Alright. Some people wanted me to continue so here it is. I haven't had much time to write this week, but I had this part ready to go and thought I'd put it up and you can let me know what you think. If you want me to continue let me know. Thank you so much for the reviews and follows!
Chapter 2
He told her he'd be back with the medicine for Henry, but she has to admit, she is shocked to see him return. Usually Dr. Whale would only stay for the exam and let the nurses finish up with his orders. Perhaps this attentiveness is why Dr. Locksley has such a large patient base after only being here for a month.
When he does walk through the door, one hand carries a cup filled with orange liquid and a straw, the other grasps a syringe holding medicine, pink in color. Regina wonders briefly why these things must be colored like this. She imagines it comes from additives that serve no purpose other than coloring, but then Henry's eyes light up just a bit at the sight of the bright orange drink, and she understands. She can see why, for a toddler drinking something so bright seems fantastic, even if the thought of the artificial liquid coating her mouth, tongue, throat, makes her stomach clench.
"Alright," Dr. Locksley says, handing Henry the clear plastic cup, "now before you can drink that, I need you to take this medicine, Henry."
Henry's hands fall from Regina's waist the moment the cup is offered, clinging to his new gift, but the small smile on his face drops with the doctor's words.
"Henry," Regina says, drawing her toddlers chin upward and meeting his eyes with hers, "Dr. Locksley is going to help you feel better, and that," her hand gestures toward the syringe ,"is the first step. It is like a magical potion." The last words leave her mouth in a whisper, causing Henry's eyes to go wide.
"Like in my stories?" Henry replies, awe struck, and Regina nods in response, "OK! I drink it Doctor Loxey." he says, placing his gaze back on the man in front of him.
Regina releases a soft chuckle at the mispronunciation and corrects her son, "It is Doctor Locksley, honey." Henry nods in understanding as he sucks down the liquid in the syringe with the doctor's help, Regina's hand finding and brushing back hair from his forehead.
"Actually, you can call me Robin," he says, not looking in her direction, carefully watching Henry as the medicine vanishes slowly, "both of you." Then he looks her way, smiling up at her, and she feels the blush heat her cheeks, cannot help the huge smile she returns. Maybe it is the accent, she thinks to herself, maybe that is why this man has her so dazed, and acting like a love sick puppy. It is not like it matters, even if the man isn't married, she is not looking her best today, wearing the clothes she slept in, no bra (she cringes remembering that detail), and candy adorning her hair. Dr. Locksley, no, Robin, has no reason to take a second look at her, and even if he did, she does not date.
"Well my boy, it looks like you finished," Robin looks at her, "your potion." He bites his lower lip gently, smirking at her. He is sexy without even trying, and again she remembers her attire, crosses her arms in front of her, allowing a smile of her own to pull at her lips.
"Henry loves fairy tales." She explains, letting her eyes meet his teasing orbs before finding her son, watching him enjoy his neon drink.
"Ah, I see." Robin responds, smiling sweetly at her boy, and the kindness in his eyes has her feeling inquisitive, wanting to know more about this man.
"The nurse said you've been here for a month." She states nonchalantly before asking, "Are you planning on staying, or are you just temporarily filling in for Dr. Whale?"
"Staying." He says, smiling, dimples on full display. "I, ah, I was due for a change." Robin's eyes move from her's, find the floor, a pensive look crossing his face, somber before he shakes his head, returning to her, to the moment. "My son and I, we moved here a month ago. I have a good friend from medical school who has graciously allowed us to stay with him temporarily, until I find someplace more permanent." He is smiling again, but it doesn't quite meet his eyes, his dimples not as pronounced.
No wife then it seems. Only he and his son moved here, and she wonders what the story is there, what caused that pensive expression, but for now, she only wants to see his bright smile reappear.
"This is a great place to raise children." She assures, changing the subject, and she does mean it. Bloomington is a quick drive to Minneapolis, but big enough to have everything someone would need within a 10 minute drive. There are outlet malls and parks, grocery stores and good schools, not to mention that the Mall of America is less than 45 minutes away. She has taken Henry there at least 5 times so he can play in the indoor theme park and be blown away by the aquarium.
"So I've heard. I am ashamed to say I have not had the opportunity to explore much yet. Roland and I have been busy settling in, and I've been getting acclimated to Dr. Whale's clinic and my new patients." Talking about Roland makes his smile widen again, brings a light into his eyes, and the way he talks about the clinic and his patients makes it clear the pride he takes in his work.
"Well, maybe we could plan a playdate for the boys. We could show you around." Why did she just say that? Well, she knows why, this man is gorgeous and for some reason she cannot resist that accent or those dimples, but she is an adult woman, and she feels like a young girl with her first crush, it is absurd. Then she thinks to herself, why not? This man is gorgeous, and if anyone should have the opportunity to show him around, why not her, even if only five minutes ago she was silently claiming that she does not date.
His mouth opens to respond, but before a sound can be uttered the nurse knocks and abruptly opens the door reminding Dr. Locksley of his other patients waiting. He says a hurried farewell as the older woman thrusts a few files in his hands, rushing him through the door, and he leaves with the promise of being back soon to check Henry's temperature.
Unfortunately, it is not Robin who returns a half hour later, but the white haired nurse, informing her that she can take Henry home, his fever has dropped to 101 degrees, and he looks much better, seems more energetic. She is asked to follow a regimen of administering tylenol, and keeping him hydrated, but if his fever returns or he gets a rash she should call the office. Otherwise, it seems to be the virus that is 'going around' and it should be out of his system in a day or two.
The rest of the day passes without incident. They return home and enjoy a lunch of homemade creamy chicken wild rice soup. It is Henry's favorite, and Regina can make it easily enough on short notice by cheating on some ingredients; canned chicken broth, precooked frozen rice and vegetables and a rotisserie chicken she picks up from the store on the way home. It doesn't taste as good as her grandmother's recipe, but it works in a pinch and Henry gobbles it down for lunch and dinner along with large glasses of bright orange 'hydration'.
They spend the evening snuggling in front of the television watching "Toy Story" and snacking on popcorn until Henry is rubbing his little eyes and yawning far too frequently. Regina wants him to get his sleep, get healthy, even if it means sacrificing a little extra time with him so they stop the movie halfway through, get him ready for bed, administer that final dose of tylenol for the day, and finish the night cuddled on his bed reading a book. His eyes clothes seconds after his head hits the pillow, and she spends a good twenty minutes just staring at her sweet angel, feeling utterly content.
Regina does not allow herself to think about the handsome british doctor until after Henry is safely tucked in, and she is pouring herself a glass of red wine, it is still her day off after all. A smile pulls at her lips as she reminisces about Dr. Locksley, no, Robin, and his accent, his dimples, his smirk, the way he bites his lip, the way he talked to Henry, and heat flushes across her neck and up her cheeks as she thinks about the way he pulled that candy from her hair. His fingers brushing against her neck, his gaze so intent, and just the thought causes shivers to run up her spine, butterflies fluttering in her abdomen.
Chiding herself for the direction her thoughts have taken, Regina swallows the last bit of her wine, sets the glass in the sink and takes a quick shower before hopping into bed. If the shower is a little colder than normal, well, at least it distracts her from thinking about a man she likely won't see again.
