Dr. Fake It - A Possessive Doctor Romance

Fiona nodded. “Now that she’s breathing on her own, it’ll be easier. Lots of home care options out there.”

“We’ll make it work.”

She let out a laugh. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

“I love her,” I said softly, for the third time that day. It felt strange, saying the words out loud, but I’d been thinking them for so long already. I realized it days ago, how much I cared about her, and I thought she felt the same—but wasn’t sure, at least until she said it back.

We were making the right choice. It was the hard choice, but it was the right one. We’d leave the city, leave behind a dead mafia capo and a lot of cash, and hope they didn’t come after us all the way out across the county.

I didn’t think they would, not after Dr. Martin rezoned for them. I had a feeling that would go a long way to appeasing their anger, and maybe Dr. Chen would step up and put in a good word for me on top of that.

She nodded once to herself. “I’ve grown pretty fond of her too. Even though she makes stupid choices.”

I laughed. “Like getting involved with me?”

She gave me a sharp look then softened. “Nah, you’re not so bad.”

“Why, thank you, you’re okay yourself.”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have to give you the whole don’t hurt her speech, right?”

“Right, you definitely don’t have to do that.”

“Good.” She smiled a little. “Take care of her out there. I might even miss you guys a little bit.”

“I’m sure you will.”

She laughed and pushed off the wall. “I’m exhausted and heading home. What’s your plan for moving Linda?”

“Hired an ambulance service already.”

“Good, good. And you’ll clear all the paperwork with admin?”

“Started it already.”

“Then you’re all set.” She took a deep breath. “All right, let me go say goodbye.”

She walked into the room and I stayed out in the hall. I heard a murmured conversation through the glass, and shut my eyes as I thought about what would come next—the questions from colleagues, the constant fear and worry, all that money down the drain—and realized none of it mattered.

I was free, and I was free with Erica.

For the first time in my life, I was in love and it felt right. I had a future and a plan, and it didn’t revolve around my own wants and needs. For the first time in my entire life, I was putting someone else first—someone aside from a patient, of course.

Erica was my world now. I’d take care of her no matter what happened, and from here on out, I’d cherish every second we get together.

Fiona came back out a minute later, wiping her eyes, and grinned at me. “You’ve got a winner there.”

“Don’t I know it.”

She walked down the hall and waved. “Good luck, asshole.”

“You too.”

She disappeared around the corner, and I had the feeling I might never see her again.

I turned and headed back into the room. Erica smiled up at me as her mother breathed steadily, in and out, the machines quiet.

“You okay?” I asked.

“I’m good. I was a little scared there for a second.”

“Don’t worry.” I crouched next to her and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to take care of both of you.”

“What do we do now?”

“I have an ambulance service coming for your mom.”

“Really?” She frowned at me. “You know where we’re going?”

“Colorado.”

“Fiona said California.”

I shrugged. “I might be laying out a false trail, just in case the mafia decides to follow.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Smart. Devious and smart.”

“I’ll drop more money off for Dante, a lot more, and then we’ll hit the road.”

“Today?”

“Today.”

She sucked in a breath and nodded. “And then what?”

“We’ll lay low for a while then—” I shrugged. “We’ll start a life.”

“Yeah, we will.” She smiled at me then leaned against my chest.

I held her there, next to her mother’s bed, and even though our world felt so unsettled, none of it mattered. I had her, I had her, I had her. And I didn’t need anything else.30EricaTwo Years LaterI stood at the top of the stairs and listened for sounds down in the kitchen. I put a hand on the small swell of my belly, and marveled at how the last five months felt like no time at all, even though it was also sort of forever.

The gurgle of the coffee maker made my mouth water. I hadn’t had caffeine since I’d gotten pregnant, and I desperately craved some—but I was following the rules, even if the rules sucked.

I walked down the steps, turned the corner, and found my mother standing at the kitchen counter. She smiled at me, tilted her head, and nodded at the stove. “You hungry?” she asked.

“Starving.” I sat down on a stool and leaned on my elbows. Mom walked over, kissed my cheek, then got to work making pancakes.