Chapter 30: Caregiver: Maggie and OA
OA never thought to be in any other field of work except in law enforcement. But if he was to be in another profession, he didn't think it could be in the medical field. Although he could learn the jargon and skills as he did in the past month, he wouldn't have the patience. Especially if your patient is as stubborn as Maggie Bell.
"OA, I can take care of myself! You don't need to be hovering around."
"I'm just making sure you're okay. Did you take your medicine?"
Maggie rolled her eyes but took her pills. After her sarin gas exposure, she spent a week in the hospital and had to be constantly monitored for her respiratory condition.
OA became a frequent presence in her apartment since then. They hang out all the time even before but because of her injury, he visited more often. He also tried to learn all he could about Maggie's condition which led him to be the primary choice to go undercover in a medical facility they were investigating.
After solving that case, despite his exhaustion, he still went to check on Maggie. He was surprised when it was not Maggie who opened the door. He asked "Is Maggie here?"
The older woman looked at him and smiled. "Mags, your caregiver is here."
Resisting the urge to run, OA forced himself to enter. Confused, Maggie approached the door to see OA in scrubs. She raised her eyebrows.
"Oh, I forgot to change. It's for my undercover," he quickly explained.
Maggie told him that her parents were in town to visit. "They found out about my condition, thanks to blabbermouth Erin. So, here they are."
The first few minutes of dinner was spent introducing him to her parents and explaining why he's in scrubs.
"He's the best partner I could have asked for," Maggie proudly declared.
"No, I'm the lucky one to be partnered with Mags."
Her father suddenly looked serious. "Then why did you let this happen to my daughter?"
"Dad!" "Honey..." Maggie and her mom said at the same time.
"Sir, I'm so sorry..."
"Dad, it's not OA's fault..."
Maggie's dad leaned forward to look at OA. "That's not what I want from you, Omar. I've been in law enforcement before and I know horrible things happen. What I want is your assurance that you'd do anything to protect my daughter, your partner."
"Yes, sir," said OA, looking straight into his eyes.
Seemingly satisfied with what he saw, he straightened up and said "Good." He broke the tension when he added, "Well, I think it's time for dessert."
His wife smiled. "Yes, let me just get the pudding."
After dinner, Maggie walked him out the door. "I'm sorry about dad. It's just, he's very protective of his kids, especially with us girls."
"It's alright. My father's like that too. Having three daughters and all. I'm also like that with my sisters," OA admitted.
While they were looking at the two, Maggie's mom whispered to her husband, "Did you really have to do that to Maggie's partner?"
Smirking, he said as he turned to look at his wife, "Well, I had to make sure he's the right guy for our daughter."
Notes:
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