Title: Dr. Mariano Author: Marly Cook Rating: T Summary: She wasn't even my child. I had no relation to either of them besides the brief time we spend around each other. I think what made me so attached was the thought of myself being the first person Marina saw and me being the first person who saw Marina. Disclaimer: Marina and Emely. Others are purely ASP's. Thanks Red! :)
Finally a day off, I thought, looking through the bookshelf at the local library. I hadn't had a day to myself in weeks. It was work, tests, or Emely. That seemed to get old to me and the days I spent to myself were the ones I cherished the most.
My thumb traced over the books on the second shelf, the authors' names getting less recognizable each time the publishing year got more recent. I sighed and pulled out an interesting title, only to read the summary with disappointment.
I clicked my tongue to the roof of my mouth and stuffed the book under my arm. Seemed mockable enough. And maybe this library won't be overly touchy about small notes in the margins.
The thought of being alone tonight made goose bumps on my arms. Was that horrible or what? I adored Emely, sure, but there were some nights where she just crowded me.
The piercing scream broke me from my thoughts and the first thought that came to my mind was strictly professional: Well, damn.
I huffed and groaned, contemplating on whether or not to go help or just stay where I was. Maybe someone got a paper cut. A very, very deep one.
I decided against that theory and laid my book on the shelf, following the cries and pained moans. I led myself up the stairs and turned to the right, seeing a woman lying on her back, her elbows resting beneath her and holding her up. People were crowding around, calling for an ambulance, but not getting any service.
Of course, I thought.
I pushed through the crowd and growled in a very professional voice, "Stand back. Give her space." I looked down at her and noticed her stomach being particularly large. I groaned and mumbled something about tending to medical issues even when I was off the clock.
You see, I studied obstetrics and gynecology for two years before I decided to change my profession. Handling women just didn't seem to appeal to me and in my mind, if I delivered babies all the time how would it be special when my own wife had one?
Instead, I decided to be a plastic surgeon. Yes, I do work on women's breasts that are already perfect to begin with. Nose jobs are the most popular, to be honest. And the numbers I get are amazing. Women practically throw themselves at me on some days. However, I have Emely, and that's all I need, I guess.
Most of my profession I spend overseas working on the tormented faces and bones of the war victims. That kind of stuff I happen to find pretty wicked. Emely, however, thinks I'm insane. Such a woman.
I kneeled down beside the panting woman and felt the damp carpet underneath us, "Hi, I'm Dr. Mariano and no I am not an Obstetrician. I did, however, study obstetrics in college before I decided to change my profession so yes; I know what to do in these cases. Any questions?"
She shivered, letting out a shrill noise through her teeth, "No … just … please."
The look in her eyes sent a chill down my spine and I thought I felt my throat tighten. I couldn't bare that kind of pain, but I had to ask questions. "How much were you dilated this morning?"
"Th-three," she screamed, clawing the carpet and throwing her head back on the floor.
I asked for something to cover her and make her more comfortable in this situation and was brought a Big Bird blanket from the children's section. I threw it over her knees and pulled down her shorts, trying to make this as professional as possible.
She sobbed heavily, yelling as loud as she could. Somewhere in the back of my mind a thought passed by, making me chuckle. Wonder what the uptight librarian would think about this?
I felt the head and suddenly this surge of pride coursed through my veins. I am responsible for bringing a life into this world. Is this what I was passing up when I changed my profession? I tried shushing her, rubbing her leg softly as I encouraged her to breathe deep and push hard.
"Oh my god," she choked out, straining as she pushed her child out.
"Scissors!" I called to the people around me, "I need scissors and where is that ambulance?!"
She screamed once again and the shrill noise made my head spin. The baby was out and I was holding it in my bare arms, looking down at the bloody bundle. A girl. I smiled and looked up at the mother, resting back on the carpet. Her breathing erratic and her hair matted to her red face.
"Are you okay?" I attempted to ask her, just as the paramedics rushed in.
Her Obstetrician hurried in the library and kneeled down beside her, "Rory. Are you okay?" He pushed her hair back and glanced at me, smiling. "Thank you Mr. …?"
"Doctor," I corrected, nodding, "Dr. Mariano."
"Dr. Henshaw," he said, nodding to me.
I watched as her doctor cut the umbilical cord and loaded her onto the stretcher, taking her and the new born baby girl to the nearest clinic.
Before they wheeled her out to the ambulance she looked up at me and smiled, "It's Rory Renaldo. Thank you so much, Dr. Mariano."
I smiled to her and nodded once, glancing at the rock on her hand. Renaldo. She was probably in relation to Garret Renaldo, the biggest attorney in Cherry Hill, Pennsylvania.
I decided to go to the hospital once I checked out my book. Emely wouldn't be home until later on and I rather visit her than watch reruns of That 70's Show all night. I walked to the counter and handed the librarian two books, acting like I didn't just deliver a child in one of her isles.
She narrowed her eyes, her head tilted. "Is that normal for you?"
"Nope," I replied, taking the books, "I work on breasts. Much more appealing."
Her stare hardened as if she was offended and her mouth dropped open at my rude comment. I only smirked and nodded to her. Emely will love that one.
Once I was at the hospital I went up to the desk and felt silently relieved that she had given me her name. I was directed towards her room and knocked once before walking in, letting the doctor side of me take over. I cursed, silently, scolding myself for not waiting to be invited in.
She was sitting up in her bed, her head lolled back and her face showing exhaustion. I made my way to her bed and cleared my throat, "Mrs. Renaldo?"
Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at me, moving higher up on the bed. The movement didn't change her position, but I thought it was nice to try. "Dr. Mariano," she whispered, hoarsely.
"Hey," I grinned and stood next to the bed, "how are you? And the baby?"
"Marina," she smiled, gesturing to me, "I liked your last name. And you were a big part in getting her here."
I couldn't help but grin at the woman. She was pretty. I didn't notice it before with her delivering a baby and all, but she was attractive. I could only imagine what she looked like when she was fixed up and out on the town.
"We're both fine," she added.
In the back of my mind I wandered where her husband was or any of her other family members, but I didn't push it. For some odd reason, I didn't want anyone there. I felt as if I was responsible for the woman and her baby. It was a very weird thought.
"Thank you," I muttered, "for … the name."
She nodded, a small smile on her face.
"Now," I sighed, the professional side making its appearance, "why were you out by yourself when you were already dilated?"
"What kind of doctor are you?" She asked, quickly, changing the subject. A very friendly question, but it annoyed me.
I gave a light sigh, "I'm a plastic surgeon."
"Oh," she nodded and looked like she was thinking about something very hard. She looked uncomfortable.
"So, are you going to answer me?" I asked, slowly.
She sighed and shrugged her petite shoulders, "My husband wasn't home and neither was the nanny. I wanted some books so I left to get them."
I felt immediate sympathy. Poor thing only had a husband and a nanny. I never liked the thought of nannies, they seemed too impersonal. It's almost as if the nanny was the mother of the household. Always the one to clean up, take care of the kids, cook. It just didn't seem like the families were real when they had a nanny.
And to add to that thought, this woman just seemed lonely. Maybe I was looking too much into it. Hell, she could be very happy. I just didn't get that vibe.
"Well, that is a good reason, I suppose."
She gave a light laugh, "Do you know when I will be able to see my baby?"
"I can ask for you."
"That would be great," she leaned back against the pillows, and then added, "Thank you."
"It's no big deal, Mrs. Renaldo," I assured her, and walked out of the room.
Walking to the desk, I sighed loudly to myself. I'd have to call Emely soon and tell her what I was up to. Wouldn't want her to think I was cheating on her again. Yes, I said again.
I have honestly never been with another woman while I was with Emely. She just jumped to conclusions when she knew I was working on a model's breasts. The model wanted to quit the runway business and do photo shoots for Sports Illustrated and Playboy, which only meant she needed bigger breasts.
Sure, she was attractive and I could have gotten her easily. The fact of the matter was I didn't want to. I was content with Emely. Emely just didn't trust me then.
I asked for Dr. Henshaw and when he appeared minutes later, he looked surprised to see me.
"Dr. Mariano?"
"Yeah," I nodded, "Mrs. Renaldo wants to know when she can see Marina."
"Oh," he nodded, "of course. I thought she was still asleep."
I just smiled to him and held up my cell phone, motioning to it. He nodded in understanding and I walked outside. I held my Blackberry to my ear and waited for Emely to pick up.
"Hi there," I could practically hear her smile, "where are you?"
"At the hospital," I answered, scratching the back of my head.
"I thought you were off today," she suddenly became paranoid, "are you okay? Was there a bad accident?"
"No," I smirked and leaned back against the wall, "I'm okay. I was at the library and this woman went into labor. So, I helped deliver the baby then I came to visit her in the hospital."
I heard her laugh a little and say, "Well, you just can't catch a break, can you?"
"Nah," I smiled, "But she's really sweet. And the baby, Em, the baby is just beautiful. Her name is Rory Renaldo, the mother, I mean. You know, she's the wife of Garret Renaldo, I think."
"Oh, the attorney," she said, softly, sounding like she was busy.
"Yep," I nodded, and looked up at the sun. Squinting, I thought about Rory in there with her adorable daughter. I couldn't help but smile. I didn't want to leave the hospital just yet. I wanted to see Marina. The name, I remembered suddenly. "Emely, she named the baby after me in a way."
"She what?"
"Yeah," I smirked, "I delivered it and she liked my last name. She named her daughter Marina."
"Huh," Emely said, shortly. "Does she know you? Like, have you performed some kind of surgery on her before?"
I shook my head. I would have remembered her. "No."
"That's kind of weird."
"Nah," I cleared my throat, watching a couple walk in the hospital. "I think it's cool."
There was silence over the phone and I waited. I've gotten used to those silences. It meant she was thinking of what to say because the situation was terrible, awkward, or weird. Who knows what she's thinking about this.
"Where's her husband?"
"She didn't say," I thought about our conversation and added, "she just said he was out of town. I should get Dr. Henshaw to call him."
Emely cleared her throat, "Ah, hon. You know, she could do that."
I got annoyed with that statement, but tried not to show it. "Yeah, but I feel responsible. I mean, I was the first to hold Marina and I got Rory safe and to a hospital and—"
"Whoa," she said, cutting me off, "you are attached to that baby already."
I just shook my head, "Look Em, I'm gonna go talk to the doctors. I'll see you when you get home, okay?"
"Alright. Bye hon," she said, sighing.
"Bye." I hung up the phone and stuffed it into my jacket pocket. Once I was back inside, I walked over to Dr. Henshaw. "Did you call her husband?"
"No," he shook his head, "I decided to wait until Mrs. Renaldo asked me to."
I raised one eyebrow and snorted, "That's ridiculous. Call Mr. Renaldo. He needs to know his daughter was born."
Dr. Henshaw nodded and walked to the desk, leaving me contemplating on whether or not to go back in Rory's room.
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