I’m hoping we get a chance to get better and take some rest at our LIs places, Bryce stans get some content w Keiki, Ethan Stans finally get to meet Jenner… so many opportunities
the edenbrook crew strutting around in hawaii as the hospital falls apart and patients die because the only things left were leland bloom and the coffee maker
Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC) Other Characters: Anthony (OC child), his mom (OC) Book: Open Heart Word Count: ~1,500 Rating/Warning: General (no warnings that I can think of)
Synopsis: Olivia runs into an unusual patient request, but knows just the surgeon to help. Based on this prompt ask.
His big eyes searched frantically as his pace hastened down the hall. His little footsteps grew louder before finally coming to a stop at the nurses’ station. His little hand clasped the ledge as he jumped to pull himself up. “Hi!” He jumped up again, trying to peer over the counter above him. “Down here. I need some help. It’s an emergency.”
Olivia’s smile grew watching the young boy, no more than six, trying to get the attention of the busy nurses. She knelt beside him. “What’s your name? Maybe I can help.”
“Anthony.”
“Nice to meet you, Anthony. I’m Doctor Olivia. Can you tell me what hurts?”
“It’s not me. It’s Mr. Bear!” His eyes welled as he thrust the worn brown bear toward her.
“Oh, I see.” She frowned, noticing the small tear on the bear’s side.
“He needs a doctor!” He insisted. “Can you help?”
“I think we can do something to help.” She leaned over the nurses’ counter and pulled out a bandaid.“ She placed it over the hole. "Just for now! We don’t want any germs getting in there."
"Okay.” He glanced hesitantly at her fix.
She offered him her hand. “Where’s your mom or dad?”
“With Nana.” He looked back down the hallway from where he came. The rooms all blended together now. His lip quivered with a new problem.
“Is Nana down this hallway?”
He nodded, squeezing her hand a little tighter.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find them,” she offered reassuringly. “Then, we’ll see what we can do for Mr. Bear.”
“Okay,” he agreed.
Their search was short-lived. By the time Liv paged Bryce and told the nurses where she’d be, a panicked woman rushed out of a room down the hall.
“Anthony!” She ran to him, wrapping him in her arms. She brushed his hair back, kissing his forehead. “Where did you go? I was so worried. You can’t just leave like that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, Doctor!”
“My pleasure.”
“Doctor Olivia said she can fix Mr. Bear!”
“Oh, Anthony! I told you not to bother the doctors. I’m so sorry, Doctor. Please don’t worry about it.”
“But mommy!”
“I’m sure Dr. Olivia is very busy with her other patients.”
“I can spare 15 minutes. I’ve got a daughter, so I understand how important our teddies are!”
“Are you sure? I hate to trouble you.”
“It’s no trouble. I insist. I already called for a surgical consult."
"You shouldn’t go through all this trouble. I can fix it when we go home."
"It’s fine. I promise. My husband is the chief surgeon, and he’s on break.” Her attention shifted to the little boy. “We want to make sure we give Mr. Bear the best medical care. Every patient is important to us. No matter how small.”
“Thank you.” His mom’s face softened, fatigue setting in. “I appreciate this.”
“Do you mind if I borrow Anthony and Mr. Bear for a few minutes? There is a triage room right down the hall. I think a few stitches, and he’ll be good as new.”
“I really hate to trouble you, but if you insist, yes, of course! Thank you!”
Anthony bounced excitedly. “Did you hear that, Mr. Bear? You’re gonna be all better soon.”
“Where should I return him?”
“Room 815. My mother just had hip surgery; as you can imagine, things have been a little crazy for us.”
“No need to explain. I get it!” Olivia reassured her. “I’ll have them back to you in ten minutes.” She took Anthony’s hand and led him down the hall. “Here we are.”
“You must be Anthony,” Bryce greeted, bending down to his level. “Is this my patient?”
“This is Mr. Bear. He’s my bestest friend, but he got hurt.” The little boy explained with a pout.
“Hmm…” Bryce inspected the wound. “I can fix that.”
“You can?”
“Mmhmm. Do you think I can borrow Mr. Bear for a couple of minutes?”
He nodded, handing the bear to Bryce.
“Do you want to watch or wait out here?"
"Can I stay with him—just in case he gets scared?”
“Of course.” Bryce gestured them further into the room. He had a surgical tray set up along with a suture kit.
Olivia helped Anthony up on the patient table so he could see better as Bryce sat down on the stool in front of his make-shift operating tray.
“This will help him take a little nap so that he won’t feel the stitches,” Bryce explained as he carefully placed a NICU mask over the stuffed bear in place of an oxygen mask and anesthesia. “You doin’ okay over there, Anthony?”
