Chapter Text
Matthew stood in the middle of the sidewalk with a dazed expression, blinking after the shiny car as it drove away and disappeared. He was holding a billion dollars. He had lives in the palm of his hand.
“Leland Bloom just gave me a billion dollars,” he blurted, then glanced around for fear of getting mugged by someone who’d just overheard.
OK…OK…think this through…
It was enough to reopen Edenbrook. They could all get their jobs back. All the stress and sadness over moving wouldn’t matter and they could finish their residencies as they’d originally planned…on the other hand, with Bloom at the helm, all kinds of changes would be made. They wouldn’t be going back to the same Edenbrook, and Leland didn’t strike Matthew as the type to have patients best interests at heart. The only interest he had was a cure for Caroline’s condition, which could admittedly lead to breakthroughs never dreamed of…or expectations no one could hope to meet.
Matthew needed to talk it through with someone. He folded the cheque and put it in his back pocket…then his front pocket, then tightly folded it a few more times and tucked it into his sock. It rubbed against his skin the whole way home. He wondered if he was walking as ridiculously as he felt he was.
He jumped when he walked through the door to find Sienna on the couch, cuddling Spooky.
“Hey,” she said when she saw him. “Are you OK? Where have you been?”
“Er…just out for a walk. I couldn’t sleep.” The edge of the cheque scratched against his ankle. “What about you?”
“Same,” she sighed. “I know we’ll need to sort everything out soon, but…I need a day or two to not think about it.” She bit her lip as Spooky hopped onto Matthew’s shoulder. “Um…which one of us is going to keep Spooky?”
“We went to the pet store that day for you,” Matthew said softly. “You should keep her.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. But I will definitely need visitation rights.”
“I think that can be arranged,” Sienna giggled. “Do you want to go for brunch if you don’t have other plans? There’s a restaurant nearby that does all-you-can-eat and I’ve never got the chance to try it out.”
“Sounds good.” Matthew paused. “What about the others?”
“Elijah’s out with Phoebe today, I don’t know about the other two.” She glanced over to the hallway and lowered her voice. “Actually, if they’re not up when it opens, let’s just go. I feel like you and I haven’t been able to hang out for ages.”
So, an hour later, they went by themselves to a restaurant named ‘Sopranos’ where they were seated at a small table with a checkered table cloth and ordered the buffet, which apparently included bottomless mimosas.
“I knew I made the right call,” Sienna grinned as the waitress filled her glass.
“Oh, go on then…” Matthew requested his glass be filled too.
They happily piled their plates with various eggs and fried meats, following up with fruit and pastries.
“Mmm…I regret nothing…except maybe that we hadn’t discovered this place earlier.”
Matthew took a deep breath.
“Actually…we might still have time.”
He told her everything that had happened when he was walking.
“I hid the cheque in my room, but I can show you when we get back. I don’t know what to do, I need to talk about it.”
“We could all get our jobs back!” Sienna said enthusiastically, but then she frowned. “Although…it feels manipulative somehow.”
“How so?”
“Like how Mitch manipulated me into doing his work for him. This guy buying the hospital puts him in a position of power to make us do whatever he wants.”
“Do you think it would be worth it to keep Edenbrook open?”
“God, I want that so badly. But it would also mean rolling over for this guy and letting him control the narrative. That could be a real slippery slope. So – I can’t believe I’m saying this – I don’t think I’d take it. It would change Edenbrook too much.”
She looked a little sad, but there was no uncertainty about her this time. She was following her heart.
“Interesting…”
“You’re not judging me, are you?”
“Of course not, I needed your opinion. It’s not like I didn’t notice he was absent from the Hopeful Hearts gala. But I’ll need to think it over some more.”
“You know how I feel now, so do what you think is right.”
Matthew felt a bit better having talked it through a little, and he was able to enjoy the rest of brunch with his friend. Sienna was right: it had been far too long since they were able to hang out.
“I might actually need a nap when we get home,” Sienna said as they walked down the street feeling full. “That all tasted so good.”
“Agreed.”
But Matthew wasn’t quite ready to sleep again yet. He went into his bedroom and called Rafael.
