ROLEPLAY HQ - just-friends

@Mrs Writes 💓 - created

Millie had been away from her childhood city since she was 18. She had left for university, leaving her life behind after being accepted to her dream course at a top medical school. After only a year and half a way, there was a wedding in her home town. Which Millie had traveled home for. After a night of drinking and catching up, Millie and her childhood bestfriend ended up sleeping together. The night was both of their first times. Both of them taking each of their virginity’s. It was magical and lustful. However, sadly it was wrongly timed as her flight back to school was early the following morning. She couldn’t bring herself to say goodbye after finally having her chance with him. So she left quickly in the morning. She had tried to reach him to let him know that she had dropped her phone down the toilet and it had stopped working, however he never contacted her back. A few months after she got back to uni, Millie found out she was pregnant. Deciding not to tell anyone who the father was since he hadn’t reached out to her. Struggling throughout the years she had left at uni, while learning to be a parent. Millie had finally Graduated University. Moving back to the city near her home town. — Now 24 with a 5 year old Son, Millie finally decided to move back to town and commute into the city. Her career is finally starting to take a turn, with her becoming a new head of Neuro Surgery at the hospital within the city. It was now that she had to lean on her family for childcare outwith school hours for her son. She had thankfully avoided bumping into her childhood bestfriend although his mother and father lived next door to her own parents. It wasn’t until a stranger accidently bumped into her within the hospital “Excuse me, sorry-“ she was stunned. It was him. @Dhruv

After that memorable night, Ethan awoke to the soft rays of dawn, finding Millie's side of the bed empty. A sense of longing and confusion lingered as he discovered the absence of any note. The room felt emptier, the air thick with the unspoken, leaving Ethan grappling with the abrupt departure. In the following days, Ethan attempted to reach out to Millie, eager to understand the mysterious end to their shared moment. His messages went unanswered, and a cloud of uncertainty settled over the connection they had forged. Fast forward to the present, Ethan, now the head of the Emergency and Trauma Center, was engrossed in his duties at the hospital when Millie unexpectedly crossed his path. Recognition dawned in his eyes, mixed with surprise and perhaps a hint of regret. The memories of that fleeting morning and the unanswered questions resurfaced, creating a palpable tension as they faced each other once again. “I am so-sorry” Ethan said bending down to pick up some papers. But when he turned his head towards the person he bumped into he was shocked. “Millie, Is that” stammering a bit “you?” He finally said as reality trying to sink in.

13:49

@Mrs Writes 💓

Millie took a second to fully gain her composure. “Ethan..” she was still in shock but suddenly aware of her surroundings. “Sorry, I have a Neuro consult…” she took the papers off him and headed to the ambulance bay. Millie took point of call being the superior member of staff at the bay. Brining their patient in, it was then that Dr Trot joined the response team. Directing the paramedics where to go in the ER. Once the paramedics had assisted in the manoeuvre of the patient onto the hospital gurney, the patient was now in the hands of two ex best friends who hadn’t seen eachother since they were 19 and Naked. Millie stayed focused, carrying out her nuero consult. Focusing on the piece of glass stuck in the man’s head from his Collision. “I’m happy that the glass isn’t pressing against anything. I’m going to remove it and stitch him up after he gets a head CT. Nobody moved the glass until the head CT.” She warned. Stepping back taking her gloves off. “Page me when the Ct is done.” She took her tablet and left. Going to the nurses station to get on with duties she had to do. @Dhruv

Before Milli could speak anything they were greeted by a medical emergency. Ethan immediately reached on the other side of the stretcher to quickly assess the amount of damage to the patient if any while directing the paramedics team to the ER. “There seems to be multiple fractures in both his hands” Said Trot as he continues examining the patient on the go. “Fractured ribs as well” Ethan concluded pressing gently near the man’s chest to feel the chest cavities in a better way. Once they reached the ER, Dr Millie quickly took a look at the glass around the man’s head and ruled out any potential danger. Ethan was impressed by this version of Millie he just witnessed. The Millie he knew wouldn’t be this calm and composed in a tough situation. Ethan smiled a bit and moved forward to talk to Millie but she took off immediately after ordering a CT. “Please get him a X-Ray for his hands once the CT is done. We need to check for the type of fracture and recommend an immediate surgery. Keep me posted.” Ethan said as fast as he could and ran towards the Nurse station to catch up with Millie. “Um Hey Millie, can we~” He said trying to catch his breath chasing her. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked up at him. “Can we…” she said. Not quite sure if this was work related or personal. “Um sure we can..” she stood up. Knowing they should go somewhere more private. She followed him to an on call room. Leaning against the desk she looked up at him. “How are you?” @Dhruv

Ethan, feeling the weight of the unspoken history, took a moment before speaking. "It's been quite the journey, Millie. We can talk about me sometime else, how about you? You're heading up Neurosurgery now, that's impressive." His words carried a genuine curiosity, an attempt to shift the focus to Millie's experiences and achievements since they last crossed paths. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked over at him. “I’m alright, I worked hard. I didn’t realise you worked here or I wouldn’t have taken the job…surprised you even wanted to talk.” Millie stood with her arms crossed as she leant against the desk. Fighting back a yawn. “Sorry. I’m running on 3 hours sleep. Jackson wasn’t well.” @Dhruv

