CJ

As they headed towards the library, they couldn’t help but notice the large farmer’s market set up in the adjacent parking lot. 

“That looks fun,” Sawyer remarked as she eyed the various booths from a distance. A variety of vendors sold everything from fresh produce, to homemade baked goods, to arts and crafts. 

Knowing it would make her happy, Ethan couldn’t resist. “Do you want to check it out?”

“You wouldn’t mind?” she asked, surprised. 

“Not at all. Believe it or not, I enjoy going to the farmer’s market. My dad and I would go when I was young. There’s a good one at Copley Square you should check out sometime,” he recommended, guiding her toward the first row of tents.

The pair strolled from booth to booth, inspecting all the different goods for sale. Along the way, they laughed at the silly products, exchanged personal stories, and sampled some of the food and drink. 

“Ohmygod,” Sawyer moaned, the chocolate melting on her tongue. “You have to try this,” she insisted, holding a sample to Ethan’s lips. Naturally and without thinking, he leaned forward eating the morsel right out of her hand, his lips brushing softly against her fingertips.

“It’s good, right?” she watched as he chewed and nodded affirmatively.

“Would you like me to pack up a box for you?” an older gentleman approached. 

Ethan reached for his wallet, “We’ll take two boxes.” 

“Happy wife, happy life! Am I right?” the vendor chuckled as he filled a container with chocolate truffles.

Seizing the opportunity to have a little fun at Ethan’s expense, Sawyer quickly replied. “Oh, he’s not my husband… yet. Two years of dating and he still hasn’t put a ring on it,” she waved the back of her ringless left hand. 

Ethan snapped his head to Sawyer and with bulging eyes silently asked, “What are you doing?”

“Back in my day, you took a test drive and either made the purchase or kept looking… none of this leasing business,” the outspoken elder shook his head. “I proposed to my beautiful Margie one month after our first date, and I married her three months later. When you know, you know… you know?”

“That’s what I’ve been telling him!” Sawyer continued the act, gently backhanding Ethan in the gut.

Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose and whispered under this breath, “For Christ’s sake.” 

Sawyer burst out laughing, finally breaking character. When the vendor looked at her puzzled, she confessed. “Sorry, we’re not actually together.” Elbowing Ethan in the side, “I just couldn’t resist messing with him. We’re just friends.” 

“Well, in my experience, that's a good place to start,” the man winked, handing Ethan his purchase.  

As they walked away, he shoved a box of truffles towards Sawyer with feigned annoyance. “Friends? Ha! More like a giant pain in my ass,” he contended. 

A short while later they found a fresh produce booth. Ethan quickly occupied himself, inspecting and sniffing different fruits and vegetables. If Sawyer had been paying attention, she might have learned how capable he was with all the beautiful ingredients, but she was distracted by another nearby vendor. When Ethan struck up a conversation with the produce farmer, she slipped away to make a quick purchase.

“Where’d you go?” Ethan asked when she returned.

“I got you something. Hold out your hand,” she urged.

Ethan raised a skeptical eyebrow, but reluctantly did as she said. 

Sawyer looped a braided leather bracelet around his wrist and fastened it. 

He took a closer look, examining the metal charms. One with the letter E, and another with the letter S. “What’s this for?”

“It’s a friendship bracelet,” she explained, “and since I'm giving it to you, it's official now. We are definitely friends.”

“Is that so?” 

“I don’t make the rules,” she shrugged.

“I’m pretty sure you just did.”

Ignoring his snark, “Oh, and it’s tradition that when someone gives you a friendship bracelet, you get to make a wish.”

Ethan just rolled his eyes. But as juvenile as it seemed, he knew exactly what he would wish for. “I’d wish for you,” he said to himself.

“Hey,” she took his hand and held it for a moment. “In all seriousness, you know I’m here as a friend, right? I mean… I’m learning a lot working with you on this case, and I’m grateful for the experience, but that’s not why I volunteered to help. I’m not here as an intern kissing your ass.”

Ethan knew from the very beginning that Sawyer was someone he could trust. Unlike other interns who would expect something in return, like a leg up in the competition, he knew she had no ulterior motives. Just the kindest and most genuine heart. 

He looked her in the eye and squeezed her hand. “I know, Sawyer.”

Five months later…

Alone in the beer garden at Donahue's, Sawyer sat on her tucked leg, facing Ethan’s glowing profile. He stared straight ahead, transfixed by the firepit's dancing flames.

Having mustered the courage to confront the elephant in the room, Sawyer broke the somber silence that had settled between them. “Ethan, why didn’t you keep in touch?” She watched him take a deep, anticipatory breath. “No word from you at all for two months? After everything that happened between us?”

Ethan took a moment to find his words, then turned his head to meet her eyes. “Everything that happened between us is exactly why I didn’t contact you,” he began to explain. “Sawyer, if we’re going to work together on the diagnostics team, we need a fresh start.” 

Resisting every urge to reach out and take her hand when she looked away from him, he pressed on. “Your professional development is too important to jeopardize it with whatever… whatever it was that we had.”

Sawyer snapped her head back to face him, “‘Had’, past tense.”

Ethan reached for the whiskey bottle that he had grabbed from inside and poured himself another glass. The sleeve of his green leather jacket rode up just enough for Sawyer to notice a braided bracelet wrapped around his wrist. The same one she gave him a week before their relationship went from friends to forbidden fruit. 

“Yes. And the past is where it has to remain,” he added. Ethan’s eyes bored into hers, searching for understanding and begging for forgiveness. 

After a long moment, Sawyer broke the connection, looking down at his wrist again. She thought it ironic that he would wear a reminder of “whatever they had,” while insisting that they must now ignore and bury their feelings for one another. That cheap piece of jewelry meant something to him. And the fact that he wore it now, meant that she did too. 

So without concern for the consequences, she tested her theory. Surging forward, she wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and kissed him. A long and gentle kiss. An act of forgiveness, and one that he seemed willing to accept since he hadn’t pulled away. But when she leaned back, she saw the turmoil written across his face. Just as she had months ago in Miami. 

“Dammit, Sawyer.” 

A few weeks later…

As much as he hated to admit it, Ethan desperately missed Sawyer. He missed their easy friendship. The way she always seemed to know what he was thinking. The way he could talk to her about anything. The way he could be himself around her. Not Dr. Ramsey, but just Ethan.

Though they saw each other almost everyday, their interactions were mostly transactional. It had been difficult to let their guards down around each other. Ethan found it too tempting to cross the line, and Sawyer grew tired of the knock-backs.   

The night that she helped him set up his Pictagram account reminded Ethan of the way they once were, before he left for the Amazon. It felt normal again. The friendly banter, the trust, the laughter… everything seemed right in the world for those few hours. 

After she had gone home that evening, Ethan opened his desk drawer, finding a cherished item. It was something that he’d kept near and dear since the day he left for the Amazon.  

“...how are you supposed to know when you’ve met the right person?” 

“It’s love, Ethan… you just feel it…” 

He slipped the leather over his fingers and rolled the charms with his thumb, as their conversation echoed in his mind. Then he thought back to the day Sawyer gave him the bracelet. 

“When you know, you know…” he recalled the old, outspoken man saying. 

There was no doubt he felt something for Sawyer, but was it love? Not having much experience with the feeling, he allowed himself to consider the possibility. But how to know for sure? That’s when Ethan remembered something else the vendor at the market said, when Sawyer told him they were just friends.

“Well, in my experience, that's a good place to start.”

A few days later, Sawyer approached the diagnostics team’s office. She spotted Ethan through the glass windows and paused to watch his odd behavior. He was searching for something, lifting up files, checking around the coffee station, and rummaging through the pockets of his outdoors coat. He was on his knees looking under his desk when she finally entered the room. 

“Shit…” he muttered, unaware of her presence. When she cleared her throat, he startled and stood up.  

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Ethan tried to act normal, organizing items on his desk. “Nothing.”

“You sure? It looked like you were searching for something. Can I help you look?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” he clipped. Fortunately, June and Baz joined them for the start of their meeting, and the rookie team member didn’t press any further.  

A couple hours later, Sawyer bumped into Bryce as he stepped out of the men’s restroom. “Oof!” he grunted.

“Sorry!” she quickly apologized as he caught her shoulders.

“Geez, Brooks, I know how bad you want to hit this, but at least buy me a drink first,” he teased, soliciting a roll of the eyes from Sawyer. “Whatcha up to?” he asked.

“Just a quick bathroom break, then off to check on our DT patient. You?”

“I’m on Ortho this week. On my way to scrub in for an ACL reconstruction.”

“Niiice. Well, have fun. I’ll catch you later,” she said, putting her hand on the door to the ladies room.

“Oh hey, do you know where the lost and found is? I found this bracelet on the floor.”

Sawyer instantly recognized the accessory. The personalized charms featuring the letters “E” and “S” were undeniable proof. Then it hit her. Was this what he was searching high and low for earlier? 

“Luckily, I know who that belongs to, and I’m more than happy to return it to them.”

“Cool, catch you later,” he waved.

That afternoon, Sawyer returned to the diagnostics suite. There she found Ethan standing in front of the smartboard, studying MRI results.  

Acknowledging her presence with a side eye glance, “Did you need me for something?”

Sawyer demanded that he hold out his hand.

“Whatever for?” he asked, turning and giving her his full attention.

“Just. Give me. Your hand,” she insisted.

He yielded and held out his hand. 

Sawyer fished the leather band from her pocket and wiggled it in front of his face with a satisfied smirk. "Could this be what you were desperately searching for in the office earlier?"

Ethan hesitated, contemplating what he should admit. He finally decided on, “Maybe.”

She took his hand in hers. But before sliding the bracelet onto his wrist, she looked him in the eyes. “Will you, Ethan Jonah Ramsey, be my friend again?”

He rolled his eyes, cracking a big smile as she batted her eyelashes and eagerly awaited his answer. Then he twisted his lips playfully, as if he had to think about it. 

Sawyer squeezed his hand hard, letting him know there was only one acceptable answer. 

“Okay, okay,” he begged for relief, “I’ll be your damn friend.”

“Good…” she said, her tone more serious as she slid the bracelet over his hand, “because I’ve really missed that lately.”

“Honestly… me too,” he confessed quietly.

“There. That’s a much safer place for it. Wouldn’t you agree?” she asked, making sure the reminder of their friendship was snug and secure.

“I suppose you’re right,” he agreed, giving his wrist a twist.

“Well, friend, maybe we can talk later tonight and catch up a little?”

“Sure, call me,” he started, but then, “No, wait–”

Sawyer’s face fell immediately, assuming he suddenly remembered that he was trying to maintain those infuriating professional boundaries. 

“What are you doing right now?” he asked. “How about a walk to Derry’s for a coffee break?”

Sawyer’s happy smile returned. “I would love that… bestie.”

“Let’s not push it, Sawyer.”

Part 2: Girls Night

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“You must be the reason for global warming because you’re hot.”

“Actually, it’s primarily because of too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.”

She silently chuckled at the absentminded and matter-of-fact response. Despite knowing his good looks attracted attention, Ethan Ramsey seemed oblivious to most women making eyes at him.

“I doubt carbon dioxide looks as good as you do in that shirt,” she quipped, laughter in her voice.

That made him pause. One eyebrow raised, he glanced at her above the lid of his laptop. The glare of the screen bounced off his reading glasses, hiding his blue eyes.

“Are you flirting with me?”

“I’m always flirting with you, Ethan. Keep up.”

He stared at her in bewilderment and then muttered something under his breath before returning his attention to the screen.

Cassie smiled inwardly at his reaction. She suspected his indifference was all an act. The man was far too observant to be this clueless about his effect on women.

As she continued to regard his profile, she caught Ethan’s furtive sideways glance and blew him a kiss. He blushed, sputtered and cleared his throat loudly, a frown furrowing his brow.

“I can’t concentrate when you look at me like that,” Ethan complained, his tone severe.

