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Chapter Three-Hundred-Sixty-Five



“Jennifer please! I want to talk to you!” Doctor Johnson pleaded as he chased her all the way to the Orphanage lobby. Several caregivers looked up from their work curiously to see what’s going on. Jennifer stopped abruptly and she whirled around to look at him as she unknowingly stood right in the middle of the lobby with him only a couple of feet away.


“You mean you actually have the time?” she asked sarcastically. “You mean between balancing work and the new girlfriend you for once have time for me?”


“Jen I—“


“—DON’T tell me you’re sorry Steven, don’t you dare!” She snapped tearfully. “Do you know how tiresome that word has gotten? Its empty, it has no meaning, and it’s certainly not going to fix my broken heart is it?” Doctor Johnson stared at her helplessly, suddenly at loss for words. “I’ve been wanting your attention for three months now and I’m sorry to say that ship has sailed! I can’t…I don’t want to deal with this anymore! It hurts too much so just let me be!” Doctor Johnson silently struggled for something to say and when he could think of nothing, frustration and anger took over.


“Then why did you come around my hospital if you didn’t want to deal with this huh?” He snapped. “Why did you come around? You knew I was seeing Anna, I know you did since you came by earlier and acted like a jealous ex-girlfriend to her!” Tears filled Jennifer’s eyes at the harsh tone in his voice as she stood there gazing at him a couple of feet away.


“I don’t know Steven, I guess I got this crazy idea in my head that I still had a chance. I knew you’ve been busy with work and Anna and I thought it was just because you were worked up over your sister…so I gave you the benefit of the doubt and waited until she was admitted out of the hospital. The one day I thought she wouldn’t be here anymore, she was! She rubbed it in my face about going out with you, how do you think that made me feel?”


“She didn’t intentionally rub it in your face, Anna isn’t like that!” Doctor Johnson snapped angrily. “She had no idea Jennifer! None what so ever! You had no right to act the way you did, it really upset her!”


“Well I’m having a hard time just a little bit about feeling sorry for her right now because I’m pretty sure its NOTHING compared to how upset I’ve been is it? At least she got the man huh? I hope she’s very happy, I really do.”


“You need to stop this right now! You need to leave Anna out of this because this is between YOU and ME! She didn’t hurt you, I did. And as much as you don’t want to hear it I am really truly sorry about it! Those aren’t empty words. I didn’t want to hurt you and I will NEVER forgive myself for that!” Jennifer shook her head and started to walk away when Doctor Johnson quickly closed the distance between them and gently grabbed her arms, turned her to face him, and went on. “But I did and I’m not even going to try to come up with an excuse for myself, because there is none. There is only the plain truth and as painful as that is for you to hear it, you need to. Somewhere a long the way – I couldn’t tell you when exactly of being Anna’s doctor, I fell in love with her. Okay? And I’m NOT sorry about that. As much as I am sorry for hurting you, I am NOT sorry about that. So be angry at me if you want to, hate me even…god knows I deserve it but don’t take it out on Anna.” Jennifer stared at him through tears for a few moments before responding and when she did it was very quietly as the realization that everybody she works with was watching hit her.


“I think you should get back to work now Doctor Johnson. Your patients need you.” Doctor Johnson opened his mouth to respond, closed it, and then turned and started to head to the hospital wing when her whispered words stopped him.


“Don’t expect me to be nice to her.”


“If you don’t have anything nice to say, just don’t say anything at all. You preach that to the kids all the time Jennifer,” was all he said before walking away. Jennifer watched his back until he disappeared around the corner and then she rubbed at her eyes and looked around for a place to go and hide until she was calm again. She caught sight of Brooke’s office just then and noticed that it was open. Deciding that she wouldn’t mind if she went and sat in there on her couch just for a few moments, she headed in that direction. Brooke’s office is known as the best place to find solace for most of her employees. When she got in there she didn’t bother to turn the light on or close the door as she went over and sat on the couch. She covered her face in her hands and let her tears fall freely.


“I believe him you know,” a familiar gentle voice spoke up from the door after a few moments that she thought she was alone. Jennifer looked up in surprise and suddenly found Jaime lingering in the doorway. Jennifer quickly wiped her tears away, suddenly embarrassed to be found at her worst by the second most gorgeous man in the building.