Ethan calmly listened to what Millie had to say. He grabbed a chair and just leaned on to it from behind instead of sitting on it. “Wait a minute” Ethan said with a smirk on his face. “Why would I have any problem with working with you?” He asked Millie shrugging his shoulders. “In fact it is me who is surprised to finally see you since you left me after~” Ethan took a pause for a deep breath. “After that night we had together, but it seems like you already had some plans for yourself. Did you meet Jackson after you left me? Is that it?” @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie got a bit defensive at his question about her meeting Jackson. “Jackson is my son.” She noticed the shock on his face. “And I had alway planned on leaving the morning after the wedding. I was a broke medical student. I couldn’t afford to miss my flight back. It’s you who hasn’t answered my email.” @Dhruv

Ethan, taken aback by the revelation, processed Millie's words. "Jackson is your son?" he echoed, the shock evident on his face. Her defensive tone didn't escape him, and as Millie continued, he listened, his expression shifting from surprise to a mix of understanding and remorse. Ethan sighed, a heavy acknowledgment of the missed connections and the gravity of the situation. "Millie, I never got those emails. I thought you had moved on. I had no idea about Jackson." His eyes met hers, a mix of regret and realization reflecting in his gaze. The unspoken weight of their shared past hung in the room, leaving them both grappling with the unexpected turns their lives had taken. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked at him. “You didn’t get my emails? Well then I’m sorry that I didn’t chase them up. I just assumed…that I was the worst sex you had and didn’t want to see me anymore” @Dhruv

Ethan could see how frustrated this conversation was making her. Ethan took two steps towards Millie to calm her down leaving the chair behind. “Millie, I thought that I was the worst sex you had and maybe you thought it was a mistake for us to do so and that is why you left” said Ethan. “You~you need to calm down. Tell me more about Jackson. Who’s son is he? “ Ethan asked all the right questions it seemed making Millie visibly more frustrating @Mrs Writes 💓

“I couldn’t have known any better since you were my first?” Millie said as he came closer. “Jackson is my son. His dad isn’t in the picture.” She smiled at him. Before her pager went off. Saved by the pager. “I got to go. Ct results are in I can remove the glass.” @Dhruv

“I want to know who is~” Before Ethan could complete his sentence they both got paged. “This isn’t over” Ethan said as they rushed towards the ER. “You need to remove those glasses as soon as possible. He will need a surgery for his crushed bones in his hands” Ethan said as they were headed towards the patient looking at his tablet. @Mrs Writes 💓

Hearing Ethan tell her how to do her job. “Don’t tell me how to do my job Ethan…I’m pulling a bit of glass out of a man’s skull. I’ll take all goddam day if I want to. He had no other life threatening injury’s” Slipping her white coat off, she slipped on gloves. Millie took her time removed the piece of glass slowly and gently. Even though it hadn’t hit anything major, because it was his head the man did bleed heavily. Stopping the bleeding, Millie was able to stitch up the man’s head before wrapping it in a bandage for projection. “Dr Trot. This patient is all yours.” @Dhruv

Ethan patiently waited there and just observed how well Millie had it all handled. “Thank you Dr Clark. Clean sutures” Ethan commented as he leaned a bit to take a quick look. “Okay, team. Please get him prepped for internal fixation” Ethan said to his juniors and fellow residents who were working under him for the year. “You may leave or watch from the balcony up there. Dr Clark” He pointed upwards which had huge glass wall separated by a viewing gallery. @Mrs Writes 💓

She rolled her eyes at his remake. Clean sutures “I have a whole department to run. I trust you don’t need supervised for a simple reconstruction. If so I heard that Dr Smith is quite the looker for being a supervisor” she commented as she walked away. Heading up to do afternoon rounds on her patients within the Neuro department. @Dhruv

Ethan, recognizing the sarcasm in Millie's words, maintained a composed demeanor. "I'll manage just fine," he replied with a nod, acknowledging the unspoken tension between them. As Millie walked away, he refocused on the upcoming internal fixation surgery Ethan, stepping into the operating room, was met with the sterile scent of antiseptic and the low hum of medical equipment. As he prepared for the internal fixation surgery, his focus honed in on the intricate details of the procedure. The metallic clinks of surgical instruments being arranged echoed in the room as he mentally rehearsed the steps, a well-practiced routine for a seasoned trauma surgeon. The patient lay on the operating table, an unconscious figure waiting for Ethan's skilled hands to navigate the complexities of internal fixation. The steady beeping of the heart monitor provided a rhythmic backdrop as Ethan meticulously approached the task at hand. Each movement was calculated, each suture deliberate, as he worked to restore stability to the fractured bones. Upon completing the surgery, Ethan took a moment to survey his handiwork, satisfaction evident in his expression. The patient, now on the path to recovery, was wheeled out of the operating room under the watchful eye of the recovery team. However, the hospital's labyrinthine corridors held more than just the routine of medical care. As Ethan entered another patient's room, he unexpectedly encountered Millie. The air shifted, charged with the echoes of their earlier exchange. “Oh It’s you again. Dr Clark” Ethan said as he entered in one of his patient’s room. “Hello, Julie. Let me quickly check how are you doing” Trot as said as he places his stethoscope on her chest. “Please Breathe in for me” @Mrs Writes 💓

Hearing his voice once again sent a shiver down her back. “I’m starting to think you’re following me..” she said. Looking over at him. She had sterilised her hands before updating the chart. “I will leave you in the good hands of Dr, Trot.” Millie said politely as she walked out of the room. Again finding herself at the nearby nurses station. Updating charts and patient notes from the day. As she looked up, no one other than Ethan was standing infront of her. “Ethan you’re starting to look like a stalker. We had our conversation earlier. It’s over. There’s nothing more to talk about!” @Dhruv

