March 5th, 2004

Carlos had to admit it. He enjoyed having a woman. It wasn't like him and Levine was serious, but it was more serious than any relationship he had been in in a very long time. It helped forget about Doc too.

Carlos ran his thumb over the small scar on Holly's stomach. She giggled softly. Holly saw the wheels turn in in his head.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked as she ran her hand through his hair.

"I was wondering how you got this." He said. She smiled weakly.

"Five years ago I had a miscarriage in my eighteenth week." She said Carlos face fell, "There were problems and I had to be rushed to surgery. She um...They let me see her..." Carlos watched the sadness fill her eyes.

"I didn't know." He said.

"Why would you?" She smiled weakly, "Only my ex and family knew."

"It was a girl?" He asked. She nodded.

"Yes. Kindred Hope." She said. Carlos kissed her collarbone. "I'm lucky though. Not everyone has a guardian angel looking out for them...I just thought I was going to be a good mom."

"You will be someday." Carlos said. Who know a scar would reveal so much about her. "Want me to make some French toast?" A beautiful smile came across her face.

"That sounds wonderful." She said. Carlos kissed her neck and slid out of bed.

* * *

Carlos watched Holly's tongue lick up the syrup off of her lips. He sighed softly.

"If I had known we'd be like this, I wouldn't have been such a jerk to you when you first started here." Carlos said. Holly laughed softly.

"You weren't a jerk. You just were close-minded." She said getting up to wash her plate.

"Close-minded." He chuckled, "yeah, I suppose I can be at times" She leaned against the sink staring at him.

"I want you to meet my sister." She said. Carlos stared at her. "Heather would really like you."

"Holly and Heather..." Carlos couldn't help but to laugh. She rolled her eyes. "Any brothers who will beat me up?"

"It's just heather and I, but my brother in-law is pretty protective over me." Holly said.

"Great." He chuckled weakly.

"I'm having tea with Heather today and I'd like you to come." She said. Carlos nodded.

"I would love to." He said.

* * *

Why was he doing this? They weren't serious. Calm down, Carlos thought, it's just tea and a bite to eat. You're not meeting her father.

"There she is." Holly pointed across the restraunt to a beautiful woman. She could have been Holly's twin. Her hair was down to her waist. She was wearing some blank pants and even though it was cold out a green tank top.

"It's about time." Heather laughed.

"Sorry." Holly smiled, "Heather, this is Carlos."

"Hey." Heather shook his hand.

"Hey." He said.

"I ordered." Heather states.

"Great. Get me iced tea and a garden salad," She said, "I'm going to go wash my hands."

"Okay." Carlos said watching her walk to the bathroom. Great, she left me alone with the sister, Carlos thought.

"So, you work with Holly?" Heather asked. Carlos nodded.

"Yeah, I'm a paramedic." He said. Heather glanced back towards the bathroom and back at him.

"What are you doing with my sister?" She asked.

"Excuse me?" He frowned slightly.

"Holly has been hurt before. She's been too scared to even get into a relationship for the past four years." Heather said, "You must have something special for Holly to let you in. I don't want her to get hurt again." Carlos stared Heather. He couldn't believe her.

"I don't know what is going to happen between Holly and I but...I won't hurt her. I never want to do that." Heather smiled weakly as her sister came back. Now, Carlos was uncomfortable. He knew her ex-husband wasn't the best man in the world, but now his curiosity had been sparked.

March 19th, 2004

Holly sat in the passenger side of the bus quietly making a help bracelet. Carlos stared at her as he stopped at a red light.

"What the hell is that?" He asked. Holly chuckled.

"I'm making you a bracelet." She said.

"Bracelets are for girls." Carlos said.

"It'll look manly when I'm done with it." She said. Carlos grumbled loudly. She sighed. This morning, Carlos was woken up by a phone call from Doc. His doctors let him call Carlos. It had taken him off guard. "Doc is in good hands."

"Meadow Brook isn't where he should be.' Carlos said.

"Meadow Brook is a beautiful place." Holly said, "They have the best psychiatrists. The grounds are gorgeous. Doc needs it."

"How would you know?" He asked.

"My friend was in Meadow Brook the summer of 2000 and I visited her a lot." Holly said, "Doc is getting the best treatment."

"Regardless, he just shouldn't be there." He said. Holly rolled her eyes.
"He needed help and now he's getting it." She said, "So let's drop it."

"Fine." He said, "I don't want a bracelet, Holly." She smiled.

"Oh Shut up." Holly said, "Just give me time and you'll love it." Carlos grumbled again.

* * *

"Nice bracelet." Jimmy said stirring the sauce in the pot. Carlos looked down at his wrist.
"Knock it off. Holly made it for me." He said. Jimmy held up his hands.

"No need to get defensive." He said, "I like it."

"You do?" Carlos asked. Jimmy nodded.

"Very surfer dude." He chuckled, "You think she'd make me one?"

"Yeah..." He looked down at his wrist. Maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to judge a simple bracelet. "You don't think it's gay or anything?" Jimmy laughed.

"You're unbelievable, Nieto." He said draining the pasta.

"Yeah, I know." Carlos walked upstairs to the bunks where Holly was changing, "Doherty wants you to make him a bracelet." She smiled looking at him.

"I told you everyone would love it." Holly said. Carlos nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I know. I didn't believe you though." he chuckled, "Do you want to grab something to eat later?" Holly batted her eyelashes.

"I would love to." She said. Carlos grinned grabbing her by her waist.

"You're crazy." He said.
"I've been called worse." Holly slid her arms around his neck. She kissed the tip of his nose. "Maybe after we have something to eat, we can go back to your place and....have a little yoga session."

"If Davis isn't there." Carlos said.

"Sounds perfect." Holly said, "And if he is we can always go back to my place."

"That sounds even more perfect." He said as he kissed her softly. It was okay that the day had started off so badly. It was going to end perfectly.

* * *

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