Go Baby Grow

Chapter 14 - I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Friday, April 30, 2016

Adam arrived at the hospital and surveyed the Main Lobby. Unable to spot Maggie, he sat down in a chair near the door and kept his eyes focused on the entrances and exits. Checking his watch, he confirmed he was ten minutes early. Early is on time. On time is late, he thought as he internally recited a Navy phrase.

Owen stopped at the Main Desk and advised the receptionist about some announcements and pages that needed to be made. He was wearing scrubs, an OR scrub robe, and his scrub cap. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Adam and smiled. After holding up a finger to indicate he'd be over momentarily, Owen concluded with the receptionist.

With a wide grin, Owen approached Adam with a celebratory tone, "Tonight's the night, huh?"

"We'll see," Adam chuckled.

"She's great. You two will have fun," Owen assured his friend. "Ryder told me today that he and Julie are friending to the prom. That's what he called it: friending."

"So I've heard," Adam nodded. "I can't wait to see my little girl in a formal." Adam's hands anxiously tapped on the arm of the chair and his leg bounced up and down.

Owen decided to say something about the non-verbals. "A little apprehensive?"

Inhaling, Adam admitted, "First date in seven years. Since Claire died."

"I remember that feeling as I faced dating after my divorce," Owen related.

"Divorce?" Adam wondered aloud.

"Years and years ago. My first wife and I were married briefly. She didn't want children…" Owen trailed off. With an embarrassed scoff, he added, "Obviously, I did."

"Hello," Maggie sang as she approached the two men. Her hair was pulled back into a coifed pony tail, and her ears held small pearl stud earrings. Coincidentally, she wore a burgundy dress with black shoes. "You'd think we called one another to make sure we matched," she joked lightly.

"You look beautiful," Adam offered as he stood.

"You two have a nice time," Owen stated as he smirked and made a quick exit. As he headed up the main stairs, he spotted Meredith, Amelia, and Karev spying.

"Yeah, that's the guy I told you about, Mer," Karev confirmed.

"He's handsome," Meredith commented. "Think she'll get lucky?"

"They both need to," Amelia quipped.

Adam formally offered Maggie his arm. She smiled softly and wrapped her hand around his bent lower arm. As the exited, she looked back and raised her shoulders with a silly grin. Mer and Amelia waved with giggles as Karev rolled his eyes and groaned.

At the car, Adam opened the passenger door for his date and Maggie was surprised but impressed. After walking around and situating himself in the drivers' seat, Adam shared, "I took the liberty of making reservations at Gusto's, but if that doesn't sound appetizing, I can cancel. I should have mentioned it to you sooner."

"Gusto's is fantastic," Maggie eagerly reassured him. "Great place."

"We're running a bit early," he commented with slight angst. "I can take a scenic route, I suppose… unless you have another idea."

"Oh… umm… I don't know Seattle especially well. Driving sounds great. How long have you lived here?" she questioned with a basic first date inquiry.

"About seven years. Moved here from DC," he offered.

"That's quite a shift. What brought you out here?" she inquired.

"Uhh… a change in posts. I'm at the Naval Base in Bremerton now – land based post. Before that, I was deployed on submarines," he described, trying mightily to avoid Navy-speak. "How about you? What brought you to Seattle?"

"That's a strange story," Maggie began with an internal wince. "I came looking for my birth mother. She'd been a resident at Grey Sloan years ago then returned later and spent most of her career here."

"Interesting. She was a doctor, then?" Adam clarified.

"A surgeon. One of the most accomplished female surgeons ever. She was a talented woman," Maggie described.

"She's gone now?" Adam reflected based on what he'd heard.

"Yes, actually a few years before I came looking for her. But I met my half-sister, Meredith, and my birth father. Next I knew, I was settled here and ended up staying," she disclosed.

"A welcome surprise, I'd guess – meeting other family," Adam pondered aloud. "I'm an only child. I can only imagine discovering I had a sibling I never knew about."

"That's basically what occurred. I had no idea about the identity of my birth father – ironically, I ended up asking him if he'd known my mother and ended up discovering he was part of the equation. Richard Webber. He's a surgeon at the hospital, too," Maggie detailed.

