Brooke
I arrive at work full of energy and excitement. I’ve spent the last two nights in my new place. I’ve shopped for my home, prepared clothes for the week, and even prepared some meals for myself, hoping I wouldn’t forget to eat or eat poorly, but nothing could have prepared me for the vision in front of me. I park my car, taking in the police, ambulance, and fire department all sitting with lights flashing blocking the entrance to the clinic. I leap from my car and run to the front door to find Dr. Kramer on a stretcher with an oxygen mask over his face. “What’s going on?”
“Who are you?” the officer asks.
“I’m the other veterinarian that works here.” I can’t take my eyes off of my dear friend and mentor. My body begins to tremble and tears are welling in my eyes. “Please, what’s going on?”
“He’s had a severe heart attack. We need to get him to the hospital. Who is his next of kin?”
I shake my head and close my eyes. “He has no one.” I burst into tears and instantly Courtney is at my side. She knows how much Dr. Kramer means to me. He’s like a second father to me. He’s been a mentor and taught me all I know. I can’t lose this dear man. “I’m the closest he has to family.”
“Ma’am, I know this is difficult, but we may need you. How can we reach you?” I reach over and hand him one of the brand new business cards that Dr. Kramer just had printed for me. I can hear sirens screaming as the ambulance rushes from the parking lot.
“How could this be happening? He’s a fit man. He works out, eats healthy for the most part. I don’t understand.”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I wish I had answers for you, but I don’t. Sometimes no matter what we do, it’s not enough.” He rubs my arm. “Will you be okay here?”
I swallow through the lump in my throat and nod my head. “Yes, I have a clinic to run.” I hold my head high, knowing that Dr. Kramer would want me to run the clinic today, and I plan to make him proud. The nice officer nods and heads toward the door. “Officer?”
He turns back to me. “Will you please make sure I get an update?”
He gives me a tight smile and nods. “On my way there now.”
“Thank you.” My voice is barely a whisper as I fight the tears prickling my eyes.
I turn to my friend. “Will you give me a minute and then meet me in the back?” She nods and I walk away.
I grab my cell phone and call my dad.
“Hey, sweetie,” he answers cheerfully.
“Daddy, Dr. Kramer is on his way to the hospital. He’s had a heart attack.”
“Oh dear. I’m so sorry, sweetie.”
I’m now sobbing into the phone. “Can you make some calls and find out what’s happening? I’m at the clinic and I can’t just leave. I have animals I need to tend to.”
“Of course. I’ll be in touch shortly. Hang in there, sweetie.” He cuts the call. I grab a tissue and dab my eyes, trying to not totally destroy my makeup even though I know it’s a mess. Courtney comes walking into the back. She says nothing, but sits next to me and quietly waits. I exhale a deep breath. “We need to get through this day as quickly as possible. I’m waiting on an update from either the police or my father. Please call and cancel any appointments that aren’t urgent, and ask others to come in early. I’m going to start checking on the animals we have here and see who can be sent home and who needs to stay.” I exhale another deep breath. “I’ll need to catch Raeanne up on everything. Is she here yet?”
Her eyes go wide. “Poor girl is probably standing at the door. She doesn’t have a key yet.” She jumps up and runs to the door. I follow behind her to see not only is Raeanne standing there, but so are the first patients of the morning.
I let out a sigh. “Let’s open and get things rolling.” I turn to Raeanne. “Can I see you in the back?”
She nods, looking nervous, but follows me to the back. As soon as we’re out of earshot of our clients, she finally asks with a shaken voice, “Did I do something wrong?”
I shake my head. “No, Dr. Kramer was rushed to the emergency room this morning. He had a heart attack. I really need your help to get through today. We’re canceling clients that are not urgent, and trying to bump others up so I can get out of here and get to the hospital.”
“I’m so sorry.” Her voice laced with concern. “Why don’t I start checking the patients we already have here for you and you can do the checkups that are walking in now?”
“That’s a good plan. Let me know if you have any concerns or need my help.” She rubs my arm and walks off. With one more deep breath, I pick up the carrier of my first patient, a Siamese cat.
