Page 121 of Doctor's Bossy Match
“Bet that bed’s been missing you.”
We go over the discharge folder with the mom together.I take the lead explaining the updated care plan, checking in with his mom about the new insulin pump they’re trying at home, making sure she feels confident about the settings.Mason hands Jalen a superhero sticker.
“You’ll be great,” I tell his mom.“You know how to reach us if anything changes.”
She thanks me three times, her hands wrapping around mine, grateful for the people who kept her kid safe.
“You should stay here forever,” Jalen says to me with an exaggerated frown.“So I can visit.”
“She’s off to save kids in New York,” Mason says, ruffling his hair.“They’re lucky.”
Jalen pouts.
“Hey,” I say softly.“You know what?Dr.Gould here is even better than me.He’s going to take such good care of you.”
Jalen’s gaze shifts to Mason.“Better than you?”
“Way better,” I say, even though it physically hurts to say.But I know Jalen needs to hear this right now.
“Okay.”He smiles.
On the way out, the nurses, Jade and Mira, ambush me in the corridor.
“We’re going to miss you,” Jade says.
“You’d better keep those prank wars alive,” I warn.
“You know I will,” Mira promises.“I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
I laugh so wide my face aches, but there’s a burn at the backs of my eyes I can’t quite blink away.
Mason lingers at my side, watching it all quietly.I catch him observing, something thoughtful in his expression, but I’m too overwhelmed to figure out what that means.
“You okay?”he asks as we walk toward the elevators.
Am I okay?I’m saying goodbye to people I’ve worked beside, leaving a place that somehow became home.And Brant’s nowhere to be found.“I don’t know yet.”
He leans back on his heels.“You made an impact here.That’s not easy to do.”
“Come on.You’ll get a new resident to torture.You’ll be fine.”
He chuckles.“Maybe.But it’s been good, y’know?Working with you.”
I glance over, surprised by the note of sincerity in his voice.
“You pushed back when things didn’t make sense.Made us all better for it.”
“That’s...probably the nicest backhanded compliment I’ve ever received.”
He grins.“You’re welcome.”
We arrive in the break room, and it’s more crowded than I expect.Nurses, residents, board members, a couple of admin staff, all crammed inside with coffee cups and awkward smiles.Balloons are taped to the walls.A tray of pastries sits dangerously overloaded.There’s a huge cake in the center of the table.
My breath hitches.I knew Dad organized morning tea, but I didn’t expect this.So many people.This much… care.
And then I see him.
My dad stands near the cake, hands tucked behind his back, his expression unreadable.Not angry.Not smiling.Just… still.