“This is me doing my job, which involves checking up on my patients” Ethan replied to Millie with a stern voice. “I don’t think it’s over. I think there has been a huge misunderstanding, we can fix things if we talk for real” Ethan said as he cane closer to Millie. “Please? Let’s talk. There’s a lot to catch up on. You have a son and I am seeing your best friend lately “ He said hesitantly as he held Millie’s left arm in his. @Mrs Writes 💓

“Let go of me Ethan.” She looked down at his hand on her. “There’s nothing to fix. We are just friends.” She said. How many times had they tried to convince themselves of being just friends. “You’re dating Natalie? Lucky you then. As long as you’re happy together.” She got back to looking over charts. “Conversation over about it. This is our place of work, what happened. The misunderstanding is all it is now” she spoke without looking at him. @Dhruv

“I understand you are upset with all that happened years ago between us” Ethan said looking at her although she didn’t bother to look at him. “I am dating Natalie but I want us to be what we were before that night. Let me fix things. I am sure we can be good friends again” Ethan said with a smile on his face with a mix of uncertainty. “I also want to meet Jackson. I can’t believe you had a son and you didn’t even tell me, we used to share even the smallest things in our lives together Millie” He has a lot more to say but was abruptly interrupted by his pager. Surprisingly, Milllie’s pager rang up as well. It was the car accident patient going into seizures. Ethan looks up at Millie’s face. “CR scans were all clear right? No glass fragments made it into his skull or beneath the skin?” Ethan asked as he started rushing towards the man’s ward.

06:47

@Mrs Writes 💓

The pager broke their conversation. Without any hesitation, the both of them were jogging to the ward. A high speed jog as they used to laugh about when they went jogging together for fun. “His Ct was clear. His tox screen was clear.” She said racking her brain as they neared the room. “Get me his blood panel! And a Glucose monitor.” She said as soon as she got into the room. She swiftly checked his glucose whilst Ethan dealt with the seizure. “This man is Diabetic. I need a Glucose shot. We don’t have time to wait around people!” She ordered at the interns who stood frightened to move. As soon as the shot was in her hand, she wasted no time in stabbing it into the man’s thigh. Now it was the waiting game. She looked at Ethan. A bit breathless from the jog now that the adrenaline had started to wear off. “You will meet Jackson when you meet him. I keep him separated from this side of my life. No young boy should see this..” @Dhruv

Ethan was trying hard to think about what could go wrong, since both the tests were very clean. While Millie quickly acted upon the undetected high glucose level, Ethan realised it might be post op seizures due to sensations in his arms. “These are post op seizures. Anaesthesia is wearing off and it seems like his body is not able to take the pain for some reason” Ethan said as quickly took a close look at his arms. “Swollen…give me a benzodiazepines shot stat” Ethan ordered. One of the interns quickly prepared one and handed it over to Ethan. He carefully inserted the needle into his arm making sure he gets it right since it was an intramuscular injection. “It will take some time for this injection to show its effect but we are good for now. I want to know who worked on blood report reading before the surgery. Please meet me in my office post lunch” Ethan said in a stern voice knowing this could’ve lead to some serious problems with patients health. While dealing with professional crisis Ethan was dealing with another crisis on a more personal front. “Okay. I am not gonna push you into it but I want to be as good friends with Jackson as I was with you Millie” Ethan said removing his gloves and tossing them into the bin. “I know you want to keep him away from all this…but my home isn’t full of patients. You and Jackson are invited to my home anytime” @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie stopped and looked at him. “The house that my high school best friend fucks my childhood best friend?” She said once they were back in the corridor. Low enough for the both of them to hear. “Look, Ethan. We are still friends. That’s it. We don’t have to over complicate it. We had an amazing night what…nearly 6 years ago? And then life moved on.” She patted his arm. “I have to get back to work. Keep me posted on the patient.” Walking away, Millie went to the staff room to have her lunch before she endured a busy afternoon. Heading back to the Heads staff room to change after her day. Walking in, she opened her locker. Pulled off her scrub top. Wearing a navy blue bra that cupped both of her ample breasts. She pulled out her workout top from the locker. Followed by lowering her trousers, revealing her matching navy blue panties with a lace upper lining. Slipping on her workout leggings before letting her hair down. She sighed with relief that it was over for the day. @Dhruv

“Fine, if that is what you wish for Dr Clark” Ethan said and went on to prepare for his next surgery. The entire Ethan tried to think what could’ve he done better for them to not end up into this situation. It was clearly affecting him mentally, knowing her best friend raised a child all by herself and also cleared the med school. How difficult it would’ve been to go through everything. He can’t even fathom. Completing his last round of inspections on his patients Ethan called it a day. He went on to his locker room and removed his White coat and got rid of the blue scrubs revealing his almost perfect upper body he has been working so hard on in gym lately. He pulled out a Blue tshirt from his bag and quickly put it on, followed by lowering down his trousers and putting on a black Jogger. Once he had changed he sat down on one of the benches near by his locker and pulled the bag out of the locker to put it on his lap. He pulled out a frame from the bag. “Good old days” he said looking at the picture. It was him and Millie’s last picture together that their common friend clicked from Ethan’s phone He sighed with disappointment and put the picture back into his bag and left for his home. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie was unaware of the fact that Ethan still carried around a picture of the two of them. She had for a while but now it was tucked away in a memory box for Jackson when he’s older and starts asking about his dad. ”Maybe I should rethink that box now that we live close to Ethan again” her thoughts wandered. “I’m home!” She announced when she got back to her house. Jackson still young enough that he runs up to her after a 12 hour shift. “Hi my boy.” She cuddled him closely. After listening to Jackson about his day. Then helping her mother to Cook dinner. She had finally sat down for the night once her mother went home. Deciding to scroll on Facebook, she saw that Ethan had popped up as a Friend you may know. Extending somewhat of an Olive branch, she hit add friend. Putting her phone down, she started her nighttime routine with Jackson. Bath, Book, bed. However tonight, Jackson had caught Millie off guard. ”Does my dad live in this town?” he asked sleepy. “Uh…oh I don’t know. He used to live here. Remember when mummy was little I used to live here too.” She only lied slightly…right? @Dhruv

