HAPPY MOTHERS DAY GUYS! HERES ANOTHER CHAPTER, ENJOY AND REVIEWS ARE WELCOME

Chapter 21: First Date

TWO WEEKS LATER

SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S HOUSE

(Amber is using her crutches to get to the living room couch in her red v neck shirt and jean shorts. Her hair is done wavy and long and her makeup is done especially well. Alex is by her side in case she falls to Amber's annoyance)

Amber: Stop hovering.

Alex: I'm not hovering I'm helping, it's what a good brother does especially when his sister is still recovering from an accident. Jo tell her I'm not hovering.

Jo: (On the couch eating lollipops) I can't because you are.

Alex: Is it a girl code to take your sister's side over your husband's?

Amber and Jo: Yes.

Amber: (Sits on the chaise and elevates her leg with a pillow) Now please tell me you are not gonna hover on my date with my very hot very sweet Italian boyfriend who I haven't seen in two weeks. Because if you are I'm gonna take this broken leg and hit you over the head with it.

Alex: (Sighs) No, lucky for you, me and Jo are on the night shift. Just promise me you're not gonna…reunite on this couch.

Amber: (Chuckles) No promises.

Jo: (Stern) For once promise because I spent 4,000 dollars on this couch and I didn't get the warranty. I am hormonal and working at a hospital during a pandemic so don't underestimate what I will do to you if I see one stain after tonight.

Amber: (Wide eyes from fear) Okay no sex on the couch. The kids are out with Izzie?

Alex: Yeah she's taking them for a walk in the park and they're playing frisbee with the dog so you've got five hours of date time I think.

Amber: Five hours is more than enough time for me.

Alex: Keep that couch clean, come on Jo let's go while traffic is light.

Jo: (Stands up) Okay.

Amber: Have a good night I know I am.

Jo: Yeah if he breaks your heart again I'll put a 10 blade in his.

(Alex and Jo open the door just as Andrew is about to knock. He is wearing a black thermal shirt, leather jacket, jeans and carrying a picnic basket)

Andrew: Hey.

Alex: Hey, she's on the couch resting. Don't move her got it?

Andrew: Don't worry it's gonna be a quiet night. I got dinner, some wine and a movie from Netflix, we will be couch potatoes tonight.

Alex: Good kid, come on Jo.

Jo:(Glares at him) 4,000 dollar couch, you mess it up it's coming out of your pocket.

Andrew: Scout's honor.

(Alex and Jo leave the house. Andrew enters the living room to find Amber trying to reach for the remote from the far end of the coffee table causing Andrew to grin amused. Amber looks up and sees him and hurriedly lays back trying to look sexy despite the leg cast)

Amber: (Smiles coolly) Hey.

Andrew: (Grins) Hey, it's good to see you. Outside of the screen I mean. The camera doesn't do you justice.

Amber: (Grins) Same. So, what's the main course for this long overdue evening? Gnocchi? Lasagna? Please say chicken parm.

Andrew: (Sets the basket down) Close. (Pulls out bakeware) It's my antioxidant brussels sprout salad.

Amber: (Frowns) How is that close to what I was hoping for?

Andrew: Come on do you know how hard it is to find an Italian dish that doesn't clog your arteries? It's a wonder why your country is ranked the most obese. But don't worry I got chicken burgers on whole wheat, rice cakes for dessert and a bottle of wine to down it. Healthy foods will speed up your recovery, we both know that for a fact.

Amber: (Sighs) I knew dating a surgeon was gonna bite in the ass one day.

Andrew: Don't tempt me. (Winks)

Amber: (Grins) I'm the one who makes inappropriate advances in this relationship.

Andrew: (Sets up the dinner) True but out of the two of us I've abstained longer than you.

Amber: (Hisses) Yeah that's a good point. I wish I could fix that now and I would but-

Andrew: But the leg gets in the way.

Amber: No, I can have sex with this cast. I've searched up how and it's pretty normal, in fact not bending the knee makes you go deeper.

Andrew: (Eyes wide) Wow are you trying to seduce me?

Amber: Trying not to. I promised my brother I wouldn't do it on the couch and I have to listen because he's letting me live here rent free and his wife is pregnant and hormonal and could kill me.

