#dr ethan ramsey x mc

[alj4890]

Hello!

It is canon that Naveen is an unabashed gossip. We also know Ethan is practically his son, and he adores MC. But let's face it, we know those two had to be the source of a lot of gossip.

How do you think Naveen dealt with that?

Sorry this took so long. After the week with Tobias, it took me a little while to get back into "Ethan is going to end up with the MC" mode 🤣 So here's my take on how Naveen would enjoy the gossip going on about two people he cared about.

Rating: G for pure fluff

@hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam

Masterlist

Tea Time

"Dr. Banerji." Marlene greeted as she sat down across from him.

"Ah, just the nurse I was hoping to see." Naveen set his crossword puzzle book to the side of his tray. "How's your day been?"

"Busy but good." She chuckled. "You should see the new batch of interns in action."

"And how are our second year's holding up?" He prodded.

Marlene rolled her eyes. "I know you really only want to hear about one in particular."

Naveen snorted in amusement. "You caught me. How is Casey doing?"

"She definitely got the toughest intern I've seen in years." Marlene glanced about the nearly empty cafeteria. "I think she's a harder nut to crack than Dr. Mirani."

"Zaid?" Naveen winced. "Poor Casey. But if anyone can get someone to open up, it's definitely her. I've seen her work wonders on the ones you'd least expect."

Marlene nodded while picking through her salad.

"Any other news?" He asked.

"She seems to be holding her own on the diagnostics team." Marlene pointed out. "So far, I've seen each member impressed with her ability to figure out what is wrong with the patients they treat."

"Interesting." Naveen stroked his chin. "I might have to pay a visit and see how things are going myself."

He checked the time. "Looks like my reprieve from paperwork is nearly over."

"There's one more bit of news." Marlene whispered.

The smile on her face let him know she was finally getting to the good stuff.

"Trish was walking past the office when she saw Dr. Valentine in there alone with Dr. Ramsey."

"And?" Naveen leaned forward.

"And she believes they were holding hands under the table while reading through medical files." She explained.

Naveen sat back with a grin. "Holding hands, hmm? Interesting."

He got to his feet and placed his unopened pudding cup on her tray.

"Keep me posted." He said on his way out.

**************

A few weeks later...

"Baz!" Naveen called out. "Good to see you this evening."

The younger doctor turned around with a warm smile. "Naveen. It's good to see you too. How are you feeling?"

"Almost like new." Naveen teased, draping his arm around the man's shoulders. "Tell me how things are going on the team with Ethan in charge."

"They're great!" Baz exclaimed. "We are working like the well oiled machine you created."

"Umhmm." He hummed in approval.

Naveen could care less about that. He knew that Ethan would continue to succeed, never doubted it.

"And how is the newest member settling in?"

"Casey?" Baz's smile grew. "Like she's always been there."

"Really?" Naveen paused with him outside the locker room. "No awkwardness?"

"Not really." Baz stroked his chin in thought. "I mean, her first few days with us she was more quiet than she is now. She started contributing more after she talked to Ethan alone one day."

"Alone, hmm?" Naveen wondered what happened there. "Good. Very good."

He patted the young man on the back. "Glad to hear everything's going as it should."

Baz wished him a good night on his way to get changed.

Humming to himself, Naveen returned to his office. He made sure to take the long way there, pausing outside the glass doors of the diagnostics office.

He stayed somewhat in the shadows as he peered into the dimly lit room. He could see Ethan sitting there on a sofa. A rare smile was upon his face as Casey talked. With the way her hands were gesturing, she was relating a humorous story.

Naveen narrowed his eyes as he studied the man he considered a son. He hadn't seen Ethan that relaxed in quite some time, nor willing to sit there after hours to listen to someone else's story.

And then he saw Ethan reach for Casey's hand. His thumb brushed over her knuckles as the pair directed their attention to their clasped hands.

Casey's expressive face sobered. Ethan said something that made her grimace. Whatever she replied with had him hesitating before shaking his head and releasing her hand.

Naveen could almost feel the longing from here. With a slight frown of his own, he decided to maybe drop a hint or two to Ethan that one shouldn't miss out on life.

***************

A few nights later...

"Ethan, my boy." Naveen rose from the table to shake his hand. "I was just about to order us some appetizers."

"Sorry I'm late. We had a last minute development on that influencer who insists on filming everything."

"Ah. And what is her diagnosis?"

"A tapeworm." Ethan pointed at the menu. "Stay away from the steak tartare."

Naveen chuckled. "Did she film that announcement?"

"She did." Ethan smirked. "And it has been the best part of my day."

Naveen laughed once more.

After they placed their orders, the two began to discuss Edenbrook's financial crisis.

"We have to keep it going." Ethan told him. "After all the work you've done over the years to make the hospital mean something more than--"

Naveen waved his hand in a dismissal fashion.

"Whatever happens, the diagnostic team will have served its purpose."

Ethan sat stunned over his cavalier attitude over what had been a huge milestone of Naveen's entire career.

"When I was dying," Naveen began, "I had a lot of time to reflect on my life."

Ethan quirked an eyebrow in silent question.

"Believe it or not, the creation of Edenbrook's revered diagnostic team didn't even factor into my thoughts."

"What?" Ethan blinked. "What did you think about?"

"All that I'd missed out on." Naveen took a sip of his wine. "Did you know, that when I was a young man that I'd planned on doing a tour of Europe?"

"No."

"I did." Naveen smiled sadly at his wine glass. "I was going to walk through the vineyards, sample the finest wines the world has created, see landmarks I'd only viewed in travel books, and simply soak in the culture."

He sighed, setting his glass down. "I never went."

"That doesn't mean you can't still go." Ethan pointed out.

"It's not the same." Naveen argued. "I'm not the same man I was forty years ago. I can't trek all over the countryside with knees aching from arthritis. I can't look at the world with those wide, young optimistic eyes I once had. I'll see everything through my years of witnessing people be ravaged by disease and self harm."

He eyed Ethan.

"And, I'll be alone. There was a young woman I was dating at the time of my big dreams. She was more than ready to drop everything in her life, like one easily does in their twenties, to spend months with me in Europe."

Naveen turned toward the window their table was near. His eyes grew distant as he tried to capture the image of his lost love's smile. "Carmen was ready to start a life with me. I kept keeping her at a distance. I put off asking her to marry me, believing I needed first to become some great all knowing doctor."

He ran his hand down his face with a slight sigh. "I didn't give her the attention she needed. So, someone else came along who did."

Ethan's brow was furrowed in thought as he listened quietly.

"Don't let my goals become yours." Naveen stressed. "You owe me nothing."

"I disagree." Ethan muttered. "I owe you everything with my career."

"You accomplished it all on your own. I didn't give it to you. You earned every bit of recognition and respect you have from me and your colleagues."

Naveen leaned forward to drive his point home.

"As someone who cares about you like you were my own son, I don't want to see you waste your life on one single endeavor. Find other things, people, places that make you happy. Let them give you warm memories when you are old. Don't end up like me with nothing but regret when you are on your death bed."

Naveen motioned for the waiter to bring him the check. "I want you to have a full life, Ethan."

"I do." Ethan argued.

"I hope you will soon see the truth." Naveen paid the waiter and pushed away from the table. "I better be-"

"What truth?" Ethan got to his feet. "What are you trying to get me to understand?"

"I can't tell you that." Naveen placed a comforting hand on Ethan's shoulder. "That's something every man has to discover for himself."

He gave him an affectionate squeeze then left Ethan alone with his thoughts.

*****************

A few weeks later, Naveen cornered the one doctor he suspected knew more about Ethan and Casey than anyone else.

"Dr. Trinh!" He smiled at her. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good, Dr. Banerji." She slowed her pace to match his. "How are you?"

"Still going which is always a plus at my age." He replied with a wink.

She giggled. "It is at any age."

"True." He glanced at the clock. "Have you had lunch yet?"

"No sir." She grimaced somewhat. "I've been going nonstop since I got here this morning."

"Then as Chief, I insist you take a needed break." He took the folders out of her hands and set them at the nurses station. "Danny, take care of these for Dr. Trinh please."

