#ethan x f!mc

[kiara-36]

child Au, chapter 1

Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Chiara Bianchi)

Words: 1000 (more or less)

Summary:  In this Au, Chiara had a child during her last year of med school so after that she took a year gap and then did her intern year in New York. The plot of this AU will more or less follow the normal Open Heart plot but Chiara (and her friends) will be residents instead of being intern (so there will some minor changes to the plot).

My masterlist

Chapter 1

Ethan Ramsey was walking down a hallway, looking at a case, when he felt something pulling his coat. Slightly annoyed that his coat got stuck into something, Ethan looked behind himself and noticed that the thing which was tugging him was actually a little girl, around 4 or 5 years old, tears running down her cheeks.

As he saw how distressed the girl looked, he turned around to see if there were other adults in the hallway and, seeing there were none, he crouched down and asked her: “Are you lost?”. She nodded, being too shy to say anything. “I’ll help you find your mum or dad, come with me” Ethan said giving his hand to the girl. The doctor, being used to kids getting lost in the hospital, knew that the first thing he should do was to go to the hospital’s reception. During the short walk Ethan tried to put the kid at ease by doing small talk but the girl only responded with monosyllabic answer so Ethan stopped trying, even though he didn’t even manage to discover her name. At one point they passed in front a vending machine and the girl suddenly stopped, she was looking and pointing at a chocolate bar. Ethan didn’t want to lose time but, when he saw how joyfully the girl looked at the candy, decided to stop. “Do you want the chocolate bar?” Ethan asked “Yes!” answered the girl. The doctor put a dollar into the machine and the bar fell, making a dull sound, Ethan took it and gave it to her; the girl was now smiling and Ethan, seeing her like this, started smiling too. After that they had almost reached the reception, Ethan then asked: “Now that you have cheered up, could you tell me your name?” but before the girl could answer a woman screamed “Giulia, here you are!”. “Mamma!” the girl run towards her mum and gave her a big hug. The woman had golden brown hair, tied up in a pony tail, she was dressed with a pair of jeans and a white shirt, she still looked tense but now that she had her kid in her arms she was smiling; Ethan was watching her and he couldn’t shake of the feeling that he had already seen her somewhere. “Mamma, the doctor bought me chocolate” Giulia said and at that point the woman locked eyes with Ethan and started walking towards him. “Thank you for taking care of my kid, and thank you for the chocolate” the woman said, with a slight accent in her voice that Ethan couldn’t exactly recognise “You should be more careful; the hospital can be dangerous for a kid” “Yes I know, I was here to get my doctor’s badge and while I was filling out a form she run away without saying anything and when I noticed she was already gone. I wanted to look for her but the nurses told me it was better for me to wait here” “Well yes, it’s protocol to bring lost children here. Wait did you say doctor’s badge?” Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yes” Ines, who was sitting at the desk, answered, suddenly joying the conversation, “she is the new resident, Chiara Bianchi” Chiara Bianchi, that’s why Ethan felt like he had already met her, he had personally selected her application, now, after meeting Giulia, he understood why there was a year-long gap in her resume. “Well, I should get going, after all I’ve already lost enough time” Ethan said ,then he looked at the girl and smiled “Goodbye Giulia, don’t run away from your mum next time” and, looking at Chiara, he added: “ I’ll see you for your first shift Rookie” , he turned around but before he went too far Chiara said “Wait I didn’t catch your name Doctor …” “Ramsey. Dr. Ramsey” “as in Ethan Ramsey?” Chiara asked, her eyes wide open “Yes” he said and walked away. When Ethan was at a safe distance Chiara turned to Ines and said “I can’t believe that just happened, it was terrible” “It’s ok Ethan is always hard on new doctors, at least he was nice to your daughter” Ines answered “But I lost Giulia at work, on my first day! And if that wasn’t enough she was found by no other than my medical inspiration: Dr. Ramsey” “Well if it’s of any consolation: there are so many new doctors every year that he might not even remember you next time you meet” “Let’s hope so” Chiara said.

After getting her badge Chiara and Giulia went back to their apartment. The woman started cooking and, while waiting for the water to boil, she was filling out Giulia’s application to Kindergarten. “What are you doing mamma?” “Just doing a couple of things for your new school, sweetie, are you excited for it?” “Yes” Giulia said but she didn’t seem too convinced “do you think I’ll make many friends?” “Oh honey, of course you’ll make many friends, you’re the sweetest kids there is” Chiara said and gave her a hug, “we will also have to find a new baby-sitter…” “But I liked the last one” Giulia pouted. “Yes, I know Giulia but it’s the price of moving to a new city, look on the bright side tough: now that we live in Boston you’ll spend more time with your grandparents” “Yay!” Giulia made a big smile. An hour after Giulia was in her bed and Chiara was reading her a story. When she noticed that her daughter was already asleep she gave her a kiss on her forehead and then whispered “I really hope it will be easier for us in Boston”.

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Author’s note: I hope you have enjoyed this fanfic. I will certainly made more chapters but I don’t know when I’ll publish them since I’m super busy this year (preparing for uni admissions tests is tough😅)

Taglist: @nikki-2406 @queencarb @sophxwithers @aleynareads @actuallybored @choicesreal @potionsprefect @thisghosts-obsessions-again​ @jerzwriter​ @choicesficwriterscreations (if you would like to be added or removed just tell me so)

[josiesopenheart]

The Way I Loved You- Chapter 3 Sneak Peek!

I know I’ve taken a lil while out of writing, but now I’m back and continuing my AU series The Way I Loved You

Ethan sits in the cold Diagnostics Team office all alone. And to his surprise, he in unhappy reflecting on the drastic changes in the last year of his life. A year ago he would have been rather contempt sitting alone in his office, leading the Diagnostics Team. Though that is no longer the case and he knows precisely why.

His Josie.

Or rather, an other man’s Josie now.

He shouldn’t care, he knows that. He was the one to set the boundaries. He was the one to leave. He was the one to end it. And yet all he wants is to run to her and fight like hell for her.

Thank you so much for reading!!❤️ I am super exciting to continue this series!

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Ethan x MC

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[openheartfanfics]

Ethan x F!MC Mini Series

T-#

The Choices We Make - @bex-la-get [mini: wip]  When a woman from Ethan’s past comes bearing shocking news, Nat and Ethan grapple with their shattered reality.

Part 1  |  Part 2

The Countdown - @bex-la-get [mini: complete] [2.18]

Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3

The End

The Couple & Others - @terrm9 [mini: wip] E&C’s encounters with their dear ones after their relationship became public

1. Count Me In (Ethan’s bonding time with the gang, taking place few days after 2.17)

2. Everywhere I Go (Ethan decides to invite Chiara to Providence, set in the first half of 2.18)

3. Dinner (Naveen comes over for a dinner for the first time since the gala 2.18)

4. The Ray Women (Chiara takes Ethan with her to visit her family in San Francisco 2.20)

The Cradle Will Fall - @chaoticchopshopheart [mini: wip]  After the hopeful Hearts Gala when things are going great for Penelope and Ethan, a ghost from Ethan’s past surfaces with a shocking revelation. Ethan had supposedly unknowingly fathered a child in their brief time together.

Part 1  |  Part 2 ♥

The Enneagram - @rebsrams [wip] Ethan’s back from the Amazon. MC can’t really come to terms with his decision to cut her off. Based on Atlas: Enneagram from Sleeping at Last.

One  |  Two.

The Ex Factor... Tomas - @jerzwriter [complete] LinkedIn suggests Casey’s ex as a connection for Ethan and he can’t leave well enough alone.

The Grief Series - @arjaywrites [complete] Grief is a funny thing. It hits you when you least expect it. To Ethan, it just doesn’t hit him. It tears his heart, his soul and everything. TW: Major Character Death

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

The Gala - @maximumdreamerdetective 🌟 [mini: wip] It’s the annual Edenbrook’s New year party and Ethan can’t help but spend his night filled with alcohol and jealousy.

The Inauguration - @poudredevie [completed]  Edenbrook’s brand new wing is now finished. People from all over Massachusetts are invited to join the inauguration party.

Part 1  |  Part 2  |   Part 3 ♥

The Last Time - @jerzwriter [mini: wip]  A decade apart had done nothing to heal their wounds. Perhaps this encounter would finally offer them the very thing they desperately needed.

The Metaphor Series - @queenbirbs

waiting game

hold steady

threshold

The Pregnancy -  @lahamseiroshoe *mini: completed*

Part One  |   Part Two  |   Part Three  |  The Birth

The Seal of Zeal - @headoverheelsforramsey  ☁

[complete] Ethan Ramsey and Meera Bose do not back down from challenges. But what happens when they challenge each other?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

The Seven Vows - @whimsicallywayward15 [mini: wip] It’s their wedding night! A celebration of love, with odes to her hindu culture.

Part One- The Wedding

Part Two- The Wedding Night ♥

The Ten Day Challenge - @arjaywrites   [mini: wip] Tobias challenges Dana to get Ethan to open up to her in just ten days into their new relationship.

Day Zero

Day Four

The Ticking Clock - @ao719  🎭 Based on the Grey’s Anatomy plot of a mass shooting at Edenbrook. TW: Angst. Gun violence, death.

Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3

The Way I Loved You - @josiesopenheart [mini: wip]  Ethan returns from the Amazon, only to find Josie has moved on with someone else.

Prologue  |  1. Exile

Three of Swords - @burnsoslow MC and Ethan broke up. Zaid & Ines have a plan to get them to watch their triplets.

Time Bomb - @utterlyinevitable

OHSY Chapter 13 rewrite with the trauma we deserve.

I.  |  II. |  III.

Tis the Season - @potionsprefect 🎄 [mini: wip] It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Boston.

1. Festivity Upon Us

2. Heartache and Healing

To Act In Haste - @hiirunakaarchive

(pt 1)  |  (pt 2)

(pt 3)  |  (pt 4)

Two Lives, One Heart - @bonaofsavoy

part one  |  part two  |  part three

Unintended Consequences - @whenyourheartskipsabeat-library *on hiatus* Ethan x Harper, Ethan x MC

Part 1  |  Part 2

Part 3  |  Part 4

Voicemails - @drethanramslay

All alone in Boston, with nothing to look forward too, she started leaving voicemails to the love of her life, hoping that he comes back to her.

Waiting - @takemyopenheart 📚 [completed]  There are thousands of miles between Ethan and Luz—which begs the question: does absence really make the heart grow fonder?

Part 1  |  Part 2  |  III. Reunion

Walk Above the City - @anonymousrookie 🎄 [mini: wip]  They find themselves in the same city three years after he left for the Amazon and she left Edenbrook. When truths are revealed, will it be too late for a Christmas miracle?

2. Once Again as in Olden Days

Was It a Decision to Stay - @utterlyinevitable

Was It

Decisions

Stuck

Water Under the Bridge - @a-crepusculo [mini:wip]  Their relationship is put to the test when a new opportunity arises for Marchia.

1. NOT THE ONE

2. Through the Door

We Need You - @lady-kaya-duskraven

PART ONE.

PART TWO.

PART THREE.

Wedding series - @arjaywrites  🎭 [mini: wip] Dana and Ethan plan their wedding. Only it causes the ‘Visible Wedding Frustration’ pandemic that puts their friendships and family in jeopardising positions.

Part 1: Outbreak

Part 2: Mitosis, Meiosis

Weekend In Newport - @liaromancewriter [mini: completed] Cassie asks her brother for help as she and Ethan head down to Newport for a gathering of the Valentine clan.

Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3

What Happened in Vegas - @jerzwriter  🛸 [wip] Casey & her roommates are heading to Vegas, intent on taking down Declan Nash and Panacea; but this time, Dr. Ethan Ramsey is in tow.

Ch 1 - Take Off

What If? - @liaromancewriter  🛸

[complete] If Ethan and Cassie had met in college, would they still be inevitable?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Epilogue

When The Bough Breaks - @jerzwriter 📚 [wip]  Casey and Ethan realize their seemingly idyllic marriage had fractures they never saw. They had been dishonest with each other for quite some time.

Part 3

Why are you lying to me? - @therookie [wip ]

Part 1 | Part 2

You & I - @jamespotterthefirst   [complete] Her husband’s colleague seems a bit too interested in him. Dread sets in when they have to go on a work trip together.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Your Love Is Killing Me - @headoverheelsforramsey [complete]  A canon divergent take on the emotions Ethan and Meera face on returning from Miami, and what happens when Meera faints in the hospital atrium.

Part 1  |  Finale

5 Stages of Grief - @gryffindordaughterofathena [wip] Pain is like a drop of poison, it withers you from within. A series of drabbles, where Diana deals with Ethan’s departure to the Amazons.

1800s AU - @jamespotterthefirst

At a ball, Doctor Ethan Ramsey is entranced by her beauty, not knowing there is so much more to her than meets the eye.

I: She Walks In Beauty

II: A Red, Red Rose  

III: How Do I Love Thee

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[jerzwriter]

Do you think it would've been harder for Ethan and K/C if the events of WTBB would've happened in their HC? You know, they thinking they won't have kids because they "can't" ?

You know, I loved WTBB... but I really think I copped out. I gave them an "out" for a happy ending amidst the chaos because Ethan changed his mind about having a child with Casey/Kaycee. Sure, she didn't know that at first, but she learns quickly. So, it is still difficult, still stressful... but it makes it much "better."

How would she be able to continue knowing Ethan's son exists and will be a part of their lives. Seeing him and his mother, knowing that the has something with Ethan that Casey/Kaycee never would.

