My Christmas Doctor

"I hear a but in there…"

She took a breath and then reached for my hand, setting her plate down on the coffee table as she turned to me. "Yes, I have a but… it's that I think I need some more time to get used to the idea."

I smiled. "But you're open to the idea?"

"I am," she said with a nod. "I just need a little bit longer to mull it over in my head, you know? I mean it's a big step, us moving in together. I want to make sure I'm ready."

I smiled and moved in closer to her. "Well, we can consider this weekend a trial run."

Her smile grew, her eyes lighting up. "I like that idea." She snuggled into my shoulder and then popped up and looked at me with a little bit of fear. "Uh, you wouldn't be expecting me to clean and cook and all that, would you? I mean, I don't mind doing my share, but—"

I burst out laughing and shook my head. "No. I have a maid service for the cleaning, you wouldn't have to spend the day vacuuming and dusting." I grinned. "As for cooking, we can take turns or eat out, no big deal. I know you get lost in your writing, and forget to eat, not that I'm happy about that, but I get it." I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Okay, good, because my place is small and doesn't take much to clean, and I've been much better about remembering to eat, thanks to the alarms. But there will be days where I won't want to cook." She relaxed back into me and we snuggled for a while in front of the fire.

The weekend went really well. On Saturday, I cooked breakfast for us, then I went out to do some yardwork while she worked on her book. For lunch we had sandwiches on the backyard deck. Dinner was steaks on the grill with baked potatoes and a salad. We made love in front of the fire, and again in my bed, staying up until the wee hours of Sunday morning.

We ate a late brunch, and I watched some football while she did some more work on her novel, then we had pizza delivered from Rocky's Pizzeria. As we sat munching on pizza, we watched a movie we'd both been wanting to see. Afterwards, we headed up to bed.

"You know that room would make a good office." She nodded at one of the bedrooms.

I glanced in the room. "You think so?"

She nodded as we stopped to look in the room. "I like the way the room curves with the curved windows, and I noticed it's pretty sunny during the day in here. And at night, you can see the stars. It's a peaceful room."

"If you move in, we can turn this into your office, get you a proper desk—"

"I was thinking a round table or maybe a customized desk to fit right in front of the windows?" She blushed. "I mean, if I do move in and you think it's okay for me to use this space…"

I chuckled and turned her in my arms. "If you move in, you can have whatever space you want. This will be your home too. I want you comfortable here."

She nodded. "I like that there is a lot of different spaces, but having a place to put up my storyboards, and books and everything… that would be nice," she admitted.

"So, you're still considering it?"

She laughed. "Yes, and I must admit, I'm leaning toward yes, but I'm not quite ready to do it yet. This weekend has been wonderful. I just, I need to make sure I completely think it through when I'm not being distracted by your kisses." She grinned.

I chuckled. "I understand, I find you just as distracting, Ms. Adams. I have since I met you." I winked at her.

She blushed as we headed into the master bedroom. We got ready for bed, and after setting our alarms for the morning commute, we made love again before falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

Monday morning, after breakfast, I dropped her off at her apartment, setting her bags just inside the door and then continued on to the hospital. Just as I pulled into the parking garage, I noticed Belle waiting at the elevator door. Sighing, I debated leaving, but knew I couldn't, I had rounds and then patients to see this afternoon.

"Bri-bri, there you are!" she called hurrying over to me. "I've been waiting forever!"

"I'm busy, Belle, what do you want?"

"You of course, silly." She flipped her golden blonde hair over her shoulder and giggled. "I thought we could go to lunch today. I was thinking Ocean Prime? I just love their Teriyaki Salmon."

"I'm not going anywhere with you, Belle. Was there anything else?"