Cassie shrugged, unrepentant. “Well, you should be concentrating on me instead, so…”

She trailed off as the diagnostic team’s office doors swooshed open, and the others joined them. With a wink that promised more later, Cassie turned away to let the poor man collect himself.

Her father often told her and Max that flirting with their mother was the best part of his day. Cassie could comfortably say flirting with Ethan was the highlight of hers.

II. Ethan

Donahue’s during Happy Hour was always crowded and noisy. Nineties music blasted from the jukebox, competing with the clink of bottles and the clatter of balls crashing against each other at the pool table.

Ethan zigzagged his way through the throng and grabbed his usual stool at the bar, nodding a greeting at a distracted Reggie. He spied Cassie drinking beer and chatting with Lahela on the far side of the bar and knew she’d find him sooner or later.

“Thanks,” he said, hiding his sudden discomfort when Reggie placed his usual scotch before him.

For a brief moment, the exchange reminded him of going for a drink with his father when he turned twenty-one.

Ethan remembered feeling amused at the bartender handing Alan his “usual” without asking and thinking how small his dad’s life was that even his after-work drink (always a single Sam Adams) never changed.

Back then, Hopkins was within his grasp, and he was chomping at the bit to discover the world outside Providence. Now, he’d been coming to Donahue for so long that Reggie kept a stool waiting and served his drink without saying a word.

When did he become so damn predictable?

Of course, not everything was as it was, he thought as her scent hit his senses before she came into view.

Cassie squeezed into the space between his splayed legs and the bar, resting one elbow beside his drink. It had the effect of enclosing them in a bubble where nothing but them existed.

Ethan saw the familiar half-grin curving her lips and knew she was in a teasing mood tonight.

She flicked her mane of long blonde hair back and leaned towards him, her head cocked sideways flirtatiously.

“I heard that you can determine how well you fit together with another person by kissing them. Want to skip the small talk and see if we’re compatible?” She quirked one eyebrow as if daring him to play along.

His breath caught at the sexy way her green eyes sparkled in the light. The teasing smile hovering on her lips was his undoing.

“You should know that I have asthma, just in case you intend on taking my breath away on a regular basis,” Ethan found himself repeating the line he’d practiced for an occasion just like this.

Cassie wasn’t the only one who had game. There was a time when pick-up lines tripped off his tongue, charming the pants off — literally — of any woman he wanted. They’d been easy. His girlfriend was anything but.

“Buy me a drink, and I promise to do just that,” she chuckled, her palm covering the back of his hand, stroking his knuckles with her thumb.

Ethan started to call Reggie and flushed when he saw him watching their antics with amusement. The other man simply rolled his eyes and turned away to grab ingredients for two Specials.

Ah well, Ethan consoled himself as Cassie closed the distance between them and brushed her lips across his, uncaring of who from work might be watching. His girlfriend was unpredictable enough for the both of them. Who could ask for more?

---------------

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And frankly, she intended to run. She felt every second pass with excruciating impatience. For a moment, she thought about pausing to clean herself up. She could definitely use it. The combination of day-two scrubs, mismatched underwear, and dark eye bags hardly did her any favors, but if freshening up meant further delay, she’d gladly skip it.

Charlie’s fingers twitched as she repeatedly pressed “enter” on her keyboard, silently begging the program to accept her charting.

“Someone’s in a rush,” a nurse – Cindy – teased, breaking Charlie’s concentration and giving her restlessness a reprieve.

“The computers sense fear,” another added, “Don’t give it the satisfaction.”

“Roman’s right,” Cindy affirmed, “Just got to let it breathe.”

“Speaking of letting it breathe,” Roman leaned forward, enticing Charlie with a conspiratorial look, “Did you hear the news?”

“News?” Charlie repeated, wanting to be distracted. Out of the corner of her eye, she still watched her screen and waited for the confirmation message to set her free.

“Rumor is that Dr. Ramsey is quitting,” Roman grinned.

“Really?” Cindy took the bait – enraptured by this piece of gossip. Charlie tried her best to look equally surprised and interested. But admittedly, it was more entertaining that the gossip had spread this fast but was already so out of date.

How long would it be until the whole hospital knew that Dr. Ramsey wasn’t leaving but had been making out with Dr. Greene in the parking lot an hour ago?

“It’s too bad,” Roman went on, “He’s an asshole, but he’s hot enough to get away with it.”

“Roman!” Cindy playfully swatted Roman’s arm.

Charlie bit back a laugh. She didn’t defend Ethan on the charges – they were perfectly accurate.

Instead, Charlie said, “I’m sure he wouldn’t go that easy.”

Cindy teased, “You’re just the only person who doesn’t want to see him go.”

“Well, I have it on pretty good authority from a friend in HR that Dr. Ramsey is on his way out. I’m rounding up bets before word gets out,” Roman announced, deviously adding, “You want in?”

“I’ll take the bet that he’s staying,” Charlie declared, not disclosing her own inside information. Roman shrugged, praising her moral fortitude but bragging that she would definitely lose. Cindy warned him not to start a betting pool, but it was too little too late. A passing intern was already fishing out his wallet to join.

Charlie thought about stepping in and quelling the rumors, but the screen next to her flashed that she was free to go – and not even a hospital-wide rumor mill could keep her still.

After giving a quick goodbye (and paying her 5 dollars into the pool), Charlie went straight to Ethan’s office. They hadn’t technically agreed to meet anywhere – but where else would they go?

Two years at Edenbrook had made this office a main character in their love story. This office was as much a temple to their relationship as a graveyard. It was fitting that Ethan and Charlie would capstone their grand reunion here.

And she was right to guess it, too.

Because the door was cracked, silently inviting Charlie inside.

Charlie smiled as she gently pushed the door open, stepping inside before Ethan heard the familiar creeeaaaak of the hinges announcing a visitor. For a moment, she just watched him, overcome with admiration and freed from the misery that used to accompany his form.

Had Ethan always been this handsome? Had he always looked so graceful when he collected paperwork and placed it neatly in the corner of his desk? Had his eyes always been that blue? Had he always looked this quiet and distinguished in his rumbled dress shirt and half-hazard tie?

Or was it just the magic of love rekindled?

Did it matter?

Charlie was so enamored that she didn’t notice the box next to his feet, slowly filling with his personal effects and private papers. She didn’t notice that he was packing it or that the room was emptier than usual. She didn’t notice anything but him.

Unable to maintain her secrecy a moment longer, Charlie broke her silence – startling Ethan, “Were you expecting someone?”

When Ethan turned around to face her, everything was better. Everything was right in the world.

Looking at Charlie was like staring into the sun, so heartbreakingly beautiful that it hurt his eyes. Yet they never strayed from her. She was perfect. Charlie had always been perfect. His darling, brilliant, wonderful Charlie.

“I was, actually,” Ethan told her, abandoning his previous project.

Ethan held Charlie’s gaze as he walked toward her, coming so close that she could feel his body heat. She could taste the salt of his skin and the sandalwood in his cologne. She could feel the weight of his presence and the scorch of his touch long before their skin met. Her eyes hooded as Ethan reached behind her, firmly closing the door and turning the lock for good measure. Once the door was secured, Ethan didn’t retreat.

He stayed there, awestruck that he could stand next to her at all.

Ethan knew he had to tell Charlie about the deal with Bloom. Because today was his last day and Charlie had limited time with him, Ethan knew the clock was running out. He didn’t want her to find out through someone else, but he also couldn’t stomach telling her now.

It would be unfathomable to do anything to dull this moment.

Ethan quietly pushed Charlie’s hair out of her face, tracing her cheek with his fingertips and committing every detail to memory. And then he remembered that he didn’t have to do that anymore. Ethan was free to admire Charlie every single day, watching her face grow and shape with age for the rest of their lives.

“You were gone too long,” Ethan whispered.

“It was a few minutes,” Charlie laughed, but she’d counted every second they’d been apart.

“Still too long,” Ethan refuted, leaning closer. By now, he’d practically wrapped around her, curving himself to account for the twelve inches of height difference.

Charlie hummed as Ethan’s lips brushed against hers. Within moments, the kiss was all-consuming. Urgency and desperation lurked beneath ardent reverie. The kiss was eager and insistent yet never rushed. No, it was patient. Confident that they had all the time in the world.

The kiss explored. It appreciated. It devoured.

Ethan’s hands were on her body, sinking into the familiar flesh he’d long adored. Charlie pushed softly – so softly that Ethan didn’t realize they were moving until they were across the room, pressed to the edge of his desk.

Ethan smirked, burying his laugh in Charlie’s lips as he murmured, “You always loved this desk.”

“I love you on any surface,” Charlie corrected, eyelids fluttering as Ethan’s fingertips dug into her hips.

“Something I look forward to exploiting,” Ethan said aloud – though it was more a promise to himself than a declaration for her benefit. Carelessly, Ethan shoved the papers off the desk before effortlessly lifting Charlie onto the edge. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer.

Ethan’s hand traced up Charlie’s thigh, settling into her hips. His lips strayed from hers, pausing on her jaw as he asked, “How long do you have?”

“An hour. More if I agree to do Jackie’s laundry.”

“I’ll pay for dry cleaning for your whole apartment,” Ethan offered selfishly. Hell, he would have done it himself for a few more minutes with her.

“Then two hours.”

Sinking his teeth into the tender flesh connecting her neck with her jaw, Ethan teased, “I’ll have to make it work.”

Charlie tilted her head back, “God, I missed you.”

Ethan lavished attention on her, savoring how she melted and molded into him. She was so warm and familiar yet dangerously intoxicating. She enveloped him in vanilla and cherry, making his head spin. She felt so fleeting in his embrace – like every second was inching towards an eventual loss of her presence. Yet, she was so firmly attached to him, anchored by his side with the intent of staying for the rest of her life.

The edges of their vision blurred with distraction and lust. A golden haze blanketed the room. Even the paperwork strewn across Ethan’s desk took on a magical quality.

Even that one paper.

The one that caught Charlie’s attention.

The one on HR stationary. With the word “resignation.”

Charlie’s eyes snapped open, her body suddenly going cold. Ethan paused, sensing the change but confused as to the cause. All at once, Charlie’s senses caught up with her. She saw everything. The box of personal effects on the ground. The HR paperwork on the desk. The bare walls and the stack of books lurking in the corner. The rumors circulating around the hospital.

This wasn’t the lingering ghost of a resignation rescinded.

This was a present apparition.

A long silence followed – one where Charlie’s head ached from all the new information while Ethan stood dumbly in front of her, unsure how to avoid the impending disaster when he couldn’t even identify the cause.

“What is that?” Charlie asked, her voice sharp and eyes laser-focused on the word “resignation” in front of her. Ethan followed her gaze and frowned at the offending document.

Shit, he thought.

He should have told her when she came in. Now, he didn’t know what to say.

When Ethan didn’t answer, Charlie finished her thoughts aloud, “You didn’t have separation paperwork this morning because you hadn’t resigned yet. So, why am I looking at paperwork that says you quit?”

Ethan cleared his throat as he stepped away, all the heat and passion leaking out of him to make room for nervousness.

“I was going to tell you,” Ethan began, avoiding eye contact.

“Ethan,” Charlie’s gaze hardened.

“I did resign,” Ethan finally confessed, “But-“

“You resigned?” Charlie thundered as she scrambled off the desk, “I left you alone for less than an hour, and you resigned?”

“Charlie,” Ethan tried to calm her down, but Charlie ignored him.

“You promised me you would stay! You promised! And you couldn’t even last an afternoon?” Charlie began to pace. She couldn’t believe him.

He was running away. Just like he had when he went to the Amazon. Or when he took his job back during her ethics hearing. Or when he’d staged his getaway to California.

After all those promises and declarations, he still intended to run away. For fuck’s sake, he didn’t even make it through her shift before he tried to leave. This had to set some new, fucked up record.

“No, no, no,” Ethan panicked, desperate to make her understand, “I’m not leaving.”

Charlie stiffened, eyeing him warily, “You just quit.”