“Jaime…hi…” she spoke taking Jaime aback slightly as she usually doesn’t speak around him. He always gets this impression that she doesn’t want him around. If she does happen to speak, its usually to someone else – never to him and she is always very tense. He walked over to Brooke’s desk and grabbed a tissue and he crossed the room to the couch and sat down next to her. He held the hand he is holding the tissue in out to her, offering it to her. She quietly took it from him then and dabbed at her eyes praying that her tears would stop at once. This is so embarrassing! What he must think of her right now…he probably saw the whole emotional mess. He waited in silence for awhile until her tears had indeed stopped and she seemed to be getting a hold of herself.


“Are you okay?” he asked gently. Jennifer nodded quietly as she looked at him briefly, and then down at her hands. He looked at her in silence for a couple of moments, and then spoke up again.


“Like I said earlier…I do believe him. I don’t think he ever meant to hurt you. If its any consolation he really does seem to care about you.”


“Not enough though, obviously,” she spoke in barely above a whisper as she continued to avoid his caring gaze.


“Well…maybe not the way you want him to,” Jamie agreed gently. “But sometimes, no matter how much you try…you just can’t make someone fall in love with you.” Jennifer nodded quietly, still not looking at him. “Trust me, I know all too well what that feels like. It hurts a lot…see, no matter how hard I try I can’t seem to get this beautiful woman I know to pay attention to me. It always seems like she just doesn’t want me around.” Jennifer looked up at him for the first time since he entered the room, really getting a look at him for the first time since she’s known the man and instantly wondered how a woman could be so stupid as to not pay attention to him. His piercing brown eyes staring back at her are so captivating she could get lost in them and never want to be found. His long silky brown hair looks so soft and inviting to her fingers that if it wasn’t pulled back into a ponytail she would be tempted to run her fingers through them right now. His lips look so smooth and kissable that any woman would want to try…and anyone who doesn’t know him would take that whole rebellious image of his very seriously that’s for sure. Maybe even find it downright sexy. She certainly does…that’s for sure. It is like she is just seeing him for the very first time. Second gorgeous man in the building? HA! Doctor Johnson who? Hearing herself say that statement in her head made her blink and she tore her gaze from him and looked back down nearly kicking herself. NO! She screamed at herself. She wishes she could smack herself too to get herself to really understand. How frigin’ dense can she get? Has she not learned anything with this whole messy situation with Doctor Johnson? Its bad enough that she let herself fall hard for someone she works with and will have to see everyday, but her boss’s brother? That has to stop before it even happens. That would be a huge train wreck right there. Jennifer shook her head as if to further remind her just how off limits Jaime is.


“Jennifer?” Jaime asked suddenly concerned when she didn’t speak for awhile. I can do this Jennifer thought to herself. I can pretend there are no feelings for him what so ever – I’ve been doing a pretty good job so far haven’t I? Jaime means nothing to me. It’s Doctor Johnson who I have to work hard on forgetting. I can do this…right? She looked up at Jaime again and saw his brown eyes full of concern gazing back. No I can’t…fuck! How can I think such a thing? Whoever this woman is that Jaime speaks of is very stupid. How could she ignore such a sexy man like him? Hmm…maybe she can find this woman and convince her to give him a shot…and then maybe she wouldn’t have to worry about doing something incredibly stupid like ruin her career by sleeping with her boss’s brother. Jennifer shook her head, vanquishing that thought right away. That would never work. She would probably be extremely jealous of that woman too. She might as well kiss her career goodbye right now, because that’s the only option she has left.


“I…I need to get out of here,” She informed, speaking up for the first time in a few moments causing Jaime to let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in.


“Where do you need to go?” He asked readily. “I can take you there. Home maybe? Or hey, how about we go get some ice cream…my treat. You shouldn’t go home to an empty house when you’re this upset. It just isn’t right.”


“No…thanks for the offer but that’s not what I mean,” Jennifer answered not even looking at him and she got to her feet. “I think Ramsey is just becoming too much for me…” she went on looking as if she were trying to convince herself. “I…I think I’m going to give Brooke my two weeks notice. I think its time.”


“What?” Jamie asked, all the air suddenly getting knocked out of him and he felt like he couldn’t breathe. She started for the door needing to get away from the beautiful man now before it gets to the point where she can’t go through with this and he reached out and gently grabbed hold of her hand.


