Going to meet John’s parents for dinner wasn’t necessarily your idea of a good time, but when he asked if you’d go, how could you tell him no?

Plus, maybe they wouldn’t be so bad when it was just the two of you and not a bunch of other people around, and not a funeral.

You were holding on to that hope. These are John’s parents after all, and you could handle them hating you just to hate you, but your insecurities poked and prodded at the surface. John never made you feel bad because of your background, but you fear his parents might not like you for that reason, and you can’t change your background.

So you just didn’t want to be fighting a losing battle trying to make a good impression.

You stood in the doctor’s lounge, looking in the small mirror in your shared locker. You carefully dragged your red lipstick over your bottom lip, loving how it perfectly matched your red dress. This was a fancy restaurant, so you wanted to look your best, and you know it’s John’s favorite color on you. That was just icing on the cake though.

“Hey, are you ready?” John burst through the door to the lounge and stopped dead in his track when he saw you, letting out a low whistle as he took in your figure.

“You look amazing… are you sure we’re going to dinner with my parents? I mean we could always call and cancel…” He trailed off as he walked up behind you, wrapping his arms around your midsection.

You rolled your eyes playfully, and rubbed your lips together making sure the lipstick was evenly distributed.

“Yeah, call and cancel so your parents can blame the nurse that seduced their son. That’s just the ammo they need.” You threw your lipstick in your purse and picked it up, turning around in his arms to face him.

You’d never get sick of seeing his emotions swing so expressively in those pretty brown eyes of his, but the one he was looking at you with now? The utter devotion and love for you, sprinkled in with a little bit of lust; it was your favorite. You prayed to the universe that he would always look at you like that.

“Hey, hey…” he soothingly ran his thumb across your jawline, “.. they don’t think that about you.”

You closed your eyes for a moment and let his words sink in.

“And if anything, it was me that seduced you, so they’d have their stories all wrong.”

“John!” You lightheartedly smacked his arm, sending him into a fit of laughter.

You turned and closed the locker, turning to look at him pointedly, “Let’s go and do this before I change my mind and make you go to this alone.”

—

You walked out of the hospital and towards John’s car, hand in hand, when he stopped dead in his tracks, causing you to stop as well and look at him in confusion.

“I need to go back and tell Weaver I want the attending position.”

His words just confused you further. Sure, he had been talking about wanting it, but was now really the time to do that?

“You mean right now? I mean we will be back in the morning.”

“I need to do it now, while I’m feeling confident about it.” You could tell he was really feeling convicted about it, so you just nodded your head, “Okay, go get that position. You want me to come back in with you?”

He reached out for your hand and placed his car keys in them, and leaned down to place a quick kiss on your lips. Then lingered on your lips for a moment longer. You were finally the one to pull away.

“Are you still going?”

He looked at you like a dazed teenage boy, crooked grin and all, “Yes, I am. You just seduced me with your stunning goo-“

You pushed him away with a warm laugh coming from your lips, “Okay, okay, just go!”

“No need to come back in, I’ll be quick as possible, but I don’t want both of us to be late. So you go ahead and drive my car, I’ll take the train and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

He said it so fast and had already turned around and jogged towards the door that you didn’t have time to object. Not that you minded him leaving alone, it was the fact the train could be unreliable, and you didn’t want to be stuck alone with his parents for a long period of time.

“I hope that man knows how much I love him.” You mumbled under your breath, defeatedly walking towards where his car was parked.

—

The restaurant was stunning, not that you expected anything less from a place his parents chose. You walked in and hated how you felt out of place by yourself.

Thankfully, the hostess greeted you before you could dwell on it any further.

She asked if you had a reservation, and you told her you did, it was under Carter, and she smiled and happily showed you to your table. A pretty table with seats for four. Two of which were already occupied. Seeing John’s parents already sitting there made you want to turn right back around and walk out, but you were too far committed now.

You have them your most reluctant, polite smile when they spotted you. They smiled but you could tell it was just as courteous.

“Mr and Mrs. Carter it’s nice to see you, I don’t know if John got the ch-“

“Oh, yes he called us, said he’d be on his way soon. Said he got held up at the hospital.” His dad cut you off and you sat down at your seat and let it happen like your blood pressure hadn’t gone up in the few moments you’ve been here.

You hoped that meant John wasn’t far behind, and that his talk with Weaver had gone well.

“Well, I’m glad he informed you.”