Andrew: Got it so…

Amber: So, the plan for tonight is to cuddle up, eat, talk and do everything else on a date besides sex. Do you think we can do that?

Andrew: (Thinks) Sure I mean I've gotten this long without sex so I can restrain myself, can you?

Amber: I can try, my appetite will definitely be killed by the time I eat that green dish of yours. You made sure you got good wine, right? I mean it's medicinal and I am on the mend.

Andrew: (Pulls bottle out) I got a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Amber: (Exhales) I love you pour me a glass please.

(Andrew sits next to Amber and pours them both a glass of wine and they both hold their glasses up to toast)

Andrew: A toast to love and rebuilding the foundations of our relationship.

Amber: And to all the frontline workers. Cheers.

Andrew: Cheers.

(They clink their glasses and sip their wine. They look at each other intensely after causing Andrew to lean forward and start kissing her. Amber moans and runs her hands through his hair. Andrew moves closer and puts his hands on her waist, leaning her back on the couch. They continue to kiss for several moments until they hear the front door opening causing them to break up and try to catch their breath)

Levi: I know you don't want me here but I came to-

(Levi enters the living room and sees Amber and Andrew apart but panting on the couch causing)

Levi: Oh…did I-

Amber: (Frustrated) Yes.

Andrew: (Frustrated) You did, now what do you want?

Levi: I-I'm just here to get my best jacket. I left it here when I moved out.

Amber: (Sighs) Best jacket? What do you got a date tonight?

(Amber chuckles but stops as she sees Levi's flustered face)

Amber: Seriously? You got a date? You?

Levi: Yes, I have a date or it's a predate, that's what he calls this.

Amber: Predate?

Andrew: So, I guess we're holding dinner off until you get the details.

Amber: (Ignores him) Name and hot scale now.

Andrew: (Knows not to get in the way) I'll take that as a yes. (Stands up) I'll be in the kitchen getting some dressing for the salad, let me know when the date is back on.

(Andrew leaves to go to the kitchen)

Levi: His name is Nick and he is so unbelievably hot he doesn't even register on the scale. The scale would never stop spinning if he got on it.

Amber: So why these predates? Is he holding off on actually committing?

Levi: No, he says he's new in town and he wants to get his feet wet and see if there's a good place for an actual date that doesn't risk our chances of covid.

Amber: Why not take him back to your place or his?

Levi: The loft is in a bad neighborhood and I don't want some flasher ruining the date before it even begins. He lives in a hotel and he says if I saw the mess, he's leaving I would never call him which is ridiculous because he is…God I don't know how to describe him.

Amber: So what do you do on these predates?

Levi: We stroll around the park, its the only place we can breath air without a mask. We get food from the trucks and talk about each other, he talks to me and asks me questions. It's like he's the opposite of Nico and it's weird but also gratifying.

Andrew: (Comes back with dressing) Does he have social media that you stalked him on?

Levi: …Maybe.

Amber: Show me pictures now.

(Levi pulls out Nick's Instagram profile and Amber whistles at his latest post that shows him working out)

Amber: Damn! How do you keep getting these hot as hell guys with Adonis figures?

Levi: (Chuckles)

Amber: No seriously did you just pick up a catalog and order him custom?

Andrew: He looks familiar, where have I seen him?

Levi: He's a new firefighter over at 19.

Amber: (Exhales in lust) First responder nice. I've been there, done that and I highly recommend it.

Andrew: (Grins amused) You know I'm right here.

Amber: You were an EMT you count. (Give phone back) So aside from looking like that, what other traits have you drawn to him?

Levi: Well, he's nice and he talks about his feelings which is new for me and there is eye contact and I don't feel like crap after and he's funny and fun to hang out with and…young.

Amber: (Notices the pause) How young?

Levi: He's…21…in two months.

(Amber chuckles in shock and laughs while Andrew almost chokes on his wine)

Andrew: (Chuckles) What?!

Levi: (Smiles) Do not judge me!

Amber: (Laughter dies but still smiles) Well I can't because it's my fault.

Levi: (Laughs) Yeah it is your fault and his.

Andrew: (Looks up grinning) What did I do?

Levi: You pointed him out! You told me to go to an elevator and ask him out and I did.

Andrew: Wait a minute this is elevator guy?

Amber: Elevator guy? You made this happen?