“I did! But I’m not …” Ethan stumbled, “It’s complicated, but I promise I’m staying. I’m here. I’m not doing what you think I’m doing.”

Ethan reached for Charlie’s hand, begging her to listen as he clumsily explained, “I love you, and for as long as you’ll have me, I’m staying right here. I don’t want to hide anymore, but I can’t let you lose your entire career for me – not when I know everything you’ve done and can achieve.”

“Ethan,” Charlie gasped, betrayal seeping through every syllable, “You can’t go back on this. You promisedme.”

“Charlotte, I’m not going back on my promise. I love you, and I want to see you do amazing things,” Ethan squeezed Charlie’s hand, “You deserve more than being a pawn in some game.”

“Then what…” Charlie trailed off.

And then she knew.

“What did you do?”

Ethan didn’t want to answer.

But eventually, he did. “I made a deal.”

“With Bloom?” Charlie asked incredulously.

Ethan didn’t response, the silence screaming his confession.

“No, no, no,” Charlie shook her head in panic, “You can’t make a deal with him. It’s like signing your soul to the devil.”

“You made a deal with him!” Ethan asserted – not that it helped.

For months, they’d fought over Charlie’s decision to welcome Bloom to Edenbrook. She maintained that they had no choice, but Ethan wasn’t as forgiving. Some lines should never be crossed, and Bloom was one of those lines. He was self-interested and dangerous. Not only could he crush you, but he would enjoy doing it.

Bloom coasted into Edenbrook on the endorsement of Charlie, yet he eagerly turned on her at the first opportunity.

Charlie could stomach her decision, though she often regretted it. But Ethan?

Ethan didn’t thrive in gray areas. He liked things neat and clear – right and wrong. He assumed responsibility for everything he touched, and doing that with Bloom would destroy his soul.

“Exactly!” Charlie cried, “I made a deal with him, and now we’re all paying for it. Ethan, you can’t do this. What did you even agree to do?”

Frowning, Ethan explained, “I promised to leave the hospital for the rest of your residency.”

“You what?!”

“He wants control of the Diagnostics Team, and I gave it to him. I’ll be out of his way in a lab, producing research and giving him all the credit.”

Charlie shook her head incredulously. Beyond Bloom’s immoral business practices, this was Ethan Ramsey we were talking about. He wouldn’t survive a day without his work. It was his very lifeforce. How could he give it up?

And would he resent her for doing so?

“You can’t do that!”

“Why not?” Ethan balked. He hadn’t expected her to take the news with enthusiasm, but he didn’t understand this level of disapproval.

“Because you’re Ethan Ramsey!”

Ethan stared back blankly, and Charlie groaned with irritation.

“You built the Diagnostics Team with Naveen. This isn’t just your career – it’s your whole life. You’ve given everything to your work. You can’t sign it away to Bloom. You won’t survive it.”

“Firstly, my career is not my ‘whole life’ – you are, Charlotte,” Ethan took a tentative step towards her, waiting to see if she’d resume her nervous pacing if he got too close. He was relieved when she didn’t, “Secondly, I already agreed.”

“Then un-agree.”

“Charlotte,” Ethan laughed, unsure if he was amused or irritated by her stubborn refusal to accept his sacrifice, “I chose this. It isn’t being forced on me.”

“You say that now, but what about in six months? What about when Bloom tries to direct your research, or you see the team do something you disagree with?” Charlie threw her hands in the air, desperate to make him understand the risk, “Will you still feel like you chose it? Or will you blame me?”

Ethan stared at her for a moment, processing what she’d said. Did she really think he would blame her for leaving his career behind? Didn’t she understand that giving up everything in her name was a privilege?

“Charlotte,” Ethan said slowly, ensuring she heard every word, “If it meant keeping you in my life, I would give it all up. My career. The accolades. The prestige.  All of it. I was about to move across the country to ensure you weren’t harmed by your association with me. I can take a sabbatical for you.”

Ethan laughed at that, and Charlie’s brow furrowed. She didn’t like how cavalier he made it all seem, but she also couldn’t help but melt at his sincerity.

“I offered to go. I presented the compromise. I do not blame you, and I never will,” Ethan took another step closer. Now, they were mere inches apart, and Ethan cautiously took her hand, “Let me do this, Charlotte.”

Charlie stared at him, unaware that the tears building in her eyes had spilled onto her cheeks. Ethan quietly wiped them away, letting his hand linger on her cheek.

“I promised I’d stay, and this is how I make sure that I keep the promise,” Ethan confessed, “I needed to know you’re safe.”

“It isn’t fair that you have to give up your career for mine.”

“It’s a year,” Ethan smiled softly, “Barely any time at all.”

“Are you sure?” Until she asked, she didn’t realize how desperate she was for his assurance.

“I’m sure,” Ethan affirmed.

Charlie folded into his arms, overcome with so many emotions that she didn’t know where to begin. Relief? Love? Worry? Disappointment? They all faded to a quiet hum as Ethan squeezed her, absorbing all the bad thoughts until the only thing that mattered was his presence.

He whispered his promises in her ear –  reminding her that he would stay, that he loved her, and that he would never blame her. That he needed to make sure she was safe. That she had to give that to him if this was going to work. That he would sacrifice this and more to hold her longer.

That he was so happy to have her back.

And while she might have quarreled with the others, the last one rang true.

She was so happy to be with him.

“This means anyone can know about us now,” Ethan murmured with a crooked smile, “Just wait – I’ll be obnoxiously proud of you. Everyone will hate me for it.”

Despite herself, Charlie laughed, “They already hate you.”

“No, they think they hate me,” Ethan corrected, “I can be much worse now that I’m not their boss.”

“You think you’ll be worse as a proud boyfriend?”

“I know I will be.”

Charlie blushed. She tried to hide it from Ethan, but he was too close to miss it. As she attempted to shield her face, he kissed her flaming cheeks.

“Is this really your last day?”

“It is.”

Charlie tried to imagine the next year without him as her boss, “I can’t imagine going to work without you.”

Ethan knew exactly what she meant. While he didn’t regret his compromise with Bloom, he mourned the future they should have had – the daily interactions, the wonder he felt when he watched her work, their passionate disagreements over patient care, and the satisfaction of seeing her finish her training.

Perhaps it was unethical, but Ethan always regarded Charlie as his favorite student. He wished he could have been there to see her biggest strides.

But he trusted her, and he trusted Tobias to finish her education. Tobias was insufferable, but he was a good doctor.

So, Ethan comforted Charlie by saying, “You’re ready. You don’t need me anymore.”

“I’ll still miss you,” Charlie said it like it was obvious. Maybe it was, but it made Ethan smile all the same.

“I’ll still be in Boston,” Ethan hooked his arms around her waist, pulling Charlie to his chest as he reminded her, “I still have the same apartment, and I expect you’re still coming home to me.”

Coming home to Ethan Ramsey. Now that left Charlie in a daze.

“But we won’t have this office,” Charlie looked around, giving the four walls new appreciation, “I’ll miss the office.” She thought for a moment, reviewing all her precious memories in this room before adding, “And that desk.”

Ethan released a low whistle, “I’ll definitely miss you on that desk…”

“We still have time to give it a proper farewell, you know.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow, “A proper farewell?”

“It’s the right thing to do,” Charlie feigned solemnity, “Out of respect, of course.”

“Respect,” Ethan echoed thoughtfully.

His gaze traveled from her eyes to trace the column of Charlie’s neck, his fingertips close behind. Ethan’s touch burned a trail from her jaw to her collarbone, and he paused at the neckline of her scrubs. He paused and memorized the placement of the fabric so he’d know exactly how far his marks could stray.

And fuck, he wanted to mark her. He wanted to claim Charlotte Greene. He wanted irrefutable proof that he would never lose her again.

Ethan’s throat caught as he imagined Charlie sprawled on his desk one last time – her blonde hair splayed around her head like a halo, her soft skin red and flushed, her lips crying his name.

“Are you sure?” Ethan asked quickly – eager to get ahead of the desire making his hands shake with need. He would understand if the day had been too overwhelming for her to want this.

But please, please, don’t say no, he thought.

“I’m sure,” Charlie murmured. Offering silent encouragement, she tangled her fingers in his hair.

Not that he needed much encouragement. He’d been thinking about this more than he wanted to admit.

Slipping his hands up the hem of her thin scrubs, Ethan dug his fingertips into the sensitive flesh of her abdomen. Ethan’s fingerprints marked Charlie’s body, providing evidence of every inch he claimed. He moved remarkably slowly, exposing mere millimeters at a time. It made Charlie squirm with impatience.

“Fuck,” Ethan breathed against her neck – offering a single moment of reprieve before he resumed his favorite form of worship. Ethan alternated between scrapping his teeth against her flesh and soothing the redness with awestruck kisses. He licked and sucked the length of her neck with only enough restraint to prevent lasting evidence of his reverie.

Charlie squirmed further. Her body was so close to his that the friction ignited a fire on their skin.

Had it always felt like this? And if so, how did they ever go without?

The edges of Ethan’s restraint frayed. He didn’t like to wait. He never had.

Ethan broke their magnetic pull just long enough to remove Charlie’s shirt and drop it to the ground. He didn’t see where it landed, nor did he care.

“You’re so beautiful,” Ethan whispered again and again.

A chant. A prayer. A mantra.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his lips on her collarbone. “You’re so beautiful.” His lips on the swell of her breast. “You’re so beautiful.” His teeth scrapping across the lace of her bra.

Charlie’s chest heaved with her stagged breath, and Ethan’s grip reflexively tightened on her hips. He held her against him, anchoring her to the moment. Charlie envied – and frankly resented – his ease. Ethan seemed to leisurely savor her while Charlie hadn’t had a moment of peace. Nothing was enough. Nothing could ever be enough with Ethan.

Ethan didn’t like to wait, but he loved to take his time with Charlie. He relished the way her body reacted to the anticipation, and he would do anything to chase that high.

His hands strayed beneath her waistband, and he grinned into her skin as she writhed against him.

“Patience,” Ethan hummed.

“Patience?” Charlie whined, “I asked you to fuck me on your desk. What seems patient about that?”

Ethan chuckled, “Fair point.”

Did he relent because of her candor, or did Ethan just really want to get Charlie naked? Did it matter?

Either way, Ethan finally unhooked Charlie’s bra and dropped it in the growing pile of her clothing. He lavished her breasts with his appreciation, and Charlie melted further into him.

Now that she was satisfied, Ethan had to up the ante. His hand strayed farther beneath her waistband, and Charlie cried out as his fingers deftly caressed her clit. Remembering they were still in his office, Charlie clamped her hand over her mouth with an embarrassed blush.

“Good girl,” Ethan smirked, “Show me how much you like it.”

“I can’t,” Charlie squeaked out.

“You can, and you will,” Ethan demanded, capturing her lips with his before she could protest. Ethan slipped his fingers inside her, curling them in a come hither motion. Charlie moaned, but this time, it was muffled into his lips.

Charlie’s vision blurred, and she fell into Ethan, utterly dependent on his strength to keep from sliding to the floor. Ethan pushed her, demanding her closer and closer to the edge – all while greedily swallowing her praise and pleasure.

“Fuck, Ethan,” Charlie pleased.

“Say my full name, or I won’t let you come.”

“Fuck,” Charlie hissed, “You greedy son of a bitch.”

Still, she said his name. She said it again and again.

“Ethan Jonah Ramsey,” she begged, “Ethan Jonah Ramsey.”

“I promise, I can be much greedier,” Ethan assured her, nudging her across the room.

When Charlie’s thighs hit the edge of the desk, she jumped. Ethan didn’t give her much time to process. Instead, he pushed her onto the desk, standing above her with eyes that wanted to consume her. Charlie’s jaw went slack, and all she could think was that Ethan might just be the hottest man alive.

Ethan withdrew his fingers – earning a complaining groan from Charlie – and licked her taste off his skin.

“Remember,” Ethan instructed her with an air of determination, “Full name, or you don’t come.”

