The Doctor Who Has No Chance (Soulless 11)

She gave me that look, that softness, like a rose petal opening for the first time when the sunshine hit perfectly. “That’s sweet.”

“So, you want to be a heart surgeon?”

“God, no,” she said with a chuckle. “It’s the most stressful job in the world.”

“But the most fulfilling.” The timer went off again, so I pulled the food from the oven, and we threw our dinner together, eating at my dining table across from each other. My back was to the window, so she had a view of the city—but I had a view of her.

We were quiet most of the meal, sharing a bottle of wine in the center of the table, the two of us in silent companionship that reminded me of what I had with my family. There was no need to talk all the time. When you truly had a connection with someone, you didn’t need to talk at all.

“How’s your father doing?”

“Good, I think,” I said. “Just been busy beating up people on the street.”

She chuckled before she took a bite, needing a second before she got the noodles into her mouth.

I loved it when I made her laugh. I loved it when I made her happy. It gave me a real sense of accomplishment, just like when I treated my patients. “I could tell my mom was trying to be mature about the whole thing. You know, violence solves nothing, just walk away. But I could also tell she was happy that my dad broke Mason’s face.”

“Oh, I’m sure she was. She’s so protective of you guys.”

“Psh, she’s protective of everyone. She’s like everyone’s mom.”

“True. But when it comes to you three, she’s a mama bear. Remember when Tony got in your face?”

I grinned. “Yeah, my mom wiped the floor with him too—just with her words.”

“Your parents are so cute. You’re lucky to have them.”

I knew that every single day. “Your parents are cool too.”

She shrugged and took a drink. “They’re good people, but they aren’t unique like your parents. All my mom cares about is me finding a husband and getting a ring on my finger. Your mom cares about Daisy being an independent woman who doesn’t need a man to take care of her.”

“My parents still want her to settle down and all that. My mom has pulled that shit on me, and I know my dad has done it to Derek.”

“But they want you to do it for happiness. My mom wants me to do it because I’m incapable of taking care of myself, apparently.”

“I highly doubt they think that. I mean, you take care of me. Without you, I’d starve.”

She chuckled.

“And be super unhappy…” The last month had shown me that truth, that without her, my heart was empty and my soul was crushed.

She dropped her gaze and pushed her food around.

I was done with my plate, so I slid it away and grabbed my wine.

“I know you have surgery tomorrow, so I should get going.” She finished the last few bites until her plate was clean.

I hated these nights of the week, because it meant she couldn’t sleep over. It was absolutely vital that I slept well, all through the night, without any interruptions. Doing anything without enough sleep was like driving slightly drunk. I couldn’t be slightly drunk when I was cutting someone open. There were a couple times in my career when, for whatever reason, I’d had a rough night of sleep, and even though I was confident I could still do my job, I never took the risk and those appointments had to be rescheduled. Sometimes the patients got mad at me, but I had to do the right thing. “Alright.” I gathered the plates and left them in the sink before I threw some clothes on.

“You really don’t have to walk me home every time.” She was ready to go at the front door, in the clothes she’d worn to work.

“I know I don’t. You’re perfectly capable of getting there on your own. But it gives me peace of mind…and just a little more time I get to spend with you.”

I walked her to her front door and didn’t try to come inside, even though it was tempting. I could strip off all my clothes and get under her sheets and refuse to move. I’d been sleeping with her so much that I wondered if sleeping without her was going to start throwing me off.

She got the door unlocked and set her bag on the table. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She came back to me, that twinkle in her eyes, like she still couldn’t believe that I was there with her, that we were together, that her greatest wish had come true. But there was also a subtle resistance there, like she couldn’t really allow herself to appreciate it, because it could disappear any moment.