Andrew: He wouldn't shut up and I picked out the only guy checking out Link's ass, okay? I didn't think it was actually gonna happen.

Amber: (Chuckles) And you didn't see his training wheels?

Andrew: He was wearing PPE; I couldn't tell if he had facial hair under it or peach fuzz.

Amber: (Laughs with Andrew)

Levi: (Grins despite feeling frustrated) You know the age difference is the same between you two.

Amber: (Sips wine) Okay I'll give you that one…how is he in bed?

Levi: I don't know.

Amber: You've been dating for two weeks and you haven't sealed the deal?

Levi: We haven't had our real first date yet and I don't do it on the first date I have class.

(Amber and Andrew look at Levi offended until he realizes his mistake)

Levi: N-Not that there's anything wrong with that I'm all about sex positivity.

Amber: Yeah, why don't you just get your jacket and go have fun with your Adonis while I do the same with mine.

Levi: Yep, I will gladly do that.

(Levi goes upstairs to get his jacket. Amber and Andrew continue grinning)

Amber: 20? Damn. And I thought I've done it all.

Andrew: (Holds up his glass) A toast to Schmitt and his cradle robbing ways.

Amber: (Chuckles lightly) Cheers.

(They clink their glasses and sip their wine grinning)

LATER

SCENE: STATION 19

(Nick is sleeping on the couch in the lounge. Vic notices and approaches him)

Vic: (Yells) Hey newbie!

(Nick lunges at the yelling and rolls over fast landing on the floor causing him to groan in pain and Vic to laugh)

Nick: (Groans) Seriously Hughes? Why do you do this to me?

Vic: (Smiles) Because the world is a toilet now and I need something to make me laugh.

Nick: (Chuckles darkly) Well I'm glad my pain brings you joy now help me up.

Vic: (Helps him up) Rough day?

Nick: (Yawns) 26 calls in one shift. It's my personal record and I worked in the body shot capital of the US.

Vic: I thought that was Hawaii?

Nick: That's a state I'm talking city. And then there's the depressing weather I'm still getting used to, how do you keep a cheery disposition on mostly rainy days?

Vic: Easy I remind myself that the rain helps put out the fires.

Nick: Good point. (Notices that it's dark outside) Shit! What time is it?

Vic: Uh it's almost 9 why?

Nick: (Runs out) Damn it!

(Nick runs to the lockers where he quickly takes his uniform off and puts his casual wear on. Vic watches in curiosity as he bounces trying to get his shoes on)

Vic: As fun as this is to watch can I ask why your in such a hurry?

Nick: I got a date.

Vic: Wow a date, are you gonna tell me who it is?

Nick: (Finishes) Nope.

(Nick closes his locker and runs out leaving Vic)

Vic: Well at least gossip when you get back!

TEN MINUTES LATER

SCENE: BREMERTON PARK

(Levi waits by the food truck checking the time and seeing that Nick is ten minutes late for their date. Nick runs toward him panting)

Nick: (Catches breath) Sorry I'm late I had a brutal shift, I got out two hours ago and decided to take a short nap which turned long.

Levi: It's fine, knowing that you ran to meet me more than makes up for it. Maybe next time set up an alarm.

Nick: Duly noted, shall we?

(Levi nods and they head to the food truck)

TWO HOURS LATER

SCENE: ALEX AND JO'S LIVING ROOM

(Amber and Andrew are curled up in each others embrace watching Twilight but Amber doesn't pay attention as she asks Andrew how his day was)

Andrew: Well I discharged two patients from the covid ward so that felt great and I did scut mostly.

Amber: (Groans) Come on give me something, I am going crazy from three weeks of no hospital. Your an attending, don't you have an appy or even a choly under your belt?

Andrew: I'm a first year attending working at a hospital during covid, scut is the best I can give right now. (Sighs) I was hoping that my first year I'd do a solo ALPPS procedure but at this point I'll be lucky to get a transplant.

Amber: Don't worry hopefully you'll get a cool surgery soon. And by that time I can use my sexual powers to assist.

Andrew: What happened to no special treatment?

Amber: That was back when surgeries were a never ending option. I am getting desperate and crazy, it's a bad combination.

Andrew: Well I can't make any promises when you come back but hopefully when I open my own practice I can request your talented hands and brilliant mind.

Amber: You want to open your own practice one day?

