Doctor Clause (Doctors of Eastport General)

Chapter Twenty-Two

One year later...

Ding. Dong.

She rushed to the door to let their guest in. The life of firsts with Stephen kept on giving. This was her first guest, at her first holiday party, in the first home of their own.

“Pina!” Her arms tossed around her sister’s neck.

“Uh.” She struggled to carry bags of gifts and the weight of her sister through the threshold. “Mind if I come in first? It’s snowing.”

Leeona released her grip, taking a look outside before closing the door. “I thought it was going to be a completely green Christmas.”

“That just goes to show you, life is full of surprises,” Stephen said, rubbing his hands together. “Can I take your coat?”

“Thanks,” Pina replied, handing it, with her hat and scarf tucked neatly in a sleeve, over. “Tommy! Come give your aunt a hug.”

The clinical trial had been a complete success. He’d been home for over six months without issue. The cancer was in remission, with no signs of returning. He was even enrolled in a regular school for the following fall.

Ding!

Leeona answered the door.

“Uncle Kyle!” Tommy exclaimed, jumping into the man’s arms.

“Pfft.” Pina glanced the other way. “I don’t even get a hi, let alone a hug... and I’ve always been his favourite aunt.”

“You’re his only aunt,” Leeona said.

Tommy motioned with one finger for her to bend down. His arms wrapped around her neck tightly. “I love you too.”

“I hope I’m not late,” Kent said, peeking around the crowd from the front porch.

“Not at all.” Stephen cleared the way, taking coats and ushering everyone into a bigger room. “Have a seat. You can introduce yourselves. I’ll get the holiday cheer.” By holiday cheer, he meant drinks. No one drove, and if anyone was going to be the designated driver, it was him.

“Sounds good,” Kent said, rubbing his hands together. “I’ll have...” The host was already gone without taking any orders. “Whatever.” He shrugged

A tray returned in Stephen’s hands. “Hot buttered rum, spiced eggnog, mulled wine? Take your pick.” He handed a glass to Tommy, after placing the others on a coffee table. “And a cherry Christmas mocktail for you.” He was having the same thing. “Cheers.” Their glasses clanked together.

“Can I open my gifts?” Tommy asked, bouncing up and down on the spot. “Please?”

“Of course you can,” Pina said. “Your favourite aunt says it’s okay.” She handed him a package. “I hope you like it.”

He made quick work of the wrapping, tossing it about as it shredded. “A robot! Cool.”

“It’s remote control,” Pina added.

“Did you remember the batteries?” Leeona asked.

“Yikes!” Pina chuckled nervously. “Well, it will be cool after I drop some of those off. Sorry.”

“Here, open this,” Kyle said. “I promise, you don’t need batteries.”

“Hmph!” Pina crossed her arms over her chest, obviously confused as to who Kyle was. The man wasn’t actually related to Stephen, after all, and their best kept secret.

“I wanted these!” Tommy held a box set of mystery books in the air. The spare room upstairs had become his own little library, with wall-to-wall shelves filled with novels, comics, and anything else readable. “Thank you, Uncle Kyle.”

Kyle patted the boy’s head. “No problem, kiddo.”

“Ahem,” Kent cleared his throat. “I also brought a gift,” he announced, holding out a plain red paper bag.

Tommy peeked inside without taking the gift. “What is it?”

“Memory games,” Kent replied, pulling out the box himself. “Each is a puzzle which needs to be solved. I have to warn you though, they aren’t easy. You start with number one and they get harder all the way up to ten.”

Tommy’s eyes filled with excitement. “Thanks.” This time he took the gift. “Can I try one now? Please, Mom?”

“Tomorrow,” she answered. “We still have to eat.”

Dinner came and went without drama or conflict, lasting about twice as long as a normal supper, after which she tucked Tommy into bed, reading his favourite bedtime story. He was fast asleep by the second page.

“Thanks for watching him,” Leeona said, descending the staircase.

Pina shrugged. “Anything for my favourite nephew.”

“He’s your only nephew,” she snorted.

“You and Stephen deserve a little alone time,” Pina said, grinning from ear to ear. “Enjoy yourselves. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Alone time. If only she knew Kyle was joining them in their alone time. Her sister’s head would probably pop right off. That would have been something to see, but her lips were sealed. Their covert get-togethers worked because only the participants knew about them. If anyone else found out, professional reputations might be judged, especially those of the doctors. Not everyone was accepting of their lifestyle choices.

“The designated driver Jeep is about to leave the station,” Stephen announced. “I’ll make sure you all get to your destination safely.”

“Thanks,” Kent said, heading out the door.

Kyle’s eyebrows rose and fell, quickly squeezing by her to exit next.

“Ladies first,” Stephen insisted, closing the door behind them. He opened the rear door for her this time.

“You can sit between us,” Kyle said, patting the middle seat.

“What’s going on?” she asked, eyes narrowing to slits.

“I’ve asked for Dr. Cammbell’s opinion,” Stephen replied. “He’s going to try to help with your condition.” The engine purred, wipers clearing a small layer of snow from the windshield.

“Condition?” she echoed, climbing over Kyle.

“What was the number?” Kent asked.

“Six,” Kyle answered. “We can’t seem to make it to that elusive number seven.”

“Oh, no.” It clicked what was going on. “Stephen isn’t driving you home right away, is he?”

“No,” Kent answered, removing his glasses. “I am going to be consulting on finding a breakthrough for you. Since Tommy is seeing his regular physician now, and I am no longer treating him, there is no longer any question of morality about engaging in a little after supper exploration of his mother’s body. With your consent, of course.”

“Role-play, huh?” she smirked. “Do you really think you can help me, Doctor?” she asked, batting her lashes.

“Well, there is never any guarantees in these things,” Kent replied. “With a new treatment plan, I think we can make some progress though.”

“I’d like to try it right away,” she said, glancing down at the shiny diamond on her ring finger. Stephen proposed the night before. She thought that was the big reveal for the holidays. Now this. Her man was full of surprises.

A new experience awaited.

A new day was coming.

By dawn she needed to be home.

This was going to be one heck of a Christmas, and New Year’s was right around the corner. Who knew what plans were being made to ring in the new year with a bang?

Anticipation had her dripping. Hopefully, those feelings never ended. That was the ideal ending to her story.