“Hey, are you free to come over anytime soon? I really need your opinion about something.”
Raf expected Matthew to talk about where he would apply to work and came over prepared to take as many comparative notes as it took to get a full picture, so was fully surprised to hear about the billion dollar choice.
“Wow. That’s…wow.”
“Yeah.”
“…Can I see it?”
Matthew retrieved a shoe from under his bed and took the cheque from it. Raf raised an eyebrow.
“I couldn’t let anyone steal it.”
“It would drive me a little mad too,” Raf admitted. He held the cheque very gently, holding it up to the light as if to check it was real. “My god. You could buy a small country with this kind of money.”
“…Want to buy an island and disappear?”
“Tempting as that is, this cheque is made out to Edenbrook’s administration, not you. Take this away from me.” Raf handed him the cheque and it went back into the shoe.
“That makes it even weirder that I have to make the decision. The fate of the hospital is in my hands.”
“Actually it’s in your shoe…hey!”
Matthew had just flicked Raf’s forehead. Raf retaliated with a laugh and they wrestled onto Matthew’s bed for a minute before getting serious again.
“Bloom is the one who gave you the cheque. He could stop it, regardless of your decision.”
“That’s weirdly reassuring.”
“I think it’s some kind of test but I’m not sure what. All I can say is to stop worrying about the weight of your decision and listen to your gut.”
“What if my gut is wrong?”
It would have been so easy for Rafael to tell Matthew to reopen Edenbrook, but it went against everything he’d promised them. He took Matthew’s hands, and did his best to give him the advice he needed.
“For as long as I’ve known you, you’ve been trying to fix what was broken in the world, and it makes you a great doctor. But no one can fix everything. And when you can’t, you gotta make sure the world doesn’t break you. No matter what, you’ll always be able to save yourself…the person you are on the inside. Forget about Leland’s expectations, and what everyone else might think. Just stay true to yourself, whatever that may be.”
Matthew had that little frown he always got when he was deep in thought.
“I think…I need to speak to Mr Bloom.”
He borrowed Jackie’s car to drive to the Bloom mansion. It was just as intimidating as it had been all those months ago. Matthew squared his shoulders and knocked three times.
The butler opened the door and didn’t seem the slightest bit surprised to see him.
“Dr Valentine, I presume. Mr Bloom is expecting you.”
Matthew was led to the drawing room where Leland sat at a table, surrounded by papers. He glanced at Matthew over the rim of his reading glasses.
“Dr Valentine, I wondered how long it would take. I assume you’ve thought about my offer?”
“I have, but do you need me to come back later?”
“No, no, sit down. This is research into Caroline’s condition. And mine.”
Of course Leland would never stop researching Caroline’s condition. Matthew sat cautiously on a couch as Leland looked at him expectantly.
“I’ve been thinking it over,” Matthew said, suddenly feeling self-conscious and realising he would look incredibly stupid if he was wrong. “And I couldn’t figure out why reopening the hospital would depend on me of all people. But then I realised, you weren’t giving me a choice. You were always going to buy Edenbrook, weren’t you?”
Leland chuckled, confirming the theory.
“This cheque was a test. You wanted to know if you’d have an ally in one of the doctors.”
Without breaking eye contact, Leland stood up and walked over to him. Matthew stood up too.
“I’m impressed. You really do have quite a mind, Matthew. You are completely correct, I was going to do this with or without you. But a vision this large…it would help if I had influential members of staff also committed to my cause, and I get the distinct impression Dr Ramsey would be no help.”
He held out his hand with a smile that was a little too slick.
“What do you say? Partners?”
Matthew thought about the changes Leland might make, a man with no medical knowledge but plenty of business smarts…and a lot of power. Accepting the offer would permanently connect his name to the changes made to Edenbrook, for better or worse.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
Matthew withdrew the cheque from his wallet and handed it back.
“I won’t stand in your way. But I can’t take part in your little experiment either.”
“Oh, but you did,” Leland said, pocketing the cheque smoothly. “I’ve just learned something very valuable about the kind of person you are, or at least who you want to be. Besides, don’t you still need a job? You said you had a residency to finish.”
