Author's Note: I am (clearly) not a doctor but I did a little research for this fiction so I will try to go as in depth as I can about the medical side of this particular fic, but I also don't want to bore you with it. Plus, let's be honest, I have no idea what I'm talking about. Anyway, more importantly, I should mention that this fic is considered an "alternate universe" fic. I took pieces from AMC 2.0 and the original series that ended in 2011. I wanted to keep Oliver alive considering that his conception happened in 2011 before the original series ended, but I refuse to change the timeline like AMC 2.0 did. Essentially, all I did was keep the name Oliver. Remember, this story is set in 2015.
In the original series, Miranda and AJ were born in 2004, Gabrielle in 2008, and Oliver likely in 2012 so they are all still young children. :)
This chapter is kind of short and all over the place but the next chapter is where everything kicks into gear. Enjoy!
Chapter Three
"All you have to do is sign here and here." Erica glided the smooth pen over the paper, forming her signature. This was it, she thought. She put all of her trust into David and his former college roommate.
Erica shook the man's hand and thanked him for his help.
"It's all set. We'll leave this week." David smiled.
She nodded. "This is it, I guess."
"It'll be ok." David stated reassuringly, rubbing Erica's back.
"I hope you're right." She said.
He felt an overwhelming urge to tilt her chin up to ensure that she was looking at him. She shuddered slightly when his fingertips made contact with her skin. It was a welcomed touch.
"I will do everything I can to help her, Erica. I'm not going to let you lose your daughter." He kissed her on the cheek.
It was the most physical interaction they'd had in years, aside from a slap or a kick here and there.
She was vulnerable and he knew it. Otherwise she would have told him to immediately remove his hands from her face. He cherished the bit of trust she had left in him.
He let his hand linger a bit longer and then slowly stepped back.
Erica felt that she needed to cut the awkward silence between them.
"I should go back to Bianca." She said flatly.
He gestured for her to step in front of him.
"I have a patient to see now, but if you need anything, you know where to find me." He offered.
–
"Your discharge papers will arrive soon, Mr. Stephens." David said, stepping out of his patient's room.
"David!" He heard, Cara call after him. He thought about pretending not to see her but she'd already grabbed his arm.
"Yes?" He turned around to face her.
"We need to talk. Now."
"I thought we said everything we needed to say to each other yesterday, Cara." He reminded her of their phone call.
She sighed. "Oliver needs you to be more involved."
"I AM involved, Cara. I'm involved as much as you let me be. I made one mistake. Besides, he's barely two years old. I'm sure he doesn't care if I miss a few pick ups."
"Yes, David, he does. Do I need to remind you that were the one who wanted to become a father? You were the one who insisted that I keep him." She whispered.
"Yes, I was and I imagine that you don't regret that decision."
"Why are you being so -" Cara was cut off.
"Here are the files you asked for, Dr. Hayward!" A bubbly nurse excitedly said as she handed him the yellow folder.
"Thank you, nurse." David responded.
"Cara, please! Let's not discuss personal matters at work?"
"Since when do YOU not discuss personal matters at work?"
"Woah!" David caught a small form staggering in his peripheral vision.
He steadied the small woman for a moment.
"Sorry. I was just a little dizzy." Erica stated as she began smoothing out her dress.
"Erica, you have to take care of yourself." David reminded her.
"I know, I know." She had heard everyone from Kendall to Jack tell her to take care of herself.
"I'll walk you back to Bianca's room but I'm bringing you some food." He said.
"Thank you."
Cara followed them. Partially because she wanted to finish her conversation with David and partially because was concerned for Erica and Bianca.
"Bianca's here?" Cara asked.
"Yes." He replied.
"Well, care to elaborate? Is she ok?"
"Cara, I cannot discuss a patient's condition with you."
She rolled her eyes. "David, I am a doctor."
"I don't care." He said, flipping through another patient's files.
"Why are you being so difficult? I'm genuinely concerned!"
"I have to be somewhere that's not here right now." David turned on his heel and left.
"He's such a jerk." She muttered.
"Welcome to my world." A fellow doctor responded with a laugh.
"Sweetie, I'm sure you're cold." Erica said, placing another blanket on Bianca. She wasn't sure what else to do for her anymore. She came in and held her hand, she talked to Bianca's visitors but the constant sitting and waiting was awful.
Erica's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock.
"Hungry?" David appeared, holding up a bag.
"McKay's?" She asked.
"I remember someone having a dream about a specific cheeseburger there."
She blushed, remembering what made her so hungry in the first place. "I'm surprised you remembered that."
He laughed. "Erica, I DO remember some of our relationship."
She frowned a little at the food.
"What? Let me guess, you don't eat burgers anymore?"
She shook her head. "It was a number three. Not a number five."
"My deepest apologies, Ms. Kane." He joked.
"It'll do, I suppose."
"It looks like my hands are tied, Krystal." Jack said, defeated.
Krystal rubbed his shoulders. "I was afraid that you'd say that."
Jack threw his pen down and exhaled.
"Jack, listen, you know I am certainly NOT of David Hayward's, but he there is no denying that he is an incredible doctor. Besides, he's not the one caring for Bianca." Krystal said cautiously, waiting for Jack's response.
He simply nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."
"Honey, come on. It's out of your control. You know Bianca will be fine... I was married to the man and I can tell you that he wouldn't do anything to purposefully hurt, Bianca."
"Purposefully..." Jack scoffed. "He's done enough damage to the poor girl and her mother. I don't want him getting close to her again – to them."
Krystal nodded.
"Why don't you start packing? Miranda told AJ that Erica and David were leaving for New York on Tuesday."
"Kendall isn't going?" Jack asked, crossing his arms and leaning back against the leather chair.
She shook her head. "According to Miranda, Kendall is cutting her book tour short and staying with Gabrielle and Miranda."
"Alright. The suitcases are in the closet upstairs. Grab 'em." Jack commanded.