CH 14
"Ugh!" Sabrina said throwing her dirty scrubs into the hamper.
"What on earth happened to you?" Elizabeth asked entering the locker room.
"Let's just say Mrs. Baxter in room 507 really doesn't like spinach. She decided it would look better on me than in her."
Elizabeth couldn't hold in her laughter. "I'm sorry. I should have warned you about that one. Picky eater with a cannon of an arm."
"Who are you telling?" Sabrina laughed as she took a seat on the bench.
"So how was the wedding last night?" Elizabeth asked opening her locker.
Um... it was nice. Yeah. Really nice" She answered
"Really? It doesn't sound like it."
"No, it was" Sabrina sighed. "It's just that Sonny and Patrick got into it yet again."
"What about this time?"
"I don't even know. I mean, at first it was about something to do with the investigation with Britt's mother. But I think something else happened after that."
"What makes you think that?" Elizabeth asked closing her locker and sitting next to Sabrina on the bench.
"Well I had to sing Mac and Felicia's wedding song, don't ask! But when I was up there, I noticed they were having a pretty intense conversation about something."
"Did you ask Patrick what it was about?"
"Yeah but he just said it was nothing. And that was pretty much all he said when we got home last night. He was so quiet and distant. And he was already gone when I woke up this morning." Sabrina looked at the picture of them hanging on her locker door and then down at her feet.
"Hey what's going on?" Elizabeth asked placing her hand on Sabrina's shoulder.
"Nothing, I just…. I feel like he's pulling away from me. And for a reason that I can't help and didn't even ask for."
"Sonny" They said in unison.
"I know this is tough for him, and I know he's trying, I'm just not sure what I can do differently to help him through this"
Elizabeth sighed "You know I love Patrick and I'm one of the biggest cheerleaders of your relationship, but Sabrina…. this isn't something for you to help HIM through. You had your entire life rewritten in one night. He should be helping YOU through this. Not picking petty fights with Sonny because he can't let go of the past."
"Your right, but Sonny isn't exactly an innocent bystander. They push each other's buttons. I've never seen anything like it."
"All I can tell you, Sabrina is don't let either one make you choose between them. You have the right to get to know your father AND be with the man you love. And the first one who tries to push you on that, cut them loose." Elizabeth shrugged. She was always so direct with her advice to Sabrina. It was always black and white with no shades of gray. Sabrina appreciated her friendship.
"Just like that, huh?" Sabrina chuckled.
"Yep. Just like that. And while I'm in the advice giving mood, and I give you one more?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Don't hate Juan for too long." That last part made Sabrina slam her locker shut. "I know you don't want to her this, Sabrina" Elizabeth continued "But he loves you so much. He honestly thought he was doing what he needed to do to protect you."
"And how do you know that?" Sabrina asked with annoyance in her voice.
"I ran into him a few times the week everything came out and you wouldn't take his calls. We used to be friends many moons ago. And I know personally how hard he'll fight for the people he cares about."
"Thanks. I'll take that into consideration" Sabrina said abruptly. She didn't want to be rude. She understood that Elizabeth's words came from a good place but the last thing she wanted to talk about was Juan. "So your shift is almost over. What are you and the boys getting into tonight?"
"I'm not sure yet. Hanging out with their uncle probably."
Sabrina gave Elizabeth an inquisitive look "Nikolas?" She asked
"No, actually…"
"OH… EM… GEE!" Felix came running into the locker room clutching his chest as if he was having a heart attack. Normally this would cause Sabrina and Elizabeth to think something was actually wrong with him, but this was Felix. Whatever it was, it wasn't physically.
"What is it now?" Sabrina asked as she walked over to the mirror to brush her hair
"I think I just met my soul mate." Felix exclaimed leaning up against the wall with stars in his eyes.
"Oh Great." Elizabeth said with little interest.
"Yeah. Great" Sabrina added.
Felix shot up straight from his position on the wall in disgust "Did you two hens here me? I said I've met the man of my dreams!"
"Yeah we heard you Felix" Sabrina said
"We also heard you when you said that last week." Elizabeth chuckled looking at Sabrina
"And the week before that!" They said together buckling over in laughter.
Felix rolled his eyes "Whatever. I'm serious this time. The new Doctor is Grade A fine."
"Oh Felix" Sabrina said turning away from the mirror "It's one thing to chase after straight bodyguards, but I think chasing after a straight doctor may be crossing the line a little."
"First of all honey, I don't chase. I bait and reel. And Secondly, who said he was straight?"
"Wait a minute. Are you talking about Lucas Jones?" Elizabeth asked
"Yeah! You know him?"
"Not very well. The last time he was in town was when his father passed away. That was over 7 years ago. I heard he was on staff but haven't seen him yet. I will say this, you're right. He is gay."
"I knew it! He gave me the look"
"What look?" Sabrina laughed
"Like I was what's for dinner. And who knows, I might be." Felix winked
"Oh my god" Sabrina busted out laughing with Elizabeth right behind her. "I can't deal with you right now. I have to get back to work"
"Oh by the way Daddy Mobster is at the nurses' station looking for you."
"Really Felix? Daddy Mobster?" Sabrina rolled her eyes and headed out of the locker room.
"What I say?!" Felix called after her
Sabrina found Sonny standing at the nurses' station looking through his phone. "Hey," She said when she reached him. "What's going on? I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"Yeah I wanted to talk you some more about our conversation last night." He replied placing a kiss on her cheek.
"About….?" She asked confused.
"About me hiring someone to stay close…"
"Oh, the bodyguard thing? The thing that I told you wasn't necessary? That thing?" She smirked
"Yes, that thing. I know you may not feel like you need it, but it really would make me feel a little better."
