Chapter 7
"I'm just going to join Matthew in the shower."
Stephanie laughed at the disgusted expression on Paul's face as he watched Naomi pick up a piece of toast from the table before heading through to the bathroom. He shook his head before looking at the cutlery the table. "Paul, what are you doing?"
"Counting the knives. I need to make sure Naomi didn't take one."
Stephanie scrunched up her face in confusion. "Why would she take a knife to the shower?"
"Well you have seen Psycho, haven't you McMahon?"
She shook her head but chuckled nonetheless. "You're crazy, you know that don't you?"
"Oh I'm not the crazy one. She is. You didn't hear the things she was threatening to do to our friend Matthew after her accusations a few nights ago." He pushed back his chair as he started to clear the plates from the table.
"But aren't you glad those crazy kids have patched things up?"
Paul snorted as he walked over towards the sink. "Oh yeah. It's a real pleasure to see our friends groping at one another at the breakfast table first thing in the morning."
Stephanie shook her head as she placed the milk back in the fridge. "Thank God you're going back to work today. You've become a right misery guts over the last couple of days."
"I'm glad too. I'm dying to see a new face and have a decent conversation. Between your head being permanently lodged in a book and Matt's mouth being engaged elsewhere, I've been going round the bend. Hell, I even called my mother yesterday for conversation."
"And how is she? Is she still worried about you?" She reached up and pinched his cheek.
Paul made a face as Stephanie laughed. "I'm glad you find it all so amusing, Stephanie. But need I remind you that if it wasn't for you and your infections, I would have never gotten ill in the first place. You should be trying to make it up to me instead of mocking me."
She rolled her eyes dryly as she rested against the counter. "Okay, point taken. After my exam, I promise I'll take you out. How does pizza and a beer sound?"
Paul screwed up his nose at her suggestion. "One lousy beer? You nearly kill me and I get one lousy beer? Gee, you're all heart."
"Well if I promise to pick up the tab for the night will you quit moaning?"
He smiled in appreciation as he patted her head. "That's more like it. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to get ready for work. You wouldn't want me being late for my first day back now, would you?"
Stephanie shook her head playfully as Paul left to go and get dressed. Her eyes slowly drifted to the dishes still piled up in the sink and she sighed. He'd managed to get out of doing his chores yet again. Reluctantly, she made a start to the washing up and she let her mind drift to Paul. She was so glad he had cleared the air between them that night. She really thought she'd jeopardised things between them by kissing him the way she had. It had definitely been wrong to act on her impulses like that. It proved she was cautious by nature for a reason. Still at the same time, she couldn't help but dwell on the niggling idea that somehow it had just felt right. She also couldn't deny the way she had felt as she had kissed Paul. Her whole body had tingled with excitement and she had felt so alive. He had literally taken her breath away. But that kiss had been a mistake and Paul was right. The best thing would be to forget about it and put it behind them. They were nothing more than great friends and friends were what they were good at. Besides, she loved Luke and she could never intentionally hurt him. The kiss had meant nothing. But if that was the case, why was it so hard to put it to the back of her mind……………..
It was hours later and Stephanie was working her shift at the hospital. She got a pleasant surprise when she saw him at the other end of the ward and she quickly pushed past the stragglers in the corridor. She waved her arm to get his attention. "Luke, have you got a minute?"
He said a few words to the nurse standing beside him before making his way towards Stephanie. His blue eyes twinkled as he smiled at her. "Hey, baby. How are you?"
She grinned as she waved the piece of paper in her hand. "I'm great especially after getting this." She handed the paper to him. "I just got this from Dr Morgan."
Luke's face lit up as he saw her test score. "Eight nine percent. That's great Stephanie."
He pulled her into a brief hug before looking around nervously. Stephanie smiled as she took the paper from him. He was always trying to be discreet in the hospital. He felt it would be unprofessional of him to act otherwise but sometimes she just wished he'd be a bit more open about their relationship. After all, it was pretty common knowledge that they were dating anyway. She touched his arm as he placed his hands in his pockets.
"So, have you made the reservations for tonight?"
She watched as Luke's face fell in front of her. She knew exactly what it meant. He was going to cancel yet again despite his promises to take her out to celebrate. She couldn't help the feeling of disappointment that washed over her as Luke offered her a small smile.
"I'm sorry honey but I couldn't say no. They're really short staffed tonight. But I promise to make it up to you tomorrow night." He leant over and kissed her softly on the cheek.
Stephanie forced a smile. "That's okay. And you're on for tomorrow. You do know that it will need to be somewhere really expensive to make it up to me?"
Luke grinned as he cupped her face with his hand. "I promise." Just then his pager beeped and he frowned as he checked it. "Listen, I've got to run. I'll call you later."
