CHAPTER 25
Given the stress and critical nature of her delivery, Dara couldn't help but be thankful that Matt allowed her to return home within a few days after giving birth. Having passed all of their screening tests with flying colors as well as her own speedy recovery, Matt, assured that she was well informed as to what she could expect and what she should be watchful for, felt more than secure in his decision to release, both, Dara and her children. From the moment the twins crossed the threshold of their home, held securely in their parents' arms, they were wrapped in love and attention, not only, from their parents but from their brother and great grandmother as well.
Having argued that two people in the same household with the same name would prove confusing, Lucas insisted, with Dara's gratefulness, that they simply call their son Alex. With the same logic, as well as having decided that Cherice was just too for for such a little baby, Caleb had taken to calling his sister, Riesa. Since, both, Dara and Lucas liked the nickname they took to using it as well.
Dara found herself amazed at just how easily her husband took to the role of fatherhood. Not only did he held with the babies' feedings and diaper changes, but he assisted in every facet of their care. She couldn't help but find herself astounded by his ready acceptance and mastery of whatever task presented itself. She, on the other hand, couldn't help but have doubts and concerns over her own maternal abilities.
Although he felt she was a wonderful mother, Lucas understood that a large part of her self doubt came from the depression that Crower had warned him might take placed after she gave birth. Despite his best attempts to prevent it, a couple of weeks later Dara found herself overwhelmed by, not only, the depression but a more severe problem.
Following the pattern that they had set since their children had come home, Lucas and Dara woke at the same time to tend to their children's needs with Dara making her way into the nursery and Lucas following as soon as he was dressed for the day. This particular morning, he couldn't help but notice a look of pain on his wife's face as he entered the nursery while she was trying to feed their son. Lifting Riesa from her crib to keep her occupied as she waited her turn, he studied Dara as she was forced to change from side to side; for some reason she didn't seem able to nurse for more than a couple of minutes on each side before finding herself forced to change. He could see by the look of pain on her face that the act was causing her severe discomfort; finally, after several attempts, she simply gave in and allowed Alex to satisfy his hunger, since the constant shifting was doing nothing but aggravating the infant.
Seeing the look of relief that crossed her face as she finished and placed the child once more in his crib, Lucas worried when he noticed the look of doubt she wore as she glanced at their daughter before shrugging as she took her place in the rocking chair and held her arms open to receive the baby. Handing Riesa to his wife, he demanded;
"Are you sure that you want to do this? It looked like you were having a hard time with Alex."
Having made her mind up to let her daughter nurse until she was satisfied, rather than frustrating her as she had done their son, Dara explained;
"I guess that I'm just really sore. Besides, we don't have much choice, they don't seem to leave me enough milk to pump into bottles and we don't have any formula yet. I'm sure that it will ease up."
Taking her statement at face value, Lucas handed their daughter over as he occupied Alex, although he glanced at her covertly and couldn't help but notice the way she grimaced as Riesa fed. Although he didn't like seeing the obvious discomfort and pain that she was enduring, he also realized that, given his lack of knowledge in this area, she may well be suffering something momentary as her body resumed it's normal course and that there may well be a possibly that what was happening was simply temporary.
Dara, having assumed that once she had a little time to rest after their first feeding, felt that the soreness would disappear. However, when it came time for their next feeding, two hours later, her hope that would be the case was quickly dashed anything she was now more sore than before, as well as feeling truly ill. Once she had fed the twins as best she could, she called Matt and asked him to recommend a formula to supplement the twins' diet, explaining that she felt as though she were coming down with something and didn't want to pass it on to the babies through her milk. Accepting her explanation, Matt volunteered to send a couple of day's supply of which ever formula he though would be best by Caleb, who had brought his lunch to him. Thanking him, Dara hung up the phone to go in search of Mama Lucy.
Finding her in the kitchen, as usual, preparing for their evening meal, Dara explained;
"Mama, I'm going to go lie down for a little while. I don't feel very well, I think that I might be catching the flu or something."
Lucilla found herself sucking in her breath when she turned and took in the girl's appearance; she was flushed and looked terrible. Wiping her hands on her apron, she approached Dara and placed her hand on her forehead, her eyes widening she exclaimed;
"Child, you're running a fever. You better go get in bed and I'll finish supper; and don't you worry about them babies; I'll tend to them."
Nodding her agreement, Dara advised her;
"Matt's sending some formula by Caleb for the babies. I don't think that I should nurse them; I might give them something through my milk."
