Magical Secrets of Love

Osborne

“Where’s Thorney?” Quinn asks, feeling panic rise in his chest.

“The nurse took her back to get her vitals,” Dallas said, trying to fill out the information, but his hand was shaking nervously. He wasn’t as bad as his sister and he would never admit it, but he hated hospitals too.

“Hand me the clipboard,” Quinn says, “go be with Paris, I’ll fill this out.”

“Are you sure you can?” Dallas questions.

“I know everything about the two of you. We’ve been friends forever.” He says, taking the pen and registration forms. “But Paris must be scared alone. You know she hates hospitals, so you should be with her until your dad gets here.”

Dallas smiles and goes around the corner. The nurse allows him to enter the Emergency area. Quinn takes his time to complete the information. When he gets to the question if she is sexually active, he hesitates and squeezes the pen, almost breaking it. He knows nearly everything about her except the things that make her a girl and human. He sighs and leaves the box unchecked.

“Nichols.” a voice says, and he looks up to see a doctor.

“Osborne?” he shakes his hand after the man nods.

“This stunt will slow your observation but does provide us with the perfect timing to collect some blood and run some tests on her,” the doctor states.

“She hates hospitals,” Quinn states, “Can we make this process as quick as possible? Expedite the process.”

“We can try,” he says, rubbing his chin, “but if that's true, the stress may help confirm her power.”

“She doesn’t trust doctors,” Quinn adds, “So I would refrain from saying anything you don’t want to explain.” The doctor tilts his head considering Quinn’s comments.

“I will endeavor to keep her comfortable,” Osborne says as Quinn sees them roll Paris into the next examination room and they both follow. He hands the doctor the clipboard, and Osborne pretends to review it even though he has already been briefed on her situation.

“Hello Ms. Hawthorne,” Dr. Osborne says as they enter the examination room. Quinn goes to the corner, trying to look invisible. “I hear you had a little boating accident and hurt your head.”

Dr. Osborne places the clipboard on the bed next to her and slides on some gloves. He examines her bandaging.

“The bandaging was done very well,” he comments, and the twins look at Quinn and smile. “Well, it’s not deep enough for stitches, but we can use some invisible tape to help it seal. You will have to keep it clean and bandaged for a few days.”

He touches the cut, and she winces, “Are you feeling any dizziness or nausea or headaches.” Paris nods yes, and he has her follow her finger, and then he looks into her eyes. “OK well to make sure you don’t have a major concussion, we are going to run a few tests, and draw some blood.” He examines her ankle and tries to do a single rotation when she tries to pull away. “May be sprained. We'd want to wrap this up and maybe use some painkillers to help with the pain.”

“No drugs.” Dallas and Paris say in unison. Quinn noticed how her eyes got big when he mentioned painkillers.

“Have you been drinking?” the doctor asks, she shakes her head no. “You don’t want even any over-the-counter medication at all, like Ibuprofen?” Osborne asks. Paris shakes her head no. Osborne picks up the clipboard and notices the questions about her s****l activity and medication are blank. He looks toward Quinn, “You left her medication list blank on purpose?”

“Yes,” he says, standing up straight, “She won’t even take cough syrup, she prefers honey and hot water when she has a cold.”

Paris made a face surprised he knew that. She is even more surprised that Quinn completed her registration and not Dallas.

“No birth control?” The doctor looks at Paris, and she looks at her brother and Quinn, clearly embarrassed.

“Yes,” she says. Quinn looks surprised and doesn’t look away. Maybe she is sexually active. That would explain the passionate kiss they had earlier. He wonders who she’s been with and starts to feel anger in his chest.

“It’s the only medication I take. My periods can be very intense and painful. I have an implant in my arm.” She says, and the doctor adds the information to her medical history.

“I also see no operations, allergies, or other hospital visits?” He asks, looking at Quinn again briefly.

“No, I’m usually pretty healthy,” Paris answers. She is relieved he doesn’t ask any more embarrassing questions about her reproductive system. Dallas listens intently but only with concern, completely oblivious to her embarrassment. She smiles at him, knowing he doesn’t care. He goes to the store to buy her pads and tampons.

“Well, let’s get these tests going,” Dr. Osborne says as he begins to leave. “No drugs, and hopefully we will have you in and out in just a few hours. You must stay awake though, we have to observe you for the concussion protocol.”

The doctor smiles, shakes hands with them all, and heads out of the room. Dallas goes to sit next to his sister as her leg shakes. Quinn takes a seat next to the bed and observes her jitters and quirks. He captures Paris' eyes long enough to mimic a deep breath, and she does it back.

A nurse enters and draws blood. Dallas holds her hand and tries to talk to her to distract her from the needle. A few moments later, her dad enters. He hugs his children but decides Quinn and Dallas should head home. He’ll stay at the hospital with Paris. He insists they head home and get some rest. As the boys leave, a lab tech makes his way into her room to take her for the scans that Dr. Osborne ordered.

“Thanks for your help bro,” Dallas says, clasping him on the back. “ Good looking out. I can always count on you having my and my sister’s backs. I truly appreciate you.” Quinn only nods as a black car pulls up by the Jeep.

“Mr. Nichols?” the driver says and gets out of the sleek car. Quinn nods and looks back at Dallas. “Your aunt has sent a car for you, she asked to see you immediately.”

“How did she know you were here?” Dallas asks skeptically.

“She has your location, sir,” the driver explains, “your parents told her to check on you periodically, but she asked me to pick you up.”

“I’m staying with Dallas,” Quinn says, grabbing the car handle to go with Dallas.

“I’m sorry sir, she told me to bring you to her house at all costs.” Quinn sighs at the driver's statement.

“OK fine,” Quinn concedes, “I’ll see you later. I’ll crash at my aunt’s. Text me when Paris is home.”

As Quinn climbs into the car, “What do they want now?” He asks himself, not expecting an answer. He could already imagine what his aunt was going to order him to do.

“Debrief and your task may have gotten a little complicated,” the driver states. Quinn sighs, knowing the driver is only doing his job.

As the car pulls off, Dallas jokes, “Somebody call 911, they’re kidnapping my best friend.” Quinn waves out the window, and they head into the mountains. Quinn closes his eyes and thinks of pleasant thoughts. Those thoughts are all of Paris and her soft body on his.