Hi, i don't know if anybody is seeing this but im gonna update all of my mastrlists of recomendations. If you want me to tag you when i put it up again just comment on this.
Garrett Graham knew something was wrong the second you walked into the kitchen.
You tried to act normal. You really did. You even gave him a small smile, which would have worked on almost anyone else.
But Garrett had spent enough time around you to know that the smile was fake, your shoulders were tense, and you were moving like every step had to be negotiated with your own body.
He leaned against the counter, one eyebrow lifting. “Okay,” he said. “What happened?”
You blinked at him from the fridge door. “What makes you think something happened?”
“Because you look like you’re about to fight the entire human race,” he said. “And lose. Badly.”
You shut the fridge a little too hard. “I’m fine.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I am.”
Garrett pushed off the counter and crossed the kitchen in a few easy steps, stopping in front of you. “Sweetheart,” he said, softer now, “that is absolutely not the face of a fine person.”
You opened your mouth, ready with some sharp reply, but another cramp ripped through your stomach so suddenly you had to grab the edge of the counter.
Garrett’s expression changed instantly. “There it is.”
You shot him a glare. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t do that thing where you act like you know everything.”
He gave you a flat look. “You are literally bent over in the kitchen.”
“Not helping.”
“I’m aware,” he said. “I’m trying to help in a very Garrett Graham way, which, for the record, is still better than most people’s way.”
You let out a breath that was halfway between a laugh and a groan. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, here you are.”
You made a face, but the pain hit again, and your hand went to your lower stomach. Garrett noticed immediately. Of course he did. He was infuriatingly observant when it counted.
He lowered his voice. “Period?”
You stared at him.
He stared back, then pointed at your sweatpants. “I’m not asking because I want details. I’m asking because I know the look.”
You exhaled. “Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah. Okay,” he said, as if this was the easiest answer in the world. “What do you need?”
You paused.
Because that was Garrett Graham, captain of Briar hockey, loudmouth, smug genius, and somehow also the guy who could go from teasing you mercilessly to gentle in a single second.
“I don’t know,” you admitted. “Heat maybe. And painkillers. And maybe to not be perceived by anyone for the next twelve to forty-eight hours.”
He nodded once, all seriousness now. “That can be arranged.”
You gave him a skeptical look. “By who? You?”
“Obviously.”
You huffed. “You don’t even know where the heating pad is.”
Garrett pointed at you like you’d just made his case for him. “You see? This is why I’m asking. Because I am a man who solves problems.”
“You also leave your laundry on the floor.”
“That is unrelated.”
“Is it?”
He stepped around you and opened the cabinet over the sink. “Heating pad’s in here, right?”
You blinked. “How did you know that?”
He looked over his shoulder, that arrogant little grin showing up again. “Because I pay attention.”
You crossed your arms, trying very hard not to smile and failing a little. “You’re unbearable.”
“And yet,” he said, pulling out the heating pad, “I’m the one who knows where the stuff is.”
He plugged it in at the outlet near the counter, then turned back to you. “Come here.”
You narrowed your eyes. “Why does that sound suspicious.”
“Because you’re dramatic.”
“Garrett.”
“Y/N.”
You stared each other down for one beat, then two, until he sighed and held up both hands in surrender. “Fine. No tricks. I just want to get you on the couch before you decide to act tough and pass out dramatically on the kitchen floor.”
“That is not a thing I do.”
He lifted one brow. “Last month you almost cried because your socks were wet.”
“Those socks were the worst socks in the history of socks.”
“Exactly my point.”
You rolled your eyes, but the corner of your mouth twitched. Garrett noticed, because of course he did, and his face softened again.
“C’mon,” he said. “Couch. Blankets. Water. Painkillers. I’ll be your full-time service boyfriend for the evening.”
“That is not a real title.”
“It is tonight.”
He guided you toward the living room with a hand on your lower back, warm and steady. You hated how much that helped. You hated even more that he knew exactly how to move with you without making a big deal out of it.
Once you were settled on the couch, Garrett disappeared into the kitchen and came back carrying a water bottle, a bag of chips, and the heating pad wrapped in one of his hoodies because, apparently, he had decided basic competence was suddenly his brand.
You stared at the pile in his arms. “Did you just assemble a period survival kit?”
“Yes,” he said. “Try to sound less impressed.”
You snorted and took the water bottle. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re pale. Which is a problem, because I prefer you looking less like a Victorian ghost.”
You laughed despite yourself, then winced and pressed a hand to your stomach.
Garrett sat beside you immediately. “How bad is it?”
You shrugged, but it was a useless motion. “Annoying. Sharp. Stupid.”
“On a scale from one to ten?”
You looked at him. “Since when are you so organized?”
“Since I became responsible for your wellbeing,” he said, like it was obvious. “Now answer the question.”
You sighed. “Six? Maybe seven.”
His jaw tightened a little. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“Because I’m not trying to be a problem.”
Garrett turned fully toward you. “Hey.” His voice was gentle, but there was steel in it too. “You are never a problem.”
That made you go quiet.
He rubbed a thumb along the side of the water bottle, then added, “You could’ve woken me up, texted me, yelled across the campus, whatever. I don’t care. I’d rather know.”
You studied him. “You’d really help?”
He looked offended. “Y/N. I am insulted on a spiritual level.”
You laughed again, then made a face as another cramp hit.
Garrett was up in a second, setting the heating pad onto your stomach and adjusting the hoodie around it so it stayed in place. He was careful, almost reverent about it, like he didn’t want to do anything wrong.
“Better?” he asked.
You nodded, already feeling some relief from the warmth. “Yeah. Actually, yeah.”
“Good.”
He leaned back and stretched an arm along the top of the couch behind you. “Now tell me what else I need to do.”
You glanced at him. “You’re taking this very seriously.”
“I’m a serious guy.”
“That is the funniest thing you’ve ever said.”
He looked offended again. “You wound me.”
“You mock me every day.”
“That’s different.”
You smiled into your water bottle and took a sip. The room was quiet for a few seconds, just the low hum of the heater and the distant noise of the guys somewhere upstairs.
Then Garrett said, “Do you want ice cream?”
You stared. “You just asked me that like it was a medical treatment.”
“It is.”
“It is not.”
“It absolutely is. Comfort food counts.”
You bit your lip to hide your grin. “We don’t have ice cream.”
“I’ll get some.”
“You’re not going out just for that.”
He looked at you like you were being unreasonable. “Why not?”
“Because it’s raining.”
“So?”
“Garrett.”
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “Sweetheart, I play hockey. Rain does not scare me. Neither does a grocery store.”
Your eyes narrowed. “It’s 10 p.m.”
“And?”
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re still not answering the question.”
You sighed. “No ice cream. I’m fine.”
He gave you a look that said he did not believe you for one second, then nodded toward the blanket folded on the armchair. “At least let me get you that.”
You hesitated, then said, “Okay.”
He got up, grabbed the blanket, and came back to drape it over you with way more care than he needed to. It covered your legs, your shoulders, and part of the hoodie warming your stomach. You looked like you had been wrapped up by someone who actually wanted you comfortable instead of just out of the way.
Garrett sat back down and crossed one ankle over the other. “There.”
You looked over at him. “You really don’t have to babysit me, you know.”
He smirked. “That’s funny. Because I’m pretty sure I volunteered.”
“I didn’t accept your application.”
“I’m not sure you have the authority to reject it.”
You laughed, then rested your head against the cushion. “You’re smug.”
“Correct.”
“And annoying.”
“Also correct.”
“And weirdly good at this.”
That made him go quiet for a beat.
Then he glanced at you, something softer moving across his face. “Yeah?”
You nodded once. “Yeah.”
He looked almost shy for half a second, which was so unlike him you would have missed it if you weren’t paying attention. Then he cleared his throat and reached for the remote. “Okay. Movie?”
You made a face. “You’re picking?”
“Obviously.”
“That means some ridiculous action movie where people explode for no reason.”
“First of all, there are always reasons.”
“Garrett.”
He grinned. “Fine. Romantic comedy.”
You stared at him. “You? Choosing a romantic comedy?”
“Don’t sound so shocked.”
“You once said love stories were ‘predictable nonsense.’”
“That was before I learned they’re useful for distracting my girlfriend from murdering me with her period cramps.”
Your face warmed. “Your girlfriend?”
He looked at you with that easy, devastating smile that always made your heart stutter. “Yeah. You.”
The words sat in the space between you, simple and warm and unexpectedly perfect.
You looked away first, but not because you wanted to. Because if you kept looking at him like that, you were going to melt into the couch like a stupid puddle.
Garrett, apparently satisfied with the effect he had just had on you, selected a movie and settled in beside you. After a few minutes, you shifted closer without thinking, your head brushing his shoulder.
His arm came around you right away.
“You comfortable?” he asked.
You nodded against him. “Mhm.”
“Pain any better?”
“A little.”
“Good.”
A pause.
Then, in a lower voice, he said, “You know you don’t have to act tough with me, right?”
You went still.
He continued, carefully, “You don’t have to smile when you feel like garbage. You don’t have to pretend you’re not hurting. I’d rather you be honest.”
The sincerity in his voice made your chest tighten.
You swallowed. “I don’t like feeling helpless.”
“I know.”
“That’s part of it.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “You’re not helpless. You’re just cramping your ass off and pretending you’re not.”
A laugh escaped you, quiet and real this time. “That was terrible.”
“I know.”
“It was very bad.”
“I’m still right.”
You turned your face into his shoulder to hide your smile. “You’re unbearably sweet when I’m miserable.”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
“I wouldn’t survive the embarrassment.”
He snorted softly, then squeezed you a little tighter. “Go to sleep if you want.”
“You’ll wake me up?”
“Nope. I’ll carry you to bed eventually.”
“Eventually?”
He looked down at you with a lazy grin. “Right now, I’ve got the couch. You’ve got the blanket. And I’m winning.”
You shook your head, smiling despite the pain, despite the bad mood, despite the whole unfairness of your body deciding to punish you on a random Tuesday night.
“Garrett?”
“Yeah?”
You hesitated, then said quietly, “Thank you.”
He brushed his thumb over your arm. “Always.”
And for the rest of the night, he stayed right there with you,warm, steady, annoyingly smug, and somehow exactly what you needed.
Dean Di Laurentis had a terrible habit of touching you when he was distracted.
Not in a bad way. In a Dean way.
A hand at your waist when he passed behind you in the kitchen. Fingers lacing with yours under the table when he thought no one was paying attention. Thumb brushing over the back of your hand while he talked, like he did not even realize he was doing it.
It was one of those small things that had started meaning more than either of you had probably intended.
Tonight, the two of you were curled together on the couch in the hockey house common room, his legs stretched out beneath the coffee table and your feet tucked into his lap. The room was mostly empty for once, which was rare enough to feel suspicious. Somewhere upstairs, somebody was blasting music. Down the hall, Garrett was yelling at Tucker about something completely unimportant. Dean looked entirely unconcerned by all of it.
He was talking with that easy confidence of his, telling you some story about one of his professors and how the man had apparently decided Dean was “a bad influence on the academic environment.”
You snorted. “That sounds accurate.”
Dean turned his head toward you, offended in the most dramatic way possible. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“I am a model student.”
You gave him a flat look. “Dean, you skipped half your lecture last week because you said the room was ‘vaguely depressing.’”
“It was.”
“That is not a valid excuse.”
“It is if I’m emotionally suffering.”
You laughed, and Dean grinned like he’d been waiting for that exact reaction.
Then his hand drifted to yours without either of you acknowledging it. His fingers wrapped around yours, warm and familiar, and his thumb began to move lazily over your ring finger while he kept talking.
You barely noticed at first.
It was just Dean being Dean, all easy charm and half-distracted affection. He was still telling his story, but his attention had clearly shifted somewhere else,on you, on your hand, on the way he absentmindedly turned the thin silver ring around your finger.
The ring wasn’t anything dramatic. Just a simple band you wore because you liked how it looked and because it fit your hand perfectly. It had no story attached to it, no grand meaning, nothing sentimental.
At least, not until Dean started playing with it like that.
His thumb slid over the band once.
Twice.
Then his fingers turned it gently, back and forth, while he talked in that low, amused voice of his.
You looked up from where you had been watching his hand. “Are you even listening to yourself?”
Dean blinked. “What?”
You gave him a slow smile. “You’ve been talking for five minutes and you just turned my ring in a circle like three times.”
His eyebrows lifted. “That’s because I have excellent multitasking skills.”
“Sure.”
He kept going for another second, but then his voice trailed off. Not all at once. Just enough for you to notice.
The movement of his hand slowed.
His fingers stilled against yours.
You glanced at him. “Dean?”
He didn’t answer right away.
Instead, he looked down at your hand.
At the ring.
At the way it sat against your skin while his thumb rested over it, suddenly motionless.
Something shifted in his expression. Not much. Just enough to make your own smile fade a little in confusion.
“Dean,” you said again, softer this time. “What’s wrong?”
He looked up.
For once, there was no teasing in his face. No lazy grin, no easy joke waiting on his tongue. He just looked at you, completely still, like something had hit him all at once and he was trying to figure out how to stand after it.
“Nothing,” he said automatically.
You narrowed your eyes. “That was very clearly something.”
He gave a short laugh that sounded more surprised than amused. “Yeah.”
You shifted a little on the couch, suddenly aware that his hand was still holding yours. “Dean?”
He looked down again.
Then, very quietly, he said, “I was thinking.”
That did not help.
You gave him a cautious look. “About what?”
His jaw moved slightly before he answered. “About that.”
He lifted your hand a little, the ring catching the light between you.
You blinked. “My ring?”
“Yeah.”
You stared at him, trying to understand why the room had gone so strange all of a sudden. “Okay…”
Dean was quiet for a beat. Then he let out a breath through his nose and rubbed his thumb over the band one more time, slower this time, like he was doing it without thinking.
“I don’t know why that just,” He stopped, frowned at the floor, then looked at you again. “Never mind.”
Your heart gave an odd little thump.
“No,” you said, sitting up a little straighter. “You don’t get to say that and then stop.”
Dean’s mouth twitched, but the smile did not fully form. “You’re gonna make me say it?”
“Yes.”
He looked at you for a long moment, then exhaled and leaned back against the couch. “It’s stupid.”
“Dean.”
“Okay, okay.” He shook his head once, then looked at your hand again like it had personally offended him. “I was just thinking that I like how that looks.”
You frowned. “How what looks?”
He glanced at you, suddenly less confident than he’d been a minute ago. “The ring. On your hand.”
That made you still.
He seemed to realize he’d said something a little too honest, because his ears started to go pink in that way he never could quite hide.
You stared at him. “You like my ring?”
Dean gave a half shrug, clearly trying to play it off and failing. “It suits you.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
His mouth opened, then closed again. He ran a hand through his hair and looked uncharacteristically awkward. “Yeah,” he admitted. “I like it.”
Something warm spread through your chest.
You smiled, but more gently now. “It’s just a ring.”
Dean looked at you then, really looked, and his voice dropped lower. “I know.”
There was something in the way he said it that made your throat go a little tight.
He kept your hand in his, but his thumb had gone still now. “It’s just… I don’t know.” He gave a quiet laugh, almost embarrassed by himself. “It looks weirdly good on you.”
You smiled wider. “Weirdly?”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t make me regret being sincere.”
“I’m not making fun of you.”
“You are absolutely making fun of me.”
“No, I’m not.” You tipped your head. “You’re the one who suddenly got quiet over a piece of jewelry.”
Dean looked so offended by that he almost seemed relieved. “That is not what happened.”
“It is exactly what happened.”
He sighed and tipped his head back against the couch. “Fine. Maybe I got distracted.”
You watched him carefully. “Distracted by what?”
He was quiet again.
Then his gaze shifted back to your hand, and when he spoke, his voice was lower than before. More thoughtful. Less like Dean trying to win an argument and more like Dean trying to say something honest before he could talk himself out of it.
“By how permanent it looks.”
Your pulse stumbled.
You stared at him. “Permanent?”
He immediately looked like he wished he could take it back. “That was not,”
“No.” Your voice came out softer than you expected. “What do you mean?”
Dean turned the ring once more between his fingers, then let it settle. “Nothing bad.”
“That’s not convincing.”
“I know.” He looked at you, and the humor was gone now completely. “It’s just that I was sitting here, and I saw it on your hand, and for some stupid reason my brain went, ‘Yeah, that belongs there.’”
Your breath caught.
Dean noticed. Of course he did.
And now he looked like he was regretting every word.
“You’re making a face,” he said.
“You’re making me feel things.”
His eyes widened slightly. “I didn’t mean to.”
“I know.”
That seemed to make him even more tense, which would have been funny if your own heartbeat had not started acting like a problem.
Dean cleared his throat. “I just meant… you wear it like it was always supposed to be there.”
You looked down at your hand, then back at him. “Dean.”
He gave you a helpless look. “What?”
“That is a very intense thing to say about my ring.”
He huffed out a laugh, but now he was definitely blushing. “I know.”
“You’re acting weird.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
He gave you a flat look. “You are the one sitting there like I’ve just told you I’m haunted.”
You laughed despite yourself. “You kind of are.”
Dean leaned closer, finally reclaiming a little of his usual attitude. “Do not start.”
“You started.”
He looked at your hand again, then at your face, and the softness returned so suddenly it almost startled you.
“I just like the idea,” he said quietly.
The room felt too quiet now.
You swallowed. “The idea of what?”
Dean’s fingers slid over yours once more, gentle and absent and far more intimate than it should have been in the middle of a crowded hockey house. “Of things fitting.”
That made your chest ache in the best and worst way at once.
You searched his face. “Dean…”
He looked almost embarrassed now, like he had gone too far and didn’t know how to back up without making it obvious. “I don’t know. It sounded less stupid in my head.”
“It doesn’t sound stupid.”
He frowned. “It doesn’t?”
You shook your head. “No.”
Dean studied you for a long second, as if trying to decide whether you were being honest or just kind. Then the corner of his mouth lifted a little.
“Good,” he said.
You smiled.
Then, because he was Dean and could never leave sincerity alone for too long, he gave your hand one last turn, glanced at the ring, and murmured, “Still think it looks better on you than it does in the jewelry store.”
You let out a laugh, shaking your head. “You are ridiculous.”
“And you’re wearing the ring.”
The way he said it made your heart trip over itself.
You looked at him, really looked at him, at the faint pink still lingering in his face, at the way his hand stayed wrapped around yours like he had no intention of letting go, and all of a sudden the ring didn’t feel like just a ring anymore.
It felt like something Dean had noticed.
Something Dean had cared about.
Something Dean had gotten quiet over because it made him think too hard about you and him and the shape of things that lasted.
You squeezed his hand gently. “You can keep turning it if you want.”
Dean looked up, surprised.
Then that lazy, beautiful smile finally came back, smaller this time, softer around the edges.
“Yeah?” he said.
“Yeah.”
He looked at your hand again and gave the ring one slow, absentminded turn.
And this time, when he went quiet, it was not because he had nothing to say.
It was because he was busy looking at you like he had just realized how much he wanted the answer to a question neither of you had asked out loud yet.
The boys are just sick of the PDA between you and Dean. They’re happy to see their friend in love, but sometimes it’s just too much
I didn't give this one a second read, but I hope it's okay
Summary: Dean wakes up to you making pancakes for the house. Breakfast turns into making out in the kitchen…and Logan and Tucker are not having it
Warnings: making out, soft!Dean,
—
Sunday mornings were for sleeping in…and pancakes.
After celebrating last night’s win with a bit too much alcohol, you decided to whip up some pancakes for the hockey boys still sleeping.
The house was unusually quiet, except for the sizzle of butter hitting the pan and the soft clink of bowls and measuring cups. Sunlight spilled through the windows, warming the countertops while pouring the first round of batter into a pan.
The remnants from the party were all over the kitchen and living room. Empty bottles of beer on every surface. Red cups on the pool table from playing beer pong. And even a pair of panties. People really had no shame…
You cleaned just enough of the kitchen to have some space to cook and chose to ignore the rest. That was not your mess to clean.
The stack of golden pancakes was slowly growing beside the stove. Some of them had blueberries, which you found in the mostly empty fridge, for variety…and because they were Dean’s favorites.
Speaking of Dean, a pair of strong arms slid around your waist from behind. His bare chest was warm against your back and his voice rough from sleep. ‘’You escaped.’’
