by Tina
Haha, yes, I understand how hard it is to read about R&R dating other people..! But there's nothing to worry about, you guys should know by now I'm the biggest sucker for R&R out there. I should warn you though that it might take a while for them to be back together for good. I don't know, I just believe that after 3 tense years, they should have some time apart to realise some things before they can commit forever.
Am I giving away the gold here? Ah, nevermind :) Just on with the story...!
Ross watched as Melissa analised the sand running through her fingers intently. There were three other small children on the sandbox at the small park, but she didn't seem to even notice their presence. Ross would oftenly watch her baby girl for hours, understanding that she already had a personality of her own. She was patient and curious. She grabbed another hand full of sand and once again opened it, this time slower. The sand flow was lighter, thin lines running to the ground.
The look on Melissa's face almost made Ross want to walk towards her and do the same. Her quiet and compenetrated satisfaction only showed through her eyes. Those which looked so much like his. Black, round and sparkling.
Suddenly, yet as in slow motion, Ross watched as an older kid crashed his bike into the sandbox. He quickly stood up and ran to Melissa's rescue, but it was too late. The older kid fell onto the opposite side, but his bike fell over Mel. Her wails took over the atmosphere, soon followed by the other children's, though those were nothing but scared.
Ross reached Melissa, trying to remain calm. He pushed the bike aside and analised her, looking for serious injuries. Despite her cries, she looked calmer at the sight of her father. A crow of curious parents approached. Whispers, cries and yells could not be understood in such suddenly closed space.
A little drop of blood ran down Melissa's forehead and Ross quickly brushed it away. He looked for the source and saw a small slit above it.
"Is she okay? Oh, my God, I'm so sorry!"
Ross turned his head and saw a woman holding the boy who'd crashed into the sandbox. The boy sure enough was wearing a helmet and other security gadgets, therefore intact.
"I'm not sure. I can only see this scrap on her forehead, but it could be more. She could just be scared, but I should have it checked anyway"
"Oh, I'm so-so-so sorry. Rick here is just learning how to ride his bike, I'm sure he didn't mean it for any of this to happen"
"I understand"
"I have my car here, why don't I take your baby and him to the ER? It would really make me feel better about this. Again, I'm so sorry"
Ross' mind was still racing.
"Sure, of course"
Mel was quietly laid on Ross' arm, her thumb in her mouth. Her big brown eyes ran around the strange room madly. It made Ross' heart melt. She looked scared. A doctor had just examined her, said it was nothing but a big scare. She would, however, need to suture her forehead. So they were now waiting for a new doctor to do it so they could be discharged.
The little boy who'd caused the accident, Rick, and his mother were in the bed across from them. Rick too had been examined and discharged.
When Ross finally looked away from Mel, his eyes met the woman's, which had visibly been fixated on him for quite a while now. She smiled and he politely smiled back. Ross looked down at Mel again, confused as to what that smile meant. He quickly looked back at her and found that she was still looking at him.
Finally really paying atention to her, he let his eyes wander free. First thing he noticed was the lack of a ring on her left hand, which was carefully placed on her knees, as if she actually wanted him to look at it. He let his eye continue to what was closer to the knees... her long slender legs. Her stomach looked quite flat, her clevelange showed he'd have no complains on her chest area and her hair was blonde. Her face was long, she had remarkable beautiful eyes and full lips curled up in a smile.
Clearily an eye catcher.
"How is she?" she spoke.
"She's okay, it was just a scare. She's just gonna get her forehead sutured and we're out of here"
She stood up and walked towards Ross.
"I still feel awful...! How can I make it up to you?"
The tone in which she said that scared Ross. He looked over at Rick, who looked no older than five. He looked completely oblivious to what was happening. Yet, Ross didn't feel like this was right. For so many reasons...
But the sight of Rachel being kissed by another guy crept into his mind. Like a flash of a nightmare. Only it was real.
"Ah, I don't know" he smiled back. "What do you suggest?"
"Well... we could go for a cup of coffee after we get out of here?"
