Mark's day progressively got busier after speaking with Steve and then getting cornered by Jesse and Amanda during his break. He doesn't fail to notice he hasn't heard from Steve since earlier but isn't concerned by it, knowing there's likely a very good reason for the delay and his son will call him when he can.
Things finally slow down when lunch rolls around. He's able to leisurely enjoy his food with Amanda for company. Naturally, they further discuss everything that's been happening.
When lunch is over, Mark heads back to his office. For the past few days, he's avoided the growing pile of paperwork sitting on his desk with typical prejudice and needs to make the effort to catch up again. Reluctantly settling behind his desk with a heavy sigh, he picks up the first file on top of his inbox and gets to work. He diligently toils his way through the pile for another hour when his phone rings. Without looking away from the document in his hand, he blindly reaches over and picks up the handset.
"Dr. Sloan."
"Hi, Mark, it's Spencer Davis. How's it going?"
"Spencer?" Mark blinks in surprise then a smile spreads across his face. "It's great to hear from you. How've you been?"
"Busy. Barely have time to breathe."
"I figured that was the case when we didn't see you at the blood draw last week."
"Exactly," Spencer confirms. "I hope I'm not bothering you, but that's also why I'm calling. I asked Auralia to give me a call once the test results came back. I may be jumping the gun, but my curiosity is getting the better of me."
"You're not bothering me, Spencer, you're giving me a valid excuse for a break from my paperwork," Mark quips, causing Spencer to laugh.
"Well, then I'm more than happy to be that excuse," Spencer replies, calming down again. "Besides, I can't take the suspense anymore. Are the results in?"
"They came in two days ago," Mark confirms. "And you're not her father."
"No surprise there. I told Auralia it was impossible."
"She mentioned that, but wouldn't tell us why out of respect for your privacy."
"She wouldn't?" Spencer asks in surprise.
"Yes," Mark confirms. "Said if we wanted to know, we had to ask you."
"She certainly isn't cut from the same cloth as Amalia, is she?" Spencer muses thoughtfully. "She carries herself differently and has a moral code where Amalia had none."
"Aurie doesn't share much, but it seems Amalia's been largely absent from her life. That's likely why she's so different from her mother."
"Aurie? Is that her nickname?"
"One of them," Mark replies. "Seems to be the one she prefers the most."
"It suits her," Spencer agrees. "Back to the paternity tests. Were any of them positive? Because I've been praying Lawrence Taylor isn't her father. No one deserves that!" he jokes, causing Mark to laugh.
"Well," Mark begins more seriously after calming down. "Aurie probably should be the one to fill you in, but there's been a lot going on. Before I begin, do you mind telling me why you were certain you couldn't be her father?"
"I know you aren't going to gossip, so I don't mind. I'm sterile. Even if Amalia's plot succeeded, I would never hit the target because I only fire blanks."
"That makes perfect sense," Mark grins. "Now I understand why Aurie resisted telling us when we asked. And, no, I won't gossip about your private business."
"I appreciate that. And I'm not embarrassed about it. It's just no one's business."
"I agree. Now I know you will want all the details, do you have the time? Because it's a lot."
"Yes, because like you, I'm stalling. There's a client I don't want to call back."
"Okay," Mark chuckles knowingly. "Secondly, I ask that you in turn respect Aurie's privacy because it's been a rollercoaster for her."
"Not a problem, but now you've intrigued me."
"You'll understand in a few minutes," Mark sighs. "Before Aurie came to see me, she met with Lawrence. That might be considered a mistake because she had to embarrass him for a meeting. She did convince him to give a sample for the blood test."
"How did she manage that?" Spencer incredulously asks. "Because I can see Taylor being an absolute ass to her and flat-out refusing a paternity test. Then he would've had her thrown out."
"He nearly did. Apparently, she had to loudly claim they had sexual relations, embarrassing him into dragging her to the privacy of his office." Mark pauses to give Spencer a chance to finish laughing before continuing. "I don't know the specifics, but they went back and forth about the paternity tests. He didn't believe she wasn't interested in his money, but agreed when she made it clear she was paying for all the tests."
"She paid for all of them?"
"Yes."
"I didn't think she had that kind of money."
"She doesn't, but I'm going to make sure she gets it back. Nearly wiped out her savings."
"I'll cover my test because you already know why it wasn't necessary and she only asked me to take it out of fairness to everyone else."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate that, Spencer. Anyways, since you gave your blood sample earlier than us, you missed Lawrence retaliating against Aurie when he showed up. He presented her with documents he wanted her to sign or he wouldn't give a sample. Those papers would've given him full conservatorship of her."