Charlie opened her mouth to make a witty retort, but she was distracted by Ethan deftly pulling off her pants and underwear, leaving her bare on the desk. Ethan parted her legs and allowed himself a moment to indulge in the sight.

But Ethan Ramsey really was a greedy man, and he didn’t last long before he buried his face between her thighs.

Charlie cried out, biting her hand to dampen the noise. Ethan hadn’t touched Charlie in weeks, but absence had only made his heart fonder. He remembered everything – every inch of her body, every move that made her moan, and every noise she offered in encouragement.

He wasted no time in taking her right back to the edge. He pulled back, demanding she say his name before he’d give her what she wanted. Charlie raged against him, fighting the urge to beg for more with the instinct to never give in. Her nails scraped against his scalp, his neck, his back.

She couldn’t breathe. Had she breathed before? Had she existed before this?

“Fuck. I.. I can’t,” Charlie whined, “Please.”

“Full name,” Ethan demanded, meeting her gaze.

“Ethan Jonah Ramsey,” Charlie threw her head back, arching her spine as she pleaded, “Ethan Jonah Ramsey.”

“Good girl,” Ethan praised, finally satisfied.

Curling his fingers into her core, Ethan dragged his teeth across her clit before sucking on the sensitive bundle of nerves. He pushed her and pushed her. She was so close.

“Please,” Charlie begged, “I love you, Ethan Ramsey. Ethan Jonah Ramsey.”

Charlie came praising his name, professing her love and affirming her allegiance. The orgasm ripped through her with a force edging on violence. It scorched her nerve endings and replaced every feeling with bliss. It wrecked her brain, her body, her heart.

Nothing will ever be better than this, she thought to herself.

Ethan stood slowly to better admire her handiwork. His ego swelled with delight at how he’d made her unravel. Something primitive in him renewed its claim over Charlie, yet it was so dissatisfied with his prolonged absence from her.

He needed to feel her. He needed to prove something to them both – a promise words couldn’t convey.

Ethan carelessly removed his dress shirt, ignoring the strain on the buttons and the seams. Without another thought, he stripped himself from the clothes separating the two of them. Every new inch of exposed skin longed for hers, seeking her warmth. He held her against him, eyes hooded as her eager hands explored the planes of his chest.

“Do I have to say your full name to get you to fuck me now?” Charlie murmured, peppering his neck with her kiss. The need to admire him was pathological.

“No, but I wouldn’t be upset if you did.”

“Greedy,” Charlie reprimanded him.

“Only for you,” Ethan smiled, nipping at her jaw.

Ethan steadied himself with his hands on her hips, entering her agonizingly slowly. Charlie writhed against the desk, muttering something incoherent but obviously intended as a complaint. Ethan should have taken his time just to remind them both that he could.

But Charlie was intoxicating. The feel of her made his head spin and destroyed any semblance of restraint. Ethan’s movements were impassioned beyond recognition. Reckless, even. Harder and faster than he intended. Consuming her like she was a limited resource that would slip through his fingers if he didn’t act quickly enough.

I love you, he thought.

Then he said it.

Over and over. Until it was a whisper of pure devotion and a demonstration of crazed obsession.

Charlie’s nails scraped against his scalp. Her breath warmed his skin. Her moans delighted his ears. Her declarations were given to him – and only him.

The pressure built in her core and spilled into her limbs, driving out every thought. Charlie murmured, “Ethan…” but didn’t need to say much more for Ethan to anticipate what she needed.

He moved reflexively, his thumb reaching her sensitive nerves and his lips dropping to her ear, where he whispered, “I love you.” As if he somehow hadn’t said it enough. As if it would never be possible to say it enough.

Charlie’s spine arched into him, chasing her high with the same reverence she murmured his whole name – Ethan Jonah Ramsey. She never wanted the moment to end, but she couldn’t last another second. She came with his name on her lips, and the sight of it all sent him tumbling after her.

As the earth faded back into view, Ethan’s head fell forward, and Charlie looped her arms around his neck to hold him close. A light layer of sweat covered their bodies, joining the small bruises and marks that demonstrated the claim they held over the other. Neither moved, even when the moment had long passed. They were a tangle of limbs and devotion – alternating between face-shattering smiles and lazy kisses.

“When do you have to be back?” Ethan whispered when his senses were fully restored. Not that he’d moved an inch other than to cradle Charlie’s head from the hard surface of the desk.

“Hmmm,” Charlie breathed, so sated she no longer had any semblance of time, “No idea.”

Ethan smiled, kissing her nose, “Lunch before you go then?”

Charlie frowned but assented. She didn’t like the idea of leaving this office at all.

“When does your shift end?” Ethan pressed. Begrudgingly, he began the process of untangling their bodies and going back to the real world. He didn’t like leaving her, but he also didn’t want their new beginning to end with Charlie being late to her shift.

This time, Charlie knew the answer, “Seven.”

“I’ll stick around until then and drive you home,” Ethan stepped into his pants, not bothering with his shirt while he tried to collect the clothes he’d strewn across the room.

“Going home with you,” Charlie repeated breathlessly, It wasn’t the first time he’d said it, but happiness overcame her all the time. The exhaustion lurking in her body rejoiced at the promise of being back in Ethan’s bed. She hadn’t slept properly since their breakup, and she looked forward to the warmth of him next to her tonight.  

“Unless you want to go to your place,” Ethan stuttered. He hadn’t considered Charlie going anywhere else tonight, but hearing her say it, he was embarrassed by the assumption.

“No, no!” Charlie said quickly – too quickly, “I want to be with you. I can’t sleep without you.”

“Thank God,” Ethan breathed out. When he realized he said it aloud, Ethan’s cheeks flushed, and Charlie tried to bite back her smile.

“You missed me then?”

“A bit,” Ethan confessed.

“Hmmm,” Charlie hummed, pleased with herself.

“And you didn’t?” Ethan offered a hand to help her off the desk. Charlie took it and then accepted the pile of her clothes that followed. They were wrinkled and battered from their afternoon, but Ethan didn’t notice any of those imperfections as she began to dress herself.

“Oh, I definitely did,” Charlie admitted, “You’re standing right in front of me, and somehow, I still miss you.”

“You don’t have to miss me,” Ethan said nonchalantly.

Charlie stopped, staring at him as if a daze.

“You’re right… I don’t,” Charlie’s face was so warm and happy that it was infectious. Ethan pulled Charlie close, and Charlie buried herself in his embrace.

A few minutes later, they realized that leaving the office was never really going to happen, and the desk got the farewell it really deserved – ordered Thai food stacked in containers while Charlie and Ethan stared at each other with lovesick obsession. She stayed until the very last second when Sienna texted that they were out of favors, and even then, Charlie and Ethan took a little too long kissing each other goodbye.

Not that it mattered.

His blond hair was messy, flopping over his forehead; his face was practically hidden in their dad’s big arms. One green eye popped open as if sensing her gaze, and he smiled sleepily at her.

The twins protested when their parents removed them from their comfortable position and onto the shaggy rug in front of the fireplace. Cassie leaned into Max’s side, curling her legs beneath her, and yawned widely. She rested her face on her brother’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

She wasn’t sure why her parents had woken them up so early or carried them down to the family room. It wasn’t Christmas morning. She knew because Santa had already brought her and Max presents last week.

“Cass honey, wake up,” Daddy said gently, lifting her head and brushing his hand down her hair. “Your mom and I have a surprise for the two of you.”

The word ‘surprise’ made Max perk up and sit straight in attention.

“Do you know what today is?” Mommy asked, her eyes crinkled around the corners as she smiled.

They shook their heads, and she continued. “It’s New Year’s Day. Legend has it that if you make a wish, write it on a piece of paper and throw it into the fire, it will come true. Isn’t that right, Robert?”

“My old nanny told me it was so.” Cassie saw her father smile in a dreamy way she didn’t quite recognize. “And she was right. When I was your age, I wished for a life full of adventure. Then, one day, many years later, your mother spilled her drink on me. I haven’t been bored since.”

“Robert!” Mommy gasped in shock before throwing her head back in laughter and then leaning in to kiss him on the lips.

Cassie giggled, and Max groaned, making gagging sounds.

“Six years of adventure, my love,” Mommy said softly, resting her head on Daddy’s forehead. “Every day, I fall in love with every little thing that you do.”

Cassie watched her parents gaze into each other’s eyes and thought there must be something to this wish legend. And if Daddy was right, she was definitely wishing for a puppy.

Part 2: The Wish

Many years later, in an elegant condo overlooking Boston’s waterfront, Ethan Ramsey propped himself up on one elbow and leaned over his wife. He ran his finger down her cheek and brushed aside a wisp of hair that fell over her face.

“Time to wake up, love,” he murmured, watching as Cassie’s eyes drifted open.

The fogginess gradually disappeared, dreams faded and reality intruded.

“What time is it?” she asked, yawning.

“Almost eight,” he said, his lips tracing the slope of her shoulder.

The strap of her nightgown slid down her arm, almost baring her breast, and he peppered kisses along her exposed collarbone.

“We don’t have time for you to seduce me,” she protested, even as a moan escaped her lips when his hands eased the bodice down to expose her breasts to his heated gaze and pushed the gown lower.

“I’ll be quick,” he said, covering her body with his and nudging her thighs apart with his knee.

Ethan snagged her bottom lip between his teeth and nipped it before slanting his lips over hers. He’d just started to kiss his way down her body when he heard the sound of running feet.

Ethan barely had time to throw the covers on top of Cassie’s naked body when the bedroom door slammed open.

“It’s Wish Day! It’s Wish Day!”

Their five-year-old twin daughters, Sophie and Eloise, rushed in, singing the words excitedly at the top of their lungs.

“Daddy, you’re not wearing a shirt!” Sophie giggled.

“Girls, what have we said about knocking?” Ethan swung his legs off the bed to sit up and glared at them over his shoulder.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Cassie wriggle under the covers and then ease her back up against the headboard, the silky straps of her nightgown back in place.

“Knock first, wait for an answer and then enter,” they parroted the oft-repeated words while gazing innocently at him.

“And did you do that now?” Cassie asked, lips twisting in a half-smile as her eyes met Ethan’s exasperated expression.

“We forgot,” they said with a pout.

They launched themselves on the bed before Ethan could scold them further and started jumping up and down.

“B’sides, it’s Wish Day, Daddy,” Eloise giggled as she crashed into her sister. “It’s tra…trad…,” she stumbled over the words, “tratidition.”

“Tradition,” Ethan corrected automatically, padding into the walk-in closet.

He thought privately that his daughters were just as stubborn about celebrating traditions as their mother.

“Mommy, get up. We’ve been waiting forever to make our New Year wishes!” Sophie’s laughter mingled with her sister’s as they both bounced higher.

“Not too high, girls,” Cassie called out worriedly. “Ethan?”

Ethan returned to the bedroom, tugging a tee shirt over his head and down. He grabbed Eloise mid-bounce and then Sophie, holding each girl under his arms as if carrying a football.

They giggled when he adjusted his stance to accommodate their weight, jostling them in the process.

Cassie shook her head at their antics and shoved aside the covers to climb off the bed. She reached for the robe folded on the ottoman at the foot of the bed, and his eyes locked on the top of her breasts framed enticingly between the vee of her gown’s neckline.

She caught his stare and arched one brow. “To be continued tonight?”

After a quick glance at their daughters, now preoccupied with whispering to each other, he smirked.

“I’ll get them settled while you freshen up. Don’t take too long or…,” Ethan grinned lasciviously, scanning her from chest to crotch, “…else.”

Almost twenty minutes later, the four of them settled in front of the fireplace. Ethan wrapped one arm around Cassie’s shoulder while hers slid around his waist. The twins were nestled between them, their tiny bodies practically vibrating with excitement.

“Ready to make your New Year wish?” Cassie asked.

Eloise looked questioningly at her sister. Sophie nodded in confirmation. They both turned around and stared at their parents. Ethan noted their thoughtful expression and wondered what that was about.

“If we both make the same wish, does it come true twice?” Eloise asked.

