T'was the night before Christmas
And all through Gaffney
The interns were stirring
Some patients? Asleep
The hallways were decked
With stockings and lights
But between all the halls it was too (we don't say that word )
It felt like something wasn't quiet right.
Doctor Brendan paced
A little lost in thought
Burning a hole in his pocket
A gift he bought.
He waited for the moment
As right as could be
And when the time came
He'd nod to Maggie. ---
He had been planning this, which is why he's now avoiding his girlfriend, Elyse. Of course he knew he couldn't do so all night, but if he saw her he might cave and every moment of perfect planning would be thrown out the window. And yes, it's the cheesiest thing he's ever done, but it's done with feeling.
Glancing at Maggie as everyone seems to now be gathered close by, and then notices Elyse walking in he gives her the go ahead. Maggie then nods to someone else. And then, music fills the air. Starts off with Taylor Swift's "Lover". And it's not just music playing. It's people acting, dancing, singing. There are those who are not participating in this which it doesn't take a genius to know who isn't, but for the most part anyone asked is involved.
From the song Lover, to Love Story, Paper Rings. People dancing extravagantly to each one. Even with some singing off key along to Taylor's vocals. The songs were playing over loud speakers that brought some patients -- especially kids -- down to see what was going on. It ends with the song you're in love. In which Tyler walks over to Elyse to offer his hand and he pulls her in. A dance in front of everyone, slow as he has his hand on the small of her back, the other cupping her hand as they sway to the melody. A slow turn of her before pulling her back in.
As the song come to the bridge, Tyler stops the dancing and reaches into his pocket. Onto one knee he falls as he looks up at Elyse. The ever cocky and confident doctor at everything in his life clearly has the look of excitement and uncertainty on his face as he looks to the woman he loves, opening the box he holds in his hand. Coated in velvet, the inside with silk. Within, a token of his love and adoration for the nurse who had gone from friend to lover, to someone he simply cannot live without.
❝ Elyse Brooks ... I know you probably could have done without this display, but I wanted to make this as fun as possible, and I wanted everyone here involved. For a long time I thought love was just a game. That I'd probably never find the real thing which is why I never looked. I had no idea that coming back to Chicago it'd find me. You're someone who calls me out on my shit, the first to comfort me when I hit a low, the first to congratulate me or celebrate with me a high. And you never questioned my goofy...❞ he chuckles a bit. ❝ as a trauma surgeon, I hate accidents...except when we went from friends to this...❞ okay yeah he had to quote some Taylor in here somewhere, right? ❝ I know I can be a lot to handle, but I think I finally found someone who doesn't tolerate me, but can handle me and love me. At my best, at my worst , and I hope for the rest of my life.