He nodded bravely, though his wide, worried eyes betrayed him.
“You can hold my hand if you get scared,” Olivia offered.
“This should only take a minute or two, and then, Mr. Bear will be as good as new.” Bryce threaded the large needle. He repositioned the bear so that the tear was facing him.
As his needle pierced the bear’s soft fabric, Anthony squeezed hard on Olivia’s hand and turned into her. “I can’t watch!” He whimpered. “I’m not brave without Mr. Bear.”
“Oh, sweetie. You’re being so, so very brave. You found a doctor for your friend. You helped Mr. Bear feel safe by coming in here even though it’s a little scary.”
“Do you really think so?” His voice was soft and unsure.
“Definitely!”
“I think Mr. Bear agrees,” Bryce added, his nimble fingers already on the last few stitches. “One more and that will do it!” He closed the opening off, securing the sutures. “Alright, all done!"
"He’s better now?"
"See for yourself.” Bryce removed the mask and held the bear out to the boy.
“I was so worried.” Anthony quickly pulled Mr. Bear in for a hug, burying his face in his soft fur. “You’re all better now! Thank you!” He squeezed the bear to his chest once more, his smile beaming brightly across his entire face.
“Thank you,” Olivia mouthed to Bryce.
He nodded. “Love you!”
“Love you, too.” Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer. Her face glowed. Not all surgeons would have taken their time to repair a stuffed animal, but he did. No questions asked. Her fingertips settled on her stomach as she watched him begin cleaning up his workspace. She was lucky to have the best husband and the most wonderful, adoring father for their children.
“You ready to head back to your mom?”
“We’re ready,” Anthony nodded his confirmation, keeping Mr. Bear close.
“One last thing—” Bryce scribbled a note on his prescription pad. “Every patient gets a follow-up."
Anthony accepted the note and hugged it to him along with Mr. Bear. He waved back to Bryce as he followed Olivia out and back to his family.
A day or so later…
Anthony kicked his feet out in front of him, waiting in the exam room, Mr. Bear sitting comfortably in his lap.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
"Come in,” his mom offered.
Two familiar faces greeted them.
“How’s our patient today?” Bryce questioned.
“Much better. He’s back to his old self. We even made you this picture.” He held out a drawing of himself and Mr. Bear with Bryce and Olivia, and the words “best doctors” scribbled on the top.
“Wow, this is so beautiful. Did you make it yourself?” Olivia marveled.
“I did, but Mr. Bear helped pick out the colors.”
“It’s so perfect! I love it. Thank you so much!” She accepted the drawing, admiring it more closely. “We actually have something for you and Mr. Bear, too.
"For Mr. Bear!” Bryce unfolded a tiny pair of scrubs he had been holding. “Now, he can be a surgeon too!”
“Really?! I can keep these?”
“Yup. Let’s get him dressed and see how he looks.” Bryce helped Anthony dress his bear.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Anthony’s mom held her hand over her heart in appreciation. “Thank you.”
“It was nothing. Our daughter could staff a stuffed animal hospital with the number of toy scrubs and doctor outfits she has. You’re doing us a favor by taking one of them off our hands. Malia won’t even notice.” Olivia’s attention returned to Bryce and Anthony. “Besides, I imagine it’ll be far more appreciated here.”
“Thank you. Both of you. You’ve truly been a much-needed light in our lives this week. I can’t express how much your time and care have meant to me. Thank you.”
“It’s been our pleasure."
"Now, you try.” Bryce handed his stethoscope to Anthony, letting him check Mr. Bear’s heart. He lightly tapped his fingers nearby, just enough so that the device could pick it up.
“Woah!” Anthony’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “I can hear it!"
"Told you.” Bryce smiled, carefully removing the stethoscope from the boy’s ears. “Now, you and Mr. Bear can take care of each other. If you have any trouble, you know where to find us.” He helped Anthony down from the table.
He ran to his mom, holding up the patient-turned-doctor. “Mommy, look!”
“I see. He looks so handsome!” She brushed his hair back. “What do we say?”
“Thank you!” He turned and hugged Olivia, then Bryce.
“Thank you again!” His mom took his hand and led her son out of the room, smiles filling both of their faces.
“You did good.” Olivia cooed.
“We did good.”
“We did, didn’t we?” She agreed, brushing a quick kiss on his lips. “We make a pretty good team.”
He laced his fingers with hers, his thumb caressing below her wedding ring. “The very best.”
A/N: I didn’t have time to edit. Life’s been so crazy these past couple of days and I don’t feel well but still wanted to post something. So please excuse any typos or errors
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