"What the hell?" Spencer incredulously breathes. "It figures that flabby, slimy weasel would take it to extremes. Please tell me he isn't her father."
"He isn't." Mark chuckles at Spencer's loud sigh of relief. "But that isn't the worst of it. He had called ICE and reported Aurie as an illegal minor."
"Asshole. Taylor may have the morality of a crack-addicted maggot, but I still never thought he'd stoop that low!"
"Me neither," Mark agrees. "At least he didn't get the satisfaction of watching Aurie get arrested. She noticed the ICE agents walking up to us while we were discussing the conservatorship papers and slipped away. Then he left without giving a sample."
"I'm confused. How do you know he's not Aurie's father then?"
"I'm coming to that," Mark sighs again. "Things got complicated and then some."
"Aurie wasn't kidding when she said her life is like a telenovela right now."
"You have no idea." Mark joins him in chuckling before continuing. "Steve had to go searching the hospital for Aurie. Lucky for us, her indecisiveness about what to do and unfamiliarity with the hospital made it easy for him to find her before ICE could. Then he brought her back to my office. We started discussing what to do to keep her from being deported. She'd originally been working with an ICE agent out of Tucson, which prompted the search for her father. Well, that agent also warned her not to get picked up because of the LA division's notorious reputation for pushing for quick deportation."
"Taylor is sitting in first place for 'Jerk of the Year,'" Spencer observes.
"I don't think there's anyone who deserves it more," Mark agrees. "Well, the same ICE agents from earlier showed up while we were talking and arrested her. Thankfully she wasn't detained for long because Steve's fiancée Ellen Sharp and I succeeded in getting her out Saturday. Unfortunately, while detained there were two girls who didn't like her and attacked, bruising her and causing a mild concussion. It worked in our favor to pressure ICE into releasing her into my custody."
"You know, Mark, all of this is soundly falling under 'Shit You Can't Possibly Make Up'," Spencer laughs.
"Absolutely," Mark joins him in laughing. "Anyways, she's been staying with us while we wait for the test results, which we got on Tuesday."
"I'm still surprised you got them in so fast," Spencer observes. "I always thought the results took months."
"They can. In the past, even with me calling in favors, the fastest I've ever gotten results was a week. But one of my colleagues succeeded in getting them even faster. So to finally satisfy your curiosity, Steve is Aurie's father, making her my granddaughter. Easily eliminating Lawrence from being her father."
"Steve? Really?" Spencer prods in complete disbelief. "I truly didn't expect either of you two to be her father. I thought you'd tell me all the results were negative."
"Admittedly, Steve and I were both of the same mindset," Mark confesses. "Steve was certain on the basis he has no memory of ever being with Amalia."
"Not even a one-night stand? Because we all know when she wasn't trying to latch onto me like a leech, Amalia certainly tried sinking her teeth into you, Taylor, or Steve."
"Steve said it would've been a memorable event if he had been with Amalia, but she didn't give him much of a chance."
"Well," Spencer muses thoughtfully. "When Amalia tried claiming her unborn baby was mine, she slipped up and confessed to drugging my champagne. So that could explain why Steve wouldn't remember."
"It does. Also, the timing wasn't working out for us either. The last we remembered seeing Amalia around was fourteen years ago."
"That was when she showed up in my office pregnant and hysterically insistent I was the father. That confused me after I met with Aurie because at fifteen there was no way Amalia could've been pregnant with her when she came to my office. Made me think she was lying about it because she wasn't interested in a paternity test and did not have a baby on her arm."
"Well, that accidentally got sorted out," Mark hesitantly begins. "We got ahold of Aurie's birth certificate thinking if all the paternity tests were negative maybe there may have been another possibility named. The line for the father was blank, but we learned Aurie's actually thirteen. So Amalia would've been pregnant when she saw you."
"Thirteen?" Spencer incredulously repeats.
"Yes," Mark agrees. "Aurie lied about her age because of the state and local social service programs she was enrolled in."
"I never would've guessed. She carries herself so maturely for a thirteen-year-old."
"Well, it's been complicated, to say the least. Hopefully, we'll figure out all the specifics later. Steve has claimed paternal responsibility, which settles her citizenship and eliminates the risk of deportation. And Steve will be seeking permanent custody of Aurie. He's got full and temporary custody right now."
"Man, I hope I'm there when Taylor and Aurie cross paths again because I'd love to see the look on his face when he finds out he can't threaten her with deportation again," Spencer chuckles. "But as surprising as it is to hear Steve is her father, I think it's a great outcome. And I respect him even more now because of how he's stepping up to be her father. She seems like a great kid."
