Farewell 2025 (soon - only a couple of hours left)
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you — not just for this years secret Santa and Kindness events but also for having the privilege to host this years monthly challenge!
I wanted to say thank you for the warmth and creativity that exists in our little family fandom. I haven’t been as active on Tumblr as I would’ve liked, but that was never from a lack of care.
Last year, as most of you know, I lost my dad. To be honest that was a really hard blow that life dealt me, simply because my dad and I were so close, and for that reason I needed some time away to find my footing again. Creating, reading, and slowly finding my way back to fandom has been part of that healing, and it’s meant more to me than I can really put into words.
Even if I haven’t been active - I see you and I hope you’re all doing good - or finding the healing you’re looking for 🩷
I want you to know that I’m here, that I appreciate this space and the people in it, and that I truly value the creativity and kindness that everyone shares. I’m hoping to be more present and active moving forward, and I’m really grateful to be part of this community.
Thank you all for being here — and for being you. For making this a better place simply because you’re all in it.
As Bryce would say »If you got it, flaunt it.«
I truly hope for everyone, that 2026 will be a better year. To start over, to try new dishes, meet new people, find love, rescue that dog / cat form the shelter, to love pink (yes I’m totally meaning me and everyone else who loves pink - what’s not to love?). To better physical and mental health! To fortune - yes we all deserve that money! 💰
But on a more serious note - be kind to yourself. In the stress and rush of all of our daily lives we forget that we’re all human and it’s okay to have a shitty day - but it’s also okay to move forward - because remember it’s only a bad day (days lasts 24h - so that day too shall pass) - it’s not a bad life. There’s always something good in each and every day. Life has so much to give. Now I’ve got a different perspective on life after I post my dad - to cherish every moment even more now! So go out there and live your best life. So here’s to a pinktastic and better next year 🩷🩷🩷🩷
This and last year I think kicked all of our butts - so here’s to hoping the next one will be with fewer butt kicks.
All the love
PR 🌸🩷
Sending hugs your way!!!!
@cariantha I don’t don’t know how but the universe or fate put us together and we became friends - something I’ll always be grateful for 🩷🩷🩷🩷 Your meme game is ok pint on girl! But you’re genuinely a good person and a good friend! Your stories about Sawyer & Ethan always put a smile on my face. I’m glad to have in my life. Love you lots 🩷
@lovealexhunt Dani! I am in awe of you! Of your talent of being so kind and genuine - organizing all these events - I’m sure it’s not always easy to organize events - it can be pretty stressful! But you always master it. I’m glad you’re part of our fandom! 🩷
@takemyopenheart Avy!!!! So so happy we’re friends. Our talks about everything - from books to fictional men, to daily life - is what really kept me going this and last year. You’re always so encouraging and supportive as a friend 🩷
@pilitella You’re the queen of artists. And I don’t mean that lightly! Just look at my pfp - courtesy of you! Like your talent has me in awe! I wish that next year will be amazing for you!!!! 🩷 Here’s to many more years of friendship to come 🩷
@loreofyore First of all I’m sending you hugs! Feel free to come to me anytime you feel like you need to talk - don’t hesitate to reach out - no matter how shitty I feel I‘ll try to make time for you and to listen 🩷 It was my honor and privilege to be your secret pal for this years secret Santa event - it gave me the opportunity to be creative again - so thank you for that. And thank you for your kind words - always - I hope 2026 will be so good for you - that you’ll keep shining 🩷
@renninflight Your kindness is soemthing I truly admire about you! Finding the time to send messages to people, to support them and to be truly kind! That’s a superpower of its own 🩷
@cadybear420 We‘ve recently gotten to know each other better and I have to say I noticed from the beginning that you’re a genuinely good person and I can’t wait to get to know you better 🩷🩷
@bri1234 Your Daisy is one of my favorite character of all times - and I’m so happy you’re writing for such an underrated and good book with a great story and even better characters such as The Princess Swap 🩷 Hope to get to know you better 🩷
@princess-geek You’re one of a kind! And I mean that in the absolute best way! Supportive, kind and a badass writer - still want to read your D&D stories they seem amazing 🩷🩷🩷🩷
@dutifullynuttywitch Hi! I know we haven’t crossed paths as much this year, but I just wanted to say thank you. I’m really grateful for you and hope you know you’re appreciated.
