By the time we reached the hospital, Alex had ended one of the many calls that came in after the ambulance took off with Elena and her newborn son. While I was texting my friends about the insane yet remarkable incident we’d been through, Alex discussed the details with his friends. Amid fielding phone calls, he received word that Elena and baby were healthy, fine, and in the hospital’s care. Thank God.
I’d never been to Saint John’s Hospital before, so to see this place in person for the first time was mind-blowing. It was everything I’d imagined and more since I’d learned that John Brooks himself had a lot to do with the architecture and lavish style of the place and seeing his work in this extravagant hospital put me in awe.
Alex was nearly dragging me through the hospital and into the elevators because this place overloaded my mind. Thank goodness he did, though, because if it weren’t for that, I’d still be spinning about the fact that I helped deliver a baby in the backseat of a car.
The sudden backseat midwife I’d become was an easy pill to swallow compared to kissing Alex for no apparent reason at all. Thanks to a documentary I’d seen about a woman who delivered a baby in the back of a cab in New York City, I’d somehow managed to feel like I knew what I was doing in that situation. Crazy how adrenaline could spark up the subconscious mind to recollect things when least expected. I probably also had an angel or two whispering in my ear. Who the hell knew? At least Elena and her son were okay.
After we walked into the hospital’s version of the Queen of Sheba’s palace for a maternity ward, I stopped. “I’ll wait here,” I said to Alex. “Tell Elena—”
“You’ll tell her yourself,” Alex smirked and arched an eyebrow at me. “If she sees me after the support I lent, she might slap me.”
I grinned at him. “Now that you bring all that up again,” I followed him as the nurse told him which suite Elena, Collin, and their baby were in, “I might slap you if she doesn’t.”
He sighed. “Sorry. That was the first labor and delivery job I’ve been on. Sometimes people fuck up on their first day, unlike you. What the hell, by the way? That was some Real Midwives of SoCal action you busted out. How in God’s name do you know how to deliver a baby?” He stopped and turned to me. “Do you have another career outside of being a CEO that I don’t know about? Moonlighting midwives?”
“And the secret is out,” I smiled at him.
Alex licked his lips, and he exhaled. “I should probably warn you that this smile of yours,” he touched my cheek, igniting sparks beneath his fingers, “will either be the death of me or put you in the backseat of a car delivering our child if you’re not careful.”
“What?” I chuckled, touching my heated cheek. “Alex—”
“Don’t Alex me with that smile,” he winked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this beautiful.”
Thank God I wasn’t hooked up to one of the many heart monitors in this hospital, or I’d blow the thing up from the way Alex was talking to me. My heart was on rapid-fire, and I couldn’t concentrate to save my life.
Think of something. Shit.
“Come on.” He grinned, and now I was being humiliated by my sweaty palms as he took my hand into his. “You will tell me how you managed to deliver a baby at least, dimples.”
“What can I say? I’m a jack of all trades.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m definitely having sex with you.”
An awkward moment killed by Alex’s nonsense. Thank God.
“Really?” I rolled my eyes after a nurse looked at him to check him out or to glare at the comment he’d made. Most likely the first. Alex was easier on the eye with this beaming smile plastered on his face. “Like that’s ever going to happen.”
Why are you encouraging this, Bree? I felt like I’d finally rid myself of looking like an idiot every time I was in front of Alex, only to egg him on like this?
“Trust me. It will.” He smiled and held out his arm. “After you, Doctor Stone,” he teased.
I peered in to see a tall man in dark scrubs and messy blond hair rise from a chair next to Elena’s hospital bed. The man had bright, sky-blue eyes, a matching vibrant smile, and then the next thing I knew, I was swallowed up in his arms.
“I don’t give a shit if you’re not the hugging type,” he said, stepped back and smiling over at Alex and then back to me. “I owe you my life for keeping my two loves safe until they got to me.”
I smiled in return. This was the happiest man on the face of the earth, and with good reason too. I wouldn’t go into the fact that he was drop-dead gorgeous—rumors ran all through Southern California that the doctors at Saint John’s were not only exceptional in their professions, but they were also painfully good-looking. I could confirm that the rumors were true.
