Ben & Matilda- Infinite Promise

by Tania De Melo

“No. But Alex seems to think I’m still in love with her, and said I need to figure out my feelings before we can move forward.”

  Thea shrugs. “She’s not wrong, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know. But would you be able to tell me exactly how I am supposed to figure them out? My feelings, that is. I don’t even know where to start. Before, you and Grace had always been there and kind of led me in the right direction.”

  “By talking to her,” Bane says.

  “And say what, oh wise one?”

  He shrugs. “No clue, I can’t give you all the answers, man.”

  “Great help you are.”

  Thea pulls away from Bane. “Why don’t you and Bane head into the living room with Asher. I’m going to make up some new bottles for his feedings, then I’ll come in and see if we can’t figure out where that head of yours is at.”

  I don’t know what’s worse...talking over my feelings with my little sister or having her inevitably telling me that there is no fix. Because like it or not, what I feel for Ati is not going away anytime soon.

  ***

  I ended up staying at Thea and Banes’ for dinner. However, the talk with my sister consisted more of her telling me to suck it up and tell Ati I love her; therefore, nothing was resolved. But, I still loved being there with my new nephew. He doesn’t do much more than eat and sleep, but just watching my sister and Bane interact with their son was nice.

  It’s a little after nine when I walk into the garage apartment. It’s dark, and all the lights are off, so I’m fumbling around before I find the light switch. I head to the bathroom and jump in the shower. I clean up quick, grab a towel wrapping it around my waist, and head to my bedroom. It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted. I move to my bed and fall down. When I hit the mattress, I’m met with a large lump, then an earth-shattering squeal.

  What the hell.

  I leap from my bed to the light switch on the wall by the door. When the lights come on, I see Ati sitting up with a look of horror on her face.

  “What the—Ati, why are you in my bed?”

  Her eyes are open, still showing her sleepy haze. Finally, with the realization of what is going on, she says, “Oh my God.” She jumps from the bed. “Ben, I’m so sorry.”

  “What are you doing here?” I’m not angry when I ask, just a little confused.

  “I was on the night shift. The boys were loud. I couldn’t sleep. I meant to be out of here before you got back, but I must have slept past my alarm,” she tries to explain, but she’s all flustered, and it’s coming out more like a frantic rant.

  “So, you came to sleep in my room.”

  Ati’s eyes pinch together, and her nose wrinkles. “Well, I tried the couch, but it was too small. The spare room was all cluttered with storage, and well, your bed...your bed was just right.”

  I let out a chuckle. “Okay there, Goldilocks. So, what you’re saying is that you couldn’t sleep in the house and decided to jump into my bed without even so much as an invitation to me to join you earlier.”

  I’m playing with her...and it’s fun. Her face is bright red, and her eyes are as wide as saucers.

  “I—well—I didn’t. I mean.” She pauses a moment lifting her head to meet my gaze, and I let out a laugh. “Really, Ben. You’re trying to make me all flustered.”

  I let out another laugh. “I am, and I’m having so much fun doing it. You should hear yourself trying to explain why you’re in my bed. I-I-I. It’s priceless.”

  Ati lets out a growl. “You’re an ass.”

  “I’m an ass. You’re the one in my bed.”

  She goes to move past me, but I grab hold of her arm to stop her, bringing her into me. “Hey, I’m just joking around with you. Ati, I don’t care that you slept here…really. It was just a surprise—a nice one.”

  She lets out a gasp. The heat from her body against mine, causing a reaction both of us are well aware of, especially with just a thin towel between us. I release my hold on her, and she takes a quick glance down, then bringing her eyes back up to mine.

  “Um, I should get going,” she says, the breathy rasp in her voice only adding to the amassed potent tension in the room.