“We want a dog,” Sophie piped in.

Ethan grinned when Cassie muttered, “Get in line” under her breath.

He knew a puppy had been on her wish list for years. In fact, if he recalled the tale correctly, it was her first wish when Robert and Olivia started the annual New Year wishes tradition.

“Why don’t you send the wish into the fireplace? You never know when the universe will grant your wish,” he added, keeping his face neutral when Cassie hissed, “Hogwash!”

“It might take years,” Eloise said, angling her head sideways as if lost in thought.

“Just like it took forever and ever for Grandpa Robbie to get his wish when he met Grandma Livvy,” Sophie added excitedly. “El, we’re getting a dog for sure!”

“And another tradition continues,” Cassie laughed as the girls babbled excitedly while scribbling their wishes on paper.

Ethan rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Times like this, they’re more Valentine than Ramsey.”

“I disagree,” Cassie snorted, laughter in her eyes. “But then I’m biased since I fell in love with a Ramsey.”

Ethan gently grasped her chin and lifted her face to gaze into her eyes. His mouth lowered and captured her lips in a tender, heart-wrenching kiss, losing himself in the magic of the moment.

Eloise and Sophie stopped writing to watch their parents kissing, shared a furtive glance and silently giggled. Forget the dog. Maybe they would get a brother instead.

-----------

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @lucy-268 @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Part 2: All About Elves

Part 3: The Relationship

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @lucy-268 @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

“They’re for you, Dr. Brooks,” Maureen responded. “That’s why I paged you.” 

“For me? Really?” An uncontrollable smile spread across Sawyer’s face as she scooted over to the vase and reached for the card. 

Ethan's gaze met hers as she lifted her eyes. Still wearing a giddy smile, she subtly nodded her head accepting his invitation. He winked back. 

Maureen suddenly popped up in front of her, trying to get a peek of the card. “Soooo, who are they from?”

“Oh, um…” Sawyer quickly tucked the card back into the envelope, trying to think of a response. The worst part about being in a secret relationship was having to lie to keep your secret safe. It made her feel icky, so she always tried to spin the truth instead. “They’re from someone I started dating recently.”

“Anyone we would know?” the nosy nurse pressed further.

“Uh-”

“Brooks! Where are the discharge orders for Mr. Cruz? I don’t see them in his file,” Ethan called across to her, making her jump. 

“Oh, I… I must have left them in the DT office. I'll put these away and grab them for you, Dr. Ramsey.”

Sawyer played along, returning the wide-eyed look on Maureen’s face that said, “Oh boy, he’s in a mood.” 

Sweeping the vase off the counter, Sawyer cast another glance in Ethan’s direction, giving him an appreciative smile for the quick save.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

A luxury town car dropped her off in front of Ethan’s building the following night.

Sawyer knocked gently on his door. “Coming!” she heard from inside, and a moment later, Ethan answered. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and a kitchen towel was draped over his shoulder. He gestured for her to come in, then helped her with her coat, hanging it on a nearby hook. When he turned back to her, Sawyer wrapped her arms around his waist, tipping her head back to meet his eyes. “Hi.” 

Ethan wrapped his arms around her, lowering his head to meet her lips in a sweet, welcoming kiss. “Hi.”

“It smells delicious. What are you making for us tonight, Chef Ramsey?”

“Georgian chicken. Since you didn’t get to try it last time,” he said, guiding her to the kitchen. 

Soft music played throughout the penthouse. The living room was dim save for the warm glow cast from the crackling logs in the fireplace. The dining table was set for two, decorated with rose petals and flickering tapers set in coordinating candlesticks.  

“Do you want some wine?” Ethan asked, pulling her attention back to the activity in the kitchen. 

“Please.” Sawyer pushed up her sleeves. “Okay, put me to work, Chef. Give me a bowl of butter and I’ll give this chicken the best massage of their life. Or rather afterlife?” she giggled. 

Ethan chuckled. “Chicken’s already in the oven. I just need to saute the asparagus.” 

The pan sizzled as he tossed the vegetables in. He turned them over one-handed, letting Sawyer curl into his other side. With one arm around his back, her other hand drifted up the front of his thigh until she was cupping his crotch. “I guess I’ll just have to put my skills to use elsewhere,” she purred.

“Oh no, you don’t,” he warned, dropping the tongs on the counter. Gripping her waist, he picked her up, turned around, and set her atop the kitchen island. He handed her a wine glass and kissed her forehead. “If you touch me like that, we won’t be eating dinner anytime soon. So you’re going to stay right here until the food is ready. Got it?”  

“Fine,” she pouted, taking a sip of her wine. “This chicken better be worth it.”

An hour later, Sawyer had cleaned her plate and set her fork down. “That was so worth it.” She stood and moved around to Ethan’s side of the table. He scooted back to let her sit on his lap. “Thank you,” she whispered, giving him a tender kiss. She tucked her head into the crook of his neck and laced her fingers with his. She fell into a lovely trance, watching the dancing candle flames as Ethan rubbed her back. “Mmm, that feels good,” she murmured. 

Ethan kissed the top of her head, then encouraged her to stand. Squeezing her hand, he said, “I’ll be right back. Do me a favor and pour us each another a glass of wine?” Then he disappeared down the hall into his bedroom.

Sawyer poured the wine, then made herself useful, carrying their dirty plates to the kitchen sink. She had just put the leftovers away when Ethan returned. 

“What are you doing?” he asked, grabbing the glasses of wine from the dining table.

“Just helping clean up,” she answered.

“Leave it,” he insisted. He tilted his head toward the bedroom. “Follow me.”  

When Sawyer stepped into his room, she found a trail of rose petals leading to the en suite. The bathroom was dark, save for the candles glowing around the rim of the tub. More rose petals, hundreds of them, floated on the surface of the steamy water. A fragrant aroma of roses and jasmine filled the air.

Ethan set the wine glasses down next to the tub. “Come here,” he said, reaching out his hand. 

Sawyer took it and let him pull her close. “I’ve been wanting to do this with you for a long time,” she confessed.

“Me too.” He lifted her shirt over her head and placed it on the counter. Reaching around her back, he unfastened her bra. Curling a finger under each of the shoulder straps, he carefully pulled it away and set it on top of her shirt. 

Ethan’s knuckle traced around the pink centers of her breasts while Sawyer unbuttoned his shirt, then his jeans. She unzipped him, then took the sides of his shirt in her hands and peeled it away. 

After removing their shoes and socks, Ethan slowly spun Sawyer around, pressing his warm chest against her back. His hands slid under her arms, finding and loosening the button of her pants. Moving to his knees, he tugged the waistband of both her jeans and panties downward, helping her step out of each leg. As he returned to his feet, he kissed the back of her thighs, her ass, then her shoulders. 

Sawyer turned to face him and returned the favor. She pushed his pants and underwear to the floor, letting his erection slide between the valley of her breasts as she rose. Ethan grabbed the sides of her face and crashed his lips onto hers. “Do you have any idea how goddamn sexy you are?” 

He stepped into the bath and sat down. Extending his hand to Sawyer, he helped her step safely into the water. Standing before him naked, Ethan admired her body. His eyes trailed from her cherry-painted lips, to her plump breasts, to her smooth sex. He leaned forward and kissed the lines of her hips, then the mound below her belly button. “You’re so beautiful.”

Sawyer lowered herself into the water, positioning herself between his bent knees. She leaned back and melted into his embrace. The warmth of the water, and the feel of his skin against hers, was a comfort like no other. 

“I could get used to this,” she said softly, running her hands through the blanket of flower petals floating on the water’s surface.

“So could I,” Ethan agreed, sipping on his wine. 

After a few more minutes of blissful calm, Ethan set his glass aside and reached for a sponge. He dipped it in the water, then gently nudged Sawyer forward, swiping her hair to the side. The sponge moved up and down her back, then the length of her neck, and across her shoulder before traveling down her arm. Ethan dragged it across her collar bone, then after another dip under the surface, he squeezed a stream of warm water directly over each of her breasts. Her nipples hardened in response. 

When she arched her back begging for more, Ethan tossed the sponge to the other end of the tub. He pulled Sawyer back onto his lap, clamping his mouth to her neck as he reached between her legs. Her head fell back on his shoulder, and she moaned as his fingers stroked her core. With each twitch of his cock against her ass, her arousal grew more intense.

As the pleasure continued to build, she turned her head to the side. “Kiss me,” she demanded. Ethan obeyed. As their tongues met, he plunged two fingers inside of her, curling them right where he knew she'd come undone. 

“Oh god… I’m going to come,” she whimpered. 

He sucked her earlobe, then his warm breath caressed her ear. “Lasciati andare, bella.” 

Sawyer reached behind, gripping the back of Ethan’s head, anchoring as her body shuddered with wave after wave of euphoria. “Uhnnnnn…Ethan…”

Water tepid and fingers pruned, they eventually climbed out of the tub. Sawyer shivered as she plucked a few stuck rose petals from her body. Ethan wrapped a thick towel around her shoulders and rubbed up and down her arms to rid her of the goosebumps. “Let's warm up in front of the fire. We can set up a picnic for dessert," he suggested.

“Dessert? You’re spoiling me tonight.”

Ethan kissed her cheek as he walked past and into his closet. “You deserve it.” He emerged wearing a pair of loose shorts with a t-shirt in hand for Sawyer, but she was already buttoning the dress shirt he discarded earlier. “Fuck me,” he growled at the sight.

“Oh I will... But dessert first,” she smirked, walking past him to the kitchen.

🛁🛁🛁🛁🛁🛁🛁🛁🛁

With perfect timing, a log in the fireplace cracked in two, sending sparks up the chute. “Sawyer!” Ethan cried out as he found his release. Their bodies slick with sweat, he slid off of her and collapsed onto his back, just missing the tray of strawberries and chocolate sauce he had prepared for dessert.

Sawyer rolled to her side and propped herself up on an elbow. Ethan’s eyes were closed as he tried to regain equilibrium. She kissed his cheek and started tracing shapes on his chest. “Thank you for tonight, Ethan… and for the flowers yesterday. Who would have guessed you were such a romantic?” His lips turned up in a small smile. “Though, given your love of opera, I guess it shouldn’t come as such a surprise.”

He opened his eyes and turned his head to her. “I wanted to make up for some of the time I wasted before,” he explained. “Was it too much?” 

Sawyer cupped his cheek. “Not at all, babe,” she assured him, using the term of endearment for the first time. “I loved it.” She leaned down and kissed him softly. “You pulled out all the stops. I’ve never had anyone do the things you did for me.” 

He combed his fingers through her hair and looked her in the eyes. “You deserve nothing less, Rookie. I’ll have to think of some new ways to sweep you off your feet in the future.” 

“Tonight has been incredible, and consider me swept… But Ethan, I don’t need love letters every day.”

“I know, but I like showing you how much you mean to me.” 

“That’s easy, babe. Just smack me on the butt and say, ‘I’m glad that ass is mine,’” she laughed.

“That easy, huh?” 

“Mmm hmm,” Sawyer hummed. Sitting up and reaching across him, she plucked a strawberry from the tray.   

“Good to know."

After dipping the strawberry in the chocolate, Sawyer held a hand underneath it as she brought it to her mouth for a bite. Moving her hand away at just the right moment, the chocolate sauce dripped onto Ethan's abs. “Whoops, my bad,” she smiled wickedly. Licking her lips, she lowered her head, “Let me get that for you.”  

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Two days later, Sawyer rode the elevator up to the fifth floor with Sienna. When the steel doors slid open, she looked up to find Ethan waiting on the other side. She smiled and winked as Ethan waited for her roommate to exit. 

Ethan’s shoulder rubbed Sawyer’s as they crossed over the threshold at the same time. Then… SMACK! Sawyer jumped when the palm of his hand slapped her ass cheek. Safely on the other side, she turned to face him with a questioning look on her face. 

Ethan leaned forward to punch the button for the lobby. Then he looked at Sawyer. As the doors began to close, he smiled. “Mine.”