"She is," Mark agrees with a smile. "It's been a chaotic mess all around, but we're taking it one step at a time. Steve and Aurie are currently on their way to Tucson. She's got to be withdrawn from school and moved out of her apartment, among other things. Then he's bringing her back home to live with us."
"All I can say is wow," Spencer laughs with Mark. "Well, I hope you guys don't mind me checking on Aurie every so often. I really liked her when we met."
"Not at all. I'm sure Aurie would love that."
"Oh, and before I forget, you're welcome."
"Uh, what did I unknowingly thank you for?" Mark asks in confusion.
"For helping you find your unknown grandchild. If Aurie hadn't visited me, I would've never told her who else might potentially be her father. So, you're welcome."
"Yes, thank you," Mark laughs. "That would make it your fault all our lives got upended in the best way possible." Becoming a little more serious, he fondly admits, "As shocking as it was to see the results, I'm happy she's ours."
"Glad to hear it," Spencer agrees. "Well, I'd like to keep stalling on calling back my client, but I have to get back to work. Thanks for filling me in."
"Same here and you're welcome. Bye, Spencer."
"Goodbye, Mark."
Smiling to himself, Mark returns the handset. The smile slips away with a resigned sigh as he dives back into doing his paperwork. He succeeds in at least finishing the evaluations before feeling the need to stretch his legs by taking a late afternoon break and wandering over to the doctor's lounge.
"Hey, Jess," Mark cheerfully greets his young friend as he enters the lounge.
"Hi, Mark," Jesse greets back from his seat at the table closest to the TV.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and a bag of chips from a box on the nearby counter, Mark crosses the room to join Jesse.
"What are you watching?"
"The early news. I want to catch the weather report."
"Got big plans for this weekend?"
"Nah," Jesse waves off. "Maybe some surfing if the weather is nice and the waves are good in the next couple of days."
"Why not wait until the ten o'clock news? You'll be off by then and the weather reports will be better."
"Because I don't plan to be awake. I'm going straight to bed after I finish my shift tonight."
"At least you're not having to cover Steve's shift at BBQ Bob's tonight."
"Yeah," Jesse agrees. "I'll check in with Alex later."
Both men fall silent as their attention is captured by the next news story.
"Earlier today a Santa Ana couple traveling to Arizona with their baby nearly died in an auto accident on their way to visit family. Melinda Tellez with our sister station in Phoenix has the story."
"I wonder if Steve and Aurie came across that accident," Jesse wonders aloud as the field reporter begins talking.
"At approximately eight this morning Arizona State Police received a report of a stolen Cadillac Escalade from Ehrenberg, Arizona. A State Trooper caught sight of the vehicle about an hour later on eastbound I-10 and attempted to pull it over. A chase ensued, reaching speeds above 100 miles per hour when at about nine thirty the stolen Cadillac collided with a late model Ford Expedition, causing both vehicles to roll into the median. State Police haven't released many details but did say the suspect driving the Cadillac climbed out and assaulted the trooper. The suspect was quickly apprehended with assistance from an unnamed LAPD officer traveling on I-10 at the time."
Mark and Jesse share a look as the reporter continues. During her report the camera pans over the accident scene, showing the charred, crumpled wreckage.
"Both officers then assisted with rescuing the trapped family in the Ford Expedition. Other passing drivers stopped to assist, succeeding first in pulling the driver out. Soon after the passenger was pulled out, leaving a baby trapped in the backseat. Complicating the rescue was the severely damaged roof making access difficult while the engine was catching fire. A teenager among the rescuers was able to climb into the wreckage and save the baby before flames completely engulfed the vehicle. The entire family was transported to University Medical Center in Phoenix for treatment."
"Have officials provided details about the family's current conditions, Melinda?" the main desk reporter asks.
"Not yet, Sandra," Melinda replies. "State police aren't releasing the names of the victims or the heroes involved in saving this family citing it's a pending investigation. They are saying that if the unnamed LAPD officer and teenager hadn't been involved, there would certainly have been fatalities resulting from this incident. The colonel of the State police will be hosting a press conference later today to provide more details."
"Thank you, Melinda," Sandra replies. Looking into the camera, she adds, "And we'll have those updates for you during the six o'clock broadcast."
As the news continues, Jesse looks over at Mark.
"Do you think they were talking about Steve and Aurie?"
"That had to be Steve involved," Mark replies. "Because the time of the accident matches the time they were on the road in Arizona."