‘’I'm making breakfast,’’ you said, flipping a pancake.
He buried his face in your neck and kissed under your jaw as his hands travelled under your — his — shirt, rubbing circles on your hips. ‘’With blueberries?’’
You hummed.
‘’I love you.’’
You laughed softly. ‘’Because of the pancakes?’’
Dean pressed another slow kiss to your neck, this one softer and lingering, and then turned his head just enough to peek over your shoulder at the pancake flipping like a pro chef. ‘’Among other things.’’ He gave your thigh a light smack.
The smell of something cooking had been the thing that finally pulled him out of bed. That, and the absence of his beautiful girl beside him. It was as if he had felt the cold sheets on your side of the bed, the absence of a warm body curled against his chest.
His arms tightened around you as he watched that perfect flip, the pancake landing smooth back into the pan like magic. ‘’You’re too good at everything,’’ he murmured, voice still thick with sleep but full of affection anyway. ‘’Cooking…riding my dick…being hot while cooking.’’
You laughed at his antics, shifting your head to give him a kiss.
‘’Can you make coffee, baby?’’ you asked, adding the pancake to the pile. ‘’I couldn’t find the bag of coffee grounds.’’
Reluctantly, Dean moved and got the coffee started. Someone must have moved it when they were snuffing through the cupboards last night.
You focused on the next pancake. The plate you had put them on made it look like you were feeding a whole army. You had never seen this many pancakes. They’ll be gone in ten minutes once Logan, Tucker and Garrett wake up.
‘’Dean…’’ you chastised as his arms slid around your waist again and he pulled you against him.
‘’What?’’ he asked innocently, resting his chin on your shoulder.
You tried — and failed — not to smile.
‘’I need to finish the pancakes.’’
He pressed a kiss to your cheek, his blond hair tickling your face, then your jaw.
‘’Dean.’’
A third one, this time right below your ear.
You laughed and nudged him with your elbow. ‘’Sorry. I’m just so hungry.’’
‘’Sit and eat, then. I don’t need your help finishing up.’’
Without warning, he pulled you against him, pressing the front of his boxers to your ass. ‘’Not just for pancakes.’’
Deciding to play his game, you leaned back into him and moved, slow and deliberate. The heat between you flared instantly, blood rushing to his cock. It was so easy to get him worked up.
Dean let out a low groan and turned off the stove before spinning you in his arms and backing you against the counter. He stepped between your legs, effectively trapping you there without putting any real weight against you, and you rose onto your toes to kiss him.
Kissing escalated into making out. His hands slid up your thighs beneath his shirt, then lifted you with ease to set you down on the counter beside a few empty cups and a stale beer. You locked your legs around his waist, fingernails digging into the thick skin of his back as his hands wandered further up until they reached your breasts.
As if on cue, Logan shuffled into the kitchen wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, took one look at you and Dean, and groaned. ‘’Jesus Christ. It's ten in the morning.’’
Close behind, Tucker came down, his curly hair stuck up in every direction and he looked like he regretted every drink he'd had the night before. ‘’Not on my kitchen counter! Dean! Come on, bro…’’
summary: jack meets a little girl wandering the ED one night and falls in love with her mom. follow along as they grow closer and their relationship flourishes.
tags: single mom, classic romance, toxic ex,
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little miracle asks: askbox requests, headcannons, and general statements
Sleepyhead: the first, second, and third meet.
Cupid's Chokehold: the breakfast date.
Blue: miracle is sick, jack babysits
Upside Down: jack, robby, and miracle go to the zoo.
Good Habits (and Bad): day shift jailbreak by miracle
Youth: [viewer discretion] your ex returns, hurt you, and Miracle. jack comes to the rescue.
a/n: this is is a very heavy heavy chapter. if you need to, you may skip it. i know it was fun until this point so i hope you stick around. i know in the comments ppl wanted a confrontation but in my mind, i couldn't imagine anything being worth saying to a character who would do something like this. please take emotional inventory before proceeding. thank you.
summary: you open up about your past even more to Jack. you make him Miracle's 2nd emergency contact. you don't show up to work but Miracle is found in the parking garage hurt.
tags: PLEASE READ domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical assault, kidnapping, degradation and urination, child abuse, police involvement, hospitalisation, graphic description of the assault multiple times. viewer discretion is advised!
wc: 4.0k
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You sit in your living room at night. You and Jack had a day off together and he spent the day with you and Miracle. She had already gone to bed so the two of you were sharing a bottle of wine before bed. The TV was on but you weren't really paying attention. Something was distracting you. "I want to tell you something."
"Okay, what is it?" He sets down his cup and looks at you.
"It's important. I should have told you sooner but I'd chicken out." You take a breath, "It's about Miracle's dad."
"Okay." He turns to you, with his full attention.
"We were together since high school. His family knew my family and we were inseparable. I thought we were going to be the perfect couple. High school sweethearts. Everyone thought that too. But… um.. he'd get mad a lot. The little things like talking to another guy, or not calling him or texting him. He was very controlling, picking me up from my high school job and making me go places with him. I thought it was fine because he wasn't hitting me. Then one day he did. Then he did it again. Hit me, kick me, slap me, push me, wrestle me like I was his size." You let out a shaky breath.
"Every incident had me running to my parents. They'd let me stay the night and the next morning they'd call him to come get me. They made me feel like it was my fault." Jack's nostrils flare. His brows furrowed as he listens, "The physical abuse stopped when I was pregnant with Miracle but that didn't stop him from throwing things, destroying my stuff, and yelling at me. I was at my limit and had to go to the hospital. I was only 6 months." A tear drops from your eye. "I was so scared, I thought I was going to die. I prayed for it… I prayed that if I live he'll kill me, so just kill me on the table. But then I saw Miracle. She was so little. If she got the chance then I would live for her. I stayed with my parents until Miracle was two. I worked on getting my associate's in Nursing. I knew that if I wanted to live and give Miracle a good life I had to leave everything behind. For those two years it was calm. I didn't want to raise any suspicion. I started looking for jobs out of state."
"You found PTMC."
"Mhm, it fell right in my lap. My teacher told me they were looking for nurses so I applied to all the departments. The daycare made it worth my while. With my teacher's good word I got the ICU position and I left like a thief in the night."
Jack reaches over and wipes the tears from your eyes, "Thank you for telling me."
You kiss him so gently, "You make me feel so safe. I feel like I'm really building a family here with you. Robby and Lena helping me too. I couldn't ask for anything better. I trust you. And I've been thinking, would you be okay being Miracle's second emergency contact?"
"Yes! Of course, of course. I'd love that." He kisses you eagerly, "I could be yours too."
"Yeah? You'd do that?"
"I'll be whatever you want me to be." He holds your face in his hands, "I love you." He deepens the next kiss, taking you to the couch cushions.
A week later, Jack is starting his rounds with Robby. As they walk, his personal phone rings and he sees it's the daycare center. He steps to the side to take the call as the residents continue. "Hello?"
"Hi, Dr. Abbot. This is the PTMC daycare center. We are just checking in. Miracle nor her mother have arrived for drop off. She would usually call if they were out sick but she's not answering her phone. Is everything okay?"
"Uh, they might be running late? I don't know, last I checked she was on her way. You said she isn't answering her phone?"
"Correct, we tried her personal and the ICU says she hasn't clocked in yet."
"Okay. I'll try calling her, thank you." He hangs up and goes to your contact to call. Robby sees the distressed look on Jack's face.
"Everything okay?" He comes over concerned.
"Damn it, voicemail. Miracle wasn't dropped off at daycare and she hasn't clocked into work." Jack chews his bottom lip, "Lena, do we have any MVAs en route."
"None that I know of, why?"
Something I hope I'm not too worried about." He tries your phone again to no avail. As he thinks of what to do next, he hears an all too familiar cry, one he's only heard a few times in his life. He follows the sound to a security guard coming through triage. A child sits in his arms as he comes towards the nurses station.
"Miracle!" Jack rushes over when he sees the girl. She turns in the guard's arms, "Daddy!" She cries out. She practically jumps into his arms. He looks over her mortified as he sees blood spill from a cut on her forehead. Jack takes her to an open bed. Dirt covers her clothes and the palms of her hands.
"I found her wandering the parking structure. She was crying out for her mother, lost. I calmed her down by telling her I was bringing her here." The guard explains. Perlah connects some leads to Miracle for her sats then does a manual BP check.
"Any sign of her mom?" Jack asks.
"My buddy is checking the scene now but there wasn't anything I could see."
Miracle starts to cry again as Jack checks her wound, "I know, Princess, I know it hurts."
"Breath sounds are normal." Perlah says as she uses her stethoscope on Miracle's back. "And her BP is normal. Pulse/Ox is stable. It looks to be just the head lac."
"Miracle, take a deep breath, baby. You're okay now, I promise. Can you tell me what happened?"
Miracle sniffles, still making whimpering noises. Jack takes some saline soaked gauze and dabs the blood off her face. "He… He hit me."
Jack stops, "Who did?"
"Mommy was getting me out of the car." She sniffles, "A man came up and pushed her down. I went to help and he hit me too. It hurt a lot." Tears fall from her eyes again.
"Did you hit your head when you fell? Did you get sleepy?"
She shakes her head. "Mommy stood up and fought back. She told me to run away. Then I got lost." Her lip trembles.
"It's okay, that's all, Miracle. Thank you." Jack turns to the guard, "Are there cameras in the garage?"
"Yeah, we can pull 'em up from the office down here." They rush there. Perlah stays to continue cleaning Miracle's face and hands and check for any other scrapes.
"It had to be be between 6:30 and 7:30 that it happened." Jack states.
The guard sits at the desk and pulls up the garage cameras. "She drives an old tan Toyota. Usually comes in through the East entrance."
"It's going to take a few minutes to sift through this." The guard flips through the cameras as he scrubs through the video footage.
Jack's ears are burning and his heart is racing a mile a minute. Someone hurt Miracle. He hurt you, and possibly took you. You could be anywhere. His mind flips through all the possibilities. "Abbot, why don't you sit with Miracle. She's still shaken up." Robby gently rests his hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, I should go. Let me know when they find something." Jack speeds back to Miracle's bed side.
Perlah finishes taping her wound. "It wasn't a deep cut. She's going to be okay."
"Thank you, Perlah." Jack sits on the bed and pulls Miracle into his lap, "We're going to find your mommy. She's going to be okay." He rocks her in his arms. It was more for himself than for her.
Minutes later, Robby comes over to the room, "Jack, security found something on the CCTV. Let me take Miracle while you go and look."
Jack hands her over. His heart is still thumping against his rib cage as he approaches the security office. The guard has him look at a still image of a man towering over you. "This is the clearest image we could get of the guy's face. He forces her back into the car and drives off as the little girl runs away. We've already called the police. Do you recognize him?"
"Y-yeah. It's her ex-boyfriend and Miracle's dad." Jack clenches his jaw. He had crossed state lines to find you. He knew where you worked so he must know where you live too. "What exit do they leave?"
"East." The guard looks at him.
"He must have taken her to her apartment. I have to go." Jack rushes to his bag grabbing his keys.
"Abbot, you should wait for the police." Robby comes out of the room.
"No, we're wasting time. We both know it'll take too long to wait around. Please keep an eye on Miracle."
"Of course— Abbot, what if he's still with her."
"Then I'm going to give him a taste of his own medicine." Jack rushes out of the ambulance bay to his car.
The entire time he is driving, he's fearing the worst. He should have been with you. You had just told him about all the terrible things that man had done to you. He should have drove you to work. Did he tell you he loved you on the phone before you left for work? What was going to happen if you weren't— He shakes the thoughts from his mind.
He arrives to your apartment and sees the door ajar. He pushes it open wider and sees the absolute state of your home. He calls out to you as he enters. "Are you in there?! Call out!" He heart sinks, your beautiful home was destroyed. All the picture frames were knocked off your wall. Smashed on the floor covered in broken glass. Your couch cushions were slashed and the TV had been thrown across the room. Food was all over your kitchen. On the walls and floor. Along with shattered plates and glass. All the cupboards were open and empty. Jack calls out to you again.
He moves to the hall and glances into Miracle's room. It's completely decimated. Her mattress slashed and flipped and her wooden bed frame was splintered. Her toys are scattered on the floor and all her clothes were dumped out of the dresser, the drawers flipped upside down on top of everything.
He turns your room, "Call out, Baby! Where are you?!" He opens your door and finds it in the same condition as Miracle's. Mattress slashed, bed frame broken. Your clothes and scrubs were everywhere. There was this awful potent smell of urine in the room as well.
His eyes scan the room until they fall on your bloody feet behind the mattress. "Oh god!" He moves the mattress aside and finds you badly beaten. Your face is bloody. One eye already swollen and the other closed. There was blood all over your body. Beside your head was your nightlight, broken. "C'mon, Baby." He kneels down beside you and checks your pulse, "C'mon, wake up. Please be okay. Please, can you hear me? Say something please."
"Jack…" You say meekly.
"Good, good stay awake okay? I'm gonna get some help. Help is on the way." He pulls out his phone and dials 911.
"…Miracle…"
"She's okay. Miracle is okay. She found her way to the ER again. You'll see her soon, just hold on. Can you squeeze my hands? As hard as you can." He puts his hands in yours. Your left is strong but your right is much weaker.
"It hurts."
"Yeah, it might be broken. What else hurts, can you tell me?"
"My… leg… head… it's hard to breathe."
"I know, I know." He sniffles.
"9 1 1 what's you emergency?" A voice comes from his phone.
Jack explains to the operator the situation. He tells them about the assault and requests an ambulance. Your arm was broken and you most likely had more broken bones elsewhere. He wanted to hold you but he couldn't tell the severity of your injuries. You whimper as the longer you're awake the more you began to feel the pain.
Paramedics arrive shortly after the phone call. Jack is unable to get in with you and follows behind in his car. You arrive to The Pitt and are rushed to Trauma One. Everyone looks on in horror as the doctors get to work treating you. Jack comes in shortly behind you but is stopped by police. "Abbot, we need to ask you a couple questions since you were on scene."
"Can you ask later?" His eyes are trained on the trauma room.
"It's better to ask them now since it's fresh on your mind." The officer looks at him sympathetically. He's still watching as his residents, his friend, try to save you.
"Fine, let's just hurry and get this over with." He leads them to the stairwell for privacy.
After the interview, He returns to the hub. "How is she?" He asks Lena.
"A tib fracture, radial head fracture, possible skull fracture… Multiple contusions and lacerations. This is one of the worst cases I've ever seen… Abbot, he could have killed her." She holds his shoulder.
When the bed starts to move to the elevators, he enters the room. Everyone passes by with different levels of shell shock on their face. "Robby, how is she?"
"She's stable heading up to the OR now. She had a small skull fracture their going to check on and get ortho for her leg and arm." Robby pulls him into a hug, "She's a tough cookie. She held on pretty tight until she was on the morphine. She's gonna be okay."
"Good. Where's Miracle?"
"In Pedes. McKay offered to stay behind and look after her." They walk over to the room, "Did you get anything from the cops?"
"Not much. They're heading to her apartment now. Apparently, based on the footage of the garage from the past few weeks he had been stalking her. Watching her come and go from home and work." He sniffs and clenches his jaw, "They are stopping by my house to see if he's going to go there. Fucker stole her car too, if that wasn't a cherry on top of this shit pie."
Jack takes a breath to calm down before going inside the room. It was dark. Miracle lays in the bed as McKay pats and rubs her back. She smiles when she sees the two attendings, "Psych stopped by while you were gone. She calmed down a lot more when we moved to this room."
"She likes the animals on the walls." Jacks switches places with McKay sitting beside the bed.
"She's just so darling. She said she likes her back rubbed before bed. It makes her feel better when she doesn't feel good."
"That's right." He smiles at the sleeping girl, "Thank, Dr. McKay. You have a good night."
"You too. I hope everything turns out okay." She leaves.
When it's just the two older men alone, Abbot sniffles, "You should have seen the state of the place. He tore it to shreds. They can't go back there. It's all ruined. It's like he made sure every inch of the house was destroyed. Miracle doesn't even have a bed anymore."
"I can only imagine." Robby sighs, "I can cover for you tonight. I'll call Shen to take the day. You should wait upstairs."
"Thanks. If the cops come back, let me know." Jack slowly picks Miracle up and lets her rest on his shoulder as she continues to sleep.
"I will. Try to stay calm too. She wants to wake up to see you smiling not mortified." Robby says. Jack nods and takes Miracle to the surgery waiting room. The night seems to drone on. The silence starts to irritate him. With Miracle's weight he's not able to move too much. She almost works as a weighted blanket keeping him calm and warm.
Soon, a surgeon comes in, "Dr. Abbot, we are happy to let you know the surgery was a success. She suffered a small linear fracture and a concussion. Her leg is now in a cast as well as her arm. Her rib fractures pose no threat to her organs, so they'll just need icing and some NSAIDs we can prescribe. She has a long road to recovery."
"Thank you, we'll get through it together. Can we see her soon?"
"Yes, a nurse will come get you. They're currently finishing cleaning her up…She was… urinated on." The surgeon goes to leave then turns back, "I hope they get that sick son of a bitch."
"Me too." He sits back down.
Moments later, a nurse, leads him to the ICU wing. All your coworkers look at him sympathetically. Your room was private, the farthest down the hall. "We brought a cot for Miracle, so she can sleep beside her mom." She smiles.
"Thank you." Jack sets her down on the bed and tucks her in.
"She never spoke about him. What he did to her back in her old town. But she always said you were like her perfect match. She loves you. She let us all know that."
"I needed to hear that. Thank you." He smiles at her.
"Of course. If you need anything you let us know." She then leaves the room.
Jack moves to the other side of the bed where a hospital recliner sits. He sits beside be and takes your hand in his. His heart aches as images pop into his minds. That man hitting you, kidnapping you, tearing up your home and beating you to near death. He closes his eyes and let the tears fall until he grows weary and falls asleep.
You wake up an hour later, Jack is on one side of the bed and Miracle on the other both of them still sleeping. One of your coworkers, Therese, comes in, "Hello, sleeping beauty."
"Not so beauty," You croak.
"Always a beauty. It's not too bad. How are you feeling?"
"Morphine is wearing off. It's not too bad though."
"That's usual for after surgery."
"I know."
"Well, then should I let you finish the evaluation?" She laughs, "You seem better already."
"Then discharge me, I've got to finish my shift." You laugh with her.
"I think your lover boy would have something say about that. He's been here all night."
"I see that. Nobody tried to send him home?"
"We tried. He begged to stay. He can give you the details on that later." She sits on a stool next to the computer, "Now, what do you remember?"
"My ex, he ambushed me in the parking lot. He slapped Miracle. I grappled him and told her to run."
When he hears you speaking, Jack creeps his eyes open. He listens to you as you tell the story. "He threw me down and took my keys. Then he shoved me back into the car and drove me home."
"Was he saying anything?"
"F this and F that. Calling me whore and slut. Yelled about me running away, yelled at me for taking Miracle. Not talking to my family. Whoring myself out to Jack." You take a deep breath, "He'd smack me to see if I was still listening. Held a knife to me the whole way so I wouldn't dare try to jump out."
"Then?"
"He trashed my house. He destroyed everything just because I was happy without him." Your voice wobbles, "With every room he just got angrier. He went ballistic when he saw a photo of Jack and I. He cracked my head with my light projector, kicked me a few times. I could barely see but I felt it. The hot piss as he relieved himself on me…" A tear rolls down Jack's cheek as he listens. "Then when it got quiet, when I thought I was going to die, I heard him. Jack telling me to hold on."
"Your knight in black scrubs." She bounces her eyebrows.
You smile, "Yeah, him and Miracle saved my life. She had found herself back in the ER once again."
"Love like that is boundless. You are very lucky to have it. Especially when you need it the most."
You look over at Jack, noticing the tears roll down his cheeks, "I'm very lucky."
When Therese leaves, you speak, "Are you going to keep pretending?"
Jack sits ups with his eyes open, "Feeling better?"
"Yes. C'mere." You hold out your uninjured hand to his face and wipe his watery eyes.
"They're going to get him for this. I'm not going to let him get the chance again."
"Jack—"
"I want you to move in with me."
"What?"
"Move in with me. It's closer to the hospital than your apartment. I have enough rooms that you could even have a room to yourself. I don't want you living in fear anymore."
