by Amy Wiseman
Paul stood up and gave Evalyn a proper hug, then shook Eric’s hand hello, offering a proper holiday greeting. Evalyn moved to Kara and gave her a big hug, asking if she needed any help and not waiting for an answer before donning an apron.
“Jason, how’s it going?” Eric held out his hand and Jason stood up to shake it.
“Good, how about you guys?” Jason and Paul sat back in their seats, as Eric made his way to hug Kara, earning a squeal as he picked her up.
“That drive is a bitch,” Eric replied, “but it’s good to be here. When’s the game, Papa Baker?” Eric put Kara back on the ground and opened the refrigerator, grabbing a beer.
Paul glanced at his watch, looking startled to see the hour. “We’d better get in there; it’s just about to start.” Paul stood and motioned to the living room, and Eric led the way. “Jason, you coming?”
“Sure thing,” Jason answered, although truthfully he would rather stay in the kitchen and help Kara with dinner. Football had never really held his interest.
They settled in the living room, Paul in the recliner and Jason next to Eric on the couch.
“So Jason, who’s your team?” Paul asked, opening his beer.
Jason had never wished more than in that moment that he had paid attention to sports.
“I don’t really have one, sir.” Eric turned to look at him, the beer in his hand half way to his mouth.
“You don’t like football?” Paul asked, his tone surprised by Jason’s answer. Eric took a gulp of his beer as they both focused on Jason.
Jason expelled a breath, and decided to go for honesty. “Not really, no. I’m not really into sports in general.”
“What are you into?” Eric asked, dumbfounded.
Jason couldn’t help but laugh internally at the direction of their conversation. “Well, I’m a doctor, so I don’t have a whole lot of free time, but when I do, I guess I like to read, do crossword puzzles, visit with family, listen to music, play the guitar…” Jason trailed off, unsure of when exactly he’d turned into a woman, and hung his head, “Please don’t take my man card away.”
Eric cracked up, whacking Jason on the back while Paul snickered into his beer. “Drink up Jason, the game’s starting.”
~*~
By half time the boys had finished off a twelve-pack and Jason was feeling no pain. He was actually beginning to enjoy the game, but more importantly, he was enjoying Eric and Paul’s company. He made a mental note to make more of an effort to get to know Eric better once they were all back in Austin.
During a commercial break, Jason made his way into the kitchen to check on Kara and dinner. The smells floating throughout the house were divine, and his stomach was beginning to rumble in anticipation. Evalyn had come into the living room a half an hour ago, and had taken up residence on Eric’s lap, leaving Jason feeling guilty that Kara was in the kitchen by herself. He found her by the stove, shaking her butt to a song playing low on the radio. Sneaking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her stomach as she jumped in surprise, flinging fresh cranberry sauce across the room.
“Oh my God, Jason!” She turned around in his embrace to see the goofy smile plastered on his face. “You’re drunk!” She giggled at this discovery.
Jason just nodded and leaned in for a kiss, which Kara happily obliged. She reached back and put the spoon in the pot of cranberry sauce, then ran her hands through the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him closer. In his inebriated state, she easily switched their positions and had him against the counter, pressing into him and slipping her hand teasingly down to the growing bulge in his pants.
“Kara,” Jason muttered around their kisses, “your dad is in the living room.”
“Exactly, and we’re in the kitchen. Alone.” Kara ground into him, causing him to whimper.
“He has a gun, Kara; he was cleaning it when we got here.”
“Oh, sweetie, he has more than one!” Kara reached up and pinched Jason’s cheek, then swatted his butt and turned back to the stove. Jason blanched at the thought of Paul’s munitions. He refocused and began to help Kara finish dinner preparations, stealing bites here and there, causing Kara to take a protective stance over the food and eventually shoo him from the room.
When dinner was ready Kara called everyone into the dining room, asking her father politely to turn off the television, which he did, though grudgingly. Kara smiled at Jason’s flushed appearance and perma-grin, knowing she would be the one driving them home that night.
