Page 63 of From Rivals to I Do

“Better now that you’re here,” I say in an attempt to flirt. At first, I think it falls flat, but she smiles and lets out a snort.

“I’m glad I could help,” she says as she changes out the bag. “Mind if I get your vitals?”

“Sure,” I reply, and she walks out to the hall for a moment and comes in with a little machine, pulling it behind her.

“What’s all that for? I’m already hooked to this EKG machine.”

“I use the pulse tool for your oxygen levels, not just your pulse,” she says as she starts pulling things out. “I’ll need to check your temperature as well. Open wide!”

I obey, opening my mouth, but when she leans in close, I’m hit with a whiff of her lovely perfume. Moving to check my pulse, she puts the monitor on my finger, and the machine starts to beep—my heart is racing from her being so close.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asks as she sees the number, and immediately I feel embarrassed as I had set off both the vitals card and the heart monitor.

“Yeah, yeah,” I reply. “Just excited to maybe get these bandages off today.”

“Ooh! Then we’ll be able to see your handsome face,” she says with a smile as the blood pressure cuff pumps up. She waits, watching the screen until it deflates, and the numbers show. She then pulls a notepad out of her pocket and appears to write it all down.

“You know, I keep trying to remember where I know you from,” I say as I stare at her, trying desperately to put the pieces together. But once again, nothing is coming. “Where did we meet?”

She stops writing and looks up at me; I can see tears start to form in her eyes.

Shoot, I didn’t mean to make her upset.

“Well, that’s it for me,” she says, seeming to dodge my question. It’s so odd. It’s okay that I see Darla, and that I talk to her, but everyone’s keeping quiet about who she is. She’s obviously someone important to me if Zack and Noah brought her in to see me, I think to myself as she slips the notepad into her scrubs pocket. I just wish I knew why. . .

“I’ll be back around later, okay?” she says.

“I’ll look forward to it,” I reply, and the smile returns to her face as she grabs the vitals cart and pulls it out the door.

“The way you flirt with her, you’d think you’d remember her,” Noah teases as he walks in.

“I wish,” I reply with a sigh. “She does seem familiar though, I just can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“Like the doctor said, it’ll all come back in time he thinks,” Jeffrey says. “Try not to sweat it, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

“Yeah, relax a bit,” Zack insists as he walks in and stands next to Noah. “You’ll get it, I’m sure of it.”

“Get what?” I ask, and the room goes quiet. “What is it that I’m not remembering?”

“I think we should tell him,” Noah says.

“No!” Jeffrey growls. “The doctor says he needs his rest, and to let it all come naturally!”

“Now that’s enough,” I say, getting frustrated and slightly raising my voice, causing the boys to all snap to attention. “I know what that doctor says, but it’s ridiculous that you three are constantly talking in code about this woman. I want to know what the deal is!”

Everyone goes silent again. Dead silent. The only sounds are the quiet beeps from the heart monitor.

“Dad, Darla isn’t just anyone,” Zack replies, “she’s your girlfriend.”

“What?” I ask, my jaw dropping in surprise. “I’m dating someone?”

“Yes,” Noah replies. “It’s sort of new but I mean, Mom’s been gone ten years. You said you felt it was time.”

Wow, I think to myself. I can’t believe that I’d start dating again after Mel. I’d been heartbroken for so long, hung up on her. What changed?

“How did I meet her?” I ask, and the two boys start to chuckle a bit.

“The first time, or when you started dating?” Zack asks with a grin and Noah nudges him in the ribs.

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