"Are you sure that's not what this is?" You ask.
"No. I've been thinking about this since the holidays. I bought my house thinking I would have a family in it. This is me doing that. I want to keep you and Miracle safe. I failed but this way I can do better. We would be in the same place, go to work together, come home together. Go to bed together. Wake up together. A place for us all together. You, me, and Miracle."
"I… I don't know what to say."
"Just think about it." He takes your hand and squeezes it, "When you get discharged you can think about it like a trial period. Until you're back on your feet and and we fix up your apartment. We can get you new stuff and it can go in your apartment or it can move in to our house."
"Our house… You can't even wait."
"Sorry. No pressure. Take all the time you need."
"Daddy…" Miracles rises from her sleep.
"Yes, Princess." He gets up and picks her up.
"Where are we?" She mumbles.
"We're in Mommy's hospital room. Look, she's right there."
Miracle smiles, "Hi, Mommy."
"Hi, Lovely." You smile, "I look a little scary but I'm okay."
"You're covered in boo-boos."
"I know. The doctors made me better."
"When can we go home?"
"Not for a bit. Mommy is still hurting and our house is very messy." You pout, "We are going to stay at Daddy's house until then."
"I like his house." She smiles.
"Good, me too." You smile. "I wish I could hold you. Could you give me a kiss to make me feel better."
Jack holds her over you and she kisses her cheek. "I love you, Mommy."
"I love you too, My Little Miracle." You smile, "I think Nana is here, I bet she'd love to get you a treat from the nurse's room. Maybe ice cream?"
"Yes please!" Jack sets her down and watches her run to the nurse's station. The nurses all squeal in surprise as they all chime Miracle's name.
"Daddy, huh?" You grin.
"It didn't even register to me the first time she said it." He chuckles.
Your smile fades, "When did she say it first?"
"Earlier when she first came into the ED. She cried for me." He sits back down beside you. "I felt relief but then I saw the cut on her head and went to a panic. Then I got worried about you. I couldn't ruminate."
"Well, how does it feel?" You grab his hand.
"I love it. I love that she looks at me and sees her dad and when she saw him she had no idea who he was." He moves touches the side of your face.
"That makes me happy too." You kiss the palm of his hand. "I look at you and see what she sees. Someone kind and considerate. Someone who loves her so much and would never think to lay his hands on her. Someone that makes all her dreams come true."
"Let me make your dreams come true too." He kisses you on the lips.
a/n: i hope you enjoy the day shift jailbreak. you might be getting another part later tonight if i finish it in time!
summary: you have been floated to day shift for the day in the ICU. Miracle escapes the daycare: dayshift edition.
tags: once again unrealistic response from the daycare center. that place should be shut down.
wc: 3.1k
˖⋆࿐໋₊ ☆
Once in a blue moon, you would cover a day shift in the ICU. By seniority you were the most likely to be asked because you were the most recent RN. You weren't complaining, you could use the money but it threw you and Miracle off schedule. You would only accept you had a day off the following day. Your nurse manager knew that. So she would corner you and leave you no choice but to say yes. Jack was unable to babysit due to prior obligations so Miracle had to go to daycare.
In the afternoon, the daycare takes a trip to the park across from the hospital for a nice day out. However as they are just about to cross the street, Miracle recognizes the entrance to the ER. She slips through the crowd of kids when another group of kindergartners passes them. She follows them into the waiting room as they wait.
It was a busy day with standing room only. Miracle watches the doors open and close and as it opens again she slips through with a woman with other children. As they head towards the animal room, she walks in the other direction to the the central hub.
But it's not Lena that is there but instead a thinner woman with blonde hair and a more serious face. Miracle feels an uneasy feeling in her stomach and looks around for Jack. Nobody looks familiar to her. She panics and rushes to the elevator but gets knocked down by someone stepping out of one of the big rooms. Tears well up in her eyes as fear and confusion take over her mind.
"Woah, hey there sweetheart. Are you okay? You took a big spill." A young man in black scrubs kneels down.
"I'm… I'm lost." Miracle sniffles.
"It's okay. Let's go somewhere a little quiet. Just to make sure you are alright." He picks up the little girl and brings her back to around to the hub, "Dana? Is there a room free?"
"North 5, Langdon." The blonde thing woman speaks. He takes her to the curtained room.
"My name is Dr. Langdon. What's your name?"
Miracle still hurting and scared doesn't say a word.
"It's alright. You don't have to talk. I have kids your age. I know strangers can be a little scary." He looks down at her shirt to see her ID badge. He only sees her name, "Miracle, that's a really pretty name." Miracle clams up even more pulling her knees into her chest on the bed. "Alright, honey," Langdon stands up, "I'll be back, okay? I am going to get someone who might be able to help us find your people. Don't move, okay?" She nods slowly. "Great."
He leaves her and heads back to Dana, "Hey, my patient in 5, her name is Miracle. She's a little shaken up, says she's lost. She's got a daycare tag but I couldn't see more than her name. She won't say more or let me touch her."
"Miracle?" Dana narrows her eyes in thought, "Lena told me about a little girl running around months ago. It could be the same girl."
"Maybe. Could I get a nurse to check on her? I've got another patient's labs back."
"I got it." Nurse Jesse pats his shoulder and heads to the room. Langdon then heads West.
A couple minutes later, Jesse returns, "Um, there's no kid in 5."
Miracle slinks down the hall and walks past the coffee maker. She rushes past the computers to the wall then past the bathrooms. She tiptoes past the big windowed rooms when, "Excuse me, young lady!" Dana catches sight of her.
Miracle jumps and makes a dash through the Trauma room. Loud beeping and shouting disorients her. A person lays on the gurney surrounded by doctors and nurses in blue gowns, masks, and goggles. "Woah, is it take your kid to work day or something?" Someone says, the first to notice Miracle in the room.
Dana grabs the little girls hand, "Sorry we've got an eloper from daycare."
"Panda?" A person's head peers over the gurney and takes off his mask.
"Uncle Robby!" Miracle cries.
"Everyone keep working." He excuses himself, "I'll be back."
He yanks off the rest of his gear and he swiftly picks her up and takes her out of the room. "What on Earth are you doing here, Panda Bear?"He wipes her tears, "No more tears, okay? You're alright. You're okay."
"I-I wanted to see Jack." She sniffles.
"Oh Panda, remember he works night time. It won't be for some time that he will be here."
"I forgot." She mumbles.
"That's okay, I forget too sometimes. Let's call your mommy and let her know you're okay." He sets her on the counter and calls the ICU.
As he does, Dana walks up and holds out a small lollipop with a smirk. Miracle takes it with a smile. "You such a cutie, you know that."
The girl nods.
"Are you Lena's Little Lamb?"
She nods again.
"I figured. She said you were a little troublemaker." She pinches her cheeks, "You can get a lot of people down here to do what you want?"
"Yeah."
"That's one step close to doing what I do." Dana boops the little girl's nose.
"Alright Miracle, it's a bit busy on Mommy's floor. She'll come down as soon as she can." Robby gets off the phone with a sigh.
Langdon rushes back in a panic, "Oh thank god. I thought I lost Miracle."
"Here she is, crisis averted." Dana says.
"Yes, she is a friend not a patient so we can clear her from the board. And if we could minimize her exposure to traumas that would be great. Jack would kill me."
"So, you're Jack's heart stealer too. I get it now. Jack is going to have to pry her away from me." Dana picks up the little girl holding her tightly. Robby chuckles.
"Who's the kid?" Santos arrives to the hub along with Whitaker.
"This is Miracle, Jack's mini me."
"Aren't they supposed to look alike to be a mini me?"
"Jack is dating her mom." Dana explains, "Miracle was the one that got them to meet. She liked to sneak down here when he worked."
"So why is she here in the middle of the day?"
"Her mom is probably covering a shift. ICU has been asking for floaters."
"You know I think I've got some stickers in backpack from my pediatric rotation." Whitaker chimes in.
"Stickers?" Miracle perks up at the word.
-
An hour and some past you come down to the ED to find multiple staff members with stickers on their arms, face, and scrubs. You feel a wave of calm when you see Miracle placing a stick on Robby's face.
"Hey Robby." You smile, "Thank you for looking after her."
"Of course. No stress, no drama." He leans over to whisper, "No gore."
"Good." You pick her up, "Ready to go? Say bye Uncle Robby."
"Bye Uncle Robby." The little girl waves as you head back upstairs.
"Bye Panda." He waves in return.
Dana sidles up beside him with a knowing smile on her face, "Uncle Robby? She said that in the trauma room too."
"Yeah, during the holiday months we spent a lot of time together. We had Thanksgiving together. We exchanged gifts for Christmas and even spent New Year's together. Like a family, you know? It was really nice." Robby shrugs, "Miracle got to asking questions of who Jack and I were. Were we friends? Were we family? What all that stuff meant. Her mom told her it's for her to choose. We'd love and support her no matter what name she chose for us."
"How sweet." Dana grins, "And she chose Uncle Robby."
"God no. I was grandpa for like a month." He huffs, "It took her multiple candy bribes to pick something else."
Back upstairs, you head to the daycare center and stop short when you look inside to see it's dark. A note is placed on the door saying they were out for the day. "Damn it." You mutter.
"That's a bad word, Mommy."
"I know, My Love, I'm sorry. Let me call Jack really quick." You set the girl down and pull out your phone. You smile at Jack's caller ID. A picture of him and Miracle. He was asleep and Miracle had a toy stethoscope on listening to his 'heart beat.' You hit the call button. After a few rings he answers.
"Hello?"
"Hi, are you still busy? The daycare is on a field trip and Miracle snuck away. I have no where to take her right now." You sigh.
"I'm free now. I can take her until my shift." He says.
"Great! You are such a life saver." You smile, "I will make this up to you I promise. I'll keep her in the ICU until then." You turn to tell Miracle the good news but she's no where in sight. "Oh shit. Oh Shit! Shit! I lost her."
"Lost her?"
"She was standing right beside me! Shit! Shit!" You panic as you look down the hall and see the elevator going down then you look down to the other elevator and see it's going up, "You've got to be kidding. She could be anywhere!"
"Okay, take a deep breath. She could just be in the ER. We both know she likes it there."
"I just got her from there! Oh my god. I'll call you back when I find her."
"I'm on my way. Calm down and keep looking." You rush back down the stairs.
-
Miracle had heard you on the phone. But she couldn't leave without her backpack, she didn't have it when you picked her up. It must have been back downstairs. She had to get that before she left so, she took the elevator down.
The elevator doors open and Miracle is immediately caught by Javadi. "Oh, hello. You are Miracle right?" She smiles, "I remember from earlier. I'm Victoria. Should you be down here?"
"I lost my backpack." Miracle mutters meekly.
"Hm, then we should go find it. What does it look like?"
"It's pink with hello kitty on it."
"I love hello kitty." Javadi takes her hand as they walk down the hall to retrace her steps.
You arrive to the ED from the stairwell out of breath. "You're back." Dana looks over her glasses in surprise.
"I lost Miracle again. Jack is coming to pick her up and I think she got too excited. Have you seen her?"
"Can't say I have."
"Oh god," You feel tears well up in your eyes. You cover your face face in embarrassment.
"It's okay hun but the ED is not that big. I'll have all my nurses looking with you." Dana holds your shoulders to comfort you. "I lost my kids at Niagara Falls and thought they were halfway across Canada before we found them. It's going to be okay."
"Thank you." You wipe your face and move to start looking when your hospital phone starts working, "This day can't possibly get worse. Fuck!"
"Go ahead. It won't be the end of the world if you aren't here lookin'. She ain't getting far."
"Everyone down here is a saving grace. Call me if you find her!" You rush back up the stairs to your floor.
Javadi and Miracle search the waiting room. With no luck, Javadi walks Miracle through the North side rooms. "Who put you on babysitting duty? You don't look that much older than her." Santos snarks.
"Than you must be old. You look close to Robby." Miracle snarks back. Javadi laughs out loud.
"You just got roasted by a child. I think you've met your match."
Santos scoffs, "Her mom came down in a panic. You're in trouble, little lady."
"Trouble?" Miracle feels the uneasy feeling in her stomach like before. She fiddles with her fingers, "I…I want my mommy."
"Way to go Santos, you're going to make her cry." Javadi kneels down to comfort the little girl. Tears well up in her eyes as she starts to get nervous.
"Panda Bear? There you are." Robby comes up to her and picks her up. "What's the matter?"
"I…I left my backpack. I came back to find it. Then this mean old lady said I was in trouble." Robby turns to Santos with pursed lips as he tries not to laugh.
"I was just kidding. Her mom seemed pretty upset.:
"It's okay. Your mom is worried not mad. A poor choice of words from mean old Dr. Santos." He chuckles, "Let's go sit with Ms. Dana and wait for your mom."
Back at the hub, Miracle sits under the desk as a trauma comes in. She is left in Dana's care. They continue search for the lost backpack. "Is my mommy gonna be mad?"
"I don't think so, Sweetie. I think she's going to be happy you're safe."
"Look what I found." Langdon appears with a hello kitty pack in hand.
"You found it!" Miracle takes the bag from him.
"I t was hidden away. Someone must have found it earlier and forgot." He smiles.
"Feel a little better?" Dana asks.
"Uh huh." Miracle nods.
"Good, let's sit in the break room for a bit. Get a snack or something." Dana takes the girl's hand and leads her there.
A few minutes later, Abbot rushes through the ambulance bay, "Is Miracle down here?" He says out of breath.
"She's in the break room with Dana." Princess points.
He nods and heads there. He smiles when he sees Miracle facing away from the door eating while taking to Dana. He overhears a bit of there conversation.
"They are like the princess movies."
"Yeah? Do you think they'll get married like the princess movies?"
"Mhm. I want Jack to be my daddy."
Jack does a flip in his chest. She wants him to be her dad. He wants to be her dad; Your husband. You must have talked to her about it from over the holidays and that family conversation. "I'm sure he'd like that." Dana looks right at him when she says that.
He smiles and walks into the room, "Hi, Miracle."
"Jack!" She jumps from her seat and rushes into his arms.
"You've been giving everyone the around around, today."
"I didn't mean to." She says bashfully.
"It's alright. I think everyone had fun with you."
"Even Mommy?"
"Mm, we'll have to ask her." He wipes at her dried tears.
You return to the ED with relief when you see Miracle and Jack as they round the corner at the same time. He smiles at you as you run him and hug both of them. "Thank god. Miracle, I am… happy you're okay, but you know better than to go off on your own."
"I forgot my backpack. I can't leave without my backpack." Miracle explains.
"We could have looked for it together." You sigh, "I am happy that you found it. Promise me you won't run from me again. Jack will not bail you out next time."
"I promise." Miracle smiles, holding him tighter.
You fix a bit of her hair and look at Jack, "What would I do without you?"
"I think it's kinda his fault. Had you never met him I think your daughter wouldn't have thought twice to come down here." Robby interjects, "So, I think you would be just fine."
"Thank you, Robby." You snicker, "I'll take that into account next time.
"We'll see you at home." Jack kisses your cheek.
"Bye Mommy."
"Bye My Little Miracle." You kiss her forehead. "I'll see you two at home." Then you return up the stairs to your floor.
"That was the sweetest thing. You could have opened a candy store next to the pharmacy." Dana smiles.
"I'll see you guys later." Jack bounces Miracle, "Have anything to say, Princess?"
"Bye everybody. Thank you." Miracle waves.
Everyone waves back in return.
The next morning when Jack returns from his shift, the two of you sit on the couch while Miracle sits on the floor watching a movie. Jack has his arm draped over you. He looks at your profile as you watch the TV. It was still dark in the house so the colors from the TV were bouncing off your skin. You turn your head to face him, "What's the matter?"
"I was just thinking. I heard Miracle talking to Dana yesterday. She wants to call me daddy."
"Yes, she's been talking about it for some time." You purse your lips, "I didn't want to scare you away. Uncle Robby that's easy to write off but 'Daddy,' that's serious. That's commitment."
"I'm committed. You can't scare me away with a word like that. Nothing you do will scare me away. I love you two." He lays his hands on your shoulders, "I look in your eyes and I see my future with you. Don't you?"
"I do. Of course, I do. I guess… I guess I'm the one who is scared." You let out a shaky breath, "I've never had something like this before. I'm afraid that one day you'll say you had enough. You're done playing house and up and leave. I can live with that, no problem, but Miracle, she loves you. I'll have to explain why you're gone, why you won't come around anymore. Why she can't see you. What happened to another 'Daddy.' This would be the longest relationship I've been in since…"
"Miracle's Dad." He holds your face, "I want to be here with you. I wouldn't have it any other way. You and Miracle have become my family. I hope you can consider me that too. You can have your reservations. They are valid, but please don't write me off that easy. I fell in love with you in a short time. I would not take it for granted like that."
You lean in to kiss him. "You are my family and I love you. I trust you with my daughter and I trust you with my life. I love you, Jack."
"I love you too." He pulls you in for another kiss, holding you as you fall into his chest to lay on the couch. After you break from the kiss, you lay on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. You smile as you listen. Your eyes watch Miracle as she mouths the words to the song in the movie. You feel a familiar wave of calm wash over you.
a/n: I'm uber excited about this one! thank you for reading!
summary: Robby is a little jealous that Abbot isn't giving him attention anymore. He decides to tag a long and go to the zoo with Abbot and Miracle.
wc: 2.8k
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"You're cancelling basketball again?!" Robby frowns. Him and Abbot walk back to the hub after doing rounds with the residents.
"I'm not cancelling. You are free to still go. I just won't be there." Abbot shrugs.
"Why not?" Robby sighs, "Not to sound like a jealous wife but you've been spending a lot of time with them."
Jack smiles, "What do you want me to say to that? We love each other. It's her day off tomorrow and I want to give her a stress free day without Miracle. She's never had that before. I'm sorry it feel like I've been ditching you but I promised Miracle I'd take her to the zoo before it gets too cold."
Robby sighs again, "Then… I'll go with you."
"You? You want to go to the zoo and spend the day with a 4 year old?" Abbot chuckles.
"I do. I want to know who's been making you happy all this time."
Later in the night, you sit in bed with Jack. Miracle finally closed her eyes after talking about all the things she was planning to do at the zoo. "Are you excited for tomorrow? You'll be spending an entire day with Miracle by yourself."
"And Robby."
"And Robby?" You cock an eyebrow, "He didn't peg me as the zoo type. Or the type to enjoy the company of a 4 year old."
"He's a little upset that I've been skipping out on our plans to spend time with you."
"Oh I didn't know that. You should just spend the day with him instead. Miracle and I can go to the zoo."
"No, no he's just being whiny and needing something to complain about. He wants to come. We can meet after the zoo and you two can properly meet and we can all go to dinner."
"Wow, a proper meet. Not an awkward wave in the hall or a polite smile outside the ED." You laugh, "Miracle thinks he has a mean face, you know."
"I know. So this will be new for everyone but I have confidence that it will be a fun day." He pulls you into his arms under the covers.
"Does he know what he's getting into with her?" You giggle as you lay against his chest.
"I think it's for the best to leave it a surprise." He kisses your forehead.
-
It was a cool day with an autumn breeze. Jack drives as Robby sits in the front seat. Miracle was in her car seat, buzzing with excitement. "I can't wait to see all the animals."
"Which one is your favorite?" Jack asks.
"I like the red pandas!" She points to her hair, "That's why Mommy made my hair like their ears."
"They're my favorite too." He smiles. "Your mommy did a good job. You look so pretty today." He looks up to see Robby staring back in disbelief. "What?"
"Nothing, just, I didn't know you were so good with kids."
"I've always been good with kids." Jack scoffs.
"Yeah the rare cases that a kid shows up at 2 o'clock in the morning." Robby snorts.
Once they arrive to the zoo, Jack carries Miracle through the parking lot to the entrance. Miracle stares at Robby intensely the entire time. "What's up, kid?" He finally asks.
"You look tired." She states.
"That's what happens when you get old." Jack jokes.
"Then he must be really old."
Jack laughs as they walk to the gate and scan Jack and Miracle's pass. You had gone to the zoo with Jack and told him he might as well get one a pass. With how often Miracle liked to go it basically paid for itself.
"Do we have to bring this stupid wagon if you're just going to hold her." Robby sneers as he tugs a small wagon behind him.