Ethan reached his home on time for the dinner. He now lives with Natalie since a year since they started seeing each other. “I’m home” announced Ethan as he puts down his back on the couch in the living room while making his way to the kitchen. Ethan hugs Natalie from behind while prepares the dinner. Ethan rests his chin on Natalie’s left shoulder while his hands resting near her tummy embracing a hug. “You won’t believe who I ran into today at hospital” Ethan said taking a bit of pause. “Who?” Natalie asked. “Millie…she has joined as a Neurosurgeon” “Are you serious?” said Natalie in a surprising tone. She turned towards Ethan placing her arms around Ethan. “How are you handling it? I know you were quite close” Natalie asked. “We…were fine mostly. She isn’t talking to me for starters. But maybe she’ll come around. We are gonna bump into each other everyday so very well might get over the past” Ethan said leaning in to kiss Natalie on her lips. “I am so hungry babe, let’s have dinner? I’ll wash up quickly till you set it up.” Ethan said as he went towards his room to take a quick shower. Before heading to shower Ethan checked his phone for any calls but instead saw notification from Facebook. Millie added you as a friend He quickly opened the messenger and thought of texting her. Hello friend, I accept this truce He then went on to take the shower and join Natalie for dinner.

09:52

@Mrs Writes 💓

After Millie had finally got Jackson to sleep, she picked up her phone to the message from Ethan. She replied with two laughing emojis followed by “As long as you don’t stalk me..” Why did she put the idea into her own head. Quickly she hit his profile and scrolled through his facebook. Hurting herself more viewing the happy photos of him and Natalie. Natalie had cut her out of her life, she didn’t reach out after she had moved away. Tossing her phone to the side, Millie sat in bed journaling. She used journaling as a way to get all of her thoughts out. Once her mind was clear, she could happily go to sleep.

She had another shift in the morning, getting up bright and early to get Jackson dropped off at his grandmothers before making her way into work. @Dhruv

After having dinner with Natalie and spending some time with her chatting about each other’s day, Ethan decided to call it a day and go to bed. Before hitting the bed he checked his phone once and replied to Millie’s message. Can’t make a promise and added a wink emoji at the end . He quickly put his phone and went to bed since he had early morning shift and rounds to attend. The next morning, Ethan as per his schedule reached hospital on time wearing his white coat over usual green scrubs of his with a stethoscope around his neck and his ipad in his hands visiting his patients one by one.

18:07

@Mrs Writes 💓

Millie bumped into him between patient. “Morning! Sorry” she kept walking, in a rush. Finally after her last morning round. She noticed him in the nurses station. Going over, sitting on the seat next to him. “This nuero department, is shambles! I’m trying to leave my mark on a place that needs completely changed!” She looked over at him. “I had a resident, a resident pronounce someone brain dead…who was not brain dead.” She titled her head back on the chair. She was rambling to him like they had been friends forever again. “He is dead if you couldn’t guess…” @Dhruv

Ethan sat at the bench nearby to the nurse station eating sandwiches he got from the vending machine. He noticed Millie coming over to sit next to him while he took a big bite of his sandwich leaving some veggies by his lips making him look like a dork as he patiently listens to Milli’s rant. “I think if anyone can fix it, it’s you. For starters you cleared a very difficult medical course along with raising a kid” He said taking a bite of his sandwich again. “Isn’t fixing this department easier than that? And please go easy on that resident. I know it is a big mistake but it shouldn’t be a career ending mistake the first time” “Do you want some?’ Ethan offering the other half of the sandwich. “This is the best piece of food you’ll get in this entire hospital and from what I remember you like eating anything and everything when stressed…go on” @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie took the sandwich, not arguing with him about it. With a half a bite in her mouth she looked at him and pointed to her own mouth to signify that he had veggies over his. After she had finished the sandwich, she looked at him. “I’m not being hard on the resident, I haven’t even spoken to them. You know what it’s like when you loose your first.” Standing up, she took her iPad and said her goodbye. Heading off to her department. She had a packed day of surgery and post op notes to catch up on. In the later afternoon before shifts were about to end, she had paged all department heads to the lower floor conference room. “Right I’m going to make this quick. I have hopefully met all of you so far. If not, I’m Millie Clark. I’m the new Head of Neuro. I just want to make you all aware, that there is a new policy being implemented. There is only a section of staff on the neuro floor that can pronounce someone brain dead. Myself is one, Dr Johnstone and Dr Kent are the other two. If I’m not here, Dr Johnstone will be and then Dr Kent is scattered shifts throughout.” She announced. @Dhruv

