Generation 3- Chapter 9: L'arbre cache souvent la forêt

The next  few days I spent completely wrapped up in Lemon Drop. My father reluctantly let him stay with us, despite his semi-awareness that this was the fellow who had broken my heart once when we returned from Chambrie. I can't say I was in love but I when I was around him I was completely consumed by his presence. Everything else seemed to fade away besides his handsome face.

I should've known better than to play with fire...

The day he arrived we spent all afternoon at the pier. Everything that had happened previously between us was completely forgotten. He was here with me now and I was on cloud nine.

 

 We spent hours giggling, snuggling, talking the hopes and dreams talks of new couples and somehow the whole wine, dine and ditch he had done to me and the answering machine message never came up and I never brought it up. 

The evening at the pier ended in much the same way as the one in Chambrie had....I leave it at that.

 Days and then weeks passed in that lusty bliss that new couples have and then it was time for Lemon Drop to return to Chambrie due to his visa expiring. I could not bear the thought of him leaving and he comforted me telling me he would return as soon as possible. My dad was happy to have him leave, he and Lemon Drop never became very friendly towards each other. On what was to be our last day together we decided to return pier we had visited on our first day back together.

 

 "I will miss you so much my Margie. I do not want to return, their is nothing in Chambrie for me without you"  I swear when he said  things like that I just melted like butter. 

Suddenly the thought of him leaving was unbearable, I ran outside to the beach and he followed behind me. I made a rash decision. I was tired of being alone and look what had happened to my dad. My mother had left him alone very early, too early...she had been so young and they were so in love. I wanted a chance at a happy marriage like they had. So I did what seemed like the only thing to do. I proposed.

And he said yes.

"But mon cher, I have to leave today. My visa." he purred coyly.

"Well why wait? Lets go get married today. At city hall." I said nonchalantly. This was so unlike me, but I didn't care. I needed a change in my life and I wanted Lemon Drop to be that change.

When I arrived home I sent Lemon Drop in to make some calls to his family and arrange for his belongings to be shipped here. My father was seated in one of his favorite spots, grinning at me and daring me to join him to a game. I sat down but I guess the serious look on my face must have startled him. 

"I have something to tell you Dad."

"What's that sweetheart?" 

"Lemon Drop is staying here in Sugar Valley with me."

"How is that sweetie? I thought he had to return because his visa expired today..." his voice faded off and he pulled his chair back a little, looking curiously at me.

"We got married Dad."

"Congratulations" his voice was anything but thrilled. He sounded cold and angry which shook me up a bit. I had never heard my Dad talk that way. He was one of the most sweet and soft spoken men I had ever met.

"Dad, could you a least sound a little happy for me?"

"Happy for you?! Happy that you are going back to school now in Briocheport? Happy that you married a man you barely know? Or happy you married a man that broke your heart once already? I don't like him Margarita. I'm not even sure I want him in the house."

I was almost too taken aback to speak but my voice finally caught up with me.

"Are you telling me we aren't welcome to stay?" 

He looked a little defeated at this "Of course you can stay Margarita. And it looks like I don't have much of a choice about the...other one." 

Dad left and went into the house to find Lemon Drop where he basically told him that old stand-by "If you break my daughter's heart, I'll break your neck" sort of thing. Lemon Drop looked rather unphased by the threat.

Things went swimmingly well for another month. I was on cloud nine and Lemon Drop wanted me to stay home and study for my medical examinations that were coming up while he was looking for a job. 

"Don't worry mon cher, I'll take care of you."

All was well and good until I woke up feeling nauseated for the third morning in a row. 

"Uh-oh" I said to no one in particular when the realization came to me that I was late and I was never late. A short trip to the grocery store and a visit to the library bathroom where I had been studying concluded my initial thought. I was pregnant.

I waited patiently that evening for Lemon Drop to return home, he was late and I was anxious. I  couldn't keep my hands off my belly. I was going to be a mom. I didn't think I was close to ready and my brain was starting to wake up from the lust-induced fog I had been in. What about school? Boards? Did I plan to stay here? What about Briocheport? Diana? Draegan....

Oh little belly, what are we going to do?

And where was my husband?

