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cariantha · 1 year

Text

Power Play

Book: Open Heart, Book 2

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)

Rating: Explicit

Warning: 🔥NSFW, 18+ Only, contains sexual content

Category: Fluff, Smut

Word count: 2.9K

Prompt/Summary: Fed up with some of Ethan’s catty and manipulative admirers, Sawyer tries to beat them at their own game.

A/N: Inspired by this ask and the follow up request from @annfg8 for a jealous Sawyer fic. This takes place shortly after the softball game kiss.

Even Ethan was on board when June suggested they present at the conference and bring some much needed attention to Edenbrook. The event coordinators were excited to promote the renowned diagnostics team as the headliners. As such, the team was asked to be part of a moderated panel discussion that morning, followed by Q&A breakout sessions throughout the afternoon.

In between sessions, Sawyer began to notice just how many admirers sought the attention of the famed Dr. Ethan Ramsey. Most of them women, with an air of sophistication about them in both appearance and accomplishment. They stood before him in their classy sheath dresses and power pantsuits, accessorized with expensive jewelry, designer shoes, and handbags that cost more than her rent. She heard snippets of their conversations with mentions of groundbreaking research, articles published in prestigious medical journals, keynote presentations, and AMA awards. Sawyer also observed the flirtatious posturing. How they leaned in, tilted their heads, subtly touched his arms and shoulders, and on occasion even flashed their eyebrows.

No longer able to stomach the view, Sawyer escaped to the restroom for a moment to herself. Locking herself into a stall, she heard the click-clack of high heels as two women entered.

“I would let that man do absolutely anything to me. An-y-thing. And from what I’ve heard, he’s currently available,” the woman sang, fixing her hair in the mirror.

Applying a fresh coat of lipstick, the other laughed, “Ha, good luck. He’s been eye fucking that protégé of his all day.”

“Please. Ethan Ramsey is a man of refined taste. He dated Harper Emery for fucks sake.”

“Let’s go find Hirata and get the scoop.”

Red hot anger crept up her neck as Sawyer waited for the coast to clear. As she moved to wash her hands, a poised red-head joined her at the sinks.

“Ignore them.”

“Pardon?” Sawyer asked, making eye contact through the mirror.

“You’re Dr. Brooks from Edenbrook. Sawyer is it?” she pumped soap from a dispenser. “I’m Kellie. Kellie Wicker. I’m in Oncology over at Brigham. I’m a friend of Ethan and Harper’s.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Sawyer greeted cautiously.

Repeating the advice, “Just ignore them. Sadly, a good majority of the women in attendance only come to these conferences to meet men. And those bitches are notorious for coming in and marking their territory.” Drying her hands she added, “As if they have any chance with Ethan Ramsey either.” Her snicker echoed in the tiled room.

Unclear whether it was meant to be a dig, the word “either” didn’t get past Sawyer, who shook the excess water from her hands and reached for a paper towel.

Tucking her copper strands behind an ear, Kellie continued, “If it’s any consolation, I can tell Ethan respects you. He’s a very proud mentor, and as he put it when we spoke earlier, he thinks you have tremendous potential.”

“Thank you. Dr. Ramsey’s been a great teacher. I’m incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with him, as well as Dr. Hirata and Dr. Mirani.”

“Lucky indeed,” Dr. Wicker concurred. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Sawyer. I look forward to seeing you at the reception later,” she offered, turning on her heel to leave.

“Sorry, can I ask you a quick question? How fancy is this event tonight? I packed a couple different dresses but–”

“Oh…oh, it’s not fancy at all,” Kellie paused with one foot out the door, “Business professional, dear.”

“Glad I asked. Thanks.”

Sawyer returned to the lobby where she found Baz obnoxiously flagging her down. “Sawyer, you’ve got a fan seeking an autograph,” he pointed to the mystery man.

As she rolled her eyes, the man turned around and Sawyer squealed with excitement. “Ben! What are you doing here?”

“Brooksie! Wow, Boston looks good on you, honey. Aside from the fact that you are in desperate need of a spray tan,” he teased.

She playfully swatted at him as he pulled her off to the side to chat.

Having missed the initial exchange, Ethan entered the lobby, his eyes immediately drawn to the man hovering over what he wished he could publicly claim as his own.

From what he could ascertain, the flamboyant doctor was someone she knew from Los Angeles. Ben personified the Beverly Hills doctor stereotype right down to his sleek Armani suit and shiny Prada shoes. If Ethan had to guess, he was most likely a plastic surgeon.

As Ben rubbed his hand up and down Sawyer’s arm, Ethan’s muscles tensed. And when Ben pulled her into a hug and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, Ethan gritted his teeth. Swiftly gathering his belongings, he announced to Baz that he was heading back to his hotel room. With urgent steps he exited the conference center, ignoring those who still wished to win him over with favors and flattery.

Agreeing to share a drink with Ben later at the reception, Sawyer tried to catch up to Ethan.

He was already several steps down the hall of their floor, when the second elevator chimed behind him.

Not wanting to disturb any hotel guests by shouting, Sawyer jogged to his side placing her hand on his lower back to get his attention. “Hey.” The thrill of her touch reduced his blood pressure just slightly.

Catching her breath, “I feel like I haven’t talked to you all day. How are you?”

“Fine,” his tone curt.

“That was quite an impressive following I witnessed down there today. I mean, I saw a bit of it in Miami, but those were mostly pharma execs,” she tried gauging his mood, “I bet you’re glad to finally have some time to yourself.”

“Yes, I am,” he fished for the keycard in his pocket.

“Ah, the downside of fame,” she teased.

A hint of irritation in his voice, “It looked as though you had plenty of your own admirers.”

With a breathy chuckle, “The only people who approached me wanted to know what you were like,” she stated honestly.

“Hmph. Well, this is me. If you’ll excuse me, I have a couple calls to return.”

Disappointed there was no suggestion of going to the reception together, Sawyer dug into her purse in search of her own room key. “Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you downstairs later,” she said as Ethan entered his room and closed the door. The interaction, or lack thereof, only fueled the festering feelings of insecurity.

A couple hours later, Sawyer approached the entrance to the hotel lounge. Stopping short, she noticed how the other men and women entering the room wore formal cocktail attire. Then sashaying across the hallway in a sequined minidress, Kellie glanced to her right. She scanned Sawyer from head to toe and with a quiet but villainous laugh she walked on triumphantly. As the two-faced ginger crossed over the threshold, Sawyer heard her phony voice ring out. “Ethan. Hello handsome. Come, have a drink with me.”

Turning one hundred and eighty degrees, Sawyer retraced the steps back to her room, all the way debating whether to even return. And if she decided to return to that hyena’s den, she wondered which of the dresses in her suitcase she should change into.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in her nicest black pantsuit, Sawyer made the decision to fight fire with fire. She thought to herself, she may not be as polished and accomplished as the Harper Emery types who paraded around downstairs, but she did have certain assets that would set her apart from the pack. And she wasn’t afraid to use them.

Shrugging her suit jacket off, Sawyer lifted the ivory silk tank top over her head and removed her bra. She carefully smoothed her wavy hair into a sleek bun and wiped the neutral colored lipstick away, replacing it with a bold shade of red. Her modest jewelry was traded for a sparkly necklace, one that would be sure to draw attention to the aforementioned assets. Tugging her jacket back on, she fastened the only two buttons located at her waist. Sawyer turned from side to side making sure she wasn’t giving too much away, and when she was satisfied, she grabbed her clutch and made her way back down to the reception.

Meanwhile downstairs, Ethan stood at a high table sipping his whiskey neat as Kellie droned on about her recent hormone replacement study. He swept the room often, shifting his eyes to the doorway every time someone entered.

