Just a quick note to say that I named Ethan's doctor, Maria, in this chapter after my own doctor whom as helped me with my mental health hugely. It's a bit random and you probably don't really care but I wanted to add people's names in this story that have helped me so that's why I called the doctor Maria and Ethan's nurse/friend Zoe.
CBloom2 - Thank you so much! I was worried my writing was a little rusty as it's been so long! Also thank you for your constant kind and supportive words xx
Becs2202 - You're about to find out in this chapter! I hoped everyone would enjoy the scene between Zoe and Ethan. Although he has Cal it's still nice for Ethan to have another close friend isn't it. Big hugs to you too! x
sweeet-as-honey - You always leave such lovely reviews, thank you! I'm glad you love this story! You're verrrry* (*correct) close with your guess about the yes or no but you'll find out if it's right in this chapter! Although Ethan is feeling better physically he's still struggling mentally but it's understandable after what he's gone though. I wasn't sure about adding in Cal's joke but I think Cal still teasing Ethan as well as supporting him makes him feel more normal if you know what I mean? x
Ethan's frown relaxed a little as he opened the door as spotted Zoe sitting next to the doctor.
"Hello Dr Hardy, take a seat." the doctor said as she smiled warmly and gestured at the empty seats next to her desk. "My name's Dr Clarke but you're welcome to call me Maria."
As Ethan sat he smiled back at the doctor though it didn't quite reach his eyes, he was merely being polite. She did seem very nice though with kind eyes and a honest smile. Ethan noticed a small ring on a chain around her neck and wondered who's it was; her parents or parter? Someone she'd lost? Maybe that's why she was so loving, as some people with the kindest smiles are the one's who have been hurt the most. He shook his head slightly in an attempt to get his thoughts back on track and turned his eyes to Zoe. She looked so beautiful, like always.
Zoe smiled too as she leant forward and offered Ethan his brown leather notepad. "You left this in the corridor yesterday," she said as she handed it over "I thought you'd want it back."
"Yes thank you." Ethan said as he took the notepad gratefully and sat it on his lap. His fingers wondered over it's spine and then to the strap holding it closed where they fell into his usual rhythm of tapping. It was comforting in a way to tap the book gently or pick at the strap; it reassured him but he wasn't sure why.
"So, we'll have a look at you all over and give you a good check up then we'll head down to CT and check that there isn't anything hiding away but i'm sure there's no need to worry." Maria said in her gentle and calming voice. "Cal and Zoe can come with you too if you like."
Ethan simply nodded in response.
"I also know you wanted to know if you could go back to work soon and I think after i've seen the CT and i'm assured you're okay then we can discuss it."
Ethan nodded again though he was disappointed he had to wait to find out, even if it only a few minutes. He'd wanted to go back to work for so long that now having to wait even longer was just filling him with even more dread.
Ethan gulped as he was slowly engulfed by the CT scanner. Flashbacks of the day of the accident filled his mind and he was reminded of the fear that had filled him.
Maria pressed the button on the stand of the microphone and leant forward to speak into it. "Are you okay Ethan?" she asked.
Ethan gave a slight nod as he closed his eyes, his brow furrowed with worry. He didn't want to look at his surroundings and be reminded of that day any longer.
"We'll have you out in a second Ethan." Zoe said into the microphone, trying to reassure him as she recognised his face of panic. She turned round to see Cal hunched up, biting his nails, as he watched though the glass too. "Are you okay Cal?" she asked worriedly as she gave him a one armed hug with a sad smile.
"He just looks so…so fragile." Cal said quietly, his speech muffled by his hand in front of his mouth.
Zoe hugged him again, but with both arms this time and was surprised by the weight on her shoulders. Cal leant on her heavily realising how sad and worried he really was. He felt like crying as he looked over Zoe's shoulder at Ethan with his scrunched up nose and furrowed brow.
Cal pulled out of the hug and tried to pull himself together; he couldn't let Ethan see him like this he thought. "Do you want to come round for dinner tonight?" he asked Zoe with a smile.