  Our eyes lock. My breaths heavy and measured, much like hers. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

  Ati nods and turns to the door. When I look to her, a smile breaks across my face. “Uh, Ati, I think you’re forgetting something.” She turns to me with a look of confusion. I let my eyes wander down her torso and stop. Her gaze follows mine, then she lets out a gasp and moves to the chair by my bed to grab her pants. She doesn’t put them on there, just walks out the door closing it behind her.

  Hearing the apartment door shut, I walk over and fall to my bed, letting out the breath I had been holding while watching her walking around in just her tank top and underwear.

  Good, God!

  I inhale deeply, and the scent of her shampoo fills my senses. I give my head a shake and get up from my bed, making my way toward the shower yet again.

  “Well, at least junior knows what he wants.”

  Chapter Nine

  -Matilda-

  When I enter the back-kitchen door, Gwen is standing at the sink by the window. With her brow raised, she starts to open her mouth, but I cut her off before she can say anything.

  “I know what this looks like, but before you go on some deep lecture about how I need to keep my wits about me, nothing happened.”

  “I was just going to ask how you slept,” she replies with a smirk. I give her a hard stare as she lets out a chuckle. “So, what did Ben say when he found you sleeping on the couch?”

  Tilting my head back, I let out a breath. “Nothing at all, although, when he landed on me half naked only wrapped in a towel, he was quite vocal.”

  Gwen almost chokes on the sip of tea she had taken in. “What?”

  “Oh, I forgot to mention. I was in his bed, not on the couch.”

  Her eyes widen. “Why were you in his bed?”

  I walk over to the counter, grabbing an apple from the basket and taking a bite. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

  With that, I walk out, Gwen still calling to me. “Hey, you can’t just leave me hanging like this. Why were you in his bed?”

  “Sorry, sis; I’m late for work. I’ll catch you up another time.” Or not.

  I can hear her groan and mumble something under her breath. She’s only upset because now she won’t have any juicy gossip of mine to share on the group chat today.

  ***

  When I park the car in the hospital lot, Quinn Hutton pulls up beside me. Quinn is one of the new doctors that started with me. We hit it off almost instantly, mostly because he’s so easy to talk to, and quite the conversationalist. He’s just slightly taller than me at roughly five-foot-ten, medium build, with unruly sandy blond hair. He’s classically cute, in a pretty boy kind of way.

  I jump out of my car, and he’s right beside me. “So, did you manage to get any sleep, or were you as wound up as I was after last night?”

  “I was, at first, but after my almost two-hour drive home, I was ready for lights out,” I reply. I shut the car door and make my way to the front entrance, Quinn falling right in step beside me.

  “Oh yeah, I forgot you live out of town. You really should get on looking for a place closer. With the hours we’re going to have, that drive to no-man’s land is going to kill you.”

  I let out a chuckle. “Well, if you know of anything in the area, let me know, because living with my sister and her five kids may kill me before the drive does.”

  “Actually, how do you feel about a roommate?

  “To be honest, I’ve never had one. Even when I was in boarding school, I had my own room. Why, do you know of someone looking for one?”

  Quinn’s lips part with a broad show-stopping smile. “Me!”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said me.”

  “I know what you said, Quinn, I just wasn’t sure if you were aware
you did. You know you just offered for me to move in with you, right?”

  He lets out a breath. “Yep.”

  “That doesn't seem weird? I mean, we hardly know each other.”

  He shrugs. “Not really. I mean, if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. We work together, I have an extra room, and realistically, with the amount of time we spend at work together in that staff lounge, it’s like we are roomies anyways.”

  He has a point. “Can I think about it and get back to you?”

  “Yep, but don’t take too long. The more time you give me to get to know you, I may change my mind.”

  I shoot him a side glare. “Hardy-har-har. You are such a comedian.”

  “And just think, you could have this kind of entertainment twenty-four seven.”

