Chapter 21 Elias
ELIAS
My entire mood has shifted ever since Olivia and I have solidified our relationship.
It’s been two weeks of pure bliss. Every single day, we seem to be more consumed with one another.
There isn’t a second that I don’t fall more in love with her.
I’m obsessed. I want to marry her now. I want the future to be now. I want…everything.
“You’re so cheery. It’s a nice change.” Nurse Jackie tosses a patient file on the desk. “I’m assuming it’s because of Olivia? Dr. Warrick’s assistant?”
I nod, unable to stop the grin from taking over my face. “Yeah, she’s perfect. She’s everything I didn’t know I needed.”
Jackie leans against the desk on her elbow, plopping her chin in her hand. “That’s so sweet. What does Dr. Warrick think?”
I pause before signing a piece of paper. “What do you mean?”
A look of disbelief crosses her face. “I mean, that’s her boss, he’s your friend, and he pretty much runs this hospital. You didn’t think to ask if dating someone at work was okay? Especially someone who views her like a daughter.”
A hot sweat breaks out over my forehead. I didn’t think to ask. I didn’t think it mattered. We’re both grown adults.
“By the look on your face right now, I’m going to go out on a limb and say no, you didn’t think.”
“I’ve talked to him since. He hasn’t said anything to me.”
She glares at me. “Why should he ask you? You need to talk to him. He’s probably waiting for you to bring it up.
And I wouldn’t keep Dr. Warrick waiting.
That’s one man in this place I wouldn’t want to piss off.
His father, Warrick Sr., might own the hospitals, but make no mistake who runs this place.
It’s Dr. Warrick. What if he decides he doesn’t want you to have a relationship here?
One phone call and that’s all it takes—you’re out of here.
Olivia won’t go anywhere. He’ll protect her until his dying day. ”
Nerves overtake me. She’s right. She’s absolutely right. I shouldn’t have waited this long to talk to him. Maybe Olivia has talked to him? I check my watch, groaning when I see that five o’clock has come and gone. Olivia has left for the day, but Winston hasn’t.
“Okay. I’m going to go talk to him now. My patients are settled. Page me if anything happens.”
“Good luck,” she singsongs.
My phone vibrates in my pocket with a message from Olivia. I hit the button on the elevator to go to Winston’s office. His surgeries are most likely done for the day and he’s wrapping up.
Olivia: Do you need anything for our movie night tonight? I’m going to go grab some groceries and junk food.
I’m not used to having plans after work. My smile comes back, banishing my worry about Winston. If he wants to fire me, then fine. I’ll live. I’ll work somewhere else, but there’s no way in hell I’ll ever stop dating Olivia.
Me: I would really love popcorn and sour candy. They pair well together. And some soda. I don’t care what kind. I’m not picky. Let’s get some frozen pizzas too. Chips. Let’s stay up all night and watch every scary movie known to man since we have the weekend off.
When the elevators doors open, Winston is there, and he gives me a big grin, slapping me on the shoulder. He’s with Dr. Washington.
“Perfect. Just the man we were looking for,” Dr. Washington informs me.
“At your service.” I bow.
“I can do your surgery in three days. You’re on the schedule. Winston says you have a support system now so there’s no reason to wait. Every day that passes, your father gets worse.”
Winston would only know that if he’s talked to Olivia, which might make matters worse for me. I’m not used to answering to people. I’m always the one being answered to. I’ve been alone for far too long.
“Sounds great. Thanks, Dr. Washington.”
“No problem. I have a few patients I have to check on. Excuse me.” She leaves us with two nurses flanking her side as she rushes down the hallway to another patient’s room.
Dr. Warrick stays, staring at me with knowing eyes, waiting for me to say something.
“I should have told you about us, about Olivia,” I clarify. “I’m not used to having someone to talk to. It didn’t cross my mind. I’m sorry about that.”
“I’m not your keeper,” he begins. “I’m your friend.
I’m happy for you both. I still can’t believe that she’s who you’ve been talking to this entire time.
But it doesn’t surprise me with Olivia. She’s bold like that.
She goes after what she wants. She told me about you two about a week ago.
