Page 55 of Merry Little Heartbreak

She sat on the edge of the chair across from his desk, unsure how to approach this conversation.

“I think I’d like a position in the oncology department. I realize I may need to start in a residential learning position again, but I’m more than willing to do what’s needed to learn.”

Dr. Stone smiled. “Most days we work an eight-hour shift, but we do have weekend and on-call hours. I know you’ve seen a lot of traumas and had patients die, but it can be very emotionally taxing here, in a different way. You’ll have more time with your patients and will develop bonds. And then you’ll lose some, and it will make you angry and sad. It’s important to understand that and be prepared to cope with it.”

Margo nodded. “I’ve thought about that a lot, and I’m hoping the successes from those we can save will help me cope with the losses. Knowing we tried all we could to help and maybe contributing in some way to one day beat cancer seems like a lofty cause. A meaning in my medical career that was missing in the ER.”

“Very good. Then I will send you a job offer, and once you pull together the requisite certificates and sign, we’ll send it up for the board’s approval. I don’t expect any pushback. They’ve always approved all my choices. Oncology has difficult positions to fill, but once we do, doctors tend to never leave.”

Margo tried not to let her excitement burst out. “Just like that? You’ll give me a job?”

“Dr. Monroe, even if I had not already asked about your track record as an attending in the ER, I would be offering you a position based on your engagement over the last few months in Mrs. Maguire’s care. You served as a calm, insightful, but curious advocate for the patient. Exactly the type of talent we need in oncology.

Margo popped up out of her seat. “Thank you, Dr. Stone. You won’t regret this decision.”

He stood and extended his hand.

“Thank you, Dr. Monroe. You’ll see a contract and offer from me later today.”

Walking out of the quiet space holding back a big smile, Margo made her way down the stairs to the ER, where she spotted Drake walking into the doctor’s lounge. Bursting through that door, she noticed several residents and nurses taking advantage of the final few minutes of their shift change. It was one of the busiest times for the staff, and she didn’t care. She walked right up to Drake and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Oh, hey. I missed you too in the last ten minutes,” he said before kissing her openly in front of everyone, and she didn’t care.

Not even when they received several whistles and laughs.

“We won’t have to work together much longer,” she said in his ear.

“Does this mean Dalton will start bossing me around?”

“No, because you’re going to accept that job offer, and I’m going to accept a different one in oncology.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, but since I’m moving in, you’ll still see plenty of me.”

His mouth landed on hers, and she lifted one foot like the women do in the movies as he swung her around. Their colleagues all clapped.

“Then we can live happily ever after,” Drake said.

“Yes, please, Dr. Maguire.”

~The End.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

Margo couldn’t see anything through the scratchy green fabric of the blindfold someone made out of an old scrub T-shirt. She gripped the stick she was handed and swung again. The loud thwack indicated she’d hit the mark, followed by the spilling of candy and the crowd cheering. Pulling down the eye cover, she blinked to find the colorful piñata in the shape of a cupcake split in two.

Drake smiled and took the stick from her. “Very vigorous and accurate strikes, love.”

“Geez, Monroe, I didn’t even get a turn. Isn’t this supposed to be a dual going away party?” Dalton whined with a big grin.

“I still can’t believe you’re moving back to Virginia Beach tonight,” Margo said, fighting the swell of emotions because he would be so far away.

“I warned you not to get too attached when we met three years ago, Monroe,” Dalton said with a fake scowl before putting his arm around her shoulder.

Margo hugged him tightly. “But you’re my best girlfriend and work husband wrapped into one. Who will I vent to?”

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