***
Vaughn
I’m walking out of my morning appointment with the good doctor when my phone vibrates in the clip. I pull it out to see it’s Remy. “Hey, man. Yes, I went to my appointment and things are going great.” I roll my eyes because he’s been checking on me for over two weeks now. I’m finally seeing Brooke tomorrow, and he of all people should know that means I’m feeling good. The doctor and I just met about it.
“I’m glad to hear it, but that’s not why I’m calling.” There’s panic in his voice, and now I’m freaking out. Lord, please tell me that my angel is all right. I stop in the middle of the parking lot, silently praying while I wait for his next words. “Brooke is at the clinic, but she’s going to need you. Dr. Kramer was rushed to the hospital today.”
“How do you know?” I start walking toward my car again. I need to get a hold of Brooke and make sure she’s okay.
“My father called me. He wants me to go by and check on her, but not sure I can get out of here early today to do that. Keaton is going to stop by and see if she needs anything, but you should too. She’ll want to see you.”
I exhale a deep, cleansing breathe. I’m just getting strong enough for myself, am I strong enough for her too? I have to be. I love her and I need to be there for her. “I’ll get there as soon as I can.” I jump in my car and head straight to work. The guys are all busy working on vehicles when I walk through the doors. The bays are full, and there’s more that need work in the lot.
I go straight to my commander’s office and knock on the door. “Enter,” he barks from the other side of the door.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Staff Sergeant Anderson, how are you today?”
I close the door behind me and step closer to his desk. “I’m doing well, sir. I want to thank you for your understanding while I work through my issues. I’m getting better and better every day. I’ve actually slept through the night for almost two weeks now.”
“That’s good to hear. I don’t like seeing my men not at their best. If you need help, son, you need to come to me. That’s what I’m here for.” I look down at the floor, trying to figure out how to bring this up without sounding like an asshole. He’s already been so flexible. “What is it, son?”
“Sir. You know Major Bennett, right?”
“Yes, of course. He called me before heading to your house that morning.” His southern accent is getting stronger as he gets more concerned. I need to spit this out.
“I’ve been dating his sister for quite some time now. As a matter of fact, I love her, and I hurt her deeply with the way I handled the situation I was in. Now, she needs me, and I’d like to be there for her. I know you’ve been understanding with my time, but can I please take leave for the afternoon?”
“Is she all right? Does the Major know?”
“She’s fine, and he called me, sir, he knows. It’s her boss and mentor. He was just rushed to the hospital. We’re waiting for an update, but from the way the Major was sounding, it doesn’t look good. I’d like to take her to the hospital to see him. She’s very close to the man, and I don’t want her to have to go alone.” I looked down. “I didn’t allow her to be there for me the way I should have, now I need to be there for her.”
“Listen, son. When you retire from this man’s Army in another couple years, there’s going to be a few select people at your side. A few men here and there that you manage to stay in touch with because you’ve caught up at multiple duty stations and became close friends. Other than that, all you have is your family. What I’m telling you is, especially at this stage in the game, family comes first. I didn’t always believe that, but after some recent events, I came to realize I was wrong. You get done what you can while you wait for an update, and then you do what you have to do, but make sure your men are squared away here, also.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” I start to walk back toward the door but before I leave I turn back to him. “Sir.” He looks back up at me. “I hope your family is well.”
He gives me a tight smile. “Thank you, son.” I nod and walk out the door, straight to the bay where my men are.
Leaning on the counter, I take a minute to watch my men at work. I’ve been on this base for a year now, and my time in is almost up. At one point I dreaded the thought of my career coming to an end. Always wondered what I would do with my life when it was time for me to retire, now I’m counting down the days. I’ll be retiring ahead of Callen, and I hope he’s serious about staying down here and opening a shop with me, because that’s exactly what I plan on doing right after I marry the love of my life.
“Listen up, guys.” I hear tools drop and see heads pop out from under vehicles. “Everyone gather around, please.” The guys all come over to the counter I’m leaning on. “First, I need to apologize to you guys. I know I’ve been a surly dick lately, and I’m sorry. I had some things going on that I should have admitted to, and instead, like the thick headed numbskull I am, I tried to fix things myself, and it cost me dearly. I hope you guys can forgive me.” The guys are all quiet for what feels like an eternity. I’m about to speak up and say more but I’m stopped.