Ethan nodded in agreement to what Millie had to say. He quickly wiped of his mouth as Millie pointed out some stuck veggies on his lips. “Well, I remember my first loss very vividly. It takes time to get over it” He said and got up. “I guess see you later in the evening” Said Ethan and made his way to his residents. Whatever Millie said had some impact on Ethan and he quickly thought about having a meeting with them explaining how important their jobs are. As soon as Ethan entered the residents room he told everyone to gather around. “Listen to what I say clearly” He said as he helped himself with a chair. “Today a resident lost a patient due to his mistake, as much as I would want to protect him and every one of you from every problems out their” Ethan paused. “But I can’t do that every time and that is why you all need to always think twice before you take any decisions around in this hospital. Whenever in doubt find a senior doctor and get a second opinion. I hope you understand this and look out for yourself” Ethan got up from the chair and called 3 names. “Dr Browne, Dr Andrew and Dr Kalu you are going to assist me in a upcoming surgery. All the details are already emailed to you. I expect a full prep on my table before my shift starts tomorrow” He said. “Dr Wolke and Dr Allen you will assit the new Head of Nero on her upcoming surgery. Make me proud” He said as he walked out of the residents area going on to attend his leftover consultations for the day. At the end of his shift Ethan made his way to the Neuro conference room since he got a page from Millie. But he was already 15 mins late. Ethan ran towards the room and barged in between while Millie was saying something to other Doctors. Still panting Ethan said “I’m sorry Dr Clark, I-I was caught up. What did I miss?” @Mrs Writes 💓

When he barged in, Millie was just about to finish. “No other doctor, other than myself, Dr Johnstone and Dr Kent are allow to pronounce anyone Brain dead.” She repeated. “Class dismissed” Millie said with a half smile to bring some light to the room. It was just her and Ethan left. She looked up at him as she finally sat down on one of the desk chairs. “Why did we ever choose to do this?” She asked him. “I could have been…anything. I chose to save lives not to end them. Not to be the one now having to be responsible if something goes wrong. Yet…I wouldn’t change my job for the world. Just hope that Jackson doesn’t follow in my footsteps” she had spilled out her mind before she realised. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have rambled, thank you for listening though.” She added, rubbing her hands through her hair. “How was your day?” She asked lightly, accompanied by a smile. This was like older times, unlike yesterday when it was more of a bicker than anything. @Dhruv

“My day? Okay to be honest. I myself had a good pep talk with my residents about decision making today. You are right, no one likes to lose patients but every doctor does at some point” Ethan said as he grabbed another chair next to Millie and moving his chair to face her. “I am sure Jackson would be the best version of his mother” He said with a wide smile. Although there were problems between them about the past, yet they haven’t lost their touch. “You know what? How about you come for a dinner at our place? You, me, Natalie and Jackson?” Ethan said with some enthusiasm although very well knowing that Millie might shoot it down immediately. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked at him for a moment. “I don’t know, Natalie hasn’t spoke to me in years. Likely because she was fucking my best-friend.” Millie was always dead honest and to the point. She could see that Ethan was extending his own olive branch. “Fine. But no asking Jackson any questions..” she added. “Like who his dad is, the boy doesn’t know. He gets upset when people ask him.” @Dhruv

“Natalie is cool, she just doesn’t know how to reach out first that’s it. You know her. C’mon” Ethan trying to mend the bridges between Natalie and Millie. Ethan leaned back on his chair with a wide smile as Millie agreed to coming on dinner along with Jackson. “You know me Millie, I won’t bother him at all. All I want is to meet him. That’s it. And tell me this, do you still like the pasta I used to make or you’ve outgrown that?” Ethan chuckled as he leaned a bit forward to look at Millie’s reaction. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie tried not to make a face at the thought of his pasta. “Eh, I like a bit more nutrition in my diet now..” she mocked him “not just pasta and butter…” she stood up walking with Ethan to the Attending locker room. “When is this dinner?” She asked as they entered the locker room. It wasn’t long before she was pulling off her scrubs to get changed into her clothes. Millie had a small tattoo on her left ass check. It was a simple flower that had the small writing that said buttercup next to it. Her body had changed since the last time he would have saw it. Motherhood does that, growing up does it too. @Dhruv

“Diet? What’s that? I recommend that to just my patients. Doesn’t apply on me” Ethan jokes as he walks along with Millie to the locker room. “How about tomorrow night? I’ll cook, like good old days” He said as he pulls of his scrubs. He grabbed a Tshirt from his bag and put it on while he noticed a tattoo. “Oh, when did you get that tattoo?” He said as he put on some pants. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have peeked” Ethan covered immediately as he realised that he might have stepped over a bit. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked over at him as she pulled up her leggings. “You looking at my ass?” She asked jokingly. “Tomorrow night is fine, but don’t pretend like you used to cook often…we were teens. Again pasta and butter where your go to!” Millie turned to face him as she had finished getting dressed. “I’m off tomorrow but I’m looking forward to it..” she half lied. She was shitting herself at the thought. Saying her goodbyes, Millie headed home to do her night routine. The next morning she texted Ethan. “Are you sure about tonight?” @Dhruv