Generation 3-Chapter 8: Il faut réfléchir avant d'agir

Note from Flutter: I realize this chapter is a little short but with good reason...all of these pictures are old and I have to get caught back up on the game. However, I'm hoping I'll get to do that a little later today.

Overnight turned into a week, turned into nearly two. I was so happy to see my family and I knew from the little time I had been back home that I had been missed...a lot. Thyme and Dew Drop had changed without me, that's probably why I hadn't heard from either of them much.

Thyme had become more and more withdraw into what dad liked to call her "artistic world" and would only wear dark colors and hang out with kids my father said had a tendency towards being both shady and manipulative. Especially her best friend, Lumina Bitters.
  
Dew Drop had started letting her grades dropped and was working at the grocery store which is where Dad insisted she was going to have to continue to work at unless she got her grades up.

While I was there we had a belated birthday party which she ditched early and came home with a new outfit and haircut.

 

I don't think I had ever realized how much she looked like Dad until she got all of that hair out of her face. Hopefully she'll pull herself together so that she can get through college.

I fit back into life in Sugar Valley so quickly and seamlessly that Briocheport and the chaotic world I'd left there were the furthest thing from my mind. I had been exchanging email from Diana and had told her and Dr. Draegan that I was thinking of staying. I received an email from Diana saying she understood but hoped I'd hurry back but I'd received a disappointing and curt "Do what you must" from Draegan. I guess I had been expecting (or hoping) that he'd fight back a little more.Visiting family and old friends was taking up quite a bit of my time and I soon let the disappointment push itself to the back of my brain.

Three weeks after I'd left, I was thinking about what to cook for my family for dinner and wondering what time they'd all get home as I walked out to the post box when my thoughts were interrupted.

"Margarita, mon coeur"

I froze. My heart began to beat at a frightening speed and my mind was racing. It can't be. I turned to face the person I least suspected I'd ever see again. 

"Lemon Drop?"

 "Mon cher! You have not forgotten me! I can not believe zat I am here and you are here!" 

As Lemon Drop came running toward me, I opened my mouth to speak but no words would come. I was frozen in place. My brain was flashing back to Chambrie and images of Lemon Drop and I were flooding my mind, along with the feeling of heartbreak and humiliation that I'd felt when I'd realized I'd been used all came back in that instant.

I had yet to regain control of myself when Lemon Drop reached me and yanked me into his arms.

" 'Ello" he grinned and tried to pull me closer as if to kiss me. At that moment my brain once again began to communicate with my limbs and I pushed him backwards.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

He looked hurt and shocked and that just fueled all the rage that had had plenty of time to build. I unloaded on him about ditching me, leading me on...you get the picture.

He tried to defend his actions saying he cared about me but something had come up.

"And what? You broke both of your arms and lost your phone too? I find that hard to believe!"
I could scarcely believe how much resentment I had towards him. It made me even more mad that he was here acting like he'd done nothing wrong. However, I never expected what came next. He became angry with me and his French accent got even thicker.

"I made a mistake then Margarita! How come you say these things to me and get so mad with me when I came all the way here to Sugar Valley to find you? It took me very long time to make enough money to come here. I care for you very much or I would not be here."

I lost my resolve a little and felt the anger begin to seep out. He had a point.
He must have noticed me relax a little because his face softened and he again reached out for me, this time I didn't jerk away.

"Margie" he purred, "Please let us be friends again." He was getting closer and closer with that handsome face of his. I was no longer able to muster the anger I needed to pull away and before I knew it his lips were on mine. I kissed him back.

Oh boy. What have I gotten myself into again? Why do I keep diving head first into heartbreak?

Generation 3- Chapter 7: Aussitôt dit, aussitôt fait

The electricity generated by the kiss felt like it was heating the air around us. The moment I pulled away from his embrace I regretted it because reality flowed in, the drunk buzz that had lead to this awkward moment was wearing away quickly but the mind-numbing electric current generated by the kiss was trying to silencing my conscious that was lecturing me: I had just kissed the attending who had been making my life a nightmare. What about Lemon Drop? What was I doing?

"Dr. D'Asti, I don't think..."

"Margarita, let's not think tonight. Unless I'm far off base, and I'm usually not, you felt what I just felt and you kissed me back."