He then took Sienna's arm and led her towards the elevator.

"But, I should really--"

"Are any of your patients in danger?" He asked.

"No." She replied. "They are all stable."

"Then we aren't arguing about it." He told her. "I'm starving and would like some company this afternoon while I eat. Would you join me for lunch?"

Sienna blinked in surprise. "Of course. Thank you."

"I should be thanking you. You're saving me from people staring at me with curious pity as to why I'm eating alone at a restaurant."

Sienna laughed. "I doubt that's why they are staring. They are probably curious what type of physician you are once they see your white coat."

"Or how that old man ended up alone." He teased. "Allow me my dramatics, Dr. Trinh. It's one of my few enjoyments in life."

"Then I guess I'll have to humor you." She said with another laugh.

"I hoped you would."

******************

"Sienna, so you do see what I'm talking about?" Naveen exclaimed. "Why don't they see it?!"

"I don't know!" Sienna dropped her head back in frustration. "They are in love! But Casey won't force Ethan to make a definite decision about them and he keeps saying he can't because of their job."

"I thought I was helping them when I put Casey on the team." Naveen grumbled. "I wanted to reward her brilliant mind with more challenges after discovering what I once thought was my unsolvable illness. I wanted to give Ethan a chance to grow closer to her. I never dreamed that the man I once considered highly intelligent could end up--"

"An idiot?" Sienna slapped a hand over her mouth for insulting Dr. Ramsey in front of the one man she knew adored him.

"Precisely. The biggest idiot, save for my former self, that I've ever seen." Naveen grumbled.

"Can't you talk to him?" Sienna asked. "I know Ethan respects you."

"He does, but Ethan is very stubborn. If he has it in his mind something has to be handled a certain way, there is no swaying him differently."

Sienna placed her fingers at her temples and began to rub in slow circles. Her eyes narrowed at the table top while she tried to find a way around getting her best friend with the man she loved.

"Could you talk to Casey?" Naveen asked.

"I have." Sienna sighed. "A lot. She wants him and is holding out hope he'll finally say they can be together. At this point, I think she'd be willing to keep their relationship a secret. But from what I can tell, Ethan won't do that to her."

"Hmm." Naveen scratched at his chin. "There has to be a way forward for them."

"I know. I want there to be one." Sienna slumped back in her chair. "It can't just stay like this. Something's bound to give and I'm worried it will be nothing but heartache for both of them."

"Me too." Naveen checked the time. "We should probably head back."

Sienna began to dig around in her purse for her wallet.

"Put that away!" He scolded. "This lunch is my treat for you humoring an old man."

"That isn't necessary." Sienna smiled at him. "It was nice eating with you."

"I'm glad you think so." He eyed her for a moment. "Shall we make this a weekly meeting?"

Sienna's eyes lit up. "So we can plan a way forward for a certain pair of doctors?"

Naveen beamed at her. "Sienna, I am very happy I approved of your internship at Edenbrook."

She giggled. "Me too, sir."

*****************

As the weeks went by, Naveen heard more and more snippets of gossip about Ethan and Casey. With Sienna, Marlene, and an unknowing Baz keeping him updated on a weekly basis, he knew that most of what was whispered about by others was true. It seemed the two doctors were becoming a bit more daring in the affectionate touches.

Then the attack happened. Naveen was only able to briefly observe how Ethan was taking the news that Casey had been affected by the maitotoxin. He was forced, as Chief, to handle the panicked staff and removing patients from the floor.

Once he finished, he made his way up there to get an update. After speaking briefly to the group of doctors, he was hopeful to see that Tobias believed he had figured out a way to fight the poison that was doing its best to kill Casey and Rafael. Naveen didn't want to have to make two more phone calls to families to let them know they had lost their loved ones. It had been hard enough with Danny's parents and Bobby's wife.

He glanced around at the physicians working with a speed only the young and desperate possess and noticed one missing. Curious but not wanting to interrupt them anymore than he already had, he slipped quietly out of the room and made his way to the observation window.

He ducked into the shadows when he saw Ethan sitting by Casey's bedside. Ethan's face was nothing but pure torment as he held her hand, watching her as she struggled through tears to say what she regretted in her short life.

Then Ethan admitted how much he regretted all the times he'd pushed her away. Naveen watched as Casey's pale face lit up briefly with happiness as Ethan continued to say he wanted to be with her and that he was done fighting against his feelings.

When Casey said she'd always thought they would be good together, Ethan's surprise was soon replaced with a smile as she pointed out that was the reason she kept bringing up that they should try and make it work.

Naveen felt his heart nearly break when Ethan climbed into bed with Casey, taking her in his arms to hold her while she slept. From this distance one could easily see Ethan's face contorted in a sad sort of anger. Naveen wondered if it was because he finally knew the truth about what he needed in life and yet believed he was about to lose her.

Naveen silently crept away with anxiousness for the coming dawn. He hoped that the next news he heard was that Ethan and Casey had a future.

****************

On the evening of the gala to help raise the needed funds for Edenbrook, Naveen was pleasantly surprised to see Ethan arrive with Casey. He tried to keep his attention on what one of the donors was saying to him, but he found his attention was more focused on keeping tabs on the couple.

Sienna slipped over beside him.

"Mrs. Parker," Naveen said to the donor who was oblivious to his lack of attention, "will you excuse me? I need to speak to Dr. Trinh about two patients of ours."

"Yes, of course." Mrs. Parker smiled at him. "I hope they are doing well."

"They are!" Sienna couldn't contain her excitement. "They've improved more and more these last few weeks."

The elegant lady left them with a congratulations.

Naveen led Sienna off to a less crowded area of the party.

"Well?" He prodded, his own excitement growing with hers. "What happened?"

"So much! I think they have been secretly meeting! Ethan asked her to the gala!' She whispered. "He said it was to represent the diagnostic team, but Casey knew the real reason."

Naveen chuckled. "Of course she did."

"But," Sienna continued, "when he arrived at the apartment to pick her up, Casey introduced him as her date."

"She did? And how did Ethan take that?"

Sienna was practically beaming. "He didn't correct her."

Naveen noticed the couple talking to a possible donor together. They then drifted over to the bar for a drink.

"Sienna, look!" He gestured toward the ones they were gossiping about.

Sienna turned to see Ethan take Casey into his arms, kissing her passionately in front of everyone.

She squealed softly, throwing her arms around Naveen in an excited hug.

He couldn't stop smiling as he returned her hug.

After all, he saw that he would have many, many more delightful gossip sessions about the two people who held special places in his heart.

#choices open heart #dr ethan ramsey x mc #choices ethan ramsey #prompt asks

[choicesfanaf]

Looking After You

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Arundhati Kulkarni)

Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Arundhati Kulkarni

Word Count: 706 words

Rating: General

Summary: Ethan looks after a sick Arundhati.

Category: Fluff

Tagging: @choicesficwriterscreations, @openheartfanfics

Perma: @jamespotterthefirst, @quixoticdreamer16

Ethan x Arundhati: @rookiemartin

"Such a pleasant day. Spring is quite beautiful. If I get done early, I'll spend some time in the garden with Ethan," Aru thought as she walked towards her office for a meeting with the diagnostic team.

When she reached her office, she felt her throat itch and a bit sore. Fortunately, she had a few lozenges in her bag, and she popped one in her mouth before the meeting, not thinking much of it.

The following morning, at 3:00 am, Aru woke up with a blocked nose, headache, and cough.

Ethan, a light sleeper, also woke up when he heard Aru groan while trying her best to get some rest but failing, as was evident by her constant turning.

He took a minute to realise what was happening and made a cup of tea to soothe her.

"Ethan, could you please sleep in the guest room? Or let me go there? I don't want to get you infected because of me," Aru said while sipping some warm tea. 

"No, honey. I'm not going to do that. I want to look after you, okay? I know how you are and that you won't look after yourself. So, let me take care of you", he replied while rummaging in their medicine kit for a Tylenol. Aru eagerly took the pill from Ethan when he found it, hoping to get some relief.