Andrew: Yeah, I never thought about it before but with my recovery and everything it's the best thing for me. I can set up my own hours, have more one on one time with patients, have more space for research and uh...have more flexibility for kids. Someday not today, I am emphasizing the someday so I don't scare you off with the mention of kids.

Amber: (Chuckles) If this was a normal first date it would scare me but...hearing that you would take action to spend more time with your kids makes me love you more. I didn't really think that was possible but you prove me wrong.

Andrew: (Grins) You know for a self proclaimed unromantic you have a way with words She-Karev.

Amber: (Grins) I guess I learned it from you DeLuca.

(Amber and Andrew share a quick kiss and Twilight as Edward violently recoils from Bella in biology class)

Amber: (Chuckles) I've had worse reactions.

Andrew: (Doesn't believe it) Seriously? How? You look like you came straight from a Vogue cover.

Amber: True but the reactions came after I told them one snippet of my childhood. Trust me nothing turns a date around like a junkie dad, a schizophrenic mom or a schizophrenic brother that stabbed you.

Andrew: I'm sorry to hear that. I think the reason I haven't been on a date since we broke up is because I'm afraid of what they'll think when I tell them I have a mental illness.

Amber: (Smirks) It won't scare them away, not when you have that perfect hair and perfect body and smile that makes all the ladies swoon.

Andrew: (Smiles and chuckles)

Amber: See there it is, you could have everything on the spectrum and I would still want to sleep with you…what was your first thought of me when we first met?

Andrew: (Thinks) Honestly? I thought you would be this cold detached robot when I saw you in that locker room with your red pantsuit and aloof look but I was wrong. You were this nervous bumbling mess who was freaking out over her interview and I then thought you were insanely adorable. And sexy obviously.

Amber: (Grins and chuckles)

Andrew: What about you? What was your first thought of me?

Amber: Honestly? When I saw you that day in scrubs and a lab coat looking all confident with that trimmed beard. My first thought was 'I have to sleep with this man.'

Andrew: (Laughs)

Amber: (Grins) Well it's true. I was not a romantic person before I met you, not all of us picked Build a Bear for our first date Richard Gere.

Andrew: Does make you Julia Roberts?

Amber: Are you calling me a hooker?

Andrew: I was talking about Runaway Bride.

Amber: …Your lucky I like that movie and for a time I did see myself running away from the aisle.

Andrew: But you don't see that now?

Amber: …I think the fact that I've been in a relationship for over a year has me lean more towards monogamy.

Andrew: That's good to hear. You know I was sort of in the same place too. I mean I still wanted to get married and have kids back then but I always had trouble getting to the second date.

Amber: Why is that?

Andrew: Um…my first dates usually ended in sex and they never call me back after that. It's the cool women, women like you that automatically assume I moved on and never stick around long enough to try my French toast.

Amber: It was their loss that toast was damn good. But yeah, speaking as a cool woman I would assume that too. I mean you look like you get it all the time so why should I stick around if you can get it anywhere?

Andrew: (Grins) Well for one thing I actually like being around you outside of bed and secondly, I would have to be an idiot to think I could find someone better.

(Amber gets flustered and kisses Andrew who responds. They begin to make out for several moments and Amber is overcome with lust)

Amber: (Pulls back panting) Screw the couch get over here.

Andrew: (Filled with lust) I thought you'd never ask.

(Andrew moves to be partially on top of her as he continues kissing her being careful not to jostle her leg. She takes his jacket off and he runs his hands under her shirt. She then moves her hands to his jeans undoing his belt and unbuttoning him before hearing a car door open and slam)

Amber: (Pulls back) Wait, wait.

Andrew: (Panting) What is it?

(They both stay silent and hear two shrill voices approaching the patio. Amber gasps as she realizes the twins are here)

Amber: (Panics) The kids are here!

Andrew: (Gets off her and hurriedly readjusts his jeans) Oh god!

Amber: (Looks around) Closet now!

Andrew: What?

Amber: (Hears the door unlocking) Closet in the hallway get inside!

(Andrew runs to the closet in the hallway leaving Amber to pull herself together just as Alexis and Eli run inside the living room with Jazz)

Eli and Alexis: Auntie Amber!

Izzie: (Pulls them back) Whoa there bullet twins, six feet.