And Ross could envision the whole day before him. It did not chear him up. He didn't want to do this simply to get back at Rachel. Sure, this woman was atractive and clearily interested on him. But it didnt seem right. He wasn't over Rachel, at all. He knew he wouldn't have a good time. He should wait a little longer.
His smile faded.
"You know what, I don't think today's a good day. With everything that's happened to Mel, I'm sure she just wants to go home and rest and I wanna be with her. I hope you understand"
"Oh, sure, that's fine. I'll just... leave my number for you then? Call me"
"Sure"
She wrote two numbers in a piece of paper and handed it over to Ross. The name Tiffany was on the head.
"And don't worry about us, you can go... We'll just hail a cab, we're close to home"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"Okay then" Tiffany's voice sounded disapointed by the second. "Rick, alright, let's go" The litte boy hopped off the bed and took her hand. "I'll talk to you later then"
Ross just made a gesture for her and she left.
"Daddy's just not ready yet, right Mel?" he looked down at his child as he closed his grip, with the piece of paper in it. Mel simply blinked, too busy still looking fragile and aprehensive.
Shortly after he'd said his last words, the door opened again and a doctor entered.
"Right, Melissa Lane Jordan?"
"Yes, that's correct." Then he silently panicked "I mean, her, not-not me!"
The doctor chuckled.
"Alright" she started getting everything set up and looked over at Melissa, smiling. "So, what happened?"
"She was playing on a sandbox and this boy crashed his bike into it" he disserts. "Nothing too bad though, she's just still scared"
"Oh, I know" the doctor said in a baby voice. Ross smiled, she looked so experienced. "Just, can you lay her down for me?"
"Sure"
Ross and the doctor worked out a way Melissa would be lied down and still, quietly comforted in her father's arms, and she began to work on the suture.
"Is she always this good?"
Ross smiled.
"Yes, yes... she's a pretty good baby, thank God"
"Well, you and your wife are very lucky then. You wouldn't imagine the sort of kids I see around here"
Ross almost inaudibly deep sighed.
"I'm not married actually. But yes, I'm very lucky"
Melissa quickly moved her head.
"Oops!"
"I got her, I got her!" Ross said.
"This shouldn't hurt her, I gave her a local anestesia, but it does feel a little uncomfortable"
"Oh, I know... I've had to get many stiches as a child too"
"Really? Fussy child, were we?"
He chuckled.
"Sort of. My sister and I had little extravaganzas sometimes, you can say that"
She chuckled and Ross couldn't believe how easy and comfortable that was. He raised hiw eyes and watched her expression while she worked on his child. She was so careful. So... compenetrated. Much like Melissa had looked not long ago, at the park.
Her bone cheeks were high, her skin was light chocolate brown and her eyes green. Her hair was brown and curly, well defined. Beautiful. She was beautiful. Ross smiled and looked back at Melissa, wincing.
"It's okay, Mel" he said as he kissed her little hand. Ross could feel the doctor's eyes on him. It made him a bit lighter.
As she proceeded her work, their talk continued, just as natural and comfortable as before. Soon, Melissa had a bandade covering her wound and a lollipop in her mouth. She held on to her father tight, though she looked looser.
"Alright, Melissa, you're good as new! That wasn't so bad now, was it?" the Doctor said.
Ross smiled at Melissa and then at the Doctor.
"Thank you"
"Just doing my job"
"Well, if everybody was as commited as you..."
She just smiled in response and began to clean up after herself. Ross followed the drift and began gathering everything he'd brought.
"Here's her discharge chart" she signed it. "You're free to go"
"Thank you"
"Bye Melissa!" her voice was full of tenderness.
Ross looked down at the prospect of missing the oportunity. But he just swallowed it up and gathered his things.
However, on the middle of his way towards the door, he turned around.
"I know this may seem a little innapropriated and I swear I don't do this very often, but... Hm, would you like to go out with me some time?"
His heart was pounding hard inside his chest.
She smiled.
"Okay"
Uhh :) This is it for today! Got plans for later on tonight, so I can't post anything else untill tomorrow! But drop me a new review (puh-lease :)) and soon enough we'll have a new installment. Possibly one with both R&R in it! :)