The next day, she woke up quite later than usual and panicked that she would get late for work. Just when she started to rush to get ready, Ethan chimed in, "Aru, I have requested a holiday for both of us cause you are sick and I don't want others to get infected, especially your patients. I'll stay at home for today to take care of you, my love."

"That’s very sweet of you, Ethan, but I will be fine in a day or two, I don't want you to ignore your work."

"I'm not ignoring my work by looking after you, Aru. In fact, I'm doing both."

"Okay, love, thanks a lot for taking care of me."

A while later, Aru sat down with her blanket in front of the TV while Ethan made her favourite tomato soup and watched her comfort movies, Welcome and Om Shanti Om.

After finishing her delicious soup, she went to gargle with warm salt water and a quick bath under instructions from Ethan while he made her favourite comfort food.

When she came back, Ethan gave her a cup of kadha, whose recipe he had procured from her mom on a visit.

Ethan then checked her temperature because he found her hands and forehead cold.

He realised she had a fever, so he got her some Tylenol and asked her to rest until lunch.

She protested, saying, "It's just a little fever, I'm fine. There's no need for medicine. Let my body fight it out."

"Aru, my love, you have a fever. I want you to get better as soon as possible, which won't happen if you don't take your medicine," he said.

"Okay....if you get well soon, we'll go out to eat some chaat," Ethan continued when he got no response from Aru.

"E, are you trying to bribe me? Because this is new stuff. I have only seen you do this to little kids when they don't listen."

"Well, I have to find a way for you to ingest your meds."

"You know it's nothing major, right? I'll be fine in a few hours even without the pill."

"I know that, honey. But I can't bear to see you like this, even if it is a minor thing."

"Ethan! This is nothing to worry about, and the doctor in you knows that."

"I know that very well, my darling."

"Then why are you worrying?"

"Because I hate to see you like this, in pain! I love you, Aru, and this is too much for me to bear."

On hearing this, she could barely contain his happiness and moved to kiss him, but she suddenly moved away.

"Ethan, I don't want to infect you."

"Sorry, Aru, I understand," he said, as planted a soft and assuring kiss on her forehead, "come on, let's eat Rajma Chawal."

#choices stories you play #playchoices fanfiction #playchoices #choices stories we play #open heart choices #open heart fanfiction #open heart fanfic #open heart #choices open heart #e x a #dr ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey fanfiction #dr ethan ramsey x mc #ethan ramsey #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x aru #ethan jonah ramsey #arundhati kulkarni

[squishywizardd]

Kieran is literally Dr Ethan Ramsey but with magic and you CAN’T CHANGE MY MIND

#pixelberry #play choices #choices the cursed heart #the cursed heart #kieran x mc #prince kieran #choices #choices game #choices stories you play #ethan ramsey #choices open heart #dr ethan ramsey #dr ethan ramsey x mc #open heart #open heart 2 #choices open heart 2

[alwaysmychoices]

Every Night

Synopsis: Now that Charlie and Ethan are back together, they spend the first night of their new lives together -- and Ethan has a question to ask.

Chapter 44 of the “with and without” series

Previous Series: “a weekend with dr. ramsey”

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x MC (Charlotte “Charlie” Greene)

Words: 2.9k

Rating: General Audience

Also available on AO3 & Wattpad (link in Masterlist)

There was something so peaceful about Ethan’s apartment tonight. Had this apartment always been peaceful? No, it couldn’t have been. Only last night, it was a mausoleum dedicated to the loss of true love.

But tonight, it was impossible to imagine these halls echoing anything but affection and contentment. The air tasted sweeter, the space felt warmer, the laughs were louder. One night of Charlie’s presence exorcised the ghosts that haunted Ethan in the middle of the night.

The change was subtle, but Ethan felt it with every step he took.

She’s here, he thought as he towel-dried his hair. She’s here, he thought as he stepped into his pajamas. She’s here, he thought as he savored the smell of her shampoo lingering in the damp air. She’s here, he thought as he padded to the living room.

Boston stared back at him through the windows – all the tallest buildings winking their congratulations.

The dim-lit space left evidence of Charlie’s presence in every corner – her shoes by the door, the crumbled pillow by her favorite chair, and the assortment of hair ties that followed her every step. Ethan was greedy for more of it, his usual tidiness be damned.

Ethan poured himself a glass of water and tapped the keypad of his laptop, waking it so he could check the time. With Charlie, time seemed to stop, but just as he suspected, it had continued for the rest of the world. It was late, so late that they should have been in bed hours ago if Charlie wanted to be well-rested for work tomorrow. But Ethan didn’t regret a moment of their night, nor was he eager to go to sleep now.

Stifling a yawn, Ethan curiously opened his notifications, and he was startled by the staggering amount.

At the top of the screen were the expected messages. HR paperwork for his new position with the hospital. Confirmation emails for cancelled movers. Pleas from a devastated recruiter trying to convince him to leave Boston anyway.

Then, there were the text messages reacting to the news. The Edenbrook rumor mill worked quickly, and by the time Ethan picked up Charlie from work, there were already whispers about their illicit affair.

Harper’s message came first. She was happy to hear that Charlie and Ethan were together, but she chastised Ethan for keeping the secret in the first place, though she insisted she’d sensed it long ago. She demanded dinner with the two of them as an apology, and Ethan typed back his assent, apologizing for lying to his friend and promising to make dinner reservations as soon as possible.

When Ethan sent his reply, he was surprised to realize that he was looking forward to dinner with Charlie and Harper. It wasn’t the first time that the trio spent time together, but it would be the first dinner where Charlie and Ethan didn’t have to perform, stifling themselves to avoid drawing attention to their relationship. Ethan liked the idea of integrating Charlie fully into his life – acknowledging the long-held truth that she was the most important part of it.

Above Harper’s gracious congratulations, Tobias Carrick sent a string of texts. It was clear that he hadn’t paced himself or censored a single thought, resulting in a string of consciousness as Tobias unraveled the revelations.

TOBIAS: I KNEW IT! I can’t believe you got caught MAKING OUT with a RESIDENT before you told me!

TOBIAS: Though Charlie is wonderful.

TOBIAS: So why does she like you then? She knows you enough to know better. How did you convince her to date you?

TOBIAS: Someone just told me you’ve been dating for a year. That better be a lie.

TOBIAS: No, it’s not. You’ve been evasive all year. That’s why, isn’t it?

TOBIAS: Then again, you’re always evasive and awkward.

TOBIAS: My office is next to yours, and I swear I heard noises today.

TOBIAS: Just heard the news that you’re leaving. Don’t fret. I’ll be the leader the Diagnostics Team has always needed.

The last message came a few hours later, when Tobias had clearly processed the news and felt it necessary to give a more cohesive and gracious response.

TOBIAS: Seriously though, congratulations. I’m proud of you.

TOBIAS: But don’t screw it up.

Ethan didn’t really consider Tobias a friend – not after their antagonistic history and current conflicts. But this string of texts tugged on some part of Ethan’s heart that had once considered Tobias his best friend. Perhaps it was worth trying again, even if this was just evidence that Tobias was as insufferable as ever.

ETHAN: Thank you.

There wasn’t much else to say, so Ethan didn’t bother trying. And frankly, for him, it was quite a lot.

After Tobias’s messages, there were a few more. Some of Charlie’s friends reached out to say they were happy for them. Sienna tentatively endorsed the relationship, though she reserved the right to murder Ethan if he messed up again. Jackie’s threats against Ethan were far less veiled, and Bryce sent at least a dozen excited emojis.  Naveen wrote with glee, boasting that their reunion had all gone to plan. When Ethan questioned Naveen’s direct defiance, Naveen ignored the question and offered the happy couple a weekend at his lake house to celebrate. Gracious for the offer (and Naveen’s interference), Ethan didn’t push it.

Nor did he need to push it.

Because there she was – his darling, wonderful Charlotte.

With Jenner close on her heels, Charlie wandered into the kitchen. The familiar scent of coconut and vanilla followed her, enveloping Ethan’s senses long before she looped her arms around his waist and nuzzled into him.

“There you are,” Charlie murmured, resting her cheek on his bare back. His skin was warm and scented with the mixture of their respective body washes – each still sitting in Ethan’s shower as if no time had passed.

