The Family Next Door Read online

  She smiled and handed him a bar of soap, “Wash!”

  ooooooooo

  “So, when are you heading home?” Austin glanced over at Katie as he sipped his morning coffee.

  “After breakfast,” Katie mumbled and sighed. “Patrick promised Justin that we’d leave since everyone else was. He wants to let him, and Grace have the house for a night by themselves before they leave for their honeymoon.”

  “You don’t look too happy about that,” Austin mused.

  “Oh, it’s not that…I just wish we could have a little more time together. We’re always working and on different shifts no less. It’s hard to get any time to just relax,” she picked up her bagel and released a groan as she bit into it.

  As a comfortable silence began to fill the air, Patrick came waltzing down the stairs carrying their bags, “I’m going to put these in the car, and then I’ll be back in.”

  “Ok,” Katie sighed as she stood to pour herself another cup of coffee. “You and Mom going straight home today, too?”

  “Yes,” Melanie groaned from behind them. “Joey and Cora need to get away from each other, and Max has been teaching Joey how to skateboard. That’ll get him out of the house for a while”

  “Max?” Katie giggled. “He actually wants to spend time with Joey?”

  “He’s not that much older than me, only two years,” Joey whined as he stomped into the room.

  “Problem Joe?” Austin looked up from the paper he was reading.

  “She’s driving me crazy!” he pointed behind him as Cora came racing into the room.

  Katie sat back in her chair, and crossed her arms as she watched the drama unfold. Her little brother and sister were always good for a laugh.

  “Am not!” Cora squealed. “He won’t play nice with me.”

  “What’d you do?” Melanie scowled at Joey as she began fixing bowls of cereal for the kids.

  “She wants me to play Barbie’s…so I did,” he grinned.

  “Look!” Cora held up two of her dolls with missing heads. “See!” she whined and stomped her feet. “He wrecked them.”

  Melanie sighed as she glanced over at Austin, giving him a silent plea to help. She’d been dealing with the kids and their fighting for several days, and it was starting to wear on her.

  “Come on Joe. Help me take our things out to the car,” he grabbed the back of Joey’s shirt and tugged him in the direction of their room. Just as they were about to round the corner to leave the kitchen, Cora stuck out her tongue and giggled.

  Joey’s face reddened, “See! That’s what I’m talking about. She never gets in trouble…it’s always me,” Joey crossed his arms over his chest, effectively halting Austin’s progress.

  “She’s four, Joe. When you were four, you did the same things,” Austin sighed and continued to push Joey into his and Melanie’s room. “Now help me before I change my mind about punishing you.”

  “Still want kids?” Patrick whispered into Katie’s ear from behind. She hadn’t even heard him come back inside, and sneak up behind her.

  “Yes,” she mumbled. “More than anything,” she glanced over her shoulder to look him the eyes. “I don’t understand why we can’t.”

  Patrick grabbed her elbow and tugged her behind him as they made their way out onto the back deck, separating themselves from the rest of the group. “We’ve talked about this a million times. You know we don’t have the time to raise a kid right now. Do you see how much energy and effort your parents put into it? They have established careers, too. We don’t. We’re still finishing our residency. Crazy hours…any of that sound familiar?”

  Katie shook her head and turned away from him, “I’ve heard all this before, Patrick. I don’t need you to repeat it. You don’t want a kid right now…fine…I heard you loud and clear!”

  “Don’t be like this,” he grumbled as he spun her to face him. “We’ve had a great weekend here…don’t ruin it.”

  “Me? Ruin it?” she fisted her hands at her sides and stepped back from him. “I don’t want to fight with you…not over this.”

  “I do want a baby, Katie…just not right now,” he huffed as he stepped forward, trying to take her in his arms.