“You’re welcome. DIY comes in handy sometimes, I guess.”
“And you, dipshit,” Collin said to Alex as I moved toward the beaming smile and warm, bronze eyes of Elena. “Elena said you were an absolute bitch in the car.”
The men’s laughter remained behind me as I walked to where Elena held out her free arm for me to embrace her and see their beautiful, sleeping infant.
“He’s so beautiful,” I said, afraid to touch him. “You are officially my hero.” I grinned at her.
Elena’s arm squeezed me tighter. “I’m your hero? I don’t think so. You are one-hundred-percent mine. What would I have done without you? I can’t believe it all happened like this.”
“I’m still shocked myself,” I chuckled, taking the seat Alex had pushed next to the bed for me. “If you weren’t as tough as you were, I’m sure—”
“No,” she smiled so sweetly at me. I felt like this woman could’ve easily been my friend for life—or from another life. “You hung in there for me when I was losing it. I love you for that. Thank you.”
“He’s actually beautiful,” Alex said as if he were shocked Elena didn’t birth an alien. He ruffled Collin’s hair and walked to the other side of the bed. “Shocking,” he looked at Collin, sitting on the bed by Elena’s feet. “I thought your ugly looks would have some pretty strong genetics, too.”
“If that’s the case,” Collin answered, his hand running up and down Elena’s leg casually, “then I pity your poor child.”
“Good God, both of you can be too much sometimes.” Elena shook her head and then smiled at me. “Have you been around these guys in the same room yet? Trust me when I tell you, if us gals don’t stop them, they’ll go on and on, and we’re stuck listening to lame insults.”
“Just Jim, Spencer, and Alex,” I said. “I haven’t had this particular pleasure yet.”
“Oh, you will in time. I hear the gang is almost here, and once all the men get going, we’ll be ready to kick them out of here. Would you like to hold him?” she asked.
“I’m afraid—”
“This one’s turning out to be a pathological liar,” Alex winked at me. “Don’t believe a word she says. Afraid.” He scoffed at the word, obviously because my actions in the fear department spoke louder than words when I helped bring this baby into the world.
Elena chuckled then held her son toward where I was. “You must hold this little man,” she scrunched her nose up adorably. “Especially since he’s peacefully asleep.”
“He’s so itty-bitty. You both did good,” I said. I smiled at Collin, who couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off his wife or his son’s face, and then I looked back to Elena. “You two should go into business, just making beautiful babies,” I winked at Elena.
“He certainly looks like an Alexander to me,” Alex stated. “A good, strong baby with a good, strong name.
“You mean, Alexandria James?” Collin said with some theatrics while waving his hand in the air. “We named him after you, happy?”
“You had your chance to back out of marrying him, Elena,” Alex chuckled. “Now, it’s too late since he’s got you trapped with this little man.”
I smiled, seeing the youthful and overly happy side of Alex that I’d never seen him wear before. He was, without a doubt, more handsome than ever before, and I was struggling to keep my cool and not gawk at the man in front of his friends. I’d look like a real winner, sitting here with googly-eyes on Alex while his friends teased him for wimping out in the car. I had to defend the guy, though. He did pull it together and at the perfect time too. When Elena needed her husband the most, Alex grew a pair and was there for her instead.
“So, Alexander James, eh?” Alex’s deep, raspy voice took my eyes off of the baby and put them back on him. “Last I recall, James Mitchell wasn’t answering any calls when your wife and child needed him most.”
Collin laughed. “I knew you’d say something, and that’s why we threw in James as his middle name.” He looked at me and smiled. “I know we haven’t been formally introduced, Breanne—”
“Forgive me,” Alex said. “I think it’s pretty well established who everyone is by now, but to be formal,” he looked at Collin, “please allow me to introduce Breanne Stone, my new partner in labor and delivery.”
“I heard a lot about your father growing up,” Collin said. “He was quite the architect and a good man. Although my father was in fierce competition with yours, he admired your father’s work greatly.”