Ethan was positively cocky as he walked through Edenbrook – even smiling at an intern who was obviously gossiping in the corner. In a few minutes, he’d be untouchable. For now, the crowd could be satisfied with the strange mystery of Dr. Ramsey’s surprise “vacation” and his unusually happy mood. They’d forget about all of it when they learned that Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Greene had professed their love in the parking lot. And Ethan would make no efforts to hide it either.

He’d promised to be obnoxious about how much he loved Charlie, and it was a promise he intended to keep – as soon as he resolved the danger lurking in the administrative wing.

This part of the hospital used to be an afterthought. It was tidy and well-maintained but never ostentatious. But of course, Bloom’s ego touched every part of Edenbrook, especially the administrative suite. When renovations began, Ethan insisted it was a ridiculous waste of resources that should have been extended to patient care instead. This was only the first of many disagreements.

Ethan wasn’t sure when his disagreements with Blooms had transformed into something more. They started small – fights over which cases should be assigned to the Diagnostics Team and Bloom’s level of involvement in their work. What began as a series of passive-aggressive digs escalated into a war.

Bloom drew the first blood when he leveraged Charlie’s career as blackmail on Ethan. His relationship with Charlie was the first casualty, but despite caving to Bloom’s demands, Ethan ensured it wasn’t the only blood on the field. He’d fought Bloom at every opportunity – blocking unethical treatments, refusing Bloom’s intended patients, and relegating research projects.

Ethan didn’t remember why he did it now. He wasn’t sure if it really was for the patients or if he was acting out on his anger and despair – and he hated himself for not knowing.

None of this was what Ethan wanted. They’d both gone too far.

Ethan didn’t want to fight anymore. He wanted to lay down his weapons and be with the woman he loved, which required compromising with his enemy.

Admittedly, he didn’t really want to do it. The idea of compromising on anything with Bloom made Ethan feel nauseous. There was only one reason he walked into that office – and her name was Charlie.

As soon as Ethan entered the room, Bloom’s assistant slumped into her desk. Meetings between Ethan and Bloom were increasingly frequent and famously antagonistic. Seeing Dr. Ramsey meant that her day was about to get a lot worse.

“He’s asked to not be disturbed,” the assistant glared at Ethan in silent warning. Please do not ruin my perfectly enjoyable afternoon, she quietly begged.

“He’ll want to speak with me,” Ethan insisted, smiling politely to sooth her ire. It didn’t work.

The assistant highly doubted that Mr. Bloom would actually want to speak with Dr. Ramsey, but she sensed that Dr. Ramsey wouldn’t give up without a fight. So, she lifted her phone and dialed Bloom’s direct line. Just as Ethan predicted, Bloom instructed her to invite Ethan in as soon as the assistant said Ethan’s name. Grimacing, Bloom’s assistant ushered him inside the CEO’s lavish office and firmly closed the door behind her, hoping they’d invested in sufficient soundproofing during renovations.

Leland Bloom didn’t stand to greet Ethan. Instead, he watched Ethan like a predator watched his favorite prey. Normally, this blatant intimidation tactic would have incensed Ethan, but today, he merely frowned.

Now this is intriguing, Bloom thought to himself.

Feuding with Ethan Ramsey had become a bit of a hobby for the ruthless billionaire. By now, it was more than just business. Bloom genuinely despised Dr. Ramsey, but that didn’t stop him from being perpetually curious about the medical genius. Seeing him break his normal routine was enough to enthrall Bloom.

“I thought you were supposed to be halfway across the country by now,” Bloom quipped.

Ethan hadn’t told Bloom about his plans to resign and move to San Diego, but his failure to inform Bloom hardly meant that the plan was a secret – nor would the change be unwelcome. As interesting and brilliant as Dr. Ramsey was, he’d become a roadblock, and Bloom didn’t tolerate roadblocks. Ethan would need to comply, or he would need to leave. Having Ethan resign eased the process.

“Change of plans,” Ethan’s face tightened.

“Later flight?”

“No flight.”

Bloom’s eyebrows shot to the top of his temples. Still, he tried to hide his surprise by teasing, “Staycation then.”

Ethan eyed his opponent, trying to mask his disdain. Ethan hated many things about Bloom, but perhaps most of all, he hated the games he played. Feigning ignorance was exhausting and pointless. What was the point of making a veiled threat when they both knew the truth?

They didn’t need to perform for anyone, especially each other.

“We don’t have to pretend, Leland.”

Bloom’s smile twitched at the use of his first name. He preferred more honorific titles just to remind Ethan of their power imbalance.

“Fine,” Bloom snarled, wiping a small piece of lint off his jacket, “But you should know that threatening to quit on such short notice violates your employment contract and does nothing to change my opinion of you. You won’t scare me into backing down, Dr. Ramsey. Nor will you save Dr. Greene from becoming collateral damage. Breaking up with her won’t change the fact you carried on an affair with your prize student, nor will it save her career if it all comes out.”

This got under Ethan’s skin – just as Bloom knew it would.

You had to admire a man who was so easily swayed by love. Once Bloom discovered this weakness, it was so easy to exploit. If Bloom had been a better man, he would have found a more challenging target to keep the odds fair. But no one would ever accuse Bloom of being a better man.

Rage built in Ethan’s chest, accompanied by the uncomfortable prickling of fear on his skin. Ethan promised Charlie he would stay, even though his presence could ruin her career. Making the promise didn’t soothe his terror, nor did their romantic reunion mean that Bloom would call off the attack – especially when it meant that Ethan was more eager than ever to protect Charlie.

Nothing was worth this feeling of dread – not the hospital, not the Diagnostics Team, not even Ethan’s career and reputation. Ethan would gladly give it all up for Charlie to be safe. That’s what almost drove him to California, and that’s why he was here in this office. He wasn’t out of grand gestures yet.

“Isn’t it time we called a truce?” Ethan exuded confidence as he spoke, but Bloom saw his lurking fear.

“A truce?” Bloom scoffed, “Truces are for people prepared to lose. I think you forget the stakes, Dr. Ramsey. Until the day my wife is cured, there is no loss I am willing to accept.”

“I never said you had to lose.”

Bloom wanted to lecture Ethan on the nature of their little war. This was a zero-sum game– one winner, one loser. Any result that didn’t promptly cure his wife and allow them to be reunited would be regarded as a loss. Ethan would be foolish to think anything else.

But Bloom was curious.

So, instead of informing Ethan of his unbearable naivete, Bloom motioned for Ethan to take a seat across from him. Ethan complied, doing his best to maintain his confidence and courage. Neither man was fooled by it.

“This is unsustainable, Leland,” Ethan used his first name, just to put Bloom back on edge, “I’m here to offer a compromise. You want the Diagnostics Team and my research. I want you to leave Charlotte out of this.”

Bloom stared with disinterest, “Go on.”

“I’m prepared to go on sabbatical – one year away from Edenbrook to work on my long-neglected research. I’ll leave the team to Dr. Carrick, who you know will be more amenable to your plans. There will be no scandal, no harm to the institution or yourself. I’ll return to my lab, where I’ll reinstate myself as an influential academic. I’ll publish in all the right journals and speak at all the right conferences. I’ll tell everyone that I was able to dedicate myself to academia because of your wisdom and generosity. My research will still be my own, but we both know it will benefit your wife’s case.

“You came here because of my research,” Ethan continued. For too long, Ethan had let their power dynamic remain imbalanced. It was time to correct that. “You wanted my prestige and my connections. You wanted my work. The only reason you want me gone is that I’m too difficult to manipulate. You’ll still get my research – you’ll have everything you wanted.”

“Everything?” Bloom sneered, “If you wanted to give me everything, you should have complied months ago.”

“You get this, or I leave – and you get nothing.”

The threat echoed in the room.

“What’s in it for you?”

“If I’m not working here, nothing is stopping me from being with Charlie.”

“You think a new job title will protect you from the scandal?” Bloom titled his head, offering insincere sympathy, “Ethan, you had an affair with your student for over a year. You can’t go back in time to hide that.”

“I’m not trying to hide the past. There will be no need. You’re not going to bring it up.”

“Oh, Ethan,” Bloom leaned back in his chair, genuinely amused by Ethan’s confidence. Bloom wasn’t a man of honor – what would ever stop him?

“If you make so much as a comment that harms her reputation or career, the deal is off. It took me less than a day to find another hospital begging for my expertise – I’m never out of options, Leland.”

“I could take away all of your options, Ramsey,” Bloom snarled. He was always prepared to bury Ethan if needed. He’d already tracked down a patient willing to sue and jeopardize Ethan’s medical license. Ethan wasn’t nearly as powerful as he thought.

“You could scare off every employer in the country. I wouldn’t care,” Ethan said honestly, “I’ve had a record-breaking career. I could retire tomorrow. I will retire tomorrow if need be.”

Normally, neither man would have believed this. Ethan was a slave to his career, and a life full of empty days and disgraced legacies would haunt him.

But there was something about Ethan’s voice when he said it – true sincerity. He was really willing to leave it all behind for Charlie.

That was the double-edged sword to manipulating a man so devoted.

“Leland, you told me that you were only interested in winning. Dragging my name through scandal and forfeiting my research hardly seems like a win,” Ethan challenged, “This feud isn’t healing your wife. We’re on the edge of personal and professional ruin, and the person who will suffer the most is the only person you claim to care about.”

Bloom winced. A low blow but deserved, nonetheless.

He came here for his wife. Ethan was nothing compared to that.

“Fine,” Bloom acquiesced, “I accept. You’ll be on a research sabbatical for the rest of Dr. Greene’s residency in exchange for no scandal or harm to her career. But when she finishes her residency, I’ll still expect your work. You’ll return to the team and follow my commands, or you’ll stay in your lab. I won’t accept your insolence any longer.”

Ethan’s stoic veneer cracked, and streams of relief and joy peaked through. The terms were less than ideal, and undoubtedly, Ethan would renegotiate his future after Charlotte graduated. But by then, they could both leave if they needed to, and Charlie would be able to enter the field without the mark of his scandal.

And tonight – and every night thereafter – Ethan could come home to Charlie without fear.

Despite everything, Ethan’s visible delight pleased Bloom. Perhaps compromise was better than destruction.

“You know, I always liked Charlie,” Bloom said candidly, “I never intended to harm her. She was an innocent victim in a holy war for the woman I loved.”

This excuse wasn’t enough for Ethan. It didn’t forgive months of cruelty and threats. It didn’t change the fact that Bloom’s actions had harmed multiple patients, nor did it erase the damage to Ethan’s relationship with Charlie. But despite all its deficiencies, this excuse was something Ethan could understand.

This ‘holy war’ was familiar. He’d fought a similar one months ago, when he’d sat behind glass and watched Charlie fade. He’d held her frail body and wished he could take off his protective gear and die with her, just so he’d be spared the horrible reality of life without her. He knew what it meant to watch a love fade from behind glass.

And Ethan knew that his personal victory was an affront to Bloom. Ethan cured Charlie and revived the promise of a lifetime with the woman he loved. He held her every night and indulged in the steady rate of her heartbeat.

But Ethan didn’t extend the same courtesy to Bloom. He hadn’t cured his wife. He hadn’t reunited them. Instead, he’d screamed about medical ethics while Bloom attempted to bend all the rules to save his true love.

Ethan didn’t blame Bloom for hating him. If he had been in the same position, he would have burned the city down just to have a few more minutes with Charlie.

“I always wanted a cure for your wife,” Ethan confessed, “I know what it means to be separated from the love of your life while they suffer. That’s a fate I wouldn’t wish on anyone, even you.”

The two men stared at each other for a moment – realizing the unique connection they’d often tried to forget. They were looking at the only other man who had experienced this kind of loss, and even if that was the ultimate cause of their animosity, it inspired a sense of kinship. Bloom would abide by the deal – if not out of honor but out of respect for a pair of lovers who had escaped his cruel fate.

Bloom stood, offering his hand to seal the deal. Ethan accepted.

