Hey, sorry it's taking so long to post, but having two jobs is an ass kicker, LOL. Anyways, here's the next chapter. It got a little more intense than I wanted, but I think it actually works better this way for later chapters. And for those wondering when I will update 'A Night to Remember', hopefully it will be soon. I got so off track with that story, I'm still brainstorming what direction I want to go in. Thanks for sticking with me guys! XOXO

Chapter Seventeen

"We should open our own practice" Jake suggested randomly, the idea suddenly forming as the elevators to Oceanside Wellness Center opened. He and Naomi had been discussing their medical visions and career aspirations during their lunch date. Jake couldn't believe how similar their goals were; it was like they shared the same dream.

Naomi, who had been sipping her iced tea, laughed. "Okay" she replied, not taking him seriously. They stepped off the elevator and walked to the end of the front desk so Naomi could collect her messages.

As Naomi flipped through her messages, Jake kept talking, solidifying the proposal in his head. "Think about it, it makes perfect sense. We both specialize in fertility but you're also a board certified endocrinologist and geneticist; and I'm an OBGYN. Patients would come to us and we'd be able to guide them through the process start to finish; it would be like a one-stop shop for starting a family. With your background, you could weed out eggs prone to disease and I could monitor the women through their pregnancies. And if a patient ever needed a second opinion about their diagnosis or treatment options, they could get it the same day from either one of us. Face it; we're the dream team for bringing babies into the world".

Looking up from her messages, midway through his speech, Naomi gazed at Jake in wonderment. "You're really serious, aren't you"?

"Yes, I am. What do you think" Jake asked.

Naomi was momentarily at a loss for words. "Well…I…uh…it's a great idea Jake. The way you just described it sounds ideal. But I already belong to a practice, this practice. What we do here is the same thing but on a larger scale. We don't focus on one specialty, but all specialties. And we don't just cater to women; we cater to everyone in all age categories. It's small town family medicine in a big city atmosphere. As great as your idea sounds Jake, Oceanside already fulfills most of my needs".

"Why should you have to settle? I'm talking about a place that fulfills all your needs. You're right; this practice does operate similarly to the one I just envisioned. But you've been forced to make compromises or have been out voted on several things that matter to you. All of you have; that's one of the downfalls to practicing cooperative medicine. Everyone has different ideas that clash. But we have the same vision; there would be no clash because we're on the same page".

Jake was making one hell of an argument, but Naomi still wasn't sold. With the exception of her time in New York, Oceanside Wellness was all she had known for more than a decade. Plus, she'd had too many new beginnings in the last few years – moving to New York, having a baby, moving back to California, dating again – to be in the mood to start yet another new adventure. "I hear what you're saying Jake, but…I don't know".

Seeing the conflict in her eyes, Jake softened his approach. He hadn't meant to overwhelm her but when he got excited about something, it was hard to control his passion. "I'm sorry if I came on too strong. It's just I can see it in my mind; the picture is so clear. And I know you're an equally passionate person" Jake said, alluding to the way she kissed with every fiber in her being. "What's stopping you"?

Naomi blushed at his insinuation. "No apology needed; I like you enthusiasm. Nothing is stopping me. I just don't see the point of leaving the practice when there's nothing wrong". She began walking towards her office, motioning Jake to follow.

Jake's eyebrows rose in confusion. "Nothing's wrong" he questioned.

"By the expression on your face, you clearly think otherwise" Naomi said. "So, enlighten me Mr. Reilly".

Jake threw his hands up. "Oh no, I don't think so. I'm not trying to cause any more drama nor do I want to hit any sore spots".

"I see" Naomi nodded slowly. "Tell me anyway. I wouldn't mind an outside perspective".

Jake could kick himself for sticking his foot in his mouth. But since Naomi had insisted, he had to be honest. "The dynamics around here are interesting. As far as patient care is concerned, you're one of the premiere practices in the state. I don't think I've ever heard of one serious complaint lodged against you. But on the personal side, everything is messy and complicated. All of the doctors are married, or have dated each other, or are best friends; for the most part, it has worked to your advantage. It has helped build on the family atmosphere created here but…" Jake paused, dreading what he was going to say next.

There it was, the big 'BUT'. "But…" Naomi prompted. Jake had been taking the slow path, beating around the bush, but he had finally reached the heart of matter. Naomi was all but certain about what was coming next.