Agreeing with her logic, Lucilla shooed her upstairs with strict orders to rest.
Dara settled in her bed, beginning to feel truly terrible; her breasts were hurting worse with each hour that passed. She found herself forced to lie flat on her back, and even then they still ached; add to that the chills as well as the achy feeling that had invaded her body and to say she felt horribly was a true understatement. Despite everything she was finally able to fall asleep. When she woke and glanced at the bedside clock, she realized that it was almost time for Lucas to walk through the front door. Hearing his footsteps on the stairs she tried to turn on her side towards the door and found herself yelping in severe pain as her chest came into contact with the mattress.
Having heard her distress, Lucas took the remaining steps two at a time before pushing the door open and flipping the light switch. Startled by what he saw, he quickly crossed to her side of the bed; he could see that she was seriously ill given how terribly flushed her face was as well as the fact that she was visibly shaking with chills. Placing his hand on her forehead, Lucas sucked in his breath as his eyes widened in concern by the fact she was burning up with fever. Snatching the blanket from the foot of the bed he wrapped it around her shoulders to try and stop her chills but when he tried to pull it closed over her chest she shrieked and shrank away in pain. He immediately understood her reaction and, pushing the blanket from her shoulders, began unbuttoning her blouse to push it open, exposing her breasts, shocked by what he saw, he demanded;
"Honey, how long has it been THIS bad?"
Dara shook her head;
"I've felt bad all day, but I thought that I just might be coming down with a virus or some type of bug, but I don't think that's what this is anymore."
He couldn't help but agree with her statement, especially given the fact that both of her breasts were severely swollen as well as angry red. Lucas tried to gently examine her but as soon as he touched her she immediately shrieked from the pain, however, he was able to detect a hard lump. Inhaling sharply, his mind made up, he quickly dialed Crower's office number and began describing what was going on once he answered, he wasn't shocked when Matt demanded that he bring her immediately to the ER. Seeing the difficulty that she was having trying to refasten her blouse after he had told her of the conversation with Matt, Lucas decided to solve the problem as he opened their dresser drawer to quickly snatch one of his shirts out. Approaching her with it, Dara looked at him in disbelief as she questioned;
"Sweetheart, what am I supposed to do with that; you realized that I could fit another person in there with me, right?"
Taking her own blouse from her shoulders he held his shirt open for her to slip on. Shrugging, she slid her arms into it as he turned her around and began buttoning it as he explained;
"That's the idea, this way it's not tight across your chest; get the picture?"
Grateful for his foresight, Dara simply nodded as she rolled the sleeves up. Catching a glimpse of herself in the dresser mirror, as well as the amused look her husband was wearing, Dara turned and quipped;
"You are finding way to much amusement at my expense, you realize that don't you?"
Placing his hand over his mouth to stifle his amusement, Lucas placed a somber look on his face as he ventured;
"Darlin, I don't think your being in pain is amusing at all. But you have to admit."
Taking her hand to lift her arm slightly as he closely studied the picture she made wearing his shirt, which fell to her knees, he shook his head;
"You do remind me of a little girl like that as opposed to a woman old enough to be my wife and the mother of my children."
Turning serious as he noticed her grimace when her arm was lowered and touched her breast, Lucas led her downstairs and after explaining to his grandmother and son that Matt wanted to see her, he settled her in the car and couldn't help but notice how she leaned her head against the door, obviously feeling tired and weak.
Thirty minutes later as Dara sat on the examination table as Matt removed the thermometer and shook his head as he confirmed;
"Well, it's what I was afraid it was."
Asking the question that concerned him the most, Lucas demanded;
"What is it and can you cure it?"
Nodding, Matt assured them;
"Yeah, I can cure it, but it's going to put Dara flat on her back, literally, for about another two weeks."
Glancing between the two men, Dara asked in frustration;
"Well since I'm the one with it, would one of you care to let me in on what IT is?"
Matt placed his hand on her shoulder as he apologized;
"I'm sorry, hun, What IT is, is that both of your breasts are abscessed; severely. We're going to have to drain the infection from them, which means that, for one, you'll have to stop breast feeding and two, you'll have to be extremely careful how you move for a couple of weeks, depending on how many stitches you require."
Dara couldn't help but look at him in shock as she demanded;
"Both of them; how?"
Shrugging, Matt ventured;
"Well, you're nursing twins, remember? So it's not really that surprising."
The sadness apparent on her face, Dara speculated;
"When you said that I would have to give up breast feeding, you didn't mean temporarily, did you?"