"Plus, how many LAPD officers would've been traveling into Arizona today."
"Exactly," Mark agrees. "It explains why he hasn't called me since this morning, but I seriously doubt he would've let Aurie get anywhere near the wreckage."
"'Teenager' could mean an eighteen or nineteen-year-old driving alone or with family who stopped to help when the wreck happened," Jesse reasons. "And I agree. There's no way in hell Steve would let Aurie get involved. He's too overprotective."
"Which is a huge relief," Mark grins. "That wreckage was awful and it scares me to think of Aurie being in that."
"Now I'm going to have to watch the six o'clock news and see if they confirm it was Steve."
"Want to come over for dinner to watch it? You get off at five like I do today."
Jesse considers his offer.
"Sure," he nods. "Let's kill two birds with one stone and eat at Bob's. I can check on Alex while watching the news. And we can see if Amanda wants to tag along. She'd want to see if it was Steve they were talking about."
"Sounds like a good idea," Mark smiles.
"I'll let Amanda know," Jesse states, rising to his feet. "I'll stop by her path lab on my way back to the ER."
Mark watches Jesse leave. Reaching over he turns off the TV, spending the rest of his break enjoying his chips before grudgingly heading back to his office.
The remainder of his day passes quickly and soon Mark is on his way over to BBQ Bob's to meet up with Amanda and Jesse. Arriving before them, he heads inside. Alex looks up from where he's working near the register and smiles in greeting.
"I didn't expect to see you in here tonight."
"Wasn't planning on it, Alex, but I'm meeting Jesse and Amanda here."
"Well, if you're discussing a murder case, you picked a great night to do it here," Alex smirks, gesturing at the empty restaurant.
"No murder case," Mark smiles back as he eases onto a stool at the counter. "Jesse and I caught a report on the news earlier that an unnamed LAPD officer helped save a family from a car wreck."
"Was Steve that LAPD officer?"
"Don't know, but there's going to be an update from the Arizona State Police on the six o'clock news. Because the family caught in that accident is from Santa Ana, the local news is covering it. We want to watch it and see if our suspicions are confirmed."
"Steve can't do anything halfway, can he?' Alex facetiously asks. "It's barely three days since he found out he has a daughter and now he's saving people from car accidents while driving through Arizona."
Mark joins Alex in laughing as Amanda and Jesse enter the restaurant.
"Don't start the fun without us," Amanda playfully protests as she takes a seat next to Mark.
"And why aren't there any customers?" Jesse frowns while looking around.
"Because for some people it's a bit early for dinner and it's a Thursday night," Alex retorts while Jesse sits next to Amanda. "Gives you some peace and quiet while we watch the news to see if Steve couldn't manage to simply drive into Arizona without being a hero." He pauses while they laugh at his joke before asking, "What do you guys want to drink?"
It takes very little time for Alex to take and fulfill their drink and food orders. They're already eating when Alex turns the TV on in time for the six o'clock news. They all have to sit through a couple of unrelated news stories before the accident comes on.
"Now we're going to follow up on a story out of Arizona we reported on earlier today regarding a near-fatal accident involving a Santa Ana family. Melinda Tellez from our sister station in Phoenix is reporting from the Arizona State Police headquarters with more details," the male desk anchor states as the video switches to Melinda.
"Thank you, Darwin," Melinda greets the desk anchor. "Arizona State Police Col. Gregory Williams released more information related to that accident. Earlier today Arizona State Trooper Carl Davidson was chasing a stolen Cadillac Escalade on eastbound I-10. At times, speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour. Midpoint between Quartzsite and Phoenix, the stolen vehicle collided with a late-model Ford Expedition and both rolled into the median."
The image on screen switches from Melinda standing in front of the State Police headquarters to an earlier recording of the two wrecked vehicles before switching to closeups of each one, lingering longest on the burnt out Ford Expedition.
"Holy cow, that's horrible," Amanda murmurs.
"According to Col. Williams," Melinda continues. "The driver of the Escalade managed to climb out of the wreckage and attempted to flee into westbound traffic. Trooper Davidson left his patrol vehicle and attempted to apprehend the suspect, now identified as thirty-five-year-old Jon Cooper." A mugshot of Cooper flashes onscreen. "Cooper struck Trooper Davidson twice, causing him to fall to the ground then drew a concealed weapon. According to witnesses, he aimed the weapon at the incapacitated officer and was about to shoot him, when he was tackled and subdued by Los Angeles police detective Steve Sloan."
"And there's our confirmation," Jesse quips.
Knowing grins spread on Amanda and Alex's faces as they all look over at a proudly smiling Mark before focusing back on the TV.