"She might get tired later. I only carry her through the front where it's busy."
"He's kinda a meanie." Miracle whispers to Jack. Robby frowns, offended.
"He's not really. He's just mad we aren't doing what he wants. He's a little spoiled."
"Who's side are you on?"
"Miracle's obviously. You are a grown man."
As they continue through the crowd. Miracle turns to face Robby and sticks her tongue at him. He makes a similar face.
Once free from the crowd, Jack sets Miracle down. She takes his hand instantly, "Where to first, Sweetie?"
"First we get our Icee. Then the tigers!" Miracle jumps up an down.
"Are you sure she needs that sugar this early in the day."
"It's a tradition she does with her mom. They do it every time they're here. She'll burn all the energy within the first hour." Jack waves him away, "Alright, you want red or blue?"
"Mm, I want blue this time. You get red." She smiles up at him.
"Okay, why do don't you go stay with Robby while I get it. It's a little crowded and I won't have the hand to hold yours."
She nods and follows Robby to a nearby bench. She sits beside him and speaks, "Do you like my mommy?"
"Uh, it's too soon to tell, kid. I don't know her too well."
"You make mean faces at her and me."
"I'm sorry. They're not meant to be mean. I just worry about my friend. Jack is my best friend and I don't want to see him hurt."
"My mommy doesn't hurt people. She helps them. She's a nurse." Miracle says, "She loves him. And you don't hurt the people you love."
"You are right." He smiles, "You are a very smart girl, Miracle."
"Thank you. Jack says so too." She smiles in return.
Jack returns with two Icees, "Hey, you two are smiling. Ready to go?"
"Yes!" She jumps up and takes her cup from Jack and grabs his hand.
"Hang on, where's mine?" Robby frowns.
"I figured we could share." Jack holds the cup to him and sure enough inside are two straws.
They walk around the exhibits together. Miracle runs around excitedly. She interacts with all the displays. Follows the footprints on the path, flips the the flip books that are screwed on the wall. She listens to the ambiance playing as they walk and she squawks to the birds.
For the first time, outside of the hospital, Robby was experiencing life through the lens of a young child. Every so often she stops and turns to Jack. She touches him. His leg or his hand, and looks at him to talk about the animal facts. She'd ask for help on the big words and never stayed on his hip too long.
With Robby, she was gentle. If he was lagging behind too far, she would have them stop and she'd take his hand. She'd include him on her conversations as if he didn't know anything. She was kind to him even though she called him a meanie just a couple hours earlier.
They head to the aquarium where it was a little quieter. As Miracle watches the fish in the tank, Robby takes the opportunity to speak to Jack, "She's bright."
"Bright, cunning, sweet, and attentive. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up," Jack chuckles, "Her mom wasn't too happy as before that she want to be a nurse."
"You leave quite the impression." Robby smiles. "Sorry about before. How skeptical I was."
"It's okay, I understand. I've been avoiding the conversation we would be forced to have sooner or later."
"Jack!" Miracle comes bounding over.
"We don't have to have it now." Robby pats Jack on the shoulder.
They leave the aquarium and heads to the kids' jungle gym. "Stay where I can see you, be kind, and…"
"Keep my hands to myself." She completes the sentence.
Robby cocks an eyebrow, Jack sits back on the bench and sighs, "We had a situation last time."
After a moment, a woman with a stroller sits beside them, "Hello, hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. Free country." Jack nods his head.
"Which one is yours?" She asks
"The one with the bows in her hair." Jack points at Miracle going down the slide.
"How cute. Mine are the two boys pretending to be monkeys." She points to the boys jumping around the playground. "How old is she?"
"4 years old."
"Oh, have you looked at school yet? What a rollercoaster that was."
"I'm sure it is." Jack notices Miracle stuck going across the monkey bars, "'Scuse me— Hang on, Miracle!" He gets up from the bench and rushes to help her across.
The woman looks to Robby, "So how was she brought into your lives."
"Pardon." He furrows his brows in confusion.
"Was it adoption? Surrogacy?" She smiles as she watches Jack and her play together, "My guess was surrogacy. She looks a lot like your husband, it must have been his sperm."
"Oh! No ma'am." Robby bursts out laughing, "We're not a couple."
"Really? I've bumped into you two a few times. You are awfully close."
He laughs harder, "No, no. We are just good friends. That is his partner's daughter. Not mine."
"I am so sorry I assumed. The two of you drinking out of the same cup and the beautiful moment in the aquarium. I'm so flustered. I need to go, pardon me." She abruptly leaves.
"He's going to get a kick out of that." Robby wipes a tear from his eye.
Jack returns with Miracle and sits her on his lap, "What'd you do? You scared that lady away."
"She thought we were a couple and Miracle was our lovechild." He starts back up again, throwing his head back as he cackled.
"And you think that's hilarious." Jack rolls his eyes, "As long as she thought I was the one that did the donation."
"She did!" He wipes more tears.
-
The three have a late lunch at the center of the zoo. Robby still cracks himself up over the woman. He tries to grab Jack's hand and hold his waist. "Will you knock it off before I kick you ass?" Jack seethes.
"Okay honey, please don't put me in the doghouse tonight." Robby pouts.
As they wait in line to order, Robby notices Miracle growing weary on her feet. "Miracle, are you tired?" He asks.
She simply nods in return.
Jack turns to her, "Here—"
"May I?" Robby holds out his arms, "I'm taller than Jack so you'll see way more." Miracle grins at the enticing offer. She enters Robby;s hands and he picks her up and places her on his hip. "See? Look you can see the red panda's from here." Miracle giggles as she looks around.
When their food is ordered and served, they have a seat a table to eat. "Was it a good day today, Miracle?" Jack asks.
She nods as stuffs her mouth with french fries.
"Hear, hear." Robby concurs.
They continue to eat when Miracle shouts, "Mommy!"
Jack's head shoots up from his food and he scans the crowd, "Your mommy isn't here, Miracle."
"Yes she is I just saw her!" She points, "Right there!"
There you are, among the crowd. You hear Miracle shouting and wave with a smile on your face. You head to the table still grinning. "Gosh, she's pretty out of her scrubs." Robby mutters as he watches you approach.
"Watch it." Jack warns.
Once you arrive at the table you kiss the top of Miracle's head and kiss Jack on the lips. "Hello, hello." You turn to Robby, "Hello, Dr. Robby. Nice to finally meet outside of the dire circumstances that we usually do."
"Right back at you. Nice to not be in dingy scrubs"
You lean down and hug him with a friendly kiss on the cheek. "I hear that. It was only a matter time we would meet like this." You sit beside Robby and across from Miracle.
"What are you doing here?" Jack asks, "You're off the hook the whole day."
"I know. I got bored. It was nice in the beginning. I got my nails and toes done. Went shopping for myself. But then I started thinking about all the fun you guys were having without me." You smile then point to the wagon, "Miracle's backpack has an airtag in it."
"We had lots of fun." Miracle smiles.
"Good. What about you two? Still wish you were at the courts instead, Robby."
"I wouldn't trade this day for the world. Right, honey?" Robby reaches across the table trying to grab Jack's hand.
Jack quickly pushes Robby's hand off the table. "Get away from me."
"Uh oh, trouble in paradise?" You giggle.
"A woman thought we were a couple." Robby sounds like he's starting up again. Jack rolls his eyes. "And your daughter was ours."
"I can see the resemblance." You between the three. "You two make a lovely couple."
"Not you too." Jack groans.
"I'm just teasing," You laugh, "Miracle, do you want to walk around the gift shop before we go home?" She nods. "Alright, I'll give you two some privacy." You flash a wink and take Miracle over to the gift shop. The two men watch as you go.
"She's lovely." Robby speaks, "Funny… and young."
"I knew you'd bring that up." Jack sighs
"Nothing is wrong with that. I'm stating the obvious here. Like how happy she make you; that's obvious too. You lit up when you saw her in the crowd as she came to the table. I've never seen you smile like that before. It's clear to me that you two are great together. You love her, she loves you, and you love her daughter. When you first told me, I thought; no way is this going to last, she's a nurse and she's young. But here you are proving me wrong. You are devoted to this little family and I am proud of you."
"Thank you, Robby." Jack smiles, "Means a lot."
"I'm in your corner brother. So, by proxy, I'm also in their corner." They look over to the gift shop kiosk to see you and Miracle trying on different silly sunglasses.
When you return, you purse your lips and bite back a smile, "Do you want to give him your gift now?" Miracle giggles and nods rapidly, "She picked out something for you, Robby. To remind you of the day." Miracle hands holds out the gift bag to him.
Robby sits up and takes the bag, "You didn't have to do that, kid." He pulls out a red panda plush animal.
"Because I looked like one today. You'll have me in your house every day!" She smiles.
Robby looks at her adoringly, "Thanks, Miracle." He opens his arms and gives her a gently hug.
-
After lunch, Miracle was tuckered out and lays asleep in her wagon as you all walk out into the zoo parking lot. "I'm glad you guys had a nice time today."
"Yes, your daughter is great company. Dare I say better than you boyfriend?"
"You've been trying to get a rise out of me all day." Jack warns.
"You'd think he could take a joke by now." Robby chuckles, "I'd be more than happy to come along again on a family trip, wherever that may be. Even if it was just dinner at Jack's."
"I'm sure there will be that in the future." You nod, "Hopefully, we'll have a proper sit down with maybe some beers."
"The way to my heart." Robby feigns swooning.
-
You arrive to your car first and take Miracle out of the wagon, "You guys go ahead and enjoy the evening. I think walking around the zoo is enough torture." You put Miracle in her car seat and turn to Jack, "I'll see you later."
"I'll see you tonight." He holds your waist and kisses you, "I missed you today."
You bite back a smile, "I missed you too. I have to repay you for the mani-pedi."
"Alright, see you later." He mutters as he moves in for another kiss.
Robby clears his throat causing you two to finally break away. "Bye Robby, I'll see you around." You get in the driver's seat and start the car. He waves as you drive off.
As they walk back to Jack's car Robby chuckles, "You've got the biggest shit-eating grin I've ever seen."
"Shut up. There's still daylight, do you want to shoot or not?" Jack rolls his eyes.
"Oh yeah! I'm going to kick your ass and have you crawling home to your honey with your tail between your legs." Robby slaps his shoulder.
"At least I have a honey." Jack jabs back.
"Oof, low blow brother. Now, you're asking for it." They get into the car and go to play some basketball as promised. After an already long day, they don't last long, consequently quitting within the hour of playing and going home to lay down.
a/n: this got such a positive reception! thank you to everyone who was interested! I hope you like this and look forward to more!
summary: it is flu season and miracle has got a fever. you are out of sick days to take care of her so jack offers to take some time off to take care of her. he comes over and makes sure miracle is well taken care of and she gets better.
wc: 2.6k
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It was officially flu season. Summer had come and past and as the temperature lowers, the respiratory viruses were on the rise. Abbot was grateful to not be working day shift, administering flu shots, dealing with snot nosed kids and their anti-vax parents. And the influx pneumonia.
In the ICU, flu season was not taken lightly. After a viral infection, came pneumonia and possibly sepsis. Immunocompromised patients were on high alert and your floor was filling up quickly and constantly. It was all hands on deck except for you.
One night you received a call from the daycare center. Miracle had a high fever, which meant she was not able to stay in the center until it broke. You had to stay home with her until it went down. You took a few days off and it was clear, Miracle had the flu.
"She's looking better today but she's having a hard time moving around, and she sounds like an 85 year old chain smoker." You are sitting on your couch watching TV while on the phone with Jack. You sigh, "I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow. I am out of sick days and her fever is still around 100."
"I've got some sick days I should probably use before the end of the year. I can call off tomorrow and watch her while you're at work."
You've been going steady for a few months now. Jack is always willing to help with Miracle. However, this would be the first time he was offering to watch her, by himself. Take care of her for longer than the time she was in the ED. He is willing to call out sick for you and watch her. Be the support you need. You've never had that before. "Are you sure? You're okay with babysitting a sick child all by yourself."
"I'll be okay. I am a doctor after all. I can take care of Miracle and if anything she'll let me know if something's wrong. She's a smart girl."
You're silent on the line. He bites his lip as he waits for you to say something. Maybe he was being too forward. He's about to speak again when you speak, "Okay, I really appreciate it. I can't thank you enough."
The next evening, Jack arrives to your apartment before you leave for your shift. You're already in your scrubs, "Hey! Perfect timing." You pull him into the house, "She already ate but if she's hungry again there is some chicken soup in the fridge to heat up and there's some juice for her throat. She's already taken some medicine. She'll need another dose before bed that will tie her over until morning…" As you talk Jack looks around your apartment. It was the first time he has really lingered. He's only been a few times and he usually stayed by the door as you hurried to put Miracle's shoes on or your coat. You lead him down a short hall, "Down there is the bathroom, this door is to my room and in here is," You push open a door and inside is Little Miracle laying bed, "Look who it is, Baby!"
"Jack!" Her voice is hoarse as she speaks. It was only recently that she finally started calling him by his first name. You think it was because she liked the word doctor and didn't want to stop saying it.
"I'll be taking care of you while your mommy is away. We'll have some fun, won't we?" The girl simply nods. The lowest energy, he has seen from the girl since meeting her.
"She's already had a bath and is in her pajamas. Her bedtime is 9:30 sharp. I read her 3 stories, her choice. She's been in bed most of the day, she hasn't been in much of a playful mood but with you, who knows."
"Great. Anything else I need to know."
"She doesn't have any allergies, she doesn't wet the bed, and she's not secretly the antichrist. Oh, and if you get tired yourself, you can sleep in my bed."
"In your bed, how forward."
"Just being considerate. Thank you for doing this." You kiss him on the cheek, "If anything happens, I trust that you'll call me, right?"
"Right."
"Good." You kneel down to Miracle's side, "Alright, My Love, I'm going to work. You be good for Jack and if you need anything you can ask him, okay?"
"Okay." She coughs. You pout a little then kiss her forehead.
You head towards the door, "You'll call me if you need anything, right? Let me know if anything happens?"
"Yes ma'am. I promise, I've got this handled." He grabs your waist and kiss you for reassurance, "Have a good night and stay safe."
You take a breath to steel yourself before walking out of your apartment. This would be the first time since she was born that you would be miles away from Miracle. You were anxious but when you thought about Jack being with her, you feel a wave of calm.
Back at your apartment, Jack sits in Miracle's room on the edge of her bed. He looks around and see art work on the walls. Toys are strewn around a small toy box. It was very Miracle. "How are you feeling right now, Sweetheart?"
"My throat hurts." She mutters.
"Alright, let's get you some juice." He stands up, "How do feel about getting out of bed for a bit? It's a little stuffy in here."
She nods and sits up, she holds up her arms. He swiftly picks her up and carries her into the kitchen. He sets her down to open the fridge and grab the juice. She goes to take a seat at the dining room table. "Miracle, where are your cups?"
"In the cabinet there." She points to the cabinet next to the fridge.
"Smart girl." He smiles and grabs a small glittery cup with a bunch of princesses on it.
He places the cup in front of her on the table and pours some juice for her. He watches as she drinks from the cup. He then looks around the room. It was fairly clean in the kitchen with only a few dishes in the sink. Some more toys laid in a corner of the living room. Most of the pictures on the wall were of just you and Miracle or Miracle alone. From when she was just a baby to now.
"Is there anything you want to do?" Jack asks. The little girl shakes her head, "Really nothing? You must be really sick."
"The cough syrup makes me tired. Can we watch a movie?" She asks.
"Sure." He follows her to the couch in the living room. She grabs the remote and chooses a movie, Jack doesn't recognize. He wasn't too versed in kids entertainment but the movie she picked was compelling. "That guy is like you." Miracle points to the main character.
Jack focuses more on the movie not too sure why she would think that. However, he realizes in the end what her reasoning was. The character loses his foot, "I can see it now. He is like me."
Miracle sits close beside Jack, laying her head on his arm and turns on a different movie. By the time the movie marathon is over, she is in Jack's lap laying on his chest with her eyes closed. As the credits roll on another movie, Jack checks his clock, "Alright Miracle, it's time to get ready for bed." The little girl whines and turns her head away, "C'mon, Sweetie, let's go use the bathroom, take some more medicine, and brush our teeth."
She slips out of his lap and trudges to the bathroom. When she finishes, Jack comes in to help her take her medicine. She takes it like a champ and goes to brush her teeth. Jack helps her visualize doing the same mouth motions so she gets her front, side and back teeth. She then moves to her bedroom. "Alright, Mommy said 3 books. Take your pick." He sits on the edge of her bed as she stands by her bookshelf
"I just want one." Miracle mumbles.
"Are you sure?" His eyes soften, "I can do as many as you want."
"Just this one." She grabs out a flat green book, 'Goodnight Moon.'
"Okay—"
"But! I want you to stay with me."
"I'm not going anywhere. I'll just be in the living room working."
"Uh uh." She shakes her head, "You have to lay with me until mommy comes back."
All night in a toddler sized bed did not sound ideal to Jack. "Mm, how about we go and lay in mommy's room, instead."
Miracle smiles excitedly, "Yeah!" She grabs a stuffed animal from her bed and rushes to your room. Jack follows after her and looks inside. It was warm. Light colored blackout curtains, a queen sized bed with a plush duvet with a floral pattern and matching sheets. It was very you. Miracle climbs onto the bed and fidgets with a dome-shaped device on your night stand.
"What's that, Sweetie?" He sits down beside her.
"Mommy's nightlight. She doesn't like the dark." She turns it on and against her hand he can see the stars and moon. He gets up again and turns out the lights so it's only your bedside lamp on. The stars and moon shine around the room.
"Alright." He tucks her into the bed and opens the book, "In the great green room, there was a telephone and a red balloon…"
When he finishes the book, Miracle is fighting sleep. "Are you sure you don't want another story, Miracle?"
She shakes her head, "I don't want to move."
"Okay then, I'll just rub your back until you close your eyes." He turns out the light and crawls over to the middle of the bed.
"I like when mommy does that." She scoots closer to him.
"I liked it too when my mom did it to me." He whispers. As he rubs her back, he looks at the ceiling and watches the stars and moon spin along the ceiling and walls.
Soon the girl is sleeping, a soft snore falls from her lips. He was hoping to get some work done while she was babysitting. Now he was trapped with Miracle under his arm. He didn't want to wake her up not knowing what the ramifications of that was yet. So, he stayed in bed with her, subsequently falling asleep.
In the middle of the night, he feels her moving, "What the matter, Miracle?"
"My throat hurts."
"I'll get you some water." He grabs some room temperature water in a cup for her to drink. After a gulp or two she gives the cup back to him to set on the nightstand. They lay back down and Miracle curls up into a little ball beside him and rests her head on his chest. "Feeling better?"
"Mhm."
"Good." He closes his eyes.
"Jack?" His eyes slowly open again.
"Yes, Miracle?"
"Do you like my mommy?"
"I do."
"Like the people in the movies."
"The people that hug and kiss?"
"Uh huh."
"I do."
"You wouldn't hurt her?"
"Never, ever."
"Even when you were mad?"
"Nothing would make me mad enough to hurt her, or you." His brows furrow. He turns to his side to face the girl. "Has someone hurt your mommy?"
"I dunno. Mommy says she's been hurt before."
"I see." He rubs her cheek, "I promise you, Miracle, I will not hurt your mommy or you. I want you two to be safe." He kisses her forehead. "Let's go back to sleep okay."
His heart races as he thinks. Your past has been a touchy subject. You do not like to talk about it with him. But based on the little you have told him, it was not all happy memories. He rubs Miracle's back as he calms himself down. He falls back asleep.
The next morning, you come in to the apartment as quiet as possible. You notice Jack was not in the living room, so he must have taken your offer to sleep in your bedroom. You go take a peek in Miracle's room to see she isn't there. You frown but remain calm as you check your room.
Inside, you see Jack sleeping and Miracle beside him. Your nightlight is on, still spinning the lights around. You smile at the sight and go sneak into the bed on Jack's side.
He slightly jumps then smiles when he sees it's you. "Good morning." He mumbles.
"Good morning." You whisper back, "I assume the night was a success. How was she?"
"Fine. She got out of bed after you left. Her fever broke after we watched some movies. Her throat was still hurting later in the night but she did sound better."