Now, if it was because Ethan just didn't want to have children, honestly, I don't know that their marriage survives. This is another situation of "nobody's fault," but the situation is so stacked against them. That would be an awful lot to ask anyone to endure, and I think, in time, Casey/Kaycee would have come to believe she'd be better in a relationship where she could live out all of her dreams. (But I was too chicken to write that back then! lol)

Now, if we throw in "can't" have children, that's a different dimension. It's no longer an "I want this more than anything, and Ethan is saying no." It's "We want this, but we can't have it." It could still have a chilling effect on relationships, and they'd be no exception. I think they'd have a lot to cope with if this was the case, but I think they'd make it through. Because the thing depriving Casey/Kaycee of having a child of her own with the man she loves would not be that very man. It would be easier to accept an unkind fate than accept that the person she loved more than anything was prohibiting her from the one thing she wanted most... while she had to play a role in raising his long-lost child.

I have to write the final part of this series. And I have often wanted to go back and maybe do HCs for different scenarios. I'm braver now. lol

Thanks for asking!

[zealouscanonindeer]

Company

Synopsis: Comfort goes both ways, even in the most unlikely times.

Category: Fluff.

Ethan sat at his office desk, eyes trained on the desktop screen but tonight his attention was not on paperwork or administration details. That had long since disappeared, ever since he stepped down from his role as Chief. Now, he was back to doing what he loved, being a doctor.

With Aspen at the helm of the diagnostic team and leading it beautifully, he was content in sitting back and letting her continue. So he spent most of his time in the clinic and wards, scanning through as many patients as possible. He had also begun writing his second book, the object currently holding his attention. Though not for long..

"Dada! " The tiny voice was followed by a splatter of footsteps and laughter as someone zoomed past his office towards the living room.

He got up, slightly exasperated, he had finally achieved putting Tatum down only 10 minutes back. He had waited until her eyelids had pressed shut, her breathing even and her tiny hand slowly let go of his.

"Tate" He saw her on the sofa, standing against the backrest, her dark hair plopping up and down as she jumped. Her honey orbs started at him, challenging him to make her stop. Suddenly he was stunned by her uncanny resemblance to his wife.

"How in the world did you get out of the crib? " He mostly asked himself.

"I hold the bars and then get on the dresser and from there.. I do this. " She had by now climbed onto the backrest and flung herself off it. Ethan scrambled to catch her, his heart dropping when he realised he was too far away.

She landed on her feet and he sighed in relief, he himself wasn't so lucky. His fall was only half aided by the carpet. His hip hit the floor, causing a light groan to leave him.

His daughter stared at him from above as he lay on his back. Her lips let out giggles before she grabbed his arm.

"Silly dada. "

"Silly indeed. " Ethan muttered, smiling.

She pulled him, indicating she wanted to go somewhere. Ethan found his footing, the pain subsiding as she walked towards the master bedroom. She waited for Ethan by the door,her little legs dancing about, impatient to enter but the dark too scary to tread.

The moment Ethan switched on the light, she rushed in, grabbing handfuls of the duvet to launch herself onto the bed. Making herself comfortable under the covers, she patted the space next to her, looking at Ethan who stood leaning against the door, his features perked up watching his younger daughter's antics.

He sat down next to her and she immediately snuggled into him, his large arm wrapping around her entire body as she blissfully rested her weight against him.

"Why aren't you in bed, my gorgeous tater tot? " Her eyes brightened at the mention of tater tots.

"It's scary dada. "

"What is? "

"The storm. "

The weather had been terrible the past weekend, causing half of his family to remain in Florida, where they were visiting Aspen's family. He had stayed behind as Tatum had just recovered from quite a severe bout of flu and it was unadvisable that she be subjected to plane travel so soon.

"Did that wake you up? " She nodded vehemently.

"You know, it was really scary for me as well. I still find it very difficult to sleep during storms. "

"Does Mommy hold you too, when you're scared and read you your favorite bedtime story? "

"Something like that. " Ethan smirked.

"I miss Mommy. " Tatum sighed dramatically, throwing herself on the pillows and pouting.

"Me too." Ethan admitted.

"You don't need to worry, I gotcha. " She assured, her earnest promise evident in the seriousness of her eyes.

"I know you do. Thank you. " Ethan answered, the reassurance more profound than he expected.

"Let's continue our bedtime story, yeah. "

"Yeah! " Tatum ran across the hall before returning back silently. She stood by the door, fingers in her mouth and mumbled.

"It's dark. "

"Let's go together. " Ethan picked her up, gently removing her fingers out of her mouth and giving her a stern look. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, her tiny hand resting on his jaw absentmindedly.

Having gotten her book, Danny the Champion of the World, they settled in bed. Two chapters later, she was fast asleep. Ethan smiled, looking at his little girl, suddenly finding himself glad that he wasn't alone at home tonight. She gave him more courage than he could fathom possible.

His phone buzzed, vibrating against the bedside table. He picked it up to see his wife's image pop up. He quickly swiped up to see her smiling into the camera.

"Hey. How's it going there. I miss you."

"The storm's still crazy. God, I wish your plane left yesterday, I miss you too. "

"Hmm. You holding up fine? I know bad weather makes you restless. Try to get some sleep, okay? "

It was true, the storms always unnerved Ethan. He remembered Louise leaving before a particularly bad one. With Alan still adjusting to the new life and responsibility, Ethan had braved through one such night all on his own. Ever since then, nights like these brought back those memories with them. But tonight he felt strangely calm even in the midst of one.

" Don't worry one bit about me. " He said turning the camera towards their sleeping daughter.

"I have company. "

*********

@liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @jerzwriter @cariantha @peonierose @rookiemartin @kyra75 @queencarb @genevievemd @tessa-liam @coffeeheartaddict2 @tveitertotwrites @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[alj4890]

Hii 🥰

I saw this picture and thought it might inspire a fic or an edit (no pressure 🥰)

I'm so sorry this took so long to answer @peonierose 🤦🏻‍♀️ I had a lot of Choices couples in mind for this picture 😂 It has taken me a while to think of just the right story for this one and I think I finally have. After seeing Ethan tortured in some of my fics recently, I decided to do a drabble of him and an OC I mentioned in A Glimpse. For this story, we see how these two got together.

(Ethan Ramsey x OC*Sophie Triano) with some urging from (Tobias Carrick x Chris Valentine) in a Choices Open Heart drabble

@hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @jerzwriter

Rating G for fluff

Masterlist

Something Sweet

"How was Bora Bora?" Ethan asked.

"Perfection itself." Tobias replied. "Chris and I had the best time there."

Ethan studied him. "You don't look very tan for a man who has been on an island for two weeks."

Tobias smirked. "But I do look tan enough for a man who was on a honeymoon with his wife."

Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Where's Chris?"

"Studying with Sienna." Tobias replied.

He eyed Ethan for a moment. Since they were alone, he decided to find out what happened after he and Chris left their wedding reception.

"By the way, how did you get back to the hotel?"

"How do you think?" Ethan replied.

"Who gave you a ride?" Tobias asked.

"Your brother did."

"Which one?"

Ethan stopped trying to complete some paperwork. He leaned back in his chair, set his hands behind his head, and focused silently on Tobias.

"It was Hugh." He finally said. "Why?"

"No reason." Tobias grumbled.

Ethan went back to work.

"If you rode with Hugh, then you must have ridden with Veronica."

"That would be a logical assumption since she is married to your brother." Ethan drily remarked.

Tobias refused to comment on that. "And if you were with Veronica, then you must have met her cousin, Sophie."

Ethan glanced up, eyes narrowed.

"So?" Tobias moved Ethan's laptop to the side. "What did you think of her?"

"She seems nice."

"Nice?" Tobias groaned. "Come on, Ethan."

"Can we get back to work or do you feel the need to bother me a little longer?"

Tobias shook his head. "Sophie is just your type."

"You haven't known my type since college." Ethan pointed out.

Tobias quirked an eyebrow and waited.

Ethan glared at him for the reminder he had fallen for Chris too.

"Sophie looks nothing like her." He bit out.

"I know that, but she has some similar personality traits that I think you'll like."

Tobias decided to drop that brief comparison when Ethan glared bordered on murderous.

"Hugh told me Sophie moved to Boston."

"She moved back to Boston." Ethan corrected, grateful to not be talking anymore about finding a woman like Chris. "Veronica and Sophie are expanding their business. She opened a bakery here a couple of months ago."

"Have you been by yet?"

Ethan rubbed a hand down his face. "I haven't."

He held his hand up to silence Tobias the moment he saw his mouth open.

"If I say I'll go by later this week, will you drop the subject and let me finish what I was typing?"

"I'll drop it for now, but we are discussing it again and again until you go see her." Tobias smirked at him.

"You are a colossal pain in my ass, you know that?" Ethan grumbled. "Go find someone else to bother."

"And leave you alone?" Tobias clucked his tongue in disapproval. "That wouldn't be very-- where are you going?"

"To see Sophie." Ethan snapped. "Right now, I'll do anything to get you to shut up!"

Tobias watched him storm out of the diagnostic office. He then sent a quick text to Chris, letting her know she could come inside.

So far, their plan to help Ethan find someone was off to a great start.

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

"Don't breathe." Sophie whispered to those watching.

She carefully placed the last delicate sugar flower at an angle that defied gravity upon the five tier cake and carefully climbed off her step stool.

"Well?" She beamed at her staff. "What do you think?"

"I think we need to take them off now and store them before one breaks." Her store manager, Terry, declared. "You've got three more cakes to work on this week and the last thing we need is--"

"Ms. Triano!" One of the employees called out. "You have a visitor at the front."

Terry's voice went a higher octave when she began to leave.

"Sophie!" He cried. "The flowers!"

"They'll be fine." She winked at him. "You worry too much."

She chuckled over his look of disbelief.

Sophie couldn't help but be optimistic that all was working like she and Veronica planned. Ever since they were little girls with their Easy Bake ovens, they knew they wanted to open their own bakery one day. With their family's support, the two cousins graduated from the French Culinary Institute and opened up a bakery in New York.

It wasn't long before their cakes were featured in bridal magazines across the globe. Veronica and Sophie entered competitions on Food Network to gain even more exposure. Soon, they had orders years in advance for their baked treats.

They knew they should expand, but what made their cakes so popular, was that they each made every part of it themselves. They had staff to help with the mixing and all, but they were the true cake artists. Everything they designed from sugar blew everyone's mind.

For the first time in ten years, the cousins worked apart. Veronica needed to stay in New York with Hugh's work being there and their children were happy in their current schools. Since Sophie was single with no children of her own, she was the one to volunteer to open another bakery.

She'd wanted to come back to Boston for a while now. Though she thoroughly enjoyed working in New York, there was nothing like being back in her hometown. She needed that sense of comfort as she made all the decisions on her own. She still called Veronica multiple times a day, but this venture rested mostly upon her shoulders.

Sophie straightened her chef's jacket as she crossed into the main bakery. Cases gleamed under Edison bulbs revealing a variety of desserts. Cookies, tarts, pies, scones, cakes, etc. were all on display to tempt everyone who walked through her door. She did a quick visual sweep to make sure everything was up to her high standards before looking for her visitor.

Her eyes widened at the sight of the doctor she'd met at Tobias and Chris's wedding. Of all the people she thought she would see again, Ethan Ramsey seemed the least likely.

It wasn't that he ignored her at the wedding. He even talked to her about her bakery. He simply seemed to be preoccupied with something else.

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

Ethan watched as she made her way over to him. He'd thought she was pretty the night he met her, but seeing her in chef's mode brought a smile to his face. She was in her element and the confidence rolled off of her adding even more to her beauty.

"Hey." She smiled at him. "What are you doing here?"

"You said I could come anytime I wanted something sweet." He spread his arms. "Here I am."

"And just what do you crave, Ethan?" She teased. "Are you a sugary puff kind of man or do you want something bitter?"

"No sugary puffs" He walked over to look at her offerings. "Though I will admit that most of this makes me think a diabetic coma might be worth it."

She laughed. "Follow me, Dr. Ramsey."

His eyebrow raised as he followed her off to a smaller room. There was a table and a set of chairs along with a cooler filled with various drinks.

"Have a seat." Sophie insisted.

She sat down across from him, pulled out a small notebook from her pocket and clicked a pen open.

"Now then." She raised her eyes to his. "Would you mind answering a few questions?"

"For?" He countered.

"To learn all your secrets." She replied.

His eyes widened.

Sophie laughed, shaking her head. "Easy there. I was teasing you. I'm wanting to understand your palette."

Ethan actually flushed.

"Then, yes, go ahead."

"Just say the first word that comes to mind." Sophie told him. "Fruit?"

"Apple."

Sophie wrinkled her nose.

"What's wrong with apples?"

"Nothing. I'm not a big fan of them. I'm more of a berry girl."

Her gaze dropped down to his white doctor's coat. "Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised with you saying apple."

Ethan relaxed in his chair. "They are good for you."

"I'll stick with raspberries."

"I like those too." Ethan added.

"You do?" She set her pen down. "Do you like dark chocolate?

"I do." He replied.

Sophie got to her feet. "Wait here."

She went through a set of double doors and returned with a slice of chocolate cake covered in a dark chocolate ganache.

"Try this." She handed him a fork.

Ethan's eyes widened with the first bite. A medley of the tart raspberry compote with slightly sweet chocolate left him wanting more.

"Good?" She prodded.

"It's incredible." He took another bite. "Best cake I've had in a long time."

She beamed at him. "Talk like that will make you my favorite customer."

He chuckled. "I'm tempted to buy the rest of the cake."

"No need."