Sawyer was a fairly punctual person. With the reception well underway, Ethan’s concern for her grew. His mind raced with all sorts of theories. The worst was that she might be off with Dr. 90210, who was also nowhere in sight.

Finally revealing her true intentions, Kellie changed the subject. “I ran into Harper a while back. She mentioned that you two were no longer together.”

“We are not. It was time to move on.”

“Are you seeing anyone new?”

Ethan didn’t answer. Instead he shook his head, not in reply but in annoyance, and took a swig of his drink.

“Come on, Ethan. We’ve been dancing around each other for years now. Let’s have some fun tonight,” she pawed at his arm.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Sawyer stepped into the cocktail bar, stealing the attention from many conversations. After briefly surveying the room, her confident form glided in his direction. Ethan chewed the inside of his bottom lip to keep his mouth from falling open. But there was little to be done to stop his eyes from roaming her exposed chest. Her bare breasts taunted him, only the lapels of her suit jacket hiding the most sensitive parts. Sawyer looked from him, to his company, and back again. “Dr. Ramsey,” she acknowledged with a nod as she sauntered past.

“There she is!” Baz shouted as Sawyer approached the bar table where he and June shared drinks. “Whoa, step aside, Beyonce. Sawyer Brooks is the one slaying now.”

After rolling her eyes at his ridiculousness, Sawyer looked around taking in the overall atmosphere, but June easily saw through the farce. Psychoanalyzing, she could tell Sawyer searched for reaction from Ethan and his current companion.

“That is quite the statement you are making, Sawyer. Who exactly is the intended audience?”

Sawyer snapped her head to June, finding a smug expression on her face.

A few tables away, Kellie followed Ethan’s eyes as they tracked Sawyer across the room. Trying to regain his attention, she ran the lapel of his jacket through her fingers, “So, what do you say?”

He looked to the table where his colleagues stood. “Please excuse me. I need to touch base with my team,” he said, grabbing his drink and backing away.

“Good evening,” Ethan met the table, coming to stand at Sawyer’s side.

“Hey, Boss!” Baz greeted in return. “So, how’d you all think it went today?”

June spoke, “I’d say ‘mission accomplished.’ I was approached by an editor from the NEJM who wants to write a feature about the team. And speaking of…” spotting the man, she followed him to the bar.

So that only she could hear, Ethan leaned close to Sawyer’s ear. "You seem to be missing something.”

“If you mean a stiff drink, then yes, I was hoping to fix that.”

His eyes flashed quickly to the fleshy mound peeking out from underneath her suit coat. “Not what I was referring to,” he straightened, “but allow me to remedy the drink issue. I could use another myself. Be right back.”

Baz picked up the conversation asking Sawyer what she had thought about the conference, but was suddenly distracted with a passerby. “Scotty?! Scott Briscoe, is that you? Excuse me, Sawyer,” he apologized, leaving to reunite with his old college pal.

As Ethan waited at the bar for their drinks, he looked back to Sawyer who now stood alone at the table. While it pleased him to find her staring back, he was not thrilled to see men at nearby tables eyeing her as well.

A moment later, Ethan placed a drink in front of her and Sawyer initiated a familiar game of people-watching. As they searched for their next targets, Ethan spotted Ben schmoozing at a table in the far corner of the room. At the same time, Kellie stood nearby glaring at Sawyer.

Ethan jutted his chin toward an exit that led outdoors. “Care to join me for some fresh air?”

“God, yes,” she sighed with relief.

They threw back the rest of their drinks and made their way outside, finding a long and windy path that curved around to an overlook of the ocean.

“So, what’s with the bold look tonight?”

She shook her head. “It’s actually quite embarrassing and pathetic really.”

“What is?”

Taking a deep breath, Sawyer proceeded to tell him about the gossiping women and Kellie’s “kindness.”

“So, anyway…I…I guess I was just feeling a bit insecure and jealous watching these women hang on you all day. And after getting hoodwinked by that Kellie woman, I decided I could either hide in my room all night or play the game using my advantages.”

“Which are?” he was curious.

“That I’m younger and hotter,” she stated proudly, earning a laugh from Ethan.

As they continued down the path, Ethan frequently glanced over at Sawyer trying to understand the root of her jealousy. How could she have any doubt that he only had eyes for her? But he already knew the answer to that question. The uncertainty of their situation was of his own making.

“You know there’s no reason to be jealous, right?”

When she barely acknowledged him, he reached for her hand, stopping them in their tracks. “Hey. I know I’ve spent the last several months confusing you. And I’m genuinely sorry, Sawyer. But whether it’s a crowded room or a busy hallway at work, my eyes are always and only searching for you,” he affirmed. “You stole my attention in that waiting room last year and have had it ever since,” pulling her into his arms, “I’m all yours.”

Sawyer squeezed her arms tight around Ethan’s torso, thankful for the confirmation.

After a comforting moment, Ethan pulled back to admire, “I wish I could tell you that jealousy looks terrible on you…but fuck, Sawyer…this sexy power play of yours is a major turn on.” His fiery blue eyes burned right through her, causing Sawyer to shiver.

“Cold?”

“It is a bit drafty,” she giggled.

“Let me try and warm you up.”

Ethan turned her away from him, wrapping an arm around her waist to hold her snug to his chest. Grazing his lips past her ear, she felt the warmth of his breath before he began placing heated open mouth kisses down the column of her neck. With his free hand, he caressed her goose-pimpled skin from neck to navel, his fingers slipping through the open door of her jacket. He traced around her breast before cupping it with his large palm, kneading tenderly. Not wanting to be neglectful, Ethan gave equal attention to her other side.

Sawyer reached behind, hands holding his hips close, needing to feel more of his hardened length against her ass. “Kiss me,” she urged, tilting her head back.

Obeying, he captured her lips in a hungry kiss, savoring the taste that he had craved every day since Miami. He worked to unbutton her jacket as Sawyer nipped along his jawline. Twisting in his arms, she framed his face and traced her tongue across his lips enticing him to open to her again.

Ethan drove himself into her until she bumped into the wooden railing. Lifting her onto the top rail, he grasped Sawyer’s backside, anchoring his hands firmly to her ass cheeks to prevent a backward fall. A convenient gust of ocean breeze pushed a flap of her unfastened jacket open. And taking advantage, Ethan buried his head into her chest licking and sucking her peaked nipple.

Sawyer’s gasps and moans were visible in the cool night air.

“Mmm…Sawyer,” he mumbled against her silky flesh, “...tell me you’re mine too.”

Dragging him up to eye level, she locked her legs around his waist and slipped her hand between their bodies, eliciting a gratifying groan. Lips barely brushing his, she massaged his erection and purred, “I’m yours, Ethan. Only yours.” Punctuating her declaration, she deepened the kiss.

Pulling back for air, Ethan tilted his head upward and closed his eyes, enjoying the increased pressure and speed of her ministrations. When suddenly he felt a drop of moisture smack his face. Sawyer felt it too on her naked chest. They both looked to the sky, then to each other, bringing their foreheads together as they accepted their defeat against mother nature.

“C’mon, we should get you covered up and back inside before hypothermia sets in,” Ethan helped guide her feet back to the ground.

After adjusting their clothing and making sure the twins were safely tucked back in, Ethan took her hand in his.

As they walked back to the hotel entrance, Sawyer leaned into him. “Ethan, has there ever been a time when you were jealous over me?”

Without hesitation, he answered truthfully. “Yes. Many times.”

“Really?”

“Rookie, I asked you to come out here with me because I saw Doc Hollywood walk into the lounge…and I didn’t want to share.”

“Doc Hollywood?” she looked up in question.

“The handsy blonde guy you were hugging earlier at the conference center.”