Dinner was a pleasant affair, everyone enjoying Kara’s cooking and each other’s company. When it came time to open presents, Evalyn and Kara screeched in excitement as they both opened up Snuggies, earning them both looks of disbelief among the men, and Paul got Eric a Home Brew Starter Kit. Eric and Evalyn bought Paul a leather beer holster that resembled a six shooter holster that sat on his thigh, which he proudly donned. Paul, on Kara’s advice, bought Jason a nice wood-carved chess set, and Kara and Jason went in on a DVR for her father.
“You’ll never miss another game,” Kara proclaimed, kissing his cheek.
Paul gave her a hug, almost whispering, “Love you, Sweetheart,” his voice was so gruff with emotion.
“Love you too, Dad.”
And then, to the surprise of everyone, Paul also hugged Jason. “You take care of my little girl.”
~*~
As the evening came to a close, they began loading the cars, and everyone said their goodbyes.
“Drive carefully, Kara,” her father instructed.
“Always, Dad.” Kara smirked in return.
And Jason made it to the interstate before falling asleep. The man really wasn’t a big drinker.
Chapter Fifteen
The week following Christmas, and right up to New Year’s, dragged by in a slow and boring lull. The bakery was never busy this time of year, and this year was no exception. Jason was working long tedious shifts, including one on New Year’s Eve, much to Kara’s chagrin. Not really wanting to attend a party without him, Kara decided to invite Eva and Eric over, and at the last minute sent an invitation to Jaime and Ryan. She figured they could all get together for a quiet evening, then when Jason got off work, he could come to her place and join them.
With the details settled, Kara stopped by the party store to get a few decorations; some silly party hats and noise makers for fun, and with a few streamers for ambiance. Having already learned a hard lesson on buying champagne, she left that purchase to Evalyn, because according to her best friend, ‘Evalyn had standards’. If left to her own devices, Kara had no problem with grabbing a couple of bottles of Andre, it was nice and inexpensive. After all, the most she would have would be a few sips, maybe a glass at midnight. Evalyn was the picky one, and Kara was pretty sure it had more to do with the fact that Evalyn drank an entire bottle of the pink bubbly at a wedding, then proceeded to puke the rest of the night.
Jaime and Ryan worked out a plan to ditch a co-worker’s party early. They would show up and mingle for a few hours, then leave well before midnight to ring in the new year with their friends. Kara loved that her friends were willing skip out on work obligations for her.
New Year’s Eve day Kara set out her decorations and prepared a few trays of finger foods; even knowing the evening would be low key, she couldn’t resist. She even made sure to make extra pinwheel snacks for Eric, she knew he loved those. She also didn’t forget to pick up a bottle of good, aged tequila – and limes. She wasn’t about to spend another evening listening to Eva complain about the lack of fucking limes - that was another Eva lesson learned the hard way.
~*~
By six o’clock the hors d’oeuvres were done, the tequila was chilled, and Kara was missing Jason. She picked up her cell and began to text him but stopped herself four times before finally giving in. She always felt guilty texting him while he was at work, knowing the likelihood he was busy was high.
Hey, ER busy?
She pulled up her phone’s Scrabble app
and played, while waiting to see if he would reply. Her phone chirped minutes later.
Not too bad yet. There was an OD earlier, somebody starting the party before the party. *sigh* When are E & E coming over?
Kara frowned She hated knowing Jason was alone tonight, without his friends, and surrounded by sickness and pain.
Pretty soon, wish you could be here.
Upon re-reading what she sent, Kara hoped her reply didn’t come off as a guilt trip. She understood he couldn’t be there, but wanted him to know she missed him all the same.
Me too, we’ll do something tomorrow, I promise.
She smiled to herself, thinking about starting a new year with Jason. If only they could share their midnight kiss…
~*~
Jason smiled at the screen of his cell phone before slipping it back into his coat pocket, and he headed back to the nurse’s station for the next patient’s chart. He always enjoyed the mini break a text from Kara created. He was still smiling while he was looking over the chart when he felt a hand rub up his back.