"Sonny…"
"Please. For me?" He asked flashing the same dimples Patrick always used to get his way.
"I just can't win" She thought out loud. "Fine, but there have got to be some parameters set."
"Well, I'll let the two of you hash out all the details. There he is now" Sonny said looking over Sabrina's shoulder to the elevator.
Sabrina turned around to find a man in front her about 6'3, hazel eyes with long dark hair pulled into a ponytail. Sabrina stepped back a little. He was gorgeous. She instantly felt guilty for thinking that, but he was.
"About time you got here." Sonny said breaking Sabrina out of her thoughts "This is my daughter Sabrina Santiago. Sabrina, this is…"
"Ethan? What are you doing here?" Elizabeth called walking up behind them with Felix in tow. "I thought we were going to meet at my house."
"Oh yes dear. We are. I just had to some business to tend to with Sonny here first" Ethan replied. The minute Sabrina heard his Australian accent she became flushed.
"What kind of business?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously.
"Ethan is going to keep an eye on Sabrina for me. Nothing major. As I was saying, Sabrina, this is Ethan Lovett." Sonny replied.
Ethan took Sabrina's hand and placed a kiss on top of it "Please to make you acquaintance."
Sabrina blushed "Likewise" she whispered. "Wait, Ethan? This is Lucky's brother, right?" She asked Elizabeth.
"Yep. This is the uncle I meant earlier. Can't say I knew he was in the personal security business though." She replied.
"Well, I've been back in town now for a couple weeks. I needed to do something." Ethan smiled
"What about the Haunted Star?" Elizabeth asked
"Ethan here was looking for something a little different." Sonny interjected. "Now, I have a meeting across town, so I'll leave you two to get better acquainted. And Ethan, don't forget about what we discussed." He said firmly before getting on the elevator to leave.
"Elizabeth, please don't start" Ethan said reading his onetime sister in law's mind.
Before Elizabeth could give her two cents about his working for Sonny, her pager went off. "I'm needed in the ER, but we will definitely talk about this later." She stated before turning to leave.
Sabrina and Ethan stood there awkwardly for a few moments. Ethan tried his best not to stare. Sonny had told Ethan a lot about Sabrina, but he failed to mention how beautiful she was. This was going to be a tougher assignment than he originally thought.
"Um... Hi!" Felix said breaking the tension "I'm Felix, the best friend. No need to pat me down…. That is unless you want to."
"Felix!" Said exclaimed lightly hitting him in the abdomen.
Ethan chuckled "So anyway, about this detail Sonny wants me on…"
"Yeah about that, I really don't think it's necessary but if he's so adamant about it, there are just a few things we need to make clear. First, I don't need to be followed at work. I think I'm pretty safe in the hospital."
"Really? Because Sonny said that you and little Emma Drake were kidnapped from said hospital" Ethan smirked.
"He's got you there" Felix laughed
"And since then" Sabrina said rolling her eyes "Hospital security has been enhanced."
"Be that as it may, Ms. Santiago, your father wants me to ensure your safety at all times. And that's exactly what I intend to do." Ethan vowed practically looking through her. Something in this man's eyes sent chills up Sabrina's spine.
Before Sabrina could think of a comeback, she saw Patrick coming down the hallway. "Hey. What's going on here?" He said noticing the three of them huddled together.
"Patrick, long time mate" Ethan said shaking Patrick's hand.
"Yeah it has been. I heard you were back in town. You're not a patient are you?"
"Who me? Please. I have 9 lives" Ethan chuckled. "No, I am here for Ms. Santiago."
Patrick looked at Sabrina and noticed she was blushing "In what manner?" He asked.
"Remember last night at the wedding I told you Sonny wanted me to have a bodyguard? Well…." Sabrina answered motioning to Ethan.
"Oh wow" Patrick said genuinely surprised. "I didn't know you were in the bodyguard business. Or that you were working for a man who pulled a gun on you once."
"Wait, what?!" Sabrina questioned.
"Long story" Ethan chuckled "A lot has changed since then"
"I can tell" Patrick stated plainly.
"Anyway, I can see you're a bit busy at the moment, Ms. Santiago." Ethan began.
"Sabrina…" She whispered "You can call me Sabrina."
"Well then, Sabrina. We will table these negotiations for a later time. I should go find Elizabeth so she can yell at me or whatever. It was a pleasure." There was that look again. Sabrina didn't know if Ethan was doing it on purpose or not, but it was making her light headed. "Good day to you all" He said as he disappeared behind the elevator doors.
"I tried to tell Sonny it wasn't necessary, Patrick" Sabrina said trying to redirect her attention.
"It's fine. Your safety is all that matters. I have a consultation to get to. We'll talk more about it later." Patrick turned to leave before Sabrina could even respond. He didn't want her to see the envy in his face. He noticed the way Ethan was looking at Sabrina. That didn't upset him too much. Sabrina was beautiful. She got looks like that all the time. Sabrina obviously being affected by it was what was making Patrick angry. He needed to cool down before he did or said something he couldn't take back.
"I hate you so much right now." Felix said after Patrick was out of earshot.
"Why? What did I do?" Sabrina asked
"Girl, THAT is your bodyguard? Ugh. Some girls have all the luck. Your about to be full on Rachel Marron and I hate you for it."
Sabrina looked at Felix puzzled "Who?"
"Never mind. I'll school you on fabulous movies later. All I know is that man there has all the makings to get you into a world of trouble."
Felix fully meant his last statement as a joke. Neither he nor Sabrina had any idea how true it would turn out to be.