Finally finding a break from work, I slid into my desk chair and took out the old, worn out photo I kept stashed away for days such as these. Days when I just need to take a step back and remember the happy life that lies ahead of me. Looking down at the picture of me tightening one of the bolts on the large mechanical device with my trusty wrench, I allowed my mind to be consumed by memories of a future I once saw and wonderings of what's to come.
As soon as I saw her name on the appointment screen this morning, I realized that today was the day that it would all begin, and it took everything in me not to pass out right there on the spot. To say that I wasn't expecting to meet my future wife when I woke up this morning is a major understatement. If I had, I would have probably worn a more flattering outfit than the dark blue smock I was wearing and spent a little more time on my hair. I might have even applied a bit of light make-up, but now it's too late. I'm already at work, and from this point on, there is no turning back.
All morning, I had been feeling a weird mix of panic and excitement as I worked my way through my appointments, slowly making my way towards the one I was really waiting for. Now, it was an hour before her scheduled time, and I was kind of starting to freak out.
"Dr. Pierce, we're ready for you in room four," my technician informed as she poked her head into my office, effectively snapping me out of my thoughts.
Letting out a brief sigh, I slid the picture back into my desk drawer, realizing that meeting the woman of my dreams would come whether I was ready or not. "Alright, let's walk and talk," I announced as stood up and walked passed her towards our destination.
"Skippy Trahan. Four year old dachshund. Here for a routine canine annual. No concerns," Allie informed as I opened the door and walked in.
Setting my sights on the dog sitting on the table, I put on my best smile and greeted, "Hey, Skippy! Long time, no see."
After another quick in room exam for a ten year old German Shepherd with hip dysplasia, I heard the announcement I had been waiting for sound over the intercom system.
"Dr. Pierce, Dr. Pierce's tech, you have a new puppy exam in room two."
'I guess it's showtime,' I thought to myself as I opted out of having Allie go in first to take a brief history and lead the way towards the exam room. As soon as I stepped through the doorway, I was met by the most captivating woman I had ever laid eyes on. She was just as beautifully stunning as I remembered, and it took everything in me to act like the cognizant human being I was as I held out a hand to introduce myself, "Hello, I'm Dr. Pierce."
"Santana Lopez," she said as she slipped her hand into mine and gave it a firm shake. Feeling an electric current flow between us, I glanced up and made the grave mistake of looking her in eyes. The second I gazed into those dark brown pools, I was sucked in like light to a black hole. Realizing I had most likely been staring at her for longer than what's socially acceptable when first meeting someone, I quickly released her hand and peered over at the black lab sitting at her side, "And who might this handsome fellow be?"
"This is Delgado. At least, that's what I've been calling him," she explained. "He's been hanging around my neighborhood for a couple weeks now, so I decided to take him in for the time being while I try to find his owners. He had a collar but no tags, so I figured he must belong to someone. Anyways, I was talking to my cousin the other day, and she directed me here. She said you guys have something that can see if he's been microchipped or something?"
The statement ended up coming out as more of a question, and her standing there with slightly knitted eyebrows was nothing short of adorable. Giving her a firm nod, I answered, "Yep, we sure do. Let me go grab it real quick."
Before I could even make a move, Allie was out the door and walked back into the room a few seconds later carrying the microchip reader. "Thanks," I quietly whispered to the girl as I took hold of the device and began searching for a chip. After a few seconds of scanning around his sides and back with no results, I concluded, "Welp, it doesn't look like you're bionic, Buddy Boy."
"So, no chip?"
"I'm afraid not," I confirmed, giving the dog a quick pat on the head before looking back up at the woman. "Was that all you were here for today?"
"No, I'd still like to get him updated on all his shots and stuff while we're here, if that's okay. I want to make sure he's completely covered since there's no telling how long it'll be until I find his owners."
"Well, I'm sure it'll all work out for the best," I offered with a wink, causing a small smile to creep across her lips. I knew before I even touched the microchip reader that he wouldn't have one. Seeing him still belonging to us in the future was proof enough that the pup was here to stay, regardless of whether or not the present Santana was ready to be a pet owner or not. "Anyways, let's go ahead and get the exam out of the way so we can get him up-to-date on all his vaccs and have both of you on your way."
After helping Allie get Delgado on the table, I reached for the ophthalmoscope and flicked on the light so I could search for any ocular abnormalities before exchanging it for the otoscope. Just as I went to return the instrument to its holder, the brunette asked, "How old do you think he is?"