Max punches me in the arm. “We’re just glad to see you back to yourself, Sarge.” I’m one lucky fuck. My guys forgive me, and now I need to pray my girl does too.
“Thanks, guys. Now that I’m getting better, I have one more thing I need to take care of. I know I haven’t been here as often as I should because I’ve been busy getting my shit together, but I may have to leave early today. Brooke’s boss and mentor is in the hospital because of a heart attack, and it’s not looking good. I’m waiting for a call, but will probably have to run out as soon as it comes through so I can get her over there to spend some time with him.” The guys pat my back in support and if feels good. I wish I had realized I had all of this sooner. “As usual you’ll have to deal with Callen being in charge.”
“What the fuck?” Tommy bellows angrily. I can tell from the look on his face that he’s joking, but it’s still funny.
“You’re such an asshole. You know I’m so much easier to work for than this dickhead.” He slaps me on the back.
The guys all burst into laughter. “Okay, comedy hour is over. Get back to work. I have shit to do.” I walk to my office and the guys go back to the vehicles they’re working on. I take a seat at my desk and boot up my laptop. While I wait I send a quick text to Remy.
Vaughn: Spoke to CO, I’m good to go. Let me know.
I put my phone down and begin going through emails. There’s a shit ton of them because I haven’t been checking it as often as I should. As I go through I realize that my boy really covered my ass while I was doing my thing. I’m trying really hard to concentrate. I’m about a quarter of the way through before I check my phone and notice I have nothing from Remy yet. It’s really hard to think about work when I’m waiting on something so important.
I put my phone down and continue working. I take time to check on parts, see what we have up that needs to be worked on, and be sure to set a priority for the guys. Callen is pretty good at all of that, but it will be good to have it done for him while he’s out there working on vehicles too. I’m finishing up processing some paperwork. It’s been a busy morning, I’ve worked straight through lunch because I know I’m going to have to leave soon. Placing my clipboards back on their appropriate hooks, I shove the last of my granola bar into my mouth when my phone chirps.
Remy: Get her there ASAP. It’s not good.
Shit, I mutter to myself. Grabbing my phone and keys, I run out the door. “Got to go, Callen.” I run to my CO’s office his door is open. I knock and peek my head in. He looks up from his computer. “I got the call, sir.”
“Go.” I thank him and run back down the hall. Going straight to my car, I send Remy a text as I start it up.
Vaughn: On my way.
I have to be careful driving on base, the MPs are everywhere, and despite the fact I fix their fucking vehicles, they’d give me a ticket in a fucking heartbeat. The second I’m through the gate and on the main road, I fly to get the clinic as quickly as I can. I’m happy it’s only a few minutes away, and thanks to my speeding, I shaved a few minutes off the commute. As soon as I walk through the door, I spot Courtney. “Where’s Brooke?”
Her eyes fill with panic. “In the back, why?”
“Get her, please. I need to get her to the hospital.” Her eyes well with tears as she jumps from her seat and runs to the back. While I stand in the entry waiting for her, I take deep breaths, trying to maintain control, but internally I’m a bit freaked out. I haven’t seen her in a few weeks, and now I’m whisking her away to the hospital to see a man she cares deeply for.
“Vaughn?” Her eyes are pleading.
“Angel, we have to go.”
Her eyes well. “But how do you know?” Her voice is laced with concern.
I place each of my hands on her arms. “Angel, look at me.” I wait for her to look into my eyes. “Remy called. I need to get you to the hospital. Grab your purse.” I shake her gently. She nods and runs off.
When she gets back, she turns to Courtney. “I’ll call you in a bit. Have Raeanne take care of whatever she can. If there are any emergencies, they’ll have to take them to the larger hospital outside of town until I know what’s going on. Call or text me if you need me, but I’ll be in touch soon.” Courtney nods. I take her hand and run her out the door to my waiting car.