In some ways, that made Charlie sad. She didn’t like to picture Ethan ending each night, staring at her half-empty bodywash and refusing to throw it away, even when he’d lost hope of her ever coming home. But the grief for their lost time was only a momentary interruption. In its wake, gratitude emerged. Because she had come home, and the bodywash was still waiting for her.

 Ethan smiled softly, abandoning his laptop and twisting his body so that they were face-to-face.  He leaned down to kiss the crown of her head, and Charlie shifted, leaning further into his embrace.

“What are you up to?” Charlie asked, her voice still in a daze.

The day had been so perfect – their reunion, their afternoon, their time at home. They’d spent most of the evening tangled in Ethan’s sheets, but not a moment of it had been quiet. They’d consumed each other in every way possible, from touch to speech. No time had passed, yet there was so much to catch up on.

“Missing you,” Ethan confessed.

Charlie laughed, “It’s been ten minutes since I kicked you out of the shower so I could actually wash my hair without you distracting me.”

“Way too long.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Charlie rolled her eyes, but it was the blush creeping up her cheeks that made Ethan smile. He kissed the flush as it spread up her skin, and he smiled against her cheek as she laughed.

Had anyone else ever been so happy?

“But really,” Charlie playfully swatted Ethan’s shoulder, “What are you doing? If it’s work, I’ll be obligated to make fun of you.”

Ethan shook his head, shifting so they could both face the laptop, “You’ll enjoy this.”

With a few clicks, Ethan brought up Tobias’s text thread. Somehow, the messages were even funnier from Charlie’s perspective. He lit up as he watched her read the messages, laughing at things he hadn’t even noticed before. Then, he showed her the other congratulatory messages. He thought she would like to see the well-wishes, but really, it was a silent effort to show he embraced the promises he’d made to her. He wanted her to know that he wasn’t hiding her anymore.

And Charlie appreciated every bit of it.

She reveled in the idea of dinners with friends. She wanted to be Ethan’s “plus one” to every event, even she’d have to throw her own party to get the opportunity. She liked how easily they talked about it, how Ethan actively participated in their planning without any pressure.

It was night and day from the man she’d once stormed out on.

Her chest ached with pride.

When Ethan reached Naveen’s message, he almost seemed nervous. As if suggesting a weekend away might break their fragile perfection.

“What do you think?” Ethan asked, when Charlie had sufficient time to read the exchange, “A weekend at the lake?”

Ethan had a whole pitch planned out. He was ready to remind Charlie that spring had just reached the city, the sunshine melting the ice and promising new beginnings. They could get out of the city and reconnect in the place where they’d first fallen in love. It felt like the right place to start their new chapter.

But a pitch wasn’t necessary.

“Yeah,” Charlie smiled softly, “A weekend with Dr. Ramsey. Sounds perfect.”

“A weekend with Dr. Greene,” Ethan echoed, mirroring her soft smile as he rubbed a gentle pattern on her back.

Charlie leaned into Ethan’s side, exhaustion peaking through their blinding happiness. Both of them were tempted to evade sleep altogether and stay awake all night, trading their wasted hours of rest with the promise of tender whispers and sacred promises. But relaxation had already seeped into their bones and lowered their defenses. They were both fighting to stay awake.

It was Ethan who declared the first move.

Pressing a tender kiss to Charlie’s forehead, Ethan suggested, “We should go to bed.”

“No, no,” Charlie shook her head, “It’s too early.”

“You have to be at work in a few hours,” Ethan reminded her, though he lacked conviction. He was just as willing to stay up all night as she was, if not more so since he didn’t have a morning shift.

“I’m a resident. I can handle a sleepless night.”

“Come on,” Ethan nudged her gently, “You’re being stubborn.”

“So are you.”

Ethan shrugged, Fair point.

Charlie eyed him warily – ready for battle. Ready for their opposing wills to dominate their minds until they were forced to pick a winner. Ready to draw blood before admitting defeat.

But then a moment passed, and it was all silly.

Charlie was tired, and Ethan would still be here in the morning. He would be there the night after, and the day after, and every day they were willing to share.

So, Charlie said, “Fine. Let’s go to bed.”

Ethan appreciated the magnanimous resolution, and he peppered her cheeks with quiet praise. Though, admittedly, he was inclined to think that everything Charlotte did was perfect. After kissing Jenner goodnight, the pair went to Ethan’s bedroom, ignoring the alarm clock on Ethan’s bedside table that would surely ruin their morning.

It wasn’t Charlie’s first time in Ethan’s bed tonight, but when she climbed into her usual place on the right side of the bed, it felt monumental.

The rose-colored glasses of their reunion lifted, and the gravity of the situation forced them back to earth. Instead of feeling silly for their reverence, they felt absurd for not having more.

War is over. The end of days never came. Insurmountable grief faded away. All the terrible things didn’t matter anymore. The past was in black and white, and the future was painted in vivid color and neon welcome signs.

Charlie is home. Charlie is in our bed. Everything is right, Ethan thought.

Charlie and Ethan tried to act casual as they settled into the sheets, but they couldn’t help but stare at the other. Their eyes were wide with meaning, communicating what neither had the bravery to say. When Charlie’s eyes began to water, Ethan quietly stroked her cheek.

After what felt like a lifetime, Ethan whispered, “I really did miss you.”

As if something like that needed to be said. As if it didn’t carry through every conversation. As if it wasn’t part of his DNA. As if she didn’t feel it with every adoring kiss and smile.

“I missed you, too,” Charlie met his honesty with her own, though her voice lacked his strength. At the slightest hint of a crack, Ethan tucked Charlie into his embrace, and Charlie took the opportunity to breath him in.

Sandalwood. Cedar. Vanilla. A hint of mint.

The smell of home, she thought.

Nestled safely in Ethan’s arms, Charlie’s eyelids grew heavy. Weeks of sleepless nights caught up with her in an instant, rendering her half-asleep in mere moments. As Ethan peered down at her, his chest squeezed with affection.

And suddenly, he knew.

He knew with absolute certainty that Charlotte Greene was his future.

He was overcome with an urge to propose right then and there. It didn’t matter that he didn’t have a ring or a plan or even ambience. Ethan just wanted to marry her. Hell, given the option, he would have run to City Hall right then and there to seal the deal.

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but something stopped him.

We need time, he realized. The wounds were too fresh and the peace too fragile. He didn’t want to rush into anything that would endanger their precious newfound happiness, nor did he need to rush.

So, despite his overwhelming urge to the contrary, Ethan decided to wait – and it was just waiting. Not refusing or dismissing the idea. He knew they would make it, and he was sure that she would say yes when it was time.

But stopping himself from proposing didn’t eradicate all Ethan’s impulses.

No, he wasn’t out of grand gestures or over-eager requests.

“Move in with me,” Ethan blurted out.

Charlie stirred, wiping at her eyes as she sleepily asked, “What?”

“Move in with me,” Ethan repeated, less confident this time.

“You’re serious?” Charlie’s eyes widened.

“I am,” Ethan nodded, though he didn’t seem very sure. Despite his obvious commitment to the idea she move in, he didn’t have his argument ready – a rarity in itself. Ethan had never made any big life decision without a reasoned argument.

“You’re always here anyway,” Ethan softened, eagerness belying every justification, “and I want you here. All the time. I want to come home to you and share our closet, and I want to add your books to our bookshelves. We’re living in the ‘in between’ – with you sometimes living here and sometimes not. I’m tired of that. I want to be with you fully. In every way I can. This isn’t home without you.”

Charlie hesitated.

She was startled to realize that she already knew the answer. Before he even started talking, she wanted to say yes. And there was no good reason to say no.

It seemed rushed, but was it really? They’d been together for over a year, and she’d spent more nights here than anywhere else. Did time apart fundamentally change that? Did they feel so fragile that sudden changes would shatter them? Or had it been the status quo that drove them apart in the first place?

And did any of it fucking matter?

Would waiting really make things better? Would a slow approach save them from future disaster? Hiding hadn’t done them any favors, nor had abundant caution kept them from starting their relationship in the first place.