Matthew didn’t say anything but he didn’t have to. Leland was scarily good at reading people, maybe even just as good as Ethan.
“I thought so.” Leland’s face went from knowing to business-like in the blink of an eye. “I’ll be getting in touch with my lawyers and the hospital board regarding the acquisition. I expect you’ll be hearing from your bosses in due course.”
And with that, he had Matthew escorted out of his house.
He debated telling his friends for fear of false hope, but ultimately decided he would in case any of them had started making their plans to leave, and it seemed like they were collectively holding their breath for two weeks until Elijah checked his emails one morning.
“Oh my god…guys, I think it’s happening.”
They all piled around him to read his phone screen that displayed an email inviting them to a ‘small celebration’ for the ‘reopening of Edenbrook and its bright future’.
“I got one too! Does that mean Edenbrook actually wants me back?” Jackie gasped.
“Of course they want you back. Thanks to you, they don’t have to deal with Nash!”
“Does this mean I won’t need to find new roommates?” Aurora played it cool but her grin was practically leaping off her face.
“What will you do about your residency?” Matthew asked Sienna, who could barely suppress her smile as she read her phone.
“I’ll speak to Naveen about it. But even if I have to finish my current residency before starting another, I think it will be worth it.” She wrapped him in a hug. “What about you and the diagnostics team?”
“I’ll stay on it for now,” Matthew said. “You were right; I didn’t have the best experience of it this year.”
Soon enough, they were gathered in the atrium of Edenbrook once again. The air buzzed with excitement from the returning staff and suited waiters passed out canapes and flutes of champagne.
“String quartet and everything. The dude went all out,” Elijah noted. “Which one is he again?”
Matthew pointed out Leland, who was posing with Naveen for some photographers. Caroline was looking on proudly…but you couldn’t miss the sadness on her face when she and Leland gazed at each other.
“Hey Matthew, can I have a word?” Kyra – Bryce had brought her along as a plus-one – had approached. She was bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“What’s up?” he asked as they stepped away from the crowd. Kyra turned to him, her whole face lighting up.
“I really wanted you to be the first to know…I got the all clear today. I’m officially in remission! And thanks to that fancy-ass gore-tex stuff Bryce put in, my oncologist thinks I have a pretty good chance of staying that way. Which better be true because it hurt like hell—oof!”
Matthew couldn’t speak so he just enveloped Kyra into a huge, crushing hug. She would be OK. Everything they had fought for was worth it; this time cancer hadn’t won.
“I’m so proud of you,” he sobbed.
“It’s all thanks to you really. You gave me the courage to risk the experimental surgery. And I guess Bryce did his bit.”
They both laughed through their tears.
“I should go spread the joy,” Kyra said, wiping her eyes. “Come on.”
They rejoined the group arm-in-arm. Rafael – who was obviously Matthew’s date – spotted them first.
“Are you guys OK?” he asked in alarm. “What happened?”
“Don’t worry, it’s all good,” Kyra giggled as the group converged. “I wanted to let you all know…I am in remission!”
This announcement was met with a cheer that drew in looks from nearby staff, but none of them cared. Knowing how much this meant to Matthew, Raf slipped his hand through his and squeezed it whilst giving him a warm smile.
“This is the best day,” Sienna sobbed. She had burst into tears to the surprise of no one, but Aurora was ready to pass her a tissue. “We’re all going to be working together and living together. I’ve been so worried about third year and now…now I can’t wait!”
“Um, actually,” Kyra said. “Nothing planned yet, but I’m not going to keep working at Edenbrook. Not for much longer anyway.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve been in and out of hospital for, like, four years now,” Kyra said. “It’s time to see the world!”
“Aaaw, can’t argue with that.” Sienna gave Kyra a big hug. “You’ll send us postcards though, right?”
“You bet your ass. Besides, I’ll need to save up and figure out where to go so I’ll be sticking around for a little while.”
“Let’s make the most of it. Who’s up for another bucket list?” Bryce said, and the group laughed as Naveen called for everyone’s attention.