“You can’t,” he insisted, nearly pleading with her. Jennifer turned her head to look at him, confusion written all over her face. “Don’t do it Jenn…come on. Think about this. Is Doctor Johnson really worth giving up your career for?”


“Its not just Doctor Johnson…” Jennifer whispered and she turned her back on him crossing her arms over her chest to keep herself from whirling around and flinging them around him. “I guess I could avoid him if I really wanted to. He stays over on that side of the building most of the time anyway unless someone calls him over here…or if he wants to visit with his friends…or for lunch. But I suppose now that he is seeing Annabelle he will probably go out for meals more. And take breaks…”


“Then what’s the problem?” Jaime asked anxiously. “Whats making you want to quit? Tell me Jenn…maybe I could talk to Brookie and get her to fix it. Or even get rid of it – anything that’s bothering you shouldn’t stay here anyway. Except Doctor Johnson…of course…he’s too important to the Orphanage and hospital and even to Brookie herself. But anything else…”


“No, this is too important to Brooke too…I couldn’t ask her to get rid of this…ever. Because this is pretty important to the Orphanage too, especially at Christmas time.” She couldn’t help but smile some as her back was turned at the reminder of Zippy the Elf. Jaime stared at the back of her head highly confused for a few moments, and then stepped closer and gently laid his hand on her shoulder. Jennifer tensed up at just how aware of him and her body she suddenly really is.


“How come everytime I’m near you it seems like a big wall comes up between us?” he asked softly. “Talk to me Jen…tell me what’s making you even think about throwing away such a great career?”


“You are…” Jennifer whispered quietly causing Jaime to raise his eyebrow and remove his hand.


“Do you really dislike me that much?” he asked sadly.


What? ” Jennifer asked, incredulous that he could even come to that conclusion and she turned to look at him.


“It’s fine…I always knew that you did,” Jaime shrugged. “You never look at me when you are around, you are always careful not to make eye contact with me, and this is the most you’ve said to me since the day we were introduced. And now you are quitting your job over me…its pretty obvious how you feel.” Jennifer stared at him dumbfounded for a couple of moments trying to comprehend what he was saying, and then staggered back slightly in utter surprise when she did.


“The woman!” She exclaimed, wide eyed and it was Jaime’s turn to be confused again. “The beautiful woman you were talking about…it was…you…I…oh my god!” Jaime suddenly comprehending her confusion laughed, walked up to her, gently cupped her face in his hand and he gazed into her eyes.


“Took you long enough to figure it out huh?” he asked softly, before leaning forward and claiming her lips for his own. Jennifer tensed in his arms for the briefest moment, before slowly sliding her arms over his shoulders and kissing him back. She took a moment to savor the taste of those smooth kissable lips on her own, brought her hand back and gently twirled his ponytail around her finger and clung to him as his arms enveloped around her before abruptly pulling away from him.


“No, No, No, No! This can’t be happening!” She insisted pulling away and running her fingers through her hair with frustration mixed with want and need.


“Why not?” Jaime wanted to know. “I don’t see the issue here…I like you, you seem to really like me…why deny a great thing here?”


“Of course I like you…way too much for my own good, I can’t believe you would even think that I could ever hate you…”


“Well the way you acted around me most of the time sort of gave me false assumptions, but that is not the point. The point is why do you say too much for your own good? And why do you want to quit your career because of me?”


“Because I don’t think it’s a very good idea for me to be having these feelings about my boss’s brother. I just had a bad experience with one of my employees, you would think stupid me would learn something out of that, but I guess not.” Jaime chuckled.


“Oh is that all?” he asked while gently sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her near.


“Well, if you look at it this way…it could be good seeing the boss’s brother. Especially when this particular brother is pretty close to this sister of his.”


Or, it could be bad. If our relationship should ever end and it ended badly, what would that do to me and Brooke?”


“Honey the worst thing that could happen out of that situation is Brooke would probably castrate me for hurting you so bad,” Jaime laughed. “Not that I ever would, but if you haven’t noticed she is very fond of you.” Jennifer shrugged and looked away unsure that this is a very good idea. Jaime reached out and lightly touched her cheek.