I was just waiting until you felt comfortable enough to tell me. ”
“It didn’t have anything to do with comfort. I was in my own head. I was comfortable with how things were, and it comes down to remembering that I’m not alone anymore. It’s going to take some time to break the lonely habits, if that makes sense.”
“It does. I completely understand. There are no hard feelings. If you hurt her, though, I will kill you.” His face loses all humor and kindness, his jaw locked in place, the muscles tense.
His eyes turn a darker shade of blue, a warning of a storm ahead.
“She is important to me. Don’t get me wrong, you are too, but she’s family to me.
I’m on her side, always, no matter how close you and I get, no matter how strong our friendship becomes, I will always choose my daughter’s side. Are we clear?”
I love hearing that. I love knowing Olivia has a father figure in her life. Olivia and I stayed up so late the other day, learning about each other’s pasts, and both of us lost a parent when we were young. Winston has stepped up, and even though she’s a grown woman, he’s still there for her.
I tell him, “I’d never ask you to choose sides. If I were you, I’d do the same. I want you to know I’m going to take care of her. I love her.” I hold out my hand and hope he will take it. I’ve never really had to deal with a protective father before.
My ex-wife, her parents were out of the picture. They weren’t close. Olivia knows about her already, since I wanted to reassure her that she isn’t a threat. I never speak to her and I don’t miss her.
It doesn’t compare to how I miss Olivia. Even though I saw her this morning, I’m counting the seconds until I can see her again. Only a few more hours and I can wrap my arms around her while we watch every horror movie known to mankind.
Winston shakes my hand, a smile back on his face. “Good to hear. I’m happy for you both. I should have put it together sooner. At the meeting, you two couldn’t keep your eyes off each other.”
I chuckle, scratching the back of my head. “I know, but I was in my own head about a few things. I had to work those out first.”
My phone dings again.
It’s a picture from Olivia with a cart full of food. So many different chips, dips, drinks, pizzas, veggies, fruit, and anything and everything else.
Me: Did you shop on an empty stomach? That’s a lot, sweetheart.
Olivia: And?
I turn the phone to Winston and he full-on bellows, his laughter causing a few heads to turn.
“Half of that won’t get eaten,” I say.
“You’d be wrong. Have you not paid attention? Olivia loves food. None of that will go to waste. Any plans tonight?”
“Movie marathon. Horror movies.”
“Really? Huh. Interesting.”
I grip his arm as he turns to walk away. “What do you mean huh? What’s that mean?”
“She doesn’t like scary movies.”
“Oh.” I frown, completely confused. “But it was her idea.”
Winston grips my shoulder. “Because she wants to be scared with you, dumbass,” he grumbles. “I have to go. We’ll talk later, okay? I have to go teach some of these new interns how to take an appendix out.”
She trusts me enough to keep her safe while she’s afraid.
That has me standing a little taller. Knowing she’s choosing to be afraid so I can keep her safe has me feeling…
very protective. I wish I was with her right now.
I’ll protect her from everything in this world.
From horror movies to how horrid reality can be, I’m going to be there.
“I’ll walk with you.” I tuck my hands in my pockets, noticing I have about an hour before I scrub in on my own surgery. “I forgot we’re transitioning into a teaching hospital. Was that your idea?”
“It was. I was shocked to find out how many applicants we received. I’m excited.
I think we can have the best teaching hospital in the country.
We have too many top-of-the-line surgeons here to have their talent not be taught to others.
It’s time we start raising the bar. My brother is also one of the best trauma surgeons, and he’ll be here in a few weeks. ”
“How’s he doing?”
Winston sighs. “He’s making progress, but the man’s heart is broken.
He’s ready to come back to work, but I won’t let him.
Not without going to grief counseling. He suffered a trauma of his own and the deal with him working here was him following my guidelines.
He has to go to therapy. If not, he can’t work here. ”
“With you by his side, I have no doubt that he’ll be okay. You’re a good brother, Winston.”
“I do what I can. Okay, want to watch the surgery in the viewing room?”
I check my watch again. “I have some time to kill. Let’s see how your interns do.”
“I’m excited. They’re going to be so terrified. Ah, the good old days, right?”
“Hell no. You couldn’t pay me go back.”
I only ever want to go forward.
With Olivia.