Chapter Three-Hundred-Sixty-Four
“What are you making in here that smells so delicious?” Lindsey asked Howie when she walked into the kitchen and found him hard at work cooking dinner. Howie looked up and grinned at the sight of her walking in with Ryan’s hand held gingerly in her own as he walked dutifully at her side. He has the biggest glow that Howie has ever seen adorned on his young features. Seeing Ryan and how happy he seems to be with his mother back in his life without constant doctor supervision made hope surge through Howie for the child. Maybe now he will try to involve himself with the other kids a little more and not keep to himself so much.
“Chicken Parmesan and pasta,” Howie replied keeping his answer simple for Ryan’s benefit. He knows this is going to be very new for him and Laila who have been eating Mc Donalds or simple orphanage food for most of the time they’ve been in his and AJ’s care, but he intends on them at least trying it. Lindsey read the careful look in Howie’s eyes and knowing for a fact that she knows how to work her son if anything, she gently lifted him up and brought him over to the counter next to Howie where she lightly sat him down.
“Mmm…that looks so good. Can we have a small taste of the pasta? I’m sure you could use a couple of taste testers,” She told him giving him a look with her eyes silently telling him to work with her here and then she looked at him with her lower lip sticking out. Howie laughed not being able to resist how adorable she looks when she pouts and he nodded.
“Okay, okay, but just a small taste. I want you to be surprised at dinner.” He grabbed a fork out of the silverware drawer then and he reached into the pot that the linguini noodles were cooking in and he fished out a couple of noodles and looked at Lindsey questioningly.
“Ryan first,” she insisted and Ryan eyed it warily.
“Come on kiddo, you’ve had spaghetti before, this isn’t much different except that it lacks the spaghetti sauce” Lindsey encouraged. Ryan looked at his mother like she is crazy and she smiled some, having an idea.
“Remember when your father and I used to eat spaghetti together like Lady and the Tramp when you were younger just to get a good laugh out of you?” Ryan thought about it for a moment, and then a small smile formed on his face.
“Yeah, I remember. Why? Are you going to do that with Howie now?”
“No, but I thought you and I could” She told him as she felt her cheeks grow warm and she avoided Howie’s gaze. Ryan made a face.
“But that’s childish.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you are a child then,” Howie pointed out.
“But that’s baby stuff. I don’t even watch Lady and The Tramp anymore unless Laila makes me.”
“What if it were to make Laila laugh?” Howie asked deciding Ryan needs some child’s play in his life because this acting older then he really is stuff bothers him.
“Are we talking about making my little angel laugh? Cause I am all for that,” AJ spoke up suddenly while casually walking into the kitchen with Laila cradled in his arms and Marcus trailing behind him. They had heard what Howie last said.
“There you go Ryan, now you have no choice” Howie grinned. “Try the noodle and make your sister laugh.” Ryan scowled at Howie and Howie raised his eyebrow unfazed.
“Don’t you want her to be at ease?” Ryan looked over at the sister that he isn’t very happy with at the moment and just as he knew he would see, he saw her clutching AJ’s shirt with a slight death grip and eyeing Lindsey as if she really doesn’t know about her. Wanting her to trust their mother more then ever he sighed heavily and looked at his mom who already had the fork Howie was holding, as if she knew he would give in - Which she did. The two of them each took an end of the noodle after making sure Laila was watching – which she was with great curiosity. The two of them began to eat at the noodle until there was none left and Lindsey gave him a short peck on the cheek right next to his lips before pulling away. Ryan made a face at this.
“Yuck! Mom kisses!” he groaned rubbing at his cheek and Laila shrieked with laughter at the familiar scene and the look on her brother’s face. Ryan looked at his sister still wanting more then ever to be annoyed with her but at the sight of her laughing right then suddenly reminded him of back in the day when he laughed like that over the very same ridiculous thing. Not being able to resist, Ryan caved and joined in on the laughter. Laila reached for Ryan just then and wanting to keep the 2-year-old happy, AJ walked over to the boy and handed her over. Ryan weak with laughter fell back on his bottom with Laila landing in his lap causing the two siblings to only laugh harder.
