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gryffindordaughterofathena · 2 years

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(1) Meet Cute? I'd Rather Die

Book : Open Heart

Pairing : Bryce Lahela x Valerie Thomas

Word Count : 1090 words

Rating : General

Category : Fluff but we'll get to it in time

Trope : None Applicable

Warning : None

Series Summary : Bryce Lahela charms everyone he meets and Valerie Thomas smiles only at three people and none of them are Bryce. But as stories usually do some things are supposed to make you fall in love right? Right?

A/N : Hi! I have been missing since I posted a fic back in February, there were two reasons for that 1. I had exams and 2. I simply couldn't write. But yesterday some of the dialogue here simply came to me unprompted, so here we are. This is going to be five chapters which will span around three years of my timeline of the Oph universe.

❥︎ The Story Of Us Series Masterlist

HER POV

It was never Valerie's intention to spend her first day at Bloom Edenbrook arguing with her extremely frustrating, head-ache-inducing colleague, whom she met about twenty minutes ago, but as fate would have it, that was exactly what she spent her first day doing.

"That was an extremely risky procedure and you know it, Doctor Lahela."

"But it did pay off", came his reply, accompanied by a cocky green.

"Pay off?", she could hear her own voice rising, "This could have killed the patient and I think you are not so dumb to not realize that you could have lost your licence for that."

"I would have not done anything to endanger a life." for a second his grin gives way to something genuine, something that makes her think Diana was right, maybe he isn't so insufferable after all.

"But are you worried for me Thomas?"

Nope. Insufferable. Irritating. Typical example of a man trying to charm everything that breathes.

"I can't believe how—", she cuts herself off from completing the sentence with "Diana could be friends with you.", with how loyal her best friend was it would not be the sign of a good friend to bring her in this conversation.

"Can't believe what Thomas?"

"It's none of your business, stop following me and go wherever you go to fix your impeccable hair in between surgeries."

Completely missing her sarcasm Bryce lights up, "so you think my hair is—"

She doesn't hear the rest of the sentence, taking the nearest exit on her left.

This is going to be a long day.

She needed to take a break, the previous surgery had rattled her, Bryce taking unnecessary risks doing nothing to lessen her first day nerves.

She had always been used to people looking up at her for ideas on what to do back at AIMMC. But no one knew her here. No one listened to her advice here. The interns all looked at Bryce and his risk taking ways for advice.

She was a nobody.

Valerie Thomas is not used to anonymity.

She needed Diana. Her unbridled optimism balancing out Valerie's subdued realism.

Maybe she can ask a nurse for directions to the Diagnostic Team Office.

Bloom Edenbrook was fucking big. Some kind of non-magical Hogwarts. Even with directions she was pretty sure she was lost.

Taking what must have been her fifth turn on the seventh floor, she almost ran into someone carrying a stack of files, stopping herself right on time because of the warning from the other woman's heels clicking on the linoleum.

"Oh, I am sorry" the woman called out, "I didn't see you"

Wait. I know that voice.

"Doctor Emery I- it's alright."

From when do you stutter?

"Oh wait you are Doctor Thomas isn't it? Good job on both your surgeries today, I will only be expecting this performance from you moving forward."

Talk you idiot. Say something. Don't just stare like a creep.

"Thanks Doctor Emery."

That's something at least.

"Well since I already found you here, I have some news for you. I have been selecting a few third and fourth year residents to take up some of my cases while I get settled in the Diagnostic Team. I am selecting you"

What the fuck what the fuck what the-

"— there are a few difficult cases, so residents will need to pair up."

not him not him not him-

"And Dr. Tanaka suggested pairing you up with Lahela, he said you two make a great team."

shit

"We will make a formal announcement tomorrow. But do inform Lahela."

like hell I will

"And Thomas? I expect the best from you."

well there's no better way to say this but– fuck

She needed a drink or preferably five.

"I can't believe you aren't talking more about how Harper praised you, you Valerie I-want-to-be-Harper-Emery-When-I-Grow-Up Thomas."

"Were you screaming like this when you met Ethan on your first day here?"

"No, but he had insulted me and assigned me a deadline within three hours of meeting me."

"I believe I bought you a drink at this very place, Rookie.", her boyfriend commented wryly.

"That's beside the point. I want to know why she's not more excited. Harper selected her to take up a few of her own cases her first day here. She should be happy."

"Owlet, she assigned me a partner for the cases."

"So what?"

"I don't get along well with him."

"You don't even know the people here Valie."

"It's Bryce, Diana. Your friend Bryce. Do you really want me to argue with him all the time? Do you really want to take sides when he inevitably fucks up because of his recklessness?" her patience was running thin.

"Valerie—" she began.

"No, don't tell me he won't do that. I know him for twenty minutes and he already did that once."

"Val, his methods are risky but they work and he would never endanger someone's life."

"You don't know that."

"I do. I know him just as well as I know you, Val." Her eyes take that glint it gets whenever she is passionate about something.

"You are level headed enough for the two of you. I have worked with Bryce on a surgery two years back, I know he will listen to your inputs. You are both amazing, don't let simple differences get in the way of that."

There she did it. Exactly what she had known Di would do. Simplified things that aren't simple with her optimism.

And now she would have to keep her frustrations about Bryce Lahela to herself, no one likes the look of disappointment on Diana Ramirez's face.

"What are you doing here?"

Sitting. Drinking. Regretting Life. The Usual.

"Hey, Bryce! Where are the others?"

of course he'd be here, when has life ever been easy?

"Running late but what's she doing here?"

"Bryce—"

"Thomas. You are Valerie aren't you?"

so he didn't know who I am

"Took you long to catch up."

"Why didn't you say so when we met this morning?"

"Probably because that's work and I found it irrelevant"

"Val—" Di began.