With an amused laugh, “Ben? You were jealous of Ben?”

“Why’s that funny? How do you know him?”

“His husband is my good friend from Caltech. I was in their wedding party.”

“Oh,” he said, cheeks flushing red. “Well, either way…I still wanted you all to myself.”

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alj4890 · 1 year

Note

Hello!

It is canon that Naveen is an unabashed gossip. We also know Ethan is practically his son, and he adores MC. But let's face it, we know those two had to be the source of a lot of gossip.

How do you think Naveen dealt with that?

Sorry this took so long. After the week with Tobias, it took me a little while to get back into "Ethan is going to end up with the MC" mode 🤣 So here's my take on how Naveen would enjoy the gossip going on about two people he cared about.

Rating: G for pure fluff

@hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam

Masterlist

Tea Time

"Dr. Banerji." Marlene greeted as she sat down across from him.

"Ah, just the nurse I was hoping to see." Naveen set his crossword puzzle book to the side of his tray. "How's your day been?"

"Busy but good." She chuckled. "You should see the new batch of interns in action."

"And how are our second year's holding up?" He prodded.

Marlene rolled her eyes. "I know you really only want to hear about one in particular."

Naveen snorted in amusement. "You caught me. How is Casey doing?"

"She definitely got the toughest intern I've seen in years." Marlene glanced about the nearly empty cafeteria. "I think she's a harder nut to crack than Dr. Mirani."

"Zaid?" Naveen winced. "Poor Casey. But if anyone can get someone to open up, it's definitely her. I've seen her work wonders on the ones you'd least expect."

Marlene nodded while picking through her salad.

"Any other news?" He asked.

"She seems to be holding her own on the diagnostics team." Marlene pointed out. "So far, I've seen each member impressed with her ability to figure out what is wrong with the patients they treat."

"Interesting." Naveen stroked his chin. "I might have to pay a visit and see how things are going myself."

He checked the time. "Looks like my reprieve from paperwork is nearly over."

"There's one more bit of news." Marlene whispered.

The smile on her face let him know she was finally getting to the good stuff.

"Trish was walking past the office when she saw Dr. Valentine in there alone with Dr. Ramsey."

"And?" Naveen leaned forward.

"And she believes they were holding hands under the table while reading through medical files." She explained.

Naveen sat back with a grin. "Holding hands, hmm? Interesting."

He got to his feet and placed his unopened pudding cup on her tray.

"Keep me posted." He said on his way out.

**************

A few weeks later...

"Baz!" Naveen called out. "Good to see you this evening."

The younger doctor turned around with a warm smile. "Naveen. It's good to see you too. How are you feeling?"

"Almost like new." Naveen teased, draping his arm around the man's shoulders. "Tell me how things are going on the team with Ethan in charge."

"They're great!" Baz exclaimed. "We are working like the well oiled machine you created."

"Umhmm." He hummed in approval.

Naveen could care less about that. He knew that Ethan would continue to succeed, never doubted it.

"And how is the newest member settling in?"

"Casey?" Baz's smile grew. "Like she's always been there."

"Really?" Naveen paused with him outside the locker room. "No awkwardness?"

"Not really." Baz stroked his chin in thought. "I mean, her first few days with us she was more quiet than she is now. She started contributing more after she talked to Ethan alone one day."

"Alone, hmm?" Naveen wondered what happened there. "Good. Very good."

He patted the young man on the back. "Glad to hear everything's going as it should."

Baz wished him a good night on his way to get changed.

Humming to himself, Naveen returned to his office. He made sure to take the long way there, pausing outside the glass doors of the diagnostics office.

He stayed somewhat in the shadows as he peered into the dimly lit room. He could see Ethan sitting there on a sofa. A rare smile was upon his face as Casey talked. With the way her hands were gesturing, she was relating a humorous story.

Naveen narrowed his eyes as he studied the man he considered a son. He hadn't seen Ethan that relaxed in quite some time, nor willing to sit there after hours to listen to someone else's story.

And then he saw Ethan reach for Casey's hand. His thumb brushed over her knuckles as the pair directed their attention to their clasped hands.

Casey's expressive face sobered. Ethan said something that made her grimace. Whatever she replied with had him hesitating before shaking his head and releasing her hand.

Naveen could almost feel the longing from here. With a slight frown of his own, he decided to maybe drop a hint or two to Ethan that one shouldn't miss out on life.

***************

A few nights later...

"Ethan, my boy." Naveen rose from the table to shake his hand. "I was just about to order us some appetizers."

"Sorry I'm late. We had a last minute development on that influencer who insists on filming everything."

"Ah. And what is her diagnosis?"

"A tapeworm." Ethan pointed at the menu. "Stay away from the steak tartare."

Naveen chuckled. "Did she film that announcement?"

"She did." Ethan smirked. "And it has been the best part of my day."

Naveen laughed once more.

After they placed their orders, the two began to discuss Edenbrook's financial crisis.

"We have to keep it going." Ethan told him. "After all the work you've done over the years to make the hospital mean something more than--"

Naveen waved his hand in a dismissal fashion.

"Whatever happens, the diagnostic team will have served its purpose."

Ethan sat stunned over his cavalier attitude over what had been a huge milestone of Naveen's entire career.

"When I was dying," Naveen began, "I had a lot of time to reflect on my life."

Ethan quirked an eyebrow in silent question.

"Believe it or not, the creation of Edenbrook's revered diagnostic team didn't even factor into my thoughts."

"What?" Ethan blinked. "What did you think about?"

"All that I'd missed out on." Naveen took a sip of his wine. "Did you know, that when I was a young man that I'd planned on doing a tour of Europe?"

"No."

"I did." Naveen smiled sadly at his wine glass. "I was going to walk through the vineyards, sample the finest wines the world has created, see landmarks I'd only viewed in travel books, and simply soak in the culture."

He sighed, setting his glass down. "I never went."

"That doesn't mean you can't still go." Ethan pointed out.

"It's not the same." Naveen argued. "I'm not the same man I was forty years ago. I can't trek all over the countryside with knees aching from arthritis. I can't look at the world with those wide, young optimistic eyes I once had. I'll see everything through my years of witnessing people be ravaged by disease and self harm."

He eyed Ethan.

"And, I'll be alone. There was a young woman I was dating at the time of my big dreams. She was more than ready to drop everything in her life, like one easily does in their twenties, to spend months with me in Europe."

Naveen turned toward the window their table was near. His eyes grew distant as he tried to capture the image of his lost love's smile. "Carmen was ready to start a life with me. I kept keeping her at a distance. I put off asking her to marry me, believing I needed first to become some great all knowing doctor."

He ran his hand down his face with a slight sigh. "I didn't give her the attention she needed. So, someone else came along who did."

Ethan's brow was furrowed in thought as he listened quietly.

"Don't let my goals become yours." Naveen stressed. "You owe me nothing."

"I disagree." Ethan muttered. "I owe you everything with my career."

"You accomplished it all on your own. I didn't give it to you. You earned every bit of recognition and respect you have from me and your colleagues."

Naveen leaned forward to drive his point home.

"As someone who cares about you like you were my own son, I don't want to see you waste your life on one single endeavor. Find other things, people, places that make you happy. Let them give you warm memories when you are old. Don't end up like me with nothing but regret when you are on your death bed."

Naveen motioned for the waiter to bring him the check. "I want you to have a full life, Ethan."

"I do." Ethan argued.

"I hope you will soon see the truth." Naveen paid the waiter and pushed away from the table. "I better be-"

"What truth?" Ethan got to his feet. "What are you trying to get me to understand?"

"I can't tell you that." Naveen placed a comforting hand on Ethan's shoulder. "That's something every man has to discover for himself."

He gave him an affectionate squeeze then left Ethan alone with his thoughts.