“Hey, Jason,” Laura’s voice was low as she dragged her hand back down from his shoulders to his back, “looks like we’re ringing in the New Year together.”
Jason looked up, startled, and tried not to cringe at her touch as he carefully pulled away. “Looks like it. Uh… Happy New Year,” he stuttered out, as politely as he could muster. He quickly tucked the chart under his arm and began to walk away, but not before he witnessed a look that he couldn’t quite understand, which she quickly covered with a smile.
“You too, Jason. Maybe I’ll see you at midnight.” She winked, then turned and walked back to the reception desk.
Jason sighed and closed his eyes as he shook his head. He grimaced slightly as he remembered the suggestive wink. Why couldn’t she just leave him alone? Frustrated and not paying attention to where he was going, he turned around quickly and ran into something solid, knocking the chart he was carrying under his arm to the ground.
“Damn it,” he muttered, reaching out to keep the person in front of him from falling over, realizing it was his friend. “I’m so sorry, Melinda.”
“And just where are you running off to in such a hurry, Dr. Dietrich?” Melinda asked teasing, giving Jason a knowing smile.
He chuckled uncomfortably as he looked at the ground and rubbed the back of his neck anxiously.
“Jason, just tell her to back off. Firmly.” Melinda gave Jason’s shoulder a friendly light punch. “Kind of like you did me.”
Jason looked up sharply, “I never…” he began, shaking his head.
“I just wasn’t as obtuse as she is. You’re not interested; it’s okay to make that clear. You have to do that. Or watch your ass near the supply closets, because I hear she’s freakishly strong,” Melinda giggled as she walked off, and Jason cringed again at the thought of being strong-armed by the determined young woman.
Sighing in frustration and pinching the bridge of his nose, he stood up straight, shook off the negative image, and went back to work.
~*~
By ten-thirty Evalyn and Kara had finished over half the bottle of tequila while competing against each other in a rousing game of Sing Star, Queen’s Edition. It was after a particularly close sing off that Jaime and Ryan showed up, and Kara noticed it was close to eleven o’clock. After quick introductions, Jaime and Evalyn became fast friends, just as Kara had suspected they would. Eva immediately demanded Jaime catch up with tequila shots, and Jaime, being a great sport, simply shrugged and complied by slamming the shots back. Shuddering, she pointed at Ryan and declared him in charge of getting her to the bathroom when it was time for her to puke. Ryan laughed, and agreed to her terms, then took a beer from Eric,, and listened to him as he detailed the girls singing exploits. The opportunity must have been too good to pass up, as he hit the replay so everyone could hear Kara and Evalyn’s last song. Now with a man to buddy with, Eric declared a competition and grabbed Ryan for a Bohemian Rhapsody duet, which Eva discreetly recorded with Kara’s new mp3 player.
“Please tell me you got all that,” Kara sidled up to Evalyn, nodding at the boys.
“What do you take me for, a rookie?” Eva flashed the device she had palmed at Kara, showing the six minute video. “This one’s going on YouTube.”
Kara laughed and nodded in agreement. The boys may have gotten a higher score, but the girls had so much more.
They were startled out of their conspiracy when Eric grabbed Eva, announcing, “To the victors go the spoils!” before dipping her for a deep kiss. With Ryan following his lead and grabbing Jaime, pulling her to him, as he kissed her with abandon.
Watching her friends coupled up, Kara felt a pang of jealousy. Quickly making a decision, she grabbed her keys and headed for the door.
“Whoa there Kara, where are you off to?” Ryan pulled away from Jaime as Kara was opening the door of the apartment.
“I’m ringing in the New Year with my boyfriend. I want my midnight kiss!”
Kara’s smile was contagious, and Jaime and Ryan agreed enthusiastically. “But you’re not driving,” Ryan announced as he grabbed the keys from Kara’s hand, earning him a pout. “I’ve had a handful of drinks in as many hours; you on the other hand could bleed liquid gold.” Kara smirked but released the keys without a fight, wanting only to make it to the hospital before midnight.