“My father was the same, competition-wise,” I answered with a laugh. “It is lovely to meet the son of the great John Brooks. Your father’s work deserves all of the praise it receives. It’s always a pleasure for me to enjoy one of his projects, and this hospital is a testament to what a pioneer and visionary he was. Truly astounding.”
“Well, what I think is astounding is the fact that, thanks to your contributions, Saint John’s will now have the flavors of both our fathers’ visions. I’d love to escort you down to the pediatric ward, but perhaps later when Elena is up for a walk and after Alek has eaten.”
“Alek?” I looked at Alexander with a grin.
Alex rolled his eyes at his friend and reached over for the baby.
“It’s Alexander,” Alex insisted, holding the baby with ease. “Alek is a name I’m only called by people who hate me.”
“And now you’ll love it because that’s as close as Laney as I are getting to naming our child after you, buddy,” Collin countered with a grin.
“Elena, don’t be impossible,” Alex insisted. “You can’t name him Alek. If you tack on the letter s to his name—like Alek’s bath time or Alek’s girlfriend—it’s going to sound like you’re talking about me. Alex and Alek’s—it just can’t work. See what I mean? Come on, now. Be serious.”
“I hardly think anyone will think I’m talking about you when I mention bath time.” Elena’s laughter was infectious while Alex rolled his eyes.
“You think adding the letter s will confuse people into thinking we’re talking about you, but your actual name won’t be confusing at all?” Collin said with a laugh.
“Don’t listen to your parents, little Alexander.” He eyed both mom and dad’s happy grins with a sly one of his own. “They were born with stupid names, so they’re haters.”
“We officially decided on Alexander John,” Elena smiled at Alex then Collin.
“Goddammit, that’s what I’m talking about, little man. The name of kings!” Alex said proudly, speaking to baby Alex in a silly voice as I stood. “Now, if anyone calls you Alek, your godfather, here, will kick their butts.”
“Naming our first-born son wasn’t enough for you; now you’re insisting on being his godfather as well, Michael Corleone?” Collin teased.
Before the bantering went further, I decided to jump in and announce that I would head down to the children’s wing. I knew the rest of Alex, Collin, and Elena’s friends were due to arrive at any minute, and I wanted to give them room to visit.
“Would any of you mind if I went ahead and visited the pediatric ward we’re going to be working on?”
“Not at all. I would love to know your thoughts,” Elena said. “After I feed baby Alex, I’ll have Collin take me on a walk to meet you down there. Dr. Cameron was going to meet us there until little man decided to make his appearance early.”
“Dr. Cameron?” I questioned.
“Dr. Brandt—Cameron Brandt. He’s a good friend,” Collin said. “A hell of a lot better looking than Alex, too.” Collin and Elena both had mischievous looks, but I had no idea what was going on. “So, tread lightly when you see him.” He chuckled.
“Ask for Dr. Brandt when you get there,” Alex said. “Cam runs the pediatric unit. He was planning to show us around when we got there earlier. I’ll be there after Jim, Jake, Ash, and Avery show up if that’s cool?”
“Perfect,” I smiled at everyone. “Congratulations again.”
The smiles and the positive energy in that room had elevated my mood, and I was ready to check out the pediatric ward. I could’ve easily spent my entire day just staring in awe at the geometric lines and shapes of this place. The trademark touch that set John Brooks apart from most architects was not only his skill but also his eye for adding the right touch of extravagance in all the right places.
“Hi, can I help you?” a receptionist with teddy bears on her scrubs asked when the automatic doors opened to admit me into the pediatric ward.
I glanced back at the doors. They were etched with critters from a forest that almost appeared three-dimensional, so much so that before the doors opened, it felt like I was walking into some enchanted realm. It was adorable and charming, and I was sure the kids loved it.
I smiled at the kind young woman. “Wow,” I said. “This place is enchanting.”
She chuckled. “I absolutely love it,” she said, looking around at everything that resembled a children’s ride at Disneyland. “Are you here to visit someone?”
“Yes. Dr. Brandt was going to show me around the area that is being dedicated in the name of Baby Jo Brooks?”
“Oh,” she nodded. “Absolutely. Are you Ms. Stone?”
“Yes,” I smiled.
