chapter┊ ✦. :: four
♡ ﹙ night shift﹚  ❋ ˚ ݂ ꛒ

Carlisle was sitting behind his desk, staring at the table with his mind wandering elsewhere. Usually, he was the one with ideas, but right now, he couldn't think of anything, not with that wonderful scent filling his nostrils. He wanted to think of something to help Edward, but all he could think about was Lydia and how much he needed to be with her.

Someone knocked softly at the door, bringing him back to reality, and he settled in his seat, pretending he had been working on something. He had finished everything already, but no one needed to know that.

"Come in," he spoke softly and kindly.

The small figure of Sarah entered the office. Cullen looked at her with a friendly smile. He could see how nervous she was, although that was never his intention.

"Sorry to interrupt, Dr. Cullen, but Director Roberts is waiting for you in her office."

Carlisle stood up.

"I understand, Sarah. Thank you."

The nurse left, and Carlisle followed suit, but each went in different directions. He was about to reach the woman's office when the familiar scent of grapefruit and honey grew stronger. Lydia was in that office. For some reason, that excited him quite a bit, but he was very good at disguising it.

He knocked a couple of times but didn't wait for a response as he decided to open the door. Lydia was sitting in a chair in front of the desk with her arms crossed. She seemed somewhat tired, more than usual, and he didn't like that.

When I asked Edward not to tell Lydia about her thoughts, it was simply because I wanted to discover them for myself. And that idea still stood. He was going to uncover every one of that girl's secrets, and it would be she who would tell him.

"Carlisle, good to see you. Please, take a seat," Maia said, indicating the empty chair.

He complied, taking a seat next to Lydia, who hadn't bothered to look at him. But she did roll her eyes when he sat down. It amused him quite a bit.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes, and I would say quite wonderful. Since Lydia arrived at the hospital, overall performance has improved significantly."

The girl smiled proudly.

"It's good to know," Carlisle still didn't understand why they had been summoned, but it didn't bother him.

"You two are my best doctors, and as you know, we are short-staffed, so I'm begging you to take the night shift next week. Jonathan and Scott, the night base doctors, decided to resign because they got jobs at a hospital in the city. The night shift is calmer, but there's much less staff than during the day," she looked at both of them, "It will only be for a week while I make some calls and find someone."

"I have no problem," the blonde spoke softly.

Lydia sighed and settled into her seat.

"Me neither."

"Perfect. Then on Monday, you two will start at eight in the evening and finish at eight in the morning. In addition to you, you'll have two other interns and four nurses available. Agreed?"

"Agreed," they both answered simultaneously.

Lydia was the first to stand up and leave the office. Carlisle wanted to follow her gaze, but he didn't want to be so obvious in front of other people. Instead, he smiled kindly at his boss and also stood up, adjusting his coat in the process.

"I'll get back to work if that's all."

The Monday arrived too soon for Lydia and too slowly for Carlisle.

When Lydia parked her car, it was evident by the lack of cars from the other doctors and hospital staff. Most of the staff had probably already gone home. She finished what was left of her coffee in a cup before deciding to enter the hospital.

She would basically be alone with Cullen for a whole week, how bad could it be? She just had to ignore him and not fall asleep. Plus, find something to do to avoid dying of boredom. It wasn't the first time she had worked the night shift at a hospital, but it was the first time she had done it in such a small town.

She had no idea what to expect.

Upon entering, she realized how quiet the place was. The slight snores of those patients spending the night in observation were barely audible. She greeted the nurse at the reception and walked to the changing rooms.

Once ready, she went to the emergency room, where another nurse was present, but she indicated that everything was in order for now. She encouraged herself to explore the small hospital, realizing it was darker than she had thought. Every time she passed by a window and looked at the darkness outside, a shiver ran down her spine. And yet, she hadn't seen Cullen yet.

Carlisle had been busy resolving Edward's issue that he had almost forgotten he had to go to work at night. He had found a good excuse for his nephew, and with that small matter settled, everyone in the house felt a little better. Just a little.

Rosalie was the most upset about what Edward had done, and he certainly didn't blame her. The boy had acted very rashly, and because of his carelessness, everyone would have to face the consequences.

He didn't want to leave that town so soon, actually, none of the Cullens wanted to, but if Edward continued to be so careless, they wouldn't have a choice.

When Carlisle looked at his wristwatch, he realized how late it was. There were only five minutes left until eight, and no matter how fast he drove, he wouldn't make it on time. Still, he hastily grabbed his things and said goodbye to his family to go to work. He was about to get into his car when a presence made him stop in his tracks and look behind him. He found Alice, who seemed lost in thought.

"Alice?" he called softly and approached her, "What's wrong?"

The girl snapped back to reality suddenly and looked at Carlisle, confused.

"I had a vision."

Carlisle gently took her by the shoulders.

"What did you see? Is something wrong?"

Alice's confused expression suddenly changed to one of extreme happiness, which completely confused Carlisle. Alice looked at him with great excitement and also took him by the arms.

"I knew it! It was a bit confusing before, but now it's clearer. It's your mate," she almost shouted, unable to contain herself. Since she met Carlisle, she had been waiting for this moment. This man deserved the best in the world after all he had done for them.

The blonde frowned.

"Who is it?"

Alice shook her head, somewhat puzzled, as if trying to remember something.

"I'm not sure, she was wearing a white coat, her hair is black, and in my vision, you two were talking in your hospital office. She seemed very upset about something. It's the same girl I saw that time I told you to wait in the car. Their lives intertwined at that moment."