"Richard! I've known Richard since I moved here. He's been a great friend," Adam commented with happy surprise.

"Weird, huh?" Maggie commentated as much to Adam as to herself. "You know my bio-dad."

"It's a small world sometimes," Adam grinned. His tone felt a touch fatherly to Maggie but she decided she was only imagining it.

The two made small talk, chit chatting about college and other schooling. Maggie asked about Julie and found out Adam also had a son seven years older. She tried to do the math in her head as she decided what to order. Making an excuse for her lengthy study of the menu, she chuckled, "I'm indecisive tonight, I guess."

"Take your time. I'm in no hurry," Adam assured her as he gazed at her with interest before returning to his menu. After another minute or two, he awkwardly offered, "Wine? Cocktail?"

"I've been running non-stop today. I should re-hydrate first," she grinned. "Is that weird?"

"Not at all," Adam responded as he called the waiter over and ordered a Perrier and a club soda as well as a small milk with his dinner. He respectfully and somewhat formally advised the waiter that they'd need more time before ordering.

Milk? That's kind of cute, she considered privately. "You have lovely manners," Maggie observed. Adam smirked in response. She regretted stating it aloud as soon as she said it. Then she bashed herself for second guessing every word and action.

Let's see. He finished school at 22 then married. Did he say when the first kid was born? I know it wasn't until after school. Hmm… if he married at 24 and she became pregnant right away, he was maybe 25 when he became a dad. The oldest is seven years older than the 18-year-old daughter, so he's 25 which means if Adam was in his mid-twenties when he became a Dad, he's… 50?! He looks like he's in his early 40s. 50?! I'm on a date with a 50-year-old man.

"Can I help you decide?" Adam offered after another five minutes.

Maggie had completely forgotten to look at the menu as she added in her head. "Sure," she smiled with relief. That would be great. I like orally processing." Oh God, did that sound like an innuendo. Maybe I should clarify that's not what I meant. No… because if I clarify, he'll think I think his mind is in the gutter… still, if I don't say anything, he might think my mind is in the gutter.

Graciously, Adam suggested, "Are you a seafood lover? The Ginger Glazed Mahi Mahi sounds intriguing. Or there's the Lamb Salad with Fregola."

"What are you ordering?" Maggie asked.

"The Pappardelle with Sea Urchin and Cauliflower," he smirked.

"I'll stick with another option then," Maggie commented, trying to hide her disgust at his choice. "The Lamb sounds enticing."

"Shall I order for you or is that out of line?" Adam checked, completely unsure of current protocol.

"Please," Maggie smiled as she tapped her feet under the table and attempted to come up with conversation topics. Adam was attractive and well-mannered, but she was having trouble letting go of the fatherly small world comment… and his age… or estimated age… and that he knew Richard.

The waiter stopped by and Adam ordered impeccably from memory. Once the waiter stepped away, Adam continued to elicit conversation with apparent ease. "So, Maggie from Boston who is a wunderkind and made it through med school at a young age… what would you do for a living if you weren't a doctor?"

She gave him credit. Considering the order and now his summary of all things Maggie, she thought, He has a good memory for a guy in his 50s. His question was creative and intriguing. "It's hard to say. A researcher of some sort, I suppose. Is that too close to a doctor?"

"It's your imaginary career," Adam shrugged playfully. "You decide."

With a chuckle, Maggie turned the question around. Adam answered thoughtfully, "I come from a strong Navy tradition. The idea of not being in the Navy is challenging."

"You came up with the question, not me," Maggie teased.

Adam held a gaze before responding, "A coach."

"A coach?" she tested. "Any particular sport?"

"Lacrosse, soccer, swimming… maybe football," Adam listed as he thought aloud.

The entrees arrived and were delectable. Without thinking twice, Maggie requested a bite of Adam's entrée.

"It's spicy," he warned.

"I'm feeling brave," Maggie joked. Her fork hovered over his plate as she confirmed, "May I?"

"Absolutely," Adam motioned toward his plate with his hand. Her girlish charm intrigued him. Claire was the furthest person from his mind.

She took a bite and hummed with pleasure as she chewed, then blinked repeatedly and grabbed her water.