  “Then when? When can we have a baby? Six months? A year? Two years? When is it going to be the right time?” tears began to well in her eyes. “I want what they have,” she pointed at the glass door that led back into the kitchen. “I don’t care about the lack of sleep, the long nights, the petty fights…all that is nothing.” She paused for a moment, softening her tone as she stared into his eyes. “I want to create a perfect little person with you. One that has your goofy grin and my stubborn temper, one that has a heart as big as the world, one that’s selfless and has all the good things from both of us.”

  “I do, too,” he stepped forward again and reached for her, “just not right now.”

  “Whatever Patrick…I’m not going to fight about this. I’m obviously not going to win, so why bother?” she turned to escape his grasp and walked back into the kitchen, leaving him standing there on the deck alone.

  He sighed as he turned and placed his arms on the railing. He did want to have a baby with Katie, just not right then. They had plenty of time. Why couldn’t she see this? Why was she so determined to add to their family right now?

  He dropped his head, and stared at the ground, hoping that they could get past this.

  ooooooooo

  He had no idea at that moment that this tiny fracture between them would slowly split them apart.

  Chapter 2

  It had been a week since they had returned home, and the distance between them seemed to be growing. Patrick had been working the day shift at Boston Memorial, whereas Katie had been on nights. Other than passing each other in the halls during consults, they rarely saw each other. Talk of having a baby had been dropped, and now Katie just wished they could talk, period.

  ooooooooo

  As she slumped back into the leather couch in the back corner of Cool Beans coffee shop, she sipped her soy latte. She had just finished a thirty-six hour shift and was barely functioning. Jenny, a friend and nurse that worked on her floor, was supposed to be meeting her for coffee, and then she was hoping to get home and sleep.

  “Rough night?” Jenny giggled from behind her.

  “Rough week,” Katie sighed. “Why are you so chipper?”

  “Took a nap earlier,” Jenny shrugged. “Dr. Burton told me he’d wake me if he needed me, so I took advantage.”

  “Must be nice,” Katie mused.

  “So,” Jenny sat down beside her, “What’s up?”

  “Nothing,” she sighed. “I’m just…I’m not sure that I’m doing what I’m meant to be doing.”

  “Huh?” Jenny slid to the edge of the couch and placed her hand on Katie’s knee. “You’re a great doctor. Don’t doubt that. You’re just tired.”

  “And sex deprived,” Katie mumbled as she watched a grin spread across Jenny’s face.

  “Oh, I see,” she snickered.

  “Patrick and I haven’t seen each other more than five minutes over the last four days. Makes things hard you know?”

  “Oh, I believe it. You need to make time,” Jenny nudged her in the side.

  “And how do I do that, Oh Wise One?” Katie turned and tilted her head.

  “You have the next two days off, right?” Jenny smiled.

  “Yeah,” Katie sipped her coffee as she stared at Jenny. She could tell that she was planning something.

  “Well…you go home and sleep first,” Jenny poked her shoulder. “Then you plan something spontaneous and romantic. You know…like meet him here at the hospital when he’s not expecting you. Bring him lunch or something,” she shrugged.

  “I could do that, but how does that help the other things we’re missing?” Katie scrunched up her nose.

  “Doing it on a desk can be pretty hot,” Jenny whispered as she watched Katie’s face flame, “and based on your reaction…I’d say that
’d be unexpected.”

  “Totally,” Katie gasped. “I don’t know if I can do that at work. My mom works here. What if she found out about it?”

  “Ummmm…I’ve seen your dad. I’m sure she’s had her own little indiscretions in her office,” Jenny giggled as Katie shook her head.

  “I don’t want to know about that,” she slumped back. “Plan something romantic,” she mumbled. “I can do that.”

  ooooooooo

  As she began to rouse from her nap, Katie heard her phone buzz. She glanced over at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Four-thirty gleamed bright red. She groaned and stretched. She’d been on the night shift for the last three months, and her sleep schedule was really messed up. After going to the Hampton’s for the weekend for Hannah’s wedding, and then picking up the extra shift yesterday, she had a hard time remembering what day it was.