All three adults chuckled and smiled at the scene, Howie’s the biggest smile of them all just at the very sight of Ryan having fun. The worry lines on his face had completely disappeared at the very magic of what obviously was a very fun memory. Howie looked at Lindsey who had joined her children on the floor and was laughing a long with them and he silently gave kudos to her for the successful attempt of getting on her children’s good side. What a good idea on her part…he’ll have to compliment her on that later. Even Laila didn’t cringe away at the closeness of her mother. Remembering the chicken on the grill in the backyard, Howie reluctantly turned and headed out there to tend to it. After a few moments when the laughter had died down, for the very first time Lindsey realized that somewhere in the middle of it all, Laila ended up in her lap instead. She paused at the sudden realization and looked down at her in silence not wanting to draw attention to the fact incase Laila hasn’t realized it herself yet. She sat there gazing at her as Laila sat there clutching her brother’s arm lovingly and idly playing with his buttons. Lindsey sat there quietly thinking about how wonderful it feels to be holding her baby. She wants nothing more then to envelop her in her arms, but she knows the sudden action would ruin the moment. She looked up at AJ who was standing there quietly watching with a small grin spread across his lips and he winked at her – not in the flirtatious way that he had earlier, but in a way-to-go kind of gesture. Just then, Howie came into the kitchen carrying a plate of chicken and he looked at AJ.
“Dinner is done – help get the kids situated please?” AJ not wanting to draw Laila’s attention to himself walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of chocolate milk and he waved it in Ryan’s view and gave him a look. Ryan catching on immediately looked down at his sister.
“Laila, do you want some chocolate milk?”
“Yesth pease,” Laila answered readily and AJ proceeded to pour her a cup of chocolate milk giving Lindsey a few moments with her daughter who popped her thumb in her mouth and to everybody’s surprise, nestled right into her. When the chocolate milk was poured though and AJ had her plate made he looked at Lindsey for permission. Lindsey nodded and got to her feet and she allowed AJ to take her.
“Hey Pumpkin,” he greeted Laila with a smile. Laila smiled back as her thumb was still popped in her mouth and he kissed her forehead softly before bringing her over to the chair that he put her booster seat on. Just then as Lindsey stood there watching him she felt arms wrap around her and looked up to see Howie standing behind her gazing down at her with caring eyes. He gently brushed away tears that she didn’t know she had and hugged her affectionately.
“Why don’t you go sit down and I’ll make your plate?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“You’re right, I don’t” Howie agreed with a small grin spread across his lips. “But I want to. How come you never just let me do anything nice for you?”
“I let you talk me into moving in with you didn’t I? You took care of Ryan and Laila when I couldn’t and that alone is the nicest thing you could ever do for me. And you made me dinner…least I can do is make my own plate.”
“I made everybody dinner,” Howie insisted with a smirk even though he did infact go out of his way to impress her. “Therefore I am entitled to do one nice thing for you alone this evening and you just have to go a long with it.” Lindsey laughed amusedly.
“Is that right?”
“Yes it is.” She gazed up at him for a couple of moments as he continued to stand behind her.
“Okay, fine. But if you make my plate, I’m making Ryan’s.” Howie laughed at this and she smiled up at him innocently.
“Now how does that work out?”
“It just does. You do something nice for me, and I do something nice for you – better yet, I’ll make yours and Ryan’s plate if you make mine. You have to sit down and eat sometime after all of these plates you’re going around making.” Howie narrowed his eyes playfully and shook his head defeatedly.