"But some of those relationships have dissolved". Jake steeled himself and gave direct eye contact to Naomi. "Your ex-husband is dating your ex-best friend; yet, he cheated on her with you and you had his baby. It's caused a rift in the practice and battle lines have been drawn. You've told me on more than one occasion that half of your colleagues aren't even speaking to you. And while you're all professionals whom I have no doubt can keep your personal life from affecting patient care, why would you keep yourself in this situation? You're a strong woman Naomi, it's one of the many attributes that makes me so attracted to you, but I don't know why you would torture yourself like this. No matter how strong you are, it's got to be emotionally draining to see some of your closest friends act like you can't make a mistake and turn their backs on you; especially when they continue to give Addison and Sam a free pass. You shouldn't have to put up with it let alone deal with it on a daily basis; no one deserves such harsh treatment. So when you say, 'nothing's wrong', I have a hard time believing it. For you, everything is wrong here".

Naomi was stunned by Jake's rant; she leaned against the door frame of her office for support. She'd wanted an outside viewpoint and she'd gotten it. What Jake said was true; most days she was fine, but it was difficult working with people who didn't like you or speak to you more than necessary; particularly when there was such a strong history with those people. However, it was more complicated than the simplified version Jake gave. Despite her earlier reservations and the recent drama, the practice had started to feel like home again. She and Sam had built the practice from the ground up. For better or worse, she felt emotionally invested in the practice and she would be financially invested in it when she bought her shares back in January. How was she just supposed to pick up and leave? Leaving for New York had been out of sheer desperation; Naomi didn't feel she was desperate now, not enough to leave Oceanside again.

"Have I said too much" Jake asked, after failing to get a response.

"No" Naomi said, shaking her head. "As a matter of fact, thank you Jake. I appreciate you seeing my side in this situation and giving me a fresh outlook".

"But" Jake said, feeling it coming.

How could she explain? "There is no but, well, not really. Life isn't easy; everyone has obstacles put in their path to test them. I can't keep running away when things get hard; how will I ever learn whatever lesson I'm supposed to if I do? You're right, things aren't pleasant right now but that's not a good enough reason to leave".

Jake couldn't help but feel like Naomi was making excuses; an unhealthy work environment was an excellent reason to hand in a resignation letter. "Leaving doesn't always mean you're running away. Sometimes you have to walk away, even when you're willing to stay and fight. It might seem more passive, but knowing when to walk away takes incredible strength and courage".

"Jake" Naomi whined a little. "Were you a car salesman in another life? Your powers of persuasion are really scary. Why would you want me for this dream practice anyway? There has to be hundreds, even thousands of fertility specialists in the Los Angeles area alone. I'm sure there are more than a few candidates in that group".

"I want you because you're the best, next to me that is" Jake teased, making Naomi smile. "Not only are you at the top of your field but your work ethic is unparalleled, and you genuinely care about every single patient. Too many doctors out here view their patients as dollar signs".

"Thank you Jake. I feel the same about your work".

"Then what's stopping us from doing this"?

Naomi opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Jake had had a valid explanation for every rationale she'd thrown at him but she still wasn't ready to sign on the dotted line.

Jake knew he shouldn't ask but… "What's keeping you here Naomi? Or should I say who"?

"Excuse me" Naomi asked in surprise, leaning further into the door.

"You never volunteered the information and I promised myself I wouldn't ask but…does any of this have to do with Sam? Are you still in love with him"?

"What" Naomi almost shouted; she looked around panicked, afraid someone might have overheard him. Quickly, she ushered Jake into her office and shut the door. "No" she exclaimed. "Why would you even ask that? I told you I was over him on our first date".

"No, you said you were done sleeping with him and that you were angry with him; but you never told me how you felt about him. And now I can't help but wonder why".

"Well, stop wondering. I don't love him anymore, not in that way" Naomi said with conviction.

"Did you love him when he cheated on Addison with you"?

Naomi broke eye contact and looked down at the ground. Her hands were trembling violently. When she looked back up, she still couldn't look at Jake. "That was over a year ago. I don't know why it should matter".

Jake took her lack of an answer as a yes; he grabbed Naomi by the waist and pulled her close. "It matters because I'm trying to get to know you and whatever unresolved issues you have with Sam is holding you back".

"That's not true" Naomi whispered.

"Yes it is. You never told Sam we were hanging out, he just happened to show up at your house in the middle of the night a few weeks ago. He had a good reason, but I have a hunch it wasn't his only reason. And now that he knows about us, all of a sudden it's okay for me to visit you at the office. Why was I some big secret before"?

Naomi put her hands on his chest and finally looked at him. "You weren't a secret" she protested. "I talk about you all the time to the people I confide in. Sam is just not one of those people. Look, we have a complicated history, I'll give you that. But despite our troubles, we had to find a way to get along for Isaiah's sake, and to some degree, for our older child, Maya's sake too. One of the rules of our peaceful coexistence is staying out of each other's personal lives; because each time we interfere, it doesn't end well. I wasn't hiding you; I was choosing not to share. And I wasn't keeping you out of the office; my schedule was so hectic, I was barely in the office myself last month. You know that".