“Pasta and Butter it is” Ethan repeated with a chuckle as he picked up his bad and made his way to his place. “I’m home Natalie and I have some news. Please don’t freak out” Ethan said as he put his bag aside and hugging Natalie. “What is the news? Please tell me. You know I don’t like surprises” Natalie said with her face resting on his chest. “I..invited Millie and her son Jackson to dinner” said Ethan and paused a bit for a moment. “Baby, you know I have been ignoring her since she went away and then us dating. It would be so fucking weird “ Natalie stating facts which even Ethan knew but he wanted to meet Jackson and this was the only way. Ethan leaned back from the hug and held Natalie’s face in between his palms. “Babe, it will be fine trust me. She was your best friend. Wouldn’t you want to make things right with her? Forget old things. She seemed to be fine about it. Well, she said she is looking forward to this dinner.” Ethan said as he leaned in to give a light peck on her lips. “Okay, since you’ve already invited we can’t cancel it now. I’ll try and be a good host. But it is gonna be super awkward” Natalie sighed “Oh and I’ll cook. Just get some pasta dough and ketchup and butter” He said as he went in for his routine bath post work. Next morning, Ethan woke up with a different enthusiasm. He went through his morning routine and checked the phone while on his way to the hospital. “Oh yes. I mentioned it to Natalie and she was happy that I invited you” texted Ethan even though he knew she isn’t looking forward to the meeting. Ethan spends his day going through the surgery prep his residents came up with for his scheduled surgery in coming days and attended his old patients as usual. By evening he was done with his daily work ready to head home all excited about the dinner. What flavour Ice cream does Jackson like? Ethan texted to Millie as he stopped by to get some ice cream for dessert. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie had a great day off before picking Jackson up from school. They spent a few hours together before getting ready for their dinner at Ethan’s. ”He’s 5.” she replied to the text. Jackson would say every flavour was his favourite. Getting to Ethan’s house. Jackson was holding a bunch of flowers for Natalie. While Millie was holding a bottle of wine and a cake. Millie loved to bake. “Hey. Ethan this is Jackson. Jackson this is Ethan and Natalie.” Millie smiled as Jackson held the flowers up to Natalie before retreating to his mother’s leg. @Dhruv

Ethan bought one cup of all possible flavours he could buy and made his way to home. He was already late because of some traffic on his way. “Babe, I’m home. I hope you got the stuff I told you to” Ethan asked as he made his way to kitchen. “Yes, as you ordered Sir. On the kitchen counter.” Natalie said from the living room watching TV. It has been a while since Ethan cooked something on his own. This was a good time for Natalie to rest and have some me time. Ethan was in the groove like old times. He was humming a song he used to like and swaying his hips while the pasta cooks. After a while Ethan was almost ready with everything, well everything was just red sauce pasta with a lot of butter and some chilled ice cream at the end. While he was checking on the pasta, he heard the doorbell. “Nat, can you open it up. They are here I guess. Be nice. I’ll be right there” He said removing his apron and tossing it on the side. He rushed to the front door. There was little Jackson with Millie. He just stared at them for a while before Jackson presented a cute bouquet. “Oh are they for us? Thank you so much” Ethan said as he gestured Millie to come in. “He is a bit shy, isn’t it?” Ethan said to Millie while looking at Jackson clinging on to this mother. “Why don’t you ladies sit down on the couch for a bit. Talk about old times and laugh a bit. While I see how far are we on that pasta and I’ll get you your glasses of wine” He said as he took the bottle of wine from Millie’s hand and went towards the kitchen. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked at him “Big scary man infront of him. A women he’s never met. Yeah he’s a little shy.” Did it come out as if she was offended? She didn’t care, he had just met him. Jackson came to the living room with his mother and Natalie. Sitting down next to his mom, playing with his tablet. Millie looked over at Natalie, forcing a smile. “How have you been?” She asked. Listening to Millie’s response she was glad that Ethan had interrupted her with the wine. “Thanks” Millie smiled up at him. @Dhruv

“I had sent three residents of mine to you for your next surgery. They all are interested in diving into your field” Ethan said as he sat down on the couch next to Natalie with his glass of wine. “Hey Ethan, do you like ice cream s? We have a lot of them today in the freezer but you will have to finish your dinner and then have some” Ethan said playfully looking at Jackson who was immersed into his tablet but looked at Ethan on hearing the word ice-cream and the innocently looked at Millie to get an approval to have them after dinner. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie looked at Ethan and smiled “Thanks, I only need two but I’ll sure I’ll find use for the third one.” Hearing him talk to Jackson, she smiled softly. Kissing Jackson on the head as he looked up at her “maybe after you have tried your dinner” Millie looked back at Ethan and Natalie, a small twang of hurt ran through her. “So…you two.” @Dhruv

“Millie, look I was going to call you myself when I started seeing Ethan and when we eventually moved in together but I didn’t know how to” Natalie said as she sipped through her wine in between. “I am really sorry that we didn’t keep in touch once you left the town, I think I should’ve called you that day” She said leaning forward and gently caressing Millie’s hand with hers. “I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to figure out all alone with Jackson so small, but can we please try to get things normal between us like you and Ethan?” She said looking at her with expectations of forgiveness. @Mrs Writes 💓

“You can’t apologise for something you didn’t know was happening.” Millie replied. “It’s worth a shot at trying to make things normal but our normal has changed. Like you said I’ve been alone since I found out about Jackson. I did it all on my own. I’m struggling enough as it is asking my mother to watch him while I work some days. Simply because I never had that luxury. So whatever normal is…it’s worth a try, I guess” Millie had almost downed her wine after her speech. Jackson looked up at his mother before looking over at Ethan. Noticing the Guitar behind him. ”Is that a guitar sir? May I have a shot of it please, I’ve been learning guitar!” Jackson said softly. Millie looked over at Ethan. The stare that a wife usually gives a husband to do the right thing. @Dhruv