“Thank you all for coming to this celebration of the soon-to-be reopening of Edenbrook Hospital. I’m sure you’re all very happy to be back and I, for one, am very much looking forward to what the future will bring. A future that will not be possible without the very generous help of Mr Leland Bloom!”
Leland stepped forward grandly as everyone applauded. He took a minute to soak it up before speaking.
“I can’t wait to see this Bloom fellow’s vision for this hospital in action,” he joked. He took the shovel for the ceremonial dig – a few tiles had been removed from the lobby revealing the dirt – but rather than digging into the ground, he used the shovel to smash a window.
“You know what they say in my world? Break things fast. Get ready everyone, because our new hospital will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen!”
“Not ominous at all,” Jackie muttered, next to Matthew. “At least you can say you had no part in it.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Matthew said, eyeing the broken glass doubtfully.
“Raf, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Kyra said, as Leland posed for yet more pictures. “How’s the physical therapy going?”
“It’s going well. It’s a long journey and my energy fluctuates. I got overconfident before so now I'm even more careful about how I balance activity and rest, but my doctors are pleased with the progress I’m making. And so am I!”
“As you should be! Do you think you’ll be able to go back to being a paramedic?”
“I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t think I will, even if I can. Lots has changed this year. The idea of going back to my old job just didn’t feel right, though I loved it, but a new way of helping people feels like the way to go.”
“I think that’s great,” Matthew said. “I’m super proud of you.”
He gave Raf a quick hug and pecked his cheek, but before anyone else could ask more questions, there was a cough from behind them. As one, they turned to face Dr Ramsey.
“Do you lot have anything to do with that graffiti by the ambulance bay?”
“No,” Jackie said firmly, as Sienna shrank behind her.
“What made you think it was us?” Bryce gasped. Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“Given that the tags included ‘Scalpel Jockey’ and ‘wheelie cool doctors’, I made an educated guess.” He eyed Elijah’s wheelchair meaningfully as Jackie clipped Bryce on the back of the head and called him a moron.
“Alright, no bloodshed please. I’ll overlook it, since you thought the hospital was closing for good. However,” he glared. “If anyone else says anything, I will be making sure you’re all on clean-up duty.”
He walked away and Sienna sighed in relief.
“Well, that went well. No need for violence from anyone,” Bryce said as he rubbed the back of his head. Jackie rolled her eyes and said she needed a drink.
Despite being hosted by a billionaire, the party didn’t have much to offer apart from canapes and the string quartet. Edenbrook staff just milled around slightly awkwardly, although everyone seemed genuinely happy to be back. Matthew spotted Esme amongst the crowd and went to say hello.
“Hey, you decided to come back?”
“Sure did. Might as well stick with what you know.”
“Fair enough. Are you looking forward to second year?”
“I am actually, as long as I don’t have to get involved in biowarfare.”
“Yeah, avoid that.” Matthew rolled his eyes but he was long used to Esme’s blunt manner. “It’ll be fun seeing you work as a doctor without having to take blame for your mistakes.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to pin the blame on you. Besides, I don’t really want to have to move right now.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear.
“We think we’ve made progress tracking down my parents.”
“Wait, really?”
“Yeah. The PI thinks he might have found where they work. He needs to narrow down a lot of details but it’s the closest I’ve been…ever.”
“How do you feel?”
“All kinds of things…but I really do want to know how they’re doing.”
She looked hopeful, but nervous. It was unusual for her to be vulnerable.
“I’m sure they’ll feel the same about you.”
They chatted for a while longer. Rafael caught up with some paramedics. Sienna approached Naveen about starting a peds residency. Bryce took a call from Keiki. Jackie, Aurora and Kyra downed champagne and they all agreed they’d be having just as much fun at home.
“Hey.” Raf came up behind Matthew, sliding his arm around his waist. “How are you doing?”
“I’m great, although I’ve been to more exciting parties.”
“I was just thinking that.” Raf looked at him with a twinkle in his eye. “If you’re up for something else we could…go back to my new apartment? I’ve fully unpacked now so you’ll be able to see it properly.”
Matthew smirked as he took Raf’s hand.
“Let’s get out of here.”
