Not in the damned hospital.
I’d throw her over my shoulder, but carrying her in my arms would probably be more appropriate with her ankle and all.
The emergency room is no place for romance, and once it’s clear she’ll be staying in the ward at least overnight, I know where I’ll be tonight – right by her side.
If I can’t take her home just yet, I’ll watch over her the only way I know how and that’s by being with her.
But Mandy’s biggest fear isn’t her ankle or neck, which I’m assured should be fine. It’s insurance.
Seeing patients and their families every day, I never forget how hard it is for those with low or no insurance when things go bad, or they’re in an accident.
I tell Mandy, and then I tell her again.
From now on, she doesn’t have to think about insurance. I’ll take care of that. But I feel like she misses my truth when I tell her she never has to pay for anything ever again.
She’s mine now.
Almost yours, Foxx. You still don’t even know if she’s available or if she even likes you like that.
She’s mine, dammit.
I’m surprised the whole building didn’t hear that thing inside me snap just now when I heard what happened.
That part of me that’s no longer just a doctor. No longer just an older guy with a crush on a younger girl.
I’m a fucking man, and she’s gonna be my woman. The woman I protect forever from now on.
End of story.
I’ll roll more than anyone’s ankle who tries to get between what I know is mine. And I’m sure she feels the same deep down.
Maybe just right now isn’t the time to get down on one knee. Not right this minute.
But Christ, if I had a ring in my pocket right now… who knows?
The ER has sprung to action over multiple coding alarms, and I can hear the overhead intercoms as well as the staff broadcasting the fact there are a ton of ambulances on their way with even more patients.
Like anyplace, when it happens in the emergency room, it usually always happens all at once. And always when there’s a change of shift.
Just the way the cookie seems to crumble.
Dr. Braddon reappears and quickly tells me all this, strongly hinting that I can dig in and help or I can get out and go home.
“I’ll just take Mandy home then,” I inform him, seeing her expression change when I do.
She looks shocked and more than surprised. But in the best way possible until she’s trying to nod her head when she really shouldn’t.
Braddon looks like he’s had enough of me for one day but forces a professional smile for Mandy’s benefit.
“Mandy’s ward bed is still waiting, as are her scan results,” he reminds me.
“C’mon, Foxx, you’re not even next of kin. Technically shouldn’t even be in here. Is there someone we can call for you, Mandy?” he asks her.
His whole body pivots away from mine as he begins to ignore me completely. He runs a tight ship, alright. But I can kinda understand. I don’t put up with random, unnecessary people hovering around my department either, especially staff.
And the ER has enough bodies in it already, let alone my huge frame gumming up the works.
“There’s nobody,” I hear Mandy say. Her voice trailing off.
I watch her looking up at me, and I know now that there’s no significant other in her life. Not even anyone she could call right now, being laid up in the hospital.
Braddon frowns, and against his will, he looks me in the eyes.
“Alright, Foxx. You win. Happy? You can tag along until she’s on her way to the ward, but if they don’t want you there either, that’s not my doing,” he barks, and cocking his ear, he dashes off to his next crisis.
I feel for him and everyone still on duty, but I’ve been doing this long enough to know you can’t be everywhere all the time, not for every single patient.
But I can be here, forever for Mandy.
“See? I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her, puffing my chest a little, unable to stop the flex of the moment in our favor.
It makes her giggle before she cries “Oww…” and sucks in a breath between gritted teeth.
“Where does it hurt?” I ask her, resuming my place by her bedside as a doctor.
“Everywhere,” she groans. Her eyes are wider now, but glossed with tears, I know she’s holding back on my account.
“Here?” I ask, pressing my fingertips gently on her wrist, making her smile.
“No… not there,” she mews, playing along.
“How about…here?” I ask, feeling my voice drop and my balls rise once my hand presses gently on her belly.
She shivers a breath in, and my other hand runs up her arm, resting on her shoulder.
“I mean it, Mandy,” I tell her. “You’re mine now. And although I’m not your ER doctor, I am going to look after you. And not just until you get out of the hospital.”