I'll always remember you like a child, girl
As he showed up at the hospital, neither Josh nor Christine asked questions. They did at first but stopped after a few times of Stephen just showing up outside of his working hours. He didn’t leave until Christine approached him.
“Are you in the party mood?”
Stephen smirked.
“Oh, I’m always ready to kick some rich idiots in the butt with sarcasm and insults above their IQ. If that answers your question.”
“Wow. Putting the rich down while working extra hours to treat the poor. You are like Robin Hood but- More of an asshole than him.”
“Yes, well. Some call it asshole, some call it sexy. Pick your poison.”
“Only once, once in my life, do I want to fall in love with a guy whom I can actually bring home to mom.”
“You could bring me home to your mom. As long as I don’t talk. I hardly look threatening. I just sound like the devil.”
“And we both know that you wouldn’t shut up. So there is no use in considering it.”
Stephen laughed.
“True words. So- I’ll pick you up later then. And if you do well, we can get pizza after the shit.”
Christine smirked. She hated admitting it but Stephen knew her just a bit too well.
They chatted for a bit and parted again after Christine’s break. Stephen liked his job. At least that was good. He helped. In a way. And contrary to popular belief, the doctor did in fact help out those who couldn’t afford medic care. Those people were actually grateful. Stephen looked at his watch. He had to get ready for the damn party. Party. What a hateful word. He nodded at the woman he’d treated silently.
“Thank you doctor. For- Thank you. You saved my life.”
He looked her in the eyes.
“It’s my job. And you are recovering well.”
Strange looked into his notes as he walked out of the room without looking at her again.
“If you need anything, just press the red button.”
He walked into the direction of the exit as he passed the kids unit. Christine was very active here. The children had a big playroom and basically the whole hallway was by now full of toys. Stephen knew that most of these kids didn’t have an easy life. Most of them dealt with cancer, organ failure or other disabilities that were in need of medic care. Stephen noticed a young boy approaching him. Brain malfunction, 3 weeks in, successful surgery.
“Doctor? I-I wanted t-to say thanks.”
The boy stuck his hand out and Stephen just gave it a quick shake.
“Be careful with that. You still need to recover. Have a good day.”
His voice was just- cold. He had grown used to it but the boy looked intimidated and managed a small smile before returning to the other children. Then Stephen saw Christine coming out of one of the rooms with a colorful book.
“Doctor Palmer, don’t forget your nightshift plans. These kids can play on their own.”
She made eye contact with him and frowned a bit but nodded. Yep. That was Stephen. Exactly that. Sometimes Christine wondered why she liked him so much. His skills so brilliantly advanced yet his intentions so little. A good reputation wasn’t enough. It had to be greater. Bigger. More astounding that all the others.
After a few more minutes, Christine got home as well and took a shower. She dreaded the parties but she knew that Stephen did as well. And she still was his- Whatever. Once done, the young woman dried her hair and put her dress on. One thing about Stephen was that he very well knew how to present himself. And Christine was part of that representation. So therefore she always got the most beautiful little things. She looked at herself in the mirror and liked what she saw. Stephen had picked a beautiful long blue shimmering dress with a slit on the side. She turned a bit with a smile.
“There you go. I accidentally became a sugar baby. And I love it.” The doctor said to herself.
She put on her makeup which included a red lipstick and was just about to paint her nails, as she heard the ringing of the doorbell. Christine walked to it and opened a bit. Stephen stood in front with a smile. And damn. Her eyes darted over his whole appearance.
“Hello, Mister Bond.”
He had to chuckle.
“Not quite. Not yet.”
She opened with a grin. “You do like blue. Thanks for the dress.”
The doctor instantly held up a little box.
“It’s not a ring. But I have a little something to accompany the dress."
“For me?” She smiled and took the box from him. As she opened it her eyes went wide.
“Is that a fucking replica of the heart of the ocean necklace? Was that why you made that stupid reference to Leo and the Oscars and Titanic?”
Stephen shrugged.
“Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows. May I?”
He asked with a grin and Christine nodded with a wide smile and an eye roll. She lifted her hair up and Stephen put the necklace on her.
“You look gorgeous.”
She turned again and took his hands.
“Because you pay for it. Everybody would look gorgeous with this.”
He scrunched up his nose.
“I doubt I could put Josh into this and feel the same way. He’d not be Rose, he’d be the iceberg.”
The woman snorted and shrugged.
“Fair enough. Let’s go.”
The two of them soon sat in Stephen’s car, listening to Cat Stevens. When they drove to a classy party they often just made the best of the night on their way there.
“UUUUUH BABY, BABY IT’S A WILD WORLD…” Christine sang dramatically. “I’LL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU, LIKE A CHILD, GIRL.”
Stephen couldn’t not have a good time with this dork. Once he parked amongst the other hundreds of cars, he sighed with a grin.
“Please don’t ever again scream at the driver. Thank you for traveling with me and don’t forget to rate your Uber experience.”
She smirked and turned to him.
“Ten out of ten.”
Then Christine got out of the car and stood there waiting for him.
Stephen’s throat felt tight. This was another level. Stark and his companions were intimidating. Stephen knew that pulling the wrong move was suicide to his career. He always had to consider what exactly to do. What the press would make of him if he was seen with the wrong people or how his general public image would change with certain things he’d do. After a moment, he got out as well and offered Christine his arm. As soon as they walked onto the red carpet Stark had rolled out- and yes, the dickhead did that –photographs were taken. He smiled into the flashes and held Christine around her waist. Reporters shouted his name and all Stephen could think was You little fucker just can’t throw any event without informing every newspaper and television company in the entire country, could you? How small must you damn pathetic dick be?
“Okay, let’s go.” He said to Christine with a smile and she nodded.