She went back through the double doors and before they could shut, she was back with a black box tied with a white bow in her hands.

"You boxed the cake up before I even tried it?"

Sophie nodded a touch proudly. "I knew you would love it."

"How much do I owe you?" He got to his feet, reaching for his wallet.

"It's on the house." She replied.

"Oh." Ethan took the box from her. "Thank you."

Terry stuck his head through the double doors.

"Sophie!" He hissed without looking at Ethan. "The flowers! Carlton bumped the table and gave me a mild heat attack. Get them back into storage!"

Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'll be right there."

"You have flowers too?" Ethan asked.

"No. I make them." She waved goodbye. "Drop by anytime Dr. Ramsey."

Sophie paused at the door and winked at him. "I might even give you something else you'll love."

Ethan blinked in surprise once she disappeared. He wasn't quite certain how to take her parting words.

He frowned in thought during the drive back to the hospital.

"She meant more desserts." He told himself. "That's all she could have meant."

Once at Edenbrook, he sat in his car a few extra minutes. He eyed the black box and knew why he couldn't stop trying to see hidden meanings in her words and actions. He'd allowed Tobias to get in his head about there possibly being something more with Sophie.

He refused to give it another thought. He was too busy and too intelligent to ponder what women meant when talking to him. Of course, if Sophie did mean it in a flirtatious manner, then he would naturally respond in either a flirty fashion of his own or cold disinterest.

He picked up the box, a hint of a smile on his lips as he thought of her knowing he would love her cake.

If she was interested in him, he might be interested in her to.

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

A couple of days later...

"Any plans for your days off?" Chris asked.

Ethan kept pace with her as they walked towards their patient's room. "I'm going to the ballet Thursday night. They are performing The Sleeping Beauty."

"Oh?" Chris couldn't help but smile. "That sounds awfully romantic."

Ethan softly groaned. He knew what was coming next.

"Do you have anyone in particular you're taking with you?" Chris prodded, trying her best to look innocent.

"Chris." Ethan grumbled.

"Yes?" She was completely unfazed by the way he said her name.

"Tobias is rubbing off on you."

"I do more than rubbing." Tobias remarked from behind them.

Chris swatted him playfully with the file folder in her hand.

"What are we talking about?" Tobias asked, once he was walking along her other side.

"Ethan has a romantic night planned." Chris explained before Ethan could get a word out.

"Really?" Tobias looked over her head at him. "About time."

"I was just about to find out who Ethan invited to share this romantic night at the ballet."

"The ballet." Tobias slipped his arm around Chris when he noticed Ethan's face contort into irritated anger. "Can't set the mood much better than that."

"Enough!" Ethan snapped. "I'm not taking anyone to the ballet!"

"Why not?" Chris stopped him from walking on.

She placed her hands on her hips and backed him into the wall with her narrowed eyes and clipped tone.

"Are you honestly going to stand there and tell me that you are going to spend an evening of dinner and ballet without a date?!"

"I," Ethan hesitated. "Um..."

There was something about Chris's temper that made everyone take a step back. Even he got caught off guard from time to time.

But he wasn't in any mood for it today.

He glared down at her. He decided he wasn't going to be cowed by his former protege.

"I am planning an evening of enjoyment for myself."

Chris threw her hands up in exasperation, almost hitting both Ethan and Tobias in their faces.

"Men!" She grumbled. "Such a waste of bloody oxygen half the time."

Tobias groaned. "Welp, you set her off for the day. No man will be safe."

Ethan winced when Tobias smacked him on the back of the head.

"Don't tell her about your evenings for a party of one." He began to follow his wife. "She won't like it, then I'm the one left to deal with the fallout."

"She shouldn't be interested in what I do." Ethan grumbled.

Tobias shot a frustrated glance filled with pity towards him.

"What?" Ethan demanded.

"Chris cares about you." Tobias reminded him. "Once she calls you her friend, there is no escaping her concern. You know this about her."

Ethan stopped in his tracks. It was strange that it didn't hurt as much anymore thinking about Chris caring about him as nothing more than a friend. After their tumultuous year when she first arrived at Edenbrook, then having to go through seeing her fall in love with Tobias; Ethan was surprised they had survived it all to end up friends.

Maybe he was ready to move on and see what could happen next.

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

He decided he was ready to have a significant other as he ate dinner alone. Going to the ballet without someone there to talk to had lost the allure it once held. He still enjoyed his solitude, especially with the friends he had somehow become stuck with. This evening though would have been perfect for someone special.

As he walked into the Boston Opera House's lobby, he bumped into Sophie.

"Excuse me--Ethan!" She smiled at him. "Hello."

"Sophie," he glanced around to see if she was with a date, "it's good to see you again."

"You too." She too tried to see if he was with someone. "Are you a fan of the theatre arts?"

"I am." He cleared his throat. "Are you here alone?"

"Yes," she rolled her eyes, "I was given the Mcculler's box in thanks for doing a rush job on a cake for one of their parties. I've been looking forward to this night for weeks but couldn't find anyone who wanted to see The Sleeping Beauty with me."

Ethan's lips curved some. "I've rarely found anyone who enjoys coming here as much as I do."

"Where are your seats?" She asked.

"The Mezzanine, center." He replied.

"I don't suppose you'd like to join me instead?" She held up the two tickets she'd been given. "If you're alone, that is."

"I'd love to."

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

Ethan spent most of the ballet studying Sophie. There was something about her that seemed to give a sense of peace that he'd never experienced with anyone else. She was completely still, yet relaxed in her seat. Her eyes followed the movements on the stage while a slight smile graced her lips.

He then took in the rest of her. Sophie's dark chestnut hair cascaded down her shoulders. The white dress she wore was flattering to her figure. His eyes drifted down to her hands loosely clasped in her lap.

She was, he noted, the exact opposite of Chris. He wondered if Tobias had done this on purpose. Unlike the very tall, pale skin, green eyed, red headed Scottish doctor he'd first fallen for, Sophie was of a more average height, caramel colored skin, topped off with a pair of dark brown eyes and hair.

She was striking in her beauty. He realized he hadn't really appreciated that fact the last couple of times he'd seen her. He suspected that getting over his former love had clouded his mind from taking in the lady beside him.

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

Sophie could practically feel Ethan's eyes on her. It took all her strength to remain relaxed in her seat. She couldn't recall the last time a man had studied her so intently. Men hit on her, but no one actually looked at her the way he was doing right now.

She didn't know if it was those piercing blue eyes of his or the type of man he was, but her nerves were notched so high that if he remotely made a move toward her, she'd probably tackle him where he sat.

She thought he was handsome the night she met him. She found him almost cute dressed as a doctor. But something about him in his suit, sitting beside her in the dark, made him almost irresistible.

Veronica told her she needed to get out and date more. Maybe she was right. Sophie had not been with anyone for nearly a year in preparing for the move back to Boston. Most of the men who came into her bakery were already in a relationship. It was rare anyone single came in, much less asked to speak to her.

Since she spent most of her time in the back decorating and supervising, she never had a chance to flirt with any of the few male customers who came in for treats to take to their offices.

Maybe that was why Ethan's attention affected her so strongly. She'd been longing for a relationship and hadn't even known it.

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

The lobby of the Boston Opera House...

"I was thinking about going to get something to eat." Sophie looked up at him. "Any chance you'd care to have a late dinner with me?"

Ethan hesitated.

Sophie immediately regretted asking him.

"I actually ate earlier." He glanced at his watch. "How--"

"No problem." She nervously tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Thanks for sitting with me."

Sophie began to walk away, waving goodbye to him.

"Wait!" He caught up to her. "I was about to ask if you'd rather come to my place for dinner. It's late and most of the restaurants that your dress is meant for will be closing."

"Oh." She couldn't help but smile. "I don't want to put you to any trouble."

"No trouble at all. I enjoy cooking on my nights off." He offered his arm to her. "How did you get here?"

"Taxi." She placed her hand within the bend of his arm.

"Good. Then I can drive you home later."

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

When Ethan pulled up to his apartment building, Sophie's jaw dropped.

"You live here?"

"Yes, why?" He asked.

"Because I live here!" She pointed at the building. "Twelfth floor. Apartment B."

"I'm on the seventeenth." He told her.

Ethan couldn't believe he'd been living in the same building as Sophie all this time yet had never crossed paths with her.

Or had he and he simply hadn't noticed?

"You won't have to worry about driving me home now." She teased.

He smiled at her. "I can still walk you to your door."

Sophie laughed while getting out. "I'd like that."

Once in the elevator, she turned towards him. "Would you mind if I stopped at my place first and changed clothes?"

"No."

"These shoes have to go." She told him.

Sophie grasped his arm to balance as she slipped the painful high heels off.

Ethan watched her with a touch of amusement as she scooped up the pair with a soft curse.

"I won't be long." She told him while stepping out on her floor, casting a warm smile at him over her shoulder.

"Seventeen B." He reminded her.

"I'll be there." She promised.

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

Ethan quickly undressed the moment he shut his door. Tossing the finely made suit jacket and pants into his closet, he next tackled his shirt and tie. He settled on a light blue t-shirt to wear along with a pair of blue jeans. While pulling his pants on, he stumbled cursing into his kitchen to see what ingredients he had on hand for Sophie.

Her knock a couple of minutes later made him steady himself. He paused a moment realizing that he was actually excited about the prospect of getting to know her a little better.

He opened the door to find her casually leaning against the door frame. She'd put on a t-shirt like he had along with a pair of jeans. Sophie held up a bottle of wine with a hesitant smile.

"I wasn't certain what we were going to have, but I can say this is an excellent pinot grigio."

Ethan took the bottle from her, his brow furrowing with what to cook.

"Uh oh." She teased. "Is my choice of wine that bad?"

He looked up at her. "Not at all. I was thinking of what I could pair with it."

"Honestly Ethan," Sophie set her keys on his side table, "I'm up for anything. A simple ham sandwich would be great right now."

He snorted as he led her into his kitchen.

"I think I can do a little better than a ham sandwich."

"Really?" She settled comfortably on one of his bar stools. "Well now I am curious to see your cooking skills in action."

"I doubt they compare to yours." He remarked over his shoulder.

He began to gather the ingredients to make Tuscan chicken.

"Anything's better than mine."

Ethan' eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Sophie, you own a bakery and develop recipes for it on a daily basis."

She waved that off as if it was no big deal.

"The thing is," she confessed, "I can make desserts in my sleep, but savory dishes are where I mess up."

"Are you saying that you--"

"Can't cook." She admitted with a grin. "It baffles everyone I meet. Give me sugar and flour and I'm good, great even. Hand me that chicken and tomatoes and spinach and I'm going to destroy them as soon as I put them into a pan."

Ethan shook his head with a laugh. "I'm the opposite."

"You can't make desserts?"

"Not even pancakes." He explained about the meals he used to cook for him and his father. "Dad would just bring home ice cream or a box of cookies for us to have with our meals. He insisted I never pick up a bag of sugar "

Sophie laughed, feeling more at ease around him.

As the two talked, Ethan went through the prep work with ease. He uncorked the bottle of wine then led her into his living room. The pair sat down somewhat close, angling their bodies toward each other as they continued to talk about their lives.

He discovered that the thirty-three year old was highly intelligent, not just in the culinary world but in other aspects such as business and even history. Her ability to use humor here and there with her stories only added even more to her ability to hold his attention.

After spending so much time at Edenbrook, Ethan had forgotten that people outside of medicine could be a nice change of pace. He also found that she could easily grasp what he was talking about as he described what he did on the diagnostic team. Her questions were well thought out and actually made him pause a time or two to consider the answers.

When dinner was ready, they sat at his table, lights dimmed as they continued learning about the other.

It was, he decided, one of the best meals he'd had in a long time.

"Ethan, that was amazing." Sophie declared.

"Thank you." He got up to take their empty plates.

"I insist on doing the dishes." She took them out of his grasp. "And to make you dessert in thanks for cooking for me."

"There's no need." He followed her to his sink. "Like I told you, it was nice to cook for someone other than myself."

"If you ever need to do so again," she winked at him, "I won't be opposed to you calling me."

"Don't be surprised to hear from me often." He smiled at her, reaching over to finish up the dishes. "Go relax. I know you've been on your feet all day."

Sophie shook her head. "I feel reenergized. I haven't had a home cooked meal since I moved back to Boston. I sponged off Hugh and Veronica's meals once a week in New York along with having a set of restaurants around town to deliver my favorite comfort foods."

Sophie went into his pantry. Her eyes darted here and there as she went through the ingredients he had on hand. After another peek into his fridge, she set out everything to make a quick batch of sugar cookies.

"I see you found the raspberries I picked up earlier today." He teased.

Sophie blinked then remembered their conversation in her bakery.

"I hope I inspired such a wise decision." She quipped.

"You did." He picked up one of the cartons she'd set out. "Want me to clean these for you?"

She nodded while measuring her dry ingredients.

Ethan watched fascinated as she went through everything without having to check a recipe. She moved with a precision he'd only seen in the operating theater at Edenbrook.

"These won't be as pretty as my cookies at work." She explained while dropping spoonfuls on a cookie sheet. "But they'll still taste just as good.

"And what are the raspberries for?" He asked.

"Frosting of course." She smiled at him. "And I'm going to teach you how to make it."

"I believe I told you that sugar and I don't get along in the kitchen." He got up and came around the counter.

"And yet you have powdered sugar in your pantry." She teased.

"That was a mistake." Ethan explained. "The grocery store was out of granulated sugar and for some reason the delivery person assumed powdered could be substituted in its place."

Sophie laughed over the disgruntled expression on his face.