  She tried to shake the sleep from her head as she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She glanced over at Patrick’s side. It was unrumpled. Other than when they were at the beach, she couldn’t remember the last time they had shared a bed. They spent less time with each other now that they were married, then they did before.

  Her phone buzzed again, and she groaned as she reached for it.

  IceKing: Got asked to stay late. Won’t be home tonight. Sorry. L

  Katie sighed as she read the text several times hoping that it would change, or he would send another saying he was only kidding. She was the one who was kidding herself. Patrick never passed up the opportunity to pick up a surgery or extra procedure. He was hoping to get out of the hospital one day, and move into a private practice somewhere. He’d told her repeatedly that he wanted to be able to work somewhere that was more personal.

  Katie huffed as she flopped back on the bed. The night was not going the way she hoped. She had a nice dinner planned, and wanted to have a romantic night with Patrick. She knew he’d be tired, and had planned to devote the night to the two of them.

  As she sat up, she grabbed her cell and texted him back.

  BoSoxBabe: That’s ok. I’ll manage. Let me know when you think you’ll be home.

  She tossed the phone back on the nightstand and headed for the bathroom. If she was going to spend another night alone at home, the least she could do was pamper herself.

  Once in the bathroom, she filled the large claw-foot tub with warm water, and her special lavender soap. She pinned her hair up on top of her head, slipped out of her clothes, and sank down into the warm water. She sighed in relief as her aching muscles began to relax. The tension slowly seeped from her body as she closed her eyes and leaned back.

  As she began to let her mind wander over the last several days, the conversation she’d had that morning with Jenny came to the forefront. Plan something spontaneous she’d said. Katie thought more about it. What could be more spontaneous than showing up on the cardiac floor with dinner for Patrick? He’d never expect that, and it’d give them a little time together.

  The longer she sat there thinking about it, the more the idea began to come together. It was still early enough in the fall that she could set up something outside. Patrick usually went up on the roof during his breaks. He always said that he could stay close enough to his patients, but get away from the hustle and bustle of the doctor’s lounge. She had put a chicken in the oven to roast, but she could cut it up and make sandwiches, and the potatoes could be made into potato salad. Katie grinned to herself as her plan became more and more detailed. She could do this. She could turn this night into something wonderful. She giggled to herself as she finished washing, and climbed from the tub to set her plan in motion.

  ooooooooo

  As she gripped the picnic basket tighter, she released a nervous breath. She’d never done anything like this before, and she was worried over the reaction she was going to get from Patrick. He wasn’t expecting her, and she was silently hoping that he wasn’t going to be too busy.

  As she made her way into the hospital, and over to the elevators, she took several deep breaths, convincing herself that this was, indeed, a good idea.

  Once on the roof, Katie spread out a blanket and placed the basket in the middle. She stood and grinned when she thought about the fact that she might actually get to have a meal with her husband. The idea seemed a little ridiculous, but she was still becoming giddy with excitement.

  After taking a moment to look out over the city and take in the beautiful sunset, she sat down and began spreading out the food. She’d made the sandwiches, potato salad, and added some strawberries for desert. She had wanted to bring a bottle of wine, but with Patrick still being on the clock, she knew he couldn’t drink.

  She smiled as she looked down at her watch. It was almost seven. If her husband was as OCD at work as he was at home, she knew he’d be coming through the door to the roof any minute.

  When she reached down to run her hands over her skirt once again, she heard the door squeak. Glancing up, she saw him. His head was tilted down as he rubbed at his temples. His forehead was creased in concentration, and a frown was marring his face.

  “Bad night?” she asked as he meandered in her direction. He hadn’t spotted her yet, and she was afraid he might step on her if she didn’t say anything.

  “Huh?” his head snapped up and he froze.

  “Surprise,” she mumbled as she watched his face iron out like he was trying to figure out why she was there. “I thought since you couldn’t come home for dinner, I’d bring dinner to you.”

  Patrick smiled as he took in the spread around them that his wife had so lovingly prepared. She was a vision sitting there amidst this feast with the glowing sunset behind her. A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he moved over beside her.