The way Naomi spoke, she was chalking everything up to coincidence. Jake wanted to believe her but his gut instinct rarely failed him. "I do know that, but I can't help feeling like if Sam didn't know about us, I still wouldn't be visiting you here". He sighed. "The real truth is that I'm a little frustrated and confused. I don't know what we're doing. If you just want a friendship from me, that's fine. I can live with that as long as you're in my life in some capacity. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit I want more. I like you Naomi, I deeply and truly like you and I'm willing to fight for you. I just want to know that I have a chance".

How had their conversation gone from opening up a practice to Sam and the status of her and Jake's relationship? Naomi had no clue. But she did know one thing; she cared about Jake and his feelings; the fact that she had caused so much turmoil inside him made her feel terrible. She touched his face. "I like you too Jake; I deeply and truly like you. I'm sorry if I've been giving you mixed signals. Maybe I'm more scared than I'm willing to admit. But you have a chance Jake; of course you have a chance. You're the only man that's even grabbed my attention in over two years; before you came along, I wasn't even interested in dating again. That speaks for itself". Naomi reached up on her tip toes and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Jake moved in closer, kept her face next to his. He deepened their kiss, squeezing her tighter. The feel of her curves underneath his fingertips made his hands tingle with excitement. His concerns still weren't completely assuaged, but they'd been lessened.

"All better" Naomi whispered after their kiss ended.

"Better" Jake agreed. "I'm sorry if I just put any pressure on you. And I wasn't trying to back you into a corner regarding starting a new practice with me. It's just..." Jake paused, trying to find the right words.

"You're a passionate person who believes in fighting for what they want and believe in" Naomi finished for him. "I understand Jake, and I admire it".

"So does that mean you'll at least consider the idea of opening up a practice with me before you outright tell me no" Jake asked.

"Do you really think that's a good idea? We're still trying to figure out what's going on between us. What if it doesn't work out? Or worse, it does and then we break up. I'll be right back in the same position I am now".

"No you won't".

"How do you know"?

"For starters, I have no interest in Addison" Jake quipped.

Naomi laughed. "Very funny". She leaned into him, rested her chin on his chest. She still felt so conflicted. "Jake..."

"Pretty please" Jake jokingly pleaded; he leaned down to kiss her again before she could present another excuse. "All I'm asking is for you to think about it" he whispered against her lips.

Naomi never got a chance to answer. She was saved by the sound of a baby screaming so loud, the wails could be heard through her closed office door.

"Wow" Jake said, also distracted by the noise. "Someone is really unhappy".

Naomi automatically tensed up; she knew that sound. "That's not just someone. That's my son" she said, just as Addison walked past her office with Isaiah screaming his head off. What the hell was going on? She untangled herself from Jake and briskly walked to the kitchen, right on Addison's heels.

Addison was bouncing him up and down on her hip and rubbing his back, trying to get him to calm down. "Shhh Isaiah, it's okay. You're okay". She pretended not to see Naomi out of the corner of her eye.

"What is going on? Why is Isaiah with you; he's supposed to be with Sam" Naomi asked, right as Charlotte joined them in the kitchen. As soon as Isaiah heard her voice, he reached for her.

Addison kept ignoring Naomi and further concentrated on Isaiah. "It's okay; your dad will be back soon, I promise". Her words had no affect; instead his screams only became louder as he tried harder to reach for Naomi.

"Where is Sam" Naomi asked, her anger forming and picking up rapid speed. Addison had some nerve ignoring her.

Finally looking at Naomi, Addison sighed and rolled her eyes. "Everything is fine Naomi; just go back to work".

Had this woman lost her mind? Isaiah was screaming like a lunatic and she was supposed to just go back to work? Naomi was ready to reach across the counter and strangle Addison. She didn't realize her hands were already moving until Jake grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back. She didn't even notice him entering the kitchen. He held her flush against his chest and whispered in her ear "Don't do anything you will regret later".

"I'm not going to regret anything if she doesn't start answering my questions" Naomi promised with a deadly calm in her voice. "In the meantime, you can hand me my child Addison".

"I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for all of this" Charlotte said, trying to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. She stepped between them. "Addison, would you please tell Naomi where Sam is"?

"I don't have to tell her anything" Addison said defensively, ignoring Naomi's request and looking at Charlotte. The way Charlotte had automatically taken Naomi's side and had spoken down to her like she was stupid irritated her. Sam had entrusted her to watch Isaiah and that's what she was going to do. Naomi and Charlotte had no right to interfere. "What goes on between me and Sam is none of hers or your business. This is his day with his son; that's all she needs to know".