"I bet your coffee hasn't been the same since."

"It hasn't." He grumbled, smiling as he looked at her. "You can take that powdered sugar with you. After tonight, I never want to see it again."

"You'll want it after this lesson." She nudged him with her elbow. "Just imagine the look on your father's face when you present him with a cake or cookie with your homemade frosting."

"That's assuming I can make it or even the pretend cake and cookie you added to this scenario."

"Shh!" She playfully scolded. "You're ruining my future triumph."

"If I learn this," Ethan countered, "then you'll have to let me teach you something next time."

Sophie lowered her head, fighting a huge smile. "Next time, hmm?"

"You'll be learning how to make one of the dishes that you consider your comfort food." He told her.

"And when would this lesson happen?" She prodded, pretending to direct her attention to his food processor.

"I'm off tomorrow." Ethan stepped a little closer to her. "Or if next week at this same time would be better for you..."

"Either works for me." She added some more raspberries to the food processor. "I have tomorrow off too since I'll be working Saturday."

Ethan's voice held a touch of heat when he moved even closer to her.

"Then tomorrow it is."

Sophie could feel her heart race as she looked up at him. Her eyes fluttered closed the moment his lips brushed hers in a soft, tender kiss.

She sank into him the moment the kiss deepened. Her arms wound around his neck, fingers drifting into his hair as he molded her to his body.

The oven's buzzer broke them apart.

"That was a devious way to get out of your cooking lesson." She teased once she removed the cookies from the oven. "I'll have to remember to use it tomorrow night."

Ethan chuckled, moving behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist, placing slow unhurried kisses along her neck.

"We should work on the frosting." She bit back a moan when his hands began to wander.

"Doesn't the butter need to be room temperature?" He muttered against her ear.

"You're right." She turned in his arms, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss that left him moaning.

She ran her hands down the hard planes of his chest, a slight smile curving her lips.

"We have anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour to allow the butter time to reach room temperature."

"I think an hour would be best." He tugged her toward his couch. "Don't you?"

"I do." She gasped when he yanked her into his lap. "Maybe even longer."

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

Two days later...

"What's this?" Tobias gestured to the plate of cookies.

"I did some cooking while off." Ethan told him.

Chris reached over to try one. She made a humming sound of delight.

"These are so good! I love raspberries."

Tobias reached for one. "I didn't know you baked, Ethan."

"I'm learning." He replied with a smirk.

Chris and Tobias shared a loaded glance.

"Is there someone giving you lessons?" Chris asked.

She couldn't help but be hopeful that a certain pastry chef was becoming a part of his life.

"There is." Ethan picked up the case files and smiled at the couple. "Expect a lot more treats like those these next few weeks."

[lucy-268]

Not the Right Person

Series/Pairing/Characters: Open Heart - Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Charley Valentine); Sienna Trinh; Aurora Emery

Rating / Warnings: General

Summary: Various “Celebrations” for Valentine’s Day when you aren’t celebrating with the right person.

Comments/Notes: Written for CFWC Valentine’s Day event @choicesficwriterscreations, and Galentine’s Day, February 13, @choices-february2023.

Disclaimer: Most characters belong to PB, Charley is sort of mine

Word count: 737

Residency, Year Two:

Charley was logged onto the computer at the nurses’ station nearest the diagnostics office. She was entering notes for her cases, while alternately looking down the hall. She was surprised when the lights were turned off and Ethan stepped out into the hall, pulling the door shut behind him. He had his briefcase in one hand, and was holding his phone to his ear with the other.

As he got closer, she overheard the very end of his conversation right before he hung up. “I know I said I’d go, but I didn’t realize it was Valentine’s day when I agreed to go out with her!” He dropped his phone in his pocket and froze as he saw Charley. She quickly averted her eyes from him and back to the computer.

“Dr. Valentine, did you get the test results back on Mr. Barnett?”

She nodded. “I took care of it. Baz was right, so he’s taking care of him right now.”

Ethan nodded, and shoved his hand through his hair. “So I don’t need to stay? I’m happy to cancel my plans.”

Charley shook her head. “Baz and June have it under control. I’ll be leaving myself soon.”

“Do you have plans?” Ethan asked, not sure whether he was hoping she would or wouldn’t. He knew wanting her to not have plans was unfair as he insisted on a reset.

“Yes, I do.” She logged off the computer and gave him a tight smile. “I need to run. See you tomorrow, Dr. Ramsey.”

After turning away from Ethan, Charley hurried to the stairs, bypassing the elevator. She hurried down to the staff locker room to shower and change. Soon she met Aurora and Sienna in the atrium. Jackie was notably missing. “I hope I’m not too late.”

Aurora smiled and shook her head. “Right on time. We have plenty of time for our reservations.” She held up her car keys. “Let’s go!”

The host greeted them when they arrived and soon they were seated near the terrace. Sienna laughed. “I figured since we were a group of three on Valentine’s day, we’d be shoved into a corner!”

Aurora grinned. “It helps since I’ve known the owner and chef since first grade.”

A smiling waiter appeared, with three glasses of water. “Good evening, ladies. Do you have any questions about the menu?”

Aurora shook her head. “I think we’re ready for the started. Madeline recommended a seafood tower and sauvignon blanc to start. Is that okay?”

Charley and Sienna looked at each other and nodded. “If the chef is recommending it, I’ll try it.”

The ladies had finished their starter and ordered their main courses, salmon for Charley, Chilean sea bass for Aurora, and roasted lamb for Sienna. They had laughed, reminiscing about prior Valentine’s days. Aurora took a sip of her wine. “Oh, I don’t think someone is having a good date tonight.” She gestured toward a table by the fireplace. “I think that’s a friend of Aunt Harper’s. Tina something? Tina Richards.”

Sienna and Charley looked over. Tina was frowning at her date. Sienna agreed. “She doesn’t look happy.”

Aurora frowned, trying to remember. “Harper said she just moved to Boston. She’s looking for a fresh start after a divorce. Harper has been setting her up on blind dates.”

Charley gave a cursory glance at the table and then focused on the man. She would recognize the jaw anywhere. “Ethan.” She didn’t even realize she’d spoken aloud.

“It is!” Aurora said.

Sienna looked at Charley. “Are you okay?” she mouthed to Charley, who nodded.

This next morning Ethan was surprised when he got to the diagnostic office. Charley was already there with a cup of coffee form Derry’s. “Good morning, Dr. Valentine.”

She looked up from the latest issue of the NEMJ. “Hello, Ethan.” She nodded to a second Derry cup on his desk. “I brought you coffee.”

He picked up the cup and took a drink. “How was your… how was your… evening last night?”

Charley stared at the words in the magazine. “It was a lot of fun.” She turned to look at him. “How about you?”

Ethan opened his laptop and turned to face it. “Mine was not what I was expecting.”

Charley turned back to her magazine and Ethan pulled up a file on his computer, both thinking about how their evening could have gone better if they were with different people.

[socalwriterbee]

Sweatin'

Choices Book: Open Heart

Character Pairing: Tessa Martinez (MC) x Ethan Ramsey

Rating/Warning: SMUT⚠️⚠️ 18 + Content⚠️⚠️

Word Count: 2320

Base in Play: Home Run (HR)

Song Inspiration: The Wolf by The Spencer Lee Band

Summary: After another restless night, Tessa heads down to the gym to work out what ever has her tossing and turning, Ethan's turns up to help her with a different method.

A/N: This story started out as a drabble one night a couple weeks ago, so with a drink (that turned into more than one) in my hand and the 50 shades soundtracks for my song choosing, this story came about.

A/N 2: This is between two consenting adults, who hit it out of the Ballpark and touch all the bases. This is for day 4 of Spring Fever Pitch, domestic!

please excuse any errors, misspellings and such...

Characters Belong to Pixelberry

⚠️⚠️continuing to read past this point you agree that you are 18+⚠️⚠️

****

I could smell the Redwoods, feel the crunch of the dirt road path beneath my feet. A path, I could run with my eyes closed because it was home, having ran it many times before I left for medical school and one I would run when I had the chance of going back home. It brought a sense of calm and that is what I needed at the moment.

Sweat trickles down my back as my feet softly pound the rubber band of the treadmill, the Redwoods running through the screen that sits in front of the machine. The sight of the rainfall hitting the floor to ceiling windows, adrenaline running through my veins, the burning of muscles reminding me of how long I have actually been down here. 

It had been another restless night, tossing and turning, my mind not turning off to let me rest. Since sleep had eluded me for the second straight night, I came down to the gym in our apartment building to work off what had to be some sort of stress and try to clear my mind, hoping sleep would come.  

My workout playlist fading away when I remove my headphones letting them hang around my neck as I turn down the speed to begin my cool down. 

Wiping the sweat off my face with the towel I had hung over the hand rest, I check the time on my watch, a few minutes past two in the morning. Ethan should be arriving soon, giving me plenty of time to shower and greet him, fall into bed together and pray sleep comes. 

“Can’t sleep again?”

The husky voice that sends shivers coursing through my body whenever I hear it calls out from behind me. Hopping up to the sides of the treadmill, to not hurt myself as I wait for it to stop after pressing the off the button. 

Looking over my shoulder, Ethan leans against the frame with the glass door to the gym open, his clear blue eyes no longer hiding behind the dark rimmed glasses he wears, taking what surely is my wild appearance, my brown hair that has fallen loose from the ponytail sticking around my face and neck. 

Ethan’s tie slightly undone as he stalks his way towards me. “Yeah, I thought a run would help clear my mind to whatever is keeping me up, time got away from me.” My words coming out with a heavy breath.

Ethan reaches up to brush back some of the fallen hair, then brushes his knuckles against my flushed cheek, causing goosebumps to prickle along my glistening skin.

“Redwoods?” Ethan asks with arched eyebrow with a glance at the screen. “Maybe you should take a couple days off.” 

“I’m fine. Just thought I might try something different tonight.” I say, tugging at his tie, bringing him closer. 

Standing an inch or so taller than Ethan, leaning down, I press a soft kiss on his lips. Letting out a chuckle when our eyes lock on each other. This feeling of having some sort of dominance at the tiniest height difference felt nice, usually I was the one usually looking up.

“Something funny?”

Biting my bottom lip to hold my tongue, trying to not let it slip that I’m enjoying this looking down at him, even if it would be for this moment. But the corners of my mouth betray me, giving a small smirk.

“Ethan!” Letting out a yelp at the sound of Ethan’s firm hand landing smack on my ass, the thin material of my workout shorts, the thin material making it feel like it was skin to skin and a few inches down it would have been. “What was that for?”

Before the shock of his playful smack, his hand massages the sting away. Ethan takes a step up on to the treadmill causing me to step back, the rail hitting my back. “You’re a liar Tess. And don’t act like you don’t like it when I smack it.” 

Grabbing the soft textured pattern from his tie, pulling him into me, saltiness on this tip of my tongue as I lick my lips. I do like when he does things like that and the teasing is fun. “Hmm.. you sure about that Dr. Ramsey?” 

Ethan’s eyes darken, roaming up and down from the space between us. The swells of my breasts pressing against the top of my black sports bra as I breath in and out. Another kind of heat begins to course through me when Ethan gets that hungry look in his eyes.

“Oh sweetheart, you are a terrible liar.” Ethan runs his finger across my collarbone and traces those mounds that call to him. “I know what you like, you liked looking down at me, thinking I’d fall to my knees for you.” His touch continuing its journey over my body, over the flatness of my stomach and back around to the roundness of my ass.

Taking a handful and giving it a firm squeeze as he pushes me into his solid body. “And I would have, gladly, but when I got home, you weren’t in bed.” Ethan continues. “You were on my mind all evening, ready to come home to you. Wondering if I could wake you up, return the favor. To feed this hunger I found myself in.”

My mouth suddenly running dry as the memories of the wake up calls I’ve given him. My hands pressing firmly against his defined abs while my hips move against him, Ethan’s eyes still closed, letting the feeling of him stretching and filling bring out the moans at his slightly parted lips, my moans joining his as they fill our bedroom.

His name being the only thing that my mind could muster up to say. “Ethan.”

Feeling a chuckle rumble through him, he knows what I am thinking of. “You like it when I take over, right when you’re about to come, rolling you onto your back, you letting me take over as I thrust into you making come all over my co—.”

“Ethan!”

His eyes lock into mine with a curious lift of an eyebrow. “You want me to stop?”

God no! And in the back of my mind this was not the place and I was covered in sweat and pretty sure I wasn’t smelling too good either. But with that look in Ethan’s eye, he was a wolf and I the lamb. 

Ready for his taking.

Had I been in our bed when he got home, I knew I would be teased with until I was begging him to give me anything and everything.

“I just finished a run, I’m covered in sweat and I’m pretty sure I smell.” I tell him what just ran through my mind. 

Ethan wraps his hand around my ponytail, pulling my head back exposing my neck to him. The  faint press of his lips pressing against my skin, my pulse quickens The feeling of Ethan’s tongue licking his lips faint against my heated skin, a moan escaping past my lips.

A long drag of his nose against my hyper aware skin as he inhales. “Jasmine, citrus and —.” Ethan pauses.

“An…and what Ethan?”

“Tessa undress for me and I’ll tell you.”

“Are you crazy? We are in the gym of the building we live in, what if someone walks in?” I make a point with a step back, the spell of arousal breaking as I try moving slightly away from his tight hold on me.

Ethan grunts at the space I’ve created or the thought of waiting to continue this until we were behind the safety of our home. He had to know that was a possibility of someone walking in, yes even at two in the morning, highly unlikely but still a possibility. The look, the hunger I saw in his eyes told me the exact opposite. 

