Philip R. Cole

NAME: Philip Russell Cole GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis man & he/him AGE & DATE OF BIRTH: 50 years old / September 6th, 1972 HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois NEIGHBORHOOD: North Side TIME IN BRADFORD SPRINGS: 17 years OCCUPATION: Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology Department at Rocky Mtn. Medical Center SEXUALITY: Heterosexual

Trigger warnings: illness, death

Open Starter: Whoever! Feel free to assume connections.  Closed: Little Goat Diner 

“I concede. You were right. This by far is the best milkshake I have ever had.” It honestly was shocking and the longer she was finding herself here, the more she was learning about this quirky and quaint town. For being well traveled and dining in some of the best restaurants across the globe, Safi could say with no hesitation that this desert supersede many that she has. 

“What’s the secret? You can’t tell me you’ve been here this long and haven’t figured it out yet?” Perhaps that was the small town charm that was growing on her. Far different than the rambunctious city Los Angeles won. “I’ll see what I can do getting that album signed like I promised.” The brunette truly didn’t think she would be as swept away as she did, throwing in a little fun twist in their favor if they proved her wrong. “Why are they your favorite artist anyways?”

             Little Goat Diner wasn’t usually a place Philip could be found, but considering the man had his vices.. in other words, a vanilla milkshake, he would occasionally stop by. “Yep, it really is, right,” and more than often, people would take a seat next to him, some to greet him, some to ask them about their medical issues, and some just because there was no other free spot. And the latter definitely applied to the woman by his side.. the one he didn’t know, but he appreciated it even more as it was very likely she’d not be asking any questions regarding her health. “I have never asked for it,” the doctor smiled, “I only pray for it to never be changed.” Some things weren’t worth knowing, or at least Philip thought so. Perhaps it was more due to the man not having enough time to actually find the answers. “Not mine, no,” that deep laugh of his filled out the space around them, “my youngest daughter adores The Weeknd, and every time she’s at home, she keeps on playing his records. All the time. Sometimes it feels he’s my fourth kid.”

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                         “I am more than happy without all that drama.” Pip chuckled, giving her father a warm smile. Although, it was probably a good time to bring up Fox. “A few friends from Seattle are here, but I guess I use the term friends loosely.” she explained and rolled her eyes. God damn River hated her immensely. “There was a guy in Seattle but his friends didn’t like me very much.” she laughed about it with a shrug because she knew her dad would understand that she did nothing wrong to deserve that treatment. “I’m gonna stick to rekindling older friendships than worrying about all of them, though. New beginnings, it feels like.”

        Nodding knowingly, Philip agreed. Drama was a waste of time, and he was more than glad Pip understood that. Aware that she could be a bit dramatic at times, he liked hearing she was beyond that now. “Oh, yeah? Here?” What a small world that was, he couldn’t help but to notice, but opted out to listen his daughter as she continued to speak. “A guy..” now, he knew it was coming, he was more than aware that his kids weren’t kids anymore, but it didn’t mean it was still easy to hear his daughter talking about boys.. men even. “What do you mean they didn’t like you?” That charm and free spirit nature of hers, it was bound to attract people to her.. just like it did to her mother. “And this guy.. he is here?” Did she came home because of the guy? Philip wanted to give Pip the world, to chase her dreams and do what she wanted.. but was her dream that guy? And for her to be able to have everything, do what she wanted, and to leave it for a man.. the doctor didn’t know how to feel about that, but he knew what love did to a person. “Good, good.. rekindling older friendship, making some new ones,” he smiled, “perhaps opening a photography studio?” 

It was her first appointment and she was so nervous it was buzzing in her veins. Not only because it was going to be the sure answer if she was actually pregnant. But it was also the day she made the decision on whether or not she was ready to be a mother. Which meant doing it with or without Colt. Then how she was going to tell her family. Shit. What if someone was there that knew her family? There had to be a different excuse. Woman problems or something. That was when she heard her name and looked up. “Oh, uh, hi Mr. I mean… um, Dr. Cole. I, uh, I forgot you worked here.” Her cheeks flushed and she tucked some curls behind her ear. “Yeah, yeah I’m fine. I think. I mean probably.” She scrunched up her face trying to answer the right way. “Hey can you maybe not tell my dad that you saw me here?”

