Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows of the pediatric wing, turning the white hospital halls gold instead of cold.
For once, St. Aurora Medical Centre looked peaceful.
The peace lasted exactly four minutes.
“Where is Dr. Woods?”
“She stole my patient.”
“I did not steal your patient,” Darrell Woods replied while signing paperwork. “I saved your patient from being prescribed antibiotics for a stomach virus.”
The intern looked offended.
Darrell looked unimpressed.
Today’s daytime outfit was softer than last night’s emergency- shift look:
© Fitted sage-green scrubs with rolled sleeves.
© Cropped white zip jacket.
© Chunky white sneakers with mint detailing.
© Glossy peach makeup with subtle shimmer on the eyes.
© Hair styled into a high messy bun with loose curls framing her face.
© Jade hairpins tucked into the bun.
© Silver rings and a pastel green smartwatch.
The pediatric nurses had already started secretly admiring her outfits.
“She somehow makes scrubs look expensive.”
“She somehow makes eye bags look attractive.”
Darrell ignored both comments while reviewing a child’s chart.
That was when Matt Collins appeared beside her holding coffee.
“You scared two interns before 9 AM.”
“They survived.”
“Barely.”
Matt handed her a coffee anyway.
Dark roast.
No sugar.
Darrell looked at the cup suspiciously. “How do you know my order?”
“You rejected the cafeteria coffee this morning and called it ‘burnt bean soup”’.
A pause.
Then Darrell quietly admitted, “Fair observation”.
Matt smiled instantly.
Dangerous again.
Today he looked far less exhausted than the night before:
ÞNavy- blue surgical scrubs beneath a fitted black-jacket.
ÞGray running shoes.
ÞSilver chain around his neck.
ÞDark hair slightly styled instead of chaotic.
ÞBlack watch on his wrist.
Unfortunately for both of them, the pediatric department noticed everything.
Especially chemistry.
“Oh my God,” one nurse whispered. “The trauma doctor and the surgeon are flirting.”
“They’re arguing.”
“In hospital language, that is flirting.”
-
By noon, the pediatric floor became louder.
Cartoons played from patient rooms. Nurses rushed between stations. Children cried over medicine while parents negotiated with bribery and apple juice.
Darrell finally entered Room 214 carrying stickers and a tablet.
A six-year old patient immediately pointed at her.
“You look like a superhero.”
Darrell blinked once.
“I do?”
“Yeah. Cool shoes.”
She looked down at her sneakers seriously. “You have excellent taste.”
The child giggled.
From the doorway, Matt watched the interaction quietly.
Most doctors on the pediatric floor were kind.
But Darrell was different.
Children trusted her unusually fast.
Like they sensed she would protect them no matter what.
Then suddenly-
A monitor alarm screamed down the hallway.
Every doctor nearby snapped into focus instantly.
“Room 301!”
Matt and Darrell ran together.
Inside, a young patient struggled to breathe while nurses adjusted oxygen levels rapidly.
“Heart rate climbing!”
“Move.”
Darrell reached the bedside immediately while Matt checked the monitor.
The room moved quickly around them.
Orders.
Machines.
Footsteps.
Panic.
But somehow, between all the chaos, they worked together seamlessly.
Like they had done this for years instead of days.
“Vitals stabilizing,” a nurse finally breathed.
Everyone relaxed slightly.
Darrell stepped back, exhaling quietly.
That was when she noticed Matt staring at her again.
“You do that often,” she said.
“What?”
“Stare.”
“You notice often.”
Before she could respond-
Tiny running footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Then came a familiar voice.
“Daddy!”
Alice Collins burst into the room wearing a tiny hospital visitor badge around her neck.
Behind her, an exhausted nanny looked horrified.
“Sorry, Dr. Collins, she escaped the lounge again-“
Alice ignored everyone and ran directly toward Matt before noticing Darrell.
Instant betrayal.
She immediately switched directions.
“Darrell!”
The entire nursing staff froze.
“She calls her Darrell already?”
“It’s been one day.”
Alice hugged Darrell’s leg dramatically.
Today Alice looked adorable enough to destroy hospital productivity-
© Oversized yellow sweater with tiny embroidered strawberries.
© Denim skirt over black leggings.
© Glitter sneakers.
© Curly hair tied into two puff ponytails with sunflower clips.
© Tiny charm bracelet around her wrist.
Darrell crouched slightly. ”Shouldn’t you be resting?”
Alice whispered loudly, “Daddy makes broccoli.”
Matt looked offended. “Vegetables are not abuse.”
“They are to me.”
Darrell failed to hide her laugh.
Matt stared for a second too long again.
And unfortunately, several nurses witnessed it.
“Oh, they’re doomed,” one whispered.
“Absolutely doomed.”
-
Later that evening, rain returned to the city.
Darrell stood alone on the pediatric balcony outside the break room, watching ambulance lights flash below the hospital.
Her evening outfit after changing out of scrubs felt more relaxed:
© Black fitted turtleneck.
© Oversized plaid jacket.
© Dark skinny jeans.
© Heeled ankle boots.
© Darker makeup with smudged eyeliner.
© Hair left loose in soft waves.
© Silver moon earrings.
The balcony door opened behind her.
“You disappear a lot,” Matt said quietly.
Darrell leaned against the railing. “I like silence.”
“Funny career choice them.”
He stood beside her.
Close enough to feel warm.
Far enough to remain careful.
For a while, neither spoke.
Only rain filled the silence.
Then Matt finally said, “Alice likes you.”
Darrell looked out over the city lights. “Kids usually decide fast whether they trust someone.”
“She doesn’t trust many people.”
There was something heavier beneath his voice now.
Something tired.
Darrell glanced at him carefully. “You worry about her constantly.”
“I’m her father. That’s my job.”
“No,” Darrell said softly. “You’re scared.”
Matt looked at her sharply.
Because she was right.
Alice’s heart condition was mild, manageable even.
But after his wife left right after Alice’s birth, fear became permanent.
Every cough.
Every fever.
Every skipped heartbeat.
He carried all of it alone.
And somehow, after only two days-
Darrell already noticed.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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