"Detective Sloan stopped to assist with the accident when he saw Cooper draw a weapon on Trooper Davidson. After arresting Cooper, both officers went to assist with the rescue of the Lovato family of Santa Ana, California who were trapped in the wreckage of the Expedition. The driver of the SUV was identified as Annalise Lovato, 26, her husband, Lorne, 25, was in the passenger seat and their nine-month-old son Dennis was in the backseat in a rear-facing car seat."
"Those poor people," Amanda mutters, her eyes glued on the screen.
"Passing drivers stopped and pulled Annalise Lovato out of the wreckage first when Trooper Davidson and Detective Sloan joined them in pulling Lorne Lovato out. Rescuing baby Dennis was difficult due to the damage the Expedition sustained when it rolled and landed on its roof. Complicating matters were the smoking engine igniting and the fire spreading steadily to the rest of the vehicle. In what could be considered a divine twist of fate, Detective Sloan's daughter, Auralia Acevedes, climbed in through the rear of the vehicle and succeeded in rescuing baby Dennis before the Expedition was fully engulfed by the flames."
"What?" Mark gasps in shock at the screen as the others exchange horrified looks. Amanda rests a reassuring hand on his shoulder as the report continues.
"Lorne Lovato was airlifted to University Medical Center in Phoenix, while Annalise and Dennis Lovato were transported there by ambulance. According to Col. Williams, Lorne Lovato did have to undergo surgery for internal injuries and Annalise Lovato suffered a concussion and broken bones. Thankfully, baby Dennis escaped any injuries. The entire family is expected to make a full recovery."
"That's a relief," Alex comments.
Jesse and Amanda nod in agreement as Mark's concerned gaze remains transfixed on the TV.
"Col. Williams stated the suspect, Jon Cooper, was examined and discharged by UMC and has been transferred to the Maricopa County Jail. He is facing several charges related to auto theft, the assault on Trooper Davidson, and his role in the accident. Col. Williams also emphasized the significance of Detective Sloan's and his daughter's involvement, calling them heroes. According to him, it was likely Trooper Davidson would've been shot, and possibly killed and baby Dennis would've died in the blaze before fire and rescue crews could arrive on scene. According to Col. Williams, no one else among the rescuers was small enough to squeeze into the back of that SUV to get baby Dennis out."
"What an incredible story," Darwin comments. "Thank you, Melinda."
The three older doctors sit in stunned silence as Alex steps over and turns off the TV.
"I wasn't expecting any of that," Amanda recovers first to comment.
"When Mark and I watched the earlier report, they only said a teenager rescued the baby," Jesse explains. "I thought maybe an older teen and we both knew it was unlikely Steve would've allowed Aurie to risk herself by getting involved with the rescue."
"He wouldn't have," Alex agrees. "But it'll be interesting to hear how she did end up getting involved because it sounds like that baby would've burned to death if she hadn't gotten him out."
"Mark, are you okay?" Amanda asks, squeezing his arm in concern since he'd remained sitting in silence.
Recovering somewhat, he smiles warmly at her.
"I'm okay. Just a bit shell-shocked and terrified at the idea of Aurie being in that burning SUV," he explains, gesturing at the dark TV screen.
"Are you going to call Steve to find out what happened?" Jesse asks.
"No," Mark muses thoughtfully. "He would've called me a lot sooner if he could. I know he'll call when he can and he's going to have a LOT of explaining to do."
The others chuckle at the stern look on Mark's face. A young couple wander in the front door and Alex advises them to sit wherever they like before turning back to Mark.
"Let me know what happens later, Dr Sloan. I'm invested now," Alex grins.
"Sure thing, Alex."
Grabbing a couple of menus Alex heads over to the couple. Three more people walk in the door and Alex directs them to also sit where they like as he finishes up with the first couple.
"Well, this has taken a turn," Amanda smirks. "Are you sure you're okay, Mark?"
"I'm fine, Amanda," he insists, smiling back.
"Then I've got to head home to the boys," she nods. Looking at Jesse, she adds, "Since Alex is busy, can I pay with you?"
"Yeah," Jesse replies, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I'll stick around for a bit to help Alex before heading home. Are you heading home too, Mark?"
"Yes because I need a nice, calming walk on the beach. I never thought a news report could be so anxiety-inducing," he quips.
Amanda and Jesse laugh along with him as they rise to their feet. After settling their bill with Jesse, Mark escorts Amanda out of the restaurant. While Alex takes care of the customers, Jesse grabs a dish bin and starts gathering up their dishes.