Epilogue
THE THREE TINY BABIES stare up at him from their place on the examination table. The two little girls giggled that innocent laughter that newborns are synonymous for as their fingers try to grasp a handful of his doctor’s coat. Their mom’s standby, each keeping a protective eye on their babies.
The boy he is currently examining for a steady heartbeat eyes him curiously.
The baby barely makes a noise as he presses the chilled stethoscope to his chest. He has a unique fondness for this little guy, remembering how he had saved the infant during birth.
His life had been touch and go the first few hours, and Brooks had worried for the newborn.
Everett would always hold a special place in his heart.
He finishes their examination, each baby extremely unhappy at the series of vaccinations that needed to be provided, and helps to place them back into their clothing.
“So how do they look?” Nikki asks as she picks up her blond haired beauty.
The month-old shrieks happily as her mother rubs her nose against her child’s. He laughs remembering that in small town’s it isn’t uncommon for families to schedule all of their appointments together and for the gossipers to know someone’s condition before the patient; HIPAA meant very little.
“They look spectacular. All three are developing on rate. I’ll print their growth charts for you on your way out.”
“And Everett?” Avery questions as she straps her son into his carrier.
He looks back down at the little boy and smiles.
“So far he seems to be right on track and he is almost the same size as his sister. I don’t believe you’re going to have anything to worry about.”
Avery takes a deep breath as relief sweeps across her body.
“Good. That’s good.”
“Well ladies, do you have any other questions?”
The women exchange a look and then turn their smug gazes back towards him, curiosity in their eyes.
“So, we haven’t seen you for a while, Dr. Long mentioned that you took a vacation.”
He nods wondering where the friends were going with their questioning.
“Where did you go? Anywhere exotic?” Nikki asks as she rests Grace on her shoulder and pats her back.
“No, just to see my grandmother, she isn’t doing very well. And then, of course, I went to watch Ryker and Harlan in Vegas.”
“Ah, yes, Vegas. Anything fun happen besides Sydney and Dylan eloping? Everleigh has been a grouch since she came back,” Avery adds.
“It was fun, did a little gambling. Pretty uneventful.”
The women narrow their eyes at him but make their way out of the exam room.
“Have a good day ladies. The front desk will set you up for their next appointments.”
“Goodbye, Dr. McCafferty.”
Brooks heads to his office and takes a seat at his desk, exasperatedly running his hands through his overly long wavy locks.
Vegas.
What can he say other than the trip to Sin City was one of the best trips of his life.
Everleigh had come to him after Sydney and Dylan had exchanged vows and kissed him like a woman possessed.
He had woken the next morning thrilled that everything he had ever wanted was in the palm of his hands, a beautiful woman that had captured his attention was waiting in his bed naked, probably wanting a repeat of the night before, and she had his ring, his, on her delicate finger.
Something had changed in her view of him and he wasn’t going to question it.
That is until he received papers from her lawyer this morning.
He had been away, dealing with his own issues in the month since they had returned to Carson.
So when the certified documents were left at his doorstep he was taken aback.
Who is this feisty woman that had him wrapped around her finger and had given him one of the most explosive nights of his life? She is fighting this; this relationship that they can have. It is about time he figures out why.
He jumps from his chair and walks towards the glass-enclosed walkway connecting his facility to her pharmacy.
She has secrets and he has questions.
It is time to get answers.
Today.
Continue reading Everleigh and Brooks’ story in Coming Unraveled.