He wanted me here and at the moment damn the person who stopped the wolf from coming out tonight.

“Tessa.” He grits.

“If I don’t?”

Amusement spreads across his face at my defiant question. The both of us knowing what he is capable of, the capability of the man in front of me that makes my knees weaken. The handrail pressing into my back, my stare not backing down from the man who is going to have me howling out his name.

The need settling in between my thighs at having a taste of what he is like when he gets like this gets stronger as Ethan takes his time to answer.

Ethan pulls at the zipper on my the front of sports bra. “Well…”

My hand covers his, stopping him from undressing me. “Take me home and tell me.”

Ethan shakes his head, “I can’t seem to control myself, not when I know you’re like this. Skin glistening, wet for me and don’t try to tell me that you aren’t.” His lips crash onto mine, devouring me until I let him in, groaning when he pulls away. “I am going to lick, kiss and do everything that turns you on and what makes you call my name out.”

Breathlessly I answer his non-question. “Yes.”

“Good.” Ethan says pushing my hand away with his, letting him continue. “So you like your clothes, right Tess?”

I nod.

“So let me take it off properly or I can always rip it off. The choice is yours love.” 

The zipper of my sports bra going down, revealing me before him. Ethan frees me from the bra, letting it fall onto the treadmill. His hand cupping my breast, one then the other giving a pinch between his fingers as if my body wasn’t already at attention to him.

Ethan smiles at the reaction to my body, lifting me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He walks us over to a bench, laying me down on my back, the material of the bench cooling my hot bare skin.

Unwrapping me from around his waist, he continues to undress me. My shoes come next after my sports bra was left back on the treadmill, then Ethan hooks his fingers on the waistband on my workout shorts, my hips lifting for him to pull them down.

Standing up straight Ethan looks down at me—almost naked for him. What a scene we must have, me bare except for the panties I wear and Ethan fully dressed looking at me with hunger in his eyes. Just the thought of someone walking in on us like this makes me press my legs tighter together, seeking some sort of pressure to give relief to the ache.

Watching as Ethan pulls off his tie and slowly begins to unbutton his shirt. I reach up to help, only for him to shake his head no. I let out another frustrated groan. Once his shirt falls to the floor, Ethan gets on his knees, pushing my legs apart—.

“Ethan, I don’t think that’s…” I whimper.

Ethan’s hand roams over my inner thigh, followed by licks and nips of his mouth until he reaches my most sensitive spot, sliding my panties to the side. “You wanted to know what else you taste like, smelled like to me… didn’t you Tess?” The pressure of his mouth on me, making my back lift from the bench and my hands reach down and grip onto his dark brown hair.

His tongue lapping before giving me a gentle suck, over and over, my legs over his shoulders pressing against into him. Ethan’s hands remove my legs from his shoulder, spreading me wider as he makes his way up. Licking and nibbling again, over my stomach and onto one breast and then the other.

Cupping the sides of his head in my hands and bringing him up to kiss his lips, his hand between us as he begins to undo his pants, lowering them between kisses.

“Ethan.” I whimper, needing more of him.

Lining himself up, ready to stretch me over him. Slowly filling, the wolf still teasing the prey until he still. His blue eyes on me the entire time, filled with much more than lust. The bite of metal from his belt hitting the back of my thigh as he begins to move, thrusting back and forth

His hands holding tight onto my hips, with each thrust getting me closer to coming undone. Letting me go, Ethan presses his body into mine, raising my arms over my head, holding them there as he leans and presses his lips against my ear. Ethan’s hushed words driving me over the edge as I fall, calling out his name. 

My body coming down from its high as Ethan goes still reaching his own release.

Our breathing steading, in and out, slowly letting the sound of rainfall be heard again as it continues to hit the window. My eyes begin to close as everything I had been feeling melts away and sleep that had eluded me begins to settle through me, Ethan’s hunger leaving me completely spent.

My eyes lazily open at the sound of Ethan’s soft laugh and loss of body weight from my body, catching him pull his pants back up before gently pulling me to my feet, I stand in front of him. He cups the side of my face before softly asking. “You ok?”

Words fall me, so I nod. More than ok.

“Come, let’s get you home.”

Ethan reaches down in front of me picking up his white button up, covering me. Leaving me standing there wearing now only his shirt while he picks up my clothes and bundles it up.

Taking my clothes from Ethan before he lifts me into his arms, bridal style, I let my head fall letting it rest against his chest.

“Maybe I should let you pounce on me more often when I can’t sleep.” I say before sleep consumes me.

****

event tag: @springfeverpitch

[inlocusmads]

Hey there! Time for an ask! :)

Is there something your MC is obsessed with that drives their LI crazy? What about in reverse, is your LI obsessed with something that may make your MC just lose it?

Thank you! :)

Jerz! Oh my God, this has been a long time coming. I'm so sorry it took me ages to respond, so here's a fic to hopefully make up for all of this!

Ain't No Rest For The Wicked

Ethan and Alma Hudson have a heart-to-heart conversation. Meanwhile, back at home, Jane teaches all the right things to a young Ethan Hudson, but at the wrong time.

Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Jane Fletcher, Alma Hudson, Ethan "Eddie" Hudson from Open Heart.

WC: 2.5k | General Audiences

(A/N at the end!)

"I don't know. Is it really that bad that I am -- a bit of a messy botanist?" Ethan asked.

Alma Hudson shrugged. They'd just gone out on a little lunch catch-up after a long time and Ethan had rather wanted it to be private. Just the two of them ruminating about Dolores, how Ethan Hudson - now aptly nicknamed Eddie to avoid the mix-up was coping with elementary school - it had definitely been a good six years and it was almost as if everything around Ethan had changed. New houses in the boulevard, new families, new friends and yet, he still worked at the same hospital.

"I don't know. It has been a while since we lived together." Ethan said. "Jane accepted when I asked her if she was comfortable moving into my apartment for a brief period of time but I believe it is -- a terrible idea. I seem to be doing something wrong with my archiving. There's boxes everywhere, not enough time to order them all and files on coffee tables."

"Ethan, if Jane's only pet peeve of you is your messiness, that's just called being human. Nobody's one hundred percent clean." Alma shook her head.

"It isn't a pet peeve, so to speak. She is understanding. I believe it just annoys her. She doesn't say much and sort of silently scrapes it up when I'm not looking but -- it is a problem, isn't it? An unaddressed problem only progresses into something more."

Ethan took a sharp turn and slowed down near the school zone.

"That's Eddie's school."

"Newberry Elementary." Ethan read the name.

"They're really good. Good at disciplining him. They also have a STEM program for gifted kids. Though I think Eddie is just -- into making trouble and causing chaos. Get a quick kick of adrenaline. He's still a kid."

"Well, I remember when I was one. Then I met Jane."

"Oh?"

"If she's got a problem with my messiness, I have a problem with her -- erm -- bad ideas, I'd say. The other day, we had purchased a rather long table for the dining room and it made the salt dispenser far out of reach and instead of perhaps, using your hands to lift the shakers and use them, she got a model train to do it. It left dent marks on the table, didn't do well with me but -- there's the compromise right? I believe she didn't get enough of an adrenaline kick as a kid and is now cramming her summer bucket list of inventions into one whole -- life."

"That has to be fun, right?" Alma asked.

"It is, like when the time she developed a catapult that didn't make me want to go all the way to get my car keys. However there are drawbacks. Like the time she developed a catapult and in place of the keys, there was a large -- sort of belt hanging from the hook and well, the catapult being powered by electricity, ended up spinning about and causing a mess. It was an even bigger mess because Jane left it all night, powered on and didn't bother introducing an insulating column and it -- it's best if we don't talk about it further."

"She's definitely a lot --"

"Yes, that she is."

"-- I was going to say different but you've dated many different people before." Alma said. "Sorry, it isn't my business to pry--"

"No, no. Alma you're family. I trust you with everything." Ethan offered her a kind smile. "I guess it's always a first to sort of share a roof with someone who just really enjoys creating new things. It's also a pain. It's easier to clean up paperwork and Jane laments about it all the time, when I see her make smoke bombs for fun or incredibly complicated machines that transcend the whole entire living room - it is a complete menace to live with that."

"Of course, of course. Have you tried talking about it?"

"I don't know. I really don't -- mind it as long as it isn't noisy or messy. Even if it is messy, she pulls the "you're as messy as I am" card and -- at this point I don't know who's supposed to set a better example for the other." Ethan shrugged.

"I'll tell you one. Eddie loves you both. He loves talking about you and listening to stories and -- maybe it's a good thing Jane is babysitting him. Maybe they'll connect. It's always hard for a kid like Eddie to socialise. He looks up to you, that's an ineffable fact but generally, he's just -- restraint towards extended family. But you, he looks up to you. He doesn't know what he wants to be yet. In the whole dinosaur, astronaut phase, but -- you've inspired him. And if there's ever a Show and Tell, you best believe he's going to run up to your door and ask you for your sthethoscope."

"I love him too." Ethan said. "Dolores was -- family. She was like the sister I never had and she sort of -- filled this gaping hole in my soul and I never say that about anyone, at all. Eddie is a great kid. He'll do a lot of amazing things someday."

"I hope so. He's been in a rough patch lately. Bad grades. Been bullied too."

"Oh no."

"Yeah. Newberry isn't -- completely bully-free as they make it out to be. He's trying really hard. I just want him to have a good childhood and -- if things ever go south for me, you're his godfather."

"Alma, I appreciate the gesture but nothing will happen to you."

"Ack, you doctors are always so optimistic. Look at me, Ethan. I'm forty eight and I'm raising a five year old. By the time he reaches high school, I'd be sixty one. And college. Who's going to put him through that? I'd be retired by then and I wouldn't be able to be there for him, because -- I pull my back out quite often than before and it's just a downward spiral from now. I just need you to vouch for me, yeah?"

Ethan paused.

"You're forty one, Ethan. Jane, I presume is -- thirty eight, I'd expect? Promise me you'll help Eddie get through if I'm ever not there." Alma said, her right hand on Ethan's left hand. She gave it a small squeeze, expecting some assurance.

"I promise. I won't let him -- be thrown to the wolves. He'll have me whenever he wants me to be there for him."

Alma smiled at him. It was as if a weight had escaped her shoulder and she could count on Ethan and Jane, even though they were a rather strange family to have for Eddie. A doctor who dabbled in research and possibly Dr Frankenstein herself wasn't an ideal environment for a growing college boy, should Alma miss his formative years due to any ailment she might face. But it was just crazy enough to work. She was happy for Ethan, having found a relationship perhaps in the most unexpected of places. She was happy for Jane, who was the cool Aunt figure that Eddie would need in his life and she was just so utterly grateful.

This was about the time when they heard screeching noises, which weren't from the tyres. Alma exchanged a look with Ethan and the latter stepped on the pedal, crossing the road and into the street where Alma and Eddie lived. There was a large backyard overlooking a mass patch of unincorporated land and the worst had already dawned on Alma. Of course, Boston didn't have criminal classes, but what if they'd taken Eddie hostage? What if they'd set fire? The worry only grew larger and larger and by the time Ethan helped Alma out of the car, as the two rushed to their large backyard, they found Jane and Eddie in protective gear.

"What -- is going on?" Ethan panted.

"Aunt Alma! Aunt Alma! Aunt Jane taught me some really cool tricks! We set things on fire! She told me it was -- erm -- pyro-- pyrotech something! And it was so cool! And we also made powder rockets! Did you know that we can make one out of sugar, ben-- bento-- clay and this thing called potassium -- ni-- something? It shot up right into the air and it exploded! It exploded and it was the coolest thing ever!"

"You set fire to the backyard?" Alma shot daggers at Jane.

"No! It was safe, I promise. It's pyrotechnics stuff. You know, safe movie explosions? Eddie told me he was having a hard time at school because of this bully, Matt or something and I taught him some cool homemade explosions, just in case he ever finds himself with a PVC pipe, some bentonite clay - it's bentonite, by the way. Sort of flaky stuff. And potassium nitrate. You can find it in a chem lab, your school would have tons of them and a bit of powdered sugar. Of course, I wouldn't let Eddie play with matchsticks, so we sort of made a large matchstick holder for him to set the rocket on fire and --"

"BOOM!" Eddie said, throwing his head back and laughing.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

"He's fine. Unarmed." Jane said. "And technically we aren't breaking any laws. We can't transport this stuff around and that's it. Making it and igniting it on sight is perfectly safe if you know what you're doing."

"You don't know what you're doing!" Alma hissed, as she fussed over Eddie.

"Aunt Alma, but Aunt Jane has a degree in chemistry! She said it's perfectly safe!"

"Well, you are not making explosives at school to fend off bullies!"

"But that would be totally rad though. Dude-" Jane interrupted. "Next time, sneak a firecracker into his backpack, yknow, small ones and --"

"No, no! You are not teaching him anything!"

"Or you could make one of those small hobbyist explosions. Just get a soda bottle. Fill it with aluminium and detergent, give it a good shake or two and if you're feeling really daring, I'll teach you how to insert a fuse in and light it up for a lot more oomph. There's of course, your classic vinegar and baking soda but that's boring. Try getting Coke and Mentos and sort of sneak it in his locker and -- oh wait, hold on, I'll teach ya how to make a flamethrower. It's easy. You'd probably need an empty fire extinguisher and fill it up with some gasoline, pressurise it, y'know make it all compressed and nice and cosy and then -- soak em with some gas, put in the nozzle and whatnot and light em on fire and boom, flamethrowers AND--"

"That is ENOUGH! Eddie, come with me--" Alma took him to the house.