  We enter the staff lounge and start storing away our belongings when the door opens, and Abe pops in his head. “Batin, I need you with Mrs. Lipman, she’s the two-week overdue from yesterday. We induced her this morning, but she’s moving slowly. She’s adamant she wants to go naturally. I’ve scheduled her for a c-section, and she knows she only has a couple more hours before we have to take her in. Hutton, you’re with me, we have a mom at nine centimeters, and she’s just about ready. Get a move on, team; it’s already looking to be a busy one.”

  As quickly as he popped in, he pops back out. I look to Quinn. “You ready?”

  He smiles, closing his locker and makes his way to the door. “I was born for this.”

  ***

  It’s just after nine in the morning when Quinn walks into the cafeteria, plopping down in the seat beside me.

  “I haven’t stopped. My feet are killing me, and I am in desperate need of food,” he lets out in a groan.

  I chuckle. “But I thought you were born for this.”

  He grabs a strawberry from my fruit tray, popping it in his mouth. “Yeah, I may have been a little overzealous when I made that comment. How was your c-section?”

  “It went well. She was a little disappointed that she couldn’t go naturally, but in the end, I think she was so exhausted, she was just happy to have her bouncing baby boy in her arms.”

  “Exhaustion...I know all about it. I just need to make it through the next three hours, and then I’m hitting my shower and bed.”

  I lean back in my chair and snicker. “I’m guessing you haven’t had a chance to check the board.”

  “I haven’t even had a chance to pee. Why?”

  “They’ve scheduled us both in for a double and over. Labor and delivery’s swamped,” I inform him.

  Quinn’s head falls, then he looks back up. “You’re not joking, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Whatever happened to gradually working someone in?”

  I let out a laugh. “I believe that was called med school.” I grab the granola bar from my tray and hand it to him. “Here. Sustenance.”

  He looks to the bar, then to me. “I think I may need ten more.”

  I stand from my chair and pat him on the shoulder. “I’d tell you to get in line to get some, but my pager just buzzed, as I’m guessing did yours.”

  “I was hoping it was just the shakes from caffeine withdrawal,” he replies.

  “Sorry, bud.”

  He stands from his chair. “I knew I should have gone into podiatry.”

  I let out a laugh. “Yeah, vagina’s versus feet—it’s a definite toss-up.”

  ***

  Another ten hours out of the way. I fall to the cot in the staff lounge and close my eyes. The door opens, but I don’t bother to look up to see who it is.

  The bunk above me creeks, followed by a sigh. “Do you think the four new patients that just walked in will hold off for at least another few hours?”

  I let out a groan. “I was hoping for more like until the next shift starts.”

  Quinn leans over the edge, looking down. “Now who’s being overzealous.”

  “I’m done,” I let out with a sigh.

  “Well, rest up before the next rush,” Quinn replies.

  We lay there in silence for mere minutes before the door opens, and Abe pops his head in. “Up and at ‘em. We have three in active labor. These babies aren’t going to hold off, so you two can get your beauty sleep.”

  Once again, just as quickly as he came in, he leaves.

  “Do you think he would object to being clubbed in the head every time he pops up. You know, like that game at the carnivals?” Quinn says.

  I let out a chuckle. “Whack-a-mole?”

  “That’s the one.”

  I sit up, throwing my legs over the edge of the cot as Quinn jumps from the top to the floor, offering his hand to pull me up. I look at him. “I don’t care if he objects. You find the clubs, and I’ll take the first swing.”

  “I don’t know that I’d actually have the energy to lift my arms to bop him one,” Quinn adds.

  I look to him and shrug. “I’m with you, but the thought of it still gives me some sort of happiness.

  ***

  When I walk toward the entrance of the hospital, I can see the sun shining outside. Too bad I won’t be able to enjoy it. As soon as I get home, I’m going to bed and not waking up for twenty-four hours.

  “You all done for the day?” I turn to see Quinn come toward me; backpack slung over his shoulder.

  “Oh yeah. You?” I ask.

  “Just finished up the last. I grabbed my bag and high-tailed it out of there before they could catch me.”