@rosesnink Even though we haven’t interacted much lately, I just wanted to say how thankful I am for you. Thank you so much for the message you left on my Christmas tree 🩷 It meant a lot really! And yes to exchanging recipes and beauty treatments / secrets! Hope you have the most wonderful 2026 ever! 🩷
@tveitertotwrites I just wanted to say a big thank you leaving that sweet message on my Christmas tree. We might not talk much, but you’re still appreciated 🩷 Always 🌸🩷
@aallotarenunelma I wanted to leave you a little note too. Your message on my tree meant more than you know. I hope this season is being gentle with you ✨
@jerzwriter We haven’t had many chances to talk recently, but I wanted you to know you’re appreciated and I’m really grateful for you and hope you’re doing well Els 🩵 Here’s to a better year than this crap fest (pardon my French) Cheers to 2026 🩵
A Valentine's Day Experiment 🎨✒️💘 | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @weetlebeetle C: @jerzwriter
Cupid Effed Up ✒️💘 | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @cariantha
RAFAEL AVEIRO
Love In Every Heartbeat - Continued (Series) ✒️ | Rafael Aveiro x F!MC - @rafasgirl23415
Chapter 17: Pink Onesies And Princess Dreams
Chapter 18: Counting Days And Feeling Kicks
Chapter 19: Bringing Our Dream Into The World
Chapter 20: Our Family Is Complete
Chapter 21: The Best Things In Life Are Worth Waiting For
Chapter 22: A Mother’s Love Is Forever
Chapter 23: Stand By Me
TOBIAS CARRICK
And Just Like That ✒️💘 | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter
Happy Valentine's Day from Tobias & Casey 🎨💘 | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @weetlebeetle C: @jerzwriter
It Happened One Night ✒️💘 | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @loreofyore C: @tveitertotwrites
The Hissing Booth ✒️💘 | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter
Kyra & Bryce are overjoyed to welcome their baby boy Kalani when Leela gives birth.
Ethan x F!MC
A Valentine's Day Experiment - @jerzwriter ☁️💘
Kaycee is NOT much of a cook, but when she decides to cook a special dinner for Ethan on Valentine's Day, how do things turn out?
[Someone Cooks]
Cupid Effed Up - @cariantha 🦚💘
An intern year fic where someone leaves a heart-shaped box of chocolates for Sawyer, and Ethan tries to find out who it is… without anyone realizing he's doing it, and of course, he fails!
Just Another Day - Part 1 - @jerzwriter ☁️💘
It's Valentine's Day, and Edenbrook Hospital is filled with balloons, chocolates, repressed feelings, and crossed signals. How will it all work out?
Rafael x F!MC
Love In Every Heartbeat - Continued - @rafasgirl23415 📚
[extended: wip] A significant time jump where Mia is older but Casey & Raf are struggling to give her a sibling.
CH 13: Making Memories To Treasure Forever
CH 14: Embracing The Future – Part 1
CH 14: Embracing The Future – Part 2
CH 15: We Can’t Wait To Hold You In Our Arms
CH 17: Pink Onesies And Princess Dreams
CH 18: Counting Days And Feeling Kicks
CH 19: Bringing Our Dream Into The World
CH 20: Our Family Is Complete
CH 21: The Best Things In Life Are Worth Waiting For
CH 22: A Mother’s Love Is Forever
CH 23: Stand By Me
You will always be the miracle - @rafasgirl23415 📷
Casey & Raf announce Isabelle’s birth after taking some time to bond.
Tobias x F!MC
The Hissing Booth - @jerzwriter ☁️
Samantha has a Valentine's Day activity planned for her and her father, but little Pietro is not excited about it at all!
[Domestic; Family]
OK, hear me out. An intern year fic where someone leaves a heart-shaped box of chocolates for Sawyer, and Ethan tries to find out who it is... without anyone realizing he's doing it and of course he fails! lol
No pressure, but I'd love it :)
Hi friend!
Okay, you sent this prompt last year, but it's better late than never, right?
Cupid Effed Up💝
I really need to create a new section on my masterlist and label it "Prompts from Elsa." We might be in the double digits now.😁
Book: Open Heart, Book 1
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)
Rating: General
Category: Fluffy Angst
Word count: 1.8K
Prompt: From @jerzwriter, “An intern year fic where someone leaves a heart-shaped box of chocolates for Sawyer, and Ethan tries to find out who it is… without anyone realizing he's doing it, and of course, he fails!"
Song Inspiration: Stupid Cupid by Jenna Raine
Ethan’s ears perked up when he heard the crinkling of plastic, light footsteps, and soft sniffling just outside the door of Naveen’s secret location. When Sawyer pushed her way through the slightly ajar door, he took one look at her face, then two urgent strides forward to block her entry into the room. She stared up at him with a red-tipped nose, watery eyes, and swollen eyelids, and his hand immediately went to her forehead to check her temperature.
“You can’t be here if you’re sick,” he admonished, his strong fingers now delicately massaging the underside of her jaw to check for swollen lymph nodes.
She subtly shook her head, with his hands still cupping the sides of her neck. Her voice hoarse and nasally, she replied, “I know. I’m not sick.”
Sawyer’s skin heated and flushed, but not from fever. Ethan’s intense gaze was too much for her itchy, burning eyes, and a tear trickled down her cheek. A swipe of his thumb caught it just before it rolled off her face.
