Chapter 5 – The Run In

Amelie’s POV

I felt better after having a scone, tea, and a good cry. I couldn’t help but feel someone was watching me as I sat in the corner of the café, but when I looked up, I couldn’t see anyone there. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up and wipe my tear-stained face. Oh my god, I looked like a mess. I dug through my purse to find my make-up bag.  Luckily, I had a face wipe and proceeded to freshen up.

I headed to the front information desk of the hospital.

“Hi, my brother, Zander Cavanaugh, was brought in earlier, and they said they were moving him to a room. Can you please tell me where his room is?” I politely asked.

“Ah yes, Zander Cavanaugh, Room 412 on the VIP floor.” She spoke.

“I think that’s a mistake. We can’t afford the VIP floor. Can you please recheck?” I glance at her, puzzled.

“No, that’s his room. We are bursting at the seams today with patients. Dr. Carrera advised the hospital to put your brother on the VIP floor. The hospital is not charging you for the room.” She smiles at me. I start to cry. “Oh, sugar, don’t cry. Go see your brother; everything happens for a reason.”

I whispered a simple thank you and headed toward the VIP elevator. I must remember to thank Dr. Carrera. His generosity had restored my faith in humanity.

I took the elevator to the fourth floor and steadied my breath before stepping out.

Room 412. I stared at the door numbers as I strolled down the hall. 402, 404, 406, 4…thud. What the hell did I just hit?  Was there a wall in the middle of the damn hallway? I peered up from the floor. It wasn’t a wall unless a wall had long legs with dress pants.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry miss!”  A large hand reached down to lift me. He lifts me as if I was a feather to him, not one ounce of strain.

My eyes fluttered up; I was met by a wide chest, broad shoulders, and up to his face. I let out an involuntary gasp. How is it possible for one man to be so beautiful? His dark, ebony hair ruffled like he had haphazardly run his fingers through it, and it was lush and thick. His face was like a Greek god with chiseled cheekbones and a squared chin. His lips and nose were perfection. The crowning glory of his face was his steel grey eyes. Like the sky during a rainstorm, but warm and inviting.

“It’s you,” he spoke with a melodic baritone voice

“Excuse me?” I reply. “Do I know you?” I scrunch up my nose and raise my eyebrow in confusion.

“It’s you from the café.”

“I’m sorry, you must have me confused with someone else,”  I say, moving around him to continue walking.

He reaches out to gently grab my hand. “Please stay.” He pleads.

“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know who you are, but I need to see my brother,” I pull my hand from his.

“At least tell me your name….” he demands.

Staring at his pleading grey eyes, the words tumble out of my mouth involuntarily. “My name is Amelie.” Then, I continue down the hall to Room 412.

Nathan POV

“Amelie,” I breathe out. Her name was intoxicating on my lips. “Amelie.” A name had upended my life. I wanted to march down the hall into room 412 and take her as mine. I had never had this feeling. Ever. Dr. Nathan Michaels never lost his cool and never pined over a woman, but her magnetic force made me want to possess her, to claim her. Shake your head, Nathan! Have you lost your goddamn mind? The answer was yes.

I approach the ward desk, where a young blond nurse sits.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Nathan Michaels, a visiting physician.”  Ok, I lied, but it was necessary. Technically, I was a doctor, not a medical doctor.

“Hello, Dr. Michaels,” she smiles as she blushes. “What can I do for you today?”

I glance at her name tag, “Becky, can I see the chart for the patient in room 412, please, sweetheart?” I say, followed by a panty-dropping grin.

The nurse giggles. “Right away, Dr. Let me just grab it.” She stated as she sashayed away. “There you go, Dr. Anything else I can do for you….” She flutters her eyelashes.

I quickly looked through the chart, pretending to know what I was doing. I handed her chart back, “No, that’s everything…for now.” I wink.

I turned on my heels and headed for the elevators. Quickly, I dialed Samuel’s number. He picks up the phone immediately. “Samuel, I need you to look up all the information you can on Ms. Amelie Cavanaugh and Mr. Zander Cavanaugh. I need the info like yesterday.”

“Working on it right now.” Samuel happily states.

“Thanks, Samuel; let me know when you know anything. It’s important, crucial.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Samuel replies and hangs up the phone.

Amelie, I thought, I hope you’re ready to become my wife.

Amelie POV

Room 412. I took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open. Zander lays on the bed, attached to several monitors and IV bags. He looks so pale but so peaceful as he lies sleeping. I sit beside the bed and lightly intertwine my fingers through his. I would do anything to help him get through this. There must be a way to get the money.

I gently brush his hair out of his face, causing him to stir and turn in my direction.

“Hey, little bro, you know if you wanted to take a break from football, you could have just said,” I joke with him.

“Ame...I’m so sorry,” Zander whispers out.

“Why are you apologizing?” I scold him.

“I know you don’t need this right now. We can’t afford this right now. The doctor said we can delay the surgery if I quit my sports and just hang out.”

My heart broke at his statement. I could not let this happen. My brother deserves everything good in the world. He deserves to be an average teen. So much had been taken away from us, and I was unwilling to let this happen to him. I would do everything in my power to afford his surgery. Anything. I would sell my soul if necessary.

“Everything will be ok, Zander. We will make this work.” I hug him and fight back the tears.

“I trust you, Ame,” Zander says. “You’ve never, ever let me down before.”

“I will get the money somehow, Zander. I can set up a crowdfunding page. I’m sure the school will help with the fundraising.”