They were already passionately kissing when they stumbled through the door of Raf’s new studio in the North End, and almost straightaway Matthew knocked into a piece of furniture.
“Sorry!” Raf gasped. “Are you alright?”
“I’m good,” Matthew grinned. “But show me around first, I want to see what you’ve done with the place.”
Raf flicked on the light and Matthew looked around the space. The apartment was nice, with a high ceiling and exposed brick walls. One side of the room was the living room with a leather sofa, a wooden coffee table and a small TV atop a TV stand. A large blue rug was stretched over the floor, and a throw blanket covered the couch. Curtains at the window brushed against the hardwood floor, and Raf had made the place his own with a small bookcase, pictures on the walls and trinkets decorating the available surface. Their ‘prom photo’ from the Hopeful Hearts gala was framed, sitting on the TV stand.
On the other side of the room was a small circular dining table and two chairs, and the kitchen was well-equipped with an oven, fridge-freezer, sink, microwave and kettle. The door next to the kitchen was ajar, leading to a tiny bathroom.
“This place is great, Raf! Shall we drink to new beginnings?”
“I know what we can use!”
Raf took a small bottle of brandy out of the kitchen cupboard.
“My dad gave me this as a housewarming gift,” he said, pouring a small measure into two glass tumblers. Clinking their glasses together, they drank, leaning against the counter and taking in the space. A fresh start. Rafael’s promise to himself.
“So,” Raf said, as they put the glasses down on the counter. “Do you want to see the bedroom?”
“Yes please.”
The bedroom walls had been painted a light shade of green, with long dark green curtains at the windows. Despite the small floor space, the furniture was decently sized. Big enough for two people to comfortably share…
As if he’d had the same thought, Raf pulled Matthew close and started kissing him deeply.
“Have I ever told you how incredible you are?”
“Mmm…maybe…”
“You’re incredible, Matthew…”
Raf started kissing along his jawline and trailed down his neck, making him shiver with pleasure. Matthew let his hands wander up Rafael’s shirt, feeling the warm, hard panes of his body when an idea took him.
“Do you maybe want to try something a little different tonight?”
“What did you have in mind?”
Matthew ran Rafael’s silk tie through his fingers.
“I was thinking…if you want…I could use this to tie you up?”
“Wow.” Raf covered Matthew’s hand with his. “That sounds kinky, I love it. Actually, I’m a little surprised we haven’t tried it before.”
“First things first…I want to be able to see you.”
He took his time, letting his hands brush and linger on Rafael’s skin as he removed his shirt and pants. Raf gasped and squirmed, much to Matthew’s enjoyment. He also very much enjoyed pushing Raf on to the bed, raising his hands overhead and tying them securely (but loosely) to the head rail.
“You good? Tell me if you need to be untied.”
“I will, but I’m doing just fine here.”
Raf watched him eagerly, reverently, as Matthew stood over him and slowly stripped off his own clothes, letting them puddle on the floor. He tried reaching out to Matthew but the tie kept him firmly in place.
“Oh god…”
Matthew positioned himself carefully as he started kissing Raf: close enough to feel his body heat but not coming into contact. His kiss was soft and teasing as Raf tried to fight against his binding.
“Uh-uh-uh,” Matthew said, pulling away with a wicked grin. “No touching.”
“Dammit…you’re torturing me!”
“I have an idea. Wait here, and don’t move.”
Raf’s laugh followed him into the kitchen where he opened the freezer and took out a single ice cube. Raf was lying exactly where Matthew had left him, and raised his eyebrows at their new toy.
“I think I see where this is going…” he chuckled.
To his delight, Matthew straddled him, trailing the ice cube over his chest. He yelped at the cold touch until Matthew kissed him into silence…then started moving the ice cube with his teeth, all over his body as it melted down. Goosebumps appeared following contact with the ice.
“I can’t take much more of this,” he gasped as he strained against the tie. “Matthew, please let me touch you.”
“Well, since you ask so nicely…”
Matthew untied Raf’s hands for Raf to practically launch into his arms. They both explored the other, with wandering hands and mouths, until finally coming together.
