Chapter 12: A Quiet morning
1195 Words
Chapter 12: A Quiet Morning
An alarmtone echoed somewhere in the distance.
Dr. Fiona Kennigton-Harper stirred.
For a few seconds, she remained still, blinking at the ceiling of the small on-call room she occasionally used at the hospital. Her neck ached slightly from sleeping on top of the duvet instead of under it.
She sighed.
Apparently, twenty minutes had turned into nearly three hours.
The room was dim, illuminated by the pale morning sunlight filtering through the blinds. Her white coat lay folded on a nearby chair, and her phone rested on the bedside table.
Almost as if it had sensed she was awake, it began vibrating.
She frowned.
Who was calling this early?
She reached for it.
A smile tugged at her lips.
"Eddie."
She swiped to answer.
"Well, look who's alive," came his cheerful voice.
Fiona chuckled and sat up. "Good morning to you too."
"It's almost noon, Fi."
She glanced at the clock.
11:37 a.m.
"Wow."
"Exactly my point."
She laughed softly. "I guess I needed the sleep."
"You sound exhausted."
"I am exhausted."
"Still living at the hospital?"
"Pretty much."
"Tsk. One day they're going to put your picture on the wall and make you Employee of the Century."
She laughed again.
"I'll take that award proudly."
"Of course, you would."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Eddie had always been easy to talk to.
Growing up, he had been less like a cousin and more like an older brother. Whenever life became too overwhelming, he somehow knew exactly when to call.
"So," he said. "How's my favourite doctor?"
"Your only doctor cousin."
"Details."
She smiled.
"I'm okay."
"Just okay?"
"I'm tired, Eddie."
"You work too much."
"You sound exactly like my mother."
"Dr. Harper is a wise woman."
"Traitor."
He laughed.
"I'm serious, Fi. You need to take a break."
"And do what?"
"I don't know. Sleep. Eat. Read one of your romance novels."
"I don't read that many romance novels."
"You absolutely do."
"I absolutely don't."
"You cried over one once."
"I was seventeen."
"You still cried."
Fiona shook her head, smiling.
"You called me just to embarrass me?"
"Maybe."
"You're unbelievable."
"I've been told."
She leaned against the headboard.
"How are you?" she asked.
"I'm good."
"Work?"
"Busy."
"When is it not?"
"Fair point."
She smiled.
"And Sonya?"
"Oh, she's fine. Last I checked, she was winning another case and terrifying everyone in court."
Fiona laughed.
"That sounds like Sonya."
"Actually, she asked about you."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"I'll call her later."
"You should. We miss seeing your face."
"You saw me three weeks ago."
"That was practically ages ago."
She chuckled.
Eddie suddenly became quiet.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing."
"Eddie."
"I'm just checking on you."
She softened.
"I know."
"You always take care of everyone else."
"That's my job."
"I'm not talking about your job."
Fiona smiled faintly.
Sometimes, Eddie could see through her far too easily.
"I'm okay," she said gently.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Good."
Another comfortable silence followed.
Then Eddie spoke again.
"Did you at least eat breakfast?"
She blinked.
"...No."
"Fiona."
"I forgot."
"You forgot food exists?"
"I've been busy."
"You need supervision."
She laughed.
"I'm serious."
"I know."
"Go and eat."
"Yes, sir."
"And drink water."
"Okay."
"And sleep."
"Anything else?"
"Actually, yes."
She smiled.
"What?"
"Try having a life outside medicine."
She laughed softly.
"I'll see what I can do."
"That's all I'm asking."
They talked for another few minutes about random things—an old neighbour who had finally retired, a restaurant Eddie wanted her to try, and a funny incident involving a coffee machine at his office.
Nothing important.
Nothing life-changing.
Just simple conversation.
And somehow, it was exactly what Fiona needed.
Eventually, Eddie sighed.
"I should let you go."
"You should."
"But seriously, Fi?"
"Yes?"
"Take care of yourself."
A warmth spread through her chest.
"I will."
"Good. I'll call again."
"I'll hold you to that."
"Bye, cousin."
"Bye, Eddie."
The line disconnected.
Fiona lowered the phone and sat quietly for a moment.
The room was still.
For the first time in days, she felt... lighter.
She got out of bed and stretched, wincing slightly at the stiffness in her shoulders.
Then she smiled.
Maybe Eddie was right.
Maybe she did need a life outside medicine.
The thought had barely crossed her mind when someone knocked on her door.
"Come in," she called.
The door opened slightly.
A nurse peeked inside.
"Sorry to disturb you, Doctor, but your patient in Room 36 is awake."
Fiona's brows lifted.
Room 36.
Lieutenant Colonel Kieran Grey Ashford.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
Then she grabbed her white coat.
"I'll be right there."
She walked out of the room, still in her scrubs, and made her way down the hallway to Room 36.
The door was slightly ajar.
She knocked lightly before stepping in.
Grey was awake, sitting against the raised hospital bed, looking considerably better than he had weeks ago.
He looked up.
"Doctor."
A small smile tugged at Fiona's lips.
"How's my favourite patient?"
One of his brows lifted.
"I'm your favourite?"
"Don't let it get to your head, Lieutenant. You're simply my longest resident."
"Hm."
She walked over and picked up his chart.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"Any dizziness? Pain? Discomfort?"
"No."
She looked at him over the chart.
"You really enjoy one-word answers, don't you?"
A faint hint of amusement crossed his face.
"I've been told."
That earned him a small laugh.
Silence settled briefly between them.
Then he spoke.
"If I were to get a place here… what would I need?"
She looked up.
"A place? As in an apartment?"
"Yes."
"That depends on the kind of place you want. Usually, an ID, references, proof of income and, of course, money."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"And a phone number?"
She blinked.
"You don't have one?"
"I did."
The way he said it made her decide not to ask further questions.
"I suppose getting a local number would make things easier."
"It would."
He nodded again.
"And an international passport?"
This time, she frowned.
"Are you planning on travelling somewhere?"
"Eventually."
"Well, you'd have to apply through the proper authorities, provide identification and supporting documents. The process isn't complicated; it just takes time."
"I see."
She closed his chart.
"Lieutenant… are you planning your escape already?"
For the first time that morning, she saw it.
A tiny smile.
"Just preparing."
She smiled back.
"Fair enough."
For some reason, the idea of him preparing to leave made something in her chest tighten.
She ignored it.
"Well," she said, stepping away from the bed, "your recovery looks good. Keep this up and you'll be discharged before you know it."
He looked at her quietly.
"I'll keep that in mind."
She gave him one last smile.
"Try not to cause trouble while I'm gone."
"No promises."
A soft laugh escaped her.
"See you later, Lieutenant."
"See you later, Doctor."
She laughed as she left, still thinking.
Was Lieutenant Colonel Kieran Grey Ashford actually planning on leaving?
Was it not too soon?
Why did she feel weird?
What's the hurry?
What is he thinking?
Kieran Grey Ashford needs to leave her head!!
- Writer