“Dr. Ramsey, congratulations. You are officially on sabbatical.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bloom.”

Charlie rubbed at her eyes, trying to focus on her charting, but the idea of a power nap in the call room was increasingly appealing. Just when Charlie was ready to cave, she was startled by a nervous-looking intern barreling towards her.

"Dr. Greene?” the intern – Amanda Stevens – called out to her, like she was afraid Charlie would escape before giving her advice. Admittedly, Charlie wished she had.

“Yeah?” Charlie raised her eyebrows, releasing the dream of a nap.

“I was wondering what I should do with the newest test results for the patient in Room 255.”

“255?” Charlie repeated. That was Ethan’s patient, and it said so on the chart. Charlie should know – she’d asked to be taken off the case last week to avoid any unnecessary interactions with Ethan.

Charlie was surprised to hear Stevens ask such an easy question. It was nearly the end of her first year of residency, and Stevens was known to be capable. Why was she still asking questions about where to send test results this late in the game?

Still, Charlie remembered how it felt to be a terrified first-year, so she tried to avoid sounding dismissive as she replied, “Dr. Ramsey’s the attending. Just send it his way if you’re unsure.”

“I know,” Dr. Stevens blushed, “I normally wouldn’t ask, but the system says Dr. Ramsey isn’t here for the next few days and to direct his patients to another doctor. But he was here this morning, and he didn’t say anything about leaving. Dr. Ramsey never goes anywhere. For the last few months, he’s spent more time here than at home. I was wondering if it was a glitch.”

Charlie frowned. It stung to be reminded that, since their breakup, Ethan had become a hermit in his office, but it wasn’t untrue. And anyways, Ethan never left without leaving detailed instructions on what to do in his absence. It was almost insulting how detailed his instructions would be – like he trusted no one but himself to care for his patients.

He wasn’t the type to leave without warning.

Or at least, leave without warning his coworkers. It wouldn’t be the first time he left without telling Charlie.

“Since you know him so well, I thought you might know what’s going on,” Stevens added, as if this would ease her odd request.

It didn’t.

Charlie didn’t know how to respond to that, so she didn’t. Instead, she pulled up the patient file to check for herself, and she saw the same notice – informing any reader that Dr. Ramsey was on vacation and to direct his patient materials to Dr. Carrick until he returned.

Vacation? Charlie’s face twisted. Ethan didn’t go on vacations.

“Give the results to Dr. Carrick and be prepared to present if necessary. If it’s a glitch, Carrick should be able to tell you,” Charlie stammered out, still staring at the screen.

Satisfied, Dr. Stevens hurried off to Dr. Carrick’s office, leaving a confused Charlie in her wake.

What the fuck is going on? Charlie thought. She knew Ethan was here – she saw him this morning doing rounds with the interns. Would he really go on vacation without telling her? Could he stomach leaving work without providing nauseatingly detailed instructions to the interns?

The mystery was too enticing to ignore. She knew it was dangerous to go to Ethan’s office – there was a 50/50 shot of having sex on his desk or screaming at him so loud the whole hospital heard. And they hadn’t been able to interact without exchanging longing glances in days. But Charlie had to know what was going on.

Closing out her paperwork, Charlie went to his office and knocked on the door. There was no way he’d already left. Even if he was going somewhere, he was probably just hiding out in his office. Yet no one answered the door.

She tried again – no response.

Charlie got out her phone and instinctively opened his contact, but she lost her nerve and texted Harper instead.

Charlie: Do you know where Ethan is? The system says he’s on vacation.

Harper: Did he not tell you?

Charlie: Tell me what?

The text turned to “read,” but instead of receiving a typically prompt reply, Harper hesitated. Three dots indicated she was typing, but they stopped without any message from Harper. Charlie’s stomach lurched, wondering what on earth could make Harper delay when she was famous for responding immediately.

“Charlie! Just who I was hoping to find,” Naveen interrupted Charlie’s anxious thoughts. He looked casual, but his gait was anything but. He was practically running towards her, carrying a small envelope with an unusually tight grip.

“Oh? Everything okay?” Charlie asked, trying to match his friendly demeanor. They were both faking it – and doing so poorly. The entire time, Charlie eyed her cell phone screen, frowning as Harper apparently started and abandoned a dozen text messages. What could be so bad that she didn’t want to tell her?

“Of course,” Naveen smiled warmly, but there was something strange about his expression. Unease. Concern. Panic, maybe?

Had something horrible happened to Ethan?

“I am under strict orders to give you this letter at 2 pm. Unfortunately, my afternoon is booked, so I’ll just have to defy orders and give you the letter now,” Naveen explained.

Technically, it wasn’t a lie. He did have a meeting at 2 pm – he quickly scheduled one as soon as Ethan walked into his office this morning and told him the plan. Naveen wanted to make sure he had a perfect alibi for defying his friend’s wishes. He loved Ethan, but this was undoubtedly the stupidest thing he’d ever done.

Naveen held out a small envelope for Charlie, and immediately, she recognized the impatient yet rigid handwriting on the front. It was Ethan’s handwriting, and the letter was addressed to her.

She accepted it, tracing her fingers over the imprint of her name. Charlie was desperate to open it, hoping it had some explanation for all the strangeness around her, but she was too embarrassed to tear it open when Naveen had just informed her of the intended delivery. If she wasn’t supposed to receive this letter for another two hours, was it fair to open it now?

Naveen watched expectantly, hoping she would tear that letter to shreds and stop the melodramatic catastrophe ahead. He frowned when she hesitated.

Finally, he pointedly said, “I’ll give you privacy so you can read your letter. I’ll be in my office when you have questions.”

“When I have questions?” Charlie repeated, but Naveen had already started walking away – eager to have that enveloped opened.

Charlie’s eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the small envelop once more. None of this made sense. Ethan was a creature of habit – but everything about this went against his usual behavior. He’d left work without warning. He’d written her a letter, which he’d never done before, and then cryptically given it to Naveen for delivery. Something was happening, and she didn’t like it.

Curiosity got the better of her, and within moments of being alone, she ripped the envelop to shreds, too curious to protect the paper. Her eyes flew over the words, too stunned to speak as she processed the contents.

“My darling Charlotte,

I don’t know if this letter is a relief or a betrayal. I don’t even know which I’d prefer.

I’m leaving Boston. By the time you read this letter, I will be on a flight to San Diego for an interview. If all goes according to plan, you’ll never have to see me again. I don’t trust myself to come back before starting the new job. I’m already so close to abandoning this grand gesture and selfishly demanding your forgiveness when I know you should never forgive me.

Charlie, you deserve Boston. You deserve Edenbrook. You deserve the illustrious career I know you’ll have. You deserve the dream I ruined.

I can’t stop you from leaving, but I can take away your reason for going. If you’re running away from me, there’s no need. I’m already gone.

Please stay. Be the amazing doctor I know you were meant to be. I’ll read every paper you ever publish. I’ll be proud of every discovery you make. And I’ll rest easy knowing that you needed to be free of me to achieve it all.

 Don’t let me be the reason you upend your life and career. I’m not worth it. But you, my brilliant Charlotte, are worth everything.

I love you, Rookie. Make me proud.

-ER”

Charlie read the letter over and over again – as if repetition could cure the incurable and explain the unexplainable.

Anger and despair roared with each new word, resulting in shaking hands and a tear-stained page.

This… This… This asshole.

This self-important, self-sabotaging asshole! He had to get his way. He was so insufferably stubborn – almost as infuriating a match to her own tenacity. Somehow, Ethan managed to be the worst of them both, indulging in all of Charlie’s worst faults and adding more of his own. To do something like this – Charlie raged and mourned in equal measure.

He left before she could. And then he didn’t even tell her!

Because of him, the last time she’d be able to see him was this morning in the halls.

She hadn’t appreciated it. She hadn’t catalogued all the lines on his face or savored the scent of his cologne. Now that she tried to remember, she didn’t even know what color his tie was. Had he been wearing a tie?

She deserved a better memory. And fuck, the last time she saw him couldn’t be today. She was tired and disheveled. She wasn’t even sure if she’d remembered to put in deodorant this morning, and this was her final viewing?

There was so much she still needed to do. She needed to yell and scream at him. She needed to hold him and smell him and remember all the little details. She needed more time.

No.

He didn’t get to leave like this.

Not without saying goodbye. Or giving her this ridiculous, infuriating, and heartfelt letter instead.

What a pathetic, ridiculous trade. She’d spent two years loving him and one year sharing his bed, and now she didn’t even get a proper goodbye.

It wasn’t even the first time he’d done this to her. He’d abruptly abandoned her in the name of self-sacrifice before, and she’d done the same to him. But it was different now. She knew how he liked his coffee. She knew the laundry detergent he preferred. She knew … him.

Charlie nursed her anger like a neglected seedling, hoping that fury could erase the deep sense of loss in her chest. But her wrath failed to take root. Every time she told herself she hated Ethan Ramsey, she remembered the last lines of the letter.

“I love you, Rookie.”

Ethan loved her.

Charlie loved him.

The rest of it was a petty race to see who could fuck up first.

The fights seemed so stupid now. The issues looked resolvable. She could spend the rest of her life with this man if they’d both just let the other stay.

And suddenly, it was so simple that Charlie felt ridiculous for not seeing it before. Charlie loved Ethan more than she loved her reasons keeping them apart, and she deserved the right to say that to his face.

She had to stop him. He hadn’t left yet – she had time.

The realization spurred Charlie to movement, and before she knew it, she was sprinting through the halls to Naveen’s office. She needed to find out which airport he’d gone to. She could track down the flight from there, and if she left quickly, she might make it in time. But she’d need to tell someone before she left. She couldn’t just abandon her patients without approval.

Everyone moved out of her way – some with confused expressions, others with a knowing sense of relief. Later, she would wonder how much her coworkers knew about Ethan’s secret plan to leave, but hopefully, she’d be safely tucked in Ethan’s arms by the time those thoughts reached her.

Naveen’s assistant wordlessly motioned Charlie into his office, despite the meetings Naveen said would consume his entire afternoon.

Breathlessly, Charlie heaved at the door and sputtered out a series of questions, “Where is he? When’s his flight? I need to go, I’m so sorry, but someone needs to cover my patients because-“

Naveen cut her off. Luckily, he’d prepared for all of those requests. Otherwise, he would have had to rely on her labored speech, and that would have been too time-consuming to decipher. How fast had she been running?

“Dr. Carrick has taken over your patients for the next hour, and Dr. Trinh offered to take the hour after that, if you need it. The list goes on, as you can imagine,” Naveen calmly shuffled through his papers, “Ethan is flying out of Logan Airport on a Delta flight scheduled for 1:55. The monitors will tell you his gate number. If you leave now, you’ll make it there before he gets through security, but just in case, I bought you a ticket.”

Naveen held out a piece of paper – an airline ticket to Nevada leaving at midnight. It was the cheapest same-day flight he could find.

“But how…?” Charlie trailed off, accepting the paper. It was too grand of a gesture, but she also couldn’t fathom giving it back.

“People who aren’t in love don’t have to run thousands of miles away to stay away from each other,” Naveen smiled softly, “I always knew you two would find your way back to each other. I just wished you hadn’t been so dramatic in getting there.”

“Naveen,” Charlie choked, rubbing her thumb along the ticket barcode. Charlie knew she’d never step foot in Nevada, but it was still the greatest gift she’d ever received, “Thank you so much. I can’t begin to tell you how much this means –“Charlie wiped at her eyes, momentarily forgetting the rush as she tried not to cry.

“Sweet Charlotte, you are one of my dearest friends. But you need to leave right now and stop Ethan from making a huge mistake.”

“Right, oh my God,” Charlie felt the anxiety creep back into her bones, making her practically bounce in place with the effort to stay still, “Thank you! I need to get a cab, fuck,” Charlie covered her mouth, offering an apology for her language as she rushed out of the office.

 Naveen smiled softly with relief.

One day, he would tell them that watching them fall in love was one of the most stressful experiences of his life, but today, he was satisfied that they were still in love.