"Dr...Draegan, I can't talk about this while I'm not entirely sober...why don't I call you a cab or you can crash on the sofa if you want....I think I should go to bed..." he opened his mouth as if the protest but then seemed to think better of it and said, "I'll be downstairs in the morning." He gave a little smirk.

As soon as I heard footsteps fade down the stairs I felt myself relax a little but I found myself extremely tired. With my mind racing, it took more effort than usual to get into my PJs and then the bed. I couldn't help but let the scene in the bathroom replay in my head...it was like a video on loop. What did it all mean, did I have feelings for him? Even though he was a jerk? I drifted off into that peaceful sleep that nectar can create on occasion with the image of Dr. Draegan's face in my head.

******

I opened my eyes to face the wickedly bright sun seeping through the shades in my room. *Groan* My head was throbbing. I knew it was not the worse thing I'd have to face today. Might as well get it over with. I slid over to the desk and pulled out my organizer. Today was Sunday and I had absolutely nothing written on the page, went meant I had absolutely no excuse to run out of the house. Crap.

I made my way downstairs and I didn't see Dr. D'Asti on the sofa. I relaxed a little and headed into the kitchen to make myself some coffee to see if I could perk up. I was headed into the living room to search for the TV remote when I heard the dreadful noise that was someone clearing their throat. A male someone. I froze.

"Oh, Dr. D'Asti. I had forgotten you were hear....more like hoping it was all a dream (I muttered under my breath"

"Oh no you didn't Margarita, you remember exactly what happened last night and so do I, unlike you however, I'm not one to beat around the bush."  I shot him a look that should have startled him if he had been anyone else...anyone capable of being startled. That old sense of irritation he caused me had made it's way back to me.

"Margarita, I realize we've made things a bit difficult between us and beings I'm your supervisor, I would understand if you wanted to pretend this never happened...but personally, I'd like to see this become something more. I'm very attracted to you and your unwillingness to cower around me like so many of the other students. I'd like to take you out on a real date beings we seem to be doing things backwards. However, if that did become the case we'd have to change the work situation..." He sounded hopeful, a vulnerability I never thought someone like him capable. This stalled my immediate reaction to deny the whole situation and refuse him....Did he....care about me? My mind was reeling...was I attracted to this man? Hmmm... I gave him the once over, he was tall, handsome in a regal kind of way, very intelligent but at also arrogant, bossy, obstinate...

I plopped down on the sofa. He sat beside me and I looked up to see him with that insidious smirk across hiss face...I guess he could see my gears turning in my brain. I'm surprised steam was coming out. I sighed. I didn't know how I felt. Didn't know what to say or do. 

"Margarita...you don't have to figure out everything in one day. Take the weekend, see how you feel after a couple of days...but as you know I'm not a very patient man." He said all of this quietly but some how I detected a hint of uncertainty in his voice. I looked up at him, my emotions were playing a rough game of tug-o-war. "Dr. D'Asti...I mean Draegan....you are always so mean to me though. You treat me like dirt in school then one time I tell you off and you follow me home and....and... kiss me like you did?" I was a little exasperated.

"Margarita, you ARE funny. I've been watching you through the residency program. I've realized that you are very driven to become an excellent physician, you care tremendously about your patience but even with that drive you don't let it take you over, you're kind to your colleagues and very bright. I've come to care about you as a student a great deal so of course I've been hard on you. I want you to be a successful student and doctor, more so than anyone else I've come across."  I looked at him skeptically but I could tell by the tone of his voice he was serious. "Just think about it..." He stood up to go with that o-so-serious face he always wears and said "Good-bye" with a gentleness very unfamiliar to his voice. One that caught me in my gut, making me almost want to jump up and kiss him good-bye. But I stayed firmly sitting on the sofa until the door had closed behind him then I flopped back on the sofa and closed my eyes. My head, I can't think. 

I stood up and headed to the kitchen where I took an aspirin literally almost the size of my head. Yuck!

Before I had time to puzzle the situation any further, I heard the cellphone ring upstairs.

The screen flashed "Home"

I answered it, "Well its about...."

"Marg!" It was Dad, "Hi sweetheart! I hope everything's going well. Listen my favorite oldest daughter, I am sorry we have been getting to talk to you much lately but, well I have some news."

