Chapter 4
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(Phoebe's POV)
"Well do you want a summer wedding?" I ask Nathan. He smiles and looks up from his cereal.
"I just want to marry you as soon as possible. I don't care if it is June, May, April, Hell let's do it tomorrow. I just want to marry you and be able to call you my wife," he says and I smile going over to him and sitting on his lap. I wrap my arms around his neck and he wraps his arms around my waist.
"Well Ava's wedding is in two weeks, so we have to wait till after that. He laughs and strokes my thigh. He is in his scrubs and I am in my work clothes. Dress pants and a turtleneck today. We are going to work together today.
"Baby, you plan this the way you want. As long as you walk down that aisle and say I do, the rest is up to you. I smile and sigh.
"I want to marry you as soon as possible," I say and he nods.
"Maybe we could do an April wedding," I say. It is January now. Ava and Andrew's wedding is the day after my birthday.
"Sure," he says and I smile. I text my mom and she says she is on it with my Grandma. I am so glad they are helping me do this.
"Well Phoebe almost Moore, we have to get going," he says and I nod. I stand up and clean up our breakfast and he heads back to go to the bathroom. While I am cleaning, his phone starts to ring. I smile and pick up the phone seeing it is his mom.
"Hi Mrs. Moore, it is Phoebe," I say.
"Sweetheart, I have been telling you since junior year of high school, it is Noel," she says and I smile.
"What can I do for you? Nathan is in the bathroom," I ask her.
"Well actually we were going to invite you guys over for dinner. It is Berkeley's last day home before she heads back to school," Berkeley goes to Oregon state. Nathan and I both end work at 6, so we should be able to.
"That sounds great, we end work at 6," I say and Nathan walks out and I point to his phone. I bid her goodbye and pass him the phone. Nathan hears the news of going over there for dinner and looks at me shaking his head. I knew he wouldn't want to go. He hates his dad. He really does.
"Really Pheebs," he says as he hangs up. I sigh and grab my bag slipping on my coat.
"It is Berkeley's last night. You haven't talked to your family at all. Come on you can suck it up for one night," I say and he frowns.
"Pouting is not getting you out of this. Your mom and sister adore you. I know they miss you," I say and he nods.
"I hate that you are right," he says and I smile kissing him.
"Happy wife happy life," I wink pointing to my ring.
We go to work and I head up to my office. After the Holiday off I have a huge caseload. I have a lot of kids to visit today. I smile as I see a congratulations basket on my desk. My coworkers are so sweet. There is a ring shaped balloon and gift cards and candy. They are the best.
I start reading my caseload and see I have 10 minutes before my first visit. I head out and down to the trauma unit. I have an eight year old who is having severe anxiety about any new person that walks in the room. Before I walk in her room I check the doctor on the case. I pray it is not Dr. Wiseman. He is one of the doctors that works with Nathan and has no respect for psychologists or any psych service worker.
The doctor is Nathan and I am going to see if I can get it staying like that. This child obviously needs consistency. I walk into her room and see an eight year old who looks terrified. She has the covers on her bed covering half her face. I come in and introduce myself not standing too close. Her parents are not here with her.
"Hi there, I am Phoebe, I am here to talk to you. I am not a doctor or nurse. I just want to talk," I say and make my intentions very clear.
"Can you tell me your name?" I ask her. I already know it, but that is usually the easiest question to see if they will talk.
"Ella," she says quietly and I smile.
"Ella, my name is Phoebe, is it okay if I sit?" I ask pointing to the chair by her bed. She nods and scoots away from the chair.
"You're watching Little Mermaid, I love this movie," I say and she nods.
"Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid?" I ask her and she looks at me. I can tell she is evaluating me and whether she can trust me. I give her my friendliest smile and she starts to lower the bed covers.
"I wanted to be a mermaid for Halloween, but I was a fairy instead. She says and I smile.
"You know what is crazy?" I ask her. She shakes her head.
"Me and my friend, Dr. Moore were the tooth fairy and a dentist for Halloween," I say and she smiles.
