brooke asked.
“Oh, there is. It’s in the basement rec room. Just not in here. This and my bedroom are my sanctuaries. Know what I mean?” Tess said.
“I think so.”
“My room?” Tess chuckled. “That sometimes doubles as the laundry staging area. So, this is my place for solitude. The kids have the rec room and their rooms. They have no issue leaving their stuff anywhere and everywhere, and I do mean everywhere else in this house. This is my sanity,” Tess explained.
“Seems fair to me,” Brooke said. She was impressed with Tess’s insistence on maintaining some balance.
“Do you like the ocean?” Tess asked. It seemed that Brooke was both comfortable and curious about the beach motif in the room, particularly the paintings.
Brooke turned to her friend and reached out to scratch Murphy. “I do. I grew up near the beach.”
“Here?”
“No. Until I was twelve I lived in Malibu.”
“California?” Tess asked. “That Malibu?”
Brooke chuckled. “Are there others?” she asked kiddingly. Tess shrugged. “Yes,” Brooke finally answered. “That Malibu.”
“I always wanted to see the west coast,” Tess said.
“I loved it. Still do.”
“You left when your parents split?” Tess guessed.
“Yeah. Mom took the job in Connecticut. I like it there too, though. I just prefer to be closer to water,” Brooke explained. “That’s why I moved north a bit.”
“Why not go back to California?” Tess asked curiously.
“I didn’t want to be that far from my mom,” Brooke answered honestly. Tess smiled. “What?” Brooke asked.
“That’s sweet. What about your dad?”
“I see him a couple of times a year. That’s enough for both of us,” Brooke laughed. Tess looked puzzled. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my dad. He’s great. He was always working, even when I was there. We have a good time when we see each other. Always did. He was just busy a lot. We have lots more to talk about now.”
“You mean about being doctors?”
“Yeah, there is that. And women,” Brooke said with a chuckle. Tess smirked. “I just said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“Sure did,” Tess laughed. “But, hey, that’s great. The only thing my mom wants to hear about women is that I will never date one again,” she said.
Brooke grimaced. “That bad?”
“No and yes,” Tess answered. Brooke looked at her to continue. Tess sighed. “Well, no, because I haven’t dated anyone worth telling anyone about in three years,” she said. Brooke listened intently. “Yes, because if I ever do again it will most definitely be someone of the female persuasion.”
“I gather she doesn’t approve?”
“Oh, I don’t think she has ever quite gotten over the daughter she thought was going to be a doctor driving a truck to deliver people’s packages,” Tess said. “She probably would have been okay if I had gone to med school and married a doctor. This was not in her plan.”
You still could end up with a doctor, you know. Did I just think that? Oh, Campbell. Back up lights—fast. “What about your dad?” Brooke asked.
Tess smiled broadly. “He wouldn’t care if I flipped burgers. He doesn’t care who I am with as long as they make me happy.”
“He sounds terrific.”
“He is,” Tess said fondly.
“Out of curiosity,” Brooke began. “What made you want to be a doctor? What did you think you…”
“My grandfather was a physician. A pediatrician to be exact. I loved to visit his office.”
“Is that what you wanted to do? Be a pediatrician?” Brooke asked. Tess nodded a bit sadly. “Because he was one?”
“Partly,” Tess sighed. “I mentioned that my brother visited last summer.”
“Yeah…”
“He’s two years younger than me. We had an older brother,” Tess said softly. Brooke sucked in a deep breath as she listened. “He was eleven. I was nine. Leukemia. They tried everything. Everything. I remember visiting him. All those kids. Some were my age, some were older, and some were,” Tess’s thoughts trailed off.
“I’m sorry, Tess,” Brooke reached over and took Tess’s hand instinctively.
Tess looked across at her friend and smiled. She made no move to release the hand holding hers. “It was awful. It was the worst for my mom, I think. She was never the same after that. David never stopped smiling. He never complained,” Tess said proudly.
Davey, David. Of course. “Sounds like he was a pretty amazing kid.”
“He was,” Tess said with a bright smile. “From the time I can remember I wanted to be like my grandpa. After, David…Well, I knew what I wanted to do. That never changed.”
“Never?” Brooke asked gently.
“Not until the twins,” Tess answered.
“Now?” Brooked wondered.
“Now? I don’t know, Brooke. One thing I have learned is that you can make a difference in all kinds of ways. So, I don’t know. It doesn’t weigh on my mind or my heart if that’s what you mean.”