“Did something happen? Did someone upset you?” he asked, unable to hide his protective instinct where she was concerned.
It had been a couple of weeks since their trip to Miami. The guilt of his actions weighed heavily on him. Guilt for allowing her to help in his desperate quest to save his mentor’s life, and especially for losing his control on the hotel room balcony. If Sawyer were to be harmed in any way, from gossip, accusation, or disciplinary action, because he had been too weak to resist her, he would never forgive himself.
“No… it’s just the roses,” she answered breathlessly, overwhelmed by his concern.
“Roses?” he repeated softly, his eyes lowering to her lips when she spoke.
“Yeah, I’m allergic. A few bouquets were delivered to the nurses’ station. They got to me when I was charting. That’s all.”
A loud, dry cough startled them. Ethan dropped his hands and took a large step back. Their attention snapped to the apologetic man lying in the bed with a handkerchief held to his mouth.
Naveen shook his head, disappointed in himself. “Sorry, kids,” he wheezed, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Ethan stopped at the nurses' desk midday, barking orders. He demanded that the floral arrangements decorating the countertop be removed immediately, reminding the nurses behind the desk that patients can be highly sensitive and that they were taking up too much space.
Maureen apologized to the grumpy doctor and started toward the staff lounge with a vase full of red roses and baby’s breath. Danny was called to assist a patient, leaving Ethan alone at the circular desk to review his charts.
“Excuse me? I have a delivery for Dr. Sawyer Brooks. The receptionist in the lobby directed me to this floor.”
“She’s tied up with a patient at the moment.” Too curious to stop himself, Ethan offered to sign for the delivery. “I can make sure she gets it.” He signed the man’s tablet and was handed a large heart-shaped box of gourmet chocolates. “Who should I tell her they’re from?” he tried.
“Sorry, sir, they don’t give me that info. But there’s a card attached.” The delivery person nodded to a small envelope taped to the box before returning the way he came.
Sawyer suddenly appeared out of nowhere, reaching for a tissue to blow her nose. “Hey.” When she noticed the box of chocolates he was holding, her stomach twisted into an uncomfortable, jealous knot. “Treats from your Valentine?”
“No, they’re actually for you,” Ethan answered.
“Really?” Sawyer beamed brightly and came around the desk to stand in front of him. She removed the card from the envelope and read the note.
Since you are allergic to roses…
From a secret admirer
Her stomach was still twisted up, but now from an entirely different emotion. It felt a lot like hope.
Sawyer tucked the card back into the envelope and slipped it into her lab coat pocket. Her fingers appreciatively grazed Ethan’s as she took the box from his grasp. “Thank you…”
“Sorry to interrupt, but can you tell me where I can find room 510?” a young woman asked. "I have a delivery for…… Theresa Martinez.”
Maureen intercepted as she returned. “I can take them to her,” she said before catching herself and turning to Ethan. “That is, if it’s okay with you, Dr. Ramsey?”
Ethan grunted his approval and marched away.
“I’ll move these others, Maureen,” Danny offered, having caught the tail end of the exchange.
Sawyer turned to the nurses, reaching for another tissue. “What’s his deal with the flowers?”
The nurses looked up at her blotchy face and then at each other with knowing smirks. Maureen looked back to Sawyer and answered, “He wants us to get rid of the flowers because some people are highly sensitive.”
💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝
Mid-afternoon, Sawyer took a break in the lounge with her roommates. Sienna and Jackie picked their favorites from her enormous box of chocolates.
“A secret admirer? I bet they’re from Bryce,” Sienna quickly guessed. “That boy has it bad for you.”
“The scalpel jockey?” Jackie rolled her eyes. “Please. He’d more likely give her a coupon book offering his services.”
“Oh, what about Rafael? He’s such a sweetheart,” Sienna gushed. “When was the last time you guys went out?”
“It was before the holidays, and it’s not like that between us. We’re just friends.”
“My money is on Landry,” Jackie said, popping a truffle into her mouth, “that weirdo puts off serious secret admirer slash stalker vibes.”
Sienna laughed out loud, and Sawyer rolled her eyes.
The air shifted when their attending stomped into the room to wash his coffee mug, giving them a menacing get-back-to-work glare. Sienna and Jackie promptly got the message and scurried away, but Sawyer just rolled her eyes again. He didn’t intimidate her anymore.
“Eth- I mean, Dr. Ramsey, do you want a chocolate or two before I put them away?”
“No, thank you.” The thought of eating something another man had gifted her made his stomach sour.
“Are you feeling okay today?” Sawyer teased as she put the lid back on the box. “You never turn down chocolate.”
He didn’t answer.
“O-kay, then. I’m going to return these to my locker and get back to work. See ya later, boss.”