Zoe laughed awkwardly, "I'm flattered Cal but-"
Cal cut her off, "no,no not like that!" he said and found himself blushing. "I mean, we could celebrate, if Ethan get's his job back. Or…if he doesn't..it might cheer him up." Cal's face fell back to misery as he thought how disappointed Ethan would be if he didn't get the job back that he so dearly loved.
"Zoe smiled, "of corse."
Maria turned round to the pair and smiled broadly. "perfect" she said as she pointed at the scan on the computer screen.
"You mean he's okay?" Cal asked excitedly.
"Yes!" Maria said with a smile. She spoke into the microphone again, "Right, we're finished now Ethan so we'll get you out of there and the good news is you're okay."
Ethan managed to give a smile but with a struggle. 'I'm okay but not i'm not really am I?' he thought. 'Physically, yes but mentally, no. and I don't know what to do about it.'
"Ethan! Can you open the door please?" Cal called as he heard the bell ring.
"You do it!" Ethan called before retuning to filling out his journal.
"I'm naked!" Cal called back.
"So?" Ethan shouted with a slight laugh.
"Ethan!"
"Fine!" Ethan shouted as he slammed his journal on the desk and started to walk to the door. He paused for a moment just outside his room and frowned at his own actions. Since when did he get so angry? he thought to himself as he held his hands out in front of him and watched them shake with rage. He took a deep breath as he tried to hold them as still as possible.
"You okay nibbles?" Cal asked as he stuck his head out of his bedroom door.
Ethan whipped round suddenly and stuttered, "Ye..yes..i'm fine Cal, put some pants on please." Cal looked at his brother with a bemused but anxious look before pulling his head out of the doorway. Ethan turned and continued to walk to the front door whilst taking a deep breath. He opened the door to see Zoe and his face broke into a genuine smile.
"I'm glad it's you answering the door!" She said with a laugh. "I wouldn't have liked your brother greeting me naked! Here, as we're celebrating." she said with a smile as she passed him the champagne bottle she was holding.
Ethan chucked and invited her in. "I must say you look…wonderful." he said with a stutter as he blushed.
"Thank you." Zoe said as she too blushed. She slipped of her coat to reveal a pale pink dress with an lace top and tule skirt that just skimmed her knees.
"Wow" Ethan said as he breathed out and his eyes widened.
"Alright you too, stop flirting!" Cal teased as he came out of his room. "And admit it Zoe, you would have loved it if I'd answered the door naked." he joked as he took the champagne bottle from her.
"To be honest, it probably would have been one of my worst nightmares!" she said with a chuckle, "If it was Ethan who was naked though…" she said with a sly smile.
"Ohhhh okay, let's open the champagne." Cal said hurriedly. Ethan blushed bright red as he avoided zoe's gaze and turned to fetch the glasses from the kitchen.
Cal groaned as he struggled to pull the cork out of the champagne bottle.
"Need some help?" Zoe offered as she watched Cal put the bottle under his arm, pointing it to the side in an attempt to make it easier to open.
"No, no i'm fine thanks." Cal said as he cork began to come loose. "Nearly got i-" he said but was cut off by the cork flying off and straight towards Zoe.
"Watch out!" Cal said as he watched the cork fly though the air and Zoe jumped out the way quickly as it flew past her but towards Ethan.
"Ethan!" Zoe said but it was too late as the cork hit his eye and he dropped the glasses he was holding in shock.
"Crap" Cal cursed as he ran over to Ethan. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Ethan sighed as he looked at the shattered glass around his feet. "Luckily my glasses stopped it from hitting my eye." he said as he pulled them off and inspected the broken lens. He chuckled as he looked back up at Cal and Zoe watching him worriedly. "That was like something in a comedy movie!" he laughed as soon Cal and Zoe joined in.