Amber: (Smiles) Hey guys it's so good to see you outside the screen, what are you doing here so early?

Alexis: Jazz was getting tired and so were we so we decided to see how you were.

Amber: Aww that's so sweet.

Eli: Whose motorcycle is on the driveway? Is it yours?

Amber: (Decides to lie) …Yes it is. I uh I bought it so I could get to work on it while my car is in the shop.

Eli: Cool! Can I ride it?

Amber: When I'm back on my feet yeah. (Notices Izzie is walking toward the hallway) Izzie w-where are you going?

Izzie: I'm just putting this frisbee back in the closet, I'll be right back.

Amber: Do-

(Izzie ignores her and opens the closet door yelling in surprise as she sees Andrew inside. Amber closes her eyes in despair while the twins are confused)

Alexis: What's wrong mommy?

Andrew: (Puts finger on his lips)

Izzie: (Shocked but goes along) Um nothing sweetie I just thought I saw a spider but it was a false alarm.

Amber: (Exhales in relief)

Izzie: (Hands the frisbee to Andrew who awkwardly takes it before closing the door and heading back glaring at Amber) Okay guys why don't you head upstairs and shower. I'm going to talk to your auntie Amber about girl stuff.

Amber: (Purses lips) Yeah, she's right guys go ahead and shower and I'll read you a story after how does that sound?

Alexis: Okay.

Eli: Okay.

(Alexis and Eli head upstairs and Izzie waits until she hears doors closing before going back to the closet and opening it to find Andrew inside with a guilty face)

Andrew: Hi uh you must be Izzie, I'm Andrew DeLuca, I'm Amber's boyfriend.

Izzie: (Hostile) Their taking a shower you've got ten minutes to leave.

(Andrew walks out and follows Izzie to the living room where Amber also has a face of guilt)

Izzie: A little warning might have been nice, maybe a text to let me know you were having a stranger over for a date.

Amber: He's not a stranger, he is my boyfriend. And I thought you guys would be gone longer.

Izzie: It doesn't matter if your dating him or you just met him on the streets. He is someone that my kids never met, does that sound better to you? What if Alexis or Eli were the ones that opened that door? Did you think how you would explain that to them?

Andrew: Look it's not her fault I was the one who suggested dinner tonight, I didn't think-

Izzie: (Chuckles sarcastically) Yeah clearly.

Amber: (Protective) Hey you don't get to talk to him like that.

Andrew: (Doesn't want to make things worse) Amber please.

Amber: No if she wants to berate me fine, I can take it but when she does it to someone I care about that's different.

Izzie: He's your boyfriend and I found him in the closet while my six-year-old children were ten feet away. I am trying to move on from the animosity but this makes it hard for me to hold up my end.

Amber: Well last I checked you were in my house.

Izzie: It's Alex's house and trust me he would be on my side.

Amber: Why? Because you screwed him more than you screwed him over?

Andrew: Okay let's simmer down please.

Izzie: (Ignores him) At least I didn't punch him in the face. I think that the first time we met spoke volumes of your true character.

Amber: Really? Why don't you put your face directly in front of my cast and I'll show you more of my true character.

Andrew: (Stern) Ladies please let's remember there are two children upstairs who could hear this and want to know what's going on.

Izzie: (Sighs) Fine but for the record this started because your girlfriend once again refuses to take responsibility for her actions. Something she has held against me since the moment we met, think about that. I'll be upstairs making sure the twins don't come down. Leave by then, good night.

(Izzie heads upstairs. Amber inhales and exhales trying to stay calm, Andrew rubs her shoulders behind her)

Amber: (Sighs) I extended an olive branch and the first thing she does when she sees you is berate me and open old wounds. Is that woman ever gonna let me off the hook?

Andrew: (Rubs her shoulders) Just give her some time, let her get to know you.

Amber: (Snorts) Does she seem like a woman who wants to get to know me? I'm sorry but you really have to go.

Andrew: (Kisses her head) It's gonna get better don't worry. I love you, bye.

Amber: (Grins) Bye. Love you.

(Amber and Andrew share a quick kiss before Andrew leaves the house)

I GAVE YOU GUYS A FLUFF CHAPTER TO SATISFY YOU. HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND TUNE IN FOR MORE NEXT SUNDAY.