Playing Doctor

Aurelia smiled. "Thank you."

"So, here is what we're going to do. I'm putting you on colchicine and prescription strength ibuprofen. I'm also going to give you a list of vitamin supplements I want you to start taking once you're back home. You're fine for now with the IV, we've already got them started in there, but I want you to keep the levels up once we release you."

"Okay," Aurelia agreed. "Um, how long do I have to stay here?"

He chuckled again. "In such a hurry to leave me?"

Aurelia blushed. "No, I mean—"

He laughed more heartily. "It's okay, I get it. I wouldn't want to sit in a hospital bed any longer than I had to either. That being said, I think we're still going to keep you for a few days, make sure there's no adverse effects from the meds."

"Okay."

"And once you're released, I'll have you coming for biweekly appointments to check on you."

"Twice a week?" Aurelia's eyes widened.

"I promise to keep them short and painless." He grinned again. "For now, I want your word you'll get some sleep."

Aurelia nodded. "I will."

"Good." He patted her hand and stood up, a slight tint of pink in his cheeks. "I'll check in on you tomorrow. Sleep well, Ms. Carson."

"Aurelia. Please, call me Aurelia," she squeaked feeling her cheeks heat at his intense gaze on her.

"Good night, Aurelia. Sweet dreams." He winked and stepped out of her room, turning off two of the overhead lights.

"Night, Dr. McHottie…" she whispered to his back.

Chapter 3

Aurelia

"Thanks so much for this," Aurelia murmured as she got out of the wheelchair outside of the hospital.

"Like I was going to let you take the bus," Kelly said with a laugh.

Aurelia giggled. "Well, I could have. I'm not actually an invalid."

"You are, at least for a few more days," Kristi, the nurse who had taken care of her said with a smile. "You are supposed to rest and have no stress."

Aurelia blushed. "I know, I know, but it's just the bus…"

"I'll make sure she gets some rest," Kelly assured the nurse as she opened the passenger door for Aurelia to climb in.

"Thank you, Kristi, you've been so kind."

"My pleasure. You've been a fantastic patient; I wish we had more like you." She grinned. "Take care and get better." Kristi waved.

Aurelia waved back from the passenger seat as Kelly shut the door and went around to the driver seat. She turned to her as she sat behind the wheel and pulled on her seatbelt. "How's Bella?"

"Bella is anxious to see you," Kelly commented with a smile. "She's missed her treats."

Aurelia laughed. "I'll be sure to make up for it. Oh, I should call my boss, let her know I've been sprung."

"Did your doctor say when you can go back to work?"

Aurelia nodded. "Yeah, I can go back on Monday, since it's just a desk job and I won't have to be on my feet or doing anything too active."

"That's great. I can give you a ride and pick you up, at least for a few days. I don't have to go anywhere until later in the week."

"You don't have to do tha—"

"I do. You are always helping me out with Bella, it's the least I can do, Lia." Kelly glanced over at her as she pulled from the parking lot.

Kelly had taken to shortening her name to Lee-a as they'd gotten to know one another over the past several weeks. Aurelia had found she really liked it and smiled every time she used it. "Okay, then thank you. I just don't want to be a burden."

"Trust me, you aren't a burden."

Aurelia grabbed her phone from her purse and noticed a slew of texts from her mother, which she ignored, and then dialed the number for Fuller and Hoffman.

"Fuller and Hoffman, how may I direct your call?"

"Hi, Jackson, it's Aurelia Carson, can you put me through to Ms. Hoffman?"

"Aurelia, how are you feeling, sweetie?" Jackson asked, sounding concerned.

"Better now, thanks. I just got out of the hospital."

"We're so glad you are okay, that was hella scary seeing you taken out of here on a stretcher. You gave us all a scare, I swear."

"Yeah, well as the one on the stretcher, I can say it was just as scary if not more so on my end."

"I bet so! Okay, sweetie, Ms. Hoffman, coming up, you get some rest, okay?"

"I will, thanks, Jackson." Aurelia waited a moment for him to connect her call.

"Aurelia, how are you feeling?"

"So much better, thanks. Dr. West said I should take the weekend to rest, and then I can start back at work on Monday. I do have to go see him twice a week though, so would it be okay if I took shorter lunches to make up for it? I don't know how I'm going to make up for missing a whole wee—"