*****************

A few weeks later, Naveen cornered the one doctor he suspected knew more about Ethan and Casey than anyone else.

"Dr. Trinh!" He smiled at her. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good, Dr. Banerji." She slowed her pace to match his. "How are you?"

"Still going which is always a plus at my age." He replied with a wink.

She giggled. "It is at any age."

"True." He glanced at the clock. "Have you had lunch yet?"

"No sir." She grimaced somewhat. "I've been going nonstop since I got here this morning."

"Then as Chief, I insist you take a needed break." He took the folders out of her hands and set them at the nurses station. "Danny, take care of these for Dr. Trinh please."

He then took Sienna's arm and led her towards the elevator.

"But, I should really--"

"Are any of your patients in danger?" He asked.

"No." She replied. "They are all stable."

"Then we aren't arguing about it." He told her. "I'm starving and would like some company this afternoon while I eat. Would you join me for lunch?"

Sienna blinked in surprise. "Of course. Thank you."

"I should be thanking you. You're saving me from people staring at me with curious pity as to why I'm eating alone at a restaurant."

Sienna laughed. "I doubt that's why they are staring. They are probably curious what type of physician you are once they see your white coat."

"Or how that old man ended up alone." He teased. "Allow me my dramatics, Dr. Trinh. It's one of my few enjoyments in life."

"Then I guess I'll have to humor you." She said with another laugh.

"I hoped you would."

******************

"Sienna, so you do see what I'm talking about?" Naveen exclaimed. "Why don't they see it?!"

"I don't know!" Sienna dropped her head back in frustration. "They are in love! But Casey won't force Ethan to make a definite decision about them and he keeps saying he can't because of their job."

"I thought I was helping them when I put Casey on the team." Naveen grumbled. "I wanted to reward her brilliant mind with more challenges after discovering what I once thought was my unsolvable illness. I wanted to give Ethan a chance to grow closer to her. I never dreamed that the man I once considered highly intelligent could end up--"

"An idiot?" Sienna slapped a hand over her mouth for insulting Dr. Ramsey in front of the one man she knew adored him.

"Precisely. The biggest idiot, save for my former self, that I've ever seen." Naveen grumbled.

"Can't you talk to him?" Sienna asked. "I know Ethan respects you."

"He does, but Ethan is very stubborn. If he has it in his mind something has to be handled a certain way, there is no swaying him differently."

Sienna placed her fingers at her temples and began to rub in slow circles. Her eyes narrowed at the table top while she tried to find a way around getting her best friend with the man she loved.

"Could you talk to Casey?" Naveen asked.

"I have." Sienna sighed. "A lot. She wants him and is holding out hope he'll finally say they can be together. At this point, I think she'd be willing to keep their relationship a secret. But from what I can tell, Ethan won't do that to her."

"Hmm." Naveen scratched at his chin. "There has to be a way forward for them."

"I know. I want there to be one." Sienna slumped back in her chair. "It can't just stay like this. Something's bound to give and I'm worried it will be nothing but heartache for both of them."

"Me too." Naveen checked the time. "We should probably head back."

Sienna began to dig around in her purse for her wallet.

"Put that away!" He scolded. "This lunch is my treat for you humoring an old man."

"That isn't necessary." Sienna smiled at him. "It was nice eating with you."

"I'm glad you think so." He eyed her for a moment. "Shall we make this a weekly meeting?"

Sienna's eyes lit up. "So we can plan a way forward for a certain pair of doctors?"

Naveen beamed at her. "Sienna, I am very happy I approved of your internship at Edenbrook."

She giggled. "Me too, sir."

*****************

As the weeks went by, Naveen heard more and more snippets of gossip about Ethan and Casey. With Sienna, Marlene, and an unknowing Baz keeping him updated on a weekly basis, he knew that most of what was whispered about by others was true. It seemed the two doctors were becoming a bit more daring in the affectionate touches.

Then the attack happened. Naveen was only able to briefly observe how Ethan was taking the news that Casey had been affected by the maitotoxin. He was forced, as Chief, to handle the panicked staff and removing patients from the floor.

Once he finished, he made his way up there to get an update. After speaking briefly to the group of doctors, he was hopeful to see that Tobias believed he had figured out a way to fight the poison that was doing its best to kill Casey and Rafael. Naveen didn't want to have to make two more phone calls to families to let them know they had lost their loved ones. It had been hard enough with Danny's parents and Bobby's wife.

He glanced around at the physicians working with a speed only the young and desperate possess and noticed one missing. Curious but not wanting to interrupt them anymore than he already had, he slipped quietly out of the room and made his way to the observation window.

He ducked into the shadows when he saw Ethan sitting by Casey's bedside. Ethan's face was nothing but pure torment as he held her hand, watching her as she struggled through tears to say what she regretted in her short life.

Then Ethan admitted how much he regretted all the times he'd pushed her away. Naveen watched as Casey's pale face lit up briefly with happiness as Ethan continued to say he wanted to be with her and that he was done fighting against his feelings.

When Casey said she'd always thought they would be good together, Ethan's surprise was soon replaced with a smile as she pointed out that was the reason she kept bringing up that they should try and make it work.

Naveen felt his heart nearly break when Ethan climbed into bed with Casey, taking her in his arms to hold her while she slept. From this distance one could easily see Ethan's face contorted in a sad sort of anger. Naveen wondered if it was because he finally knew the truth about what he needed in life and yet believed he was about to lose her.

Naveen silently crept away with anxiousness for the coming dawn. He hoped that the next news he heard was that Ethan and Casey had a future.

****************

On the evening of the gala to help raise the needed funds for Edenbrook, Naveen was pleasantly surprised to see Ethan arrive with Casey. He tried to keep his attention on what one of the donors was saying to him, but he found his attention was more focused on keeping tabs on the couple.

Sienna slipped over beside him.

"Mrs. Parker," Naveen said to the donor who was oblivious to his lack of attention, "will you excuse me? I need to speak to Dr. Trinh about two patients of ours."

"Yes, of course." Mrs. Parker smiled at him. "I hope they are doing well."

"They are!" Sienna couldn't contain her excitement. "They've improved more and more these last few weeks."

The elegant lady left them with a congratulations.

Naveen led Sienna off to a less crowded area of the party.

"Well?" He prodded, his own excitement growing with hers. "What happened?"

"So much! I think they have been secretly meeting! Ethan asked her to the gala!' She whispered. "He said it was to represent the diagnostic team, but Casey knew the real reason."

Naveen chuckled. "Of course she did."

"But," Sienna continued, "when he arrived at the apartment to pick her up, Casey introduced him as her date."

"She did? And how did Ethan take that?"

Sienna was practically beaming. "He didn't correct her."

Naveen noticed the couple talking to a possible donor together. They then drifted over to the bar for a drink.

"Sienna, look!" He gestured toward the ones they were gossiping about.

Sienna turned to see Ethan take Casey into his arms, kissing her passionately in front of everyone.

She squealed softly, throwing her arms around Naveen in an excited hug.

He couldn't stop smiling as he returned her hug.

After all, he saw that he would have many, many more delightful gossip sessions about the two people who held special places in his heart.

#choices open heart #dr ethan ramsey x mc #choices ethan ramsey #prompt asks

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jamespotterthefirst · 2 years

Text

As It Was (3/6)

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Lilac Allende) Word count: 2.4K Warning: Language Series: As It Was (aka Lilac’s Exes)

Series Premise: All the times Ethan meets her exes throughout the years. Chapter Premise: The person who hurt her the most returns with something surprising to say.

