A/N: Hey all, just wanted to say a quick thank you for all of the support and love I've received on this story so far! I want you all to know that I constantly read and reread each and every review (even the ones that read like a fever dream; I'm still trying to figure out what they mean, lol). But the main reason I hav this little note is to address two main points.
1. This story will be told a little differently now in that I will be mainly sticking to Briar's POV from now on. This is HER story, and so I want to stick to her head. You might get little snippets from others every now and then if it fits.
2. I try to have these chapters written at least a week in advance with an update once a week. However, I have gone back to work so my writing has fallen just slightly behind. I'll try to get the next chapter out on time, but if not, I made this one a little extra long to try and hold you all over.
Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you continue to enjoy!
Monday Morning
I awoke to the blaring sound of my alarm, groaning as I turned over and slammed my hand atop the clock to shut it off. Throwing the comforter over my head to block the incoming sun rays, I snuggled into bed to drift back to sleep. I had almost returned to dreamland when there were three quiche raps up on my door.
"Come on, Sleeping Beauty! It's time to wake up!"
I slammed the covers down as my eyes shot open, and I let out another groan.
"Ugh, I was so enjoying that week off."
It was shortly after I managed to drag myself out of bed to get ready that I found myself in Dad's cruiser, hitching a ride to work. I leaned my seat back and closed my eyes in an attempt to get a couple more winks in before we arrived. Hearing a chuckle float over from his side of the car, I cracked an eye to look at him.
"What's so funny?"
He shook his head before responding. "We've had this routine for over a year. One would think you'd learn to get enough sleep by now."
"Dad, if there's one thing you should know about me," I shut my eye and shifted into a more comfortable position, "it's that I never get enough sleep."
In what seemed like no time at all, I found myself being shaken awake as my dad pulled into the parking lot and up to the front door.
"Alright, kiddo, sleepy time's over. Get your butt into work."
I sat up with a groan, wiping away the drool that had managed to escape my mouth and down my chin. "Wonderful."
Grabbing the napkin he offered me I wiped my hand and gave an extra swipe over my chin, pulling down the visor to double check I was presentable.
"Thanks. Same time, same place or am I hitching a ride today?"
"I should be available, but I'II let you know if anything changes."
I tossed my bag over my shoulder and, tucking the napkin into the handle pocket, opened the door to step out.
"Have a good day at work, Dad," I said as I closed the door behind me.
"You, too, kid," I heard before something softly thumped the back of my head.
I turned back around to see my dad smirking at me through the now open window. Looking down I noticed the crumpled napkin I had tried to leave behind. I looked up at him disapprovingly.
"That's littering. you know."
"I'll write myself a ticket."
I huffed out a laugh and bent down to pick up the trash, muttering. I stood up and sent him a wave before turning around and entering through the automatic sliding doors, tossing out the napkin in the bin next to the entrance. Walking in, I noticed a familiar redhead sitting at the front desk.
"Hey Cynthia! I didn't know you were working today."
"Hey girl," she said, looking up at me with a bright smile. "I originally wasn't supposed to work, but Lacey unexpectedly got sick yesterday so I had to switch with Dolores for today."
"Oh no! How's the little one doing now?"
"she's feeling much better today, thank goodness. But I had Frank take off in case the school calls with anything."
"Either way, I'm glad you're here," I said as I walked up to the receptionist desk she sat behind. Leaning over, I nabbed a few mints from the bowl she kept by her phone and unwrapped one, popping it into my mouth. "After the week I've had, I 'm glad it's your lovely face I'm walking in to meet."
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Oh please, you just had the entire week off!"
"Exactly! I'd rather come back after a week of relaxation to a friendly face that doesn't mind chatting rather than a cranky one who always treats me like I'd just run over her cat. I don't even drive!"
"Be nice, Briar. Dolores doesn't mean to be cranky, she's just... old."
I raised an eyebrow at her. She waved me off, changing the subject.
"Anyway, did you hear? You've got a new boss!"
"Way to bring my good mood down," I groaned. "Who'd they end up shucking me off to? Furlough? Ramirez? Oh god, it's not Lasser, is it? I've heard his notes are a nightmare to deal with, and I know he's been after me ever since he saw the last few reports I did for Dr. Shore."
"No, no, no," she laughed. "You actually lucked out with Lasser. He finally broke down and hired someone else a couple of weeks ago. No, you've been saddled with the new guy!"
"New guy? They've already hired a replacement?"
"Yup! He was here Thursday to fill out his paperwork. I brought him some of Shore's patient files to look over and on my way out I overheard him saying that 'he just HAD to have the medical transcriptionist who put these together.' Next thing I knew I was being called to place your personnel file under his for employment."