          Philip softly smiled upon her reaction, but it was not the first time he had witnessed patients, who knew him privately, respond in that way. Though, it did surprise him when she asked him to not tell her father about seeing her in the hospital. “Of course, don’t worry, June,” he reassuringly nodded as he looked around, “how long have you been waiting?” And the waiting room was full, she could be waiting for an hour or two for sure. “Come with me, we’ll find you someone to look at you.. or you already have your doctor?” It was hard to know for sure what was going on, but Philip assumed it was a regular check up. Though, he was smart enough to know it could be more than that. 

Viv picked her head up gently and nodded, pointing at the seat across from them. “Yeah, of course.” She smiled before looking around, “yeah, typically I’m in and out but I figured I would sit and I’m kind of regretting it.” She laughed knowing it was probably nicer to take a minute but she hadn’t expected to catch this kind of rush. “I guess maybe the pumpkin stuff.. but also no one can resist cute fall cookies and cupcakes.”

         After thanking Viviann, Philip made himself comfortable and listened to the artist while knowingly nodding. “I guess you might be right about that. I myself always fall into that pumpkin spice latte trap in the fall, but today,” he pointed to his cup of black coffee, “I have managed to stay away from it.” It was a small victory, truly. “I went to your art show, Viviann. I knew you were talented, but I was left speechless. Really. Some of your work.. amazing. Do you have any plans on doing the exhibit somewhere else as well? 

“Oh she is? How old is she now?” He said curiously. It seemed wild every time he spoke to his friends that had children. He always thought that the parents that constantly spoke about how ‘it flies by’ were cheesy. Until a majority of his friends were having children, then he realized how true it was. “Where are they traveling to? I am sure they will be back for Christmas. Everyone wants to be at home for Christmas.” Dawson smiled and shook his head when Philip mentioned the farm. “Got a bunch of new baby goats this year. Apparently I managed to adopt all pregnant goats. It’s a ton of work, but I really enjoy it. Just know if you move to the rural parts it’s like working an extra full-time job.” He said, knowing that Philip already had a much busier schedule than Dawson had. 

              “Twenty nine.” A realization that his little girl would be soon thirty.. it was hard at times for Philip to realize his kids are not small anymore, yet as a parent’s curse was universal, he would always see them like that. “Europe, at the moment. And hopefully, you’re right,” he softly smiled hoping it would be full house for Christmas, but if the twins wanted to stay in Europe or had some other plans, he would accept it, no matter how hard it might be for him. “All pregnant goats? Jesus,” Philip laughed as the power of visualization was incredibly hard and he was now trying to imagine his friend with dozens of goats, “how can you even take care of all of those animals? When do you find time? See, that’s exactly one of the reasons I’ll never move to the rural parts.. I barely have time to mow the lawn, and it is not even such a big garden.” And he could have someone to do that instead of him, but it was relaxing. “How’s the work?” As a workaholic, of course he would ask that question.

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                      “Cross my heart, Dad.” Pip persisted and gave wide eyes in his direction. She was ready to say how she’d never lie to him but that was a lie in and of itself. She hid a huge event of her life and simply because she was scared of disappointing him. Instead, she smiled and hoped there was strength to admit her failure of college years one day. “That’s a good idea, so it’s a unhealthy breakfast and Halloween decoration day.” Piper laughed and caught the keys, jingling them happily to be given the power to drive. Especially because her dad’s car was so damn nice. Made her feel important. The mention of boys made her scrunch her face playfully in disgust. “There’s not many guy stories, don’t worry.” she said awkwardly and laughing again. “Guys aren’t important enough to make it into stories.” she poked her tongue out and finished up her coffee.

         As he nodded to her statement, to which he couldn’t look more forward because whatever made Piper happy made Philip happy, he took a sip of coffee interested in what would his eldest say about her relationship status. Of course, he was there for her through whatever, but being a dad, the last thing he wanted was seeing his kids heartbroken, no matter what the reason. “Well, that’s a relief,” teasingly, he let out a deep sigh as if all the weight of the world was lifted up from his shoulders, “they are not, that’s true, but I still do want to see you happy, Pip.” Whether she’d find her person or not was irrelevant, but Piper deserved all the happiness of this world. “Have you been able to catch up with some friends since you came back?”