"Dad! I've missed you guys so much, just hearing your voice has made me homesick. What's been going on? Tell me everything!"

"Well, Margie, I would like if you could come home for a little while, maybe see if you could talk some sense into your little sister. She's been given me some problems and well, I haven't been so well myself. Without your mom around....I've just been kind of depressed lately and I guess you  could say not having you around doesn't help much."

"I'll be home today, give me a few hours. I'll stay as long as you need."

I hung up the phone, got dressed, packed a few things and settled at the computer long enough to type up a general e-mail to Diana and Dr. D'Asti letting them know I was needed back home in Sugar Valley for awhile and that I would be taking a leave of absence.

I sighed. So much for getting to deal with my own problem, maybe I could figure out my emotions on the very long drive back to Sugar Valley.

The cab I called arrived and as I settled in for the long haul, I noticed how dreary the city appeared. It seemed to match my mood. I had no idea when I'd be back, if I came back.

 

Generation 3- Chapter 6: Entre l'arbre et l'écorce il ne faut pas mettre le doigt

"Oh my gosh" I said with a sigh as I close my Advanced Sim Pathophysiology book. The last many, many months had been very strenuous between working and studying. It had really been all I had had time for. I had almost completed my intern program due to my rigorous studying and was about to begin my residency. I had started more IVs and read more chapters about the internal workings of the sim body than I cared to count.

"I think I need a break" I said out loud to no one in particular. Sigh. This was the 5th lunch in a row where I had scarfed down lunch only to sneak in a couple more chapters...alone.


Here I was sitting in the middle of a reknown "party" city like Briocheport and I had yet to go back to a club or bar since prior to starting the program. All work and no play makes Margarita a dull girl. *Giggle*

"What in the world are you giggling about? Last I checked there wasn't a thing funny about that book." Came a voice from behind me. I turned to see Diana behind me.

"Hi Diana. How have you been?" I said. I mustered up a tired smile for her.

"I'm pretty good girl but you look like you've been run over by a small truck." She laughed, "I came to ask you if you wanted to join me and a few other attendings and senior residents who are volunteering to hold a vaccination clinic in Cranberry Park. Afterwards we are going out for some drinks. A few of your classmates are joining us." She paused and looked thoughtful. "But to be honest I'm not really gonna ask anymore having looked at you. I'm just telling you to be there!" She smiled and handed me a folded piece of paper with an address on it. "See you tomorrow Margie" and walked towards the employee parking lot.

I couldn't resist yelling after her, "For the record, I would've said yes anyway!"

"'Yeah right, study-aholic" she scoffed and waved.

*****

I was still musing over my lunch time encounter with my only semblance of a friend in the program I had since I had came to Briocheport and my sleep-deprived brain was having trouble keeping focus on the person presenting their case study when my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Miss Tea, may I see you outside?" I heard a gruff whisper in my ear.I looked up to see the face I had been fearing since Diana's warning months and months before. Dr. Draegan D'Asti. Oh Berry. I followed him into the hallway quietly.

"Miss Tea, have we forgotten the basic principles you should have learned in kindergarten?"  I must have looked confused because at the moment I opened my mouth to answer he continued.

"What am I talking about?" He smiled smuggly "I'm talking about the ability to pay attention and follow directions Miss Tea."  "And please close your mouth so as not to attract flies."

Good Grief. I had heard he was hard to deal with but I thought they meant academically, not socially. This was going to be a fun year.

He continued on with his lecture apparently spurred on into further rudeness by my lack of response. I felt the anger and weariness build until I almost felt steam coming out of my ears and I could no longer rein in my thoughts.

"First of all the do you find it necessary to be so rude? I mean you could've gotten your point across without the condescension, I'm not a child. And secondly, how is your embarrassing me by calling me out of the case study to give me a conduct lecture that could have waited until after the presentation by the way, any better than me not paying attention in the first place? A tap on the shoulder or a clearing of your throat would have sufficed." His eyes went to slits and he glared at me. Right as he opened his mouth the provide what I was sure would have been a scalding retort, I turned on my heels and marched back into the conference room.