“I’ve been to Blossom Hall.” Her eyes widened like she’d met a celebrity, and it made me smile. Dad and I had designed Blossom Hall together, and it won us the award for the architect’s guild that year. “My best friend was married there. It was so stunning. Everything was like a crystal palace, and I had to ask who built it.”
“That’s an enormous compliment,” I answered. “Usually, people enjoy the beauty of the places we visit and never ask who built them,” I laughed. “Unless you’re an architect, I guess. So, thank you.”
“I know what you mean. Normally, I wouldn’t have cared to ask, but when the building outdoes the bride on her day,” she laughed, “I had to ask.” She rose and pointed a finger to her earpiece. “Give me just a second,” she said quietly before responding to whoever had called her. “Okay, I’ll show her in.” She looked at me. “Follow me, Ms. Stone. Dr. Brandt is finishing up with a patient.”
“It’s Breanne and thank you.”
I walked through the enchanting area and was in awe of the illusions everywhere. This place was its own little escape from the real world, and I felt like I was in fairyland or something extraordinary like that. The ceiling either sparkled with stars where lights were dimmed or in the brighter areas, this place had a fake sun that shimmered over the illusion of plant life. Just as I was expecting to have some unicorn show up or hop aboard a boat in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, the most precious scene played out before my eyes.
“I won that one, and you know it, bud,” a man wearing a white lab coat said, squatting down and tossing a nerf football in the miniature football stadium where I now stood.
“This is the indoor football field,” the receptionist who led me into this open space said. “The kids get to dress up like football players if their parents allow it and play against holographic players.”
I glanced around and noted numerous kids in their own spaces, rolling around in hospital garments or little jerseys and helmets with Saint John’s printed on them. There was no way in hell I could live up to these standards. This was innovative and next-level, Tony-Stark genius type shit.
“John Brooks designed all of this? This is mind-blowing.”
“And this is just the football area,” she chuckled. “If you need anything else, I’m Elyssa. Dr. Brandt will be with you as soon as he’s done with David.”
She smiled at the endearing scene of the young doctor in a pretty good standoff with a little boy, and even though the child’s head was wrapped in gauze, you’d never imagine that this kid must’ve gone through an accident or scarier—brain surgery.
“All right, David,” said the peppy yet low voice of the doctor whose back was all I’d seen so far. “I’ve got to get back to work, and you’ve got to get to lunch.”
I watched in humor as a nurse worked with the boy and Dr. Brandt. The boy was not quite finished with the doctor, but the game was over, and lunch was calling. The nurse and Dr. Brandt worked with the young man, and the doctor gave the nurse some last-minute information before he signed off on the charts she held, then he turned back to me.
I swallowed the sudden shock-lump in my throat when the stunning doctor, who matched the beautiful illusion of this ward, smiled brightly at me. He extended his hand, and his piercing blue eyes, which dazzled against his well-groomed facial hair, met mine.
“You must be Breanne Stone,” he smiled. “I’m Cameron Brandt. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too.” I looked around at the play arena we were in. “I’m starting to question why we need architects to come in and add anything to this place. If the gardens and this unit are being upgraded, there’s no living up to—”
“Don’t listen to her, Cam,” I heard Alex say as he joined me. “She’s got this, and she knows it.” Alex eyed me. “I knew if I didn’t get down here with you, you’d lie your way right out of this job.”
“Very funny. You all realize this is super innovative stuff, right? Holographs?” I said, looking around at this futuristic children’s area. “I feel like I’m on another planet. Any architect, unless they’re John Brooks himself, would be lying to you if they said they could upgrade this.”
“It’s certainly next-level.” Dr. Brandt chuckled. “It also helps the less fortunate children who live here with us.”
“Remarkable. John Brooks thought of everything in his designs, didn’t he?” I said, smiling at Alex.
Alex slid his hands in his pockets, still beaming from being with the baby, I’m sure. “John was a genius with everything he touched,” Alex confirmed, “but you’re only looking at what he dreamt up for children in a hospital. It was the engineers who made these concepts and illusions possible.”