Context: Lilac dated Alex Rhodes in undergrad. Their relationship was passionate at first, but ended horribly when Alex cheated. His FC is Chris Evans. (Exes | Exes Timeline | Fake Husband )

Year 2: Edenbrook

“...female, fifty-nine years old. According to her primary physician, she presented with chronic headaches and fatigue four months ago,” Baz explained to the team. “They diagnosed it as migraines.”

June scoffed.

“However, her symptoms progressively worsened. Her headache was so severe, she collapsed while grocery shopping.”

“What information did the patient give you during the initial consultation?” Ethan asked, his tone business-like.

Beside him, he could feel Lilac glancing up at him. It took all of his willpower not to turn to her and meet her gaze. If he did, he could reveal just how much his lips ached with the memory of their kiss, especially to someone as astute as June Hirata.

“Only that her vision had been worsening over time. She attributed that to old age. Apparently, she stubbornly fought her son on wearing glasses.”

Ethan added every bit of information to a mental catalog, silently summoning and discarding possible causes.

“Definitely a neurological issue,” June said.

“We can start with an MRI,” Lilac added.

Ethan nodded. “Yes. We can go from there. Anything else from the patient, Baz?”

Before Baz could continue, the door opened in haste, letting in a tall, windswept, and rather breathless man. Striking blue eyes scanned the room until they landed on the patient bed, his relief palpable as his wide shoulders deflated. When the shock of his abrupt arrival subsided, everyone in the room seemed to take him in, June with more admiration than the rest. The man was polished, donning a dark blue designer suit, his hair slicked back and his beard neatly trimmed. As he moved around the tiny room, he commanded the space, leaving the scent of expensive cologne in his wake.

“Sorry, I'm late. I just got the call.”

Even his voice was smooth, matching his movements and easy smile.

“You must be Mrs. Rhodes' son,” June said pleasantly, stepping forward with cool ease and offering her hand. “I'm Doctor June Hirata, one of the doctors treating your mother. This is Doctor Baz Mirani, Doctor Ethan Ramsey—” Ethan tried not to appear annoyed that she spoke as though she was the leader of the team. Plus, June's faux saccharine tone always grated on his nerves.

“—and Doctor Lilac Allende.”

To Ethan's surprise, Mrs. Rhodes' son froze at the name. His eyes fell on Lilac, incredulous, as though she was an apparition he was too afraid would vanish any second. Lilac, on the other hand, was paler than Ethan had ever seen her, her green eyes wide as she assessed the man before her. Something shifted in her demeanor, her shoulders tensing and her neck straining as she swallowed.

“Mr. Rhodes?” June prompted, her eyes swiveling from Lilac to the man.

“Sorry,” he said with a shake of his head. “I'm Alex Rhodes. Pleasure to meet you doctors,” his eyes shifted to Lilac again, as though wishing to say something else. “How's my mother?”

As June and Baz took turns explaining the team's findings, Ethan glanced at Lilac, growing more concerned about her by the second. She stood straight as a rod, still drained of color, her eyes fixed on the wall straight ahead. Her fingers gripped her clipboard which she pressed to her chest protectively.

“...you'll be the first to know when we learn more.”

“I'll order that MRI now,” Lilac blurted. And without waiting for a response, she hurried out of the room.

Alex Rhodes followed her with his eyes, looking as though he had half a mind to follow. A protective instinct flared up in Ethan, his jaw clenching. For some reason, he wanted to push Rhodes as far away from Lilac as his strength would allow.

Later, when Ethan could at last detach himself from the group, he followed a nurse's vague set of instructions to the fifth floor. A second nurse pointed him in the direction of the service elevators. Soon, he found Lilac in a supply closet, her back to the door, standing quite still in the refuge of her own arms.

“I didn't think anyone other than interns hid in here.”

The door closed behind him as he struggled to fit comfortably in the confined space. A tall frame and broad shoulders rendered that endeavor difficult. Lilac, however, didn't seem to mind.

“I'm not hiding.”

“Lilac.”

She sighed, finally turning to face him.

“Fine. I'm hiding.”

Her face appeared even paler in the darkness of the closet.

“Who's that man? You evidently know each other.”

“My ex.”

Silence.

“I see.”

Lilac didn't elaborate, instead averting her gaze to the floor. Something about this Rhodes character made her act unlike herself. Typically confident and exuberant, this Lilac seemed reticent and oddly small. It made his stomach twist.

“You seem to be on good terms with your exes. What's different about this one?”

“He…” she trailed off, struggling to push out the words. “Short version? We were serious. Very serious. Then he cheated on me with a close friend of mine at the time.”

Ethan received the information with a stiff nod, his molars grinding on their own accord.

“Twice,” Lilac added.

Dangerous, cold anger snaked through Ethan as he listened, particularly when he detected the defeat and shame in her voice.

“Looking back, our relationship wasn't a good one. And I was stupid enough to take him back —”

“Stop.”

Lilac obeyed, a little stunned. In that moment, as she blinked up at him, she looked so vulnerable that something fierce tugged at his heartstrings. For a moment, nothing mattered—not his ironclad conviction or the rules that separated them— all that mattered was having her in his arms.

Caught off guard, she stiffened against his embrace but relaxed almost immediately after. She sighed into his chest, her shoulders relaxing in his grasp.

“We don't have to talk about him if you don't wish to,” he assured her in a murmur. “Just… don't blame yourself for being trusting and compassionate.”

Lilac glanced up at him, those green eyes shimmering with something bright and hopeful.

“Your courage to trust again despite past misgivings… it's one of the things I admire about you.”

He wasn't talking about just her pathetic ex anymore. Unable to help himself, he leaned in and kissed her forehead tenderly. Her lashes fluttered against his cheekbones as she closed her eyes, melting against his touch. They stood like that for a few more stolen moments, then, with a mournful exhale, he stepped back.

Lilac, for her part, looked marginally better. She even summoned a playful little smile that drove him crazy.

“One of the things? What else do you admire about me?”

Ethan rolled his eyes, a small smile breaking through regardless.

“Your affinity to question everything,” he returned. “Right now being a prime example.”

Lilac laughed and the sound was pure bliss for him.

“Come on. Duty calls.” When she hesitated, he added, “I can ensure Rhodes deals only with me, June, and Baz. You don't have to interact with him if you don't want to.”

As it turned out, even Ethan's considerable influence in the hospital was not enough to keep a determined Alex Rhodes away from Lilac. Only the following day, Ethan entered Mrs. Rhodes' room to find Lilac quite literally cornered. Rhodes stood nearby, his palms held up in front of him as he attempted to reason with her.

“...need to talk.”

He said this in a hushed voice, no doubt for the benefit of his mother who was sleeping peacefully on the patient bed.

“We don't need to do anything, Alex.”

Ethan's blood boiled when he realized Lilac was trying her best to sidestep him. His feet carried him forward in a vicious rush. His fists, balled up painfully tight at his sides, itched to connect with the other man’s jaw.

“Step away from her.”

Ethan's words were inexplicably collected despite the rage swirling through his insides. The veiled calamity landed like a blow, however. Rhodes tensed as he glanced at Ethan, but obeyed, giving Lilac a wide berth.

“I didn't mean—” he started, cutting off with a defeated and frustrated sigh. “I didn't mean to trap you, Lilac. I was just hoping we could talk.”

Lilac wasted no time in moving as far away from Rhodes as the tiny patient room allowed. Almost as if on instinct, she stopped right next to Ethan. If she was seeking comfort and protection, he was more than ready to oblige. Wordlessly, Ethan raised himself to his full height, easily towering over the other man who was quite tall himself.

“I'd be happy to discuss your mother's case, Mr. Rhodes,” Lilac shot back in a voice that was pure ice. “Aside from that, we have nothing to talk about.”

“I deserve that.”

Ethan scoffed—a cold, merciless sound.