"That is funny. Who is Dr. Moore?" She asks timidly.
"Dr. Moore is a doctor you will meet today. He is super nice," I say and I can tell she is growing worried. Familiarity, I got it. I pull out the hospital Ipad and pull up the picture of me and Nathan from Halloween.
"This is Dr. Moore and me when we dressed up as the tooth fairy and a dentist," I say and she smiles.
"You look pretty," she says and I blush.
"Thank you, Ella. See Dr. Moore isn't scary," I say and she shrugs.
"You know if you want I can stay with you while he comes in," I say and she smiles.
"You can?" She asks and I nod.
"What is he going to do?" She asks. She came in with severe stomach pain. They think appendicitis but are waiting for her scans.
"Well he is going to come in and check your belly. A secret about Dr. Moore is that if you are really good he lets you use his stethoscope to listen to your heart," I tell her and she smiles.
"Is he mean?" She asks and I smile.
"Dr. Moore is the nicest guy ever," I say and she smiles.
"When is he coming?" She asks and I check her chart and my watch.
"He should be here any minute now," I say. "He is going to check your belly, so do you think you want to play on the iPad while he checks you or do you want to watch," kids 7 and up I really try to give the option to watch. Choice is so important for kids.
"I want to watch," she says and I nod. After a couple of more minutes there is a knock on the door.
"May I come in?" Nathan asks as he peeks his head in. I can see Ella start to get timid. Nathan washes his hands and sits down on a chair on the other side of the bed.
"Ella, I am Dr. Moore. I am going to be the Doctor that helps you get better," he says and she nods looking at me.
"How has your belly been feeling today?" He asks her and she starts to bite her nails.
"Ella, it's okay," I say and smile encouraging her.
"My… belly, um I… don't know," she says and starts to cry. I look at Nathan and back to her.
"Ella can you tell me what is making you so upset?" I ask her and she shakes her head.
"Sweetheart, if you tell me we can work together to make it better," I say. I pass her a tissue and she wipes her face.
"I'm... scared," she says in a whisper.
"Why are you scared?" I ask her.
"I don't want him to hurt me," she says and Nathan moves so he is squatting down by her bedside.
"Ella, I am going to tell you everything I do before I do it okay? We are trying to make your belly feel better so you can go home," he says and she nods.
"Pinky promise?" She says and Nathan nods holding up his pinky. I smile as they link pinky's.
"Okay Ella we are going to lower your bed back," I say and she nods. Nathan puts on gloves and I go by her head. I prop her head up because she said she wanted to watch.
"Can I hold your hand?" Ella asks me.
"Of course sweetheart," I say and let her hold my hand.
"I'm going to lift up your shirt okay?" Nathan asks and she nods. He lifts up her shirt and folds it so it stays up.
"I'm going to press on different spots on your belly okay?" He explains and she nods.
We both watch as Nathan presses on her stomach. All of a sudden he hits one spot and she groans out in pain.
"Stop stop," she screams and Nathan stops.
"Okay sweetheart, take a deep breath," I say guiding her through breathing.
"Ella, honey can you tell me if the pain is going away?" Nathan asks and she nods.
"Okay Ella, my friend Nurse Rachel is going to take you to get some Xrays of your belly," he says and she nods.
After Nathan and I both leave the room he goes to the ER and I head into my next patients room.
After a long day of visiting kiddos and some meetings I am in the car waiting for Nathan. He comes out shortly after and gets in with me. "Hey Bee," he says and kisses me.
"How was your day?" I ask.
"After we were with Ella I had surgery, then a follow up, then a meeting," he says and I nod smiling.
"You?" He asks me.
"Honestly, pretty good. Very busy," I say and he nods.
"Look about tonight," Nathan says and I sigh.
"My dad, he… if he is a dick please don't take it personally," Nathan says and I shake my head.
"Trust me your dad is not going to scare me away," I laugh holding up my ring finger. Nathan holds my thigh as we drive home.
I am wearing a sweater and jeans with cute booties to Nathan's parents house. I have my hair down and curled like usual. I put on some earrings and perfume.