But perhaps because she was a little drunk. Or perhaps because she liked tormenting people she found herself saying, "Start reading up on safer surgical processes because Dr. Emery teamed us up and from tomorrow we are focusing on not killing people." and each other.

Well this is gonna be fun.

A/N : If you've read this far, thank you ❤ I hope you will love Val as much as I love her with this series, she's such a different character from Diana or Dan that I was kinda nervous to write her. A few things, about her, she is Diana's best friend from when she was seventeen, a surgical resident at AIMMC who then transferred to Bloom Edenbrook because of all the extra resources here, all of the Boston gang knows about her from Social Media but only Sienna, Jackie and Ethan met her back when she visited after the 2.11 attack.

Tags :

@openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

Perma :

#bryce lahela x valerie thomas #bryce lahela x mc #bryce lahela x oc #bryce lahela #valerie thomas #b and v #series : the story of us #dri original post #choices #choices stories we play #dr. diana ramirez #pixelberry #playchoices

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genevievemd · 4 months

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Cheers to the New Year

A/N: Happy New Year peanuts! May the new year be everything you want it to be!

In the SaraVerse, 2024 brings not only Kaili Lahela in just a few weeks but also Lizzie Ramsey in August! Of course Gen is only a few weeks currently, and still a secret until after Valentine’s Day but still 🥰

There’s a few other things 2024 brings for the saraverse for the other characters too, some good some bad. If you want to know more feel free to ask!

#ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #open heart #ethan ramsey #Bryce x oc #bryce lahela #pictagram #ethan x gen #Bryce x nat

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openheartfanfics · 19 days

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Newly Added Fics

Mar 30 - April 5, 2024

Bryce x F!MC

Las hijas de Luna - @peonierose ☁

It’s time for Luna and Bryce to welcome their twins into the world. Will there be any complications? Or will the birth go without a hitch? [Pregnancy]

Yellow Hibiscus in Bloom - @aallotarenunelma ☁

This is Doctor's Day. How will Bryce and Kaisa will celebrate it?

Ethan x F!MC

A Chance Encounter - @cariantha 📚

[mini: wip] Ten years prior to meeting at Edenbrook, Ethan and Sawyer have a chance encounter during spring break. [Young Ethan]

Part 2: The Hook-up

Baby(moon) Planning - @genevievemd 📱

Gen and Ethan plan a trip before the baby arrives.

Stand By Me - @liaromancewriter 🦚

Cassie experiences the downside of having Ethan Ramsey as a mentor.

When life has other plans - @coffeeheartaddict2 📚🛸

[extended: wip] A competition has commenced for the interns at Edenbrook hospital. A horrid first day leads to an unexpected test of a new machine but what is Dr. Ethan Ramsey hiding?

CH 15: DéJà Vu

Ethan x Reader

Picnic - @stanathanxoox ☁

Planning a picnic and making them food even if you’re an amateur cook, in hopes you’ll impress them more.

Sienna x M!OC

Unlikely Adventures - @liaromancewriter 📱

There's only one person who can convince Sienna to take a chance on a life of adventure.

Rafael x F!MC

Moving In - @rafasgirl23415 📚

[extended: wip] Follow up to We Belong Together. Set a few years into the future. Feat. Sienna Trinh x M!OC

CH 29: What Could Have Been - Part 1 [TW: PTSD]

CH 29: What Could Have Been - Part 2 [TW: PTSD]

CH 30: The Back To Work Blues

Tobias x F!MC

Whenever… whatever ✋🏽 - @jerzwriter 📱

After Shakira's freaking ridiculous comments about Barbie, Tobias was not going to be having it, and steps would have to be taken.

With Warning - @jerzwriter 📚

[mini:wip] As the friendship and bond between Casey and Tobias developed, each of her friends had a few things to say to Dr. Carrick.

Part 5: Captain Lahela & a Serving of Common Sense

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

#open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart choices #playchoices #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #tobias carrick #rafael aveiro #sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #rafael aveiro x mc #tobias carrick x mc #newly added fics

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a-cloud-for-dreams · 9 months

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*Naveen Seeing Chandini and Bryce flirting*: They're cute, I want to put them on a boat

Ethan: ...

Sienna: You mean...you ship them?

#he's a little clueless but he's got the spirit!#Naveen is Chandini’s grandfather who tries super hard to use modern slang esp while they’re at work and she’s always like 🤦‍♀️#playchoices #open heart #open heart incorrect quotes #chandyce🌙#chandini ramakrishnan oc #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #dr. naveen banerji #sienna trinh #ethan ramsey

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jerzwriter · 8 months

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im thinking a mix of 4 and 8 from the protective prompts for jensen and casey (platonic ofc). depending on how you go w it, i could also see it as a bonding moment for jensen and tobias if jensen was the one helping casey, but please take it any way you want!!

Thanks for your patience, MJ. I've been a little slow. lol I hope you like the results! From these prompts.

Book: Open Heart Characters: Jensen (M!MC), Casey (F!MC), Bryce Lahela Rating: Teen Category: Hurt/Comfort; Friendship Words: 865 Summary: Casey attempts to help Jensen after a rough day. A/N: No one else will understand, but we do - lol - this is from the Roomies AU, MJ. Hope you like it! Participating in @choicesmonthlychallenge March Prompt - Friends.

She had to decide what to do soon. After all, Casey never spent much time in the kitchen. Hitting 5.0 minutes on the microwave was the extent of her culinary skills, and as the designated cook in the apartment, Jensen knew that. She had another three, four minutes tops before he realized she was keeping tabs on him. A minute or two more before he would find it irritating. Unfortunately, it was the only room in their tiny apartment where she could keep an eye on him, and as she had come to know him better, he had come to know her, too. And he should know she wouldn't leave him alone when he was like this.