When Ethan finished at the sink, he turned and spotted the lab coat left behind. Even if he hadn’t known Sawyer was sitting in that seat, he’d have known it was hers from the subtle hint of beach-scented body spray. It was a scent that now tortuously conjured memories of a moonlit ocean, swaying coconut palms, fresh sea breeze, and the subtle taste of salt in the air. And on her lips.
It was a night he regretted. However, he couldn’t decide if he regretted it more for what did or didn’t happen.
Ethan draped the coat over his arm. He would catch up to her in the locker room. But as he stepped toward the door, a little devil appeared on his shoulder with another idea, and giving in to temptation, he reached into the pocket of the white coat.
Despite the impossibility of their situation, the thought of her affections shifting to another was a hard pill to swallow- a pill that no amount of vending machine candy could make better. Hesitating, with the small envelope pinched between his fingers, he silently debated with the evil voice whispering in his ear.
As he was about to lose the argument, Sawyer appeared in the doorway. “I forgot my lab coat…”
When her eyes fixed on the card in his hand, he passed it to her. “I found this on the floor. Must have slipped from of your pocket,” he lied.
💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌
At the end of her shift, Sawyer snuck behind the plastic entrance of the construction zone. She brought her box of chocolates to share with Naveen, knowing the small treats would brighten his day. Finding him napping, she set her things down and left to find fresh bed linens.
Ethan entered the off-limits hospital room a few minutes later. While he was checking Naveen’s vitals, something behind the patient monitor caught his eye. It was that taunting heart-shaped box.
Glancing at Naveen to ensure he was still asleep, Ethan stepped up to where the box sat atop the overbed table. The corner of an envelope peeked out just underneath. He began to lift the box when he was startled.
"You can have a piece if you want," he heard from behind.
Sawyer stood smiling in the doorway, a stack of clean sheets and blankets in her hands.
"Oh, uh... thanks… I was just checking to see if they had nuts," he lied for the second time today. Trying to spin up a joke, he added, "Given your allergy history, I just wanted to know if I should track down an EpiPen.”
"You and I both know neither of us is allergic, so..."
Shit. He should have said he was looking for the descriptions of what’s inside each chocolate. “Fine. You caught me. I was curious to know who they were from," he confessed.
Disappointment painted her face. "Oh. I thought they were from you," she said, digging for the card in her pocket. The card on the table was a friendly Valentine’s Day card for Naveen that Sawyer had picked up in the gift shop.
“Why did you think that?” Ethan asked, trying not to sound like a jerk.
“I mean, you handed me the box and said they were for me, and when I read the note… I just assumed…” she trailed off, confused. She pulled the card from the envelope, reread it, and handed it to Ethan.
As his eyes scanned the notecard, Sawyer caught Naveen cracking an eyelid open just enough to spy on them.
"You! You little stinker," she laughed, grabbing his foot and shaking it gently. “Are you my secret Valentine?”
Ethan spun around to see his mentor shrugging.
After changing the bed linens and helping Ethan get Naveen settled for the evening, Sawyer said her goodbyes. When she asked Ethan if she’d see him later at Donahue’s, he answered with a disappointing “Maybe.” A stiff drink was what the doctor ordered, but he wasn’t sure it was worth the torture of watching other men hit on her all night.
Naveen studied Ethan as he sank into the bedside chair. His mentee closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed deeply.
Ethan grumbled in annoyance, “Why would you do that?”
“Do what, son?”
“Get her hopes up…”
“Because Cupid made a perfect match for you,” Naveen smiled. “I was just encouraging it.”
“Yeah, well, don’t.”
“Why not?”
Ethan stood up and walked to the door. Before closing it behind him, he glanced over his shoulder and said, “Because Cupid fucked up. He brought me someone I can’t have.”
Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics
A/N: With my interests shifting, any more OH fics I write will be for personal enjoyment and escape moving forward. While I sincerely appreciate each and every ❤️ and reblog I've ever received, especially when I first started writing, it's not about that for me anymore. And as much as I want to continue supporting other OH writer friends by reading and reblogging, I want to be honest and admit that my heart's not in it as much. From this point forward, I will only tag the Choices and OH fanfic directories for those who still enjoy reading new OH fics or have yet to fall in love with a grumpy doctor and find their way to this little corner of the world.😊
Hey Dear! It's been a long time! I hope you're doing well! I thought I'd send this along to say hi and make you smile :)
Hi friend!🥰
It has been a long time. Though I've been MIA lately, I haven't checked out completely. I've been pursuing other interests, but I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. The pull to the man in the photo is just too strong.🥵 It might just be the motivation I need to finish a Valentine's Day fic inspired by a prompt you sent me last year.😉
Thanks for checking in! I hope you are hanging in there.