Dawson couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of someone not knowing their spouse was having multiples. “He couldn’t figure that out from context clues?.. He must not have been to observant to begin with.” He said as he took a drink from his beer. “Oh I’ve been good. Just trying to be a bit more social, and not get too isolated out on my farm. How are you doing? And the kids? What are they up to these days? Are they getting ready for holiday breaks?” He was so thankful to have someone like Philip around. It was great to see him both at work and outside of work. 

         “Well, Piper is back in town, much to delight of her old dad.” Philip was the epitome of a walking cliche - a dad who could talk about his kids all day long if necessary, proud of their every single achievement, even if meant one of them woke up at seven am. “The twins are traveling, both not even thinking about coming back anytime soon, though perhaps they will come for Christmas, but at least my eldest is back. Other than that, you know me,” Philip was a workaholic, while he was also aware of the rumors how he should go back on the dating scene - not that he wasn’t trying, but deep down, it was true he wasn’t really ready to fully commit himself to someone. “How’s the farm? I know I sound like a broken record, but I truly admire you for having a farm.. I thought once or twice of perhaps moving to the rural parts, but..”

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                      Piper flopped her head to the side with a soft gaze, no frills or games needed when she was with her family. “I have a lot of time to catch up on so I don’t even think a whole day would be enough.” she admitted freely and with a smile because it was true to her. Her dad was everything and always had been. But he became so much more of everything after her mother died. “I’d love to get a pumpkin, one each and carve them and watch a spooky movie.” she clapped her hands together happily, feeling like she was ten years old again. “Let’s go out for breakfast, dad. You shouldn’t be making food all the damn time, let someone do something for you for once.” she laughed and took another sip of coffee. “I’m feeling like a super unhealthy breakfast, what about you? Greasy or even ice-cream and waffles.” 

           “That’s a lie, but a sweet and the most welcoming one,” Philip teased, but was more than glad that Piper wanted to spend a day with him. Ever since his kids went away, and he was all about his kids leaving the nest and leading their own lives, but damn, he did want to have them home for more than just holidays. “Just one each? You want a bit more? We need to decorate this house,” though Philip was excellent with a scalpel, he certainly was clueless when it came to decorations. It was Caroline who was in charge of that, not he. “But a spooky movie and breakfast outside it is, here,” he took the car keys from the counter behind him and tossed it to Piper, “you’re driving and you’re choosing the place.” But what did he want to eat? “Ice-cream and waffles.. great breakfast, very nutritional,” well, a man was a doctor after all, “but I could go for waffles. With some Nutella.” A sweet breakfast for a sweet day of theirs. “And I do want to hear everything, just,” he chuckled, “don’t tell me too much about guys. This old heart of mine can take only so much.”

“Philip!” Lara looks up startled from the magazine she’d been distracting herself with, surprised as much by his presence as he seems to be by hers. Immediately, she waves a hand through the air to ease his worry, though — even if her nonchalance is more of an act than anything. “Oh, yes. I’m alright. Jac was just having some strange abdominal pain and we thought, you know, better safe than sorry.” Lara doesn’t elaborate, hoping he’ll already know the prior circumstances that would lead to them getting a little too nervous about some simple abdominal pain. He must know, she thinks to herself — Jac’s been to enough pre-natal appointments by now that Lara would be shocked if he didn’t know. Her lip finds its way between her teeth, hands wringing together anxiously as she contemplate whether or not she should be that annoyingly concerned parent and ask him for a favor or if she should just sit tight and wait. After a few beats, her anxiety gets the best of her. “They haven’t really updated me to let me know she’s okay, though. I don’t know if you know anyone that could, you know…” she trails off, cringing as she says it. Lara has never been one to openly ask for help, but like they say — desperate times.