A quick glance at her phone on the counter confirmed that Bryce still hadn’t replied. He was in surgery most of the day, but perhaps he could offer some clue of what happened, then maybe... just maybe she’d know what to do. She startled a bit when she heard him shift on their worn, leather sofa... his first movement since arriving home. But that’s all he did, not a word nor a single gesture as he sat in the dark, arms crossed protectively in front of his chest.

Finally, her phone vibrated, and she grabbed it before he heard. Two words, followed by three dots. Bryce had more to say, but she already had all the information she needed.

His mom...

Casey felt her temper rising. She didn’t know much about the woman, but anything she had heard, she didn’t like. Still, Jensen was protective of her, so like Bryce, Casey often bit her tongue when the topic was broached. A second text came in.

... he sent her a present for her birthday, and she returned it unopened. It arrived at work just before he left today. I’ll be out in a few hours, but if you could...

...I’ve got it.

She replied. She let out a silent sigh. Did she have it? She knew how she’d want to be comforted if something this awful happened to her. She would know how to comfort Bryce or her other friends, but Jensen was different, and while they had been growing closer, she wished she had a manual at times like this.

Her head turned toward his bedroom, the door wide open and his bed still unmade. In the center of a tangle of sheets and blankets sat the stuffed raccoon that Bryce – his definitely not boyfriend Bryce – had won for him after a recent trip to the fair. Casey named him Rocky Raccoon, and Jensen never fought her, so Rocky it remained. Working on instinct alone, she retrieved the plush animal and silently marched back to the living room. Coming to a stop right behind Jensen on the couch.

“Hey,” she spoke softly.

Jensen let out a long breath, taking his time before replying.

“Hey.”

“I know you’re having a rough day...” she started.

“What gave it away?” he said without intonation.

“You came home while I was finishing my workout, and you never once made fun of my ‘Flashdance’ attire.”

“Hmmm,” he mumbled. “Dead giveaway.”

Without a word, she stepped closer and placed her hand lovingly on his shoulder as her other hand reached around and placed Rocky Raccoon gently on his lap.

“If you want me to go away, I will. But if you want me to stay, I’ll just sit here. You don’t have to say a thing... not to Rocky or me.”

The darkness surrounding him didn’t lift; they both knew that would take some time. But Jensen felt about an ounce lighter, and right now, that was a good start.

“Sure, you can sit here."

Casey was quickly at his side. Not too close, and no touching. She fought every fiber in her being that longed to hold him, tell him how wonderful he was, and that he'd be OK. But this wasn’t about her... it was about him. So she just sat to let him know she was there.

About twenty minutes had passed before Jensen spoke, a text from Bryce breaking him from his spell.

“Bryce will be here in about an hour,” he spoke.

“OK.”

“Do you know what I'd like before he arrives?”

The corner of Casey’s lip raised ever so slightly. “The rocky road ice cream in the fridge? Two spoons?”

Jensen didn’t smile in response, but she could see the tension in his jaw loosen.

“Two spoons,” he replied.

When Bryce arrived, an empty container was on the table with two spoons resting inside. Rocky was nestled under Jensen’s arm, and any benefit Casey received from the workout before was shot to hell.... but she didn't mind. Bryce leaned over and whispered in her ear.

“I’ve got this from here.”

She silently stepped up and headed to her room. Bryce had slid into the space she held for him, but just before she closed her bedroom door, Jensen called out.

“Case.”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

With a soft smile, she closed the door, knowing her friend was in good hands. It would take some time, but he would be all right.

@mydemonsdrivealimo

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics Additional tags in reblog.

#open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #open heart fanfics #friendship #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x m!mc #m!mc & f!mc / oc #playchoices #choices the stories you play #choices fanfic #fic requests

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nmvord · 2 years

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After all this time, they're still together.

#playchoices #choices stories you play #foreign affairs #open heart #bryce lahela #tatum mendoza #bryce lahela x mc #tatum mendoza x mc #open heart mc #foreign affairs oc #bryce x mc #tatum x mc #open heart fanart #foreign affairs fanart #digital illustration #digital fanart #sketch #favourite couples!

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txemrn · 1 year

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Ricochet

Part IV: "... This Isn't What I Wanted (or Is It Everything?)"

Need to Catch up?

A New Boss (a prequel of sorts)

Part I: “Like Moths to the Flame”

Part II: “So Far Away, but Still So Near”

Part IIIa: “And I Know It Gets Dark…”

Part IIIb: "...But I Know the Way."

Pairings: Ethan Ramsey x F!OC (Tatum Erikson); Tobias Carrick x F!OC (Tatum)

Series Music Inspo: Ricochet by Starset (more of an acoustic fan? Check it here.)

Chapter Music Inspo: "Shapeshifting" by Taylor Acorn

Series Summary: Almost two decades ago, he gave love a chance–and she betrayed him. Now after all of this time, Dr. Ethan Ramsey and Dr. Tatum Erikson realize that their past feelings might not exactly be ancient history–especially now that they are forced to work together.

Chapter Summary: Tatum has called for assistance from the main OR, but will they be any help when several emergencies emerge at the same time? Tatum takes courage and finds her voice when she remembers an awful experience; she meets a new, young surgical resident

Warning: 🔞mature audiences only 🔞 TW: dub-con/non-con 🍋; strong depiction of a medical procedure; strong depiction of a medical emergency involving newborn infant and mother; language (including a slur against woman); angst; discussion of infidelity

Word Count: 4300 (+/-)

A/N: Characters and some plot belong to Pixelberry! Not beta'd, so please excuse my errors. Fair warning: this is not my strongest chapter (I mean, it took my FOREVER to actually finish it and post), but I hope you enjoy the journey regardless.