"Good. Thank you." You kiss him, resting your hand on his scruff, "I really can't thank you enough."
"Of course anytime. And if you are coming down with something too, I'll take some days off." He pulls you closer, "I'd do anything for you and Miracle."
"It sounds like you are trying to confess something right now." You smirk.
"Maybe I am." He kisses you again.
Before you can say another word, Miracle rises like the dead, "Mommy?"
"Yes, Baby."
She crawls over Jack and squishes between the two of you. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Lovely. Were you nice to Jack?"
"Mhm. We watched movies."
"I heard. You sound better already, tell me all about it. What movies did you watch?"
As you two talk, Jack smiles. He wanted this every day. To wake up next to you. Miracle coming to lay between you two. Spending the morning in bed giggling. You peer over Miracles head and see Jack smiling at you, "Jack, breakfast?"
"Sure, I can make some."
"We can make some together." You smile. "What you thinking, My Love?"
"Mm, blueberry waffles, eggs, and bacon!" She smiles.
"Alright, let's get to work." He sits up and you all jump out of bed.
You head to the kitchen and begin to prep. Miracle helps crack the eggs and take out the shells as well as make the waffle mix. When the stove is turned on, she goes to the table to set it with cups and plates.
You put the mix in the waffle maker beside the stove as Jack works on the bacon. "Is it too early to say I love you?"
You pause and look at him, "I don't know, do you mean it?"
"I do."
Then… I don't see an issue." You take out the cooked waffle and pour more mix. "I've trusted you enough to spend the night in my house alone with my daughter. The other nurses thought I was crazy, but I don't know… I felt it was okay. You've never made me doubt your intentions." You take out the another waffle and put one more in. "Maybe it's because I love you too."
Jack smiles at you. You return it and lean in, "The bacon is burning."
He takes it out of the pant quickly, "It's very distracting in the kitchen."
"Then I'll leave." You hip bump him and pour some juice for the table.
Soon all the food is ready and you sit together to eat. Jack helps with Miracles waffle. She asks him first this time instead of pushing her plate towards you, "I like the way he cuts my pancakes." She explains.
You smile at the sight. You never thought you'd be this happy. Wrong, you never thought you could be happier. Jack made you feel a type of love you never felt before. You were afraid it would hurt you but he's never made you feel a single doubt.
You wanted this. Breakfast every morning sitting around the table. Cooking together and laughing. You wanted Jack to stay in your life.
a/n: this got such a positive reception! thank you to everyone who was interested! I hope you like this and look forward to more!
summary: your breakfast date with Abbot. (and Miracle)
tags: pregnancy complications that lead to premature birth, NICU, near death experience, jack abbot's dead wife, fluff with a side of angst, subtle mentions of each other's dark pasts
wc: 2.2k
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Jack could feel himself grow nervous as he pulls into the parking lot. He looks into the sun visor mirror and fixes his hair. He takes a deep breath and exits the car adjusting his shirt. You had texted him earlier to go ahead and get a table and that you would be running a bit behind. Miracle wanted to find something perfect to wear. He enters the diner and smiles at the host. She looks at him and returns the smile, "How many are we serving today?"
"Uh, three." He clears his throat.
"Booth or table?"
"Booth please."
"And do we need any kid's menus?"
"Yes, one." He smiles.
The host grabs two plastic menus and a smaller paper one with crayons. "Follow me this way, Sugar." She leads him to a booth in the window and sets down the two menus and the kid's menu beside him. "Can I get you anything while you wait?"
"Coffee, black." He picks up the menu to look over the food.
"You got it." She walks behind the counter and pours him coffee from the drip. She serves it and goes to tend to other customers.
Jack rubs his hands together and looks out the window as he waits when he notices you walking with Miracle through the parking lot. He didn't think you could get prettier. It was a warm day so you were wearing a tank top and some denim shorts with sandals. Everything fit your silhouette, hugging every part of your perfectly. He takes a sip of his coffee to wet his dry throat.
Miracle jumps up on the sidewalk excitedly. You had put her hair in pigtails all over her head with rainbow rubber bands. She was wearing a frill white shirt with overalls on. She was like your little baby doll.
You see him through the window and wave with smile before you head towards the door. When you enter the diner, Miracle notices him too. "Dr. Abbot!" She runs over and leaps onto the booth seat beside him.
You stay standing next to the opposite booth seat, "Miracle, come sit beside me."
"I want to sit next to Dr. Abbot." She crosses her arms and pouts.
"Well, Dr. Abbot prefers the window seat, see." You point, "And you like that seat too. You won't be able to see through the window if you sit next to Abbot."
Miracle taps her chin then slides out of the booth and sits opposite of Abbot. You smile in triumph and sit next to her blocking her into the booth. Abbot gives you props with a subtle nod.
The waitress comes back over, "Hi, what can I get you ladies?"
"Coffee, with room and a kid's apple juice." You smile at the waitress.
She leaves and returns with your coffee and the juice in a kid's cup. "I'll give you guys a few minutes."
As you look over the menu, Miracle pats your arm, "Mommy… Mommy!"
"Yes, my love?" You set the menu down.
"Can I make your coffee how you like it?"
"Sure, do you remember what I like? It's—"
"Two white creams, and one blue sugar." She grabs the items and pulls your mug towards her.
"That's right, good job." You look back at the menu. You then look up at Jack, "Sorry, she is just super excited to be here."
"I am too." He rests his arms on the table, "So tell me, when did you move to Pittsburgh."
"Uh, Miracle was just two years old. I crossed several state lines by myself to get here. All for the PTMC job and 24 hour care. The endeavor of seeking a better life for the both of us." You lean back in your seat, "What about you? I assume the military wasn't all that it was cracked up to be."
He chuckles, "It definitely wasn't. A few tours in the middle east, lost my leg, discharged and bouncing hospital to hospital until I landed in The Pitt. An endeavor of seeking a happier life. I uh, I have to let you know— I would like for you to know— I was married once before."
"You had a wife?!" Miracle stands up on the booth seat.
"Miracle." You hiss. She sits back down quickly.
"I was but uh, she got sick." He purses his lips distracted by the wood grain on the table. He looks up and sees your soft eyes looking back at him in understanding.
"Thank you for telling me— us" You smile. You open your mouth to speak again before the waitress comes back around.
"Are we ready to order?"
"Yes, I'll just have bacon and eggs, sunny side up, and some white toast." You look at Miracle's menu, "What do you want, Baby?"
"I want the chocolate chip pancakes with bacon." She whispers to you.
"She'll have the chocolate chip pancakes with bacon and a cup of fruit."
"No Mommy just the bacon."
"Just eat some of them. Do it for me, please?"
She huffs, folding her arms over her chest and pouts out the window. You give an awkward smile and hand over your menu.
"And I'll have the omelette supreme." Jack hands back his menu.
"I'll have that out as soon as I can." The waitress takes the menus and leaves you alone.
"Supreme? What does that mean?" Miracle cocks an eyebrow.
"It usually means really big." Jack stretches his arms out.
"Really? You're gonna eat that all by yourself."
"I have to eat that much so I can get big and strong." He flexes his arms.
You and Miracle's eyes widen at the action. You avert your gaze feeling a bit flustered. Jack notices and bites back a smile of his own.
"I want my pancakes to be supreme!" She stands up again.
"Miracle, Baby, sit down." You pull her down.
"But Mommy!" She whines.
"Well, they say adding fruit and veggies is what makes it supreme too." Abbot leans forward like it's a secret
"Yeah?" Miracle leans forward.
He nods, "There are a bunch of veggies in the omelette I'm getting."
"Then I'm going to eat all my fruit!" She exclaims.
You stare in awe as he makes this up on the fly. "Are you sure you don't have any secret kids too?"
He shakes his head, "It was something I always wanted though. This is uh, my first date in a long time."
Right. This was a regular date. He was attracted to you, truly. This wasn't a play date with friends and their kids. He was in front of you talking because he wanted to be with you.
"Mommy," Miracle shakes you out of your thoughts, "When is our food going to get here?"
"We just ordered, Baby. It's going to take time to cook."
"But I want it now." She whines.
"Okay, how about while we wait, you tell Abbot the story of how you got your name?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" She practically vibrates with excitement. "Do you want to hear the story?"
"I'm all ears, Sweetie." Abbot leans back, getting comfortable.
"Go ahead." You sit back as well. She crawls into your lap and faces Abbot then clears her throat.
"When Mommy was pregnant with me, she was very sick with— what is it called?"
"I had preeclampsia." You say.
"Yeah that, and I had to be born early but I was still so small. I only weighed one pound."
"One pound five ounces."
"And I was put in a big box to help me breathe and I couldn't go home. The doctor said I might not be able to go home at all but Mommy never gave up, right Mommy?"
"That's right. I stayed with you all day and all night."
"But she didn't give me a name yet."
"I couldn't think of one that I liked. I was more worried about you getting better. Every time I would think about it my mind would just go blank."
"After months and months and months—"
"Just 3 months, Baby." You squeeze her cheeks.
"I got better! And one of the nurses called me a miracle!" She looks up at you giggling.
"That's right! And it was like a light bulb went off above my head. That nurse was right, you were a miracle. But not just any miracle."
"Your Miracle!" She smiles hard and spins in your lap to give you a hug.
You squeeze her tight and pepper her face in kisses. "My little Miracle."
Abbot can't help but smile at the end of the story. Tears welled up in his eyes as he listened. Miracle grabs the sides of your face and kisses you back then moves back into her seat. You notice Abbot and give a sympathetic smile, "It's her favorite story. She asks for me to tell it all the time. She'll know it by heart before a Dr. Seuss book."
"It's a beautiful story." He smiles in return, "Thank you for telling me, Miracle."
Soon your food arrives. First, you tend to Miracle's plate cutting her stack of pancakes and pouring syrup on it. You then focus on your own food and start to eat but after a few bites you notice Miracle is almost half way done with the cut stack.
Abbot seems to notice too. "Here, let me." He takes Miracle's fork and knife and cuts the rest of the stack. Your heart swells as you watch them. Both of them hyper focused on the plate as he cuts. "Is this how you look during emergency surgery?"
He looks up and chuckles, "This is a very serious situation. It needs my full attention." He takes the knife and hands Miracle her fork back.
"Thank you." You say as you continue to eat.
After you all finish, Miracle occupies herself with finishing the activities on her menu. Your plates are cleared and you sit and wait for the bill. "So, is this what you imagined for the first date?"
"I think it was a positive." He tilts his head, "Unless you thought otherwise."
You shake your head, "You have her mark of approval."
"What about yours?" He licks his lips.
"It's kinda hard not to lower my guard with you. You've been doing the same so it would only be fair."
"It wasn't just her was it?" He holds a serious tone.
You nod, "It was touch and go, after she was delivered, but we both pulled through. It was my wake up call. Get my life in order. I prayed to whoever would listen," You play with one of her pigtails, "if she got to come home with me, I would do everything in my power to keep her safe."
Jack feels his jaw tighten. You had the same distant gaze he had earlier. He reaches over the table and grabs your other hand. You snap out of it and squeeze his hand in response to the feeling of his palm on yours. He gives you a reassuring smile, "I hope I can do the same for you, if you let me."
Soon, the waitress comes over with the bill. You fish for you wallet in your purse but Jack puts his hand up to stop you. You pick up Miracle and all three of you head to the main counter to check out and leave.
Once outside, Abbot walks you to your car. It was an old beat-em-up Corolla. Old reliable for you. You put Miracle in her car seat and move to the back of the car to speak. "I had a nice time, Jack."
His heart squeezes at the sound of his name. "Me too. This won't be the last time, I hope."
"As long as you are okay with it being a play date again." You look into the back window to see your daughter playing with her doll she had left behind.
"Always. I acknowledge that you are a package deal." He nods, "Just as long as you know I prefer playing more so than the adult talk."
You swat his arm playfully, "I should have known. You were the one that was sabotaging the bathrooms and letting her sneak into your department."
"Yes, your theory was correct. It was all a part of the plan." He chuckles, "In all seriousness, I don't care what we do. Just let me see you again, not at work."
"Okay." You grab his hand, "I'm off on Saturday. If you'd like you come over for breakfast and cartoons?"
"Is breakfast the only meal we can have together?" He teases, "How about dinner, Saturday? How about pizza?"
"I love pizza!" Miracle shouts from her window.
"2 out of 3, I think that means a yes."
"Alright then, Saturday night." You hold one side of his face and kiss him gingerly. You lips feel plush against his. He makes a satisfying noise and holds your waist keeping you close.
Although it was only meant to be a courtesy, you didn't want to stop kissing. You move your hands as he deepens the kiss. You separate for air and bite your lip, "We'll, uh, we'll see you Saturday."
Abbot heads back to his car as he watches you drive off. He gets in and he can't smiling. The kiss replays in his mind over and over. He touches his finger to his lips before taking a breath to calm down. It doesn't work as he sits in the parking lot for a couple more minutes before driving off.
summary: a little girl from the PTMC daycare keeps finding her way to the ED. Jack allows the girl to stick around because he finds her mom very attractive and wants to see her again.
tags: unrealistic negligence of an early education facility, (the hospital would have been on lockdown irl this little girl wouldnt have made it off the floor)
little miracle masterlist
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After the midnight rush of DWIs, the night slows down enough for Abbot to catch up emails and on the computer. He types away in the draft and schedules each of them to come in all at 8am and every 30 minutes after. Admin likes to waste his time so he likes to give them a head ache too.
As he continues, just in front of the nurse's station, he sees a little girl wandering past. She was very small, probably preschool age. Her hair in a ponytail and was dawned in a matching pajama set. She must have come in with her mother and ended up lost. Hopefully someone— a nurse— will help her back to the respective room. He then grabs an tablet and goes to one of the North side rooms to discharge a patient.
After he escorts the patient through the triage doors he passes the Pediatric room and notices the little girl from before. She stands by the wall and traces the mural of the woodland animals. She hums a nursery rhyme in a similar tune to "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Abbot stands at the door and looks in either direction. He looks in either direction then Dr. Ellis quicksteps past him. "Hey Ellis, do you know if any patients are missing a kid?"
"A kid?" She backs up and looks in the room, "Definitely not. Should I get security?"
"Not yet. I'll find out more. Go ahead." He dismisses her and enters the room.
The girl hears his foot steps and looks up at him curiously. "Hi."
"Hi, I'm Dr. Abbot. What is your name, sweetie?"
"Miracle." She turns back to the fox on the wall.
"What a pretty name." He kneels down beside her on his good knee, "Are you here with your family?"
She shakes her head, "I'm here all by myself."
Abbot purses his lips in worry, "Oh yeah? How did you get here?"
"The elevator." She smiles, "I remember the fox from last time and came down all by myself."
"The elevator…" He thinks for a moment. He notices on her chest as a name tag. Similar to his badge was a photo of Miracle and the words PTMC childcare center. Miracle was not a patient or a child of one but a child of an employee at the hospital. He lets out a sigh of relief, "Well, this is a long way from where you belong isn't it?"
Miracle shrinks and clasps her hands together, "I didn't mean to."
"It's okay, sweetie but we'll need to take you back. Don't want your people to worry right?"
"Uh huh." She nods, "My mommy works in the hospital. She helps really sick people."
"You know, I do that too." He smiles, "Why don't we go sit somewhere and call your mommy? Let her know you are okay."
"Okay!"
Abbot stands up and holds out his hand for the girl to hold but she instead holds up both of her arms with the expectation of him to pick her up. He smiles and obliges, carrying her back to the main nurse's station. "I think I know where some stickers are that you can have. Do you like stickers?"
"Yeah!" She squeals.
Miracle had a smile that could melt the coldest hearts. As they walk, she rests her head on Abbot's shoulder. He tries to steel his resolve but his heart swells at the feeling of her little head on his shoulder.
"Oh my, who is this little one?" Lena smiles at the girl.
"This is Miracle. She is a long way from the daycare upstairs."
"Oh Geez. I heard the bathrooms are broke down on their floor so they have to go to a different one." Lena says, "No wonder this little lamb got lost." She pinches the little girl's cheeks. An infectious giggle comes from the girl as she squirms in Abbot's arms.
He sets her down on a stool and takes a look at her tag. It had her full name on it with a phone number underneath. He recognizes it as the ICU floor. He dials it on the office phone.
A soft woman's voice answers in a quiet tone, "ICU?"
"Hi, this is Dr. Abbot here in the ED. I have a sweet little girl named Miracle down here lost from the daycare."
"Oh my god." He can hear the woman panic. Faintly, she tells her colleague, "Thank you Dr. Abbot. I will be down in just a moment."
Before he can respond the line goes dead. It must have been Miracle's mother on the phone, "Good news, Miracle. Your mommy is on the way."
"What about my stickers?" Oh right…
He snaps and opens a random junk drawer and finds some stickers in the bottom. "Here you are."
She takes them from him and rips off one and places it back on his hand. He smiles down at the sticker.
Just a moment becomes a long while as Abbot and Miracle wait. Although young, Miracle was able to keep herself entertained at the desk. She ran out of stickers and Abbot's arms and face had run out of surface area. His staff laugh and take in the adorable sight of Abbot with the little girl.
"Miracle! Oh thank god, you're still here."
"Mommy!"
Abbot whips his head around and feels his heart leap out of his chest. You come flying down the stairs and jog over to the nurse's station. He can't take his eyes off of you as you come around and pick up your daughter.
"What were thinking coming down here all by yourself?"
"I wanted to play with this fox on the wall."
You shake your head and move your eyes to Abbot's sticker riddled body. "Hi… you must Dr. Abbot."
"You'd be correct." He holds his hands behind his back, "Miracle was keeping me company down here."
"I can see that," You giggle, "You have discovered her obsession with stickers. Sorry."
"Not a problem. Anything to keep her entertained."
"I appreciate it. I really do. She has gotten into this adventurous stage of wandering off and I can barely keep up. I'm glad you were able to keep her occupied." Your smile was just as criminal as Miracle's.
"She's welcome back anytime." He waves it off as he tries not to stutter under your sweet gaze.
"Alright then. Say bye to Dr. Abbot, Miracle."
"Bye Dr…. Abby." She giggles.
"Dr. Abby? You're so silly." You tickle her side then you look at him again, "Bye Dr. Abbot."
"Bye Dr. Abbot." Miracle waves as you carry her back up the stairs to the daycare center.
Abbot watches you go with a longing look. He looks down at his arms and chuckles before he starts to meticulously peel them off. It takes a few minutes to do, a few of the stickers leaving a mark.
He thought that would be the last time he would see you and Miracle. The next night, he looks in the Pedes room longingly before continuing on his way back to the hub.
He stops short just a few feet. Then backtracks and looks into the break room to find a familiar figure. Little Miracle was squatting down in front of the vending machine looking through the slot in the bottom.
"Hungry?" Abbot enters the room.
Miracle sheepishly withdraws from the machine and clasps her hands together. A tell that she did when she thought she was in trouble. She looks at the machine then back at Abbot.
"It's okay." He holds his hands out to her. She approaches him quickly and jumps into his arms. He lifts her and rest her on his hip. "It's a bit late for a sugary snack. How about… some goldfish?"
She nods quickly. He smiles at her and opens one of the pantries where some small snacks were available. He grabs out a package of goldfish and hand them to the little girl. Then he takes her back to the nurse's station.
"Little Lamb!" Lena smiles when she see the little girl then the smile turns shit-eating, "She's taking a liking to you, Abbot."
"She was just hungry. She probably saw the vending machine from the last time she was here." He sets Miracle down on a stool. "You are real sneaky, aren't you?"
Miracle shakes her head as she smirks. She continues to eat her crackers without a word. She was very cunning for her age. Able to get away from the daycare staff and get down to the ED without arousing suspicion of being alone. You must really have your hands full with her.
You were a single mother working as an ICU nurse. You transferred from an ICU clinic out of state due to your toxic ex, Miracle's dad. You had taken the job at the PTMC due to their 24 hour daycare program. You were able to spend time with your daughter during the day and without support at home, she would need to come to the hospital to sleep for the night. It was only a few nights a week so it was hard not to pass up.
Not that Abbot knew your situation. It wasn't like, after that night he met you, he asked one of the medical assistants about you during an ICU transfer.
He picks up the phone and dials the ICU line. "ICU?" It's you again. Speaking softly. A mental image pops up in his mind of you speaking that way to him in the morning.