"You look good," I say to Nathan. I say he is in a black long sleeve sweater and black pants.
"Thank you baby, so do you," he says and kisses me.
We head out shortly after with Nathan driving. I brought a bottle of white wine. Berkeley is legal to drink now too. Which should be fun. She is 22.
We get there and Nathan sighs looking at me. "One night," I say and stroke his face.
"I know, I just hate my dad," he says and I nod.
"But you love your mom and Berk," I say and he nods.
We go up to the door and knock. Mrs. Moore answers almost instantly. I smile as she hugs Nathan. "You are just so handsome," she says and he laughs.
"Hi mom," he says.
"Oh Phoebe, you look just darling. You have to take me shopping one of these days," she says and I laugh.
"Thank you, Noel," I say and finally go by her request.
"Oh for heaven's sake, finally," she says and I laugh. I hug Berkeley tightly and she tells me she has missed me.
"I have missed you too, darling," I say.
We walk in and Mr. Moore doesn't say hi to Nathan or me. Typical. I sit next to Berkeley. Mrs. Moore gets everyone a glass of wine except for mr. Moore who insists on bourbon.
"So Berk are you ready to graduate? May right?" I ask her and she nods.
"I am so ready, I am so ready to get working," she says and I smile. She is architecture which is super cool. She did an internship with my Uncle Elliot. He is looking for a new architect too for Grey Construction so we should see how it goes.
"Before anyone is surprised IE you Nathan, my boyfriend is coming tonight," she says and I smile. Nathan takes a large sip of his wine. I remember Nathan telling me about this guy. They have been dating since senior year started.
"Really?" Nathan asks.
"Yeah, his name is Cole. He is in law school. He is so sweet and I really really like him so can we all agree to be cool. Minus you Pheebs, you're always cool," she says and I laugh. There is a knock at the door and Berkeley runs to get it. She looks so cute in her pencil skirt and tights.
"Did you hear that I'm cool," I say and poke Nathan's arm. He laughs and shakes his head.
A boy walks in with Berkeley and she has an arm around him. He is cute. So Berkeley's type. She looks at him like he just kept her world on its axis. "This is Cole, Cole this is my brother Nathan, and his fiancé Phoebe," she says and he shakes all of our hands. I'll give it to her. He's really cute. Nothing compared to Nathan, but cute.
"Nice to meet you, I am Cole Porter," he says.
"Good to see you again, Cole," Mr. Moore gives him a man hug. I about spit my wine out. Doesn't say a word to me or Nathan, but when a kid Berkeley's dating who he has met once walks in he hugs him. I am pissed now.
We sit around the marble island and talk. "So, Cole you are studying law?" Mr. Moore asks already knowing the answer. He is such a fucking dick.
"Yes sir," he says and Mr. Moore looks to Nathan.
"See some people just don't understand," Mr. Moore says and looks to Nathan.
"James," mrs. Moore says.
"I am a pediatric surgeon. I save kids lives everyday, James. I am doing just fine," Nathan says. That's another thing, Nathan does not call his dad Dad anymore.
"Oh that's awesome, where do you work?" Cole asks. Mrs. Moore smiles as Nathan answers.
"Seattle Children's, I am the burn, trauma, and general surgeon," Nathan says and he nods.
"That's amazing, Nathan. You must have a heart of gold to be able to do that," Mr. Moore scuffs. I shoot a dirty look down his way.
"Phoebe, what do you do?" Cole asks.
"I am a psychologist at Seattle Children's," I say and he nods.
"You two must be doing very well," he says and we nod smiling.
"When do you guys think the wedding will be?" Mrs. Moore asks.
"Well we were thinking April," I say and Mrs. Moore smiles.
"That's a beautiful month," she says and I smile.
"Will there be a prenup?" Mr. Moore asks.
"Dad," Berkeley snaps.
"Berkeley Rose, don't start. We have to talk about these things," I look to Nathan.
"James, that is none of your concern," Nathan says.
"Well if someone is going to gold dig from my son," I spit out my wine.
