Page 70 of Doctor Neighbor

Cole starts to protest, but I can see the exhaustion etched on her face. She's been here for days, barely leaving Madeline's side.

"Your sister's right," I chime in gently. "You need to take care of yourself to be there for Maddie."

Liesle nods appreciatively at my support. "I'll stay with her. She'll be in good hands, I promise. I doubt anything will come up, but I swear to you, if they so much as want to change her sheets, I will notify you. I just want you to rest. I need you well. Maddie needs you well."

I can see Cole wavering, her resolve crumbling as the weight of the past few days catches up with her.

As a doctor, I've seen this countless times—the devoted parent running on fumes, reluctant to leave their child's side. But Cole's exhaustion is palpable, etched in the dark circles under her eyes and the slump of her shoulders.

I find myself fighting the urge to step in, to use my medical authority to insist she get some rest. But I know that's not my place, not here, not now. Instead, I watch silently, hoping she'll listen to her sister's plea and take care of herself. After all, I've seen firsthand how crucial it is for parents to maintain their strength in times like these.

"I... I guess you're right," she finally admits reluctantly. "But just for a little while."

"I'll drive you home," I offer, stepping forward. "And I can bring you back whenever you're ready, even if it's in the middle of the night."

Cole looks at me, gratitude shining in her tired eyes. "Are you sure? You've already done so much..."

I shake my head, cutting off her protests. "It's no trouble. Really."

As we prepare to leave, I watch Cole lean over Madeline's bed, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The tenderness of the moment hits me hard, especially in light of Cole's recent revelation. Could this little girl really be my daughter?

I push the thought aside for now. There will be time to deal with that later. Right now, my focus is on getting Cole home so she can recharge and be strong for Madeline.

7:01 pm

As we step into Cole's apartment, the silence feels heavy, almost suffocating. I watch her slump against the wall, her shoulders sagging, the weight of everything finally catching up to her.

My heart aches to see her like this, so vulnerable and drained. It's a stark contrast to the fierce, independent woman I've come to know these last few weeks.

The urge to comfort her is overwhelming, but I hesitate, unsure if my touch would be welcome after everything that's happened. The air between us is thick with unspoken words and shared trauma.

My feelings continue to race from one extreme to the other. I feel compassion and empathy for Cole, wanting to ease her pain and worry. And I feel anger at what feels like a sort of betrayal.

I am angry at the sudden knowledge that Maddie could be my daughter and that Cole had a hunch but didn’t share it with me. But my tenderness and worry dwarf those feelings.

I can't help but feel partly responsible for the exhaustion etched on her face, and it's killing me inside.

"Cole," I say gently, "what do you need? Anything at all? I'll go to the store."

She shakes her head, looking lost. I take a deep breath, knowing I need to take charge here.

"How about you take a long, hot bath?" I suggest. "It'll help you relax. I can run to the store and buy some supplies. Pick up dinner. You need to eat."

Cole nods slowly, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "A bath sounds... nice," she admits. "I don't need anything from the store, but..." She hesitates, vulnerability clear in her eyes. "Would you... would you stay here? I don't want to be alone."

My chest tightens at her request, a wave of protectiveness washing over me. Of course I'll stay. I'd move mountains for her right now if I could. Hell, I'd rearrange the entire solar system if it would ease her pain.

The vulnerability in her eyes tugs at something deep inside me, a feeling I'm not quite ready to name. I swallow hard, pushing aside my own tumultuous emotions to focus on what Cole needs right now.

"Absolutely," I assure her, my voice soft but firm. "I'll be right here. Take all the time you need."

She gives me a grateful smile, small but genuine. As she heads towards the bathroom, I call out, "I'll make some tea. It'll be waiting when you're done."

When I hear the bathroom door close, I let out a long breath. My mind is reeling with everything that's happened, but I push it aside. Right now, Cole needs me to be steady and here. And that's precisely what I intend to do.

I look up as Cole emerges from the bathroom, her skin glistening and her wet hair clinging to her neck and shoulders. The towel wrapped around her waist leaves her top bare, and my breath catches in my throat. Despite everything we've been through, seeing her still takes my breath away.

She approaches me from where I'm sitting on the sofa, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes my heart race. I'm not sure what to say or do, so I remain still, waiting for her to make the first move.

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