"Well, that's... flattering." I rolled the mint around in my mouth, feeling the tips of my ears get fiery hot. "You got a name for this new guy?"
"Colton? Carlton? Something like that. It was hard to focus on anything other than how absolutely gorgeous he was!"
"Wait, really?!"
"Girl, if I weren't happily married myself I would be downright seething with jealousy right now."
"Come on, no one can be THAT hot. You adore Frank." I grinned cheekily at her.
She lightly slapped my arm, laughing. "I'm serious! He had beautiful blond hair, these piercing, golden eyes, and I'm pretty sure I detected a hint of a British accent. Talk about definition of a dreamboat!"
"Sorry, did you say golden eyes?"
"Yeah, I thought that was a bit weird, too. Might be contacts or whatever, but—"
"Swan! Porter! Glad to have caught you two." The sound of the hospital director's voice coming down the hall cut her off and Cynthia and I turned toward the source.
He was an older man in his mid-40s, all salt and pepper hair, frown lines, and tweed suits, and he was walking towards us, someone trailing along behind him.
"Morning Chadrick! How's it hanging on this fine Monday?"
"How many times have I asked you to stop calling me ridiculous names, Swan?"
I tapped my chin in mock contemplation. "Hmm, probably about as many times as I've done it?"
"Well, stop."
"You got it, Chadothy."
He frowned at me before shaking his head. "As much as I'd love to continue going through this song and dance with you, I've got more pressing matters to attend. I just wanted to introduce you to our newest staff member, Dr. Carlisle Cullen."
He gestured to his right, where the person previously trailing him now stood in full view. I inhaled sharply, coughing as the mint shot straight to the back of my mouth and down my throat. I thumped my chest twice, and, feeling Cynthia rub her hand up and down my back, waved her off to step to the side and take a moment to compose myself.
I could barely make out what I assumed to be Cynthia introducing herself over the pounding in my eardrums. There was no way this was the same guy I met that day. It's just got to be some kind of crazy coincidence, that's all! My eyes drifted back to him, watching as he interacted with the others. It's merely someone who almost looks like him, and my sleep-addled brain is filling in the gaps.
Yeah, that's it. I relaxed, a small smile appearing on my face. His gaze was suddenly turned on me, and I went rigid, quickly turning away. There was no mistaking those eyes, though...
A tap on my shoulder had me flinching away, startled. Looking up, I was met with concerned honey eyes.
"Miss Swan, are you alright?"
I searched his face for any signs of recognition but ultimately found none. Laughing at my overreaction I replied, "Sorry about that! Just swallowed the wrong way. I'm alright now, thanks."
I smiled softly, then gasped. "Oh goodness, where are my manners? Welcome to Forks General, Dr. Cullen. I'm Briar Swan, your new transcriptionist!"
I held my hand out in front of me in greeting. He slid his palm smoothly into mine, and I was instantly rocketed back to that night in the car with a hand just as cold and a smile just as warm. He leaned down ever so slightly and with the flash of a wink whispered, "I know."
He swiftly let go of my hand and walked back to the others, leaving me to stare after him with a dumbfounded look on my face. I watched as he met up with Chad, said something to him, and then they were both on their way. I walked back up to where Cynthia stood, my face no doubt stuck in bewilderment.
"What the hell—"
"Swan, you're coming with us."
My words died on my lips, and I looked over to see they had both turned to look at me, waiting. I shut my mouth and nodded, walking up to where they stood. They continued walking down the hall, and I took a moment to shoot Cynthia an apologetic look, holding my hands up in a 'text-me' motion.
I had been trailing behind the two, listening as the hospital director continued to give Dr. Cullen a tour of the facilities. Carlisle, my mind supplied. I glimpsed at the man on the left, watching as he replied to what was being said and occasionally looking down at his clipboard in reference. I was still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that this was the same man I had met the other day when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Absentmindedly thinking on how quick Cynthia was on the uptake I discreetly checked my screen. Instead, it was the nurse group chat.
Daily coffee run! Dalton and I are going this time. Want anything? —9:37 a.m.
This number wasn't saved in my phone which meant it must have been a nurse I hardly spoke to and wouldn't know my usual order. I typed it in quickly—a chai latte, large—before turning my attention to Chad.
"Hey Bossman, you jumping on the run today?"
He bristled, and I belatedly realized I had unintentionally interrupted him in the middle of a sentence. He harrumphed, barely sparing me a glance over his shoulder.
"Just the usual, thanks."
"Bitter and boring, solid," I said, giving an unnoticed thumbs-up.