Meme must have felt my defiant vibe because she whispered in my ear, "I hope you didn't tick him off, we've just been handed envelopes that he's our attending we will be with for the beginning of residency." I looked straight ahead pretending to pay attention to what the presenter was talking about some kind of new procedure for decreased infection with central lines but all I could think was Oh no! What have I done!


When I got home that day I was completely aggravated. I kept playing the conversation over and over in my head. I was mad with myself, mad at Dr. Draegan's complete lack of social skills and I could not believe I was going to be stuck with him for at least the next year. Grrr.

My stomache growling interrupted my train of thought and I went to get some early dinner going. No sooner than I was chopping up some veggies than the buzzer went off.

"Marg! It's me Diane!" 

Crap, I forgot about that. "Come on in girl!"

"I kind of figured you would want to back out after a day like today!" She said with a grin.

"No, I still have to do what I have to do." I resumed chopping. "Do you want a quick bite before we go?" 

"Absolutely, I'll read over some medical journals while you are finishing up." 

After we ate, Diane and I changed into the uniforms asked of us to wear and headed out to the park where we vaccinated more people than I had time to count.

Some yelled like they had been stabbed and some stood perfectly still. It was pretty gun and I was awesome at using the vaccination "gun" by the time the sun was setting. As we were cleaning up, Diane said "You're coming with us to grab a drink at bite to eat aren't you?"

"I wasn't really planning on it but...."

"You're coming!" Diane said matter-of-factly. She can be so pushy but it's always in such a sweet way you can't help but forgive her.

"Okay. Okay. Twist my arm why don't you?" We ran by her house to change which was on the way. She insisted on giving me an outfit that was a little more urban than what I normally wear but looking in her full length mirror I had to admit I looked cute.

Nyguri was scantily dressed to no surprise and was already in a fight-makeup situation with her boyfriend who looked like a skeez. Diane and I sat at the bar. I was feeling a little out of place but I knew after a drink I'd probably relax. I'd just have to be careful considering what had happened before...

After a drink (or two) I was feeling pretty darn good. I chatted and played shuffleboard with Meme, laughed and giggled at the cute guitar player with Diane and Nyguri and then about the time I'd sat back down at the bar for another drink (probably a bad idea). I looked towards the door and saw him walk in.

Dr. Draegan. We aren't at work and I have a thing or two to say to you. I approached him with this in mind. 

"Dr. Draegan"

"Miss Tea." A surprised look crossed his features, "It's nice to see you again, you seem to be having a good time." 

"Now you listen here mister. I don't know from what school of knowledge you've learned manners but I'm still very angry about..."

"Miss Tea, please forgive me for interrupting you once again but I do not wish to argue with you, a lowly resident-to-be. Although I try to leave work at work I will inform you that crossing me outside of it is just as bad as crossing me while there. I can make your life miserable. And Dr. Jones over there invited me to join this party despite it being out of my norm, I have chosen to oblige. Please move aside."

"Why I've never!" I exclaimed shrilly. I followed him continuing on, " I can't believe you're nerve. What allows you to make everyone so miserable? Are you so miserable yourself you can't allow others to be happy or even just be themselves. What an ASS!"

Everyone in the bar turned to look at me. I clamped my hands over my mouth. I can't believe I said that. I ran outside. Luckily a taxi was right there. I jumped in. I looked back to see both Diane and Dr. Draegan starring after me. 

OMB OMB OMB Tears streaked down my face. What in the world had possessed me  to do that? I couldn't blame the drinks alone. It was so unlike me. I'm the mild mannered one of the bunch. OMB.

I ran into my apartment building and straight for the bathroom. I washed the tears and running makeup off. 

I don't know how I can ever go back! I heard my cell give the familiar buzz that someone was trying to be buzzed in. I ignored it. However it was probably Diane and she was persistent and continue to buzz me until I finally hit the okay button. I waited until I heard my apartment door open and close, followed by footsteps before I shouted pitifully "I'm in here, in the bathroom."

To my surprise it was Diane it was Dr. Draegan. "I can't believe this night is really happening. This is a really bad dream. Has to be. Wake up Margarita." I closed my eyes.

"Margarita. Open your eyes. I promise I'm not the nightmare you and everyone else thinks me to be." He gave a small chuckle and I couldn't help but smile skeptically back at him.

