Chapter 1.39

—Shirley—

I glared at the surgeon in front of me. “I told you that Mrs. Sideris was non-surgical.”

Dr. Serrano shrugged. “I thought you were wrong.”

I fought down – just barely – the urge to shout and throttle him at the same time. “I’m sorry – when did you get a promotion? Oh, wait, you didn’t and I’m still Chief of Staff around here. That means that if I tell you a patient is non-surgical then they’re non-surgical.” I cleared my throat, lowering my voice again. “Despite what you seem to think, I didn’t get this job because I’m pretty. Mrs. Sideris could still sue this hospital for malpractice – you’re lucky she isn’t already screaming for an attorney. Regardless of a lawsuit, there will be disciplinary repercussions, Serrano.” He opened his mouth, no doubt to say something sexist and stupid, but I cut him off. “Just go home. We’ll discuss this another day.”

I watched him stalk away and felt a muscle in my eye start to twitch. Though there was no possible way this day could get worse, I wasn’t confident it would get better either.

---

As I walked into the house, the babysitter slipped out quickly without saying a word to me. Awesome sign.

I went further into the house and found dirty dishes from dinner still on the table. How many times had I told Loralee and Luc to put their dishes in the dishwasher when they were done?

“Loralee? Luc?” I called as I came around into the kitchen. “Where are you?” Faintly, I heard giggling coming from down the hall. With a bad feeling, I went into Camille’s office and, sure enough, there was Loralee at Camille’s desk. Something was open on her computer. “You know you aren’t supposed to play on Mommy’s computer,” I scolded as I charged across the room. I looked down at the computer screen. It looked like lines of code. Swear word.

“But Mommy has the best computer,” Loralee said in her best I’m-whining-but-I’m-not-whining voice.

“I don’t care. And what do you two think you’re doing, running off and leaving your dishes on the table?” I ushered them both out of the room. “Get in there and clean up. And then do your homework! I’m sure that isn’t done either.” I was beginning to sound like my mother.

I watched them do as they were told while I found myself something to eat. Maybe putting something in my stomach would quell the headache that had taken form behind my right eye for most of the day. Just once, I’d like to come home and find the dishes done, the homework complete, and the kids doing something they were supposed to.

Not long after Loralee and Luc ran off to get ready for bed, Camille got home. She came over to the couch and kissed my cheek. “Hey, honey.”

“You’re late,” I snapped by way of a greeting. Immediately, I regretted it and felt like an enormous bitch. Camille was all of ten minutes late, and it’s not like I’d ever had her on a timer. “I’m sorry.” I sighed. “It’s been a real day.”

Camille sank down on the couch. “I had to detour for an accident,” she explained, though she didn’t need to. “What happened?”

“There was a thing at work. A patient could possibly file a malpractice suit,, and I have to discipline one of my surgeons.” I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “And, of course, I came home and the kids were being kids and not doing what they were supposed to, so I practically tore their heads off. They got into something on your computer, by the way.”

Camille motioned me to turn around and started rubbing my shoulders. “If they messed anything up, I’ll fix it. No biggie. I’m sure they’ll be very forgiving tomorrow.” She leaned in and kissed my neck. “You and I are both off on Wednesday. Why don’t we go to the spa? I think we could both use a little R and R.”

I leaned into her and smiled. “You have the best ideas.”

---

—Hadley—

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to focus on the show in front of me. My back was in knots, thanks to what felt like an enormous watermelon hanging off of me. It’s funny how you forget this part after the baby shows up.

“Haddie, why don’t I rub your back?” Carter sat up and looked at me expectantly.

I started to tell him he didn’t have to, but decided that was silly and turned around. I groaned softly as he started kneading my shoulders. “Watcher, I can’t believe I have four more months of this. I’m already as big as a house.”

Carter finished rubbing my back and drew me into his arms. “We’ll manage. I’ll just give you lots of massages. Maybe we could get some of that fancy relaxing bubble bath? I think I remember Mom swearing by it when she was pregnant with Alison.”

I leaned into him and rubbed my stomach. “Sure, why not.” Just four more months. I could do it.

A/N: Sorry for the late one today, but I couldn’t make some of the screenshots work as I had originally written the chapter and I had to start over. I like this one much better, anyway. Tomorrow’s is all ready to post, so it won’t be so late. We meet the nooboo tomorrow. 😀