Thanks for this, Mal. I miss you, too. I've been distracted with other things lately, but I'm still here. I'm ashamed at how far back I've fallen reading and reblogging everyone's stories, but I still hope to catch up in the not-too-distant future. Maybe work on a V-Day fic too.😊
Last Song: More Than Whiskey Does by Mitchell Tenpenny (Ethan's current mood🤭)
Favorite Color: Morally Gray😏
Last Book: Fourth Wing🐲 (re-read with graphic audio in prep for Onyx Storm release)
Last Movie: Enola Holmes 2
Last Show: Lucifer😈 (but pausing for the new season of The Rookie starting this week👮🏼♂️👮🏻♀️)
Sweet/Spicy/Savory: Savory
Relationship Status: Married💍(with my book boyfriends Ethan, Rhysand and Xaden on the side)
Current Obsession: I got sucked into the world of dragon riders and venin last year. I'm currently re-reading FW and IF to refresh my memory before the release of OS, spamming my friends with funny reels, and preparing for a very bumpy ride😬.
Last Thing I Googled: American Council on Education (boring work stuff)
Everyone I know has been tagged already. Looking forward to seeing what others post!
Book: Open Heart, Book 2
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)
Rating: General
Category: Fluff
Word count: 1.8K
Summary: Ethan helps Sawyer with one of her New Year’s resolutions.
A/N: I woke up with this idea yesterday and hammered it out last night so I could post it in time for NYE. Please forgive any errors. Happy New Year!🎉🪩🍾
Events/Prompts:
• Participating in CFWC Holidays 2023
• Participating in Choices Flashfics Week #66 Prompts
🫤3: “How much worse could it get?”
• Participating in Choices Holidays Winter 2023
Sawyer had never kissed anyone on New Year's Eve.
Every year, for as long as she could remember, she rang in the new year with her family. The tradition was due in part to the fact that it was also her father's birthday. Twelve years away at school, but she always returned home for the holidays, never missing the annual event. Even last year, her first in Boston, she was able to make it home. A trip made possible by the plane ticket Ethan had given her for Christmas, a generous thank-you gift for helping him with Naveen.
In recent years their family party grew to include significant others and their babies. Everyone had a special someone to kiss at midnight. Everyone but Sawyer.
When she broke the news to her parents that she was staying in Boston for New Years, there was disappointment on both ends of the line. A couple weeks had passed since she returned to work, and the medical leave she took to recuperate from the attack had already eaten up more time than she could afford. She couldn’t spare any more time away. Her parents were understanding, and Sawyer found a silver lining in that she finally had a special someone to kiss at midnight this year.
At least that was the case until she looked at her schedule a week later. Zaid accommodated her request for extra shifts, allowing her to make up clinic hours. But given that she worked a double on Christmas, she didn’t expect another on New Year’s Eve. She should have known better. It was one of the busiest nights of the year in the emergency department.
🎉🪩🍾🎉🪩🍾🎉🪩🍾🎉🪩🍾
After a quick coffee break at Derry’s, Ethan helped Sawyer put her coat back on. He took the cream colored beanie that she pulled from her pocket and fitted it over her head. “Nice bunny tail,” he said, gently swatting the giant cotton ball sewn to the top of her knit hat.
“Watch it, Mister, or you won’t be getting any of this tail for a while,” she turned and shook her rear end at him.
Just before they headed back inside the hospital, Sawyer squeezed his hand. “Sure you don’t want to volunteer and stay for another shift?” she asked, looking up at him with a puppy dog pout.
The first time Sawyer returned to work after the attack, with her landlord in tow, it had been a complete disaster. Though things had gone better this time around, Ethan kept an eye out for any signs of distress. She had her ups and downs, and he couldn't help but worry about her. "Is everything all right?"
“Yeah, it’s fine. You don’t need to worry. I promise,” she tried to assure him, sensing his concern. “I’m just going to miss you tonight, that’s all.”
Ethan could still feel something was off, but dropped it.
🎉🪩🍾🎉🪩🍾🎉🪩🍾🎉🪩🍾
It took him twice as long to get home with New Year’s revelers heading to their festivities around town. After a light dinner, a satisfying workout, and a long, hot shower, Ethan settled on his couch. The apartment suddenly felt too quiet, too empty. He missed his girlfriend. Since Sawyer began picking up double-shifts, they had not had a lot of time alone. Sure he got to see her at work. But it wasn’t the same as curling up together on the couch and talking about their day, or kissing whenever they felt like it, or waking up in each other’s arms.
Hoping it would provide some distraction, he turned on the television and watched the local news. When the weather segment began, Ethan grew bored. He reached for a book on the coffee table, finding Sawyer’s notebook underneath. He recognized it from their DT meetings, where she took meticulous notes and sometimes doodled during their brainstorming sessions. She must have forgotten it the last time she stayed over.