"Hm, let me get a look at his chompers," I replied with a grin, grasping his snout between my hands and lifting his lips with my fingers. After taking note of him having all of his adult teeth with almost no wear or tartar build up, I released my hold on the dog and shifted my focus back towards the woman, "I'd guesstimate that he's somewhere between seven and twelve months. Maybe about ten-ish, but I can't be entirely sure."
"That's okay. I just wanted a general idea. Thanks."
"Absolutely no problem at all," I replied, flashing the woman another quick smile as I slipped on my stethoscope and began listening to the dog's heart and lungs.
The rest of the appointment flew by quickly with me finishing up my examination and administering the vaccines, and before I knew it, I was saying my goodbyes and see you next times. After leaving the room, I made my way back to my desk and slipped out the same wrinkled photograph as before to allow myself another short daydream before my next appointment arrived.
I had just stepped out of the clinic when I felt my phone vibrating in my hand. Looking down, I quickly read the name on the screen and answered the call. "Why hello, Dr. Quinn. To what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked as I stepped into the car, sliding the key into the ignition to start the vehicle.
"Can't a girl just call her friend every once in a while just to say hello?" the woman on the other end of the line reasoned.
"Yeah, but I already know that's not why you're calling. For the last time, the answer is no."
"Come on, Brittany. You haven't been on a date since high school."
Looking over my shoulder, I started backing up out of my parking space as I replied, "I thought you said that you were going to stop shrinking me."
"And I thought we both agreed that you were going to stop referring to me as a shrink."
"I didn't. I used the term as a present participle," I argued back as I shifted gears and pulled out of the parking lot.
"Whatever. The point is that I am not shrinking you. I'm simply being a good friend who is expressing her concerns and also just so happens to be a psychiatrist. There are no correlations between the two at this point in time."
"Well, that's reassuring. Anyways, I'm just going to tell you the same thing I have told you every other time you've decided to voice your concerns: I have my reasons."
"Which you have failed to ever elaborate on."
"And which I will fail to do yet again," I joked while managing to carry an air of finality that Quinn was quick to pick up on.
"Fine, fine. You win, but please just go on this one date and I promise I will never butt into your love life ever again."
Pulling up to a red light, I quickly thought over the offer and asked, "You swear on your life?"
There was an airy giggle from the other side of the line before she answered, "Yes, Brittany. I swear."
Rubbing my hand over my face in frustration, I let out a defeated sigh and replied, "Fine, just tell me when and where, and I'll be there."
"Bug?" I called out as I stepped through the entryway of my house. Suddenly, I heard the patter of paws on the floor upstairs before watching my favorite golden retriever came barreling down the staircase towards me. "Aw, there's my Layla Bug!" I exclaimed as I knelt down in anticipation of the dog welcoming me home, just like she did every day.
After giving her some time to release all her pent up excitement, I stood back up and walked over to the couch with Layla in tow. Taking a seat, I patted the spot beside me as an invitation for her to come up before grabbing the remote to turn on the television. Just as I began flicking through the channels, the image of a certain brunette flashed across my mind and reminded me that I had a really big announcement to make.
"Oh yeah, Lay! I can't believe I almost forgot to tell you, but I met your future mom today. Well, I mean, she at least seemed to be the same person from what I saw, but I didn't really get to talk to her all that much since we were in a professional setting. I mean, of course I was since I was at work and all. Her, not so much, but still kind of. Does that make since? Anyways, I haven't exactly had time to work out the details of whether or not me knowing anything about the future us will change anything, so it's all still kind of up in the air as to what will happen, if anything at all," I rambled, earning a blank stare from the dog. "Hey, don't look at me like that. Lord Tubbington would understand if he were here. Then again, I guess that would make sense since he was there when it all happened." Watching the dog tilt her head to the side in confusion, I added, "Speaking of which, have I ever told you about the time I time traveled?"
Author's Note:
Hello there!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read the first chapter of my new fic. Ever since I posted the last chapter of Paperwoman, I've been dying to start another sort of happy-go-lucky, lighthearted kind of story. During then and now, I began toying with this concept, which I am really excited to explore.
Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed it and that I will get to see you all next time. Until then, bye!
P.S.: To anyone reading No Questions Asked, I will be trying to get the next chapter finished as soon as possible. Sorry for the wait, but I promise I haven't forgotten about it. Haha.