“I don’t know…” she told him softly. “I just got my heartbroken…I’m not sure if I’m ready to jump right into a new relationship. My trust level is pretty low right now.” Jaime stared at her for a couple of moments, and then tightened his arm around her, gently placed his forefinger and thumb to her chin and tilted it back so she is looking up into his eyes. He grinned at her playfully and then suddenly became very serious. So serious, that it is so unlike him.


“Baby, I know you’ve been hurting…” he told her mocking Kevin’s soft raspy tone. “Right now you feel like you could never love again…” When Jennifer caught onto what he was reciting, she laughed. “But all I ask…is for a chance, to prove, that I love you…” He then gently intertwined their fingers together and began spinning around the room with her. “From the first day, that I saw your smiling face…honey I knew that we would be together forever…” he sang playfully and she laughed some more, smiling up at him with eyes that clearly spoke for themselves, telling him that he is something else. “Ohh when I asked you out, you said no but I found out, darling that you’ve been hurt. And you thought that you could never love again…but I deserve a try honey just once, give me a chance and I’ll prove it all wrong…” he sang in her ear more sincerely and he looked into her eyes pleadingly. Jennifer threw her head back and laughed before once again smiling up at him and he lightly caressed her cheek with the tip of his finger. “Please?”


“How can I say no after that?” she asked while draping her arms over his shoulders and leaning into him.


“Well, I’m hoping you can’t” he told her quite frankly and she giggled and gently placed her hand to the back of his head and brought his forehead down onto hers as she gazed into his eyes.


“Well you certainly do an amazing job at cheering a woman up.”


“I’m glad to see that years of being a big brother has paid off,” Jaime smirked. “So…is that a yes in disguise?” he asked hopefully.

“What do you think?” Jennifer asked tightening her arms around him and he leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose.


“I think its time I take you home now.”


“I think you are right.” Jaime pulled away from her keeping a good distance from her not to cause any whispers and the two of them began to casually walk out of Brooke’s office together and out of the Orphanage hoping to pass as two good friends.



~*~*~*~*~


Meanwhile at Nick and Ashley’s, it was just turning 1:00 am when Ashley opened her eyes and found herself lying in Nick’s arms, the both of them still naked from their love making and covered up with the bed sheets. She looked up at him and saw that he was still sleeping peacefully and she smiled at the beautiful man that she got fully aquatinted with for the first time since their relationship. She kissed his cheek softly and then slowly rolled off of him and out of bed. She grabbed the red bed sheets that he wasn’t using and wrapped it around her body before walking out of the room. She crossed the room to the kitchen where she noticed the Champaign bottles and fancy glasses sitting on the counter ready and waiting to be used. Deciding that she would help herself, she grabbed one of the glasses and a whine bottle and she looked at the label curiously to see that it was strawberry wine. Opening up the bottle she poured herself a little bit and took a small sip seeing as how she’s never really been a big fan of wine. Deciding that this particular kind is pretty good, she poured a little more just as a pair of gentle arms wrapped around her waist. She didn’t flinch as soft lips brushed against the back of her neck like she normally would when one sneaks up on her. She would know these arms anywhere.


“Careful baby,” he warned with slight amusement in his voice. “Your brother would kill me if I got you drunk and as we recently learned from my birthday experience that’s not hard to do.” Ashley rolled her eyes slightly as she leaned back into Nick some.


“What Alex doesn’t know can’t hurt him.” She looked back at Nick then. “And anyway, can I have one day without you fearing what he might do if we set him off? Can I go one day without the mention of my brother please?”


“Brother?” Nick asked as his fingertips lightly danced across her cheek in a gentle caress. “What brother?” Ashley smiled up at him some causing him to smile back and she rested the back of her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes some at the touch of his hand on her cheek.


“Did I wake you? I tried not to.”


“Nah, it wasn’t you, it’s me. You know I don’t sleep all that great without you near.” Nick gently took hold of her hand then that was holding her wineglass and he brought it up slightly before leaning down and taking a sip. When he pulled away he sat it down and gently turned her around to face him with her back up against the counter. She wrapped her blanket around him as well as she pulled him near and brought his lips down on hers claiming them for her own. Before she knew it, the kiss became a heated one and she was backing him up toward the living room. As soon as they reached the closest landing, she light pushed him into the lazy boy chair crawled on top of him, pulled the handle, and the chair went back. All the while she never broke their kisses as he pulled the red bed sheet over their heads.