You and Connor babysit Owen so that Will and Natalie can still have their date night after the babysitter calls in sick.
"Nice job back there Dr. Y/L/N," Connor smiled at you.
The two of you had just finished a relatively easy surgery and had returned to the ED to help with the backlog of patients. Between the icy roads and flu season, they could use all the help they could get in there.
"You weren't too shabby either Dr. Rhodes," You shot back and Connor smirked.
"Quit flirting over there lovebirds," Maggie called out, "Y/N you're needed in Treatment 2. Connor, we have an incoming five minutes out, you're going to Baghdad."
"I'll see you after shift then?" Connor quirked an eyebrow and you nodded.
The rest of your day flew by without any sight of your boyfriend. You were so busy, constantly rushing from one room to next in an attempt to catch up with the schedule.
By the end of your shift, you were absolutely exhausted and wanted nothing more than to open a bottle of wine and put on your favourite movie while snuggling Connor on the couch.
It was that thought that managed to keep you on your feet.
"I am ready to call it a night," You breathed out while you gathered your items, "I don't know if my feet could stand a moment longer."
"Well, they're going to need to find some juice if you want to get to your car," Maggie joked.
You laughed, "Not if I can convince Connor to carry me there."
"I don't think you'd have any trouble," Maggie said and shook her head, "That man is whipped for you..."
You both chuckled at that but you both also knew it was true. Connor would fly to the moon for you.
"Well, have a good night Y/N," Maggie said and left, leaving you to wait for Connor alone.
You quietly waited on the couch for Connor to finish up his last surgery of the day. Nurses and doctors bustled in and out of the lounge and you wished each and every one of them a good night. You were mostly just on your phone, not actively engaging in any other conversation when you overheard your friend Natalie speaking.
"Sorry Will," She was saying, "The nanny just texted. She can't stay later tonight, something with her sister came up."
"Don't worry about it," Will responded, "I'll cancel the reservation then."
You spoke before you could really think things through, "I can watch Owen!"
When your sudden outburst was met with confused silence, you flushed and fumbled with your words.
"I wasn't eavesdropping, I just overheard," You mumbled quickly, "But seriously if you guys need someone to watch Owen, Connor and I can totally do it."
"Connor won't mind?" Natalie asked and you shook your head.
You and Connor hadn't really talked about kids but this wasn't anything like that. All you had to do was look after a toddler for a few hours. How hard could that be?
"We don't have anything better to do tonight anyway," You told them, "In fact, I think it'll be really fun!"
Natalie chuckled at your enthusiasm, "Well I can assure you that it won't be dull."
"Exactly," You pointed your finger at her, "You and Will go on your date. Do. Not. Cancel. Connor and I will watch Owen."
Will and Natalie took a moment to look at each other as if they were contemplating your offer. Finally, Natalie turned back to face you and nodded.
"Thank you Y/N," Natalie said genuinely, "I owe you one."
You shook your head though, "Nah...you don't owe me anything. I'm just glad I can help."
It was decided that Natalie and Will would go and get ready for their date and that they would drop off Owen when you and Connor were back at your apartment. You figured that you should give Connor a heads up but he was still in surgery and you weren't going to disturb him because he was suddenly on babysitting duty afterwards.
About ten minutes later, a tired-looking Connor walked into the doctor's lounge and the deepest part of your gut felt bad that you had dragged him into babysitting Owen after a long shift. That guilt caused you to just stare at your boyfriend for a solid minute before he pointed it out.
"What did you do," Connor demanded teasingly as he turned to face you.
You quickly snapped out of your trance, "Nothing!"
"Uh-huh..." Connor raised an eyebrow, "I know that look Y/N."
You feigned offence, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Connor only continued to stare at you and after a while, you finally caved.
"Okay fine," You sighed. "You have to promise that you won't get mad."
"I..." You squeezed your eyes shut before opening them again. "I kind of volunteered us to babysit Owen while Nat and Will go on a date."
“So…” You stared at Connor, “Thoughts?”
Connor raised an eyebrow, “You voluntarily agreed to look after a toddler…after working a 12 hour shift…”
The two of you stood there, staring at each other, unmoving. After a hot second, Connor let out a slightly exasperated sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
“Alrighty then, I suppose we should get going then,” Connor gave you a small smile, “wouldn’t want to keep Nat and Will waiting now would we?”
~~~
Perhaps you had underestimated how exhausting looking after a toddler could be.
Dinner had been tiring enough. Somehow more food had gotten on you and Connor than into Owen's stomach.
"You've got a little something there," Connor teased and wiped mashed potato off your eyebrows.
You laughed, "What? Are you sure it's not my new makeup?"
Game after game. Activity after activity. It just didn't end, and yet somehow, it was you and Connor that were tired out, not Owen.
"Y/N!" Owen's little voice gleefully called out. "Come play!"
You huffed but smiled big for the little boy before pushing yourself onto your feet.
Connor couldn't help but chuckle, "Are you having some regrets right about now?"
"Pfttt, never," You shook your head as you sat yourself down on the ground next to Owen. "Right buddy? We're having a blast?"
Connor smiled at you affectionately. He couldn't deny that he was tired but he also had zero regrets. You were so good with Owen. The way you spoke to him. The way you naturally were so attuned to his needs. The way you understood his toddler language.
It took about another hour before Owen's energy began to wane. After a ten minute chase around the apartment, you had managed to wrangle Owen into his pajamas and Connor convinced him to brush his teeth.
Another twenty minutes later and Owen was passed out in bed and you and Connor collapsed on the couch.
"I'm not sure which was more exhausting," Connor joked. "Our twelve hour shift or this."
You teased, "Did a toddler outdo you?"
"Absolutely," Connor shook his head. "I was absolutely outdone by a toddler."
Laughing, you leaned against Connor who wrapped his arm around your shoulders and pulled you closer to his chest.
"You're really good with him you know," Connor softly said.
You hummed, "You weren't so bad yourself."
"Maybe we should babysit more often," Connor added and you scoffed.
"I think we need a few weeks to recover before making any big decisions."