Cal started to brush up the glass as Ethan fetched his spare glasses and Zoe pored the champagne. A few minutes later Zoe gave the brothers a glass each and held hers up. "To Ethan, for getting his job back and for being so brave." she said with a proud smile as she looked at Ethan.
They clinked their glasses and all took a sip with smiles of pure joy on their faces. Ethan sat his glass on the coffee table, picked his polaroid camera up and faced it at Cal and Zoe.
"Smile!" he said as he snapped the photo of them with champagne in they hands looking proudly at him. He pulled the photo from the camera and watched it start to develop but looked up suddenly as Cal grabbed the camera out of his hand.
"Let's get one of you and Zoe!" he said as pushed his brother closer to Zoe with a smirk. Zoe put her free hand around Ethan's shoulders and grinned at the camera. Ethan relaxed as he felt her soft skin on his neck and placed his hand around her waist and grinned too. Cal snapped the photo and passed it to Ethan so he could watch it develop; that was his favourite part.
Zoe looked at her watch after she placed her knife and fork down and said "I should probably head back now, i've got a shift in the morning."
"You can't drive back now, you've been drinking!" Ethan said worriedly.
"I know, i'll just catch the bus." she replied.
"I wouldn't get the bus at this time of night, too many weirdos on them." Cal said as he wiped his mouth with his napkin and dropped it on the table.
"I'll drive you home." Ethan offered as he folded his napkin before placing it on the table neatly.
"Nah, you can just stay over. It's very late and you should rest Ethan." Cal said with a sympathetic glance at his brother.
"Cal i'm fine, I can drive!" Ethan said as he glared at him.
"I'll just kip on the sofa." Zoe said as she laughed to herself at the boys behaviour.
"No, you can sleep in my bed tonight." Cal said with a smile.
"Um, I don't want to added to your long list of girls Cal" Zoe said and watched Ethan stifle a laugh, quickly turning it into a cough.
"No, NO," Cal said alarmed, "not in that way!"
"I'm only joking with you Cal!" Zoe laughed. "I'll just sleep on the sofa, i'll be fine."
"You can sleep in my bed Zoe and I'll sleep on the sofa, I insist. It's really not as comfortable as it looks." Ethan offered.
"Are you sure?" Zoe said as she bit her lip.
"Of corse, it's fine." Ethan smiled.
"Here," Ethan said as he offered Zoe a pair of his stripped pyjamas.
"Thanks" she said as he accepted them. Ethan handed her a packet of makeup wipes too.
"Cal keeps a packet of these in his bathroom for..you know..when he has someone round." he said with a slight chuckle. Zoe chuckled too and thanked him again.
"Goodnight Ethan." she said with a fond smile.
"Goodnight Zoe." Ethan said before he left.
He sat lay down on the sofa and pulled a cushion underneath his head and lay his blanket over himself, snuggling under it, before falling into a deep sleep.
Zoe watched Ethan as he lay down on the sofa and fall asleep almost immediately before she closed the door to the bedroom quietly. She slipped out of her dress and hung in over the back of Ethan's desk chair then slipped the nightshirt on Ethan had given her, deciding to not wear the trousers for they were far to long for her. She wiped off her makeup with the wipes she was given before getting into the bed, sniffing deeply as it smelt of Ethan. Smiling, she fell into a deep sleep too.
Ethan sat up abruptly, still half asleep and rubbed his mouth to get rid of the slight drool.
'Why am I on the sofa?' he thought as he took in his slightly blurry surroundings in the dark. His eyes began to droop and his head fell to his chest as he started to fall asleep again. He decided, in his sleepy state, he must have had a nap in the evening and slept for longer than a hour or so like he normally did. Still with his eyes half closed the stood up, forgetting his glasses on the coffee table and began to walk back to his bedroom. He bumped into the arm chair and stubbed his toe making him wake up a bit more and he stuck his arms out in front of him to avoid bumping into something else. As he walked forward a bit more he came to the wall felt for his bedroom door with his hands. After he found the handle to opened it and crawled in his bed, sighing happily before falling back to sleep.