Throughout their conversation, Ethan had not piped up once. Now, he drew in closer, arms crossed against his chest with a sort of stiff feeling.

"You taught him how to -- explode things."

"He's a kid. A kid's gotta learn fire."

"Jane--"

"I'm sorry. I know. I know we're against having kids but -- I just wanna help a kid grow, you see?"

"But explosions?"

"They're cool."

"They can blind someone."

"Still cool. It's chemistry in action. Cool chemistry. A kid needs their chemistry set. Work things. Break things. Set things on fire. Where's the excitement, Ethan? How is Eddie ever going to learn? I hated school so much because there were bullies and half of them were teachers. I hated going there because -- I just -- I couldn't stomach it. The mundane. It's just not cool. Not cool at all."

"Ethan is still a child."

"I know."

"And -- Alma has insisted we take care of him when she reaches her sixties. I really want to -- gain her confidence."

"Yeah, yeah, fair enough." Jane stretched her arms. "I'm sorry about all of this. He was excited. I kind of understood him. It was as if I was a kid again, you know? Hugo and I would be at the workshop everyday, just fiddling with tools and stuff. We'd drill holes just for fun and play with matchsticks because we were ostracised. The both of us. And high school made it worse. I just don't know how to tell you, Ethan."

"No, I understand, I really do-- but next time, maybe you can wait until he's old enough to understand how fires work. Or maybe old enough until he's able to read full length books about botany."

"Who said anything about botany?"

"I've got plenty of books lying at home." Ethan shot a smirk. "You know, the ones you deem messy?"

"Oh no, you're not competing for his attention--"

"He is going to have the greenest thumb in the whole city of Boston and I am going to ensure he learns all of it with some practical gardening lessons thrown in for good measure."

"I'll teach him advanced pyrotechnics and he's going to be making gunpowder in his chem lab before he can learn algebra."

"I'll teach him everything about botany and agriculture and this land, this very land you're standing on right now, will turn into the most beautiful greenhouse ever within months."

A pause.

"I feel like we might be making him into a comic book villain." Jane said.

"Who just so happens to know all the natural poisons found in nature." Ethan added.

"Maybe he should stick to cartoons for now, yeah?"

"Of course, of course. And ice cream. That's what kids like, right?"

"God, we are terrible at this. What would we ever do if -- Eddie actually comes and lives with us? After Alma's retired?"

"I suppose it's not too late to crack open those parenting books." Ethan supplied, glumly.

The two of them exchanged a short hug; Jane's face buried into his hair and Ethan against her shoulder.

"We are going to be good at this. It isn't much about Eddie's own intrinsic character, rather his upbringing and we're always going to be there in little Ethan's life, so there's always room to improve and evolve. Still am not used to calling him -- Eddie. How did Ethan evolve into Ed? Ed sounds boring. Eddie sounds -- juvenile. Almost kiddish. Perhaps we can address him by his middle name. Anyway, we are going to be there in that little boy's life and we're going to learn how to be a good uncle and aunt."

"A cool aunt, by the way. He told me that. You're the boring doctor one."

"No, I believe he said he specifically wanted to be a doctor. Just like his uncle." Ethan adjusted his blazer. "He looks up to me."

"Sure he does." Jane said, returning the smirk he'd sent her way not too long ago. "Setting off firecrackers and making them yourself is a lot more boring than, say, studying plant leaves for a hobby. Sure. Sure. Let's pretend even half of that is true."

"Oh can it." Ethan chuckled. "Also, it couldn't have killed you to teach me something useful. Would've used it on Leland when I had a chance."

"Oh yeah? I would've loved all that plant knowledge before I got absolutely wasted and hungover and then you tell me that blah blah blah plants have medicinal properties and can cure a headache."

"You're the worst." Ethan couldn't control his smile.

"You're terrible yourself." Jane exhaled, between peals of laughter.

***

Tagging From My Old List:

Perma: @quixoticdreamer16 @writing-not @trappedinfanfiction @tessa-liam @peonierose

Open heart only: @cariantha @jerzwriter @ofmischiefandmedicine

___

A/N:

Thank you so much Elsa for the prompt! I'll admit I was in a really bad Open Heart slump because I didn't know where to start or how to even, progress their story. For a while I'd just given up on it and then, I remember your Ask and boom, it all just sort of falls in place. It's silly, it's just utter foolishness and hopefully brings a smile to your face.

Jane and Ethan sort of remind me of Rosa/Pimento and Jake/Amy from Brooklyn 99 and Jane's totally the Pimento/Jake in the situation and it sort of helps me because Adrian Pimento is one of my favourite characters from sitcoms in general and I kind of see a lot of his quirks and chaos in Jane.

Ethan feels like a mix of an excited Amy with the organisation and filing and all those strict restrictions he gives himself while having the personality of Rosa, if that makes sense.

And also I went down a rabbit hole of chemistry related videos, so -- don't blame me for translating my hyperfixations into fiction lol. I wish I could recreate at least half of the stuff Jane's got upto, but that would likely get me arrested or worse, kicked out from the country jk jk no, but still, you get the idea.

Okay I'm rambling. I'll see you guys soon! Thank you for reading!

[txemrn]

Until You Love Me

Chapter 3: I'm-a Make You Fall...

🖤 Catch up here!

Pairings: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Casey Valentine); f!MC (Casey Valentine) x f!OC (Tatum Erikson)

Series Summary: Constantly worried about Ethan’s faithfulness, Casey Valentine’s paranoia reaches an all-time high when she meets a blast from his past.

Chapter Summary: A grave mistake happens under Tatum's care during her first day at Edenbrook, but was it an accident? Casey overhears a heartbreaking conversation which makes her seek advice from Tatum.

Music Inspo: “Paparazzi” - Kim Dracula

Word Count: 2499 (I am so proud of this number)

Rating/Warnings: 🔞 Mature Audiences Only🔞 This miniseries will contain NSFW material (🍋), infidelity, language, discussion and/or depiction of medical situations (this chapter: depiction of stressful labor), gaslighting, mental abuse & illness, suicide, violence, criminal activity; alcohol use

A/N: I am participating in week 6 of @choicesflashfics prompt challenge! I chose prompt #2: “Look at me and tell me I'm wrong.” The prompt will be in bold.

A/N2: This is very much an AU; our main characters will be written OOC; most of these characters and some plot points belong to our friends at Pixelberry. Special thanks to @ao719 and @neotericthemis for helping me work through some kinks and graciously pre-read various parts of this. This is not beta’d, so please forgive my errors.

~🖤~

Tucking the last blonde strand into her surgical cap, Tatum takes a step back from the mirror, soaking in her overall appearance.  She inhales slowly before exhaling a large, cleansing breath.

This was it; she was finally hitting the labor and delivery floor at Edenbrook for the first time. Despite her impressive resumé, her twelve years of experience in maternal medicine and nearly three-thousand deliveries to date, she’s nervous. New hospital, new staff, new clientele–not to mention, it’s already been a peculiar introduction to Boston.

She was hired as the Chief of Obstetrics by Dr. Naveen Banerji, the former Chief of Medicine. His vision for the future of the hospital beckoned to her heart to join the team–that and the competitive salary and pension plan.

There was, however, a small snag in this wonderful plan: Ethan Ramsey, her former colleague from Johns Hopkins. And her first love.

But, the end of Ethan and Tatum was close to fifteen years ago; the wounds were old, most of them have even healed. Accidentally running into him wouldn’t be a problem; besides, his department of diagnostics and her unit approach medicine differently. L&D uses its own doctors in specialized maternal-fetal medicine rather than calling for outside help. So although they worked at the same hospital, there really wouldn’t be much reason for Tatum to interact with Ethan.

Imagine her surprise when she attended new employee orientation last week, and Ethan was introduced as the newly appointed Chief of Medicine. Her boss. Tatum tried avoiding him, but the next morning, he brought her coffee. The following day, he insisted on giving her a private tour of her unit. Tatum isn’t exactly looking for a relationship right now, but it is flattering to receive special attention from Ethan.

On her way to the parking lot, she ran into another old colleague from medical school, Dr. Tobias Carrick. After exchanging pleasantries, the tall, smooth-talking diagnostician became serious, lowering his voice. 

“Is there something going on between you and Ramsey?”

“No,” she chuckles, slightly taken aback, "I mean,” she sighs looking around the row of cars before focusing back on her old friend. “We’ve been catching up. That's it.”

“Uh-huh.” He rubs his fingers over his mouth before continuing. “Just… please be careful, Erikson, okay?”

He proceeded to inform Tatum about Ethan’s three-year relationship with Casey Valentine. 

"She's quite protective of him. Sometimes… she takes things too far–"

"'Too far'?" Tatum interrupts, an eyebrow arching with worry.

"Yeah," Tobias looks over his shoulder before stepping closer to Tatum. "The law has even had to get involved–" he holds a finger over his mouth as Tatum's eyes grow wide in shock. "Ethan has had to intervene a few times, but there's only so much he can do, especially when she perceives other women as a threat."

Little did Tatum know, she would not only meet her, but she would also experience more of Casey Valentine than she ever expected. Based on first impressions alone, Casey was friendly and kind; she easily gravitated and opened herself to Tatum.

But, remembering Tobias's warning, Tatum decided to swing by Ethan's office, informing him of her interaction with Casey. He was caught off guard and even slightly disturbed that the women had become so acquainted, but he was appreciative of the information.

A roar of laughter breaks Tatum of her thoughts as a group of nurses break from the early morning huddle. 

Let’s roll.

After being introduced to the staff and receiving patient reports, Tatum makes her own game plan as the attending-on-duty. She carefully watches an over-sized screen that displays every fetal monitor in use, finally zeroing on one.

"Who's the nurse for 501?"

A timid, young woman with ebony hair steps forward.

"Kendra?" Tatum reads her name badge. "I'm Dr. Erikson," she grins, extending her arm for a gentle handshake from the nurse. "So tell me about our patient, Kendra."

Tatum could tell right off the bat Kendra was nervous to be working with a new attending. She's a younger nurse, possibly in her mid-twenties who provides quick answers in the form of a question; but just in their short interaction, the new chief can tell this nurse is intelligent. She just needs an opportunity to learn confidence.

"So," Tatum crosses her arms, "if the patient's induction started yesterday morning, why is she still pregnant today?"

Kendra stumbles as she pulls out her report cheat sheet.  "Um… I think… well, I–"

"Kendra," Tatum smiles. "Take a breath. Start from the beginning." The nurse nods as she wipes her palms against her scrubs. "How are we inducing her?"

"Oxytocin. Using the low-dose protocol."

Tatum nods. "When was the last time that was adjusted?”

The nurse sighs. “Early yesterday evening.”

The attending raises an inquisitive eyebrow. “And she’s dilated to…?”

“Two.”

“Two centimeters,” Tatum repeats dryly. "Is she in labor?"

"Uh… I mean," Kendra looks to her report sheet, "I know she’s uncomfortable–"

Tatum waves her hand to dismiss the answer. "That's not what I asked. I want to know … is she in labor?"

The nurse hangs her head as a blush crawls across her face. "I–I don't think so, Dr. Erikson."

Tatum pushes her tongue into her cheek as she stares at the nurse. "So,  we have wasted a day, making a woman hurt, but have failed to put her into labor"

The nurse stares at the floor, picking at her nails.  "I–I'm sorry," an audible lump forms in her throat, robbing her of her next words.

"Kendra," Tatum whispers kindly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "This is far from your fault, and even so, I’m not looking to blame someone.  You and I? We just re-evaluated this patient’s care. And we’ve discovered… it didn’t work.  What we’ve been doing for the past day is not going to deliver her. So… I’ll ask again: why is she still pregnant?”

With more assuredness in her stance, Kendra speaks up. “Because we never even got her into labor.”

Tatum nods her head, pleased to hear the nurse putting the puzzle pieces together. “And now, you and I need to figure out the next step. Normally at this point, I would recommend a cesarean. Do you think she needs surgery?”

“No, ma’am. I think she needs to be given an actual opportunity to labor.”

“Okay, then. What should we do next?”

Kendra thinks for a moment. “Check dilation, consider breaking her water… maybe even place internal monitors?” She shrugs. “Oh! And change her position.”

Nodding her head, Tatum offers Kendra a mischievous grin.  She steals the nurse’s original report sheet and rips it up. “C’mon,” she snickers, “let’s go deliver your patient.” 

------

A few hours and a couple of deliveries later, Tatum went to check on her laboring patient that was assigned to Kendra.  Before going into the room, she notices that the fetus was starting to show signs of distress. 

Tatum enters the room, relieved to see the nurse was already at the bedside. "We just got an epidural," Kendra reports, "and she's six centimeters."

"That's excellent!" Tatum celebrates, "this baby was just waiting for his Aunt Kendra and Aunt Tatum." Everyone falls into titters as the nurse and provider reposition the somewhat-comfortable patient onto her side.

Glancing around the room, Tatum notices a near-empty IV bag, and with the fetus still having occasional issues, she is concerned with a very common side effect of anesthesia: low blood pressure. "Kendra?" She inquires, "when did you hang this bag?"

Concern etches across Kendra's face. "Before the epidural placement."

"Grab another bag, and let's give her a bolus. I think we might be hypotensive."  

"Yes, ma'am," Kendra steps outside to grab the extra bag of hydration fluid, and returns in record timing.

"Wow," Tatum snickers. "You are on it today. That was fast!"

"Oh, I ran into someone that saw I was in a hurry, so they gave me their bag," she smiles. "You wanted a bolus, right?"