The way her mind worked fascinated him. She could be discussing the differences between apples and oranges when… Click! An idea would pop into her head to check their patient for uneven skin texture, giving her the lead needed to reach a successful diagnosis.
Curious to know her thoughts about their current, undiagnosed patient, Ethan picked up the notebook and flipped through the pages. They were filled with detailed notes from each of their team meetings. Random side notes littered the margins. Tacos or burritos? He chuckled, wondering if the question was part of a diagnostic brainstorm, or if she was just hungry at the time. Turning the page to a more recent entry, he found Sawyer’s notes from a meeting he conducted last week. Ethan had attempted to inspire the team by conducting a goal-setting exercise. He asked everyone to jot down a few professional and personal goals for the new year.
Several emotions washed over Ethan as he read her goals. She was cute as hell, but his heart broke a little knowing how much weight she still carried on her shoulders.
On the TV, the New Year’s Eve countdown now aired. A correspondent stood in front of a large crowd of people gathered in Times Square. “…And according to folklore, a kiss at midnight brings luck and strength to that relationship for the rest of the year. So, who will you be kissing when the clock strikes twelve?” Ethan looked down at her list again. Is that why she wanted me to stay tonight? Was that the reason she seemed so… disappointed?
A timer in the corner of the TV screen counted down the time to the famous ball drop. Forty minutes until midnight.
Ethan never paid any mind to superstitions. Thinking back to the events of the past two years, he thought to himself, “How much worse could it get?” He shuddered at the thought, bolting to his closet where he threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater, then slipped into his running shoes. He was not going to take any chances, and most importantly, he was intent on giving Sawyer whatever she desired. If she wanted a kiss at midnight, he would make it happen. Keys and jacket in hand, the door to his apartment slammed shut behind him.
Ethan stepped into the atrium and checked the clock behind the reception desk. Fifteen minutes until midnight.
He pushed through the doors of the emergency department a couple minutes later. It was eerily quiet. The calm before the storm. In about an hour, the waiting room would be packed with reckless and unfortunate party-goers. He didn’t see Sawyer anywhere, but wanting to confirm, Ethan inquired at the triage desk.
“Happy New Year, Dr. Ramsey,” the triage coordinator greeted.
“Happy New Year, Anabel. Have you seen Dr. Brooks?”
“About an hour ago? She mentioned trying to catch a quick nap before the midnight rush.”
“Thank you.”
Ethan made his way to the on-call room nearest the emergency room. When he opened the door, the beds were full of sleeping doctors, but Sawyer was not among them. After a quick peek in the cafeteria, he headed up to the Internal Medicine floor. The hallways were dim and quiet at this time of night. He checked all the obvious places. Staff lounge, empty. Resident locker room, empty. The on-call room was also empty, save for a pager that someone had left behind. Duh!
“Could you page Dr. Brooks, please?” he asked the nurse sitting behind the circular desk. Not a moment later, the pager in his hand started to vibrate.
Of course. He wondered if this was the universe mocking him for his skepticism.
Jan, the night supervisor, quietly exited the patient’s room behind him. “Hey kiddo, I thought you went home a few hours ago?” She noticed the pager in his hand. “Did someone page you?”
“Uh, no. Jan, I’m looking for Sawy- for Dr. Brooks? Have you seen her?” he asked.
“No, hon, but I’ve seen several folks making their way up to the helipad for the fireworks. Maybe she’s up there?”
Yes! She loves fireworks. Ethan looked at his wrist. Five minutes until midnight.
After thanking the nurses, he walked with purpose to the elevator bank and punched the up button. Come on, come on! Four minutes to midnight.
When he reached the seventh floor he jogged to the helipad entrance. The automatic glass doors slid open and a frigid gush of wind hit his face. With only the light of the helipad beacons, Ethan frantically scanned the gathered crowd. She’s not here. Dammit!
He checked the time again. Two minutes until midnight.
As he turned to head back inside, he noticed a large chunk of snow falling from above. It fell from a secluded section of the rooftop that few knew how to access. Naveen referred to it as “the bird’s nest.” He shared its location with Ethan, and in turn, Ethan shared it with Sawyer. It was a place they could go when they needed a minute of peace. To his surprise, he saw what appeared to be a snowball floating in midair. Wait… not a snowball. A bunny tail!
When he reached the stairwell, he glanced at his watch again. One minute until midnight.
Climbing the stairs three at a time, he quickly ascended two flights of stairs, bursting onto the ninth floor. Thankfully these hallways were lined mostly with administrative offices and were completely abandoned given the late hour. Sprinting to the end of the long hallway, Ethan pulled on a door marked “Authorized Personnel Only.” He launched himself through the dark doorway and blindly climbed another flight of stairs.
Just as his hand reached the door at the top of the staircase, he heard an explosion on the other side. Midnight.