"Look I know I have this reputation for being an 'ass' as you so eloquently put it, but I come by it naturally. My attending was an ass and we learn by example right." He paused clearing his throat and taking a more serious face on, "But joking aside I have never in my life been called out on it or spoken to the way you spoke to me tonight." I braced myself for at best another long lecture that would leave me feeling worthless and dejected and at worst my being expelled from the program. But what followed caught me off guard.

He kissed me.......and I kissed him back.

Generation 3- Chapter 5: Il faut qu'une porte soit ouverte ou fermée

The next morning I awoke with a rumbling belly...I'm not sure if it was from the drink or due to nerves but either way I wasn't exactly 100% myself as I walked out of my front door and headed to Briocheport University Medical Center.

They had given us our first pair of scrubs (pink? I guess they wanted to make sure everyone knew who the newbies were for sure!) on the day of registration.

As I closed the apartment door behind my and headed for the elevator I couldn't help but think: Am I really sure that I'm doing the right thing? What on earth possessed me to move to this huge city? I repeated this new mantra with the inability to answer myself in the metro on the way to the hospital. The site of the 'sterile' white colored building did nothing to ease my nerves. The only thing that helped was the fact that I knew the first day was going to be a brief orientation and then a meet-and-greet session.

 We were given a tour around the hospital and sat through several hours of lectures involving thrilling subjects such as patient confidentiality, sexual harassment, communication. Just about the third time my head was about to nod I heard someone stand behind and clear their throat and an amused voice, "Miss Tea, I'm sorry that my lecture is boring you into a stupor but I promise we'll be getting into more interesting topics in the upcoming weeks." My face flamed red as I turned my head to find a young, beautiful senior resident standing behind me. She sounded amused and flashed me a smile before she turned back towards the rest of the conference room and continued her lecture. Her name tag read Dr. D. Jones. I was too embarrassed for words, I was no longer looking towards the meet-and-greet, surely she would not be mild in her scolding later on. 

Someone somewhere must have been looking out for me when her pager alarmed. She looked down at it and her expression hardened, "I apologize class for having to cut this presentation short, but it looks like I have an emergency requiring my attention...I know you'll all be so terribly disappointed." She grinned and glanced in my direction.

The meet-and-greet was postponed to a later date. I headed home wearily. Who knew a day filled  with paperwork, lectures and videos from the 1980s could be so tiring? Just as I was digging about in my pockets for my key I heard my name. I turned and felt color rush to my cheeks as I saw the resident who had called me out in orientation.

"Miss Tea? I'm sorry for giving you a hard time earlier, to be honest I was the same way my first day. I'm Diana by the way."

I smiled sheepishly. "Please, call me Margarita or better yet Margie. Miss Tea is just...too odd sounding."

"Well hopefully it won't be long before it's Dr. Tea"

"Do you live here Dr J--I mean Diana?"

"Sure do, my husband and I are just around the corner so if you ever need a cup of sugar or anything.." her pager went off. "Crap, back to the hospital it is...life of a resident you know" she smiled again, "See you around kiddo and don't you dare let Dr. D'Asti see you bored or well, try to avoid him all together if you can."

I kicked my shoes off and threw the keys on kitchen table. Shower. Grub. Bed. That was the plan but it was not as easy as it sounded. Damn shower.

 After fixing the shower to the best of my ability, I took a cold shower and then heated up something unappetizing. As I sat down to eat, my mind went over what I had gotten myself in to so far.

I was already having trouble getting to know the students in my class...they were interesting to say the least. Nyguri Xu was from Japan and had this very...colorful style about her whenever she wasn't preening she was texting her boyfriend on her bejeweled phone. Meme Eski-Pie was from Chambrie and seemed to be a little too nervous herself to worry about making friends. Thank Berry she didn't have much of an accent or I'd have probably avoided her like the plague. All of the other students were even more disinterested in chatting. There were 7 of us total in this new program. Hopefully tomorrow would be better. I was getting a bit homesick and my sisters' text messages were getting farther and fewer in between. I checked it one more time with little expectation before I climbed into bed.

Nope nothing. At that moment I realized that I was being pretty pathetic and so I decided that I was going to do what all lost people do and throw myself into school. I was sure I won't have much time to be feeling sorry for myself much longer.

Boy was I right!