A/N 2: It really has been forever and day, so here's a recap: *clear throat* Previously in Ricochet... Unable to sleep after his encounter with Casey at Raf and Sienna's wedding, Ethan's heads in to the hospital despite it being his day off; after a challenging talk with Tobias about unspoken intentions with Tatum, the chief heads over to the L&D ORs, where he finds a terrified Tatum in the midst of a rare, very lethal surgery, and her hesitation doesn't go unnoticed by the staff in the observation deck as they ridicule the new chief of OB, Tobias being the ringleader of the hate; Ethan sternly bans them from witnessing the once-in-a-lifetime surgery before turning to encourage Tatum in the most Ethan-way possible: with just a look...

~🖤~

Remaining in her sterile surgical gear, Tatum carefully takes a seat on a metal stool, saving her back for the arduous surgery staring at her on the operating table. She anxiously chews on her lip, her eyes darting across her patient's open abdomen before fixating on her fresh set of steel tools.

The procedure she knows like the back of her hand: clamp, cut, control bleeding. But, with the placenta growing outside of the uterus and into other organs, into the delicate vasculature of the pelvis, it's like going into this surgery blindfolded.

The uterus has to come out–and the patient is well aware of this and prepared. But, this isn't like any other hysterectomy. Will it cost the patient her ovaries? Her bowels and bladder? Her life?

Tatum urgently stands back up, staring at the clock on the wall. It had been over twenty minutes, and her STAT page was yet to be answered by surgery. Too slow for L&D standards; way too slow for her own standards. And at this rate, the patient’s spinal anesthesia is going to dissipate before they even start.

Damnit… think, Tatum, think…

She could always page Ramsey.

No.

Tatum refuses to resort to that. Well, not that calling on him for assistance would be the worst thing in the world.

She had a brief moment of weakness–more like a moment of uncertainty, actually–when she discovered her patient’s unknown lethal condition, and Ethan clearly recognized the fear etched on her face from the gallery; truth be told, the accreta scared him, too.

However, Tatum is a highly skilled physician; her reputation for excellence precedes her. If she needs help, she will ask for it–and she has.

She's embarrassed that she even needed Ethan's reassurance earlier, even if it was just for that moment, that simple nod of 'I believe in you.' Sure, it was supportive, and it gave her that extra push she needed to power forward.

But that look, that damn crystal gaze…

Damnit, why did she have to freeze? It was only for an instant, a very brief second. Tatum Erikson doesn't need a vote of confidence. Not from anyone, not even from the famous Dr. Ethan Ramsey. She is independently strong, independently capable.

But now, Tatum feels as if she's accidentally exposed a secret side to herself, like her own Achilles' heel; it's quite possible now he knows he still has an effect on her.

Worse, now she knows he still has an effect on her.

She turns to Wanda the charge nurse, who shrugs her shoulders to the physician's unspoken question.

Tatum takes a deep cleansing breath, trying her best to stay calm. "Can someone please tell me where the hell is my backup ?"

"Right here, Doctor…"

Hearing the monotoned boredom of an unfamiliar male voice, Tatum spins around to find two gentlemen moseying into her operating room, drying off their hands with blue sterile towels. The tension raking her nerves is instantly relieved, seeing her help arrive.

The older of the men continues. "I'm Dr. Aaron Tanaka, chief of surgery," he nods his head towards the taller gentleman. "And this is one of my fourth-years–"

"Sup?" The young surgical resident smoothly winks at Tatum, popping gum under his mask.

Oh great, a kindergartner… Tatum rolls her eyes as the healthcare team assists the men into their protective gowns. As the physicians roll their gloves over the cuffs of their sleeves, Tatum escorts them over to her patient, catching them up to speed on what has happened so far. Together, Dr. Tanaka and Dr. Erikson develop several plans of how to overcome the patient's lethal risk of hemorrhaging.

"Whoa…" the younger surgeon exclaims, "I have never seen anything like that–"

Tatum clears her throat, glaring at the amateur physician.

"Should I start charging admission?" The patient jokes on the other side of the blue drape, causing the room to snicker loudly.

Tatum leans toward the young doctor, her tone low and syrupy. And quite sarcastic. “Try not to say everything that pops into that feeble little brain of yours–” He pops his chewing gum, winking with a finger gun. Fucking residents…

As the room quiets down, the patient softly whistles to get her surgeon's attention. "Dr. Erikson?" Tatum tucks in her hands, carefully wiggling her body closer to the head of the table to hear the patient clearer.

"Yes ma'am? You ready?"

The patient lowers her voice. "He's not, eh, doing the surgery, is he?" referring to the surgical resident who was shocked by the scene.

The blonde guffaws. "No, ma'am," she glances back to the young doctor who is now talking cooly with her staff, the nurses dow-eyed and eagerly laughing at everything he says. But suddenly, he fixes his flirty, soft copper eyes on Tatum. His intense gaze fools her into inadvertently staring too long as she begins to take note of his tall, trim physique. He begins to smolder, causing her to turn her attention back to her patient. "H–He's here for… my entertainment."

“Is he hot? He sounds hot.” Tatum gives a dramatic wink while her patient shoots a knowing look in return, clicking her tongue and giggling.

“Erikson?” The anesthesthetist breaks her from her reverie, confirming the case status. “We’re ready.”

"Perfect.” Tatum takes her place on a metal step stool, matching her height with her assists. She’s above average height for a woman at five-foot-nine-inches, but still, the men tower over her. She looks around the room with a commanding stance. “Are we set then?"

"Ready when you are, Doc," Dr. Tanaka affirms, others nodding in agreement.

Tatum cracks her neck, taking a big deep breath. "Okay, then," she exhales, surveying her staff, "now who's ready to have a birthday party?"

After a few shared chuckles, the patient was safely intubated and given the proper amount of anesthesia. Seeing that she was safely asleep under the appropriate gasses, Dr. Erikson quickly proceeds with her cesarean surgery, and in record time, she delivers a beautiful six-pound, thirteen-ounce baby girl.

The OB takes the tiny infant in her arms, making cooing noises to welcome the tiny one into the world as she suctions out the mouth and nose with a green bulb syringe.