Sawyer jumped when she heard the steel door crash against the stone exterior of the building. Turning around, she saw Ethan. Steam puffed from his mouth as he tried to catch his breath.
With the sky sparkling behind her, he grabbed the sides of her face, and crashed his lips onto hers. Once the urgency had subsided, he changed the angle and kissed her again. Deep and tender. When he pulled away to give his lungs a chance to expand, Sawyer could see the fireworks reflected in his eyes.
Tucked in his embrace, she smiled up at him. “What are you doing here?”
“Helping you keep your New Year’s resolutions.”
She looked at him confused. “Wait... how did you know about that?” She hadn’t remembered mentioning it to him, or anyone for that matter.
“You left your notebook at my apartment.” He reached into his pocket and handed her the pager. “You also left this in the on-call room.”
“Shit. Please don’t tell my boss.”
“You’ll have to silence me with another kiss,” he smirked.
“Well, if that's what it takes...” she laughed, standing on her tiptoes. She brushed her lips against his and whispered, “Happy New Year, Ethan.”
Before claiming her lips again, he whispered back, “Happy New Year, Rookie.”
Book: Open Heart (post-series)
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)
Rating: Teen
Category: Fluff, Halloween
Word count: 600+
Prompt: From @jerzwriter, "I love you, I swear I do, but we're not wearing matching costumes."
“Hello…” Ethan groaned into the phone.
“Daddy-”
"I love you, I swear I do, but we're not wearing matching costumes, Bellezza."
“Pleeeease…”
“Can we compromise? I’ll wear a suit and glasses and be Clark Kent.”
“Dad, no one will know you’re even in a costume. You’ll just look the same as you always do.”
Ethan smiled. He had to give her credit. His daughter, Luca, was a smart cookie. “I know how much you love Superman, but don’t you want to be something different this year? I thought you wanted to be Alice?”
“I did, but…” she trailed off shyly.
“But what, Luca?” Ethan coaxed gently.
“I just wanted you to dress up with me.”
Ethan could hear the disappointment in his baby girl’s voice. She was his shadow, and knowing she wanted to do everything with him was the best feeling in the world. If he wanted to avoid dressing up for Halloween, he would need Sawyer’s help to convince Luca to change her mind before they got home. Because it would only take a bat of Luca’s eyelashes and a kiss on the cheek to make him cave. “Let me talk to your mom, okay?"
“Okay. Here she is.”
“Hey,” Sawyer greeted.
“You’re playing dirty, and you’ll pay for that later, Rookie.”
Sawyer just laughed. “Promise?”
“Still a colossal pain in the ass,” Ethan grumbled. “Can you please talk her into being Alice instead?
“Oh, oh, I have an idea! One sec…” In the background, he could hear Sawyer telling the kids to follow her. Then, a minute later, “Yes! Okay, they have a top hat. You can be the Mad Hatter. You can wear your tux pants and dress shoes and borrow Tobias’ velvet suit jacket.”
“Okay, I can do that,” Ethan conceded. “But no wig and make-up! I’m not painting my face to look like the guy in the movie.”
There was muffled talk on the other end of the line before his wife responded. “Your daughter agrees to your terms.”
“Good. Thank you, Rookie.”
“Does this mean I won’t be punished later?”
“I suppose you’re off the hook.”
“Bummer,” she said playfully.
“I guess I could show you my appreciation instead.”
A week later...
Halloween night...
Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @peonierose @potionsprefect @trappedinfanfiction
This is sooooo cute! Am I this freaking behind on reading? Apparently, I am this behind on reading, but it was worth the wait! What a clever idea, and the pictures/edits are PERFECT! And hey, pink and purple are THE best reasons to be the Cheshire Cat! All those brains were passed down to the future generation!
Thanks so much for doing this - and I am so sorry for being so late! Life's been... an awful lot the past couple months. :) Thanks Cari!
Book: Open Heart, Book 2 (post-attack)
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)
Rating: General
Category: Fluff, Christmas
Word count: 1K
Summary: Ethan eavesdrops on a conversation between Sawyer and her best friend.
A/N: This fic was inspired by this Instagram reel and a little “Caption This” fun with a friend. It was meant to be an angsty fic, but then I listened to Sweet December by Brett Eldridge and Kelly Clarkson and changed directions. Merry Christmas!🎄
Events/Prompts: Participating in Winter Holidays 2024 hosted by @choicesholidays | Cuddling by the fireplace
With plans to spend their day off together, Ethan insisted that Sawyer come to his after her late-night shift at the hospital. The apartment was dark except for the glow of his bedside lamps, drawing attention away from the living room and the surprise he had set up for his girl.
The tactic worked. An exhausted Sawyer entered the quiet apartment well after midnight and headed straight for the bedroom like a moth to the flame. After a quick kiss and a much-needed shower, she draped herself over Ethan’s body like a blanket and passed out within minutes.