Offering her a look of sympathy, Matt nodded;
"I'm sorry, but by the time that you'd be able to feed them again, they'll have adapted to formula, not to mention the antibiotics will more than likely dry up your milk anyway."
Patting her shoulder, he offered;
"I really am sorry, Dara."
Sighing in resignation, she shook her head;
"It's not your fault, Matt. So when do we do this?"
Glancing between the two, Matt suggested;
"Well, if you want, I can go ahead and do it tonight. And, if you do well enough, I'll let you go home just as long as you promise to take it easy."
Raising an eyebrow as her face took on a look of sarcasm, she quipped;
"Do I have a choice?"
Shaking his head as he offered a slight chuckle of amusement at her sarcastic mood, Matt confirmed;
"No, not really. Hold on a second and I'll go set everything up."
With that he left the room to make the necessary arrangements. Seeing the turn that her thoughts were taking by the look in her eyes as she hung her head, Lucas placed his finger under her chin to lift her eyes up to meet his as he assured her;
"This isn't your fault and if makes you no less of a mother just because you can't breast feed. Besides, look at the bright side; now, I get to help feed them too and one doesn't have to wait their turn."
Seeing the caustic look on her face, he wasn't shocked when she quipped;
"Oh yeah, that's a really big consolation, thanks a lot."
Just then, Matt returned and as Lucas helped her into the wheelchair, he explained;
"It shouldn't take too long, we'll give her a local to numb the area, so just wait outside and I'll let you know when we're done."
Lucas waited patiently for Matt to appear, finally, he entered the waiting room and explained;
"She did fine. We got all of the infection and she has a total of two stitches on either side of her breasts; they'll dissolve themselves, so unless she has complications, she should be fine. Her range of motion is going to be a little limited for a few days though. She can't raise her arms over her head, so you'll have to help her bathe and wash her hair, stuff like that."
Nodding, Lucas asked;
"When can I take her home?"
Matt motioned down that hallway as he noticed the nurse pushing Dara in their direction;
"Now is fine. I have to warn you though, she's going to be groggy from the local I gave her as well as the pain medication. Once you get her home just put her to bed and let her sleep it off."
Reaching into his lab coat pocket, he handed Lucas two bottles of pills before explaining;
"These are antibiotics, make sure that she takes them. They'll kill whatever, if any, infection that she may have left; but she should be good as new when she and the twins come in for their checkups."
Once they reached home, Lucas tried to help Dara out of the car and into the house, but it was obvious that the pain medication had her severely disoriented, especially when she stumbled trying to find her balance. Worried that she might fall and tear her stitches, he placed her arms by her sides and sternly ordered;
"Don't move your arms."
With that he swept her up into his arms and made his way into the house to be met by Lucilla and Caleb. Noticing her groggy state, Lucilla asked in concern;
"Is she alright, Lucas?"
Nodding, Lucas answered as he made his way up the staircase;
"She'll be fine, Mama. How about helping me put her to bed."
Following closely behind, Lucilla hurried to open their bedroom door and turn down the covers as she offered;
"Do you need help putting a gown on her?"
Nodding, he explained as he searched the dresser for a nightgown;
"Both of her breasts were abscessed. They had to drain the infection out and Crower said that, between the antibiotics and the time that it's going to take for her to heal, the twins will have gotten used to the formula and her milk will have dried up anyway. That being the case, we need to mix up that formula for the babies' bottles."
Shrugging, Lucilla speculated;
"Well, they seemed to take to it well enough earlier, so that shouldn't be a problem."
Once Dara had been gowned, Lucas settled her in the bed, making certain that she was warm enough as he placed a kiss on her cheek, he couldn't help but realize just how right Matt had been as she closed her eyes and he realized that she was fast asleep. Following his grandmother out of the room, he questioned;
"When were they last fed?"
Lucilla considered before responding;
"We just got them changed and settled before you walked in and we fed them a few minutes before that."
Crossing the hallway, Lucas approached their cribs and once he was certain they were warm enough and settled for the night he hurried to join his grandmother and son in the kitchen to begin preparing bottles. Once their task was finished and he was satisfied that his children would have a sufficient supply, he advised his grandmother;
"I'll go tomorrow and buy a case of formula so we know we have enough."
Caleb excused himself to go back to the boardinghouse, promising to return early since his stepmother was incapacitated as well as not having any school the next day. Thanking the boy as he left, Lucas was grateful for the fact that the boy was taking to being a big brother better than what he had ever hoped was possible.