Charlie wanted to come home to Ethan. She wanted to put a name to all the things they’d silently endorsed for months, including her continued presence in this apartment. She wanted to cover the space with evidence of their relationship until it was little more than a shrine.

So, perhaps she didn’t give the offer the careful consideration it deserved. Or maybe she gave it too much consideration when the answer would always be the same.

“Yes,” Charlie blurted out.

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah,” Charlie nodded, realization creeping across her features, “My answer is yes. I want to move in with you.”

Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, happily covering her face with kisses. Between excited kisses, he assured her that she could always keep her old apartment, and he would understand if she changed her mind.

Charlie stopped him, “You don’t need to do that.”

“Do what?”

“Try to form a back-up plan,” Charlie settled her gaze on his, “I’m confident we’ll work out.”

“You are?” Ethan repeated breathlessly. It was one thing for Ethan to be blind in love, but it was quite another to realize she was just as high off this feeling.

“Yeah,” Charlie rested her hand on his chest, feeling the jackhammer of his heart, “Aren’t you?”

And amazingly, he was.

Nodding his head, Ethan whispered, “Yeah, I am.”

“Good,” Charlie leaned her head against his chest, “I love you, Ethan.”

“I love you, too, Charlotte.”

That was how they fell asleep – holding onto each other with persistent desperation and adoring reverence. Like they were so lucky to even get the opportunity to fall asleep together. Like it was a gift from the universe that they were here with each other. But it was better than fate – it was deliberate choice. It was an active effort to stay.

And it was the beginning of everything.

#choices #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan ramsey x charlie greene #with and without #fanfiction #open heart #pixelberry #WIP #Dr. Ethan Ramsey

[zealouscanonindeer]

The secret gift.

Synopsis: The truth behind Ethan's first Christmas with Aspen's family.

For @choicesficwriterscreations holiday event using the prompt buying a naughty present for LI and mum ends up on the line behind them.

Jade and Tatum giggled once more in a hushed tone as they threw another ball of wrapping paper at Ethan who had, after a long day at work, passed out on the couch. He snored lightly and the girls took turns throwing the paper in tune with his snores.

Aspen walked in, noticing the scene before her, the girls looked at their mother for approval but on this rare occasion she gave them a glare, yet gently whispering.

"Stop it you two. He's had a difficult day and whatever he may say, he tires out. "

She nudged them back to actually begin wrapping the gifts. Since only Jonah was actually young enough for the whole Santa thing, he was already tucked in and fast asleep. The girls were on wrapping duty while Aspen put things in order in the kitchen, Ethan had done most of it when she had been out Christmas shopping and picking the girls up from the airport, who had visited her parents in Florida for Christmas break.

She gazed at the living room as she cleaned up, joining her family in the warm glow of the Christmas tree. She noticed Ethan had woken up and was entertaining the girls who were now too busy laughing.

Aspen walked in, wrapping her arms around Ethan's neck from the back as one of his hands came to rest atop hers. He looked up smiling at his wife, they shared a quick kiss before Aspen joined him on the couch.

Pulling the throw around their bodies, they stared at each other, momentarily forgetting their company.

"Dada! You were telling us about your first Christmas at Nana's. " Tatum reminded, grinning slightly.

"What about it? "

"Don't you think you forgot to mention something? Cause Nana told us quite a story. " Jade chided, throwing a furtive glance at her mother.

Ethan's eyes followed to land on his wife who seemed to have suddenly caught on, going red and flustered, she glared at Jade for broaching the subject. Curious, Ethan asked,

"What did she say? "

"Oh, a terrible mistake, a horrible run in. " Jade continued, Tatum threw herself onto the carpet, putting up a show of distress.

" Jade Ivy Ramsey!! Stop it! "

"It's the reason mom took you to Florida for Christmas. "

Ethan's head once again turned to his wife who looked a little resigned and uncomfortable as she began explaining.

"Remember how I called you to join me after I was in Tampa? It's cause my mom.... met me at the check out. "

"Yeah! Nana said you were buying Dad a present but it was a secret and Nana found out so she threatened to tell him unless he joined you for Christmas. "

"What was it, the gift? "

"Uh,... his favorite....coffee machine. He hated the hospital coffee. " She replied a little lamely, thankfully the girls didn't catch on, convinced by their mothers reply, Ethan however, was the better judge.

Soon after, they all headed to bed and Ethan finally confronted his wife.

"The coffee machine? "

"Uh yeah.. About that. " She answered sheepishly, once again her cheeks turning red at the old memory.

"Remember the Christmas special lingerie? "

"Of course I do. " Ethan replied, smirking at the various instances, which sadly ended when the flimsy cloth was unable to put up with their list filled frenzy. Suddenly, his brows drew together, confused at the change of subject.

"My mom caught me buying that. "

"You... What? " Ethan's mouth fell open, eyes flicking with horror, he continued staring mutely at his wife.

"I was in the check out line and mum happened to be behind me. I was talking to Sienna at the time, telling her how you would definitely appreciate the gift, with red being your favorite and all.. I got a little carried away.. Anyway, she firmly insisted that she simply must meet the man who would 'in so many ways ravage me' and 'make it the best Christmas Eve and morning ever. "

"No No... Penny.. She knew the whole time! "

"Since the first time she met you. At least she didn't tell the girls the whole truth, I need to have a word with her about that. "

He sat down on the bed, sighing heavily before meeting his wife's gaze.

Aspen straddled him, taking his jaw in her hand and connecting his lips to hers. Pushing him onto his elbows, she gently sucked at his pulse point, soothing it with her tongue. He moaned loudly as she moved away to pull her shirt off.

" I have always maintained you will be the death of me, Rookie. "

"Don't you dare tell me you don't like it. How about I try to find that lingerie again? "

#cfwc holidays 2023 #aspen milla kallie #open heart mc #ethan x aspen #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #dr ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey #oh fandom #open heart choices #open heart fanfic

[jamespotterthefirst]

Rb if this is your MC with Ethan

#Because this is Lilac when she's crushing hard on Dr. Ramsey pre Miami #Ethan Ramsey #Ethan x MC #Open Heart

[a-cloud-for-dreams]

*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

[the-pale-goddess]

On a Night Like This - Ethan Ramsey x MC

He can almost hear the bells in heaven and the riot in hell as the gentle brush immediately turns ravenous, effectively blurring the line between right and wrong.

This moment is worth any risk.

The iconic Miami scene was captured by the most wonderful and talented gem, Anna [@ dzb.art / IG] 💙💛 That soft glow emanating from their hearts was her genius idea! I’ll be staring at this masterpiece forever 😍

The quote comes from the first kiss fic I posted on ao3 last year - you can find it here.

#ethan ramsey #open heart #ethan x mc #playchoices #ethan ramsey x mc #art commisions #commissioned art #artwork #open heart fanfiction #dr ethan ramsey #fanart #digital art #art commissioned by me

[amortentiaopenheart]

Snow Storm Love

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey X Catherine Valentine

Genre: Fluff

Category: Open Heart, post series

Premise: A new friend joins Ethan and Catherine for their first Christmas holiday as a newly married couple.

Word count: 1K+ approx

A/N: Leave a like/reblog if you feel like it, it always makes a writer happy! ❤️

Prompt used: Rescuing a puppy/kitten and bringing it home for it's first holiday with them.

Quote Prompt used: You look even more beautiful in candlelight.

_______________

Catherine sat by the window, sipping her oatmilk latte as she read 'The Christmas Miracle'.

Keeping her book down, she stretched, looking out of the window, into the pretty white scenery. It was Christmas eve, and she was in the festive mood.

It sucked that Ethan had been called in for work for an emergency, but he'd promised he'd be back as soon as possible.

A sudden gust of wind slammed the window open. "Shit!" She exclaimed. Locking the window, she looked through the glass, rather disappointed and a bit scared to see a blizzard.

She curled up in her reading chair, her eyes darting back and forth between the window and her fireplace.

Boston winters were truly bleak.

She tried to call Ethan, but his phone was out of network service. Panicking slightly, she shot him several text messages, each of which failed to deliver. Keeping the phone down, frustrated, she walked downstairs to see how her daughter was doing.