“That's only a small fraction of what you deserve. Be grateful Doctor Allende is a professional. I, on the other hand, have a reputation for punching people while on company time.”

Rhodes considered Ethan at that, not with anger but with genuine curiosity. He glanced between the two, taking note of how Ethan's frame was angled to shield Lilac. The other man must have seen something in the space separating them because quiet understanding dawned on him.

“Look, I was really hoping I could do this properly,” Alex started, his eyes returning to Lilac. “I imagined doing this countless times, but I was too cowardly to reach out. I never imagined I'd run into you.”

Lilac's mouth was set in a determined, flat line, her chin raised high with dignity. Despite this, Ethan could see her mild interest in the man's words. Hell, even Ethan himself was interested to hear where this was going.

Rhodes shuffled nervously on his feet.

“Lilac, I am ashamed of how I treated you during our time together, especially of how things ended between us—”

“You mean how you cheated on me with Tanya?”

Alex grimaced but took the jab with composure. “Yes.”

“Twice.”

“Twice,” he repeated, looking guilt-ridden. “I won’t waste your time trying to justify my mistakes to you. To be honest, I don’t believe there’s any rationalization for how fucked up my actions were. What I do believe is that you deserve an apology.” He paused, meeting her eyes earnestly. “I’m sorry for how I acted, Lilac, and for all the pain I put you through.”

A deafening silence followed the words.

Ethan’s pulse was a storm at his ears, his instinct rejecting the bastard’s remorse, no matter how genuine it seemed. When he glanced down at Lilac, he was surprised to find her expression softening slightly, an unmistakable crack in her defenses.

Rhodes continued, no doubt noticing Lilac’s shift. “I know I will never finish atoning for that in this lifetime, but I wanted to offer you what you’re owed.”

The silence permeated every inch of the small room. It stretched for so long that Ethan was convinced Lilac would remain silent and unmoving until Rhodes dignified to leave the room. Finally, she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. Not an acceptance of the offered apology, but an acknowledgement.

It seemed to be more than enough for Rhodes because his shoulders dropped, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

“You look well, Lilac,” he commented. Then, his eyes moved up to Ethan before settling on her again. “You look happy.”

“I am.”

Rhodes smiled fully now, looking genuinely happy at the confirmation.

“Thank you both for everything you’re doing for my mother,” he said with the same sincerity.

Jaw clamped tight, Ethan merely nodded, making a conscious effort to put all professionalism first.

“We'll be back in a few hours with updates.”

And before any more could be said, Ethan wordlessly guided a pale and tense Lilac out of the room. They walked the hall in strained silence until they reached the confines of his office. Even in private, her shoulders tensed and the color remained absent from her face.

“How are you?” Ethan asked softly.

“I'm fine.”

He wasn't convinced.

“Seriously, I'm okay.”

Ethan allowed a longer pause.

“You don't have to believe or accept his apology, you know.”

Lilac glanced up at him, giving him a curious look.

“Receiving an apology is a strange phenomenon where you feel obligated to accept or appreciate the gesture.” He thought Louise and the half uttered apology she managed to squeeze into the second before he hung up the phone. “You don't have to do any of those things for Rhodes.”

Lilac considered his words in silence, biting her bottom lip. At last, she nodded, moving closer to him. “I'm aware of that. All of this is so…”

“Confusing?”

Lilac nodded again.

“For all I know, he could be completely insincere. It is his job to be convincing, after all.”

Ethan raised a brow, confused.

“He's a lawyer.”

At that, he laughed.

“He just keeps getting worse the more I learn about him.”

Lilac rolled her eyes and slowly allowed herself to join in with his amusement. The small peal of laughter Ethan inspired made his stomach dip pleasantly. He watched her, his eyes falling on the rosebud lips he longed to kiss.

Eventually, her amusement dwindled away.

“I don't know if I will ever forgive him,” she said. “But his apology made me hate him a fraction less. It felt like poison leaving my body.”

Lilac shuffled her feet, as though embarrassed of the comparison. Ethan, on the other hand, nodded in understanding.

“That's all that matters here. Your peace.”

Relief and something else bloomed in her expression when she glanced up at him. They held each other's gaze and in the minimal space separating them, something fierce and impossible to ignore pulsed to life. It was the same tether that always pulled him toward her from the first day he met her. The same pull that only grew more insistent and agonizing with the distance he tried to put between them a few months ago.

There was no corner of the world he could run to where he could ever forget her.

“He's an idiot,” Ethan said into the silence.

Lilac tilted her head curiously.

“To willingly lose you when he had you in his arms? He should've realized how damn fortunate he was in the first place.”

He wasn't talking about Rhodes anymore.

By the way her breath picked up, Lilac knew this, too.

Ethan opened his mouth, as though to say more. What he would say, he didn’t know. It didn’t matter in the end. In the silence, Lilac stepped into his arms, setting her head against his chest, wordlessly listening to the harmony his pulse created only for her.

Note: This takes place in a different “universe” as the Fake Husband series.

I imagine Alex is a changed man who is trying to atone for his past misgivings. He genuinely feels remorse for what he did to Lilac. Whether or not he should be forgive is entirely up to you.

Thank you so much!

#open heart #ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #Playchoices

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genevievemd · 2 years

Text

The Heart Wants...

Book: Open Heart: Second Year (Post 2.3) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Genevieve McClure) Word Count: 1334 Rating: G Category: Angst, Ethan POV Trope(s): and there’s some good ol’ Pining

A/N: After going on a terrible blind date, Ethan agrees to meet up with Genevieve. But it’s harder than they both imagined.

Warnings: none

A/N: Ya’ll I actually managed not to give this a “happy ending” and I’m super proud of myself. Also, the title for the next fic in the timeline (a Bk 2, ch 4 fic) is in this... can you find it?

Also, I did not proof read, like a savage.

Also also, submitting this for @choicesficwriterscreations “Please Be Prompt” for this weeks angst prompt - which is in bold.

He should have said no to this. Should have simply thanked her for saving him from an awful blind date and ended their text exchange there.

Instead, Ethan agreed to meet up at a coffee shop that was open late and spend the rest of his evening with Genevieve.

He told himself on the drive over that it was simply two friends meeting up, a thank you for the bail out, that it had nothing to do with the feelings he still carried for her.

But it did.

It would be the first time Ethan would see her and be alone with her outside the hospital since they visited the Stevenson home. And he could already feel his heart come alive at the thought.

He pulls into the parking lot behind the café, shutting off the care with a strangled sigh. His hands gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white. The reset should have been easy, it wasn’t as if he was in love with Genevieve.

No, he hadn’t crossed that line yet. No matter how much his barricaded heart screamed for her.

Ethan Ramsey was not falling in love with his resident. And he’d never allow himself to.

Which was the reason he even agreed to the date Baz had set up for him. To prove to himself that the reset was the right decision and he could, in fact, move on from whatever was developing between him and Genevieve.

The friendship they’d formed over the last year was as far as they could and would ever go now.

Ethan finally exits his car, swallowing the lump in his throat. Repeating over and over that he was only meeting her as a friend.

Nothing more, nothing less.

He opens the door to the small café, his eyes instantly finding Genevieve. She’s at a table near the back, eyes full of sorrow as she twirls the spoon around her cup.

Shame washes over him, because he had made her sad. He put that frown on her perfect face.

In his haste to extract himself from the date, it didn’t occur to Ethan that the knowledge of him being on said date would cause Genevieve pain.

Though, it should have.

His rookie wore her heart on her sleeve, her every emotion on her face at any given time, for the world to see.

He knew she still wanted him, was still holding out hope that Ethan would rescind the reset and they’d be together.

But he won’t and, in time, Gen would come to accept it. And begin to move on herself.