“Fine,” he replied. “It’s a deal.” Lindsey grinned and gently patted his shoulder before walking off to make her son’s plate. Howie stood there watching her for a few seconds, astonished that he let her beat him like that. He has never met such a difficult woman in all his life. He can argue with her for hours and not win a single one and at the same time he has never met a woman more beautiful then she in all his life either. Everytime he looks at her she manages to take his breath away. And she has such a hold on him that he couldn’t even begin to describe. Shaking his head he walked off to make her plate vowing to himself that he will win one of these days. Even if it takes the rest of his life. If the only time she will ever allow him to pamper and spoil her is the day she’s an old woman in a wheel chair, then so be it. He will win. Ryan who had been quietly sitting at the table watching the scene before him with stars in his eyes turned and grinned at AJ who was sitting next to Laila encouraging her to eat everything on her plate. AJ who had been watching the whole thing as well in amusement winked at Ryan before twirling some noodles onto Laila’s fork and coaxing her to take a bite.
~*~*~*~*~
"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope!" Princess Leia exclaimed on the television but Doctor Johnson was barely paying attention as he lay on the couch with Annabelle lying comfortably on top of him using his chest as a pillow. They were covered up with a heavy comforter from his bed and she was sleeping peacefully and he was quite content in watching her. He personally liked listening to every soft breath she took knowing that its because of him that she was doing it. Every breath she took was like a confirmation to himself that he really did save her life and it makes his own heart feel whole. Doctor Johnson lightly caressed her arm with the pad of his forefinger and thumb as she had on a white tanktop and he silently told himself that as long as he was alive and still standing, nothing was going to ever happen to his Annabelle. He would move Heaven and Earth if it meant saving her life. As if to prove that promise, Doctor Johnson hugged her close to him and he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the nape of her neck before combing his fingers through her hair as it lay sprawled out against his chest. After a long while, just as his eyes were starting to close, Doctor Johnson felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out being careful not to wake the sleeping beauty in his arms and he turned it on without looking at caller ID.
“Hmm?” he asked, placing the phone to his ear.
“Are you ill Steve?” came Brooke’s voice on the other end. “Whats the matter with you?”
“I…huh? Whats going on?” Doctor Johnson asked slightly disoriented from his near sleep and being highly absorbed in Annabelle.
“You were supposed to be here over an hour ago for your night shift and Cyndi says she hasn’t seen or spoken to you since you left this afternoon with Anna. Where are you?” Doctor Johnson sat up quick then as reality hit him and he felt Annabelle slide her arms around his waist and rest her head against his shoulder – her breathing pattern changed, telling him that he’d woken her up.
“Um…I…Brooke I’m so sorry, I fell asleep” he told her while rubbing his hand over Annabelle’s back in a silent attempt at apologizing.
“That’s…very unlike you…” Brooke replied slowly, the confusion evident in her voice. “You are never late for work…” Doctor Johnson opened his mouth to reply but before he could get a word out she went on. “Oh! ” She exclaimed as sudden realization hit her. “Ooh…”
“I’ll be there shortly Brooke,” Doctor Johnson told her as his cheeks turned bright red knowing exactly what conclusion she came to and he looked down at Annabelle who was smiling amusedly.
“You don’t have to,” Brooke insisted quickly. “We can find someone to take your place for the evening. Have the night off, you deserve it.” Doctor Johnson gazed into Annabelle’s sleepy eyes and she reached up and cupped his cheek in her hand lightly caressing it. He placed his hand on top of hers lovingly.
“Julie,” She whispered to him softly, reminding him of her own responsibilities she needs to get back to.
“No it’s probably best I come in. Don’t call anyone Brooke, like I said I’ll be there shortly.”
“If you insist…”
“Mhm. See you soon,” Doctor Johnson replied before hanging up and he put his phone down before looking down at Annabelle in his lap. He leaned forward and brushed his lips briefly over hers and placed his hand to her cheek as hers was still rested on his.
“I’m sorry I woke you sweetie. You were sleeping so peacefully.”