Charlie bolted though Edenbrook with less care than should have been reserved for such a delicate place of healing. She weaved and ran through the halls, apologizing when necessary and promising to make up for the inconvenience. But she didn’t stop running.

Not even when she got out her phone to secure the fastest ride to the airport she could find, even if the cost made her wince.

Ethan was wrong. He was worth it. He was worth everything. Even an outrageous cab fare.

She imagined his face when she found him at the airport. What would she say? How would she convince him to stay? Would he even listen to her? For the first time, Charlie was thankful for the luxury of a long cab ride to compose her thoughts.

But then she didn’t need to imagine his face.

Because, when she reached the front door of Edenbrook, there he was.

He was standing outside, still putting his suitcase in the backseat of the cab. She didn’t need to race to the airport – he was still here.

Charlie couldn’t believe it, staring at him with a mix of awe and disbelief.

“You’re here,” Charlie breathed, amazed he heard her over the bustling city behind them. But of course, he did. It was Charlie. He always noticed her.

But she wasn’t supposed to be here.

“I am,” Ethan froze.

I almost didn’t go, he thought. His car was originally scheduled for 11:30 sharp. He’d technically been off the clock for an hour now, but he’d pushed back his car so many times that a bad stretch of traffic could ruin his entire itinerary. He’d lingered in his office for so long, finding every reason to procrastinate his exit. It was as if he’d hoped she’d sensed the danger and come running. When she didn’t magically come to stop him, he’d forced himself out of the hospital – only to wander the block for a while before finally getting in his cab.

He'd wanted to see her one last time. He wasn’t sure if he could leave without a proper send-off. But he also knew that seeing her would ruin his whole plan. There would never be enough “lasts” with Charlie. He would always want one more look, one more conversation, one more kiss. He’d spend his whole life chasing the perfect memory with her, and by then, it would be too late. He had to go before his mistakes were too engrained in her life to be undone.

But there she was – his beautiful Charlotte. He felt his resolve break before he could even admit it to himself. He’d always find a reason to stay for her.

And Charlie’s resolve broke a little bit too – just for different reasons. Her simple realization was muddied with hard truths and stinging betrayals – the most daunting of all was how much she loved him. She was so angry and hurt, but she was still so foolishly in love. She was his to hold and his to break, and they were both very good at breaking things.

It took a very large dose of courage to finally start talking.

And she began terribly.

“You are stubborn. And you think you’re always right. You’re so fucking afraid of ruining things that you try to ruin it. You should have let me make my own decisions, and you were wrong to try to fix everything because you disagreed with me,” Charlie puffed out. Her cheeks flushed with the effort of running after him and the frustration flowing through her words.

“Charlotte I’m so-“

“I’m not done,” Charlie cut him off. “You were an asshole to leave without saying goodbye – when you went to the Amazon and now.”

“How did you know I-?” Ethan began, but she silenced him with a look.

It wasn’t two yet. She wasn’t supposed to have the letter.

“But I did the same thing to you. We’re both…” Charlie paused, trying to find the perfect way to describe their cosmically misaligned faults. But all she could come up with was “Assholes. But I love you, and I’m not letting you get on that plane.”

Ethan’s hands itched to take hers – to abandon his grand gesture and run up to her. To hold her. To feel the warmth of her skin and feel the thump of her heartbeat. To promise to spend the rest of his life making up for his mistakes.

But at his core, Ethan didn’t believe he deserved her. He was too damaged. Too insecure and irrational. To self-righteous and overbearing. He’d done too much wrong to ever deserve something so right.

“I’ll ruin your life,” Ethan managed, despite the lump in his throat and the crippling sorrow that he’d never be enough for the woman he loved. He said it like a warning, like he was begging her to believe him. Even in protesting, he knew he couldn’t resist running back to her.

“No, you won’t,” Charlie said firmly. She didn’t know where she found such resolve when, in all likelihood, he would ruin her life. She’d never be the same after him. One misstep and she’d be destroyed. But she gave him the trust she wanted them both to earn.

Ethan shook his head, but he was already walking toward her. She was like a magnet, pulling him closer and closer to danger. He was close enough to smell her shampoo – coconut and vanilla – and it almost broke him. Tears welling in his eyes, Ethan’s fingertips grazed her cheek. When she leaned into his hand, he instinctively cupped her face, pushing a stray curl out of her eyes.

When he looked at her, it was with desperation.

Desperation that she believed him – that she understood the profound risk associated with loving him.

And desperation that she wouldn’t care. That he could hold her until they were nothing but bone and old memories.

“I couldn’t even tell anyone you were mine. Just like you said – I was so afraid of fucking everything up that I actually fucked it up,” Ethan was pleading with her to appreciate how horrible he’d been, “You deserve better.”

He didn’t even realize that, since approaching her, he’d bent his knees to even out their height difference. He didn’t feel the way he bent to her, still desperately concerned with being close to her. Something about that made her smile.

“Would you do that now?” she asked, hoping she already knew the answer.

He should have lied.

That would be the right thing to do.

But the idea of hiding her now was so outrageous that Ethan laughed. A weak, tear-stained, breathless laugh – but a laugh all the same.

“No,” he shook his head, “I’d scream it from the atrium. I’d be obnoxious about it. Probably even marry you and force you to take my last name like some asshole.”

Dr. Charlotte Ramsey.

It wasn’t terrible to either of their ears.

“I wouldn’t change my name,” Charlie countered, the smile still lingering on her lips.

“Good,” Ethan was laughing again. He traced the curve of her cheek, swallowing back a sob as he asked himself what the fuck he was doing.

He was supposed to be running away right now. Why was he holding her?

“I know we keep messing it up,” Charlie chewed on her lower lip, and it took every ounce of Ethan’s resolve not to free it, “But I love you. I don’t want to live without you, and I genuinely believe we can make it work. We just… need to be less dramatic, maybe. Talk it out instead of threatening to move to different states.”

That was funny, Ethan thought to himself, but he was too panic-stricken to laugh.

“What if I hurt you?” Ethan asked with such raw pain and fear that it took Charlie aback.

“You will,” she said quickly – too quickly to phrase it as delicately as the conversation deserved.

Of course, he would. Reminded of his ultimate mission, Ethan started to pull away – intent on getting the hell out of Massachusetts before he could harm her. Charlie stopped him, clamping her hands on his wrist desperately.

“I’m going to hurt you, too. That’s just what happens, Ethan. But I still love you, and if being in love with you means that we’re going to hurt each other sometimes, I still want you,” Charlie confessed, “I trust you, Ethan. Even if you don’t trust yourself.”

By now, they’d amassed a curious crowd of onlookers, but Ethan would have rather died than let her go and pretend like he didn’t love her for the sake of some strangers. Sensing them, too, Charlie started to untangle herself from their complicated embrace, but Ethan stopped her.

I don’t care if they see, he quietly implored. Her eyes widened, and to her own surprise, she did trust him.

“Stay with me in Boston,” Charlie begged.

“What if I ruin your career?”

“I don’t care.”

“What if I hurt you and we don’t work it out – and all of it could have been avoided if I’d just left today?”

“I’d still want you to stay.”

She’d want me to stay, Ethan mulled over that phrase until it was part of his soul.

This brilliant, wonderful, kind, and thoughtful woman. She’s everything he ever wanted but never thought he’d deserve. And she trusted him. She wanted him.

Maybe he just had to trust her, too.

His plans crumbled in his hands – self-sacrifice be damned. All he ever wanted was Charlie, and oh my God, he was actually going to let himself have it.

“I’m going to stay,” Ethan said, eyes dazed. Like he hadn’t really processed what that meant.

But Charlie had. She was grinning ear-to-ear, and in his stunned state, Ethan thought she looked the most beautiful she’d ever looked.

I’m staying, he thought, I’m going to live the rest of my life loving Charlotte Greene.

How the hell did he get so lucky?

Eyes still brimming with tears, Ethan’s face split into a smile, and he scooped her in his arms, forgetting about their height difference as he lifted her off the ground to hold her close. His darling, wonderful Charlotte.

“I love you so much I can’t sleep without you,” the words flowed out of his mouth so quickly that Charlie could hardly process them. Every compliment and moment of affection he’d held back poured from his lips, intermixed with kisses across her skin. “I love you,” he kissed her nose. “I love you, Rookie.” He kissed her cheek.

He would have carried on like that forever – finding some new way to say he loved her as he kissed every inch of her face.

But Charlie interrupted him, looping her arms around his neck and kissing his lips the way she’d wanted to for months. It was raw and unrefined, blending pure adoration with desperation and unbridled need. It was spliced with flowing tears and face-splitting smiles, and it was the best kiss she’d ever had.

“I love you, Ethan Ramsey,” Charlie breathed against him, so mind-numbingly happy that she momentarily forgot every sadness she’d ever felt.

“I love you, Charlotte Greene,” Ethan replied, matching her smile. Passively, he wondered how long he’d have to wait until he could tack on a ‘Ramsey’ to that last name. Given how he felt right now, he’d last an hour before he was on his knees begging her.

Then again, doing that would require releasing her from his arms – and he had no interest in doing that.

HOOONNNKKKKK.

Charlie jumped, breaking apart just enough that Ethan could mourn the absence of her warmth, and he carefully put her down. They both looked to find the cab driver impatiently waiting for them. Admittedly, he’d been interested in their grand reunion, but he didn’t have all day to wait on a pair of lovebirds kissing on a sidewalk.

“Are we going to the airport or not?” he demanded.

“We are not,” Ethan grinned, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. He pulled out two hundred dollar bills and offered them in conciliation for the wasted time. He looked back to Charlie, “We could still do a local fare. I have the rest of the day off.”

He hoped she’d suggest they just went home. He was eager to spend the entire day reclaiming every inch of that apartment with affection for Charlie, rather than the ghosts of her devastating absence. It was only a bonus if that day was mostly spent in bed.

But before she could say yes, her pager buzzed, informing her of an urgent patient update. Wasn’t Tobias supposed to take her calls?

“Shit, I need to check on this,” she frowned down at the device, cursing it and whoever sent the message, “But don’t go! I’ll find you right after. Just wait here.”

Charlie couldn’t fathom the idea of letting him go off in that car alone. She wasn’t convinced he wouldn’t still go to that stupid airport, so she lingered nervously.

“I promise I’m staying – in Boston and here while you check on the patient.” There was nothing that would take Ethan away now.

Charlie looked back at her pager, wondering how bad it would be if she just ignored it. But when confronted with all the horrific possibilities, beginning with a harmed patient and ending with the loss of her medical license, she immediately tucked the pager back in her pocket and rushed towards Ethan, giving him a quick kiss, “I’ll see you soon.”

“I know,” he kissed the tip of her nose.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now go.”

Ethan watched Charlie rush back into the hospital, despite looking over her shoulder at least a dozen times. When she was out of sight, Ethan gave the cab driver another fifty-dollar bill just to celebrate his good mood, and he took his suitcase out of the back, allowing the man to get about his day.

When Ethan started walking into the hospital, he got a better look at their witnesses, and he recognized a few faces. They looked nervous, like witnessing Charlie and Ethan was too personal to be the hospital gossip they’d hoped for.

Ethan waved politely, unbothered by their presence.

“We won’t tell, Dr. Ramsey,” one of them spoke up – a nurse on the third floor who Ethan recognized as being particularly kind to the residents when she helped clean up their mistakes. It was fitting that she would try to clean this up, too. Even if she didn’t know the full extent of Bloom’s threat, she knew that professing his love for a resident would be a huge scandal for Dr. Ramsey.

“No need,” Ethan shook his head, “But thank you.”

The nurse eyed him, silently offering him another chance to save himself, but Ethan didn’t take it.

Ethan picked Charlie. Despite all the danger of heartbreak and personal ruin, he’d promised to stay. And he knew that he couldn’t do that if he maintained the secrecy that drove them apart in the first place. Something had to change, and that meant being open about who he loved and how much he loved her.