Page 10

Athanasios

CHAPTER TEN

"Dr. Athanasios, I didn’t know you’d be coming now," Brooklyn says quickly, her voice sounding almost anxious. "I mean, Madison told me you’d be coming, but not right this minute. I wanted to thank you for allowing my children to visit."

She says all this in a fraction of a second, and if my instincts are correct, it has less to do with her still needing a speech therapist and more to do with the fact that my presence unsettles her.

I like that. Her nervousness tells me she isn’t indifferent to me.

I’m not here randomly. As Brooklyn pointed out, I authorized the twins’ visit because I believe she’s now strong enough to handle more intense emotions, but I also want to observe her interaction with her children.

Yes, it’s part of my assessment of who she truly is.

Ever since I decided to include her as a possible candidate for marriage—the only candidate I’ve seriously considered so far—I’ve been observing her more closely.

A little over a week after waking up, Brooklyn is starting to regain her glow. Her eyes, her skin, and her hair all shine with health. Her personality is also beginning to blossom, even though I’m certain she holds back in my presence.

"I can wait until your family finishes their visit," I say, turning to shake hands with Madison and her stepmother, Eleanor. "Once they leave, I’ll examine you."

I lean against the wall, watching her. But Brooklyn is no longer looking at me; her gaze is directed below my waist. Following her line of sight, I see one of the babies wobbling toward me, holding a small firetruck toy.

"Crr!" he says, smiling as he offers it to me.

I glance at the three women in the room, feeling confused. All my years of study haven’t prepared me to understand this language.

Eleanor is the first to interpret. "He’s saying that the toy he’s holding is a car , and he’s offering it to you, doctor. Silas doesn’t have many male figures around him, aside from Zeus and, occasionally, the other Kostanidis brothers. So when he sees a man, he thinks he’s found a playmate."

I hesitate for a moment before accepting the toy, but when I do, he flashes a wide grin with his few teeth and nods enthusiastically.

"What does that mean?" I ask Eleanor, who seems fluent in his language.

"It means you’ve just been approved as a friend. You’ve earned the Silas seal of approval," she says with a laugh, though I take it seriously.

I don’t know much about human beings, but I was a child once, and I understand what it means to give someone your trust.

I crouch down, trying to get more or less at his level, though it’s nearly impossible with my height of six foot three.

Taking Eleanor’s words literally, I offer my hand for a handshake to seal our "agreement," but the little boy, who is the perfect copy of his mother, surprises me. Instead of shaking my hand, he hugs me.

I freeze, unsure of what to do with my hands. It’s almost ridiculous that I’m looking to a toddler for guidance in this moment, but that’s exactly what happens.

"Oh my God! He’s going to drool all over you, Dr. Athanasios," Madison warns. "He’s still teething, and he can make quite a mess sometimes."

Finally, I move, wrapping my arms gently around his tiny body.

I’m not a hugger. It doesn’t come naturally to me, but I try my best not to disappoint him.

He snuggles closer, and as soon as I have him securely in my arms, his sister joins in.

Why are they doing this? They barely know me! Isn’t it dangerous for them to be so affectionate with strangers?

"Don’t be surprised," Eleanor says. "They tend to mimic each other’s actions. Since Silas apparently decided you’re a friend, Soraya chose to give you the benefit of the doubt too." She’s smiling as she explains.

Just as I did with Silas, I embrace the little girl. They smell fresh and pure. For a moment, I forget about everyone else in the room, focused solely on this unexpected but pleasant contact.

When I look up, Brooklyn is watching us.

I’m not good at reading people at the best of times, but there are so many emotions crossing her face that I can’t keep up at all.

"Are you okay with this?" I ask, trying to gauge what she’s feeling.

"With you hugging my babies?"

I nod in agreement.

"Yes. Everyone needs a hug now and then, doctor. Even gods."

It’s the first time she’s alluded to my nickname, as our conversations are usually limited to clinical updates or questions about her recovery. There’s a playful tone in her voice, and her eyes sparkle.

"I don’t get it," Eleanor says.

"She’s teasing him, Mom," Madison explains. "Which means Brooklyn is getting back to her old, cheeky self."

Fifteen minutes later, Madison and Eleanor say their goodbyes, and I see Brooklyn’s expression fall.

As soon as the door closes, she asks, "How much longer will I have to stay here?"

"Not as long as I initially thought. You’re recovering much faster than I predicted."

"Give me a number of days."

"No fewer than three weeks. No more than a month."

"Why not fifteen days?"

"I never lie, Brooklyn. I won’t discharge you until I’m certain there are no hidden complications."

"Are you going to examine me now?"

"In a bit. I’ll call the rest of the team when I do."

She looks like she’s about to say something but then stops herself.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I don’t want to be rude. I’m very direct, and some people don’t take it well."

"I’m not ‘some people.’ I always prefer the truth."

"Okay. If you weren’t here to examine me—and I assume you knew my children were here since you authorized the visit—why did you come?"

I look at her, wondering if she’s already realized my interest in her has gone beyond just being her doctor. If she has, she doesn’t seem uncomfortable.

I don’t claim to understand emotions, but I do understand body language, and hers isn’t rejecting me. She might not even be aware of it, but her posture is welcoming.

"You’re not ready for that answer yet. It’s too soon, Brooklyn."

She swallows hard. "Too soon for what?"

The door opens, and Inara, the head nurse, steps in. "Dr. Athanasios, good afternoon. Mr. Zeus Kostanidis is in the hallway with a police detective and a lawyer, waiting to enter and take Brookl—um—Miss Foster’s statement."

I nod and move to leave, but Brooklyn’s voice stops me.

"Don’t go."

I turn back, confused. "You want me to stay while you talk to the detective?"

"Yes. Maybe hearing the details of what happened will help you clear me for discharge sooner." She’s lying, and we both know it.

I notice Inara discreetly leaving the room. "Why do you want me to stay, Brooklyn?"

She avoids my gaze. "Before all of this happened, I thought I was invincible. I needed to believe that because there wasn’t another option. Now, I’m scared. And you don’t seem afraid of anything. I need a little of your confidence."