Brooke sensed the truth in that statement. She gently squeezed Tess’s hand before letting it go. Murphy let out a half howl, half yawn. “I should get the old man here home,” Brooke said.
Tes
s nodded. It was inevitable that their time was going to come to an end. A part of her felt unsettled by that reality. What if this is it? “I know, you must be tired,” Tess commented.
“Not overly. I need to feed His Majesty and I do want to call Rach and check in on some things,” Brooke said as she got to her feet. “Come on, Murph.” Murphy picked up his head slightly, wagged his tail, and then promptly flopped back into Tess’s lap and closed his eyes. Tess held back her smirk as best she could. Really, Murph? “Lazy ass,” Brooke mumbled. “Come on, Murphy. Time to let Tess have her lap back.” Murphy leisurely made his way off of Tess and strolled to his owner’s side.
Tess pulled herself off of the couch and escorted Brooke to the door. She opened it slowly and watched as Murphy pounced into the front yard. “Thanks for dinner,” Brooke said.
Tess shook her head at the tall doctor. She stretched and placed a kiss on Brooke’s cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. Brooke blushed. God, could you be any more adorable? Please do not let this be the last time I see you outside of work.
“Tess?”
“Yeah?”
“Um…Would it be okay if I called? I mean…I would really like to hang out…”
Adorable. Completely. “I’d like that. So would the kids.”
“So would Murphy,” Brooke snickered. “I think my dog might have a crush on you.” Well, that was smooth, Brooke. Really smooth.
“He is handsome, but he isn’t really my type,” Tess winked at her friend. His owner? Oh, Tess, don’t go there. She is your friend.
Brooke cleared her throat. “So, then maybe you would give me your number? Otherwise, I will have to raid the hospital records and that is kinda frowned upon.” Tess put her hand out. “What?” Brooke asked.
“Your phone?” Tess said.
“Oh!” Brooke fumbled and retrieved the phone from her pocket. She shifted a bit as Tess typed in her number. “Thanks,” Brooke said.
“Text me later and then I will have yours,” Tess suggested. Brooke nodded.
“I’ll…Well, I’ll see you…I mean, I will text you later,” Brooke rambled as she walked out the door.
Tess giggled. Adorable. She waved as Brooke led Murphy to her SUV. Oh, Tess, you are in some deep doo doo this time. You need a cold shower, a glass of wine, and possibly a vibrator. Did I actually just think that? Oh, no. Oh, boy. I hope I can just ignore this. What am I getting myself into?
***
Tess rubbed her eyes when she heard the phone buzz on the table beside her.
Message:
Hey. It’s me. Now you have my number. You are probably sleeping. If not, you should be.
Tess smiled and shook her head.
I know. Technically it is your house, your orders, but I am a doctor so you should listen to me.
Yes, Brooke, you are.
Call me whenever, Wonder Woman.
Tess thought for a moment before making a response.
If the doctor wanted me to sleep, she would have waited until morning to text me. Technically, now, it’s your house, your orders. I hope Murphy has enough leg room in your bed. Just in case he makes you angry or something. Call me whenever, David Banner.
Brooke looked at her phone and smirked.
He has plenty of leg room, but Murphy thanks you for your concern. Good night, Diana.
Brooke typed in the last letters and placed the phone beside her. She grabbed hold of a pillow and pulled it to her chest. Why do I wish I could talk to you when I just left you? So not good, Campbell. So not good. Brooke startled when her phone buzzed.
You forgot your toothbrush. Night, Brooke.
Brooke sighed.
Tess put the phone back down and grabbed the pillow that Brooke had used the night before. A light, now familiar scent filled her senses. Brooke. How can you miss someone you hardly know?
Chapter Six
“I don’t know!” Brooke said abruptly.
“Brooke?” Rachel called to her friend gently. Brooke’s stress was palpable. Rachel had asked a simple question. Brooke had just returned to the office from the hospital. She was shaken and Rachel knew it. She also knew that Brooke would never want to admit that. Brooke put her face in her hands. “Brooke, get out of here. It’s already after five. Go. Go home. Have a beer. Chill out with Murphy, I don’t know. Get your mind off of it. There is nothing more you can do. It’s out of your hands now.”
Brooke looked up and let out a heavy breath. Get my mind off of it? How the hell do I do that? Get my mind off what? “I’ll be fine. It goes with the territory. We both know that.”