She walked in on Claire playing a role-play with her Barbie dolls. "Hi, Claire." She said softly, taking a seat beside her four year old daughter.

"Mummy!" Claire greeted her brightly. "When is Daddy coming?" Catherine smiled slightly. "Dad will be home soon, love. Where's Pebbles and Jenner?"

"Oh, Jenner is sleeping in the kitchen. You wanna play doll? Pebbles just meowed at me twice when I showed her the dolls and ran off to the sitting room."

Catherine laughed. "I'll play."

She might have been engaged with her daughter's antics, but some part of her mind kept nagging her. Ethan had promised he would be back by two in the afternoon. It was seven in the evening. Where was he?Just then, the doorbell rang.

In anticipation, she rushed to the hall and quickly opened the door, the light in her eyes dying down as she saw it was only the mailman. "Thank you." She said, smiling blankly, as she took the parcel.

She took the parcel inside her daughter's bedroom, and examined it. It was enormous, carefully wrapped with red and green glitter paper. "Claire, baby, any guesses as to what's inside?"

Claire stared at the package. "That's huge, Mummy. Could it be a doll house?"

Catherine smiled. "It could be. It's from Grandma."

"Grandma? Is she and Grandpa not coming for Christmas? What about Uncle David and Auntie Enid? What about Grandpa Naveen and Grandpa Alan?"

Seeing her daughter get all riled up, Catherine laughed. "Everyone is coming tomorrow, baby. Relax. Now, shall we wait for Daddy to come home so we all can open the gift?"

Claire nodded impatiently. "But where is Daddy?!"

"He'll be home soon, love." Catherine assured her.

Just then, the doorbell rang. "That's probably Daddy." Catherine said, grinning as she got up to go open the door.

Sure enough, standing on the other side was Ethan, snow on his blazer covered shoulders and bag.

"Hi, love, how w-" Catherine stopper short when she saw it. "We have company?" She said lightly.

Ethan nodded. "Found this poor one shivering under a tree. I couldn't leave it like that."

Catherine gently took the puppy in her hands, allowing Claire to go outside and hug Ethan. "I'll warm up some milk for this little one."

Ethan nodded, kissing Catherine as he picked Claire up in his arms, entering the warm house. Locking the door, he carried Claire to her room, and gave a low whistle. "Hello, what's this?"

Claire smiled excitedly. "That's Grandma's gift!"

Ethan nodded. "I'll be back in a moment, baby."

He went into the kitchen, lit with a thousand candles, the kitchen table laid out with Christmas themed desserts.

Slowly approaching Catherine from behind, he hugged her, eliciting a delighted squeal.

"You look even more beautiful in candlelight."

Catherine giggled, spinning around in his arms to hug him back. "I missed you, handsome. I was worried sick when you weren't coming home."

"I missed you too. The goddamn network was inactive, so I couldn't even contact you to let you know I'd be late." He murmured, his lips brushing against her ear.

"Let me look at you." He said softly, taking a step back to admire her, effectively making her blush.

"Is that the shirt I gave you?" He asked quietly, smiling.

Catherine nodded, opening her white sweater to reveal the green shirt.

"You're so beautiful." He mumbled, picking her up.

Catherine laughed. "That's huge, coming from you, handsome."

Kissing him, she took the little puppy in her arms. "Can we keep him?"

Ethan smiled. "I was thinking of asking you that. Can we?"

Catherine nodded slowly. Ethan stroked the puppy's fur. "Name it."

Catherine smiled. "How about Jonah?"

Ethan simply looked at her.

"Well?" She asked, her smile faltering.

"Do you realise how sweet you are?" He asked quietly.

Smiling, she slipped an arm around him. "Jonah...." He murmured. The puppy cocked it's head, as if it was happy with the name as well.

Just then, Claire came running into the kitchen. "Open it." She whined.

Laughing, Catherine and Ethan accompanied Claire into her room.

"Who that?" Claire asked curiously, noticing the little puppy in Ethan's arms.

"Meet Jonah, baby. Your new friend."

Claire smiled. "Hello, Jonah! Oh, he is like Jenner!"

Catherine nodded, smiling. "Yes, baby."

Cuddling Jonah was enough for Claire to forget about the present.

Taking the parcel, Catherine opened the wrapper in one smooth, fluid movement.

The wrapping fell apart to reveal five separate boxes, with little name tags.

"Oh, Claire, look, Grandma even sent a box of chocolates!" Ethan said, smiling brightly.

Claire smiled. "Awww, they are Ferrero Rochers!! My favourite! Wait, Daddy. They stay here to see the gift! Pebbles! Jenner!" She yelled.

The two pets came bounding in, Jenner jumping onto Ethan as Pebbles curled up At Catherine's feet.

They unwrapped the parcel, to find a huge framed portrait, drawn by Catherine's mother herself,of Ethan, Catherine and Claire, Pebbles and Jenner on each side. "This is wonderful. Mum outdid herself." Ethan whispered.

Catherine looked at him, stunned.

"What?" Ethan asked in surprise.

"You called her...Mum." Catherine said quietly.

Ethan gently put the portrait down, and turned to hug Catherine. "C, you are the reason I believe in love. You are the reason I'm such a sap." He paused to chuckle softly into the crook of her neck. "You're my family, C. You, and your parents have been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Daphne has been the mother I needed, I still need." He whispered.

Catherine smiled softly and stroked his hair, realising the magnitude of his feelings, the depth of his emotions. "Awww, Ethan, that's so sweet." She whispered.

A sudden squeak interrupted them. "Not fair, Mummy and Daddy! I want in on the love!"

Laughing, Catherine picked her four year old up. "Merry Christmas, Claire." She whispered.

"Merry Christmas..."

_______________

Married Ethan X Catherine is 🥹✨️

@choicesficwriterscreations

#ethan x mc #ethan ramsey #open heart #ethan ramsey x mc #choices #jamespotterthefirst #open heart choices #ethan ramsey x catherine #dr ethan ramsey #ethan x catherine valentine #dr catherine valentine #ethan x catherine #ethan ramsey x catherine valentine #i love him #i love them #choices fic writers creations #choices oh

[headoverheelsforramsey]

Love Again

Book : Open Heart (Book 2)

Pairing : Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Meera Bose) || Feat. Tobias Carrick

Category : Angsty Fluff

Summary : He is watching his best friend fall in love for the second time and desperately praying that it doesn't lead to disastrous consequences like the first time. (Aka Open Heart Book 2 told from Tobias Carrick's point of view)

Warnings : Mentions of the maitotoxin attack

Rating : General

Word Count : 1569

Trope : Third person POV, People find out about them, Traumatic Event

A/N : This is my submission for @tobias-carrick-appreciation-week Day 3 : OH 2 and @aprilchallenge : Love is in the air. Some of the quotes have been taken directly from Pixelberry's Open Heart Book 2. Hope you guys enjoy it, happy reading! ❤️

Chapter 6

Tobias Carrick didn’t expect to meet his long lost friend turned foe today, certainly not under the humongous roof of the third richest man in America, competing against him for the sake of saving his hospital. Yet, here he was, staring at Ethan Ramsey in flesh and blood. He looks like he hasn’t aged a day, though the beard and glasses make him look more matured than he acts to be.

Hirata and Mirani following Ramsey like puppies as usual. He recognises the other doctor, from their encounter at the deli a few days back. He did not learn her name, but was shocked to see her as a part of one of the most prestigious diagnostic team in the country. A resident in her second year missing out trivial diagnosis like cyanosis, did Edenbrook and Ethan Ramsey forget how to teach?

He was enjoying this little arrangement that Bloom came up with, never missing out on a chance to one-up Ethan Ramsey. But when his “friend” stormed out the heavy wooden doors he was not surprised but disappointed. He was rather shocked when his protege followed him without thinking twice.

Before following Mr. Bloom inside he could see Ramsey and Bose in a heated argument through the glass panels. He was surprised further because in all the years he had known Ethan Ramsey he had never seen an attending talk to him that way, much less a resident, had his “friend” changed that much? His surprise continued when Ramsey came back for a chance to crack this case, but he didn’t let his face show. Does this mere resident have special persuasion powers? He decided to put his head in the game instead, because he was playing to see his “friend” lose.