“You feel amazing…”
“I missed this so much…”
What could have been hours or days later, they lay in each other’s arms, breathing hard, damp with sweat, completely spent after their second round.
“How’s that for a housewarming gift?” Matthew asked, running his hand over Raf’s chest appreciatively.
“Everything I ever wanted. Thank you,” Raf said, happily. He turned on his side to face Matthew and entwined their hands. “It’s nice to have you round. Makes this place feel more like home.”
“Glad I could help.” Matthew said, blushing. “How is it, living in the North End?”
“Pretty exciting so far, actually. It’s weird being further along the T from my old neighbourhood, but it’s still easy to get to. A couple nights ago there was a jazz band playing in the plaza nearby so I opened the window to listen while I had dinner. And, of course, there’s plenty of food stops.” He chuckled. “I’m gonna have to be careful if I want to get my body looking the way it was.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much about it. You know I’ll love you regardless.”
They both froze, realising what Matthew had just said.
“Um…what was that?”
For a second, Matthew considered playing it cool, pretending he’d said something else…but he realised he really didn’t want to. They had been through too much together to keep dancing around the obvious. He should have told Raf a long time ago.
“I love you, Rafael,” he said, watching his eyes widen in awe. “I’ve loved you for a long time and it’s about time you know that.”
Rafael already knew – of course he did – but finally hearing the affirmation for real was better than he could have imagined…and there was only one possible response. He delicately cupped Matthew’s chin, gazing at him with gentle adoration.
“Matthew…I love you too. And I thought that I knew what love was, but being with you…it’s like nothing else I’ve ever felt.” He brushed his thumb over Matthew’s bottom lip. “I told you everything had an emptiness to it after I broke up with you. And then I came round from the coma after the attack. Everything was all screwed up, I couldn’t even think beyond the next couple of hours. I was at the lowest point of my life…until you sat beside me and took my hand. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t want to give me a second chance, but you did. And not a day goes by where I don’t thank my lucky stars that I have you in my life.”
Matthew’s lip trembled and his eyes glistened.
“You’ve never given me a reason to doubt you,” he whispered and leaned in to kiss him lovingly on the lips. Raf was beaming as they broke apart, brushing the tears away.
“I actually almost told you I love you at the gala,” he said. “I panicked at the last second.”
“I’d have said it back. I almost told you at Christmas.”
“Seriously?” Raf chuckled. “So, when did it start for you, out of interest?”
Matthew settled into Raf’s arms.
“I knew it was getting serious for me when I was waiting for you to wake up from your surgery after the subway crash, and then when we were broken up it was impossible to move on, no matter what I did. I was in love with you, much more than I’d realised.”
They kissed again, and again and again with nothing to come between them, with no doubt for the future lurking over the horizon, before falling asleep in each other’s arms…where they belonged.
Matthew didn’t know what time he woke up the next morning, and he was too blissed out to care. He stretched out…and his hand slipped through empty bedsheets.
“Raf?”
He opened his eyes to find a note on the pillow:
Matthew—
If you wake up and see this, go back to sleep. I’ve gone to get breakfast :)
I love you <3 Raf xxx
Matthew smiled widely. He held the note to his chest and wrapped the duvet around him, burying himself in Raf’s scent, utterly enamoured.
He was shaken awake again a little while later by Rafael, who grinned down at him.
“Comfy?” he asked, looking at how Matthew was sprawled across the bed.
“Very.” Matthew sat up to greet Raf with a kiss. “So, breakfast, huh?”
Raf made some coffee and Matthew sourced a t-shirt to wear as Raf brought in a tray full of pastries: croissants, pain au chocolat, raspberry Danishes, and Portuguese custard tarts.
“Oh wow,” Matthew gasped, looking at the spread. “Where did you get all this?”
“There’s a café down the road that I’ve been hoping to try out,” Raf said, settling into bed beside Matthew. “Dig in.”
Matthew took a croissant, biting into the delicious, buttery, flaky pastry.
“Mmm…what did I do to deserve this?”
He wasn’t particularly expecting an answer and was surprised when Raf looked shy.
“I just really wanted to thank you, actually. You saved my life this year.”