“Its okay, it’s probably for the best. Julie is probably wondering why I haven’t come home to tuck her in yet. She probably talked my mother into letting her wait up by now.” Annabelle slid her arms around his neck and he rested his forehead against hers as she smiled up at him some. “Has anyone told you that you’re adorable when you blush?”
“Just you,” Doctor Johnson replied while tightening his arms around her waist and holding her close to him wishing he didn’t have to say goodbye to her.
“You have to get to work,” She reminded him when she felt the change in the hold he has on her.
“I know…” Doctor Johnson sighed. “And for the first time in my life, I really don’t want to.” Annabelle felt her heart literally flutter in her chest at his words knowing that coming from a man who is highly devoted to his work, that means a lot. She softly kissed his cheek, his lips, the tip of his nose, and his forehead and she ran her fingers through his messy hair.
“As much as I would love to, I can’t keep you to myself tonight Steven. That would be highly selfish of me. Go save some lives, okay?”
“There is nothing you can do that is selfish, Annabelle. That’s impossible.”
“You’re just getting to know me baby,” Annabelle insisted softly. “Don’t put me on a pedestal just yet.” She pried herself from his arms and crawled out of his lap then, getting to her feet. “I am far from perfect.”
“You are perfect in my eyes,” Doctor Johnson insisted, getting to his feet as well and enveloping her in his arms. He brought his lips down on hers claiming them for his own. She smiled against his lips and pulled away from him and she set off to find her shoes. Doctor Johnson sighed happily and began putting his own shoes on. After doing just that, driving Anna to her house, and a very long goodbye later, he was headed for the hospital. He walked into the lobby dazed and all smiles and just as he expected, Brooke was standing there leaning against Cyndi’s desk waiting.
“Late for work for the first time ever, big smile on his face, dream-glazed eyes….I believe our Doctor is in love Cyndi,” she announced immediately beginning her light-hearted teasing – something to be expected of a best friend. Doctor Johnson rolled his eyes playfully and she went on.
“She must be something special Steve-o for you to forget all about work, huh?” She asked, going over and swinging her arm around his shoulders and looking up at him, batting her eyelashes.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend to be getting to Brooklyn?” Brooke scrunched her nose at the use of her actual name. Doctor Johnson knows she doesn’t like being called Brooklyn.
“In a minute,” She told him waving it off. “I wanna know why you passed up an opportunity to have a night off with her when you obviously don’t really want to be here. I see it all over your face.”
“Because I need the hours.”
“What the heck for?” Cyndi asked incredulously. “You put in more hours then the entire staff put together.”
“Because…maybe I want to take Annabelle and Julie on a little trip…” Doctor Johnson admitted, not meeting Brooke’s eyes. Brooke smiled at this information and gently patted his shoulder.
“Ohhh?”
“I was thinking about bringing them home to Oklahoma for a few days.”
“How come?”
“It just…feels like the right thing to do. I can’t explain it.”
“Well I’m happy for you Steve,” Brooke insisted, sliding her other arm around him and pulling him into a hug. “I know when you start forgetting about work, you must be in love. No one’s been able to get you to do that in well…actually, never. She must be pretty special and I mean that in the sincerest way possible.”
“Thanks Brookie, she is” Doctor Johnson replied hugging her in return. “I can’t explain that either. I can’t explain anything.”
“You don’t have to, I think I get it. A Bestie just automatically knows these things,” She told him leaning up on her tiptoes and kissing his cheek. “I’m gonna go see Alex now. Love you Jay, I’m glad you are happy.”
“Love you too Brookie,” Doctor Johnson replied, and she pulled away and walked out of the hospital. Doctor Johnson turned around then headed for his first patient when suddenly he caught sight of Jennifer hidden around the corner in the direction of the Orphanage Wing, and judging by the tear streaks running down her cheeks, he can tell she’s been eavesdropping. Her eyes met with his for a brief moment, and then she turned and ran off. Doctor Johnson sighed.
“Jen wait!” He pleaded, before running after her.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
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