"Wait… that won't help," Adam advised. He handed her his milk.

Drinking it completely, Maggie commented, "That helped tremendously. How'd you know that?"

Claire had taught him that trick, but he didn't want to bring her up. Instead, he played forgetful, "I learned it somewhere along the line… I don't recall. But I never forget that it works."

"Do you want to try my lamb?" Maggie offered.

"No, thank you," Adam responded. The idea of eating off someone else's plate was beyond his comfort zone. Maggie was endearing when she did it, but he didn't want to do likewise.

Adam reached his hand across the table, hoping she'd catch his hint. She saw it and placed her hand in his. His grip was firm but not too tight and his hands were surprisingly soft. Tempted, she wished she could bring his hand up to her cheek.

"I'm enjoying our time together," Adam shared honestly.

"Me too," Maggie said softly.

With an embarrassed chuckle, Adam admitted, "I have nothing planned after dinner, but I'd hate for our evening to end so early. I don't drink, so a bar seems to be an odd option. Any ideas?"

Joking, Maggie put forth, "Don't the teenagers of Seattle have some sort of make out spot?" She forced a laugh, regretting her joke.

"I'm not sure," Adam grinned, once again finding her endearing.

"It was a joke. I'm obviously pretty bad at telling jokes," she confessed with embarrassment. Shrugging, Adam raised an eyebrow.

"I'd invite you to my home, but that probably sounds wholly inappropriate," Adam mused. He was thinking aloud far more than hinting at anything.

"I have roommates. Believe me, my place isn't a promising option," she laughed.

The waiter stopped by with a dessert cart, but both Maggie and Adam declined.

"Maybe we could stop for ice cream," she proposed quietly once the waiter was out of range.

With a playful grin, he responded, "I'd like that."

Maggie excused herself to the restroom so she could hide around the corner and call Amelia. To her surprise, Adam stood when she stood.

Amelia and Owen were on the sofa talking and snuggling when the phone rang. "Talk to me, Maggie," Amelia ordered jovially.

"Amelia…" she drew out her sister's name. "I kind of like him."

"That's a good thing," Amelia celebrated. "Now go get laid."

Maggie heard Owen gently admonish his wife as she replied, "We're going for ice cream."

"Cute," Amelia weighed in. "I guess."

"What else are we going to do?" Maggie threw out with angst.

"Go back to his place," Amelia urged.

"Doesn't he have a kid at home?" Maggie asked with concern.

"The kid's over at Nolan's babysitting. I could…" Amelia began.

Owen interrupted, "Stay out of the details, Mia."

She waved him off and finished her sentence, "I could call Lissa and have her call Adam. Liss could ask if Julie could spend the night since they'll be out late."

"I'm not sure if I want you to do that or not," Maggie honestly shared.

"Then it's done. I'm on it," Amelia declared before ending the call.

She returned to the table with a grin as Adam was settling the tab. He stood and led her toward the coat check by unconsciously placing his hand on the small of her back. Her spine tingled at the sensation of his touch.

As he handed the claim check to the person at the counter, he inquired, "You had a coat, didn't you?"

She quipped, "No. I didn't think the ratty raincoat I had at the hospital was first-date-worthy."

"Then you'll have to allow me to loan you mine," he gently asserted as he placed his Navy-issue pea coat over her shoulders.

From the restaurant, Adam drove to an ice cream shop near a dock. Together, they strolled along the water and licked their ice cream cones. Chatting and laughing, the chemistry seemed to be creating sparks.

Adam stopped walking at one point as he held her hand. He studied Maggie and asked, "May I kiss you?"

"Yes, I'd like that," Maggie smiled widely, warmed by his impeccable manners.

One kiss led to two which led to three and then to more. His strong arms were wrapped around her petite body and she relaxed into his grip. His phone, in his coat pocket, was vibrating.

"You're vibrating," Maggie commented.

Worried it was a way of calling out his arousal, he hesitated as he sputtered, "Oh… I'm… I'm sorry."

"Your phone," she smiled as she reached into his coat pocket. "Your phone is vibrating."

"Right, Yes," Adam replied seriously as he grasped his phone and read a text from Lissa requesting that Julie stay the night since she and Nolan were delayed and would arrive home later than anticipated. "I deeply apologize. I need to return this call."