"Uh, this is Dr. Abbot in the ED."
"Hi, are you looking for a bed?"
"No, actually, I have Miracle down here. She seems to have gotten away again."
"You're joking…" You grumble. You mutter to your coworker again. "i've gotta go… the ED… Miracle… yeah again… unbelievable i know…Are you still there Abbot?"
"I am."
"I'll be down in a minute. I am so sorry. See you soon." You say defeated.
"See you…" The line goes dead and Abbot turns his attention back to Miracle.
She spins on the stool without a care. She finished her goldfish while he was on the phone. He grabs an office chair and sits beside her, "Miracle, your mommy is on her way."
She beams at him, "Yay."
"Do you come down here because you like when you mommy comes to pick you up?"
Miracle shakes her head, "My mommy picks me up all the time. I like when you pick me up and we play."
He leans back, "I see. But Miracle, your mommy and I are busy working. We can't play all the time you know that, right? It's night time and you need rest. So while we work, you sleep."
"But I can only see you at night time. Mommy said so."
Abbot chuckles, "What did your mom say?"
"You work night time at the hospital so that means we can only see you at night time. We can't come in the day time."
"Do you ask to see me in the day time?"
She nods. "You are fun to play with."
"You are fun too." He boops her nose, "Do you like to draw?" She nods rapidly. "How about you draw something for us to put up back here?" He grabs some printer paper and some colored pens from the cup of supplies on the desk.
"You draw too." She hands a pen to him.
"I'd love to sweetie but remember what I said? I have to do my work. It's so I don't get in trouble. Ms. Lena will keep an eye on you."
Miracle pouts like a kicked puppy. It tears Abbot's heart to shreds to look at. He bites down on his bottom lip before looking away. Be strong, be strong, he repeats the mantra as he walks away.
It doesn't take long for him to return though and at the same time that he is back at the nurse's station you come jogging down the stairs. "Hello again," He smiles at you.
"Hi," You return the smile and look at Miracle, "She is going to become a permanent resident by the end of the week down here. C'mon little mama."
Miracle jumps from her stool and hides behind Abbot's legs. "No."
You let out a huff and smile awkwardly, "Heh, Miracle, sweetie it's time to say goodbye to Dr. Abbot."
"No." She grabs onto him. She touches a part of Abbot's prosthesis, she hesitates then moves to wrap both her hands around his other leg.
"God, this is so embarrassing." You mutter then you look up at Abbot, "I'm sorry, she is cranky at this point."
"That's okay." He chuckles, "How about I walk her with you to the daycare?"
"Oh, no it's fine. I'm sure they need you down here being the shift attending and all." You tighten your lips. You didn't mean to reveal that. You may or may not have asked a medical assistant about him during an ED transfer.
"It is not a problem. It's Lena that keeps this place running." He turns to Miracle, "If I come with you will you be good for your mommy?"
She nods rapidly and holds her hands up to him. He picks her up and smiles at you, "Shall we?"
"We shall." You lead them to the elevator. As you enter, you hear Miracle whisper to Abbot.
"What happened to your leg?" She cups his ear to whisper but she wasn't too discreet as you still heard her question.
"I got hurt in an accident. My leg was no good so they gave me a new one." He whispers back.
"Does it hurt?"
"Not anymore." He shakes his head, "I eat good and take care of myself to be big and strong." He tickles her side, making her giggle in his ear.
You can't help but smile. His patience with your daughter warmed your heart. It was something about him treating her like a small person and not a nuisance unlike someone you once knew. She was disrupting him at work but he didn't let it bother him. He seemed to enjoy it, actually.
As you walk back to the daycare, you notice Miracle has gone quiet. You look over and see she had fallen asleep on Abbot's shoulder. "That girl is something else." You shake your head.
"She gives you a run for your money." Abbot whispers.
"You have no idea." You sigh, "She has not been infatuated with anything ever until she met you. I've never heard her speak about someone so highly after meeting them once."
"So she says. She told me, she stays awake to play with me."
"All day, non-stop. 'Mommy, you should invite Dr. Abbot to our house to play.' 'Mommy, Is Dr. Abbot at the hospital yet?' 'I got a booboo, Dr. Abbot should help.'" You laugh at yourself then notice Abbot smiling at you. You avert your gaze and stop at the Pre-K door. "This is her." You scan your ID and open the door for Abbot.
He lays her on one of the cots with the other kids. You tuck her in and kiss her forehead. You apologize to the staff and they apologize too. The bathrooms should be finished by tomorrow so hopefully this is the last time Miracle elopes.
You walk with Abbot back to the elevator, "I really can't thank you enough, Dr. Abbot."
"Miracle is a sweetheart. Just as much as I left an impression on her she's left one on me." He holds his hands behind his back as he walks.
"Hopefully, this will be the last of her hijinks and my blood pressure will lower." You take a deep breath. Abbot purses his lips as his heart wilts. You stop in front of the elevator, "This is where we part ways. You've gotta go down and I've gotta go up." You hit the down button, "I'll take the stairs."
"I'll see you around?" He steps on to the elevator.
"At this rate? I'll be seeing you tomorrow." You joke.
You joke but Abbot hoped that it was a promise.
The next night, Miracle appears again. Abbot makes his rounds when he finds her curled up on the couch in the family room. He almost didn't catch her this time if it weren't for the door being propped open by the janitors. He enters the room quietly and sits beside her.
He rubs her back as he tries to rouse her from sleep. The little girl rises out of her ball like state and crawls into his lap and rests on his chest. He sighs and continues to rub her back and rocks her side to side. He pulls out his hospital phone and dials the ICU.
"ICU?" A firm voice speaks. It definitely wasn't you, "Hello?"
"Yes, hi, this is Abbot down in the ED. I've got Miracle down here and was wondering if her mother was available to pick her up."
"Uh…unfortunately she is unavailable at the moment. Are you able to keep an eye on her for some time? She is tending to a patient at the moment. I will pass along the message as soon as I can." There was a wobble of nervousness in the nurse's voice. It was always life or death in the ICU.
"Yeah, I can. Just let her know when you can." He hangs up the phone and continues to rock her. When he knows he has spent too much time he will carry her to the hub.
"Lena, occupy Central 6 for me." He points to the sleeping girl in his arms, "Her mom might take a minute."
"You got it." She opens a tablet and fills in some random information to occupy the room on the status board.
He lays Miracle on the gurney and tucks her under the covers. "Thank you for making me so special." He whispers to her then shuts out the lights and leaves the room closing the door. Through out the hour he keeps an eye on her.
You come down the stairs looking disheveled. Your eyes were puffy, it looked like you had been crying. Abbot approaches beside you and rests his hand on the center of your back, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, sorry, where is Miracle?" You sniffle.
"Right in here." He leads you into Central 6. You lower the rail on one side of the gurney and pull up a chair to caress Miracle's face as she sleeps. He can see tears fall indiscriminately from your eyes. "Is everything okay?"
You let out a chuckle, "Is everything ever okay in our departments?" He sighs and pulls up another chair to be beside you. "Just before I come down here, every time, I've had to stabilize a patient, or at least try. A different person each time and afterward I'd come right down here and see the smile on my daughter's face like everything is okay. I have to act like I haven't just witnessed the scariest thing 5 minutes before coming to get her. I don't have to brave it when she's at daycare. In my mind, she seems worlds apart from the madness. Safe. I freak out thinking about her down here. What she might see. As if I didn't just watch someone die minutes ago." Abbot hears your voice waver as you speak but you laugh again, "But even still, with you, she is safe. She's so comfortable in your arms like she's known you her whole short life. You make it look so easy." You lean back in your chair and sniffle, "It makes me think I'm not cut out for this."
"Woah, that is a severe overstatement." He leans forward and takes your hand, "Had you not told me, I would have never known what you've done before coming down here. The first time you came down, you had this infectious smile on your face. And Miracle ran into your arms, you didn't falter for a second. Scooped her right in your arms. If you were scared you never showed it. You are her world. She knows you're there for her. You make it look effortless"
You look down at his hand on yours. He gives it an affirming squeeze. It's warm to the touch. "I bet you say that to all the single mothers." You bite back a smile and pull your hand away.
"Usually when they're here they are preoccupied with… you know an emergency?"
You giggle, "Really? None have made a move on you?"
"I fear that is day shift only. At this time of night, I only get the drunks playing grab ass." He sighs.
"Oh poor you," You rub his shoulder. "And here I thought you were like this dangerous and sexy combat medic that flirted with all the moms."
"Dangerous and sexy?"
"The other nurses on my floor say that, at least."
"So you talk about me to other people."
"I had to. I have to make sure the men in my daughter's life aren't dirt bags." You shrug, "They said you were a flirt too. Any defense?"
"I'm playful." He surrenders, "It's only to liven up this dreadful place."
"Right." You purse your lips into a thin smile, "Well, I should probably be taking her back to the daycare." You remove Miracle from the gurney and rest her on your hip, "You have a good rest of your night, Dr. Abbot."
He follows you out of the room, "I hope my playfulness hasn't scared you away from coming back to work."
"Only time will tell, I guess. Maybe I'll consider transferring to the ED and have some fun with you down here instead. " You shoot him a playful wink. He licks his bottom lip as he watches you walk to the elevator and back upstairs.
"She's got you whipped." Ellis shakes her head.
"Both of them do." Lena smirks, "Forget a work wife, he's got a whole work family."
"It's not like that." He waves them off, "Miracle is a troublemaker and her mom—"
"Is the hottest nurse you've ever laid your eyes on?" Ellis cocks an eyebrow, "You're not the only one with eyes, Abbot."
He averts his gaze to the status board, "Do you have anything better to do right now, Ellis? How does triage for the next hour sound?"
"Sounds like I should keep my mouth shut and get back to work." She leans over and mutters to Lena, "See how defensive he got. Whipped."
It had been a week since Miracle's escape attempts. The bathroom in the daycare was up and running again so there was no way for her to escape. Abbot stares at her drawing she had left behind. He missed that little rascal. He missed you too.
When things get slow enough, he decides to try and take a trip up to the daycare to check on Miracle. It was possible that she was sleeping but just seeing her would keep his spirits high. He tells Lena he's going to be out for a few minutes and hits the elevator button.
When the doors open his eyes widen in surprise. You stand there with a smile on your face and a look of surprise yourself. "Hey, I was just coming down to look for you."
"Oh? What for? Patient transfer?"
"No actually," You beckon him onto the elevator, "Miracle is having a hard time sleeping and misses her friend Dr. Abbot. I was wondering if I can steal you for a few minutes to put her to bed." You hit the button for the daycare floor, "Is that okay?"
"Uh yeah… I was actually going to head there."
"Felt a disturbance in the force, Jedi?" You chuckle.
"I just wanted to make sure she was alright."
"You've spoiled her." You say, "Now she can't live without you. It was inevitable, she's imprinted on you like a little duck. You are her mama now."
He laughs. It's a hearty laugh that warms your chest. You can't help but laugh too. The two of you walk out of the elevator side by side and enter the daycare. Miracle lays in her bed and beams when she sees the two of you from the window.
You both enter and sit beside her bed. "Okay, Miracle, this is a one time thing. Dr. Abbot can't come and go whenever you want while you're here." You explain as you tuck her in, "But he did say he missed you too."
She grins at him, "Do you still have my picture, Dr. Abbot?"
"I do. I look at it everyday." He grabs her hand and squeezes it tight.
"Maybe because you miss me we can play not in the hospital." She pouts.
You purse your lips and nod, "Maybe… But Dr. Abbot is super busy—"
"If your mommy says it's okay, I would be more than happy to."
You swivel your head at him in surprise, "You would?"
"Sure," He shrugs, "We can all play together outside of the hospital."
Your face is cooking as he speaks. Was he saying what you think he was saying?
"But that is for your mommy and I to talk about. You, little one, need to sleep." She nods and shuts her eyes. Your eyes are still on him. He notices and smiles, "Did you want to talk about that now?"
"Uh no I just… thought…"
"I was too sexy and dangerous? Or did you still believe I am too playful?"
You bow your head in defeat, "I guess I did."
After Miracle falls asleep the two of you leave. "I am going to be honest. I fully believed that this would be the last we saw of each other. We would go our separate ways, officially." You confess.
"I knew that wouldn't be the case after second time Miracle came to the ER." He chuckles, "I'd find a way to see you again."
"So were you the one sabotaging bathroom maintenance?" You giggle, "If you wanted to meet with me so bad you could have asked. Like you asked Edgar about me."
"You found out about that…" He winces.
"My good looks get me my way up there." You tease, "I'm kidding. When I asked about you he told me you had done the same. So I asked for more information."
"That's when you got the sexy and dangerous thing from."
"Yes, you are really stuck on that." You nudge him, "Don't believe it."
"I just like the way it sounds coming from you. You believe it."
"I do not."
"For a moment you did. In your mind, there was an image of me next to those words."
You cover your mouth as you refrain from laughing out loud, "Alright, what's it going to take for you to not bring that up anymore."
"When are you free?" He asks, "We can go somewhere and have breakfast after work? Or lunch? Go to the park for Miracle."
"Breakfast sounds good." You take out your personal phone, "How about you put in your number and I'll let you know."
"Promise?" He takes your phone and puts in his number
"If I don't you can put me on blast by calling the ICU and bug me. They all need something juicy to keep them entertained." You smile as he hands back your phone, "But I like you. So I won't keep you waiting too long. How does 10am tomorrow sound?"
"Sounds like a deal."
The two of you stop short of the elevator. You bite your lip before leaning in and kissing Abbot's cheek. "This is where we part ways." You hit the down button, "I'll take the stairs. See you at breakfast."
Abbot's cheeks burn as he watches you jog up the stairs. He tries to control his smile in the elevator as to not tip off the others to his glee. He didn't need them spoiling his fun just yet.
˖⋆࿐໋₊ ☆
thank you for reading! likes, comments, and reblogs always appreciated!
actress!reader: just talking + my nighttime routine
masterlist | actress!reader masterlist
based on an ask <3
“Hello everybody!” Y/n greeted the camera with a wave and a wide smile. “I have not hopped on here in a hot minute, so I thought I’d just chat and kinda go through my nighttime routine with you guys.”
Y/n rolled up the sleeves of her robe before smoothing a hand through her dampened hair. Her and Drew’s bathroom was still filled with remnants of steam from the shower she’d just climbed out of.
“So,” Y/n continued, “I know I haven’t posted in a while, but trust guys, I have been doing things. I promise I haven’t just been sitting around all day.”
Y/n grabbed her cleanser, smoothing it onto her face with a splash of water. It was something she did most nights, a routine built off of the advice of all the stylists she’d had over the years.
“'Wake Up Dead Man' is premiering at TIFF very soon and I am... very excited," y/n patted her skin with a nearby towel. "Other than that— unfortunately for you guys— I cannot say much about."
Y/n continued with her routine, chatting and watching herself closely in the mirror as she swiped her toner across the surface of her skin. As she was focusing, a head suddenly popped into the doorframe of the bathroom. Her eyes immediately flicked up from her own reflection to meet Drew’s eyes. A smile spread across both of their faces in perfect synchronization.
“What’s going on in here?” Drew asked, stepping fully into the doorway. He crossed his arms across his chest, his biceps flexing underneath the sleeves of his plain white t-shirt. His hair was buzzed short and face clean shaven for the last season of Outer Banks, very different from his usually outgrown, tousled look that made y/n swoon— but honestly, every look of Drew’s made her swoon.
“I’m just talking with the viewers at home.” Y/n said, gesturing to the camera perched upon their bathroom counter. Drew stepped closer behind her, ducking down to fit his tall frame into the shot and give the camera a little wave. Y/n giggled, looking over him before meeting his eyes again.
“Do you have anything you want to share?” Y/n quirked her brow. “Anything you’re working on?”
Drew rolled his eyes playfully before leaning forward to rest his palms on the bathroom countertop.
“I am currently pretty busy filming the very last season of Outer Banks here in Charleston.” Drew said with a sigh, shaking his head to himself.
“That feels so crazy.” Y/n said. She gestured towards her moisturizer that rested by Drew’s hand.
“Seriously.” Drew said as he grabbed the moisturizer. “It feels like just yesterday we were auditioning for Sarah and John B.”
Y/n laughed as Drew squirted a bit of the moisturizer onto his fingertips before turning to face her fully. He brushed a piece of her hair back before swiping a bit of the moisturizer against her cheeks. She cringed slightly at the feeling before her lips twisting up into a smile.
“Wow, thank you, Drew.” Y/n tried to stifle more laughter as Drew smoothed the moisturizer across her face. His touch was light as he grinned down at her, finishing it off with a dramatic flourish of his wrist.
“Anytime, baby.” Drew said, giving the camera a cheeky wink before pressing a kiss to y/n’s forehead.
“You’re ridiculous.” Y/n laughed as Drew waved goodbye before leaving her in the bathroom. She turned back to the camera with a sigh.
“Anyway, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,” y/n chuckled, “I do have some upcoming projects, but I’ve also been lucky enough to have some free time to spend with friends and family and all that fun stuff.”
Y/n reached for her toothbrush, putting some toothpaste on it before putting it into her mouth. She brushed her teeth, the toothpaste foaming and forming around her lips.
“I gaa to visih—” y/n attempted to speak as she brushed her teeth, but promptly gave up as she spat out her toothpaste before rinsing her mouth out.
“I got to visit Drew and my Outer Banks family on set,” y/n said, “which… it’s always just so amazing to get back together with everyone there. Truly, those people are all so awesome and important and I would not be here without them, so I cannot thank them enough.”
Y/n grabbed the camera from the bathroom, bringing it with her as she ventured into her and Drew’s bedroom. On the bed, and out of frame from the camera, Drew sat up against the headboard of the bed. His shirt was off, the sheets pulled up to his waist as he scrolled through his phone in the faint glow of the bedside lamp. At the foot of the bed, Charleston was curled up, his breathing slow as the dog fought off sleep.
“I was also lucky enough to see my bestie Rachel in London.” Y/n said as she sat the camera down to dig through her drawers for something to wear to bed. “She is currently performing in the West End’s Evita and she is… unreal. Like, I did not think that amount of talent was possible but wow.”
Y/n eventually found some pajamas, holding them up to the camera. They were nothing fancy, just a t-shirt and sleep shorts. The t-shirt had a picture of Drew’s OBX character, Rafe, in a heart with pink text above it reading “I can fix him” in a swirling script.
“This shirt—” y/n laughed— “was actually a gift from a fan and I thought it was really funny and cute so if you were the person who gave me this, thank you.”
Y/n quickly changed into her pajamas off camera, smoothing her hair down as she moved to sit on the end of the bed. Charleston picked his head up, blinking up at her before resting his head in her lap.
“Anywhom, that’s about it for my nighttime routine.” Y/n said to the camera. “Usually I’ll read a little bit… or show Drew Tik-Toks and then call it a night. Hmm, isn’t that right, Charleston?”
Y/n scratched under the dog’s ear, panning down to show as he looked up at her with wide eyes. She leaned down, pressing a kiss to Charleston’s snout before straightening again.
“Well, thank you guys for watching and goodnight!” Y/n waved to the camera.
“Goodnight!” Drew shouted from behind y/n, causing her to jump slightly before laughing as the video ended. She crawled across the bed, Drew sliding his phone onto his bedside table as y/n slipped under the blankets. He lifted his arm, curling it around her back as she tucked into his side.
“Love you.” Y/n hummed against his chest. Drew leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of y/n’s head.
“Love you.” Drew said as the two of them slowly drifted off to sleep.
bonus post for valentines day :) based off an ask :) i havent done one of these little vlogs in a while, so enjoy !!
It was an easy Sunday morning, like countless others had in the Starkey-Y/ln household. The weather was perfectly cool and the sun shone brightly through the large windows, coating the living room in golden light and warmth. Y/n padded into the kitchen with a yawn, rubbing the remnants of sleep from her eyes. Drew was already awake, standing at the stove, his shirtless back turned to her and plaid sleep pants resting lowly on his hips.
“Good morning.” Y/n murmured as she came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his torso. She perched up onto her tip toes, resting her chin on his shoulder as she looked down at the eggs he was currently scrambling in a pan.
“Good morning,” Drew said, turning to press a kiss to y/n’s temple. “D’you sleep good last night?”