The next morning, Lucas chose to let his wife sleep as he tended the needs of the babies himself. Once he had them settled he made his way back to their bedroom to check on her and found her awake and crying. He knew that part of the issue was the postpartum depression the Matt had warned him would be possible, but he also knew that a good deal of it centered around the fact that she would no longer be able to nurse their children.
Sitting on the bed next to her, he gently pulled her into his embrace, careful not to put any pressure on her chest. Rocking her gently, he stroked her hair until her tears stopped, once she had calmed, he drew back somewhat to offer her a tender smile as he promised;
"It's alright, sweetheart; you're entitled to be depressed given everything that you've been through. If you want to cry, or shout or scream, you go ahead; I'll be here for you."
Dara couldn't help but stare at him in loving amazement as she placed her hand on his cheek to asked;
"You put up with a lot from me, don't you?"
Taking the hand against his cheek, Lucas gently kissed her palm before shrugging his shoulders as he returned;
"So do you, but you're worth whatever it takes to keep you."
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Dara pulled his head down to kiss him before vowing;
"I do love you and I promise, I'll be back to normal just as soon as possible."
Holding her closer, Lucas simply nodded his acceptance of her statement.
Having been born and raised in a small, rural area, Dara had always had an appreciation for the quiet life of a small town, but never so much so as she had now that she was in such desperate need of her husband's help. Thankfully, Lucas was more than capable of taking over the care of their children with Lucilla as a backup. Luckily, he only had to make the occasional trip to the station to sign reports or for the occasional emergency, but for the most part, Ben and Floyd were able to handle everything else, especially since they felt that Lucas was needed more at home right now than at the station.
Per her husband's insistence, Dara spent a great deal of time in bed; resting. Despite Lucas' insistence that she rest, she insisted on helping with her children's care and although she hated not being able to breastfeed their children anymore, she couldn't help deny the satisfaction she felt at seeing the enjoyment that it brought to Lucas to help feed their children. After about a week, Matt had ventured by to check on her progress and assured her that she should be good as new after about another week.
Although Lucas had voiced his displeasure at, what he considered, the intrusion from Loris and Selena, especially Selena, when they had paid a visit to discuss the outreach program with Dara, he debated holding his tongue. However, when Dara insisted that she needed something to occupy her time or she would go crazy and seeing that working on her brainchild was helping her deal with the depression that she had felt, he found he couldn't refuse her, given the positive impact that it seemed to be having. The only stipulation that he had refused to budge on was the edict that if she found herself tired she was to rest. Although she was rather limited in her present condition, thanks to Selena and Loris' help, she was able to accomplish a great deal on her project.
Finally, after her six week check up and Matt's endorsement that she was once again good as new, as well as his assurances that the twins were thriving, Lucas relaxed his over protectiveness over his wife. Since Dara had now fully recovered as well as her certainty that her great grandchildren were well cared for by their parents and older brother, Lucilla announced that she was ready to return to her own home. As she was preparing to leave, Dara hugged the woman tightly as she shook her head;
"There isn't any way that I can ever thank you for everything that you've done, Mama Lucy."
Lucilla couldn't help but stare at the girl strangely as she corrected;
"Oh yes there is, you just take care of my grand babies as well as Lucas and yourself."
Offering the woman a smile as she squeezed her hand, Dara promised;
"You know that I'll always do that."
Hugging Caleb, Lucilla instructed;
"You behave and mind your step mama and be a good brother; you hear?"
Kissing the old woman's cheek, Caleb assured her;
"I sure will, Mama Lucy. You'll come back soon, won't you?"
Nodding, she promised;
"I'll be back before you know it."
Turning to look up at her grandson, she stated;
"Well, boy, you did me and yourself proud. You've got a good wife and a fine family; now just don't mess it up and I think that you'll do okay."
Shaking his head, Lucas vowed;
"Now a chance, Mama. Come back when you can."
Closing the door on the taxi that was waiting for her, he watched as she left, then, turning to his wife he gave her a kiss before stating he had things to do at the station as he left. Caleb, explained that he had been invited to stay at his friend, Boone's for a sleepover, waiting for Dara's permission before leaving, once she nodded and reminded him to behave, he hurried off. That had been another area of severe change; since the birth of the twins and her illness, Caleb had begun staying more and more with them as well as having begun to acknowledge her as, not just his step mother but, his mother.
