My Christmas Doctor

"Me too."

"I'd like to see you again," he murmured, turning to me outside my door.

I smiled as I turned the key in the lock. "I'd like that too."

"Good." He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

I licked my lips and gazed into his eyes. He leaned down, and I closed my eyes right as our lips met. It was such a sweet kiss at first, and then a spark of passion ignited between us and he deepened the kiss, his palm raising to cup my cheek gently. I parted my lips beneath his, caressing his tongue with mine. A moment later, he pulled back, leaving us both a little breathless.

"I should go."

I nodded and leaned back against my door. "Thank you for tonight, I had a wonderful time."

"Me too," he smiled, "I'll call you." He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "Goodnight, Jane."

"Night," I murmured as he walked back toward the elevator. Sighing, I opened the door and went in. I was already looking forward to our next date.Chapter 12BrianTwo days after my date with Jane and I couldn't stop smiling. She brought joy to my life and I couldn't wait to see her again. We'd spoken on the phone yesterday, but it was only for a moment, as she was writing, and I'd been on call for the hospital. Today I had my normal work day to attend.

While we'd been on the phone, we'd set our second date for Wednesday evening, since I had to go home for my parent's Fourth of July party. I'd invited her and we'd discussed it, but she'd felt it was a little too early in our relationship to be meeting my parents. I couldn't say I blamed her. I didn't even want to go. I'd much prefer staying here in Manhattan and doing something fun with Jane, but I'd already promised to go.

With that in mind, I'd rearranged my schedule so I could take Thursday evening through Sunday morning off. I would have to return to be on shift at the hospital on Sunday evening. If that didn't satisfy Mother, well… I wasn't about to make further changes to my schedule to accommodate her.

As I entered my office, the phone on my desk rang and I answered it. "Dr. Chase's office, may I help you?"

"Brian! Darling, finally I've gotten a hold of you!"

I sighed and ran a hand over my face. "Damn it, Belle, what do you want?"

"Don't be like that Bri-bri," she pouted. "I wanted to talk about the party and what we're going to wear. I mean we should coordinate our outfits, don't you think, sweetheart?"

"Belle, I don't know what kind of freaking delusion you're under, but we aren't together anymore, and we aren't getting back together!" I hissed into the phone.

"You're just mad about Drake, but he was an ass and I'm sorry I ever went off with him. That's all over now, so we can be back together."

"For the last fucking time, Belle— I. Am. Not. Getting. Back. Together. With. You!" I growled through the phone.

"But why? You know we were perfect together, Bri-bri. Come on, don't you miss me?" she whined.

"No. In fact, I've moved on. I'm seeing someone and she is a million times better than you." I felt like I was gloating, but I was so sick of her crap. If I'd known she was at the other end of the line, I would have ignored her call.

"What!" she screeched. "Who is this bitch?"

"You don't need to worry about who she is!"

"You can't fucking do this, Bri! I will get you back and this bitch isn't going to stand in my way! I will stop at nothing to get you back! You mark my fucking words!"

"Get the fuck out of my life, Belle, you're a snob and a cheater and I don't have to give you the time of day! Just stay the fuck away from me!" I growled and then slammed the phone down in its cradle.

I knew I needed to calm down before I had to see patients, so I stepped out of my office and found Linda. "I'm going to step out for a moment. What time is my first patient?"

Linda glanced up at the clock and then said, "You have about thirty minutes."

"Okay, I'll be back." I nodded and then went down the hall and left the building through a side entrance. Once I was outside, I just stood, letting the sun wash over me as I breathed in the fresh air. I stood there for a good fifteen minutes, my hands tucked in my pockets, my eyes closed as I just relaxed and brushed the remnants of Belle's toxicity off of me.

Feeling better, I went back inside and started my day. After lunch, I was once again sitting in my office when my cellphone rang, this time I recognized the ringtone as my mother's. Sighing, I answered it. "Good afternoon, Mother."