Charlotte held her hand up before Naomi could fire back; she looked at Addison with a quizzical stare. "No one is asking about you and Sam. But you're holding a very unhappy Isaiah, whose supposed to be with his father instead of you, and Naomi has no idea why; and anything having to do with her child is her business whether you like or not. So again, where is Sam"?

If Naomi wasn't seeing red, she would've kissed Charlotte King-Friedman right then. Thank goodness she had decided to come to the office instead of going to the hospital today. "Give him to me" Naomi demanded.

Addison did the opposite and clung tighter to Isaiah, who had begun thrashing in her arms trying to get to Naomi. Deep down, Addison knew she was being irrational but she could only take so much. She'd forgiven Sam for cheating on her, accepted his child, and kept her mouth shut regarding his friendship with Naomi, despite her strong reservations. This was the last straw. If she and Sam were really going to have a future together, she wouldn't and he couldn't allow Naomi to meddle on the days Isaiah was in their care. Isaiah was upset and today it was her job to calm him down, not Naomi's; in fact, she was only making things worse. Addison was about to say as much when Amelia and Violet came into the kitchen.

"What is going on in here" Violet asked, confused. "I can hear him screaming all the way down the hall".

"Yeah, where's Sam" Amelia asked.

Addison felt a swell of relief at the site of Violet and Amelia. When they asked her questions, it didn't sound or feel like an interrogation. Without hesitating, she told them what happened. "He was off today, but he got called in for an emergency surgery. And because Maya took a day trip to the San Diego zoo with some old high school friends, he brought Isaiah to the hospital. I volunteered to bring him back to the office and watch him until Maya could pick him up" Addison explained as she dug in Isaiah's diaper bag, looking for anything that might soothe Isaiah.

"Are you fucking serious" Naomi yelled. She fought against Jake's hold on her. "Both Charlotte and I asked you what the hell was going on and you refused to answer a simple fucking question. Now, they stroll in here and it's no big deal".

"Maybe, because we're her friends; that's a foreign concept to you" Amelia said snidely.

Naomi broke through Jake's arms. "I don't give a fuck who you are" she said with so much force and intensity, Amelia backed up a few steps. Naomi turned back to Addison; Isaiah's face was covered in tears and snot as he desperately continued to reach for her. "I'm going to tell you one more time Addison; hand me my child".

"Naomi…" Violet began.

"Shut up Violet, I don't want to hear it" Naomi interrupted. She held out her arms, silently dared Addison to defy her.

Addison met her glare unflinchingly but reluctantly gave in and handed Isaiah over.

As soon as Naomi had Isaiah in her arms, she pulled him close against her chest. Tears she didn't even know had formed silently fell down Naomi's face. "I'm here Zay-Zay, I'm here. Mommy loves you so much" she said quietly, rocking him. Isaiah stopped screaming as he clung to Naomi, but he was still crying, looking beyond miserable. Naomi took a wet wipe out of the baby bag and cleaned his face. She rubbed his back and placed soft kisses on his forehead. Within minutes, he fell asleep safely tucked in her arms.

"I could have handled it Naomi" Addison said defiantly, breaking the silence in the kitchen.

Naomi looked up, surprised. She'd forgotten everyone else who was in the room; for those brief minutes, it had just been her and her son. To keep from disturbing Isaiah and for her own sanity, Naomi chose not to respond.

"You should have at least let her try" Violet cosigned, still simmering over Naomi cutting her off earlier.

Jake could see Naomi was trying to keep her cool but they kept inadvertently baiting her. Before they could succeed, Jake stepped in. "I should probably get going. Naomi, would you mind walking me to the elevator"?

"That's a great idea" Charlotte said, comprehending what Jake was attempting to do. "And the rest of us should get back to work. The practice ain't gonna run its self".

No one moved, so Jake once again took the initiative. He took Naomi's hand. "Come on, let's go" he said and slowly guided her down the hall of the practice with him as Addison, Violet, and Amelia glared after them. "Are you okay" he asked.

She looked down at her son cradled against her. "As long as he's okay, it doesn't matter how I feel" Naomi answered vaguely.

"It does matter, it matters to me, and I'm sure it matters to him" Jake said, gesturing to Isaiah. "I'm sure he wants mommy to be happy too".

Naomi offered up a tiny smile. "I'm sure he does".

"I hate to leave you like this. Please tell me you'll be okay".

"I will, I promise".

"Good. I'll give you a call later". Jake leaned down and gave Naomi a quick kiss. "And please think about what I said about the practice".

Naomi kissed him back and nodded. "I promise I'll do that too" she said, as the elevator doors opened. "Bye Jake, I'll see you soon".

"Bye pretty lady, I'll see you soon" he replied as he stepped on the elevator and the doors close behind him.