But as the birthday cheers begin to quiet down around the room, the situation abruptly becomes dire: the baby is limp, her skin becoming dusky gray at the cut of her cord. Tatum continues to stimulate the baby to breathe with no avail.

"C'mon, baby girl," Tatum's words become gruffly matter-of-fact. She wrestles with her legs, flicking her feet vigorously with her fingers, but her tiny frame lays flaccid in the physician's hands like a limp fish.

Lifeless.

No cry.

"Nurse?" Tatum urgently calls out, quickly handing off the stunned baby to the waiting NICU staff. "Keep me updated–" she orders as the team hooks the baby up to specialized monitors, performing the necessary interventions to resuscitate.

Tatum briefly closes her eyes, taking a deep breath before she focuses on the surgery. Opening her eyes, she nods assuredly to Tanaka before continuing. “Pickups.” The surgical tech hands the obstetrician a pair of tissue forceps and a cauterizing tool to continue with her surgery. "I need an update, ladies," Tatum shouts. Her tone is assertive and controlled, commanding and clear. Inwardly she is panicked, but she remains calm, a testament to her leadership skills and her quick thinking.

"We're just past a minute of life. Pulse is 52. Starting compressions… draw up epi… let's get an umbilical line…"

Fuck. Tatum's nerves tangle as she listens to the baby's team of professionals administer medications and physical maneuvers to make her spontaneously breathe on her own. Still, the OB continues steadily and carefully with her surgery, glancing over at the baby every few seconds.

C'mon, baby girl. Cmon. Mama needs you–

Suddenly, a trill of alarms begin to blare rapidly, stealing everyone's attention. Before realizing what had happened, warm, crimson fluid spatters across the surgical field, saturating Tatum's arms, gloves and gown; her mask and shield are covered with blood.

"Erikson!" Shouts the anesthetist, "BP 67/23… heart rate now in the 150s…"

"That vessel on the lateral portion of the accreta blew. She's bleeding out, Erikson–" Tanaka quickly suctions the field of the pooling blood. "She's getting shocky… and fast. How should we proceed?"

Fuck. Tatum grabs a stack of lap pads and tosses them to the young resident. "We need to find the source of this bleeding." He nods and instantly begins soaking up the copious amounts of fluid with the large, thick pieces of gauze as Tatum explores the body cavity with Tanaka.

"BPs dropping," anesthesia hollers.

"Give me a second–"

"Erikson! She doesn't have a second–"

"Bolus her and mass transfuse four units–" Feeling their stares, Tatum looks up at her concerned anesthesia team. "Now!" She growls, her eyebrows furrowing as she returns to the carnage. "Then cross and match four more units… and buy me a goddamn second!"

Taking a deep breath, Tatum flickers her attention to her assistants, both of them giving her an approving nod.

"Damnit! Dr. Erikson! I can't get this intubation on the baby. We need you–"

"Dr. Erikson! Vitals not improving–"

“Dr. Erikson–!”

Tatum glances around the room, her paralyzing fear slowing down time. All she can hear is the thunder of her own heart racing, the rasp of her breathing echoing in her head. She sees the concerned faces; she hears the whispers of doubt and concern from her colleagues

She’s losing them. The possibility of losing either of them never crossed her mind, but both? A mother and child? This wasn’t the plan; this was never part of the fucking plan.

The sting of tears pricks at Tatum’s reddening eyes.

What do I do?... what have I done?

------

The torrential downpour hushes to a dull tapping of raindrops as hollow roars of thunder rumble in the distance; but, the storm was just beginning for Tatum as she lays frozen in her bed, her sanctuary that she shared only with the love of her life.

And now, his best friend.

The room suddenly feels so different, so strange and unknown. It seems so ordinary, no longer special. The warmth of home has melted away, leaving a peculiar chill of unfamiliarity.

There's a handsome smell, a spicy musk that hangs in the air. But, it’s not Ethan.

There’s a pair of distressed jeans tossed carelessly on the carpet, but the body heat that lingers isn’t from him either.

There’s a set of arms possessively wrapped around her naked body. The skin feels … different. The hair? Different. The actual grip and weight on top of her: it’s different.

It’s not Ethan.

What have I done? Tatum’s eyes pain with the threat of tears, her chest beginning to rise and fall in search of fresh air, in search of clarity. But with each gasp of a new breath, she quietly whimpers in agony for the ache in her heart.

She had broken the most precious thing she owned. That she will ever own.

"You awake?" Tobias croons in her ear as his large hand massages the soft, flat planes of her belly. He tenderly works his way down, his fingers intimately petting her sore, swollen lips between her thighs.

She winces, her toes curling as her body grows rigid from his unwanted touch. She consciously holds her breath, hoping he won't notice her terrified nerves.

"What’s wrong, baby girl?" he whispers, pressing his full lips against her neck, biting at the sensitive area. “Are you needing more already?”

Tatum can feel his heavy erection against her hip, his intentions painfully aware. He slowly rocks himself against her body as if to charm her like a serpent, hypnotizing her to give him exactly what he wants. Another rendezvous; another fuck; another sin.

Desperate for a gentle hand, she foolishly lost herself in Tobias’s caress earlier that evening. She was vulnerable, inebriated, and lonely. In her altered mind, even for just a small moment, being in his arms made sense–well, being in someone's arms made sense. She needed Ethan. She was broken and hurt, and she despairingly needed her boyfriend’s love and comfort.

But, Tobias was there. His words, the look on his face, the heat in his touch: it was exactly what she needed to sooth her wounds. For the moment.

And now, he wants to claim her once more.

Shit, can a woman deny a man if she’s already given in once? Does he have a claim over her, a right, an expectation? The conversation played out in her head: 'You said, ‘yes’ earlier, you tease. You whore…'

Oh God, would he turn on her? Shame her publicly? Worse, would he tell Ethan before she could… that is if she decided to actually tell her boyfriend–no, she had to, right? But if Tobias told Ethan before her, would he be honest about what happened? Or would she become another victim of slut-shaming? 'She couldn't be faithful; what else is she lying about?'