Chapter 8

The sun shone brightly, the smell of hot dogs and beers engulfing the atmosphere this was one day in a year, Tobias pretends he followed his childhood dream of playing softball professionally. The doctors from both the hospitals mingled about, he had so many people to greet but in the sea of known and unknown people he certainly didn’t expect Ethan Ramsey to be there.

He has been going against Edenbrook for almost half a decade and never in all those years had he ever seen or ever expected the infamous Dr. Ramsey to grace them with his presence. What changed? He thought and almost immediately saw Meera Bose beside Ethan.

She was a decent player he thought, throwing the first pitch and being responsible for Tobias Carrick’s out was enough proof of that. But he couldn’t ignore the small smile at the corner of his “friend’s” lips whenever Bose threw a perfect pitch.

Old habit’s die hard and Tobias thought rubbing the case of Stephanie Hill while grabbing a water was the perfect plan. He raised an eyebrow when the young resident said “paitent care isn’t a game.” Good to know Ramsey passed down his virtues to his residents. But the fire he saw in Bose’s eyes on mentioning her friend’s betrayal mirrored the fire he had witnessed in his own “friend’s” eyes more than ten years ago due to a different betrayal.

The fight had grown heated but when Ethan took a protective stance in front of Meera giving Terrance a death threat Tobias was astounded. He had known this man for a very long time, was Ramsey falling for her? Because he hadn’t seen him this defensive since… before he could finish that thought, chaos broke free.

The final innings could have gone better, but one thing that always set Carrick apart from Ramsey was the ability to accept defeat. He watched as Bose ran towards the Edenbrook clan, her friends and colleague wrapping her up. As he turned to leave he watched Ethan join the crowd his eyes soft on Meera’s browns a playful smile on his lips, hands brushing lightly. Tobias’s earlier suspicion returned and as a diagnostician he thought he had an answer, but as one of Ethan Ramsey’s oldest “friend” he could do with some more evidence.

Chapter 9

Logging into his tablet, Tobias looked suspiciously at the recent activity. Ethan Ramsey, at Kenmore? He didn’t have any ongoing research projects and Ethan is not the type of man who likes to take an afternoon walk around the neighborhood.

“Doctor, the patient is ready for you,” the nurse called. Tobias nodded, opening his new patient chart and getting to work, making a mental note of catching up with Ramsey before he leaves the premises.

Tobias stopped Dr. Simpson in the middle of his presentation, was that Meera Bose? He rushed out of the patient room following her still not believing his eyes. But when he saw Mirani with her he knew something was up. Three members of the Edenbrook diagnostic team cannot be behind enemy lines at the same time co-inccidently. Calling security Tobias makes a run for it.

The two doctors make a narrow escape and he comes out just in time to see his “friend” zoom away from under his nose.

“Well played Ramsey, we’ll get you next time.”

Chapter 11

The news of Senator Ed and and his aide had spread like wildfire. Transfer patients from Edenbrook kept Tobias fairly busy, but he didn’t know why his thoughts drifted back to Meera.

“How was she doing?”

“Did they have any answers at all?”

“Is she not going to make it?”

“How was… how was Ethan doing?”

Tobias found himself choking on his own breath. In need of fresh air, he put down his tablet and took shelter in a supply closet. He doesn’t remember when was the last time he was here. More unpleasant thoughts circled his brain, Tobias punched the door out of frustration and helplessness. The door opened, and Aurora came in, the frustration and helplessness reflected on her face made Tobias decide that it was time to set aside all the age-old differences between him and Ethan and their respective hospitals.

Nothing less than a crowd was formed in front of the patient room. All of Meera’s friends, family and well-wishers stood by her side. All of them dejected and crestfallen. Ethan Ramsey stood at the forefront his heart burdened with melancholy, but too stubborn to show it in his face. Tobias had known his “friend” long enough to see right through the facade.

Tobias straightened his face, “and you won’t be alone.”

Ramsey’s face shifts from shock to thankful in a mili second and Tobias stops him right there. Everyone says their goodbye one by one and follows Baz and June into the lab. Tobias notices his “friend” not making a move.

“Shouldn’t we call Dr. Ramsey?” one of the doctors suggest.

“No. He should be there with her,” Tobias smiled. “This is where he will do the most good. Besides, I know what I am doing.” He flashes his signature smile only to receive an eye roll from Hirata.

Tobias monitored the sodium-potassium level, no this won’t work, he shaked his head. Facing another dead end, he decided its better to take a small break before getting back to work. He exited the lab and walked towards Meera’s room. The corridor lights had been dimmed, he felt like a ghost wandering the halls. He stopped in front of the window, only to see Ethan all suited up, holding Meera as close as he humanly could with the plastic barrier in between them.

He needed no more confirmations. He was sure his “friend” had fallen head over heels for Meera. It had been a long time since he had been this candid with someone, it had been so long since someone had broken all of his walls and reached for his heart and it had been so long since Ethan’s heart had shattered. Tobias was immature back then and partly responsible for what had happened but today he was not going to let that happen a second time. With renewed determination Tobias walked back towards the lab.

Just like Tobias had guessed, Ethan was still there in his hazmat suit helping Meera vomit into a basin when they returned the next morning. The child-like grin on his face on hearing about the antidote was unlike him. Tobias explained the chemistry behind their discovery, expecting atleast a couple questions from Ethan but the absence of that made him realize that he was a changed man. The sheer delight on Ethan Ramsey’s face as he administered the serum was one of a kind. He and Meera locked eyes, a silent understanding between them.

The waiting part was the worst, but once the latest lab results showed no trace of toxin in Bose’s bloodstream the entire team gathered around the patient room. Ethan sprinted through the doors, and Meera flew into his arms, tears breaking free. Ethan looked outside holding Tobias’ gaze for a little longer than necessary, while Tobias returned his signature smirk.

Chapter 17

The rumor mill had a field day with the news that the great Ethan Ramsey had kissed a resident, Meera Bose in an atrium full of people. While the betting pool regarding how long they were dating and whether Meera slept her way to the top were the hottest topic in and around the hospital, Tobias Carrick was just content that his diagnostic skills remained undefeated and he still knew his "friend" through and through.

Thank you so much if you have read till here, it means the world to me. Hope to see you go on other different adventures with me, Ethan and Meera, till then sending love and hugs your way! ❤️

Perma : @starrystarrytrouble @quixoticdreamer16 @coffeeheartaddict2 @liaromancewriter @tessa-liam @gryffindordaughterofathena @crazy-loca-blog @zahrachoices @bex-la-get @potionsprefect @schnitzelbutterfingers @a-crepusculo @custaroonie @aishwarya26 @jamespotterthefirst

Ethan x Meera : @jerzwriter @wanderingamongthewildflowers @takemyopenheart @mvalentine

+ @choicesficwriterscreations , @openheartfanfics , @tobias-carrick-appreciation-week & @aprilchallenge

Please let me know if you want to be added or removed. 💜

#pixelberry choices #pixelberry #choices : stories you play #choices the stories you play #choices stories you play #playchoices #choices stories we play #open heart fanfic #open heart fanfiction #open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart fandom #open heart 2 #open heart second year #open heart book 2 #ethan jonah ramsey x mc #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan freaking ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #choices ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey fanfiction #dr. ethan jonah ramsey #ethan jonah ramsey #dr. meera bose #ethan x meera #meera bose #tobias carrick #dr. tobias carrick

[lsvdw-blog]

How would Ethan react if your MC slapped his ass as she was passing him in the corridor?

Wrote this little ficlet in 30 minutes on a plane! Hope you enjoy ❤️

It Beats for You

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC

Word Count: 555

Warnings; Rating: Making-out; Teen+ (to be safe)

Premise: Serena slaps Ethan's ass as he walks by, but things take a sweet turn.

Author’s Note: I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading 💖

She's hiding. In one of the many crooks in the place, feet tired and throbbing from wearing heels for too many hours; cheeks hurting from faking smiles and laughs with insipid people; mind at a standstill, desperately wanting a distraction.

As if the universe heard her, her favorite person walks past, unaware of her presence in the nook.