          “Strange abdominal pain?” Not waiting for even a second, Philip had already started walking towards the ambulance part of ER, motioning for Lara to follow him. “It’s always better safe than sorry,” despite his ER colleagues would probably not agree with him because not everything was an urgent matter, but the man agreed with Lara. That was for sure. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” he replied as the doors opened to let them into the ambulance. “Please, wait here, will you?” Walking over to the nurses station, he asked where Lara’s younger sister was. Room 4. As he was thanking the nurse, an ER resident walked over to the OB-GYN chief. Motioning to Lara to wait a bit more, Philip went into the room 4. ---- ---- After a couple of minutes, Philip left the room and was making his way to the brunette. “Lara,” a light smile gracing his features, he led her into the doctor’s room, closing the door behind them. “Well, first thing first,” the corners of his lips pulled up, “she’s okay. It’s nothing serious, she just has to take better care of herself. Jac needs to rest more, slow a bit down, and have a far better diet. More supplements, and by that I mean, definitely more iron,” he concluded as he leaned against the desk. “I had no idea she’s pregnant, but now that I do know.. she’ll be my patient.” Philip was the OB-GYN chief, but even more so, what he did were surgeries, rarely he did deliveries unless they were complicated and required his attention, skills and knowledge. “Now that we have covered Jac, I have to ask.. and please, take a seat,” pointing down to the couch, “how are you?”

with: @philipcole· where: their home, northside

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                        A big greeting hug materialized from nowhere, Piper ensuring her footsteps had been slow and quiet to creep up on her dad enjoying a morning coffee. She had no idea how she coped for so long in Seattle without him. Well, she didn’t. That was the thing. Being back for a month was starting to feel like she never left. Everything felt colorful again, meaningful. Seattle was just a big grey blur.

“Gooooood morning!” her eyes widened with excitement as she slid to the other side of Philip to look at him. “Please say today is pumpkin patch day.” she added. “Pretty please with a big cherry on top.” There wasn’t a time that he ever said no to her, maybe that was half of her problem. “I’ll even find someone to cover your shift if I have to, just pluck a random person from the street. I’m sure what you do isn’t that difficult.” she joked and poured herself a coffee. 

             A smile spread across his lips as he was pulled into a hug. Piper. His eldest. “Good morning, love.” There was no better feeling for a parent than to have their child by their side. And perhaps it was only one he had now under his roof, but it was more than enough to brighten up Philip’s days. Not to mention to bring back that warmth to the otherwise big home that often was nothing more but a place to sleep. Now, with Piper back, he was spending more hours at home, feeling as he was once again had a reason to actually go back home. “Pumpkin patch day, huh?” Taking a sip of his coffee, Philip nodded. “It is whatever you want to do day, love, or,” he knew how these things usually went, “how much time you’re willing to spend with your old dad.” But it was Piper’s eyes that always got to Philip.. Caroline’s eyes. And how could he every deny them anything? “I took the day off,” hopefully because one could never know with his position and surgical skills, “eat something, please. You can’t live only on coffee. Do you want pancakes? Eggs? Do you want to go out for breakfast?”

Kim groans. She just wanted to be done with her day, kick her feet up and have a long soak in the tub. Her hand raises to rub at the bridge of her nose as Philip makes his presence known again. She peeks from behind her fingers, turning slightly on he heel to find the man still watching her. Oh, how embarrassing. She drops her hand and decides if he is going to stick around to watch she may as well engage with him by crossing back to what she assumes is his car. “I think they only do that with the ATM inside,” she gives him a smile that says ‘what can you do?’ her fate had been decided. “I think it’s my luck today. Ever had one of those days where just everything goes wrong? My stores manager was out, and believe it or not my car wouldn’t start so I ran over here on foot. So I still have that to deal with.” Take out for dinner was defiantly going to be her reward after this. “You don’t want to listen to me complain. Tell me you are well? Please, I need good news.”

          “I’ll give you a lift, so one thing is solved.” The man swiftly replied as he looked at the time on his watch - he still had some time before picking up Piper from work. “And it’s those days you realize how thankful you are for those boring ones,” there were days when each patient would get out of the hospital with a smile, yet there were days when all Philip’s knowledge and skills were in vain. To see the expectance and hope in their eyes only for him to know there was nothing he could do. “Oh, come on, Kim, vent,” the tall man smiled, “I’m good, yeah. My oldest is back in town so you know how it goes, I’m one very happy dad at the moment.” Philip adored his children more than anything and he wanted for them to see the world, to live their lives as they wanted, but a part of him always wanted them by his side so they could be safe. “Where am I driving you to?” He asked as they came close to his car.