It was one time; it was one mistake. Does that unravel three years of trust? Three years of commitment? Three years of love?

Tatum already knew the answer, and the taste of bile grazes the back of her throat.

She needed to stop this from happening again. But how can she while still protecting herself?

This was a grave mistake…

Tobias gently rolls her over, kissing hungrily against her pout. His tongue swipes across her plump lips, his large hand roaming down the outside of her thigh. But then he stops, sensing her awkwardness. “You okay?” His voice is haunting, dark, his gray eyes piercing her vacant stare.

No. “Uh-huh,” she lies with a nod. The corners of her mouth begin to curl as his hand grips behind her knee, hitching her leg around his waist. Goosebumps ignite across her skin in betrayal as he pushes himself against her throbbing clit.

Stop, her brain screams.

“Relax, Tate,” he growls before reclaiming her lips, nipping and bruising them. "Let me make you feel good."

Tell him to stop.

“Is this okay?”

No. She reluctantly shakes her head 'yes' in agreement.

He aligns his girth with her entrance, fisting the sheets next to her head as he hovers above her docile form.

Say something! Do anything! she screams to herself, but she is paralyzed by fear. It's more than just the fear of the consequences of what's happening. Tatum is terrified of herself.

Then again, maybe she believes she deserves this. It wasn't going to be pleasurable for her, rather an act of attrition. Maybe that's why her body allowed his advances. Maybe she needed to feel the discomfort as a form of punishment for what she had done against Ethan. Maybe this was a last ditch effort to settle the score, to make things even.

Feeling Tobias's weight begin to push into her, she turns her head to her phone laying on the bedside table, praying for Ethan to call her, text her, anything to interrupt this.

But nothing comes through.

And suddenly, she sobs out a painful moan.

------

“Dr. Erikson—!”

Say something… Do anything…

Tatum subtly shakes her head, the horrid memory fleeing her thoughts. The frantic voices of the NICU team pull her attention to the struggling infant.

“Please, doc, we need this intubation. We don’t have time to wait for our back-up–”

Tatum watches the mother’s abdomen pool with blood before turning a pleading stare to her colleague. “Tanaka–?”

“I’m on it.” He elbows his wide-eyed resident, “Suction.”

Say something… Do anything…

Seeing the men take over, Tatum instantly rips off her dirty gown and gloves and positions herself at the head of the baby’s bed.

“Would you like for us to call our back-up?” The neonatal practitioner urgently interrupts.

Tatum remains silent, seemingly ignoring her. She slides a metal apparatus into the infant’s mouth before guiding a clear plastic tube inside the throat and past the vocal cords. Attaching an ambu bag to the special tube to assist with the baby’s breathing, she watches the tiny chest rise and fall in coordination with the squeezing of the ventilation. Tatum steals a stethoscope from a nearby nurse’s neck and listens closely to the lungs.

“Breath sounds…” she moves the flat, round bell to the other side of the tiny torso, “equal and bilateral.” Tatum smirks as on-lookers silently praise her with sighs of relief. “Now,” she continues, “get this kid some epi. Oh! And ma’am?” She turns to the practitioner while handing the stethoscope back to the nurse. “I don’t need back-up.”

Slipping back into her sterile apparel, Tatum rejoins Tanaka and his resident, but quickly notices that he still hasn’t been able to find the source of the bleeding. She looks to anesthesia, “Where are we on our blood?”

“The first unit is pouring into her, but–”

“--she’s bleeding it back out–shit!” Tatum stares at the flood of viscous crimson.

“How would you like to proceed?” Dr. Tanaka questions. “Maybe order some more blood?”

Tatum thinks in silence, racking her brain for a solution.

“Should we call someone? Maybe someone who knows?” Anesthesia sardonically suggests, earning him a hateful side-eye.

“Maybe you should just plug the hole up with your finger,” the resident chuckles, his attending suddenly glaring in disapproval. Tatum glances at him, her eyes squinting into a glower as her eyebrows furrow.

These idiots–

But then she stops. She slowly cocks her head with curiosity as she suddenly considers his words.

Actually…

"My apologies, Dr. Erikson,” Tanaka interjects. “Perhaps we should–"

“--plug the hole up,” Tatum interrupts the seasoned surgeon, echoing the resident's poor joke, only this time, there is a certainty in her voice. "I’m going in." She instantly sticks her gloved hand into the open abdominal cavity, gently feeling her way around the thick, warm fluid.

“Dr. Erikson,” Dr. Tanaka chides, “this… is… highly unusual–”

“Just keep suctioning,” she orders, her hands tenderly brushing against the fragile uterus and the delicate vessels.

Tanaka scoffs, giving a knowing look to a worried anesthesia provider. The tall, young resident looks to his mentor, unsure of what to do… or if there was anything to do. He nervously looks back to Dr. Erikson, but suddenly his jaw falls open.

Her eyes are closed.

"Erikson–?" the anesthesiologist attempts to get her attention.

"Give me a sec," she carefully feels her way through the body.

His voice grows frantic. "Her vitals are–"

"Got it!" She instantly peers up at her staff with relief before turning to her tech. Her hand remains deep inside the patient, her arm twisted at an odd angle. "Get me a 3-O vicryl suture on an SH. Now please."

Tatum works quickly in silence as she temporarily fixes the weak, broken vessel. It wasn't a long-term answer, but this would buy them time to thoroughly clear the area of the accreta while cauterizing the necessary vessels before they performed the hysterectomy.

"Okay, so–" She flashes an innocent gaze to anesthesia, batting her eyelashes. "What were you saying about those vitals, doctor?" She's grateful she's wearing a mask to hide her smirk, but she knows her eyes are giving her away.