  I let out a laugh. “I think we’ve reached our legal limit to work, so I think you’re safe.”

  “I’m not risking it. Where are you headed?”

  “Home,” I reply.

  “Ati, you’re exhausted. You can’t make a two-hour drive home.”

  I push open the doors to the entrance and walk out, letting the warmth of the sun hit my face. “I’ll be fine. If I get tired, I’ll pull over.”

  “Why don’t you crash at my place,” Quinn Offers.

  I think it over for a moment. I am dead tired, and really, it’s probably not wise for me to head back to Emerson. “Okay, sure. That would be great, as long as I’m not putting you out.”

  He waves me off. “Really, you’re not. I have the extra room, and this way, you can check out my place and see if you like it.”

  “Actually, that’s perfect. Thank you—really.”

  He nods and turns to head to his car. “Follow me.”

  ***

  When we arrive, I am met by a large skyrise in front of me. Mirrored windows stack high, reflecting the afternoon light. I pull up beside Quinn and exit the car.

  “Wow, so far I like,” I let out, impressed with the sight before me.

  Quinn lets out a laugh. “This is nothing, wait until you get inside.”

  I follow him through the parking lot and in through the double glass doors that must stand

  at least thirty feet high. Quinn waves to the young man dressed in a security uniform as we make our way to the elevators.

  “What, you don’t want to take the stairs?” I joke.

  “Yeah, no. I live on the fifteenth floor.”

  I chuckle. “Are you sure? I don’t think we’ve gotten our steps in for the day.”

  “Ati, I think we’ve gotten our steps in for the month these past two days.”

  The elevator doors close, and it starts its ascension.

  “Even the elevator is mirrored,” I comment.

  “I know. I’ve been here a little over two months, and I’m still afraid to touch anything in case I leave fingerprints.”

  I look to him and shrug. “I live with five little boys under the age of seven. I’ve forgotten what things look like without fingerprints.”

  “That’s crazy. I mean, I love kids, but who would

  want five of them?” Quinn says.

  “Six. My sister and her husband have another on

  the way in less than a month.”

  He shakes his head. “Insane.”


  “Yep. I started out wanting a large family of my

  own one day, but that number has quickly decreased to two max. Living with my sister for these past few weeks has given me quite the reality check.”

  The elevator doors open to a brightly lit hallway.

  Only when I exit, do I notice the light is coming from the large floor to ceiling windows on either side of the hall.

  “There’s so much natural light.”

  “Wait until you see inside the apartment.”

  We make our way down the hall and stop halfway at one of the doors. Quinn pulls out his key and opens it up, and when he steps aside to let me in, I can’t believe my eyes.

  “You have got to be kidding me.” I turn to him.

  “I’m surprised you don’t have three or four roommates already to foot this bill.”

  Quinn lets out a laugh. “My parents actually own

  it. They bought it so I would have a place to live while I was doing my residency at Gary.”

  “Pfft. I was starting to think I was grossly underpaid,” I comment.

  We walk further into the meticulous, well-decorated living room. “It just gets better and better.”

  His eyes come into a squint. “Well, I must confess. When I asked you to crash here today, I was kind of hoping you would fall in love with it, and not be able to say no to moving in here.”

  I let out a breath. “I don’t know.”

  He nods. “Think about it, it’s perfect.”

  I move around, peeking into the kitchen and looking out the window. “Can I see the bedroom?”

  “This way.” I follow Quinn down the hall, stopping at the first door. “Your chambers, mademoiselle.”

  “Don’t be counting those chickens just yet,” I say with a feigned skepticism. I walk in the room, and I am instantly blown away. “Holy crap. Is this the master?”

  Quinn laughs. “I’m not that generous.”

  “Well, you could have lied, and I would have

  believed you. This is amazing.”

  He waves me on. “There’s more. Come look over

  here.”

  I follow him across the room, and he opens the