Ethan couldn’t say no to such a sweet request . “Sure, come sit next to me” Ethan said putting down his wine glass on the table in front of him. Ethan grabbed the guitar from behind him. Jackson sat next to him while Ethan handed him the guitar gently holding it from the front to help Jackson hold it properly. “There you go buddy. Show us what you’ve been learning” He said looking at him and then looking at Millie with a smile. @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie couldn’t help but tear up a little. Ethan had no idea that this was his own son. Millie had got Jackson lessons as she wanted him to be close. Jackson started playing a song. ”My daddy used to play the guitar with my mum. Now I’m learning to play so that I can play for her too.” Millie wiped away a tear, Jackson had never told her that. She smiled at them both. She noticed Natalie watching them too. Jackson was loving having someone who knew how to play. @Dhruv

Upon listening Jackson sing, Ethan smiled as he was pretty good with the chords at his age. “Wow, you are a rockstar Jackson. Give me highfive” Ethan said extending his hand as Jackson highfives him. “Look at your Mom, she seems to be crying go, tell her not to. She has raised a good boy here” Ethan says holding Jackson closer to him and kissing him on his forehead. “Keep his classes on, he will get better and better at playing it” Ethan said. @Mrs Writes 💓

Mill smiled as Jackson continued to play away quite confidently himself. “Yeah, I’m looking at starting his lessons again. He’s desperate to go back to them but they are all very expensive over here.” ”I want a big guitar like this one day mom” Jackson asked. “One day when you’re a big boy like Ethan.” Millie replied. “Are you two thinking of having kids?” She asked Ethan and Natalie @Dhruv

Ethan looked a Natalie for a moment when asked about kids. “Umm, no. We haven’t discussed it yet. I am not sure if we are ready as a couple for it to be honest” Ethan said gulping down the remaining part of his wine. “Umm, Okay. I’ll get dinner for us. Let’s get started shall we!” Ethan said as he gets up and walks towards the kitchen. He grabs the pasta bowl and some spoons and plates in his other hand. “Here you go, please let’s start. I’ll serve Jackson, c’mon Jackson, grab a seat. Try these pasta and tell me if you like them. Okay?” Ethan servers some in his plate which was smaller in size just like him. “Hey Millie, want more wine?” Ethan asks as he sees her glass empty. @Mrs Writes 💓

“Yes please” she asked handing her glass to him. She sat next to Jackson waiting until he tries some of his dinner. “Is it nice?” She leaned in asking. ”I like it.” Millie smiled softly, Jackson was a picky eater like Millie had been when she was younger. However Millie never forced him to eat anything that he didn’t want to. “Do you know that Ethan used to make Mummy this pasta when she was younger. Me and Ethan used to pretend to be Married when his mom and dad was at work.” She laughed with Jackson as she reminisced together. Smiling over at Ethan, she felt a small fire set up in her stomach. They were just friends. @Dhruv

Ethan laughed out loud when Millie brought up play pretend from old days. “Oh god, that was so much fun. Your mother used to love this pasta. Let’s ask her if they taste the same or are they different?” Ethan says in a childish voice getting along with Jackson really well. Natalie on the side was feeling a bit left out and a bit threatened seeing the chemistry still very well between Millie and Ethan. Natalie pours some more wine in her glass and drinks silently which didn’t go unnoticed by Ethan. Yet he chose to not bring it up since Jackson was enjoying his time and Ethan didn’t want to spoil it. @Mrs Writes 💓

“I think it’s missing some vegetables, but it still tastes the same.” She smiled taking a sip of her wine as she watched Ethan and Jackson getting on so well. Part of her wanted to burst out and tell him that he was the father, but she knew he would hate her for making the mistake of keeping him a secret. She glanced over at Natalie whose glare had been burning through the side of her head every now and then. “Natalie, what is it you do now for work?” @Dhruv

“Oh me? I run a art gallery near by. You should come visit it when you get some time. I bet Jackson will love it there as well” Natalie says sipping on her wine. “Oh yes, you should just watch her organise those exhibitions all by herself” Ethan jumped in on the conversation smiling and leaning on his side to kiss Natalie on her cheeks. “Millie, did you think of getting into dating again? Don’t you feel alone?” Natalie asked Millie very well knowing that it is a sensitive topic but she wanted to know a bit more about her plans on coming back into h their lives.

12:52

@Mrs Writes 💓

Millie felt like Natalie’s question was more a dig at her, she was being paranoid right? As Millie’s mouth parted to answer, Jackson’s answer had filled the quietness. ”My daddy hurt my mom.” He looked at Natalie. “When I grow up, I’m going to be like my mom. She fixes people not hurt them.” Millie bit her cheek as she fought back tears. She forced a smile at Jackson before looking up at Natalie and Ethan. “No. I don’t think dating is something I’ll do just now. I’m too busy being a mom and the main breadwinner.” She used the napkin to wipe away at her tears. “Excuse me” Millie got up from the table, going out to the hall as she closed the door behind her. She needed air. Rubbing her sweaty hands against her jean covered thighs as she paced the hallway. Trying to calm herself down after hearing Jackson interpret that his father had hurt her. Hearing someone come out to the hall, she faced away from them wiping her tears away quickly. “Sorry. I just need a minute.” @Dhruv