"Yes, let it flow as fast as it can for 500," Tatum agrees, but her eyebrows furrow curiously. Someone gave her that bag? "Wait… and that's Lactated Ringers, right?"

Kendra nods, holding the fluid up for the physician to read the name clearly on the plastic.

"Perfect."

The nurse programs everything into the pumps before pressing 'start infusion'. The attending reviews the game plan with the family and encourages the moms to nap. Shutting off the lights, Tatum escorts Kendra out of the room. 

But before she pulls the door closed, Tatum notices the patient suddenly stir in bed which quickly leads to a couple of abrupt moans.  The seasoned OB glances at the fetal monitor just in time to watch the heart rate plummet into the 50s.

And stay there.

"Talk to me, Mama, what are you feeling?" Tatum flips on the lights, and together with Kendra, they begin performing resuscitation measures, including giving the mom oxygen and repositioning her body in the bed.

Despite having an epidural, she is paralyzed by agonizing pain, clenching tightly to her abdomen. Tatum snakes her hands to rest on the woman's gravid belly. And it's just what she expected: hard as a rock. Her uterus was completely clamped down, in a continuous contraction, squeezing on the baby and the cord continuously without rest.

Damnit…

"Turn off that IV fluid now!" Tatum commands over the commotion as more staff join the room to help. "I need Brethine and a new bag of LR. Let's move, people!"

The nurses continue to reposition the patient while others administer the drug that will hopefully relax the uterus. A new IV fluid bag is hung. 

But unfortunately after seven minutes, the baby's heartbeat remains slow.

And the brand new chief's own heart drops. She glances around the room, matching the worried stares of everyone working with her. She looks back to the monitor, shaking her head.

Damnit…

"STAT C-Section!"

------

[Casey's POV]

This morning was absolutely incredible.  Tatum had to hurry to her floor for rounds, but damn… I can still feel her tender touch on my body, her languid tongue stroking deep inside me. I can feel her nails digging into my hips as she demands to drink my desire. Each slurp and swallow echoes in my memory, my swollen lips fluttering for more.

I reapply my lipgloss before I step out of the telemetry supply closet. After I check on my interns in the pit, I mosey through the hallways until I decide to check on my hard-working boyfriend. I never got to see him earlier because he was…

The anger hits me again, my jaw clenching. I can feel my blood start to boil when I picture him… and her…

…laughing at each other’s jokes…

… touching each other…

Slow down, Casey.  

She's a new hire, so it only makes sense that he would take a moment to welcome her. Sure, that’s all he was doing. Afterall, Ethan is the new Chief.

God, Chief of Medicine… 

I am so proud of him.

We agreed that I wouldn't bother him at work although I know he secretly loves it when I stop by with lunch or coffee. But, I can see where it can be distracting. He has a lot more responsibilities with his new position, and a simple interruption can break his concentration.

Approaching his ajar, office door, I quickly discover Ethan isn't alone.  In fact, I recognize the other melodic soulful voice in the room: Tobias Carrick.

I inch closer to listen.

"...just like old times, eh?" .

"Jesus, Carrick…it’s not like that,” Ethan scoffs into a snicker.  “It’s…well… she's new, and my job as her boss is to help her smoothly transition."

"It looks like you're about to make a smooth transition into her, if ya know what I'm sayin'." Tobias laughs, sticking his tongue out as he claps his old friend's back.

Are they talking about Tatum?

"C'mon, Ramsey," Tobias grows stern. "The moment Tatum walked through those doors, your tail has been wagging like a damn puppy. You're actually smiling again."

With a deep ruddy blush swirling up his neck, Ethan lets out a hefty sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Just admit it," Tobias steps closer.  "Look at me and tell me I'm wrong."

Go ahead and tell him, baby. Tell him you’re happy with me…

The corners of Ethan's lips curl as he glances back to his colleague.  "Tatum and I, we just… we’ve always clicked."

"You click!" He playfully smacks Ethan's chest with the back of his hand.

'We've always had this… spark–"

"You spark!" Tobias hits him again causing Ethan to grimace. 

"But…" Ethan stutters, "what about Casey–?"

"Seriously?" Tobias raises his eyebrows, chuckling in disbelief.  "Things with Valentine… I’m gonna be honest with you. You need to think what’s best for you…"

What?

Ethan sighs. "Our history… it complicates things…" 

What the hell? I see red, stepping back from Ethan's office.  A sudden heaviness infiltrates my lungs as I struggle for air.

No. none of that is true… right?

A familiar sting prods at my eyes. The anxiety creeps up the back of my throat as I clench tightly to my uneasy stomach. 

I need answers. 

But not now.

Nothing is accomplished when I'm angry.  When I approach Ethan with my concerns, he gives me a look. That look. Not of empathy or kindness, but of sympathy, like he feels sorry for me. It’s patronizing.

I can't do this. Not right now. Not today.

I just need reassurance. I need to be held, and reminded that everything is okay, that we’re okay.

And then it hits me.

Tatum.

The mention of her name alone brings a tingle to my lips, making my heart skip a beat. I know we've known each other for less than 24 hours. But I feel like she would understand my emotions right now, that could help me calm down.

I should find her. Surely she can clear this up for me.

Yeah. That's what I'll do.

As I reach her floor, I am quickly reminded that it's a locked-down unit with privacy badge access.  I stare at the door for a moment, wondering how I can sneak in to see Tatum. I was hoping to sort of… surprise her.

"Excuse me."  A woman in scrubs pushes past me, holding several clear bags of IV fluid. “Do you mind?” She chuckles. “I can’t reach my badge to swipe.”.

Perfect timing.

“Sure,” I smile as I swipe her tethered ID card. The door softly buzzes, granting access as it slowly opens.

She gives me an appreciative smile. “Thank you,” she blows away a long exhale. “We’ve been so busy in the pharmacy, running out of supplies. Shoot, we actually ran out of ‘Pitocin’ stickers for these premixed bags of LR with oxytocin. So, I have to label them up here.”

Suddenly, she drops an IV bag. 

Poor thing…  She seems frazzled.

“Here,” I grab the fluid before holding the door open, “let me help you.”

~🖤~

Tags (updated 9/26; please let me know if you'd like to be added, removed):

PERMA

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[choicesficwriterscreations]

Birthday Wishes

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC Category: Text Fic Author: @jamespotterthefirst

[josiesopenheart]

The Ramsey Family

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Let me know if you want to be added/ removed from the taglist

[openheartfanfics]

Ethan x F!MC: Pure Fluff

One Shots Q - R

Queen’s Gambit - @anntoldst0ries It’s game time, and both players are equally competitive.

Querencia - @junggoku A year later the secret ingredient to the ‘special’ he orders at Donohues still hasn’t been revealed,  MC is determined to get it. Takes place prior to 2.8

Querida - @jamespotterthefirst   Ethan hasn’t always been good at dancing Latin American music, but he’s learning.

Questions and Answers - @usuallyamazinglyaverage While Anna is out drinking with Bryce, her friend asks her quite a shocking question and gives some much needed advice.

Quite the Simulation - @missmiimiie Ethan, Stefan and Baz are forced to experience the pains of labor. Feat. Baz

Radio Heads - @arjaywrites On a Sunday morning drive, Ethan and Dana jam out to some tunes, ending in a surprise revelation about Ethan's musical preferences.

Raincheck -  @heauxplesslydevoted Set after 2.8, Ethan and Naomi get a re-do on their dinner date.

Rainy Confessions - @krsnlove

Rainy Days and Mondays - @lucy-268 Charley’s having one of those days and Ethan makes it better.

Rangi Saari - @gryffindordaughterofathena It's his first time seeing her wearing a saari (traditional wear of women of Bengal).

Realisations - @coffeeheartaddict2 🏳‍🌈 It is Alexis’s first pride after coming out as Bi-sexual and she comes to some realisations.

Reflection - @a-crepusculo   She currently doesn’t feel like herself.

Reassurance - @potionsprefect He worries when he gets sick.

Recharged - @jerzwriter Ⓜ Casey is officially moving in with Ethan, and he finds some interesting things while packing.

Reflection - @potionsprefect He never believed he would become a father. And overtime, he realised it was the best thing to have happened to him.

Relief - @perriewinklenerdie   He doesn’t make it in time for her ethics hearing, but that doesn’t matter. Set in 1.17.

Remedial - @stygianflood Ethan realises how Aparna might have felt about him reminiscing his dates with Harper

Remember When - @openheart12   Ethan and Casey look back at their life.

Renaissance - @peonyblossom   Ethan and Sadie attend a renaissance fair and run into an unexpected someone from Sadie's past. Feat. OH Gang

Repercurssion - @nazario-sayeed Edenbrook’s staff reacts to Ethan saying on TV he’s not single.

Replies & Returns - @jerzwriter 🎄 Ethan is usually the one to mess up texting, but as Kaycee and Bryce are out shopping for Christmas gifts, it’s her turn to screw up.

Respect - @perriewinklenerdie Harper finds out about their patient being a part of the study and talks to Claire about it. Feat. Platonic Harper

Rest - @estellaelysian Ethan looks after Alishka when she overworks herself.

Reunion - @choicesfanaf   Arundhati attends her med school reunion.

Reunion - @openheartfanfiction   It's Claire med school reunion and they run into one of her exes which makes Ethan jealous.

Reunited - @openheartthot They reunite after her trip to Las Vegas. Set during OH:SY chapter 15.

Ride - @starrystarrytrouble Things get heated for Ethan on a car ride home. 

Ridiculous, But Neat - @inlocusmads   Jane looks like a pencil. Ethan's terrible at being "socially outgoing" and the two of them are equally terrible at making some proper Gala conversation.

Right at Home - @alwaysmychoices During a family camping trip in the backyard, Ethan has a suggestion for his wife.

Right Place, Right Moment - @potionsprefect There’s something on Ethan’s mind…

Right Up My Alley - @storyofmychoices   Ellie makes an unexpected discovery about Ethan's past. Feat. Bryce Lahela, Alex Spencer (Hollywood U)

Ringing In the New Year - @justanotherrookie 🌟 He’s working late and they bicker about who she’s going to kiss at midnight.

Ritenuto - @utterlyinevitable Marriage or break up? That is the question.

Rivals - @starrystarrytrouble Everyone at Edenbrook is talking about Tobias and Ethan. Multiple POVs. Feat. Tobias Carrick

Road Trip - @socalwriterbee  Ⓜ After many postponements, Ethan and Tessa are finally going away for the weekend.

Road Trip Ready - @blazerina MC begging Ethan for something he doesn’t want to give in to.

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - @liaromancewriter 🎄 Ethan returns from a business trip and discovers the joy of being home.

Role Reversal - @potionsprefect It’s usually him taking care of her, now it’s the other way round.

Rooftop - @perriewinklenerdie   They both hide away from people as the party goes on on the floor below them. They don’t need much else, except each other.

Rookie’s Nail Salon -  @lahamseiroshoe MC paints nails.

Roomie dinner - @perriewinklenerdie Few days after the accident at the hospital, Claire’s roommates discuss her very strange relationship with Ethan. Set after 2.11.

Roots - @zealouscanonindeer  Set during Book 1 just after Aspen enters the competition.

Roses Are Red - @liaromancewriter   Chief Ramsey receives a surprise delivery from a secret admirer.

Rose-Tinted Glasses - @inlocusmads   Jane's dress-up-as-a-superhero plans are thwarted after a wardrobe mishap. Nevertheless, she improvises which greatly amuses Ethan. [3.3]

Rubato - @utterlyinevitable What happened after Ethan walked out and slammed the on-call room door on Odette. 2.13 scene insert.

Rumours - @starrystarrytrouble Everyone at Edenbrook is about to find out Ethan and MC’s secret.

Rumor Has It - @liaromancewriter When Ethan finds out about Operation Cupcake, he starts to have second thoughts about the nature of his relationship with Cassie.

Running out in the middle of the night to get a food item they’re craving - @commander-rahrah

Runny Nose - @a-crepusculo   She caught a cold at the most inconvenient time.

[jerzwriter]

Hi how is the vegas fic going? 🥺

NONNY! I am soooo sorry.

The past couple of weeks, I've had a lot of family stuff going on, and my head hasn't been in the greatest of places. Series are the most difficult to write because continuity is essential, so it takes a little longer than one-offs or loosely-knit stories. Vegas has been a casualty of this. But it is on my radar, I am working on it, and I'll have it to you ASAP, I promise.

[zealouscanonindeer]

Dangerous Games 4

Synopsis: If you win, good. If you don't, even better.

(It's all fun and games until things get real.)

Category: Fluff.

Previous chapter Next chapter Series masterlist

I groaned as I shifted my weight onto my left side, my sore body and aching muscles complying hesitantly. I squinted at the bedside clock, the fluroscent 5:40 hitting my eyes. I felt for my phone, switching off my alarm, which was gonna go off in another 10 mins.

Ethan was dead asleep next to me, his heavy breaths cutting through the silence of the bedroom. I curled further into the duvet, the Egyptian cotton soft against my naked body before forcing my body off the bed.

A little clumsily I made my way to the shower, my legs wobbly. After all, we had only gone to bed 3 hours prior. Ethan's reasonable words of needing rest echoed as I fought the creeping exhaustion. But wasn't it his fault that he was so hot that I could barely contain myself?

I dressed quickly, putting on a pair of scrubs, grabbing my things and an apple as I exited the apartment, lucky enough not to wake up Ethan or Jenner and made my way to the nearest subway station.

Work continued as usual with new patients at the clinic and a few new entries for the diagnostic teams which Baz and I dealt with pretty quickly. Lunch rolled around and I made my way into the resident lounge.