“And even at that,” Dr. Brandt looked at Alex and then me, “Alex still can’t throw a football to save his life on this field. I have patients kicking his butt all the time when he’s down here screwing around.”
Well, isn’t that a charming and hidden secret I didn’t know, I thought, eyeing Alex and trying to imagine him in the three-piece suit again, but this time with kids in the pediatric wing of the hospital.
“Right,” Alex smirked and then looked at me. “Brandt was also an all-star quarterback. So, he gets a little competitive at times.”
“I’m venturing to guess that the children love it,” I said.
“They do,” Alex grinned. “All right. Cameron is pressed for time, so let’s get some expert eyes on the gardens, shall we?”
“Let’s do it,” Cameron answered as he led the way to the outdoor area of the children’s wing. “So, out these doors are where the butterfly gardens are. It’s stunning, yes, but in revamping it, Brooks’ architects say that we should either go bigger or create more illusions.”
“I swear this wing has every illusion under its fake sun,” Alex said. “I’m not sure illusions are where we should go with this location.”
“Agreed,” Cameron answered Alex.
“What do you think, Breanne?”
I moved to an area that faced the gardens, and I ran my hand over the half-walls made out of white marble. I glanced at the plaques with names etched into them, seeing they were memorials, and even though it was quite beautiful, something wasn’t sitting right.
I looked out at the plant life and botanical parts of these gardens, fashioned and groomed meticulously. It was stunning, and I couldn’t tell if my hesitation was because I was in the midst of a John Brooks’ design or because this was a project for Alex’s friends.
“This is more or less a cemetery for the cremains of unborn or stillborn children at our hospital. We lay them to rest out here,” Alex informed me. “The plants are meant to bring in butterflies, and the fountains are to attract birds. What do you see in that architect’s mind of yours?”
“Well,” I ran my hand over a marble column where more plaques were, “who visits this location? Is it only the families of the children who’ve been laid to rest?”
“We also have parents who come here to breathe in some fresh air and gather their senses while waiting for surgery, or perhaps a dreadful diagnosis was given, and they need some time,” Dr. Brandt said thoughtfully.
I licked my lips and glanced around. “Conceivably, we can enhance this area under a glass dome that is etched to complement the butterfly garden. I know we don’t have much rain, but it would be nice to cover this area, and if the glass dome is etched, and if each glass piece is shaped correctly, it would enhance the illusion of sparkling butterflies beaming through on a sunny day. While the sun moves, the illusions of butterflies will appear to dance around this place. Sometimes, and with the proper materials, you can get the sun to flow through glass etchings and create prisms. I’d have to work with it a little, but it can be done.”
“I’m quite certain Elena would love that,” Alex said.
I smiled and nodded. “Yes. Maybe run with a theme of dancing with the butterflies. We can use that dome to keep wrapping around the entire children’s portion of the hospital. Maybe have a reflection area for parents to sit and get some fresh air after troublesome news. Yellow is a peaceful color. Maybe we create an illusion of a meadow and wildflowers. Daisies are a lovely flower,” I kept on, the men quietly following me as I imagined stuff, and then I stopped when it was a bit too quiet behind me.
Alex’s expression practically swallowed me up with that dark stare that was so attractive, most likely because his features were always sharp and fascinating with this tight-lipped expression.
“Did I say something wrong?” I looked between both men’s solemn expressions.
“No,” Alex cleared his throat. “In fact, you said a lot of things right.” He ran a hand through his hair and eyed Cameron.
“Did Brooks’ architects mention any of the personal reasons Elena drew the butterfly, the meadows?” Cameron asked me.
“No,” I smiled. “Am I onto something, then?”
Alex’s expression was beautifully sincere. “You were definitely in the wrong chair, wasting time playing executive. Good God. You captured Elena and Collin’s story without even knowing it. You got everything but Baby Jo’s angel wings.”
My eyes widened at the beauty of that thought. “What if we brought more of an angelic and whimsical feel to the gardens? We can add stunning wings in the etchings that show up when the sun hits them at a certain time. Maybe the wings will display under a starry night sky, and we can use backlighting to enhance it with more of an effervescent feel.”