  “You did all this for me?” he squatted down and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

  “Yeah,” she nodded. “You like?”

  “This is just what I needed,” he huffed as he moved to a sitting position and folded his long legs in front of himself. “It’s been a rough couple of days. I just wanted to have a nice evening with you. You read my mind by showing up here.”

  “Well,” she handed him a soda and a sandwich, “I thought you might need a break. I know I did.”

  “This is perfect,” he unwrapped the sandwich and took a big bite, “Mmmmm.”

  “That good, huh?” Katie grinned.

  “You’re here…anything would be great. I’d eat dirt if it meant spending some time with you. We never see each other anymore,” he sighed. “This is worse than when we were in school. I thought working here together would be perfect. I guess I was wrong,” he mumbled dejectedly. “I’m sorry us working here isn’t what we thought it would be.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Katie mumbled as she picked at a string on the blanket. “Neither of us knew that we’d be working opposite shifts.”

  “Yeah…well, I might have a solution to our problem,” Patrick glanced out of the corner of his eye.

  “Really?” she cocked her head to the side, “and what might that be?”

  “Well, remember a couple of weeks ago when I told you about that doctor from New York who was here asking all the questions about grants?” Patrick put his soda down and turned toward Katie.

  “Yeah,” she nodded hesitantly.

  “Well…he’s wanting to open a cardiac clinic here in Boston. He’s been talking to several doctors on my floor. He’s going to start interviews in a few weeks to hire a staff. I was thinking that maybe I could apply to work there. Maybe if one of us had regular hours, we’d see each other more.”

  “Really?” Katie grinned. “You’d give up working here for me?”

  “Yes,” Patrick sighed. “I’m not really happy with my job right now. I think this would be good for both of us.”

  “Oh Patrick, I love you so much,” she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips, and then giggled.

  “I love you too…let’s eat,” he chuckled.

  ooooooooo

  Af
ter they finished eating, Katie placed the remnants of their picnic back in the basket. The sun had fallen below the horizon, and the stars were just starting to make their appearance. Patrick had stretched out on the blanket and placed his head in Katie’s lap. As she absentmindedly ran her fingers through his soft blonde locks, she stared out into the distance.

  “Thanks for doing this,” he murmured as he closed his eyes.

  “You’re welcome. I love you. I want to spend time with you. I wish we could stay like this all night,” she mused. “How much longer until you have to get back?”

  “I brought my pager if they need me. I stayed to assist on a valve transplant. It went well, and the patient was in recovery when I came up here. Unless something happens, I shouldn’t have to stay too much longer. They can page me if they need me,” he groaned as he felt Katie’s fingers massaging his scalp in just the right places.

  “Hmmm, maybe I’ll just hang out with you then. We can go home together?” she glanced down at him hoping that he’d agree.

  “That’s fine by me…I’d just hate to make you stay here all night,” Patrick shrugged as his eyes drooped shut once again.

  “I don’t mind. I have tomorrow off. I can sleep in if I need to. Plus Hannah might come over and hang out,” she shifted slightly to get more comfortable.

  “If I want to interview for that job, I’ve got to apply this week. Are you sure you’re okay with it? I mean, we might suffer a pay cut,” he trailed off.

  “When has money ever been an issue with me, Patrick?” Katie scowled. “If you’re unhappy here, and you want to pursue another avenue…then I will support you. I want to be able to spend more time together, and more importantly…I want you to be happy. When we have a baby, I want his father to be home at night to spend time with him,” she mumbled and turned her face away from his eyes.

  Patrick grumbled and sat up, “We’ve talked about this. We can’t have a baby right now.”

  “I know…I know,” Katie’s lip began to tremble. When she came here tonight, she didn’t have any intention of bringing up the baby discussion, but she couldn’t help it. This new job seemed like the perfect lead-in to the whole starting a family topic. “I don’t want to argue about this, ok?”