“…I didn’t do anything.”
Raf leaned over and rested his forehead against Matthew’s.
“You did more than you could ever imagine,” he said, with so much love and affection in his voice that Matthew couldn’t speak. He took Raf’s face in his hands and kissed him deeply, trying to convey all his feelings without words. Raf responded in kind, wrapping his arms around him, strong and safe. He broke off the kiss to feed Matthew a piece of croissant, which made him laugh.
“Do you have any plans for your time off?” Raf asked as they resumed breakfast. At least six weeks had been marked for Edenbrook renovations before they would be able to start treating patients under the new regime.
“I was thinking I might go back to Colorado for a little while and visit my mom.”
“I’m sure she’d love that.”
“Would you come with me?” Matthew asked. “If you’re good to travel? I’d really like you to see that part of my life.”
“I’d really like to see that part of you too,” Raf said. “I’ll get a check-up with my Kenmore doctors and see what they think.”
Conversation turned back to the hospitals and they speculated over whether Aurora would stay at Kenmore, or if Elijah would stay for research at Edenbrook. Sienna would be able to restart her residency for paediatrics, so she was pleased.
“What about you?” Matthew asked. “We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want, but have you given any thought as to what comes next?”
“I have actually.” Raf put his half-eaten pastry on the tray for a moment. “Can you not mention this to anyone else for now? I need to think everything through.”
“Sure. What are you thinking?”
“Short-term, I’ve applied to a couple of the restaurants around here. Mom and Dad and Vovó are subsidising my rent at the moment and I want to stop that as soon as possible. Long-term…well, I might go with my original idea of occupational therapy. But I’ve also thought about nursing.”
“Wow, that’s pretty big. Are you leaning towards one or the other?”
“They would both help people, which is what I want to do, but sometimes I’m not sure if I want to be a nurse or if subconsciously I’m trying to honour Danny. And if I’m doing it to honour Danny, I could be setting myself up for failure already because I’m not Danny. I keep comparing it to the whole ‘hero’ thing and how it snowballed when I was a paramedic, even though it’s not quite the same level.”
Matthew put his hand on his arm.
“I think it’s wise to consider that, especially since I don’t think Danny would mind either way,” he said. “On the other hand, you’ve considered OT before.”
“I have, though I didn’t quite picture it happening so soon,” Raf chuckled. “And having had experience as a physical therapy patient, it feels good to pay it forward…OT and PT can often come hand-in-hand after all.”
“I think you’ll be amazing in any of those roles,” Matthew said, fondly. “But you should do what makes you happy. Drop whatever expectations people have of you and follow your heart...just like you told me.”
“Thank you, meu amor,” Raf murmured, kissing him again.
They finished up their breakfast and enjoyed a lazy morning of cuddling in bed, but it was too nice a day to spend all of it inside. Spring had well and truly sprung. Pink blossoms were on trees and the sun was out more often than not, so they went down to Boston Common for a walk, then hired bikes to cycle through the city for an hour, before Raf suggested they make the long journey down to Cape Cod.
Matthew had only been to this part of the city when he was in a helicopter with Rafael, nearly two years ago, and he realised there was still so much of Boston he hadn’t seen, even now. It came with the nature of the job, but now he had a good six weeks of freedom ahead of him and, as he took Raf’s hand to walk along the coastline, he hoped to make up for what he was missing, with the most handsome man in the world by his side.
The sky turned yellow and orange as the sun started to sink, and the two of them found a bar which provided a beautiful view over the water, where they finally shared a drink together.
Matthew rested his hands behind his head as he sat back in his chair, gazing over the ocean. Never in a million years would he have believed his second year would end like this. He’d thought his world was ending, the idea of staying in Boston painful, but here he was, making it his home and looking forward to what was to come. There would be bad days of course – sometimes bad weeks or longer – but he had made it through this year and he could make it through anything.
“Mmm.” Raf slurped up the last mouthful of their shared cocktail. “Do you want to order another?”
Matthew turned away from the sunset to Rafael, smiling at how he was bathed in sunlight. It made his eyes shine, not that he needed help for that.
“Why not? We have time.”