Lydia? Was she talking about Lydia? He almost prayed that it was so. For heaven's sake, was Lydia his mate? He was in a state of shock but inexplicably happy at the same time. And Alice noticed it, that fleeting sparkle that lit up Carlisle's eyes for a second. Suddenly, the man didn't look so tired anymore.

"You know who it is," Alice spoke again with a smile

.

"In reality, it's just speculation. And we shouldn't rush into this," he left a kiss on his niece's forehead, "I have to go to work."

"You should get her a coffee, she likes it without sugar and with cream. She finished hers before arriving."

Carlisle nodded in appreciation for the advice and quickly got into his car. He detoured a bit to pass by the twenty-four-hour café and ordered a couple of coffees. His was just to pretend a bit, and he could actually just throw it away and bring the empty cup. His stay in the café lasted a bit longer than expected, and it was already past eight-thirty when he arrived at the hospital. He parked his car next to Lydia's, which was the only one there.

He didn't change his clothes unless he had to go into surgery, so he simply put on his coat and checked in. He was sure Lydia would be very upset about his great delay or very happy to have thirty minutes without his presence. Anyway, he followed her scent, with both coffee cups in each hand, and stopped at the doctors' lounge, which also served as a small break room at that moment.

There was Lydia, sitting in one of the chairs and reading a book whose title he couldn't see. He cleared his throat, and the girl looked up. She didn't seem annoyed or happy; rather, she looked tired. Carlisle entered and sat down at a considerable distance.

"I apologize for the delay; I had some issues at home."

The girl shrugged. She didn't feel like making any of her witty comments. She was tired and hungry.

"Well, this place is as boring as hell, and the nurses have everything under control."

Carlisle nodded.

"I brought you this as an apology," he slid the coffee cup towards her, and although she frowned, she took it and took a sip.

"How did you know I liked it without sugar?"

Carlisle smiled a little.

"I guess it was a coincidence. I take it the same way."

She nodded gratefully.

"Thanks. But it doesn't mean I like you," Carlisle smiled.

"I know."

There were no more words. In the afternoon, it was chaos, but at night it was complete calm, or at least for now. You never say that in a hospital because it's bad luck, and everyone knows it.

"What are you reading?" he dared to ask after a moment.

Lydia looked at the book she had left aside and slid it across the table for Carlisle to take.

"Just a little review of surgical procedures. It's more of a notebook, but the hardcover makes it look like a book."

Carlisle looked at the book curiously; it wasn't actually a book, as she had said, it was a notebook.

"Do you ever stop studying?" he asked slightly amused as he flipped through.

"Not really. I really like studying, and with medicine, there's always something new to learn. New procedures, new medications, new diseases. It sounds ridiculous of me, but I really love studying."

The man returned the notebook and stood up.

"I don't think it's ridiculous at all. Come with me."

Lydia was about to reproach him, but she didn't have time when the man was already by the door, which he had opened and was waiting for Lydia to go first. She stood up reluctantly, taking her coffee cup and walking down the hallway alongside Cullen.

They entered the man's office, and Lydia realized it was quite large, but she didn't comment on it. She barely had a four-by-four consultation room, and that was saying a lot.

Carlisle searched for something on the bookshelf that covered an entire wall, and when he found the book he was looking for, he handed it to Lydia.

"I also try to stay up to date, and a month ago, I ordered some books. This one is about cardiovascular diseases, it came out at the beginning of the year and it's quite updated. I'll give it to you."

Lydia looked at the book and then at Carlisle alternately. Those books were worth a fortune, and Cullen was simply giving it to her as if he were giving her another coffee.

"It's not necessary."

"I insist, I've already read it, and I have an excellent memory. If you like it, I have other books. They are divided by apparatus and systems, and they are all new editions. They're at my house, and I can bring them to you whenever you want... or you can come for them."

Lydia suppressed a smile as she hugged the book.

"This also doesn't mean I like you."

He smiled, showing his teeth, genuinely amused. For the first time, he heard Lydia's heart racing, and it was a big personal step for him. He raised his hands in surrender.

"I understand; I just want to be kind. I have many books, and I don't mind giving them to you if they help you in any way."

"Thank you, Carlisle."

"I'm glad you call me by my name. Doctor Cullen wasn't my favorite."

And Lydia let out a laugh. A genuine and true laugh. Carlisle wished for more, much more.

"Don't get too excited."

"Doctors," they heard a voice behind them, and they both turned to see a nurse in the doorway, "an ambulance is on the way. Apparently, a car went off the road, and a couple is on their way. The paramedics say they're in critical condition."

Lydia left the book and the coffee cup on Cullen's desk before rushing out to prepare. Carlisle did the same, and they waited for the ambulance to arrive.

The girl was unconscious but had a severe head injury; on the other hand, the boy was very agitated but had a large blood stain along his leg and kept asking for the girl.

Lydia quickly realized they were just kids, no older than seventeen.

"I'll take care of the girl," Lydia told Carlisle, and he agreed.

Apparently, they were returning home after a date when an animal got in the way, causing them to derail. Fortunately, both would be fine, although their parents arrived very upset and worried about their respective children. Which was reasonable.

It was the only incident that night, and in the morning, they both returned home. Lydia was really exhausted, but she couldn't stop thinking about the book Carlisle had given her, which now rested on the nightstand next to her bed. She would have time to read it after getting some sleep.

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