"Stabilizing, ma'am, uh. Doctor."

Shaking his head in disbelief, Dr. Tanaka suctions to clear the field–and it stays that way.

"How did you know that would work?" The resident questions, his warm gaze fixating on the blonde OB.

Tatum stops, thoughts racing through her mind as she considers her words. She then subtly shakes her head, returning to the operation. "I didn't… but sometimes even when you don't know what the answer is, you just have to do something. It’s way better than nothing."

------

Impressive. That's the word men use when a lady doctor kicks ass. The anesthesia team along with Dr. Tanaka couldn't stop talking about Tatum's heroic move of plugging up the ruptured vessel with her finger–and doing so only by her sense of touch, completely blind. If she were a man, they would've given her a cigar; but to be described as impressive? She knows her battles; she'll take it.

As they transfer the patient to recovery, Tatum takes a moment to herself to bask in the relief of saving a life. Of saving two. She slips back into the sink area to be alone in silence.

Taking in a deep cleansing breath, she allows her nerves to relax for the first time in several hours. She tightly clenches her watering eyes shut, taking pleasure in the subtle sting of warmth after being in the frigid sterile air.

She grips firmly to the edge of the sink as she wiggles and contorts her body, feeling the sudden release of tension as her joints crack and pop.

She's grateful; she knows the success of the surgery was not by her doing alone. She would never be foolish enough to be that cocky, to truly think that something like this was completely in her control. There's only so much in her power, so much that science and her skills can fix. But when lives are left to chance, she’s grateful that the gamble fell into her favor.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

Instantly recognizing the familiar lax vocal timbre, Tatum looks up from the large steel sinks to find the tall, surgical resident, leaning against the doorway outside the operating room. She smiles appreciatively at him as he takes off his blue mask.

He's young– maybe in his late twenties–and handsome with a natural caramel glow to his skin. The lines of his face are cut sharp, chiseled into perfect angles. He’s slender, but well-toned; his green scrub top pulls snug around the musculature of his biceps. Although his hibiscus-laden scrub cap covers his head, his sun-kissed brunette tresses are pulled back into a tiny ponytail. Most of the hairs, however, have already worked their way out of the elastic, resting on the nape of his neck.

"No," Tatum shakes her head, "not at all."

He steps into the room, casually sliding his hands into his pockets. “Can I just say… that was incredible.”

Tatum stifles a bright smile, feigning nonchalance as she picks at her nails. "I mean–" She glances back up at him, but seeing the glint of excitement reciprocated, she instantly forgets whatever smart-ass comment she was about to make and squeals. “God, that was fucking cool, wasn’t it?”

"The fucking coolest! One of the most interesting cases I've seen in a while," he sucks in his bottom lip, his dimpled grin plastered wide across his face. "You just…” he snickers under his breath, “wow, I don't see myself forgetting this anytime soon."

Their playfulness quickly vanishes as Tatum catches a hint of something in his tone. Is he flirting? Becoming hyper-aware of his proximity, an err of awkwardness falls between them. Feeling heat bloom on her cheeks, Tatum quickly attempts to rectify the situation by clearing her throat, rolling back her shoulders to straighten out her back. “By the way, thank you," she starts, "for your help in there with the, uh… with the, um–" Unable to find the right words, she begins holding up her pointer finger, spinning it around in the air. "Um… You know? The whole fingering thing–I mean–"

He chuckles, coyly looking down at the ground before meeting her gaze again, flashing his pearly whites. "Dr. Erikson, are you accusing me of 'fingering' in your OR?"

Tatum's eyes widen. She purses her lips together to stifle her laughter. Oh, so you're a bad kindergartner… "That… that's not what I meant, uh… doctor… um–"

"Bryce," he holds out his hand to take hers. "Bryce Lahela."

Speechless, Tatum mindlessly places her hand in his palm. She clears her throat again as she shakes his hand sternly in a poor attempt of being professional. "Nice to officially meet you--" she states matter-of-factly, "--Bryce. I'm–"

"--going to Donahue's," he interrupts.

"What?"

He snickers. "You're going to Donahue's for a drink."

"Oh, am I now?"

"You are," he takes a step closer, the front of his Crocs kissing the toes of her tennis shoes. "With me. Those are the rules."

"Rules?"

"Mhmm," he hums as he lifts up her hand. Tatum didn't realize that he was still holding on even after their professional handshake. He points to the small tattoo on her wrist that she normally covers with her watch. "See this right here?"

"My tattoo?" She giggles sardonically to herself, curious as to what line he's about to feed her.

"You're a Virgo," he flashes a smirk, "which means we need to satisfy that impulsive side of yours by grabbing drinks together. In celebration of your badassery today, of course."

"Oh, of course," Tatum jests, pulling her hand away from him. "Too bad I'm not a Virgo," she turns to walk away, but stops herself, glancing back to him. "Also… you suck at astrology," she giggles before walking away from the sink area.

Bryce chuckles under his breath before jogging to catch up with her. "What’s with the Virgo ink then?"

Tatum rolls her eyes, glancing briefly at the collection of connected stars. "Long story–"

"--which… you can tell me… over drinks at Donahue's!" They both fall into laughter as Tatum comes to a stop in the hallway.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Hey, I wasn't lying about the rules. We have to celebrate."

Tatum looks up and down the empty corridor before crossing her arms, considering his proposition. God, is this what she is resorting to these days? Last night, Tobias and tonight, a resident? Who really is this guy anyway?

Tatum wasn't sure if he was messy or complicated; but he was gorgeous, and he was available. Maybe. And he wasn't Ethan Ramsey.

"One drink. As colleagues. That's it."