The three of you sat in silence. You took your wine glass that was already filled with some sort of red wine that you could only imagine was more expensive than any place you’ve lived, and sipped on it. Given a choice you could’ve easily taken it all down in one go, but you were trying to at least act like a civilized person.

“So… where are you from, Sunny?” His mom asked, her piercing blue eyes felt like they could see right through you.

You put your glass down, “Here. In Chicago. Born and raised.”

“That’s nice… so your family is all here? Your parents?”

You snorted a bit to yourself at her next question, sure it was a common one to ask someone but you had a feeling this was more interrogation than anything.

“My biological parents aren’t around, I was raised by my grandparents. My biological mother’s folks.” You didn’t want to go into the whole spiel, especially in front of John’s parents, it wasn’t a complicated story but one you didn't particularly like bringing up if you didn’t have to. Hopefully the would be satisfied with that.

You were going to kick John’s ass for leaving you alone this long with them.

“You said you were from here, what part did you grow up in?” His dad finally spoke and turned the conversation away from your family for at least the moment.

“South side, the Bridgeport area.”

His parents tried to subtly exchange glances, but you clearly saw it. Your working class background never bothered John. Maybe caused some confusion between you two at times because he did grow up with an actual butler in his house after all, and you hadn’t ever been on a vacation outside of Illinois until he took you on one, but it was never a problem.

For his parents it seemed quite the opposite.

Your mind went back to his father wanting to introduce John to a senator’s daughter at his grandfather’s funeral. That was the kind of person they wanted him with.

Someone like them.

“Yeah, I know the area.” His father stated with a polite smile.

Thankfully the awkward conversation was cut short with the waiter coming around.

He topped off glasses, and took everyone’s orders.

When he was done taking yours, you heard your cellphone going off, fumbling a little less gracefully than you’d have liked, to pull in from your bag. Flipping it open, John’s name flashing across its tiny screen.

Your eyes cut up to see John’s parents staring at you from across the table. His father looked rather indifferent, but his mother’s judgmental gaze caused a heat to crawl from your neck up into your face.

“Sorry, I’ll be right back.”

You stood up and took yourself outside the restaurant, stepping away so no one was around you, you answered and pressed the phone to your ear.

“Hello?”

“Hey sweetheart, I only have a minute to talk, if even that, but I just wanted to let you know I’m not going to make it to dinner.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose, trying to fight off the headache that seemed to be coming on at his words.

“John… what? Why?”

“I went to talk to Weaver and now I’m swamped with patients.” There was a long pause, “… you’re not mad are you?”

You sighed heavily, shaking your head back and forth even though he couldn’t see it, “No, of course not. You can’t help that you got sucked back into the vortex. Did you at least get an answer from Weaver?”

Please, at least let this painful experience be worth something.

“See, about that-“ you heard the sounds of the ER reach a crescendo, “-I’m sorry babe, I gotta go.”

The phone went silent on the other end but you still called out, “John? Are you there?”

He owed you big time for this.

You kept yourself from banging your head on the brick wall next to you and snapped your phone shut, taking a deep breath while hyping yourself up in your mind. You can do this. You’ve worked on patients with gun shots in places they shouldn’t have even survived in! You’ve cared for people at their lowest, when they're sometimes just mad at the world but take it out on you, and you still take care of them with a smile. You watched your boyfriend lay half dead in trauma two, and somehow came out on the other side of it.

Having a quick dinner with John’s parents, by yourself, should be easy.

Should be.

Walking back into the restaurant you find your way back to your seat. The food that had been ordered already sat at the table, and his parents already eating. They didn’t seem to be talking as you sat down, but they both looked up at you as you slipped your phone back in your bag.

“I’m sorry again, that was-“

“John? Yeah, he just called his father and said he wouldn’t be able to make it. It’s that hospital again.” His mother interrupted you, already taking all the poise in to not just walk right back outside.

At least he was able to tell them himself despite the rush he was in.

You smiled politely, “He works very hard and is very beloved at County. He goes above and beyond, sometimes I worry for him because of it, that he pushes himself too hard, but he wouldn't be the man I love if he didn't love his job.”

As you picked up your fork to eat, you didn’t even look up at his parents after the answer.

They didn’t answer and seemingly just kept on eating, which honestly you were grateful for. You just wanted to finish your food and get out of here as soon as possible.