“You guys coming?” Kara asked, turning back to look at Eric and Evalyn, who in turn quickly had a silent conversation between them.
“I think we’ll stay here,” Eva replied, smirking at Eric. Something about the look in her eye made Kara hesitate, but she didn’t have time to think over why.
The drive to the hospital was short, with Ryan pulling up into the parking lot by eleven-forty. He dropped Kara off at the emergency room exit, informing her they would park and wait in the car for her. Kara excitedly jumped out but stopped short just inside the doors of the hospital, trying to decide whether to text Jason she was here, or try and find him on her own to surprise him. Looking at her phone, she saw the time was now eleven forty-five. She didn’t have much time, and as she entered the emergency room, she noticed the petite receptionist with the curly brown hair working the admitting desk. Her eye roll was instinctual as she remembered the last time she asked the receptionist to page Jason for her. Wanting to avoid a similar scenario she walked back out the front doors, deciding to try a different way into the emergency room.
~*~
“Hey, I’m going to take a break for a few minutes, I won’t be gone long.” Laura looked over at Miranda, the other receptionist for the ER, and gave her a bright, hopeful smile. Miranda snickered at her friend, knowing of Laura’s plan to try and find the hot young Dr. Dietrich. She’d only been planning it for weeks.
“Just remember when Andrew gets here, I’m going on break.” Miranda gave her friend a knowing look, then went back to the paper work in front of her. Laura agreed and took off in a determined search of her midnight kiss.
~*~
Standing in the main hospital entrance, Kara looked around. She noticed a hallway along the back wall, with a sign, and arrow, pointing the way to the ER. She hoped it wouldn’t take her back to the ER waiting room, right back into her dilemma with the receptionist. As she walked down the hall, there was another corridor with an arrow pointing toward the hospital lab. Taking a chance, Kara turned down the corridor and glanced at her phone again; if all else failed, she would just turn back to the waiting room and text Jason to come to her.
~*~
“Have you seen Jason?” Laura asked the red-haired nurse, Amber, as she passed her in the hallway. Amber glanced up at Laura and shook her head no before she ducked behind the curtain into a trauma bay room, leaving Laura to groan in annoyance. She thought back over her plan; it was brilliant. Neither of them were married – and Laura preferred to ignore the gossip around the hospital that he had a girlfriend - and they were both attractive people. She knew if she could just get him alone, get
him to kiss her, he would see how perfect they were for each other. She would even sweeten the deal for him if he wanted, knowing plenty of small hiding spots for them to take care of things for each other. Laura’s smile returned at the thought of being on her knees in front of the good doctor, his hands in her hair, begging her for release.
~*~
As Kara passed the lab, she saw a set of double doors with a sign reading ‘Emergency Room’. With excitement rising she hit the button on the wall, watching as the doors swung open revealing the trauma bay. She hesitated for a moment, feeling slightly guilty about being back here unescorted, and knowing there was always the possibility Jason was with a patient. Biting her lip, she straightened up and walked confidently through the doors, making the decision that she would wait for him, however long it took.
~*~
Jason had just finished setting a broken arm when he emerged from behind a curtain. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and checked the time. If he couldn’t see Kara, he would at least call her at midnight. He could hear the nurses in the reception area doing a subdued countdown, acknowledging the coming New Year, as he scrolled to her phone number and hit the dial button. He jumped, startled, as a pair of arms circled him from behind, turning him around quickly, and pulling him down into a kiss.
“Jason!” He heard somebody call his name sharply from behind, and the sound of a cell phone ringing nearby. He pulled back from the embrace, surprised to hear his name being called, and turned around just in time to see Laura as she rounded the corner looking for him. Kara poked her head around Jason’s chest as Laura pulled up short, the smile on her face disappearing as Kara blushed and hid her face in Jason’s arms.