"That's no problem," Maggie assured him.

Adam led her to a bench and placed his arm around Maggie as they sat down. He called Lissa's cell to learn further details. After greeting one another, Adam inquired, "I suppose that will work. Julie's there alone with your girls?"

Maggie could hear Lissa through Adam's phone, "Ryder and Olivia are over helping. Now that the babies have been down awhile, I'm guessing they'll head next door."

"In that case, I'm comfortable with the change. Even though it's Ryder, I'm not particularly comfortable with the two of them in the house alone," Adam emphasized.

"Me either, Adam. No worries," Lissa assured him. "I'll let Julie know the plan."

"Please," Adam requested. "Thank you, Lissa."

"Absolutely," Lissa responded. "Thanks for your flexibility, Adam."

"Everything all right?" Maggie asked Adam as he ended the call.

"Yes. My daughter is babysitting tonight. It ends up she's staying overnight," Adam commented flatly. He turned toward Maggie and rubbed his nose on hers. Within seconds, they were once again kissing.

"It's getting cold," he whispered.

"Yeah," Maggie sighed dreamily.

"My home isn't far from here," he shared. "Unless you'd rather I take you back to your car or to your home."

"I'd love to see where you live," she smiled, shocked with the words that came out of her mouth as the chiseled Naval Officer stole her giddy heart.

Insisting that she not come over without having her car at her disposal, Adam stopped at the hospital and Maggie followed him home. As they walked toward the front door, Adam wrapped an arm around his date and unlocked the door. He led her inside and casually motioned his arm, "This is home."

"It's lovely," Maggie admired as she scanned the rooms she could see, the décor, and the furnishings.

"Something to drink?" he offered.

"I'm good," she sighed as she leaned onto the back of the couch and stretched out her arms and kicked off her shoes.

Promising to be right back, Adam fetched a glass of water from the kitchen. He ran up the back stairs to check his bedroom, just in case they ended up upstairs. His Navy ways ensured that no clothes were strewn on the floor. The only item out of place was a towel he'd forgotten to hang on the rack in the adjoining bathroom. He took the towel to his hamper, slipped off his shoes, and hung his tie in the closet.

Within a few minutes, he came down the front stairs with the water in hand.

"Didn't you leave that way?" Maggie mentioned with slight confusion as she looked away from the framed family pictures on the mantel.

"I slipped up the back stairs and returned via the front ones," he chuckled. "Sorry for the trick."

"I like tricks. Not a problem," Maggie teased, not even sure what her quip meant or what she intended for it to mean.

Within minutes, their lips were once again locked together. Before Adam dared to touch Maggie's skin, she slid her hands under his shirt and felt each sculpted muscle on his back. With a flirty grin, she pulled away and unbuttoned his shirt. He watched her face as she focused on each button, opening him up further. Adam's shirt hit the ground, but he still didn't make any motions to remove her clothes.

Maggie kissed his broad, muscular chest and torso and Adam became more intensely aroused with each touch of her lips on his skin.

Pausing, Maggie loosened the belt to her dress then turned and asked him to unzip it.

"Are you sure about all this?" Adam queried.

Throwing herself back onto his chest as she slid out of her dress, she whispered, "I am if you are."

He scooped her up, leaving her dress and his shirt on the antique rug that was spread on the living room floor. With his slacks, her bra, and her panties remaining, the two made their way to Adam's bed, somehow managing to move and kiss simultaneously. Soon the few pieces of clothing that made their way to the upper floor were strewn on the carpet.

"Birth control… I hadn't intended for our night to end this way," Adam explained.

"I'm on the pill," she shared as she grabbed his head and pulled it tightly to hers. With reckless abandon, the two lost themselves in the embrace of the other and found their bodies tumbling and rolling into various positions. Instinctively, as if they'd been together for years, each anticipated the other's desires and next movements. Bliss would be the word they'd use later to describe their connection.

The night involved minimal sleep – only enough to recharge between love making. At 4:00 am, after making eggs and pancakes together and eating a very early breakfast interrupted by multiple kisses, they returned to bed and fell asleep intertwined.