"Excuse me?" I say.
"Dont you ever speak about my wife that way," Nathan gets in his dad's face.
"Boys, stop that," Mrs. Moore says. "James knock it off right now," she yells.
"All I'm going to say is that Phoebe you are a gold digger. You spotted my sons wealth and went for it. I do not approve of this marriage and I've said it from the start. You know the first time I met Phoebe she was half naked on our couch. She is a gold digger and a tramp. She is not good enough for this family," I am fuming at this point. Nathan stands up and punches his dad straight in the face. I go to grab Nathan quickly.
"Get the fuck out of my house, Nathan. You are no longer welcome here. Get your whore out of here too," his dad says. My mouth drops open. Nathan goes back for a second throw, but I step in front of him. I know he wouldn't never lay a finger on me.
"Either you get rid of him or you will no longer be in our lives, Mom," Nathan says. Mr. Moore is holding his nose.
"Berkeley I love you, call me in the morning and I'll take you to the airport. Nice to meet you, Cole," Nathan grabs my hand and drags me out of the house. Berkeley looks mortified. There is so much commotion going on.
"Nathan, don't leave," Noel says as she follows us out.
"I'm done mom, he does not get to talk to me or my wife that way," Nathan says and I am in shock.
"Please Nathan, he doesn't mean it," she says. Now I think she is crazy.
"We both know he does mom. He is such a duck and I am done with it. It is him or me," Nathan says and I sigh. She is silent and Nathan nods getting in the car.
"I knew we shouldn't have fucking gone," Nathan says as he slams the car door. "I fucking hate him. I am done with him," Nathan yells hitting the steering wheel. He speeds away in silence. His knuckles are white from gripping the wheel so hard.
I don't even know what to say. This is my fault for agreeing to go. His dad's words didn't offend me. I just am worried about Nathan. I give him some time to process what is going on.
When we pull into the parking garage and park Nathan is still fuming. I know he just needs time to think. We go upstairs in silence and he has his arms crossed. He goes straight into his closet and slams the door.
I go to the counter and put my head in my hands. I feel horrible. I don't know what to do or say to make this better. He basically just separated himself from his parents. I look down to my phone and see a text from Berkeley.
"My mother and I adore you, Phoebe. We are so blessed that Nathan found you. I'm sorry for the way my dad acted."
Berkeley is so sweet. She has always had a heart of gold. I sigh and put my phone down. Nathan comes out in his gym clothes.
"Are you going upstairs?" I ask. We have a full gym upstairs. He nods to me and runs up them. I sigh and go to the bathroom starting a bath. I decided to take some time for myself too.
I strip down and pour lavender oil in. I slide into the bath after lighting a candle. I close my eyes and relax. Try to at least. My mind can't get off poor Nathan. I close my eyes and breathe deeply.
"Phoebe," I shoot up. Shit I drifted off. Nathan is showered and just in his sweats shirtless. He must have showered in the shower upstairs.
"I'm sorry, I drifted off," I sit up pulling my knees in to my chest. The water isn't warm anymore.
"Phoebe, if you slipped," he starts to say. "Please don't ever do that again," he says and holds his hands in his head.
"I'm sorry," I sigh.
"Let me get you out," he says and I nod. He grabs a towel from the towel warmer and unplugs the bath. I stand and step out with his help and he wraps me in a towel.
We go into our bedroom and I put on my panties and one of Nathan's shirts. I get next to him in bed and sit up looking at him.
"We should talk," I say and he nods.
"You know I don't agree with my dad at all," he says and I nod.
"I know, oh my gosh I know," I say and lay in the crook of his arm. He runs his fingers through and wet hair.
"You are such a good man, Nathan Moore. You're dad he isn't. He doesn't appreciate the man you are," I say.
"I hate what he said about you," he says and I shake my head.
"I don't give a fuck, Nathan. The only person whose opinion I care about is yours," I say and he smiles.
"My mom and him need to get a divorce," he says.
"Why don't they?" I ask.