~🖤~

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Thank you so much for your support! Every like, comment and reblog means the world to me! 🖤

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storyofmychoices · 26 days

Text

Bryce & Olivia ☔️

Okay, I felt bad that you were so kind to my horrible Olivia sketch, so I figured I'd offer you a Bryce x Olivia chibi sketch as thanks! I used a reference for the proportions and pose this time so it's an improvement from the last sketch! 💙

#bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #bryce lahela x oc #bryce oph #open heart #playchoices #choices #choices game #olivia hadley #bryce x olivia #brylivia #lovealexhunt #oph bryce #open heart fan art #march2024 #storyofmychoices #my attempt to art #dani attempts to art

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peonierose · 2 years

Note

#14 :)

Thank you so so much. And sorry for the late reply 😁

Here's a little something I hope you like it 🥰 Since Luna hasn’t given birth yet. I sort of played with the idea if she already had ☺️ Hope that’s okay

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Luna Auclair

Rating: Fluff

Words: 900+

A/N: I got the wonderful prompt (#14 - the baby being visibly excited when one of the parents is entering the room) from @jerzwriter ❤️ from this prompt list

My mom stands next to me as I change Kehlani and she does the same with Alaia. Changing twins? Team effort.

”They’re so cute,“ my mom comments and blows a raspberry on Lanis tummy.

She giggles and it’s my favorite sound in the whole world.

I grin softly at my mom

”Totally. Except when we have to change them. I think B almost fainted last night,“ I say

Bryce walks up the stairs

He kisses my shoulder

”That’s not true babe. Don’t listen to them Lani,“ he says and I move to the side so that he can have time with one of his girls.

She looks up at him with her big brown eyes. And starts giggling.

He smiles. His eyes so proud. He tickles her and earns an excited laugh.

”See? She loves me,“ he picks her up and bounces her on his hip.

I cross my arms

”She loves me more,“ I say and don’t even notice my mom filming this whole thing.

Bryce keeps talking to Lani

”Don’t listen to her. I know I’m your favorite,“ he kisses her soft cheeks.

Lani keeps looking at him and laughs.

”Beat that,“ Bryce grins triumphantly.

”This is not a contest,“ I retort

”Says the loser. Give me five,“ he says to Lani and he high fives Lanis little hand.

Grace laughs so hard she has to lean on the wall for support.

”You guys I almost peed my pants from laughing,“ she says and I give her Rosie to hold who smiles adorably at her grandma.

My mom is still laughing to herself, and wiping tears from the corner of her eyes.

Bryce is still holding Lani.

When Rosie starts to fuss. She’s making her I‘m-hungry-and-you-better-feed-me-face

I smile and get settled in the rocking chair.

I peel away my bra and gently put Rosie in place.

Not gonna lie. The first time nursing hurt a little, but it’s better now.

Bryce dances around with Lani as my mom makes silly faces at her, to keep her from crying.

Nursing twins? Is a balancing act. Usually when one of them sees me nursing? The other wants in too. And I’m not able to nurse both of them at the same time.

”Looks like someone is hungry,“ Bryce comments and kisses me on my forehead.

”Yeah,“ I say and when Rosie is done I give her to Bryce and take Lani who’s smiling excitedly. I let her take the other side to nurse her.

”Looks like she knows where her favorite place is. I sure know the feeling,“ Bryce comments winking at me and burps Rosie.

”B….“ I blush down to my neck.

My mom chortles and says taking Rosie from Bryce to kiss her soft cheeks.

”Oh don’t worry I‘ve heard worse. Isn’t that right my little angel,“ my mom says and Rosie puts her chubby hand on my moms face giggling.

They both smile and I wish I’d had a camera to capture the moment. Luckily B is way ahead of me and snaps a pic.

———————————————————

Lying in bed the baby monitor on full. Should the twins wake up, needing anything.

I sigh into my pillow as sleep won’t come.

My whole body feels weird. A few weeks after giving birth, it still feels weird.

I don’t think I’ve adjusted to not being pregnant anymore.

Bryce rolls to his side, leaning in closer so his lips are right next to my ear.

”Can’t sleep?“ his voice raspy from sleep.

I turn around be he holds me in place and puts a hand over my stomach.

”I feel weird not being pregnant,“ I admit

He leans closer and lazily traces soft kisses along my neck.

”Why?“ he mumbles against my skin

”I don’t know. It’s as if I hadn’t really gotten the memo that I gave birth,“ I say and feel weird for saying that.

It was a painful experience giving birth, but I miss tracing fingers along my stomach feeling the twins kick. Talking to them through my stomach.

Now that they’re here. It’s just so different.

I tell B my thoughts.

”It feels weird not being pregnant, because I don’t feel them kick anymore. I miss my baby bump,“ I say sadly.

I feel his smile against my shoulder.

”Oh we can definitely work on making you feel that way again,“ he says his tone gone lower.

I laugh and tune my head to look at him.

”I gave birth a few weeks ago. I don’t feel like doing that again so soon,“ I say turning fully around.

Bryce looks at me. As if I’m his most priced possession.

He licks his lips and leans down to kiss me and I just sigh at the contact. Feeling like a horny teenager. Craving this contact with him all the damn time.

”Is it weird that I can’t get enough off of you?“ I ask into the dark, the pale moonlight drifting into the room. Making B look like a fallen angel.

He smiles wickedly

”Not at all,“ he says and before we can move further ahead the baby monitor lets us know that the twins woke up.

He puts his face on my stomach, frustration clear on his face.

”I was really hoping to get some time alone with these,“ he says looking sadly at my breasts.

I kiss him

”Later. I think we’ve really got to manage our alone time better. Maybe be a bit quicker about it,“ I say and adjust my white sleeping shirt. And I feel my boobs leaking.

He smiles getting up and hands me a new shirt from the drawer

”Thanks B,“ I say thankfully

”Oh I can be real quick,“ he says smiling at me and I smile back

He pulls me into his arms

”Anything for you my darling angel,“ he says kissing me and together we go look after our little miracles.