He ignores the sharp pain he feels in his heart at the thought of her with someone else, and maneuvers his way to the table.

“Hey.”

The pain he just saw disappears as she looks up at him. Her smile so bright its as if she is the sun itself.

“Hi. I was going to order you something, but I wasn’t sure.”

“That’s fine.” Ethan sits across from her, returning her smile.

Its incredible how quickly she can change his moods. Just being near her, being able to see the freckle in her right eye and rosiness of her cheeks, makes his entire body relax. No one else has ever had that effect on him. Which was why he needed to flee to the jungle, put distance between them.

Both physically and emotionally.

“So, a vegan blogger?” Genevieve smirks, taking a sip of her tea.

“I have no idea what Mirani was thinking.”

“Doesn’t seem like he knows your type at all.”

“It would seem that way, yes.”

He catches the flash of agony that flickers across her face, even as Gen tries to hide it behind her tea cup.

“I’m sorry.” He offers, solemnly.

“For what? It’s not like I’m anything other than your friend.” She shrugs, the bite in her words piercing through his defenses.

Reminding Ethan, once again, of the pain he’s caused her.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, G.”

“You didn’t.”

“I did. I can see it all over your face.”

“Yeah, well…” She takes a deep breath, looking away from him. “That’s what happens when they guy you like goes on a date with someone else.”

“I didn’t have a good time.”

“That doesn’t make it any better, Ethan.”

“You know it has to be this way, it’s for the best.” He so badly wants to reach for her hand, but that would be counterproductive.

If he felt her skin, touched her in any way, it would be like opening up a wound that’s just started to heal. Or an addict giving in to temptation.

He needed to keep his hands to himself, and fight, with everything he has, the urge he has to hold her hand.

“It doesn’t feel like it.” Genevieve takes another deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut.

“It will, in time.”

“Sometimes, I think you mean, or meant, more to be me than I do to you. It wouldn’t be this easy for you if I did.”

He watched the tiniest tear escape her eyes and fall down her cheek. Another glaring reason why Ethan never should have agreed to meet her tonight. It was too painful, for her and for him.

“I don’t know what to say anymore, Gen. You know my reasons for the reset and agreeing to go on that date tonight. If you can’t accept them, then –”

“I can, I have. I just don’t operate like you. I can’t just shut my feelings off or shove them into a box and throw them away.” She finally looks at him again, a fire in her green eyes. “I can’t just forget what happened between us. Maybe you can, but I can’t.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” The admission, for some reason, feels like a weight being lifted. A secret he hadn’t know he was keeping being brought into the light.

Because, he was right, he hadn’t forgotten. He thought about her every spare second he had in the amazon. Even now, working beside her day in and day out, all he thinks about was how it felt to kiss Genevieve, to hold her in his arms.

It was the very reason the reset was so hard. When it should have been easy.

Perhaps, he was wrong before. Maybe Ethan was, or had already started to fall in love with the woman sitting across from him.

Maybe she was already so much more than his very close friend. His best friend, is what Gen called herself.

Maybe, she was already so deep in his veins, that his heart now depended on her to survive.

And that, was a fate worse than death.

Ethan depended on no one, and he wasn’t about to start now.

He had to stand firm, and erase every feeling he had for her and make sure Genevieve did the same.

“I’m sorry.”

He’s startled from his thoughts by her voice, her melodic tone pulling him back to reality.

“I don’t want to fight, or start a fight. I’m gonna go freshen up and then when I come back we’ll start over and you can tell me all about the vegan blogger from hell. Okay?” Gen offers him a sad smile, a brave face.

“Okay.”

She gets up from the table before Ethan can say more, disappearing into the back room.

Ethan leans back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose as he closes his eyes in defeat.

This would be the last time he allows them to be alone together. After tonight, for both their sakes, he’s putting his foot down. No more meetings at Derry Roaster’s before work, or texts pertaining to anything but work. This was the last time.

He’ll be the bad guy, if it saves them from ruin. He’ll make sure they both let go of their feelings and pining for what could have been.

They’ll be Dr. Ramsey and Dr. McClure once more.

Exactly as it always should have stayed.

A/N: He’s a dummy. But we love him anyway.

Tagging Separately.

#ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #open heart #open heart fanfiction #please be prompt #ethan x gen #to think a year after this fic they're dating and official lol and then two years later they're married af #some reset Dr Ramsey lmao

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inlocusmads · 1 year

Text

The Eleventh Hour

Ethan wallows in his sorrows. Hope eventually arrives in the form of a pajama-wearing, file-bearing, frantically-running Jane.

Featuring: Ethan Ramsey, Jane Fletcher from Open Heart.

Word Count: 1.9k | No Warnings/General | Post Book 3: In The Future

Tropes: Proposal / Humour

A/N : This is the proposal fic. Yes. You heard that right. No I am not kidding. Yes, it is heartwarming. No, I don't guarantee fluff. Yes, fluff has various interpretations and is left up to the reader to view it whatever way they see fit.

"Marriage isn't really in the cards for me."

"Children? Nah."

"I doubt I'd be a good family person, to say the least. I don't believe I can raise a child or take them to school or – anything of that sort."

"Honestly I'm much better off alone."

It was eleven at night and the doctor was alone, with some nightly patrons at Pauling's Bistro and Bar.

Ethan wanted to be wrong. He desperately wanted to be. Except it wasn't simple, wasn't it? His friends were all settled and happy. Tobias had a girlfriend now and if trends run smoothly, perhaps he could finally settle down. Ines and Angie were considering sperm donors and everyone was ready. Almost as if they'd had their life sorted out from the very beginning.

It went Birth. School. Work. Marriage. Death. In that order. Kids were optional, but a wedding! People loved weddings and his father was no exception to it.

They had a thing going on in his class in the late 80s. The kids there all wanted what their parents had - a great house, a job that paid well, endless candy. They'd all written up their wishes and had read it out to the class. When it has been Ethan's turn, he'd taken his itty project to the front and used his sharp voice to read out his essay.

"I would love to be a dragon when I grow up!"

Ethan was, safe to say, a bit sad. Pauling's Bistro was quiet that night and he'd been served a sandwich and a tall glass of lemonade. He wasn't quite in the mood for anything strong or anything too fancy, because he believed in not giving into his depressive symptoms, such as impulse buying and keeping quiet to himself in a corner.

A good cry would do it.

"Over sandwiches? Really? God, I'm pathetic." Ethan spoke out loud. He massaged his eyes in agony.

Ethan didn't need kids or a family to be complete. After all, Baz Mirani, a dear friend of his, had come out as asexual and aromatic and he'd mentioned he didn't need a partner or anyone to make his life happy and prosperous. He'd had a plan too - extend the lifespan of his career, travel the world a bit and he'd also mentioned something about garlic bread and cake that he didn't quite understand.

Unfortunately Ethan wasn't a person on the Ace Spectrum, rather he was actually in a committed relationship.

For three and a half years to be precise.

Jane had been his partner for a couple of years and neither had any idea on how to take their relationship. Jane still lived with the Roommates in her Boston flat and occasionally popped by Ethan's for a chat, sometimes. It felt like they were longtime friends who decided to just date out of convenience, peer pressure and boredom. Neither of them were remotely interested in romantic things and often got together for lunch, to talk about dragons and the general way of life.

So no. They were friends, but now they dated. They're one ring away from getting married, one hyperactive bridesmaid and best man away from a lavish wedding and one paper away from getting a house and starting a proper family.

Many had already joked. They'd said stuff like, "Oh, you two don't need marriage! You're already together for a really long time!" - a cheeky way of guilting them into throwing a huge inconvenient party, with a cake and a dance. His friends weren't of help either. They'd all subtly hinted that Ethan was not the same, doe-eyed boy he used to be, playing with dragons and tidying up his office. He was growing old and that meant he'd have to get settled down quickly.