She sighed as she watched him run down the corridor. She admired his dedication and enthusiasm for the job but sometimes she just wished he would put her first. Lifting her wrist, she checked her watch and saw with relief that it was seven o'clock and the end of her shift. She slowly made her way towards the locker room.
"Stephanie, have you got a minute?"
She looked over at the nurses station and smiled at Diane. "Sure if you make it quick." She grinned at her. "My shift is officially over."
Diane grimaced. "Not yet I'm afraid. Lucy's temperature has risen and we need you to check it out. Doctor Morgan had to go to surgery."
Stephanie sighed as she replaced her stethoscope around her neck and took the chart. "You're lucky I like you Diane. That and the fact I've no plans for tonight anyway."
"You're a godsend, Steph."
Stephanie smiled as she made her way along the corridor. She wondered what was up with Lucy. She had been fine when she had checked her over an hour ago. She frowned as she looked over the chart and didn't look up as she entered the open ward Lucy shared with nine other children. It wasn't until she heard the giggles that she lifted her head and she covered her mouth as she let out a gasp. The room was decorated with streamers and balloons and a banner on the wall in black, bold letters read "Congratulations Doctor McMahon."
"Surprise!"
She grinned as she heard the ten little voices cry out at the top of their voices as they ran out from behind their beds. They all gathered around her and she affectionately ruffled their hair before bending down. Lucy was the first one to stand in front of her. Her dark hair was a stark contrast to her pale skin.
"Well done Doctor Stephanie."
"Thank you sweetie. But how did you know and who did all this?"
Lucy grinned. "The two nice men. They said you'd been very clever and deserved a party. Nurse Diane and Doctor Morgan said it was okay."
Joshua, one her nine year old patients, barged in. "Will we be allowed to have some of the cake?"
The young girl slapped his arm before reprimanding him in an exaggerated whisper. "Shhh, Joshua. She doesn't know about the cake yet."
Joshua clamped his hand over his mouth before moving slowly away. Stephanie laughed as she pulled herself up. She looked down as she felt a tug on her trouser leg. It was Abigail. Stephanie bent back down as she smiled at the four year old.
"I like your friends. They gave us candy."
Stephanie was just about to ask what friends when she felt the tap on her shoulder. She turned round to see a pair of familiar blue eyes hidden behind his black rimmed glasses. Suddenly it all made sense.
"Congratulations, Stephanie. We always knew you would do it."
Stephanie pulled him into a grateful hug. "Thank you Matt." She smiled as he kissed her forehead. "How did you guys find out and how the hell did you organise this? I was in here an hour ago."
Matt chuckled as he stepped away. "Doctor Morgan promised Paul he'd tell him as soon as he had your result. Your good friend and mine managed to persuade the lovely doctor to postpone giving you the good news and use delaying tactics once he had you in his office. That gave us time to hightail it down here and get this all set up."
He looked down at the small, green eyed girl who was tugging on his trousers.
"What is it sweetie?"
"Can I get more candy?"
Stephanie laughed as Matt bent down towards her. Just then she let out a scream as she felt a pair of arms grab her from behind and twirl her round to face him. Paul lifted her up as he spun her round.
"Well done McMahon." He grinned at her as he placed her back down. "Brains as well as beauty, huh?"
She tilted her head to the side and smiled. "What can I say? Some people just have it, I guess."
Paul chuckled and shook his head. "Although modesty doesn't seem to be one of your strengths."
Stephanie smiled as she looked around the room. The kids were laughing as they played with the balloons and pestered Matt for more candy. She couldn't help but feel slightly emotional. She was sure there were tears in her eyes as she turned back round to Paul. "I can't believe you got Doctor Morgan to agree to this."
"Matthew works in sales, dear. He made his pitch quite well."
Stephanie smiled as she covered his hand with hers. "But I'm pretty sure you had a large part in all of this."
He shrugged his shoulders non-chalantly. "It was a joint effort." He winked at her. "But just so you know, I blew up all the balloons and wrote the banner."
She laughed as she pulled him into a hug. She squeezed him tightly as she whispered in his ear. "Thank you. It means so much."
Paul rubbed her arms as he released her. "It was a pleasure, toots. Me and Matthew over there happen to think you're worth it."
"Mister, can we get some cake now?"
Paul looked down to see a little boy with an impatient look on his face. Stephanie laughed as Paul picked him up and turned him upside down as he carried him across the room. Joshua giggled. "Come on then you little monster. You can help hand it out to everyone."
Stephanie wrapped her arms around herself as she stood there watching Paul and Matt interact with the children. They had really cheered her up especially after Luke had let her down yet again. As she watched Paul grin at Lucy, she ignored the now familiar flutter in her stomach. Instead she took Abigail's delicate hand and led her towards Paul, Matt and the rest of the children.