You thought about how… harsh Gamma and John Sr. had seemed at first, but it turned out they both just loved John, and were highly protective of him.

You had come around to understand each other, and they realized you loved John, no ulterior motives behind it.

So maybe their exteriors would be more forgiving given some time.

John had told you about his childhood, how after his brother died his parents were emotionally, and a lot of the time physically, distant. Hell, after he had been stabbed you and his grandparents had been the ones by his side the whole time. His parents didn’t show up until three weeks later.

Even with all that, John still loved them. They’re his parents, of course he loved them, but that didn't mean you had to like them.

You loved John with every part of your being, it was why you were trying with his parents, but they had hurt him and as his partner you couldn’t stand it.

“Can we have the check please?”

You had been so caught up in your own thoughts you hadn't noticed his parents had finished their meal, you honestly hadn’t ate much, but you weren’t feeling particularly hungry.

“I’ll pay for mine.” You piped up, looking at his father you had asked for the check.

“Nonsense. We’ll pay for it.” His dad said dismissively, as he pulled out his wallet.

“Well, thank you. This dinner has been lovely. I hope John can make it next time.”

You made sure your area was relatively tidy, and stood up, grabbing your bag and letting it rest on your shoulder.

“Yes, it was nice.”

His mother gave you a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and his dad gave you a quick nod. You happily took the out and made your way out of the restaurant.

Well, that could’ve gone worse. Definitely could’ve gone better, but for a dinner with John’s parents by yourself, it went about as expected.

—

You had gone to your house to check up on everything, and showered while you were there. Cher, your kitty companion, had been staying with you and John at Gamma’s. So there was no need to worry about her, but you still liked to check on the house, just to make sure everything was fine. Plus, you wanted to grab some more clothes and scrubs, the stay at Gamma’s was lasting longer than you had expected, but you didn’t mind.

She’d just lost the love of her life, if you could lighten the load of that even a little, you were happy to do so.

You still weren’t on for a few more hours, but decided to head back to the hospital early since you hadn’t heard from John again. He really must’ve gotten swamped.

You parked John’s car and made your way through the ambulance bay and into the doctor’s lounge, smoothly changing into your scrubs and moving to put away your bag. John’s jacket still hanging in the locker so he was definitely still here.

Once done you found your way to the admit desk, leaning on it, you waited for Frank to turn around and notice you,

“Hey Frank, have you seen John anywhere?”

“I think Connie said he’s sleeping in exam room 3.” The gruff man answered.

“Perfect. Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He waved you off but you had already taken off down the hall.

It seemed to have calmed down around here a bit, or as much as it ever does.

You felt tired from lack of sleep, but plenty of overtime and overlapping shifts had made lack of sleep something you could handle pretty well.

Stopping at exam room 3, a smile spread across your face. “DO NOT DISTURB!! I GAVE AT THE OFFICE!” Was scrawled on a piece of paper in John’s handwriting. You slid into the room and closed the door behind you as softly as you could.

You saw John laid out on the hospital bed, mouth slightly agape as he softly snored.

You wish he had gone back to Gamma’s to sleep but you knew he was thinking at this point it was better to just stay here than to leave.

He laid on his side, so you careful put yourself in the space beside him, it wasn’t easy but you made it work. You looked up at him before curling into his body.

“If this is Malucci playing some kind of joke, I will quit.”

His soft, sleepy voice scared you for a second, but he already slung an arm around your waist to pull you as close as possible, and you relaxed into the touch.

“I don’t think he would be that stupid.” You quipped back.

John placed a kiss on the top of your head, before resting his head on top of yours.

“How did the dinner go?”

Your moment of drawn out silence spoke for itself as you traced patterns on his forearm, “It was fine. I mean, it was awkward, but it definitely could’ve gone worse…”

But it definitely could’ve gone a lot better.

You didn’t say that, even though you knew John could read in between the lines.

“Just know I won’t be doing it without you again. For my own sanity.”

You felt him press a soft kiss to your head.

“You won’t have to, I promise. I’m sorry I missed tonight, sorry I left you alone. You know much of a vortex the ER can be, I tried to leave so many times.”

“I know.” You said back, the two of you just laying in silence for a few moments.

You listened to the steady beat of his heart as your eyes started to get heavy.

You knew John had to be close to being back to sleep if he wasn’t already, but you still whispered, “I love you, John.”

You closed your eyes, but a smile spread across your face when you heard him rumble under his breath,