Heading into the house and upstairs to check on her children, Dara found herself glad for the privacy. Seeing that her children were still sleeping, she decided that a long soak in a bubble bath after washing her hair was just what she needed. Once she had finished, she ventured back to the nursery to find her children now awake and waiting patiently for their bottles. Dara couldn't help but smile as she prepared their bottles before observing;
"Awake all ready, huh? Just like your father, as soon as you wake up you want food, well let's see if we can fix that; okay guys?"
Placing Alex in the swing to wait for his turn, she settled herself and Riesa in the rocking chair to start her feeding. Turning a pleading look to her children, she began stating her case;
"Look guys, Mommy really needs a favor from you guys tonight, okay? Mommy and Daddy haven't had any alone time in a long time, so I need you guys to behave yourselves tonight; okay? You've already had your baths and now I'm feeding you, I'll change you before I lay you down, so what do you say, do we have a deal?"
Watching Riesa's reaction to her words, she couldn't help but smile when she saw the infant raise her eyebrow in perfect imitation of her father. Laughing, she praised;
"That a girl, I knew that I could count on you."
Glancing at Alex, she asked;
"Well, how about you, sweetie; do you think that you can help Mommy out?"
Dara couldn't help but be amused as Alex stuck his fist in his mouth as if contemplating his mother's request before pulling it out and grinning as he kicked his legs. Shaking her head as she offered an amused chuckle, Dara surmised;
"I'll take that as a yes."
Once she had them fed and changed as well as warmly dressed for the night, she settled once more in her rocker to sing them to sleep. Entering the house, Lucas stood at the foot of the staircase and listened to his wife's soft, floating voice as she sang to their children. Listening for a moment, he shook his head; before he had married Dara, if he had heard someone singing such nonsense he would have scorned them, but all that he could think of now, listening to his wife singing their children to sleep, was how beautiful it sounded.
Once Dara was certain that both babies were sound asleep, she gently placed them in their cribs for the night. Having heard her husband downstairs, she hurried to finish dressing; brushing her now dry hair until it was shining, she then went to the dresser and hunted until she found the negligee that she had worn on her wedding night. Once she was dressed, she studied her reflection in the full-length mirror; she had lost all of the weight from her pregnancy as well as having acquired a roundness to her hips that comes only with childbirth, although she had increased slightly in bust size, she was still firm. Sighing, she stated her most fervent wish aloud;
"Hopefully, he'll still like what he sees."
Dara, after a private conversation with Matt, had decided that she needed more than simply being held tightly in her husband's arms at night and the passionate kisses she received. Pulling her shoulders back and holding her head high, she went downstairs in search of her husband.
Lucas was in the living room, stoking the fire, when he heard his wife's soft voice timidly calling his name. Turning, he couldn't believe his own eyes as he stood staring at her; she was wearing the same gown that she had worn on their wedding night and her hair had been brushed to a sheen and glowed from the light cast by the fire. The only thing that Lucas could think to compare her to was a goddess.
Dara, thinking that he was no longer attracted to her any longer by the lack of response from him, began unconsciously wringing her hands in indecision. Recognizing the action, Lucas crossed the space between them to take her hands in his as he lead her to the sofa before sitting on the sofa and pulling her down next to him. Seeing her thoughts reflected in her eyes, he pushed her hair back over her shoulder before placing his hand on her cheek. Closing her eyes to savor the contact, she placed her own hand over his before offering in a sad timid voice;
"If you don't feel attracted to me anymore I'll understand."
Lucas couldn't help but smile ruefully as he shook his head;
"Not attracted to you? Darlin, I can assure you it's quite the opposite. You are, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman that I've ever seen. You just take my breath away and leave me speechless, that's all."
Pulling her to him, he kissed her to prove his point; gentle at first, he became more demanding as he was met by her responses. Pulling back slightly, he looked into her eyes as he asked in a husky voice;
"Are you sure that you're up to this? I don't think that I can wait any longer."
Accepting her nod as her agreement, he pulled her up from the sofa before sweeping her up into his arms as he began kissing her once more as she began unbuttoning his vest and shirt to run her hands over his chest. When they reached their bedroom, Lucas cast a glance towards the nursery before asking;
"What about the babies?"
Offering a seductive smile as she caressed the back of his neck, she informed him;
"They're all settled for the night."
Shaking his head as he grinned leeringly, Lucas offered;
"Good, I intend to keep you busy for the night."
Giggling, Dara demanded;
"Really, is that a promise?"
Once they had found release in each other and were lying together in the aftermath, Lucas dropped a kiss on the top of her head as he stated;
"I told you before, it won't ever change between us, do you believe me now?"