“Bullshit. I mean it, Brooke. Get out of here and catch your breath,” Rachel ordered. “Don’t bother arguing with me,” Rachel said. She turned on her heels and headed for the door. “I don’t want to see you here until Monday.”
“I just had a whole weekend off,” Brooke argued. “This week has been insane. I need to catch up on some things here.”
“No. You need to step away. You know it and I know it. Don’t make me pull rank on you, Dr. Campbell. I will.”
Brooke was beginning to become angry, Technically, Rachel did have seniority. Technically, Rachel was the boss. They had never functioned that way. Rachel could be protective, but she was seldom bossy. “Fine,” Brooke replied in frustration and disgust. Brooke’s answer to work stress was to immerse herself in more work. Brooke’s response to personal stress was to drown herself in even more work. That was not working. Rachel could see it. Brooke knew she was right, but she had no intention of admitting it. Brooke slammed her laptop shut and got up from behind her desk. She stopped in front of Rachel and looked at her harshly. “I’ll see you next week.”
Rachel released the nervous breath she had been holding as soon as Brooke left the office. That went well.
***
Tess opened the front door and sighed. “Come in here,” she said to Brooke. Brooke’s eyes were rimmed red and Tess felt her heart drop. They had traded messages on and off all week, but never saw one another. Brooke had been on the run. Tess had noted the change in the tenor of Brooke’s messages gradually throughout the week. The one phone call they had shared came on Wednesday evening. It had been enjoyable. They had talked about the kids, talked about Brooke and Rachel’s misadventures in medical school, and even a bit about how Tess had met Jackie. Conversation flowed smoothly between them. Neither wanted to end their chat, nor their banter, but Tess could tell that Brooke was beyond tired. She reluctantly said goodnight, hoping she would see Brooke again soon. She hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
Tess closed the door. Before she had a chance to lead Brooke into the living room, Brooke broke down into tears. “Brooke,” Tess said softly. She did the only thing she could and wrapped Brooke in her embrace. “Hey. What happened?”
Brooke shook from the raw onslaught of emotion. She couldn’t break down in front of Rachel, not over this. Daisy Menendez was Rachel’s patient. She was also someone that Rachel had come to care about on a personal level. That was a hazard in their line of work. Keeping a distance emotionally was not always possible when you interacted with someone year after year. You got to know them. You got to know their families. You saw their vulnerability and excitement. It was only human to connect. That was the case for Daisy and Rachel.
Daisy had gone into labor on Thursday. Rachel tried everything to stop it. She couldn’t. Daisy fell into crisis late Thursday night. Brooke was called in. Daisy had ruptured her uterus during delivery. Brooke managed to get the baby delivered by cesarean section safely. The little girl was holding her own. Daisy, however, was struggling. Brooke had not lost many patients since going into practice with Rachel. She wasn’t convinced that Daisy would pull through. The bleeding had been extensive. Brooke had managed to stop it, but Daisy had stopped breathing twice during the night and she had yet to wake up. Brooke felt horrible. Rationally, she knew that she had done everything she could. Emotionally, she found herself going over every detail again and again, wondering what sh
e had missed. Could she have reacted faster? She was having a hard time facing Rachel. Rachel would never blame her. Brooke knew that. Somehow, Brooke couldn’t seem to help blaming herself on some level.
“Brooke, talk to me,” Tess implored her friend.
Brooke pulled back and looked in Tess’s compassionate eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“What? Sorry? Why are you sorry?”
“I show up after barely talking to you for a week and cry on your shoulder. Some greeting, huh?”
Tess pursed her lips. Oh, no, Dr. Campbell, You are not getting out of talking that easily. “Uh-huh. Nice try. Want to talk about it?”
Brooke couldn’t help but chuckle. “Are you going to threaten me with your lasso of truth or do you need your jammies on to do that?” Brooke teased, trying to add a bit of levity. Just being with Tess made her suddenly feel lighter. And, she was not accustomed to showing her emotions so readily. Tess had that unique effect on her.
“That depends. Do I need to tie you up to get you to sit still and talk?” Tess asked.
Brooke nodded. That might not be too far from the truth. “Where are the kids?”
Oh, you are good, Brooke. “They’re downstairs. Brooke, you don’t have to tell me anything. You can tell me…”
“I know I can,” Brooke said honestly. “How about ice cream first?” she suggested.
“Ice cream?” Tess questioned.
“Yeah, it cheers me up,” Brooke admitted.
Too much. You are too much. “I don’t think I have any ice cream,” Tess said.
“So? Get the D’s and we’ll go get some.”
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