Ethan glanced at Millie as Natalie asked a pressing question and to which Jackson immediately replied. As Millie got up and went out the hall, Ethan quickly got up. “Jackson, let’s finish the food. I’ll go help your Mom out” Ethan said and quickly went towards the hall. Millie suddenly turned her face the other side as Ethan entered the hall. Ethan realised she was upset and crying. “Millie, it’s me” Ethan said as he walked up to Millie. Ethan offered his handkerchief to Millie to wipe her tears out. Ethan gently rubbed Millie’s back as if gesturing Millie that he is right by her side. “I am so sorry, Nat shouldn’t have asked that question” Ethan said as he moved closer to Millie and just gently turned her to see her face. “C’mon Millie, you are the strongest person I know. You’ve raises that sweet boy all by yourself while his dad is probably out somewhere running away from his own responsibilities. You shouldn’t shed one more tear for him” Ethan said as he embraces Millie into a hug gently patting in her head. “You are the best Mom for Jackson. He wants to be like you. Show him how strong you are” @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie turned and burried her head into his chest. “I’m sorry, it’s not Natalie’s question. It was Jackson telling you guys that his dad hurt me. He didn’t hurt me, I hurt him. Not physically” she looked up at him. “He’s not running away from anything. He doesn’t know about Jackson..” she hid her head into his chest again. Breathing in his scent. Feeling herself escape into her safe place. Once she had calmed down enough, she pulled away ever so slightly. Gazing up at him. The feelings she had pushed down for so long had slowly started to creep up again. Their lips like magnets beginning to pull together. Until a noise, Jackson’s voice shouting to see if she was okay. It was that voice that pulled Millie away before anything happened. Heading back to the kitchen, leaving Ethan in the hallway. “I’m fine baby. Sorry Natalie” @Dhruv

Upon listening to Millie, Ethan got even more confused about Jackson’s mysterious father. But his primary focus was to take care of Millie at the moment. Their closeness grew a little bit in the moment which could’ve led to something but a question from Jackson breaks that building tension. Ethan walked behind Millie towards the kitchen and went straight to Jackson. “Jackson, you will have to promise me something” Ethan said as he squats down to talk to Jackson. Ethan with his napkin cleaned some food stuck around Jackson’s mouth. “You will have to promise me to always take care of your Mom and never ever let her cry next time onwards. Can you do that?” Meanwhile, Natalie watched all this and visibly looked angry at Ethan. She gulped down the remaining wine and went towards her room with the leftover bottle of wine. Ethan looked at her going and just shook his head in disbelief. He didn’t think remotely that the dinner might end up in such a way. @Mrs Writes 💓 @Mrs Writes 💓

Millie watched as Natalie stormed off. She shook her head, downing the rest of her wine. “Maybe we should go?” Millie announced, sensing there was now a bit of tension between Ethan and Millie. “Jackson, go get your shoes and jacket on please.” She asked as she stood up, beginning to clear the plates away. Taking them to the kitchen. Hearing the protest of Ethan to just leave the plates and bowls. She turned around smiling at him “We always agreed the person who cooked shouldn’t have to clean up, least I could do is put them in the sink. “ she smiled at him. Placing a hand on his chest. “I’m sorry if I upset Natalie, maybe the relationship just isn’t meant to be fixed.” At that moment, Jackson came back in. They said their goodbyes and off they went. @Dhruv

Ethan couldn’t utter a word before Millie left with Jackson. Ethan just went to the couch and with his glass of wine and just drowned himself out on the couch for the rest of the night. The next morning he woke up with Natalie sitting by his side on the couch. Ethan got up in a sitting position and asked “What’s wrong? Aren’t you supposed to be at your gallery for the show?” “Yes I am supposed to but, something is bothering me and I need to talk about it” Natalie said with some seriousness in her voice. “What’s it” Ethan asked. “About yesterday, what I saw between you and Millie was more than just friendship. Even after so long you two looked much more closer than what we are right now despite of living together” Natalie said. Ethan immediately interrupted in between “ you are totally incorrect, she is my best friend Nat. She was hurting because of the fact that she is raising her child all alone without a father. If anyone could understand that’s you I thought because you were raised by a single mother as well. I think you need to apologise to Millie for the way you behaved yesterday and to answer your question, No there is nothing between us. I am concerned for her as his friend” “I don’t want to hear about that again ever” He concluded and walked off for his routine as he was already late for work. @Mrs Writes 💓

The next morning, Millie was sat catching up on paperwork. Her eyes telling the story for how she hadn’t slept due to crying. She wore her glasses which usually hide the fact. Not even hearing the nurse talk to her until she shook her. “Oh I’m so sorry. Yes Of course. I’ll make my way there now.” Going up to the ICU, Millie sanitised her hands as she walked into a room filled with upset family members and a comatose patient. “Hi, I’m Dr Clark. I believe on of my residents had some concerns about the patients latest scans and results. I’m the head of the department, Is it okay if I check for myself some of the findings?” She smiled sympathetically awaiting the permission to check. After doing a few checks, Millie had to announce to the family that the patient was in fact brain dead. She sat with them as they made their decision and for once was the person who turned the machine off. Allowing the family time together before she went back into the room to silence the cold blue alarm. At this point it was mid afternoon, Millie went and found herself a oncall room. Closing the door, she broke down crying. Knocking everything off the unit before laughing at the fact it helped to relive some of her emotions. It was then she heard a knock. @Dhruv