It was mid-morning when Sawyer padded into the kitchen, still a little groggy, with her phone pressed to her ear. Finding no evidence of Ethan's morning coffee, she assumed he was still at the gym, which was his usual weekend routine.
“That sounds like so much fun. I’ve always wanted to visit New York during Christmas time…” Sawyer told the person on the other end of the line. “Maybe next year.”
When she put the phone on speaker so she could start the coffee, her best friend’s voice filled the room.
“What about you? Are you going home to Arizona for Christmas?” Christian asked.
“No. I love my family and know they are concerned, but they have been so overbearing that I’ve started dodging their calls,” she confessed.
“Oof.”
“I know,” Sawyer grimaced guiltily, “and I know they mean well, but I just need time to process things on my own. I can’t take any more time off, anyway. I just got back to work and need to catch up on my clinic hours. Besides, I’m looking forward to experiencing a Christmas like in the movies. You know, someplace cold enough that it snows, and you can cozy up by the fire and drink hot chocolate."
“Will you spend Christmas with Ethan, then?”
From the living room, Ethan watched as Sawyer shrugged her shoulders. He’d been listening to their conversation while he lounged in front of the fireplace, waiting for her to turn around and notice him.
"I don't want to assume, but I hope so," Sawyer answered softly, then sighed deeply. "God, Christian, I know it sounds so corny, but when I start feeling all upside down, he turns me right around."
"Awww..."
Ethan continued to watch and listen as she tinkered with the coffee machine.
"We’re both working on Christmas, but a wintery night cuddling by the fire like we had at Dagger Mountain would be amazing. As for anything else, I think Ethan’s more the ‘spirit of Christmas’ type than the ‘holiday spirit’ type. Last year, when I came over to help with Naveen's case, I brought him one of those potted tabletop trees from the hospital gift shop because he didn't have a tree or a wreath or anything. It made me sad for him."
Ethan raised his brows in surprise, then looked to the corner of the room where, the night before, he set a five-foot balsam fir into a tree stand. Boxes of ornaments and garland that the doorman helped carry into the apartment sat on the floor nearby.
Christian chuckled. “You sound like Cindy Lou Who talking about the Grinch. Girl, he's been a bachelor for a long time. Guys don't care about that shit. Sam wouldn't bother either if it weren't for the boys."
"Yeah, I guess you’re right."
A loud pop from the living room made Sawyer jump. She quickly spun around to find Ethan reclined in front of the fireplace. Christian’s voice faded into the background as Sawyer's senses awakened with the warmth of the roaring fire. The smell of fresh pine needles. The twinkling of white lights in the corner. The soft crooning of Bing Crosby’s “Silver Bells.” The taste of creamy chocolate and peppermint from the cup that Ethan walked over and offered her.
“Sawyer? Hellooo… did I lose you?”
Reaching for her phone, she apologized to her friend. “Sorry about that, um, Ethan just surprised me… Can I call you back later?”
“Of course! I should go anyway. I think Sam and the boys are ready to leave for the ice rink.”
“Have fun and send me pics. Love you.”
“Love you, too, babe.”
Sawyer ended the call and set her phone aside. “Hi,” she greeted, standing on her tiptoes.
“Morning,” Ethan answered, bending down to meet her halfway for a tender kiss.
Gesturing to the living room, “What’s all this?”
“Since you're not going home for Christmas, I thought we could celebrate together. Here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really,” he confirmed with a peck to her lips.
“I’d love that...” she blushed with embarrassment, “as you probably heard.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked at the glowing tree. “You bought a real tree?”
“Given your family’s Christmas tree business, I knew anything else would be considered sacrilege.”
She smiled up at him. “You remembered that?”
“When it comes to you, I remember everything.”
Pressing herself tighter against him, Sawyer rested her cheek on his chest. “It’s so cozy in here. And look! It’s snowing outside.” Sawyer moved to sit on the sofa, tugging the sleeve of Ethan’s robe to get him to follow. “Come cuddle with me.”
Ethan sat, draping an arm over her shoulder, tucking her into his side. But just as they got comfortable, Ethan moved to stand up.
“Where are you going?”
“I forgot,” he started, “I bought one of those big fluffy blankets you said I needed for cuddling on the couch. It’s in the hall closet.”
Sawyer smiled so big. “You are so sweet sometimes.”
“Sweet?! Uh-oh, my reputation for being a Grinch is in jeopardy.”
Reminded again that he heard every word of her conversation, she scowled at him. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s rude to eavesdrop? You could have cleared your throat or something.”
Ethan winked, letting her know there was nothing to worry about. “Let me grab the blanket.”
“No,” she demanded, catching his hand before he walked away. Lying back, she pulled him down and on top of her. “A blanket’s good, but you’re even better.”
Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @peonierose @potionsprefect @trappedinfanfiction
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