I stopped in my tracks as all my friends turned towards me, staring. Sienna looked a mixture of horrified and slightly amused. Jackie broke into a laugh, whistling.

"What? "

"Whare have you been all night, huh? Who was this new guy? "

"There's no... " I stopped, better her believe it was some one night stand than realizing I was sleeping with my much older boss. I reverted my answer.

"Just some rich philanthropist. " I said dismissively. They eyed me skeptically, Jackie opening her mouth to say something when Elijah stopped her. She nodded to him, steering the conversation away from the current topic.

After lunch, Sienna and I hung back. She still looked abashed, slightly flushed.

"Did you not drive them home yesterday? I left you the spare key. Did they suspect something?"

" Of course I did. Well..they didn't until this morning. "

"What happened this morning? "

"You walked in wearing Ramsey's scrub top. "

I looked down, my eyes widening in horror as the words Dr Ethan J Ramsey MD stared back at me, the white lettering against the blue fabric suddenly very prominent. The top suddenly felt oversized against my shoulders. It also smelled faintly of him.

"Fuck. Now? " I breathed out.

"Guess you should go talk to Dr Ramsey. " She replied, her sincere worry evident through her tone.

"He's gonna be real mad at me. "

"I doubt it. "

I rolled my eyes, opening up his chat and texting him whether he was in. On receiving his reply I scurried up the back stairs, his scrub top in my hand, having changed into a spare one I left in my locker in case of emergencies.

I knocked before entering, slowly peeking into his private office, finding him sitting on the desk, glasses reflecting the light of the computer screen in front of him, his hand running mindlessly over his beard.

"Hey."

"Penny, come in. What can I do for you?"

Stop using Penny and being professional in the same sentence.

"So.. This happened. " I held up his scrub top, waiting for him to figure it out.

"Rookie.. You did not! "

"It was really dark and I grabbed the first one I found." He ran his hand over his face, huffing in annoyance. A moment and he promptly slipped into damage control.

"Who all saw you? "

"I have been at the free clinic for 2 hours after which I met with Baz to discuss the new dignostic cases, although I don't think he realised, atleast he didn't let on that he did. Then I bumped into.. Oh god!.. the interns just before lunch where I met all my friends. " I rambled, embarrassed that the entire hospital probably knew by now.

I sat onto the couch, covering my face with my hands, I had made one big mess of everything.

"Penny, listen to me. " Ethan pulled my hands away, holding my chin in place to meet his gaze.

"It's not the worst thing to happen. In fact, I'm a little glad it did. "

"You are? "

"Yeah. Atleast no one will ask you out now, they know you are mine. Besides, June still hasn't found out, so we'll be fine."

"Are you making a joke right now? "

" I was trying to. " He chuckled fondly, tender eyes meeting mine with a lopsided grin

I laughed, pecking his lips as I relaxed onto the couch, teary that Ethan was so committed to us that he really didn't seem to care.

"I'm gonna head to the cafeteria to get lunch. I'll see you later. " I nodded as he reached for the door.

"Ethan? "

"Hmm.?"

"Your place, same time as usual? "

"Do you even need to ask? I believe I need to teach you a lesson..about mindfulness"

***********

I'm debating whether to continue the series further. Would you like to read a part 5 where Ethan teaches Aspen a thing or two about mindfulness?

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

@liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @jerzwriter @cariantha @peonierose @kyra75 @rookiemartin @queencarb @tessa-liam @genevievemd @coffeeheartaddict2 @tveitertotwrites @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[alj4890]

Hi, I have a request. Take as long as you need, or just delete if you don't find it appealing, but...

I'd love a fic in the early days of Tobias & Chris's relationship. They're public now and very much in love, but he witnesses a tender moment between her and Ethan... how does he react?

🤣 I was actually working through a fic along these lines for one of my kiss prompts. Your request came at the best time to help me finish this 😊 Hope you like it 😘

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: a passionate kiss ending in ripped clothing.

@jerzwriter @hopelessromantic1352 @trappedinfanfiction @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @kyra75

Masterlist

Visceral Reaction

At a coffee shop not too far from Edenbrook...

"Hello, Doctor." Chris tapped Ethan on his shoulder.

He turned around with a start then slowly smirked at her. "What are you doing here?"

"I need coffee." She replied.

"So you decided to come all the way down here on your day off." He rolled his eyes. "Surely you've got a coffee maker at home."

Chris nudged him forward when the line moved. "Yes, I have a coffee maker at home, but this place makes the best pumpkin spice lattes."

Ethan winced.

"What?" Chris demanded.

"I can't believe you're going to ruin coffee with a fad." He grumbled.

"A fad? Pumpkin spice is not a fad!"

"Yes, it is." He argued.

"You are such a coffee snob!" She exclaimed. "I can't believe that the man who introduced me to the espresso romano is going to stand here and deride my love for pumpkin flavors in coffee."

"Lemon is a natural additive that is used to diffuse the bitterness of the espresso." He reminded her. "It does nothing but make the coffee refreshing."

He placed his order along with her typical pumpkin spice latte. While still arguing with her, he paid for both their drinks and guided her towards an empty table.

Chris sat down caddy cornered from him so she could watch the door for Tobias. Her gray eyes narrowed playfully on Ethan's blue.

"Are you actually going to sit there and say that the spices used to make pumpkin spice are unnatural? Because I would like to point out that cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves can be found in many people's gardens."

Ethan leaned forward, eyes locked onto hers. His smile grew over how passionate she could get when defending her arguments for something completely ridiculous.

"No. I am going to sit here and say that your addiction to those particular spices is unnatural." He gestured towards her cup. "No one should ingest as much of those as you do."

She burst into laughter while playfully shoving his shoulder for bringing up her need for all things pumpkin spice.

"You know," her eyes sparkled with her humor, "researchers at John Hopkins did a study not too long ago on why people like me love pumpkin spice desserts and drinks."

"Really?" Ethan relaxed back in his chair. "I'll bite. Why do people like you fall so hard each year for a scam of charging an extra dollar or two for some spices you could add at home yourself?"

She snorted, propping her head on her hand while looking up at him. "As you well know, Dr. Ramsey; smell particles are able to travel to the back of our nasal passages and activate our smell receptors when eating."

Ethan merely lifted an eyebrow in response.

Chris grinned at him. "And the parts of the brain that process odor are very close to the parts of the brain that process memory information."

"So this is all about triggering happy memories?" He concluded. "That's why you drink this poor excuse for coffee by the gallon?"

"I work with you, Ethan." She teased. "Pumpkin spice is the only thing saving you daily from my temper."

She winked at him. "If I were you, I'd get down on my knees tonight to thank God for giving you this spice for protection."

Ethan snorted, fighting back a smile. He hadn't realized he needed something like her humor to help diffuse the tension he was currently under.

"How's work going?" She asked, sipping her coffee.

"Well, for the most part." He replied.

Chris noticed the dark look that passed over his face. There was only one thing that she knew of that could cause that particular expression.

"Have you talked to your father recently?"

Ethan averted his eyes from hers.

"Yes. He keeps calling."

"About your mother?" She carefully prodded.

He nodded, eyes narrowing upon his coffee without really seeing it. His mind was a jumble of memories and lingering bitterness. It was both distracting and disconcerting that his parent whom he hadn't seen in over twenty years was trying to get back into his life. If she was causing these types of problems now, how much more trouble would she be if he allowed her into his life again?

His eyes shot down to the sight of his hand being held by Chris. Her thumb brushed over his knuckles as she squeezed it in silent understanding.

Ethan swallowed before looking up at her. There was no pity that he could detect in her facial expression, only a sense of friendly concern. Without words, she was letting him know that she was fully on his side and would support him no matter what he decided to do about his mother.

He gripped her hand in gratitude.

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

Tobias could only stare at the sight of his girlfriend at first laughing, talking, and playfully touching a man she not only worked closely with but also had quite the romantic history.

For some reason, their conversation took a dramatic shift from humor to being serious. Now, the two were holding hands while gazing at one another in silence.

Chris shared recently that she thought she and Ethan had found a new way forward in friendship. Tobias was happy that they had, especially since they worked together. He couldn't begin to imagine how awkward it must have been for the two of them. It was one of the many reasons why he never dated anyone that worked at Mass Kenmore. He needed work to be as stress-free as possible.

I had no idea that their friendship was THIS close.

He prided himself on never being jealous. At least he hadn't been before in previous relationships, or whatever his brief flings could be considered as. But, something about seeing Chris be herself, her fun sweet self, with someone like Ethan made his heart nearly stop.

Tobias knew Chris was his as well as her love and affection belonging to him.

If she still wanted Ethan, she'd never have agreed to go out with me.

He reminded himself that fact a few more times as he made his way over to their table.

Still though, why is she here with Ethan?

After all, she'd been the one to insist they meet here before going to see a matinee.

Was it so she could see Ethan or to get that coffee she talks about all the time, he wondered.

Chris noticed Tobias first. Her smile turned more tender just at the sight of him while she let go of Ethan's hand.

"Hey." Tobias greeted them both with a forced smile.

It took a lot of focus to keep it firmly in place.

Chris reached over and took his hand, tugging him down to greet him with her usual kiss.

That action went a long way to reassure him that all was still well between them.

Though he did still wonder at the closeness between her and Ethan.

He couldn't help but be worried. He trusted Chris and knew she would never cheat on him with another man. But...this was Ethan. He'd been the one man she'd waited over a year on in the hopes to be able to be with him.

"What are you two up to?" Tobias attempted to sound casual as he sat down next to her.

"Nothing much." Chris kept her hand in his. "Ethan and I were having our usual debate over coffee."

"Oh?" Tobias looked curiously back and forth between them.

The subject of coffee doesn't require all the little touches, smiles, or absolute attention, does it? Nor does it turn heartfelt later on.

"You need to tell him the truth." Ethan rolled his eyes at Tobias. "What we were really discussing--"

Here we go. Tobias braced himself.

"Is Chris's addiction."

Tobias sat there an extra second to absorb that statement.

"You mean her pumpkin spice addiction?" He asked.

"You told Ethan about your theory, didn't you?" Chris wagged a finger in warning at Tobias. "I knew you two would give me trouble one day."

Ethan chuckled. He was grateful that Chris was keeping the last of their conversation between the two of them. Though he was on his way to being close friends with Tobias again, he wasn't quite ready to share what was going on with his mother with anyone else at the moment.

He noticed the time and got to his feet. "I've got some lab results that should be finished by now. I'll see you in a couple of days."

Chris waved goodbye then focused on her date.

Tobias summoned his typical smirk for her before she could ask if something was wrong.

"What time does the movie start?" She asked.

"In about an hour."

Her smile turned flirty. "An hour, hmm? I think between the two of us, we can find a way to pass the time."

That wasn't a bad idea. He actually needed a little more proof that everything was still the same between them. What better way to do so than taking Chris somewhere more private?

"Come on." He laced his fingers with hers as he got to his feet. "Let's find a place without people."

Chris nearly tripped in her haste to follow him outside.

The sun was shining a little too brightly for what he had in mind. Tobias looked about the busy street, seeing nothing conducive to finding a spot where they could be alone.

He glanced down at her bemused face then led her towards where he'd parked. He opened the passenger door and instead of letting Chris get in, he sat down and moved the seat as far back as it could go.

His lips curved when he looked up at her.

"Care to join me?" He asked, reclining the seat the rest of the way down.

Chris laughed at his not so veiled hint of how they should spend their free time. Without a second thought, she settled on top of him.

Once the door was shut, the two attempted to get a little more comfortable.

"This is nice." She murmured, placing kisses along his stubbled jawline.

"Yes, it is." His hands moved along her back.

He needed more of her. His lips found hers in a heated kiss. His tongue slipped through her parted lips to seek her own. Her moans filled the air as she restlessly moved against him, needing more of his touch.

Tobias was determined to drive her crazy. He wasn't certain where this desperate need to do so came from. All he knew was he felt it the moment he stepped into that coffee shop and saw her with Ethan.

When I saw them holding hands...

His hands slid under her sweater to seek out all the spots that made her go wild. Chris broke away from his kiss. Her breaths hitched with every touch he lavished upon her mixed with how he kissed her neck.

The cramped space made every motion turn into an almost teasing sensation. It gave just enough friction to work them up but not enough to satisfy. The dark tinted windows fogged up, giving them all the privacy they needed to take things further.

Tobias became almost frantic to begin getting Chris out of her clothes. He gripped the bottom of her sweater and jerked it up. In his haste, he didn't realize that it had gotten snagged on the door handle.

A ripping sound rent the air making the two pause.

"How bad is it?" Chris asked, twisting around to see the damage.

"Bad." He muttered.

He could tell that the tear in her sweater went halfway up her back. Tobias was in utter disbelief that he'd allowed his jealousy to get to the point where he was actually ripping her clothes off just to prove that all was right between them.

Chris turned back towards him, mouth crashing against his for a long, deep kiss. Something about having him that eager to be with her made her desire for him quadruple.

Tobias moaned her name when she broke away to slowly begin unbuttoning his shirt.

Her gray eyes, stormy with desire, caught his attention.

"Since I can't go to the movies now," she teased, sliding her body against his in a sensual rhythm, "you'll have to keep me entertained for the next few hours."

His smirk flashed as he tried to catch his breath. Seeing her flushed from their kisses went a long way in giving him back his confidence.

"Just the next few hours?" His hands began their delicious torment to her sensitive skin once more. "That's all you need?"

Chris arched into his touch. Her lips curved as she gazed down at him.

"Not even close." She replied. "But it'll be a good start."