It wasn't that I meant to be rude, not at all. I just happened to be vaguely aware of our walking companion's non-human status. Regardless of whether or not I believed he was actually a vampire, I knew he wouldn't be downing cold brews with the rest of us, so it didn't even cross my mind to ask. However, it didn't make me feel any less defensive as Chad scoffed and pointedly asked,
"Anything for you, Dr. Cullen?"
All I wanted in that moment was for a giant hole in the ground to open and swallow me whole. Rebuttal at the ready, I gently inserted myself in between them.
"Oh, he doesn't—"
"No, I don't—"
My head swiveled to him, eyebrows shooting to the top of my forehead. Biting my lip, I no longer wished for the miraculous hole in the ground. No, I was now welcoming the thought of instantaneous obliteration. While instinctively trying to defend my actions I had unwittingly overstepped an obvious boundary, and I had no idea what repercussions now awaited me.
Carlisle, on the other hand, seemed utterly unfazed by my slipup. His face was neutral, the picture of nonchalance. His eyes, though, they sparkled with an unspoken challenge.
"I'm sorry, Miss Swan. Were you saying something?"
I took the olive branch for what it was and furiously shook my head, rotating my wrist to indicate for him to go on. There was the barest upturn of his lips as he replied.
"I was going to say I don't normally drink coffee, but perhaps I might induldge myself just this once."
"S-sure. Anything in particular?"
"I'll take the same as you." Whatever snarky thought I had about us not having the same tastes died on its way to any lips as he gently pulled me to his side and out of the way of a hurried nurse who wasn't looking where he was walking. His grip tightened just a fraction before letting me go, a warning. "I trust your judgment."
Gulping, I nodded twice and muttered, "Yup, okay. Message received."
He smiled at me, and I quickly averted my gaze to send the two new orders—one large, black coffee and another chai—out to the group chat.
A gentle touch on my elbow had me looking to my right at the hospital director. His posture hadn't changed much as we walked down the hall, back ramrod straight and hands clasped together behind his back, but he was now looking at me out of the corner of his eye, his left eyebrow raised in question. I smiled gently at him in response, and he must have been satisfied because his face relaxed before he resumed that familiar furrow between his brows and frown upon his face.
We continued walking down the hall in silence. Turning a corner we found ourselves in front of the elevators. Chad pressed the 'up' button and stepped back to address Carlisle.
"Now, Dr. Cullen, I'm not sure if you've realized, but our hospital isn't very large. Unfortunately, this means that we are unable to accommodate you with your own office."
The elevator in front of us dinged as its doors opened. We all shuffled inside, and he pressed the button for the third floor, resuming his speech.
"However, as I've understood it, you've decided to take Miss Swan under your employ, correct?"
"That's correct, sir."
"Then it should be no problem to share the office with her as Dr. Shore did previously."
The elevator doors shut with a resounding snap, trapping us with the implications of that statement lingering in the air.
"No problem at all, sir."
I paled, all traces of blood draining from my face. My mouth suddenly dried, and my heart slammed against my ribcage with every beat. No, no, NO! This can't be happening! My vision started to swim, and I swayed with the motion of the elevator lifting. A clipboard was subtly placed in my line of-sight, bold, elegant letters catching my attention.
Calm down and breathe!
I glanced at Carlisle, who was staring hard at me, a crease present between his brows. I stumbled as the lift came to a halt but didn't fall as I was pulled into a firm chest. I gasped in shock and was quickly released. I looked to see if the hospital director had caught on to any of this, but he seemed to be oblivious as he exited through the now open doors. Wasting no time, I trailed behind him as he led the way to our destination.
He suddenly stopped at a door, my heart sinking as I realized he had led us straight to my office. Our office, that little voice supplied again, and I briefly wondered if it were possible to beat your own subconscious.
"This is where I leave you. Miss Swan, Doctor." He nodded to the both of us, turned on his heel and swiftly continued down the hall.
With shaky hands I reached into my pocket and grabbed my keys. Miraculously, I managed to insert it on the first try and stepped in, flipping the light switch on. I had made it to the middle of the room when I heard the door shut behind me softly, halting my steps. My mind rocketed into overdrive and my heart beat picked right back up.
Time to face the music.
In an alternate universe (aka the author found this funny but couldn't find a good way to fit it into the scene)
I inhaled sharply, coughing as the mint shot straight to the back of my mouth and down my throat, lodging itself there. My eyes went wide and I brought my hands up in the universal choking motion.
Carlisle was quick on his feet, performing the Heimlich until the mint came flying out of my mouth. I gulped in a few breaths as he set me back down.
"Wow, what a hell of a lifesaver."
He rubbed my back softly, smiling at me. "Just doing my job."
"I was talking about the mint."