A clap of thunder jolted him awake. He took a small bite of his jalapeno and cheese sandwich, before downing the lemonade in one single go.

"I didn't ask to be an adult." he mumbled, hazily. "I – just sort of minded my own business and then – these people walk in with their obscure demands and hey, "Look at that" they'd say, "Let's make a mockery of him! He looks like an old lean fellow, someone with nobody to take care of him!" – and the next thing I know, I'm jumping down this – cliff of dread and absolute shame because of course, it's always the fellow who's got everything who can't get it. It's poetic cinema. Writes itself, practically. Three years and a book later, it becomes a movie –"

Another clap of thunder. The people serving him drinks and the patrons threw him concerned looks, as if he's gone loopy in the head.

"-- annnd it's always me! The miserable loner who can't be bothered to have a good wedding because God forbid him go against his – stupid little feeling policies. Who even – who even made up stuff like that? Was it Mom? Louise? Did Dad have a say in it? Did they – sort of genetically code me into being this – kind of person?"

He'd always blamed Louise for his lack of empathy, but someday he was going to have to fight back. Unfortunately for him, Ethan was more than comfortable to give up and address it slowly. And it was valid, really. Recovering from trauma took time and Ethan should've been a bit more pardoning with himself.

And yet, he subjected himself to torture. He watched his friends post pictures on social media - their "happy lives, happy wives" memes and so on, that it didn't just annoy him. It made him green with envy and blue with sorrow.

He was tired of making excuses. He was tired of missing out on a life he knew for certain he wasn't going to enjoy.

"Wha' am I suppos'd to do, anyway? Get engaged? Would that please these – Gods of Marriage then?"

The rain poured like hellfire. And suddenly, Ethan spotted a figure running across the street to the Bistro. The figure wore a coat, a pair of sandshoes and was tall enough to stick out like a sore thumb. The figure also had something tucked in their cloak and their steps, though steadfast, weren't very graceful.

"Jane."

She motioned for him to come out. Or maybe she'd gestured at something else. Either way, he complied instantly and abandoned his sandwich; ducking through the door and into the cold night where the storm raged on and on. Jane was dripping wet.

"Jane? Is this you?"

"Certainly haven't done this before – I might've just made a huge mess."

"The pyjamas–"

"Ah yes. Pardon me. They are not an artistic choice." - she adjusted the collars of her shirt. "Anyway – I was about to go to bed a couple of minutes ago, when I realised there was something terribly important I was forgetting. Something so important you could start a war and it's still be even more important than defending the country."

"No, I understand, what is it? An emergency? And how on earth did you find me here?"

"Trial and error." She panted and puffed. "You weren't at the public library or Donahue's. You weren't inside any of the supply closets. So you had to be here."

The rain ravaged. Ethan shrugged off his coat and draped it over Jane, shushing her as she tried to protest.

"Anyway, it took a while, but I know how much you want the package."

"The what?"

"Kids. A life. An awesome car or something."

"I never said that."

"Ah, but you wouldn't stop complaining and it kind of was annoying. You didn't want the package but at the same time you were envious of the people who had it. So it was paradoxical and I didn't know what I should be doing about it. And then I had this brilliant plan. To you know, make you a little less upset with life."

"I'm not upset with anything! Jane, you need to know that all of this is just–"

"I've known you for eight years. I highly doubt you'd want your cribbings to be ignored. Anyway –"

Jane got down on one knee. Ethan stared; his eyes fixated on her, as she tried to carefully remove the documents under her cloak.

"This contains two things. An instructional page to become a Canadian citizen and a second page that has everything you need to know about registering yourself as my common-law partner, application, paperwork, blah blah. You get the point."

She looked up at him, cleared her throat and held the manila folder as if it were a velvet box with a delicate ring inside.

"So – Ethan. Ramsey. Whatever your middle name is. Will you be my common-law partner?"

Ethan paused; his breath hitched and he was certain he couldn't think properly.

"I really need an answer now because I've badly hurt my knee and it hurts to do anything."

Ethan let out a chuckle, followed by a deep, hearty laugh that stemmed from his stomach. He continued - chuckling, laughing and just in the throes of this euphoric feeling of happiness that he didn't bother paying Jane any attention or her poor scraped knee.

"Yes." - He smiled.

"Is that a yes or a "I'll think about it" yes?"

"An actual YES." he screamed a little.

"You know my middle name is Jonah, right?" Ethan said, as he cut up a piece of the sandwich for both of them to share. Outside, the storm stopped but the rain continued in partial drizzles; probably in tandem with the emotional highs and lows Ethan had faced that day.

"Yeah, well, I forgot, okay? You can't expect me to remember everything."

"Considering you actually proposed, I think it'd have been nice if you went, Ethan Jonah Ramsey, will you marry me?"

"I thought it would somewhat be the opposite instead." Jane shrugged. "Like, Jantje Claude Fletcher, will you marry me? I thought you were in a rat race or a hamster wheel - or well, whatever - getting a ring, planning a wedding, conspiring with my friends, breaking open a champagne bottle like we're people inaugurating a ship like in those old cartoons."

"Like I said, it isn't in the cards for me. But common-law partnership might be."

"So it isn't a yes yes, then?" Jane raised her brow.

"No, it is a yes. But I'd like to go through these and do some research."

"So you'd blindly jump in, before reading the manual? That's it. I'm finding a better partner. Goodbye."

"So you're saying this was a test? That there's probably an actual ring hidden inside your pocket right now? And you've got people hidden under the chairs and tables, waiting to yell, Surprise!"

"No. But it is implied." Jane shook her head. "Only joking, but if you desperately want a ring, I can make arrangements."

There was a pause. The two exchanged smiles; several inside jokes shoved up their sleeve, waiting to break out like a dam. But it didn't. Jane sighed, as Ethan dug into his sandwich.

"This isn't a traditional arrangement, you know, so it did take me by surprise; the swiftness in which you said yes. Are you really sure?"

"Vw--ory sho--re." Ethan spoke, between mouthfuls of food. "I've never been sure ever before. This. It makes sense to me. I have to go through it to thoroughly understand it, but nothing has to change and I'm comfortable with that. Besides it's – it's you isn't it? It's you. Then there's me. And we're – well, we're happy. And I'd rather see you happy than make you hunt for a ring."

"Ah, so you would like a ring." Jane thumped her fist against the table. Ethan smiled a toothy grin.

"There's this one black ring that I've got my eyes on. It's splendid, okay? It's got a nice engraving of a haiku. And I like haikus."

"Fine. You get your black ring. I'll get a sandwich, but you're paying this time. This is frickin good!"

"Indeed it is! Pauling's never disappoints."

Ethan looked back on the moment. The proposal at Pauling's Bistro. The rain. The storm. It felt like something out of a romance movie when the protagonists finally acknowledged the fact that things have changed. Things are now turning out to be better looking. Except Ethan didn't need a positive change in his life to be hopeful about things. Jane had taught him that even the simplest of crossword puzzles in a Sunday newspaper carried the largest of answers that unlocked the entire universe. Nothing had to change, because everything was great just the way it was.

At least for a while, because the storm didn't end there. It got worse.

"Yeah we're stuck here." Jane remarked. "Want to share some funny work stories?"

"Let's see. There was this man - no, this intern - wait, he could be a surgical one – no, probably from the anaesthetics department – anyway, he ended up doing something so hilarious and so incorrect that…"

Tag List:

Perma: @tessa-liam @peonierose @quixoticdreamer16

OH only: @cariantha @trappedinfanfiction @jerzwriter

#open heart #ethan ramsey x jane fletcher #w:inlocusmads

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