“Oh yeah, I was tired out after last night's festivities.” Y/n said with a smirk and wriggle of her eyebrows. Drew let out a hearty laugh as y/n gave him one last squeeze before moving to dig through the cabinets. She grabbed two glasses— what they called “y/n and Drew’s fancy coffee jars”— before taking them down.
“You ok if I start my vlog?” Y/n asked as she sat the glasses down on the counter next to her espresso machine, a gift from Drew for their first anniversary. Charleston, whose adoption was a surprise from y/n to Drew for their anniversary, padded into the kitchen, his tail wagging contently as he greeted his parents excitedly.
“Sure… do I need to put a shirt on?” Drew asked, causing y/n to snort with laughter.
“Oh no,” y/n waved him off, “if anything that’ll be great for views.”
Drew chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully as y/n took out her phone and began filming.
“Good morning, folks, today we’re doing a bit of a coffee-casual sunday morning-barista-maybe walk vlog.” Y/n said into the camera, at the sound of one of his favorite words (“walk”) Charleston bounded over excitedly to y/n, pawing at her legs. Y/n panned down to look at Charleston, dramatically zooming in on the dog’s snout with a giggle.
“Well now we have to go on a walk.” Drew said off camera as he scooped some eggs out of the pan and out onto two plates alongside two pieces of toast already sitting out.
“We can, Charlie, don’t worry.” Y/n cooed, patting Charleston’s head before turning back towards the camera, “but first I need to eat breakfast and make us some coffee.”
Drew let out an excited hum. He couldn’t lie, their Sunday morning, coffee walks were quite possibly the highlight of his week. He just loved walking with y/n and Charleston down the calming streets and just talking about whatever, a delicious coffee made by his wife in hand.
“So, I’m going to let you guys into a little secret and show you how I make my fancy little coffee.” Y/n explained as she reached into the refrigerator for a carton of her milk of choice. As she went through her coffee routine, step by detailed step, Drew watched quietly from behind the camera.
“... and that’s it!” Y/n said, holding her perfectly colored coffee up to the camera. Y/n swirled the coffee around in its glass one last time before taking a long sip from its straw. She let out a dramatic groan that made Drew bite back a chuckle.
“Now for the real test,” y/n said, sliding the second coffee across the countertop towards Drew, who took it with a grin.
“Thank you, baby.” Drew murmured, quiet enough for only her to hear, before leaning in and taking a long sip from the straw. He finished, pulling away with a nod before throwing up two thumbs up in front of the camera. Y/n giggled, Drew smiling widely.
“Two thumbs up?!” Y/n teased.
“It’s good!” Drew said, holding his hands up in faux innocence.
“Ok, well, you heard him,” y/n said, “we’re gonna eat some of this delicious breakfast Drew made and then I’ll get back with you.”
Y/n gave the camera a quick wave before turning the camera off. She slid into the barstool next to Drew, giving him a peck on the cheek before the two of them ate their breakfast. The two of them ate in a comfortable silence, broken up with the occasional word or two, but mostly just bathing in each other’s presence.
“This was delicious, sweetheart.” Y/n said as she ate a final forkful of eggs. Drew cheeks flushed slightly as he shook his head.
“Ahh, it’s nothing.” Drew said, reaching to brush a piece of y/n’s hair back. She gazed back at him lovingly, her eyes lingering on the details of his early morning features. Drew did the same, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly before he leaned in to press his lips to hers. Y/n let out a low hum, a hand smoothing down Drew’s shoulders as his lips moved against hers before pulling away with a grin.
“I’m gonna go put a shirt on and then we can go on a walk.” Drew murmured, pressing a quick kiss to y/n’s temple before padding back into their bedroom. Charleston let out another excited bark, practically bounding around the living room.
“I know, Charlie, we’re getting ready.” Y/n said to the dog with a laugh. She followed Drew into their bedroom, throwing on a sweatshirt, sweatpants, and a hat to top off her inconspicuous outfit (one Drew wore his own version of).
The two of them emerged in their “costumes” and made their way over towards the entryway, where Charleston padded around excitedly. Y/n started her camera back up as Drew put Charleston’s leash and harness on him.
“You ready, Charlie?” Y/n said, zooming in on Charleston’s snout as he sniffed at the camera before letting out a bark. Y/n smiled, ruffling the fur atop the dog’s head just as Drew opened the front door. The two of them followed him out, and with a quick lock of the front door, they were finally off.
They followed their usual route around the winding streets of Charleston, Drew and y/n walking side by side, coffees in hand, while Charleston happily trotted in front of them. Most of the locals downtown were used to seeing them, some even giving them small nods or friendly smiles, but not approaching. Sometimes they’d get the occasional tourist or fan approach them asking for a photo or autograph, but usually they were left alone on their walks.
“Why are you filming me?” Drew chuckled as y/n panned the camera over to him. The light of the early morning cast perfectly on his profile, his earring twinkling in a way that made y/n feel weak in the knees.
“‘Cause you look cute.” Y/n grinned. As she did, Charleston let out a bark (probably at some creature scurrying into the bushes nearby, but who knew).
“Exactly, Charlie.” Y/n giggled, causing Drew to roll his eyes before motioning for her to give the camera to him. Y/n gave it to him, Drew expertly maneuvering the phone around in one hand and holding Charleston’s leash in the other. Immediately Drew angled it towards her, capturing her smile with a smile of his own.
“Hello guys,” y/n waved to the camera, “we are on our walk, which I would say concludes our casual, Sunday morning, d’you think?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Drew hummed, “I mean, sometimes we’ll do some… stuff when we get back, but probably not today.”
Y/n’s brows furrowed as she let out a giggle.
“You made that sound so weird, Starkey.” Y/n laughed. “People are gonna think we’re gonna go back and do something inappropriate.”
Drew’s cheeks flushed as he let out a flustered chuckle.
“That was— I did not mean it like that.” Drew scoffed. “I meant like clean the house or cook lunch… or maybe something inappropriate, I don’t know!”
“Drewseph!” Y/n gasped, hitting at Drew’s arm playfully. He smirked, biting at his lip slightly.
“You brought it up, not me!” Drew chuckled.
“Ok, anyway,” Y/n said with a playful roll of her eyes, “thank you so much for watching and I hope you enjoyed our lazy Sunday morning vlog!”
i immediately was thinking of this when i watched the mv + someone also suggested it. actress!reader is playing margaret’s role, enjoy <3 warning for some steamy content (as per the nature of the mv lol)
The decision to be in Sabrina’s music video was an absolute no-brainer. And once she found out Madelyn was involved, she was (somehow) even more in.
The concept for the House Tour music video was fairly simple: the girls— Sabrina, Madelyn, and y/n— got set loose in a giant mansion and were given free reign to do whatever they wanted. Any chaotic or fun ideas they could conjure up in any room of the house, Sabrina would find a way to capture it all with her usual charismatic and sexy style.
In the free, fun nature of the song and music video, the girls also got to pick out their own costumes. A few weeks before shooting, Madelyn and y/n were invited to pick from Sabrina’s glamorously concocted wardrobe of glitter and lace. Madelyn had already sent y/n a barrage of photos from her fitting, which only made y/n’s excitement grow. Eager to join in on the fun (and perhaps to get a glimpse of y/n in some scantily clad outfits), Drew decided he’d tag along.
The fitting room was filled with rows and rows of sequined dresses, lacy bras, and glimmering jewelry, all perfectly tailored to fit each of them like gloves.
“Oh my god… Sab, this is too much…” Y/n cooed as she examined a fluffy, faux-fur coat. Behind her, Drew already felt himself begin to sweat.
“Oh please,” Sabrina laughed as she picked out a light purple babydoll dress and handed it to y/n, “it’s the least I could do, babe. It’s seriously an honor to have you here.”
Y/n felt her cheeks warm, letting out a bit of a giggle as she held the dress up to herself before turning to Drew, who looked her up and down with wide eyes. His mouth felt dry, already finding himself fumbling over his words.
“And you’re welcome, Drew.” Sabrina teased, Drew’s cheeks immediately flushing bright pink. Y/n caught onto him, laughing at his flustered face outright.
“Yeah, thanks.” Drew chuckled. “I am… glad to be of assistance.”
Sabrina and y/n giggled.
“Well… I’ll leave you to it. Have fun.” Sabrina said, giving y/n a wink before making her way towards the door. Just before she left the two of them, Sabrina stopped in the doorway. She braced a hand on the doorway before turning around with a toss of her hair.
“Also, y/n,” Sabrina said, “feel free to take anything for your own collection.”
Drew thought he was gonna drop dead.
The wardrobe fitting flew by in a mirage of glitter and lace. Y/n had strutted around the room with the confidence and beauty of a goddess, Drew having to force himself to stay calm and not immediately rip the delicately designed pieces off her and get down and dirty right there in the costume closet. Once the whole thing was said and done (and tied up in a beautiful, silk bow), y/n had picked out her costume for the music video as well as a couple of pieces to take home.
Sabrina had been entirely supportive of y/n’s choices— both costume wise and idea wise. The two of them, along with Madelyn, had been bouncing ideas for shots off of each other for the weeks leading up to the actual filming.
However, they believed they’d think up their best ideas over an alcohol-heavy brunch at y/n’s house. Y/n was proud of the spread they’d made, with perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon (made by Drew before he took Charleston out on a walk to give the girls some alone time) making an appearance beside the mimosa bar y/n had prepared.
“Okay, and for the last scene,” Sabrina said between sips of her mimosa, “we’ve got to end with a dude… y’know.”
“Dying?” Madelyn giggled.
“I mean, yeah.” Sabrina laughed. “It’s a tradition, I don’t want the fans to be disappointed… plus it’s fun.”
The girls all burst out into loud laughter.
“Well, they’re driving away, so I think it’d make the most sense to just, y’know—” y/n gestured dramatically with her champagne glass— “run over the guy.”
“See, I love the way you think, babe.” Sabrina teased, tacking down a quick note on the already lengthy list of ideas for scenes and shots.
“Did you already have someone picked out for the role of ‘guy getting killed at the end of a Sabrina Carpenter music video’?” Madelyn asked with a quirk of her brow.
“No,” Sabrina sighed, “we’ve been looking, but I haven't found anyone that fits yet. I’m open to ideas.”
Suddenly the front door to y/n’s house swung open to reveal Drew, a tray of coffees in his hand and the leash of an excitedly barking Charleston in the other. He had left wearing a t-shirt and shorts, but likely because of the blistering Carolina heat, he had discorded the t-shirt, tucking it into his waistband. His skin was flushed, sunkissed with a spattering of freckles over his torso. He turned towards the girls, all of whom were staring at him.
“Drew, would you want to be in the video?” Madelyn asked, saying what all of them had been thinking. While y/n may have been a bit biased to see Drew on set, Sabrina and Madelyn also agreed he’d certainly fit into the video seamlessly.
“What? Me?” Drew chuckled, setting the coffees atop the kitchen counter before coming up behind y/n and pressing a sweaty kiss to her cheek. She wriggled away, with a giggle, only causing Drew to chase after her to press another one to her cheek with a smirk.
“Yeah, you want us to hit you with a car?” Y/n teased, elbowing Drew playfully. He chuckled lowly at what he presumed to be a joke before turning to look at Madelyn and Sabrina, who stared at him, waiting entirely seriously for a response
“Oh, you're serious?” Drew asked. “You want me to be in the video?”
“It’d only be for a brief scene or two,” Sabrain explained, “but yeah, if you want.”
Drew turned to y/n, who grinned up at him with an excited and very enticing smile.
“Okay,” Drew said, “yeah. I’ll do it.”
The girls let out excited hollers, y/n jumping to her feet to hug Drew before the girls all turned to clink their champagne glasses together. Y/n laughed, turning back to Drew as he smiled down at her. She leaned up to press a kiss to his jaw before lowering back down onto her feet.
“While I am very thankful for the coffees and your agreement to be in the music video,” y/n said slyly, “you definitely need to take a shower.”
Drew let out an exaggerated scoff, giving y/n another quick hug.
“Alright, alright,” Drew chuckled. “Have fun planning ways to brutally kill me, I’m gonna take a shower.”
It was finally time to shoot the video.
The mansion they were shooting at was gorgeous, luxuriously spacious and perfectly furnished. Lighting rigs were set up throughout to bathe the set in a soft pink glow, speakers scattered throughout to play the music they'd be dancing along to for the video— or rather, for the House Tour.
The girls had done a quick runthrough of shots before moving into their hair and makeup. Drew had (gladly) decided to tag along to, as he put it, “get a feel for the scenery”, but y/n knew he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see his beautiful wife all dolled up and dancing around in a scandalous outfit.
“Oh my GOD!” Madelyn gasped as y/n stepped out in her costume, Drew following behind her with a satisfied smirk. It was a black slip dress with pink lace around the edges that brushed high atop her thighs. She wore a matching bra and underwear set which poked out just slightly (and intentionally) at the edges and a pink sequined scarf wrapped around her neck. Like Madelyn and Sabrina, who were already in their own costumes, she also wore a pair of high heels.
“I’m sweating!” Sabrina laughed, fanning herself with a nearby feather-covered fan. Y/n felt her cheeks warm as she bashfully looked down.
“C’mon, give it a spin.” Drew murmured, offering his hand out. Y/n took it, allowing him to spin her around as he let out a low whistle. Madelyn and Sabrina squealed excitedly, hugging each other in their own glamorous outfits.
“Okay, okay, enough!” Y/n said with a laugh and a dramatic waving of her hands. “Let’s shoot this damn thing.”
Take your shoes off!
The house was filled with the echoing synth and melodic vocals of “House Tour” as the girls excitedly rushed through the house. They quickly shucked off their shoes before they rummaged through cabinets and rooms, twirling and dancing freely as they played with the various props scattered around the house.
Do you want the house tour?
Y/n and Sabrina squaring off with samurai swords, the camera zooming around atop them as they hit the metal together with satisfying, perfectly on-beat clanks before separating. The two girls spun widely before hitting the swords again.
I can take you to the first, second, third floor
Each of the girls had a moment to shine as solo shots of their faces and outfits flashed across the screen. Y/n winked at the camera, biting at her lip. In the next shot, the camera focused on the girls’ high heel feet as their “panties dropped” from the apparent excitement of this “House Tour”.
The couch is really comfy, comfy…
In another shot, the girls all lined up on the end of the oversized couch. They leaned over, strutting sensually, as the camera panned from behind. It made sure to catch the length of each of their legs beautifully.
I’m just so proud of my design! (To dim the lights)
With a clap, the lights in the closet illuminated to reveal the packed and extravagantly decorated closet. Expensive pieces of jewelry were strewn about lacy lingerie sets (which the girls quickly changed into) and fluffy fur coats. The girls grasped each other's hands tightly, giving dramatic surprised expressions before falling to the ground.
The next moments were filled with chaos as the girls rummaged through the closet, putting on bejeweled necklaces and bright feather boas. The camera zoomed as y/n lowered a string of pearls into Madelyn’s mouth, the two girls giggling.
I just want you to come inside (but never enter in the back door)
The girls stood atop the center island of the closet, twisting around and dancing to the music before hopping down to stand in front of the floor to ceiling mirrors of the closet. Their high heeled feet kicked up as they flipped their hair.
Yeah I spent a little fortune on my waxed floor…
Perhaps the most difficult shot consisted of y/n doing a handstand to the side of the pool table, her legs spread just wide enough to allow for Madelyn to lean through with her pool cue. After many tries (filled with lots and lots of giggles), the girls had finally managed to get it, Madelyn perfectly hitting her pool shot and y/n managing to stay stable enough for her to do it.
My house is on pretty girl avenue,
The last few shots included the girls escaping the mansion just as the cops arrived, with arms full of stolen clothes, bags, and any other goodies they could grab. Y/n skipped up behind the clueless cops as they peered around the living room, snatching a pair of their handcuffs before darting upstairs.
My house could be your house too!
Madelyn made it to the garage, climbing into a vintage white sportscar filled with her finds while Sabrina and y/n exited out of the front of the house into their pink “Pretty Girl Clean-Up Crew” van. Y/n danced as she climbed into the van, her body wrapped in layers of expensive silks and lace.
So, um… are you coming in or what?
Sabrina sang the final lyrics before placing a cigar in her mouth. She turned towards the wheel, flooring it as the van quickly whipped out of the mansion’s driveway. Towed behind it were cans and white ribbons, “Just Robbed a House” written on a sign in black swirling letters. The outro of the song played, the y/n letting out a holler as the two of them sped away.
Just as they had evaded the cops, however, the camera zoomed in on a dark figure looking down the road before turning towards the camera and stepping out into the light of the nearby streetlamp. Drew, clad in a simple white tank top and jeans, ran a hand over his buzzcut with a long sigh before walking into the street.
He made it only a few steps before he (or rather his stunt double) was hit by the girls in their pink van, causing the music to promptly stop as the cameras cut back to the girls in the car with wide eyes. They sat in silence for a short moment before y/n shrugged, the outro cutting back in as the final credits rolled.
based on the cut interview with madelyn/madison and carlacia/jd. takes place before obx3 warning for drinking and mentions of nonsexual nudity lol
Y/n and Drew sat opposite each other, a table with two bottles of liquor perched between them. Drew rested his forearms on the table, his biceps flexing against the fabric of his t-shirt in a way that made y/n fear what she may say when the liquor started to kick in.
“I’m Drew Starkey.” Drew said into the camera with a smooth grin on his face.
“And I’m Y/n Y/ln.” Y/n greeted the camera with a small wave.
“We are on a little show called Outer Banks...” Drew said before turning to y/n. The two of them looked at each other for a second before collapsing into laughter.
“What are you doing?” Y/n laughed, pointing at Drew as he just looked at her with a cheesy grin. He held his hands up innocently.
“I don’t know! Let’s play this game.” Drew said, shaking his head with a grin as he grabbed the first question.
“Have you ever had a wardrobe malfunction?” Drew read, quirking his brow as he looked at y/n. Y/n could immediately feel her cheeks warm as she remembered an especially egregious malfunction.
“Uh, yeah…” Y/n groaned as she let out a little groan. “During season two there was a scene where a bikini top may have come untied and… given the beach a bit of a show.”
Drew bit his lip, his cheeks going a bit pink at the memory he was very much present for. They were shooting a scene with Rafe and Caroline on the beach when y/n went to get up quickly, her swimsuit top snagging on her beach chair and becoming untied. Drew had immediately jumped up, and in a bit of a panic, practically tackled her to the ground in an attempt to shield her from the cameras and the cast and crew behind them.
“Yep.” Drew said, popping the “p” as he bit back a sly grin. Y/n rolled her eyes at him before grabbing the next question.
“Have you ever taken anything from set?” Y/n read, peeking up at Drew who bashfully turned to look into the camera.
“Of course I have.” Drew laughed. “C’mon, are we being serious?”
Y/n chuckled, “any highlights?”
“Ummm,” Drew hummed, rubbing his hand along his jaw as he thought. “I got a couple gold bars from season two. I mean they weren’t real, obviously, but still cool. They’ve got the engraving on them and everything.”
“Where did you even hide those?” Y/n furrowed her brows as she tried to think of any spot in their apartment where she’d seen Drew’s stash of faux gold bars.
“You trying to take my gold?” Drew asked, flashing y/n a wink as he grabbed the next card. He read it to himself before letting out a loud laugh.
“Oh no…” Y/n groaned as she saw his reaction.
“What do I do that annoys you?” Drew read, looking at y/n with a shit-eating grin. Y/n tried to stifle a laugh as she bit her lip in thought.
“Like genuinely?” Y/n asked.
“Yes. Genuinely.” Drew laughed. Y/n’s eyes widened as she continued to think.
“See, when you live with someone for a very long time… ugh.” Y/n groaned, finally giving up and reaching for one of the bottles of tequila and shot glasses between them.
“I guess I’m just perfect.” Drew said with a shrug. Y/n scoffed as she uncapped the bottle before pouring out a shot. She gave Drew and the camera a little toast before taking it, the taste and warm sting of the liquor filled her mouth before she swallowed it with only a small grimace.
“Ok, on to the next one.” Y/n said, grabbing the next card. She read it quickly, a smile spreading across her lips that made Drew let out a nervous groan.
“If someone were interested in meeting me, what would you warn them about?” Y/n read.