Hugging him tighter, Dara nodded;
"Yes, I do. Just imagine when we're in our old age."
Pulling her closer, Lucas shook his head;
"I wont ever think of you as old, ever."
Turning to trace the line of his mouth with her fingertip, she laughed lightly;
"I'll remind you of that in say, twenty years."
With that they settled down to sleep until morning.
Dara returned to work, leaving the care of the twins in the more than capable hands of the nanny, Lois Carlton, that she and Lucas had chosen. She was a retired pediatrics nurse whose husband had died, leaving her with time on her hands; the woman reminded, both, Dara and Lucas a great deal of Gwenna.
Mrs. Carlton had so far proven to be excellent with the twins, doting on every new accomplishment. Add to the fact that Lucas had done a thorough background check as well as having known the woman's husband and having been instrumental in helping get the care that he needed during his illness, they had no doubts of the woman's trustworthiness.
Having decided to give up her private practice, Dara chose to work on a part time basis at the hospital, electing to concentrate her time between the outreach program and the hospital. Lucas and Dara found that their life had seemed to reach a level of contentment and security, however, both were about to be seriously disrupted.
The beginning came innocently enough; the hospital had begun to develop its psychiatric programs with more seriousness, hiring an imminent psychiatrist to head its department. Matt came by Dara's office one afternoon as she was preparing to leave; lounging by the door frame, he held up a piece of paper to ask;
"Did you see this?"
Glancing at the paper, Dara nodded;
"If that's the memo about the arrival of Dr. Landrum, then yes, I saw it. What about it?"
Shrugging, Matt explained;
"I was just curious as to your take on it, that's all."
Dara couldn't help but look amused as she laughed;
"You act as though I actually have some say over who they hire or fire around here."
Matt couldn't help but grin as he replied;
"No, but you do realize that, as far as any type of psychiatric support around here goes, it's either a padded cell in Juniper House or you."
Staring at him in astonishment, Dara shook her head;
"Oh great, some choice, Matt. Either being committed or me, that's a catchy thing to put on a business card. Actually, I think that hiring a psychiatrist, especially one with his reputation, is quite a feather in their caps. Besides that, this will help ease my guilt over only working part time."
Turning serious, Matt offered;
"You know, we do have a good day care here. Why not bring the babies to work with you?"
Her eyes widening in disbelief of his suggestion, Dara demanded;
"Are you kidding? It was hard enough to convince Lucas to let me come back part time, he would never allow me to put the twins in day care and you know that."
Nodding, Matt shrugged;
"Yeah, but I thought that I'd make the suggestion anyway."
Stopping on her way out the door, she placed her hand on his shoulder as she offered a smile;
"Oh relax, you know that you'll always be our favorite doctor."
Pulling the door closed behind her, she bid Matt goodbye as she made her way to the parking garage and her car. Hurrying to her parking space she was trying to re-balance her purse, briefcase and the files that she was trying to place inside the case. She glanced up just in time to collide with a man who was also preoccupied with his own balancing act. Too late to keep from bumping into the man, she watched helplessly as both their precarious loads inter mixed and scattered on the concrete floor. Looking at the mess at her feet, Dara swore;
"Damned, I'm already late. Terrific!"
Turning to the stranger she admonished;
"You could have watched where you were going,"
Sighing guiltily, she admitted;
"But then again, I could have too. I can't very well blame you for doing the same thing I was doing."
Bending down, she began to sort through the jumble to reclaim her own documents. Following her lead, the man knelt down and began to gather his own things together, looking across to Dara he stated;
"I am sorry, I guess that I was preoccupied as well."
Dara glanced up at him as she finished stacking her paper;
"It's alright, no harm done; we have everything back so it's no big deal."
When they stood, Dara couldn't help but notice how he towered over her, even wearing the heels she had on, she came up to just below his chest. Looking up, she noticed that he was good looking in a sophisticated way; he had dark, straight hair and bright blue eyes. Although he was attractive, she found no interest in him, preferring her husband's rugged strength to this man's quiet demeanor.
Glancing at Dara, he asked cautiously;
"I suppose that you've had a hard day with patients and such?"
Nodding her agreement, she replied;
"I suppose so; I'm a counselor here and it's been a very hectic day. I am sorry about the mess but I'm also late, so please have a nice day."
Walking around him, she headed for her car. Watching her walk away, he muttered to himself;
"Counselor huh? Well are you ever in for a surprise, Dara Chambers Buck."