“I think we’re right where we want to be. What brought up the glass dome idea? The etchings in it?” Alex questioned.
“The receptionist mentioned she attended a wedding at one of the places my father and I designed together. We ran with a crystal palace-type feel, and I think that would be a beautiful and peaceful escape. We tame the illusions from the inside and transfer them into sparkles and things of beauty and hope.”
“The meadow idea? Yellow being a peaceful color?” Alex smirked while Cameron answered a call on his phone.
“Well, daisies are a happy flower.”
“You said yellow at first.”
“I don’t know. It just came out. I’m not even sure creating an illusion of a meadow will work. I’ll have to think about it some more. It’s either a meadow that seems to go on forever and put seating in that—or fountains.”
“Why not both?” Cameron asked.
“Fountains won’t work in a meadow.” I chuckled. “Maybe a river with small bridges throughout? Yes, that’s it. We can make it vibrant. We can backlight the crystal-like dome and allow for that to be manipulated too. The panels of glass can be run off of solar energy and can move sort of like animatronics.”
“Either someone’s been whispering in your ear, or you are a psychic genius. You just nailed the meadow that Elena remembered in her coma. The dancing with the butterflies is a term she said her dad told her when she was younger.” Alex looked at Cameron. “Is this floor haunted?”
Cameron laughed. “You’re haunted and a jackass.” He looked at me. “It was very nice to meet you, and these ideas will be fantastic. Elena will cry when she hears about this, and that’s to be sure. I have to go into surgery now, but where is Elena?”
“On the maternity floor, holding baby Alexander.”
“Oh, God,” Cameron rolled his eyes while I laughed.
“No shit, man. And Breanne delivered the handsome little man herself.”
Cameron eyed me to see if Alex was bullshitting him or not. The expression on his face was as handsome as it was hilarious.
“Elena can tell you all about it,” I smiled. “Thanks for your time, Dr. Brandt.”
“It was nothing. I’m happy to finally meet a woman who can keep this guy on his toes.” He popped Alex in the arm and then moved into the hospital after hearing a page come over the intercom.
“That’s the friend who attended your runaway bride wedding.”
“Jesus Christ,” I cringed. “He’s the one who saw the sex tape I played for our guests, huh?”
“Yep,” Alex laughed. “And you’re going to tell me all about the reasons behind that, more about this children’s wing, and after we pack you up to stay with me—”
“I think it might be a better idea if I check-in and stay with the girls.”
“Nah,” Alex flashed me a smile I couldn’t refuse. “I’m in a group text with your girlfriends. Natalia says if I don’t have sex with you tonight, she’s calling in for backup and replacing my ass.”
“What the hell?”
We spoke softly and moved into another area, but I still felt like my response was a bit too loud.
“Exactly. Cass said that Natalia is right. You need to get laid by your hot partner, and Sammy, is it?”
“Yes,” I hung onto the word, my expression probably looking like Cameron’s, not knowing if Alex was bullshitting me or not.
“She had me send the group a dick pic—”
“Okay, shut up. That’s all BS, and I know it.” I sighed. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll see what the girls are up to and if they’re heading out tonight, and you’d like to offer that room in your beach house for me again, I’d love to use it to escape another night from my crappy life.”
“Crappy life,” Alex scoffed, and then suddenly, he held my hand. “Your life just got kicked up a couple of notches because you’re not being stubborn. We’re going to enjoy some cocktails at the beach tonight.” He pursed his lips handsomely and smiled. “Sound cool?”
“Sounds perfect.”
It really did. I was looking forward to escaping to the coast and ducking out of another night of what I knew my friends probably expected from me: to go clubbing and face the guilt of listing my condo without them knowing.
Alex may have had a conversation with my friends, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t in contact with them, and this entire thing was all their idea. Who gave a damn? I needed a breather, and Alex was being cool. I wasn’t quite so defensive against the man after today’s events. We did exceptionally well as partners, and he was turning out to be a bit more charming than I imagined he could ever be. I suddenly felt a tiny bit bad that I’d prematurely judged the guy, but let’s face it, I was heading down a pretty dark road before the guy with an angry witch up his ass came in and rescued me for the weekend.