“Oh jeez.” Drew said with a sigh. “I don’t know, maybe that you’re talented and smart and beautiful and—”
“No, don’t! That’s not a real answer!” Y/n cut him off with a laugh. Drew sighed, reaching for the bottle.
“Fine, since you want me to drink so bad.” Drew said, opening the bottle with a playful groan. He poured out a shot before tossing it back, letting out a holler before placing the glass back on the table. Drew grabbed the next card.
“What do you think is your most attractive physical trait?” Drew read, looking up at y/n with a genuine expression. Y/n looked down at the table, tapping her nails against the surface as she continued to think.
“I don’t know, I feel like…” Y/n said. “As annoying as it sounds, I feel like my physical appearance is not my most attractive trait?”
Drew nodded slightly, tapping the card on the table.
“I agree. I’d probably say your personality is, but I would still say your physical appearance is still very attractive.” Drew said. The two paused, y/n catching his eyes as she felt her cheeks warm slightly.
“In my opinion as a… person with eyes?” Drew said with a slight chuckle. “I don’t know… answer the question!”
Y/n laughed, shaking her head as they circled back to the question.
“Ok, I’ll say my eyes.” Y/n said. Drew grinned as he looked at the beautiful hue of her eyes that, perhaps not-so-secretly, was his favorite color.
“You do have very pretty eyes.” Drew said lowly as he tossed the card down.
“Thanks, so do you.” Y/n smiled as she picked up the last card.
“Oh jeez,” Y/n chucked. “Out of the two of us, who do you think is more likely to win an Oscar?”
The corner of Drew’s mouth drew up into a smirk as he looked over at y/n.
“This is kinda a weird question because I immediately want to say you,” Drew began, “but then people are just gonna say I’m being a boyfriend and lying… even though it is genuine.”
“Ok, sure, Starkey.” Y/n rolled her eyes.
“But if I say myself,” Drew continued, “I sound like an asshole.”
Drew furrowed his brow in faux contemplation.
“Sounds like you have to drink.” Y/n said, sliding the bottle towards Drew with a wicked smile. He let out a groan as he took it.
“It’s just so cruel…” Drew joked as he removed the cap from the bottle. Y/n let out a scoff before laughing.
“Ok, fine.” Y/n said, grabbing the other bottle. “I will join you for this last one.”
“Yippee!” Drew said, immediately ditching his pouting as y/n unscrewed her bottle. The two of them leaned in, looping their arms through each other. Y/n felt the squeeze of Drew’s bicep as the two bottles they held clinked together. Y/n laughed at the sight of the two of them, faces inches apart and with full bottles of liquor in their hands.
“Ok, let’s do this.” Y/n chuckled. The two of them raised the bottles to their lips, taking long sips that probably equated to much, much more than just the single shot they were supposed to take. The two of them eventually lowered the bottles with sputtering laughs. A bit of tequila dribbled down y/n’s chin, Drew immediately wiping it off with his thumb as the two of them pulled apart.
“Thank you to Cut for having us and getting us nice and drunk!” Y/n said, waving goodbye to the camera, Drew joining in as he waved with his bottle of tequila.
based loosely off of ariana + jonathan bailey’s interview because im obsessed with wicked OMFG I LOVE MUSICAL THEATRE—-- anyways. enjoy <3
Y/n watched as Drew adjusted his apron with intense focus before looking up at her. Once their eyes met, smiles spread across both of their faces as they let out little giggles.
“Are you ready now?” Y/n teased, causing Drew to roll his eyes playfully before turning to rest his hands atop the counter in front of them, the muscles in his arms flexing as he leaned against it. Y/n sidled up to the countertop, resting her hands next to Drew’s, their shoulders brushing as they both observed the island covered in colorful ingredients, the scents of basil and garlic filling the air.
“Shall we begin?” Drew asked, quirking a brow as he looked over at y/n. Y/n nodded excitedly before reaching for the bowl of flour. She took a pinch before spreading it out over her and Drew’s pizza pans. At the same time, Drew grabbed the two portions of dough that sat out in front of them, handing one to y/n.
“Would you guys consider yourself cooks?” The interviewer asked as the two of them began to work the dough between their hands.
“I think so? I like to cook, I don’t know if I’m any good.” Y/n chuckled as she took a ball of dough. Drew’s mouth fell open as he let out an exaggerated scoff.
“Uh, you are definitely a cook. A very good cook.” Drew said. “Definitely a lot better than me. I mean, you remember what happened the last time I tried to cook pizza.”
Y/n gasped before throwing her head back and letting out a laugh at the memory. As she leaned back, her hand instinctually shot out to grasp onto Drew’s arm, leaving a floured handprint on the sleeve of his shirt. Drew grinned, chuckling at the genuine laugh from y/n and entirely ignoring that his arm was now covered in flour.
“Oh my god, how could I forget!?” Y/n cackled, composing herself with a long exhale before turning to the camera. “Drew almost set our apartment on fire cooking a pizza.”
“Like, fire alarm going off, smoke filling up the kitchen, our apartment smelled like burnt dough for a month.” Drew explained as he kneaded his ball of dough. Y/n nodded along as she worked her dough out.
“Do you guys know any pizza-tossing tricks?” The interviewer asked. Y/n scoffed, shaking her head before looking over at Drew who, apparently, had already taken that as a challenge and had begun to stretch his dough out on his finger tips. Drew tossed the dough up a fraction-of-a-fraction-of an inch before looking over at y/n with his mouth agape.
“D’you see that, baby?” Drew said, his voice full of almost childlike excitement. Y/n grinned, her cheeks warming at the use of the pet name. Even though they’ve been together for years, y/n always felt a special rush when Drew would casually drop the name, especially in such a public environment.
“I did,” y/n giggled, “it was very impressive, Drewseph.”
Drew turned towards the camera, wiggling his eyebrows before putting his dough back down on the pan with a cocky shrug. Y/n could see a little flush of pink in his cheeks as Drew smiled to himself as he pressed the dough out.
“What’s your favorite pizza spot?” The interviewer asked.
“Ooh, that is tough.” Y/n said, dusting her hands off on her apron before propping them on her hips. She let out a long exhale, tapping her foot as she thought. She looked over at Drew, who let out a low hum as he thought with an equal intensity.
“There’s a lot of really good places in Charleston…” Drew began, chewing on his bottom lip, “but I think I’m going to have to pick… Vinny’s.”
“Oh, Vinny’s! Yes!” Y/n said, clapping her hands together. A bit of remnant flour came off, a poof of flour dusting the front of y/n’s apron.
“The pizza is amazing,” Drew explained as he drizzled a bit of oil atop his pizza dough, “and we just have so many memories going there with friends and family.”
“The best. But,” Y/n said before pointing to the camera, “you better not blow it up.”
Drew laughed as he handed the oil off to y/n who took it before drizzling a bit on her own pizza dough.
“Yeah, please don’t make it impossible to get a table there.” Drew chuckled as he cleaned his hands off on his apron.
“Ok, I think it’s sauce time?” Y/n asked, turning to Drew.
“Sauce time.” Drew nodded. Y/n grabbed the jar from her side of the counter. She twisted the jar, the stubborn lid not moving even a bit. She wiped a hand on her apron before trying again, putting her whole body into it just for it not to budge again. Before she could even turn to ask Drew to open it, his hand was already outstretched. With a sigh, y/n gave him the jar.
Drew opened it without even flinching.
“Okay, Hercules, thank you.” Y/n scoffed as she took the jar back from Drew. He just grinned to himself, leaning against the counter in a way that subtly flexed his large biceps and, not so coincidentally, made y/n’s cheeks warm.
“It’s part of my job to open jars for her whenever she needs me to.” Drew explained as he watched y/n spreading the sauce atop her pizza dough.
“Your job as a man?” Y/n questioned with a bit of a teasing smirk.
“No, no. Of course not.” Drew chuckled nervously. “As a husband.”
“I know, I was only teasing.” Y/n said, elbowing him playfully before handing him the pizza sauce. Now, as Drew carefully spread his sauce atop his pizza, y/n began looking through the spread of pizza toppings laid out in front of them.
“Do you think pineapple belongs on pizza?” The interviewer asked. Y/n and Drew both looked up from their respective tasks in almost perfect sync, making eye contact with the camera before turning to each other.
“Obviously.” Y/n said.
“Absolutely not.” Drew said at the same time.
Their eyes both widened.
“What?!” Y/n scoffed.
“It’s a fruit!” Drew chuckled, putting the spoon he was using to spread the pizza sauce down and propping a hand on his hip.
“It’s good!” Y/n said with a smile, holding her hands up in faux innocence.
“It’s… wrong.” Drew said, looking down at y/n with a tiny smirk on his lips.
“This is crazy!” Y/n laughed, folding under Drew’s gaze. “I just can’t believe this has never come up in the, what, six years we’ve known each other?”
“Seriously.” Drew grinned. “I had no idea I was married to someone who likes pineapple on pizza.”
“Hopefully you don’t want a divorce now.” Y/n joked with a raise of her brows.
The smile fell from Drew’s face, his head cocking to the side as he looked at y/n with a small frown.
“No, never.” Drew whispered as he reached out to tuck a piece of y/n’s hair behind her ear. “Don’t joke, baby.”
“I know, sorry, darling.” Y/n said with a small pout before leaning onto her tip toes to press a kiss to Drew’s cheek before returning back to her pizza. The smile on Drew’s face returned, along with a slight pinkness in his cheeks.
“While shooting Outer Banks, was there ever a time you guys couldn’t stop laughing?” The interviewer asked as the two of them began picking out toppings for their pizzas.
“I feel like there was never a time we weren’t laughing.” Y/n giggled as she added a tomato slice to her pizza.
“Seriously,” Drew laughed as he popped a pepperoni into his mouth, “it was kind of a problem… we got in trouble a lot.”
“Yeah.” Y/n nodded, smiling at the memories of pranks on set or taking an insane amount of takes to get a scene right because something was just that funny.
“But, I do have one in particular that stands out. To me, at least.” Drew said. “It was during season one at Midsummer.”
“Oh my god, yeah, that one was bad.” Y/n laughed as she added a last sprinkle of cheese atop her pizza.
“It was just so late and everyone had been… drinking.” Drew added with a low chuckle. “So everyone was just dancing and laughing— I mean, we were fully just having our own party— so when it came time to actually shoot scenes, we were really struggling.”
“I vividly remember dancing on the dance floor and—” Y/n let out a sputtering laugh. “And somehow ending up face first and Drew’s armpit and both of us just laughing and falling into each other.”
“I got caught in your dress— it was a catastrophe.” Drew chuckled, dusting his hands off. He looked over at y/n, who grinned at him before dusting her hands off as well.
“Ok, now we’ve got to get these things in the oven.” Y/n said. “Hopefully that is not a catastrophe.”
“Yes, hopefully not…” Drew said, “because I am very hungry.”
“Even after eating all those pepperonis?” Y/n teased. Drew rolled his eyes playfully as the two of them carefully put their pizzas into the oven.
“While your pizzas are cooking, could you help us make ‘The World’s Most Famous Sourdough Starter’?” The interviewer asked.
“‘The World’s Most Famous Sourdough Starter’?” Drew asked.
“Well, now I’m intrigued.” Y/n said as one of the producers brought out a jar holding the sourdough starter accompanied by the small glass of water and a dish of flour.
“We’d love it if you pour in the water and flour and give the starter a bit of… encouragement.” The producer said. Y/n and Drew shared a quick glance before giving it a shrug and turning to the jar in front of them. Y/n picked up the jar of water and leaned in close to the jar.
“Well… uh, Mr Sourdough,” y/n began, “you’ve got this and… you can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Oh, that was good.” Drew whispered, leaning in next to her. “Keep up the good work buddy… you’re doing great.”
Y/n let out a coo, leaning to rest her head on Drew’s shoulder before the two of them pour the flour and water into the jar. Drew gave her hip a small squeeze. A few moments later, the timer from the oven went off and the two of them perked up.
“Oh no, I’m scared.” Y/n said as Drew opened the oven.
“Don’t be, baby, I’m sure yours will be delicious.” Drew said as he took both of their pizzas out of the oven. He carefully transferred them back to their spots on the countertop, y/n immediately beginning to cut into them with a pizza cutter. Drew closed up the oven before returning to his spot by y/n’s side.
“You’re not gonna let them cool down?” Drew asked, watching the steam rising off of the pizzas as y/n cut them.
“You said you were hungry!” Y/n laughed as she finished cutting the last of Drew’s pizza. “... and I am too.”
Drew laughed as he carefully picked up a piece of his pizza. Y/n grinned as she took a piece of her own.
“Cheers?” Drew said, holding his slice out to y/n.
“Cheers.” Y/n chuckled, touching her slice against Drew’s. The two of them took big bites of their respective slices… before promptly letting out high pitched squeals as they burned the roofs of their mouths from the extremely hot pizza. Behind the cameras, the production team chuckled as y/n began fanning her mouth with her hand, Drew letting out a long exhale before he began fanning her with his own hand.
“So, how is it?” The interviewer asked.
“Hot.” Drew said as he finally swallowed his bite. Y/n nodded, grimacing as she swallowed.
“Hot,” y/n repeated, “but very good!”
“Kinda like you.” Drew said. Y/n rolled her eyes, hitting at Drew’s shoulder playfully. He just grinned, taking another bite of his pizza.
“Enough with the flirting,” Y/n said with a wink. “Thank you for having us New York Times!”
“Fank you!” Drew said with a mouthful of pizza before waving to the camera.
The Outer Banks cast sat in a semi-circle in front of the camera, chatting and giggling up until the moment the director said “action!”. Y/n sat with the girls, Madelyn, Madison, and Carlacia, opposite the boys, JD, Drew, and Austin, the entire cast introducing themselves.
“... I’m y/n y/ln.” Y/n said lastly, giving the camera a small wave.
“And we’re the cast of Outer Banks!” The cast said in well practiced unison.
“We are going to play a game of Superlatives with Seventeen.” Drew said into the camera before turning to look at the cast, his eyes falling on y/n as a smile crept across his face.
Who is the biggest prankster?
“... Austin?” JD said with a quirk of his brow. A smirk grew on Austin’s face.
“I’m the prankster?” Austin teased. “I mean, I’d also say Madelyn can be pretty… sneaky.”
“I can be pretty ‘pranky’.” Madelyn blushed, a mischievous grin spreading across her lips as she wiggled her fingers at y/n playfully.
“She’s been known to TP an apartment or two.” Drew said, looking at Madelyn with a quirked brow.
“That was technically me and Madison,” Madelyn giggled.
Who is the most likely to show up late?
“Carlacia.” Madison said blankly, pointing over at Carlacia. She stared back at them, nodding along in agreement.
“Umm, I’m always on time to work. I am always on time to set” Carlacia pointed out, the cast letting out a collective hum. “I will say, though… Madelyn Cline is always, y’know, right with me.”
Madelyn’s mouth fell open as everyone erupted into laughter and agreement.
“I can’t believe you’re throwing me under like this… but yeah.” Madelyn chuckled. “Lacy and I are always late… much to y/n’s chagrin.”
Y/n laughed, tilting her head back as she felt her cheeks warm.
“Yeah, y/n is always like an hour early to everything.” Madison said.
“I get nervous, ok, I’m an anxious girl!” Y/n said, raising her hands innocently. Drew chuckled, nodding along, as he too was often looped into y/n’s arriving-super-early antics.
Who gives the best advice?
“Ooh, maybe JD.” Carlacia said, with a low hum. A smile immediately spread across JD’s face, Austin reaching out to playfully squeeze his shoulder.
“He’s definitely very wise beyond his years.” Drew murmured, his voice getting a bit lost in the chatter of the cast… except for y/n, who heard and met his eyes as the two of them let out little giggles.
“What are you two laughing at?” Madelyn said, elbowing y/n with a quirk of her brow. Y/n shook her head, letting out another giggle as Drew gave her a wink.
Who is the most competitive?
“Austin and JD, jeeez.” Drew said with a long sigh, pointing his fingers at the two men on each side of him, who both let out dramatic scoffs.
“I mean, I don’t know, when we get to playing basketball…” Austin said, elbowing Drew’s side as he shook his head.
“Yeah, when Starkey gets out on that court he can be a bit… intense.” JD added. Y/n nodded, a knowing smile on her face.
“But I don’t really play that much.” Drew clarified before adding with a smirk, “mostly because I just know I’m so much better than them so I don’t really want to hurt their feelings.”
Who breaks the most?
“... everybody?” Madison said, looking around at everyone as they nodded.
“Usually when someone breaks, everyone breaks.” JD said.
“Or— god forbid— someone falls or breaks something? It’s a wrap.” Carlacia laughed.
“I don’t know, Drew is pretty good at staying locked in.” Madison pointed out. Drew turned towards the camera, giving it his best deadpanned expression before finally cracking a smile.
“Seriously, he can be kinda scary.” Y/n commented, causing Drew to turn to her with his mouth agape. Madelyn let out a loud laugh, clamping her hand over her mouth at Drew’s shocked expression.
“I’m not scary.” Drew said softly, his lips contorting into a pout.
“I know, I know.” Y/n chuckled. “I was just kidding, sweetheart.”
Who is most likely to not respond to a text?
“DREW STARKEY!” Everyone screamed in unison, Austin and JD both shoving at Drew’s shoulders as his cheeks immediately flushed bright red. Drew shook his head, y/n crossing her arms across her chest as she cocked her head, staring at her boyfriend and all too familiar with his inability to answer his phone.
“Do you have a phone?” Madison asked with a playful roll of her eyes.
“Y/n, I don’t know how you do it—” Austin began with a huff.
“I don’t!” Y/n squeaked, throwing her hands up dramatically. Drew let out a groan, throwing his head back with a flushed chuckle.
“I don’t,” y/n repeated. “I am literally on his, like, ‘emergency bypass’ or whatever and he still ignores me.”
“I do not ignore you,” Drew clarified. “I just answer in my head and forget to actually answer… or I can’t find my phone.”
“Do you know where your phone is right now?” Carlacia asked. Drew’s eyes widened as his hands moved to pat his (empty) backpockets.
“Uh…” Drew hummed as he continued to rapidly pat all of his (empty) pockets. Then, slowly and with a satisfied smirk on her face, y/n slowly pulled a phone out of her pocket… Drew’s phone, immediately evident from the picture of y/n and Charleston on the lockscreen. Everyone immediately let out screams and hollers, pointing at the phone y/n held in her hands. Drew’s cheeks grew impossibly redder as he covered his face with his hands.
“You left it at home this morning.” Y/n laughed, Drew shaking his head before he bashfully took the phone from y/n.
Madelyn is so _____
“Oooh,” y/n hummed as she thought up an answer. Next to her, Madelyn leaned in, bashing her eyelashes as she looked up at y/n.
“Madelyn is so… just fun.” Y/n grinned. “I always have such a good time whenever I’m with her.”
“Aww, thank you, babe.” Madelyn cooed, reaching out and squeezing y/n’s leg.
Y/n is so good at ____
The camera panned to Drew, who simply smirked into the camera. The cast erupted into hollers, y/n’s head falling into her hands as she let out a flustered laugh.
“PG, Starkey, PG.” JD said, waving his hands around dramatically.
“I mean, what is she not good at?” Drew said, looking over at y/n with a gentle smile as she lifted her face from her hands.
“No, but seriously,” Drew cleared his throat, “y/n is good at listening and communicating, which is something that not many people can do.”
Y/n’s cheeks warmed as she fanned herself off playfully, her heart skipping a beat at the genuineness in Drew’s voice.
Drew can always ____
“Sleep until… three pm?” Austin said, Drew turning to look into the camera with a nod.
“Three?” Carlacia said incredulously.
“And he can wake up early the next day.” JD added.
“You make me sound like… catatonic.” Drew said, causing everyone to let out a wave of laughs. “I don’t text, I sleep all day.”
“You definitely used to be like… nocturnal, but I think you’ve gotten better.” Y/n pointed out.
“Yeah, once we started sharing a room my sleeping pattern was… regulated by y/n.” Drew said, y/n flashing him a pleased smile. “But when she’s not there, I can’t sleep anyways so I usually just end up staying up all night.”
The corner of y/n’s mouth quirked up as Drew gave her a wink.
“Well, Seventeen, thank you for having us!” Madison transitioned.
“And go stream Outer Banks!” Madelyn added, the cast giving the camera one last wave.
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theartofmadeline
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