"I think my mom is holding onto the fact that they were in love at one point," he says and I nod rubbing my fingers over his chest.
"Do you think that will happen to us?" I ask him. He turns on his side looking at me.
"That will NEVER happen to us. I love you, Phoebe, I will never stop loving you," he says and I nod. I cup his face and start kissing him. He gets on top of me and removes my bottoms.
Before we know it, we are in a passionate sex episode. After we both finish, Nathan lays next to me. I sigh and roll on my side looking at him.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask him. He smiles and strokes my cheek.
"Bee, you are all I need. My dad was holding me back. I feel better now," he says and I smile.
"I love you," I say and he smiles.
"I love you more," he says.
"Remember tomorrow we are meeting with my mom and grandma about the wedding," I say and he nods.
"I know baby," he says and I smile. I curl up to him and he wraps both arms around me. I fall asleep with him.
When I wake up I am alone in the bed. I hear the showering running and look at the time. My mom and grandma aren't coming over for another hour.
I get up and go into the bathroom. I see Nathan in the shower through the glass door and smirk. I am one very lucky woman. "Morning," I say as I grab my toothbrush.
"Morning baby, how did you sleep?" He asks loudly through the shower. I have a toothbrush in my mouth so I just hold a thumbs up. After I finish brushing my teeth I wash my face.
I head into my closet and put on jeans and a white long sleeve shirt. I braid my hair to the side and head out to the kitchen. I pull out a bowl of fruit and a fork and start eating it.
Nathan comes out shortly after in a white long sleeve and black pants. We are matching. "Great minds think alike," he says and kisses my head walking past me.
"I'm going to make myself eggs do you want some?" He asks.
"I am okay thank you though baby," I say and keep eating my fruit.
"You can't just have that for breakfast," he says and I look at him.
"Why not," I ask raising an eyebrow. He sighs and holds his hands up in defeat.
I watch as Nathan makes himself eggs. He is just so hot. He makes cooking eggs look sexy. I don't understand it.
After we eat breakfast together, my mom and grandma knock on the door. They are doing the planning of the wedding. It'll be held at my grandmas house. Nathan goes to answer the door as I clean up our plates.
"Hi Phoebe girl," my mom says.
"Hi mom," I say and hug her. I then hug Grandma and we go and sit at the table.
"Okay," my mom starts. "So we know you guys said April so we were thinking either the second or third weekend in April," they say.
"Second," I say and look to Nathan he nods smiling and takes my hand in his.
"April 11th?" They say and we nod. Our anniversary for the rest of our lives.
They go through the next stages of the wedding as in the tent we order, the drinks, the menu, when we are going cake tasting. When I am going dress shopping. I'm realizing how much goes into this. My mom is so excited to plan this. She says it's her first babies wedding. I am glad because planning is not my forte.
"We have time, but you should start thinking about a wedding registry," my mom says and we nod.
"We are talking about that," I say and she smiles.
"Okay do you guys have any questions?" My mom asks and I shake my head looking Nathan. He shakes his head no too.
"Well then we will get out of your hair," my grandma says and I smile. We thank them for coming over and escort them out. When they leave Nathan comes over and kisses me.
"We need to plan the honeymoon," he says and I smile. Nathan's parents gift to us, well his mom's gift to us was the honeymoon.
"Where do you want to go?" I ask him.
"We could go anywhere," he says and I nod.
"Jeez, uhm somewhere beachy right?" I say and he nods.
"For sure," he says. "Have you ever been to Fiji?" He asks me and I shake my head.
"I have not, have you?" I ask him.
"No, but I have heard they have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world," he says and I smile.
"That sounds amazing," I say and he smiles.
"Just food for thought, my darling," he says and I smile kissing him.
"I just want to go somewhere with you for two weeks without distraction, just us and the world," I say and he nods.
"I have a collegue whose wife is a travel agent. I will talk to him to make sure," he says and I smile.
"Thank you baby," I say.
Nathan and I spend the rest of the day working on planning things like our first dance song, our wedding registry, and talking about the future. I can't wait to do life with this boy.