**Chapter 17**

**Ethan's POV**

The irony was that workplace gossip traveled fast. Once I arrived at work, it started with calling me "Doctor Love," which was embarrassing.

All I did was help Sophia and Charlie. I ran because Sophia was scared, and Charlie needed immediate help. Trying to explain the situation only made it worse.

"Hey, Doctor Love, got another emergency consultation?" Sarah, one of the dental hygienists, teased as I walked past her station.

I forced a smile, trying to brush off the nickname. "Just getting some cleaning supplies, Sarah."

"Yeah, sure," she smirked, adjusting her mask. "Just don't wear yourself out. You never know when one of your girlfriends will show up."

The teasing from my colleagues didn't make it any easier. They couldn't resist joking about one girl bringing lunch and another bringing my non-existent family, well aware I had no kids. I was beyond grateful Julia had work, so no surprise showed up.

After what felt like an eternity, the day finally ended. I rushed out of the office, barely managing to shed my coat as I headed towards the reception area.

"Dr. Love, you forgot some numbers to add to your roster!" Lisa, the receptionist, called out, holding up papers.

I skillfully ignored it and just yelled, "See you tomorrow!"

I hurried out of the dental practice, eager to escape all the teasing.

"Why are you running so fast?" Keilen asked humorously as my coworkers whistled at me.

"Goodbye, Doctor Love," they said, trailing behind with laughter.

I honestly wished I was going straight by Julia for comfort, but I told her I had to speak to Keilen. So I will be late or see her tomorrow.

"Doctor Love, that's new," he teased, raising an eyebrow.

"It's dumb," I said, shaking my head.

I hesitated, pulling my hoodie over my head in a failed attempt to hide from my coworkers.
Keilen laughed at my embarrassment, "I can't believe I live to see you, Ethan teased and affected by it," he joked.

Once they left, I  leaned against the bench and glanced around the quiet parking lot. "I wanted to talk to you about something," I began, unsure where to start.

"Shoot," Keilen said, crossing his arms and giving me his full attention.

"I love Julia, but every time I think we're making progress, Sophia manages to insert herself back into my life," I confessed, frustration lacing my voice.

"Sophia, who doesn't like the air you breathe? Your ex and Alex's wife?" Keilen raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued and confused.

"Yeah, exactly, everywhere I turned, she's there," I tiredly explained with a yawn as I fixed my man bun, "Sophia showed up with her oldest daughter in a bit of a panic, and I had to help out, even though the office was closed," I explained, recalling the urgency of the situation.

Keilen nodded slowly, digesting the information. "That's a tough spot. Julia can't fault you for helping a scared kid, especially if it was Sophia's stepdaughter," he reasoned, his expression thoughtful.

"I know, but I didn't even tell Julia about it being Sophia, and she forgave me anyway," I admitted, a pang of guilt tugging at me.

Keilen frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. "Ethan, why are you keeping this from Julia? That's nothing to keep a secret," he stated with honesty.

"Yeah, you're probably right, but I  feel it's personal, especially how Sophia apologized. Now I want answers," I sighed, feeling the weight of Keilen's words.

His eyes widened, "Wow, she apologized surprisingly," he said, shocked.

I nodded with a breath of relief. Keilen was beginning to understand why I was stressed.

"You should ask Sophia to talk and get some closure so you don't have to hide things from your girlfriend," he advised earnestly.

"By the way, luck is on your side," he remarked, gesturing towards the parking lot.

I turned to see Sophia approaching, accompanied by the young girl named Charlie from yesterday and a baby in a push.

I could finally notice Charlie. She had a cascade of blonde hair that caught the sunlight and shimmering blue eyes that sparkled with recognition as she spotted me. Her bright smile lit up her face.

"I am so glad you're here," Charlie happily ran towards me.

"Don't run, Charlie! Be careful," Sophia called out, following closely. "Hey, Keilen and Ethan," she greeted.

"I won't, Mama," she happily said, slowing her pace and holding one of Sophia's hands.

"Hey there, little Nate," Keilen greeted the baby, maybe recalling the name from their previous playdates. He informed me what they were doing.

Nate had strawberry-blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes. He grinned at Keilen, showing off his four front teeth in an adorable gummy smile. Nate had inherited his father's blue eyes but resembled Sophia in all other features. Despite this, he had his father's cheerful disposition.

Charlie tugged at Sophia's hand. "Mama, can I give it to him?" she asked eagerly.

Sophia nodded, handing Charlie a small letter and some trinkets to give as tokens of her gratitude. Charlie beamed as she handed them over.

"I am so happy, Dr. Ethan. I had to get this for you," she happily said.

"Aww, that's so sweet," Keilen said as I gratefully took it with a happy smile.

"Thank you so much, Charlie," I said as I rested it on my lap. My heart swelled with pride at how grateful she was for me doing a good job.

"Yeah, I got Mama to help me get it. With the tooth fairy money," Charlie exclaimed, her excitement palpable. "Can you believe the tooth fairy still gave me money? Even though it didn't fall out, but because it was bleeding!"

Sophia chuckled softly, tousling Charlie's hair. "You're quite the storyteller, sweetheart. Ethan did help you a lot yesterday."

Turning to me, Sophia smiled gratefully. "Thank you again, Ethan. Charlie has been talking about you all day."

Keilen joined the conversation, smiling warmly at Charlie. "Hey, Charlie! I met your brother Nate and your sister Vivi before. They're just as awesome as you, so the tooth fairy had to give you money for being brave."

Charlie beamed, proud to introduce her family. "Nate's sleeping now, but Vivi's at home with Daddy and AJ. I asked Mama if I could stay with her instead of going with Chris to Mom's house because I wanted to give you your gift," she said, happily smiling as she looked at my gift.

"Dad wasn't going to do anything fun like you did, and Mama is," she added matter-of-factly.

Sophia looked touched, her eyes meeting mine with gratitude and understanding. "Thank you for being so good to her, Ethan," she said softly.

"Look at my drawing," she eagerly processed.

It was a drawing of a man with a cape and a tooth in his hand. It wasn't perfect, but it was thoughtful.

I smiled warmly at Charlie. "Wow, Charlie, I would stick this up in my room! Thank you so much."

Keilen nodded approvingly. "You're a great artist, Charlie. And Ethan here is like a tooth-saving superhero."

Charlie giggled, pleased with the praise. "I'm glad you're friends with Mama, Ethan," she said earnestly.

I chatted with Charlie and told her how I save teeth and my heroic duties until she got bored and started focusing on Keilen. Sophia walked to her Range Rover to rest Charlie and Nate as it got windy.

"Sophia, is it possible for us to have a conversation?" I asked pleadingly. I needed to take Keilen's advice and speak to her.

She held a look of caution. "Ethan, I don't think—"

"I need answers, please," I pleaded desperately, searching for the reasons. "I need to know why you left me."

"Okay, we can talk later after I take them back to their dad," she suggested.

"I don't mind watching them for you guys to have a walk and talk," Keilen offered. I was grateful. Sophia glanced at her baby Nate, who was happily sleeping, and at Charlie, who was trying to stay up and talk to Keilen about the importance of his suit.