He's wearing a tux, custom-made of course, tailored to perfection. And boy, is he perfect.

The dark blue, nearly midnight, velvet material brings out his cerulean eyes, glowing ever brighter. The jacket fits snug around his chest and biceps, a hint of the gym honed physique peeking through; the pants are pressed to a tee, elongating his already tall frame, and cupping in all the right places.

Serena can't help the way her gaze drops low, tongue darting out to lick her lips, hand moving of its own accord, a resounding smack reverberating through the walkway.

Ethan stops dead in his tracks, taking a split second to register what just happened, before spinning on his heels and crowding into the hideout.

He invades her space, one forearm pressed against the wall above her head, the other arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her to him.

Dropping his head to her ear, he teases, "menace."

His cologne, mingled with his aftershave, is enough to make Serena weak in the knees. With the way his hot breath ghosts over the shell of her ear and how his eyes bore into her with unbridled passion, she stumbles.

Ethan's arm wraps unbelievably tighter around her, catching her, using his strong body as a net. His hand slinks down the silk material, giving her backside a squeeze.

"Two can play at this game," he whispers before taking her earlobe in his mouth.

Serena braces herself against him, both hands on his strong chest. As much as she wants to see where this game leads, she's suddenly overwhelmed with the pure adoration she has for the man whose arm's she's in.

Her hands draw up his body until they come to rest on either side of his face, gently pulling him to look at her.

Their eyes connect and her brown-green eyes search the depths of his. One hand slides down to rest over his heart and she feels it's strong rhythm beneath her fingers.

"How did I get so lucky?" She murmurs, not even aware she'd said it aloud.

The sudden change of the atmosphere surprises Ethan, but it's not unwelcome. He asks himself that exact question every single day about her.

His arm above her head lowers, the hand coming to rest atop hers, gently squeezing.

"It beats for you."

The sincerity in his words bring tears to Serena’s eyes and she swears her own heart could burst from the love she holds for him in it.

Ethan bends down, picking up her shoes that are haphazardly strewn on the ground before kissing her, sweetly, lovingly, devotedly.

He picks her up, bridal style, in one fell swoop, Serena shrieking into his mouth.

They break apart after a few languid strokes of their lips and tongues, foreheads together. "Let's go home, shall we?"

Serena nods and Ethan begins to walk out of the building.

"Can we get food first?" Serena asks, her legs swinging off the side of Ethan's arm.

#ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #ask me anything #dr ethan ramsey #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan fic #ethan ramsey fic #choices open heart #open heart fanfic #open heart fanfiction #open heart

[choicesfanaf]

Let's Make Dinner

Late submission for Day 19 of Choices January Challenge 2023: Kitchen

A moodboard based on Open Heart Book 2, Chapter 9 when MC accompanies Ethan to their place to cook dinner.

Tagging: @choicesjanuarychallenge for Day 19

Perma: @jamespotterthefirst, @quixoticdreamer16

Moodboards: @burnsoslow

#choices stories we play #choices stories you play #ethan ramsey #open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #open heart 2 #open heart book 2 #playchoices #choicesjanuary2023 #pinky makes moodboards #dr ethan ramsey x mc #dr ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan jonah ramsey #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan x aru #arundhati kulkarni #ethan x arundhati

[hopelessromantic1352]

Just keep pretending like you don’t care about MC. Don’t worry, we alllllll see it Ethan.

#dr ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #choices ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey #choices #playchoices #open heart #dr. ethan ramsey #choices open heart

[squishywizardd]

Careful Kieran, your #Dr Ethan Ramsey is showing

They’re so whipped and I love it. You want money to feed some ANIMALS?!? WOW. THAT’s so

Childish and

Beneath mE and….

How much did you need again?

#ethan ramsey #choices open heart #the cursed heart #play choices #pixelberry #dr ethan ramsey #choices the cursed heart #open heart #open heart 2 #choices open heart 2 #dr ethan ramsey x mc #choices stories you play #choices #the cursed heart spoilers #ethan ramsey x mc #open heart 3 #choices open heart 3 #kieran x mc #playchoices #ethan freaking ramsey

[alwaysmychoices]

Making a Run For it

Synopsis: Today's the day that Ethan makes a run for it. He's leaving Edenbrook and moving to California before Charlie can ruin her career by running away first. When Charlie discovers his plan, she has to ask herself whether she really wants to lose him -- and when she realizes she wants him back, she has to find a way to convince him to stay.

Chapter 41 of the “with and without” series

Previous Series: “a weekend with dr. ramsey”

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x MC (Charlotte “Charlie” Greene)

Words: 5.1k (sorry but also you're welcome)

Rating: Teen (language)

Also available on AO3 & Wattpad (link in Masterlist)

It was hardly noon, but Charlie was already nursing her third cup of coffee. After texting with Ethan a few nights earlier, she’d barely slept. She was too aware of the absence in the other side of her bed, and no amount of coffee could make up for the sleepless nights she’d spent vacillating between making a run for it and showing up half-naked on his doorstep, begging for an ill-advised ceasefire.

Charlie thought it would help to focus on her new life waiting for her when she left Edenbrook and escaped this vicious back-and-forth. She searched for new apartments, scheduled flights, and sought someone to sublet her current place while she was away. But nothing could drive Ethan from her mind, nor could any amount of self-restraint stop her from drunk-purchasing new lingerie in Ethan’s favorite color just in case.

The longer she stood there, the more she lamented the lonely corner she’d backed herself into. But life crisis or not, Charlie had charts and paperwork to finish, and that required all the attention she could muster.

Charlie rubbed at her eyes, trying to focus on her charting, but the idea of a power nap in the call room was increasingly appealing. Just when Charlie was ready to cave, she was startled by a nervous-looking intern barreling towards her.

"Dr. Greene?” the intern – Amanda Stevens – called out to her, like she was afraid Charlie would escape before giving her advice. Admittedly, Charlie wished she had.

“Yeah?” Charlie raised her eyebrows, releasing the dream of a nap.

“I was wondering what I should do with the newest test results for the patient in Room 255.”

“255?” Charlie repeated. That was Ethan’s patient, and it said so on the chart. Charlie should know – she’d asked to be taken off the case last week to avoid any unnecessary interactions with Ethan.

Charlie was surprised to hear Stevens ask such an easy question. It was nearly the end of her first year of residency, and Stevens was known to be capable. Why was she still asking questions about where to send test results this late in the game?

Still, Charlie remembered how it felt to be a terrified first-year, so she tried to avoid sounding dismissive as she replied, “Dr. Ramsey’s the attending. Just send it his way if you’re unsure.”

“I know,” Dr. Stevens blushed, “I normally wouldn’t ask, but the system says Dr. Ramsey isn’t here for the next few days and to direct his patients to another doctor. But he was here this morning, and he didn’t say anything about leaving. Dr. Ramsey never goes anywhere. For the last few months, he’s spent more time here than at home. I was wondering if it was a glitch.”

Charlie frowned. It stung to be reminded that, since their breakup, Ethan had become a hermit in his office, but it wasn’t untrue. And anyways, Ethan never left without leaving detailed instructions on what to do in his absence. It was almost insulting how detailed his instructions would be – like he trusted no one but himself to care for his patients.

He wasn’t the type to leave without warning.

Or at least, leave without warning his coworkers. It wouldn’t be the first time he left without telling Charlie.

“Since you know him so well, I thought you might know what’s going on,” Stevens added, as if this would ease her odd request.

It didn’t.

Charlie didn’t know how to respond to that, so she didn’t. Instead, she pulled up the patient file to check for herself, and she saw the same notice – informing any reader that Dr. Ramsey was on vacation and to direct his patient materials to Dr. Carrick until he returned.

Vacation? Charlie’s face twisted. Ethan didn’t go on vacations.

“Give the results to Dr. Carrick and be prepared to present if necessary. If it’s a glitch, Carrick should be able to tell you,” Charlie stammered out, still staring at the screen.

Satisfied, Dr. Stevens hurried off to Dr. Carrick’s office, leaving a confused Charlie in her wake.

What the fuck is going on? Charlie thought. She knew Ethan was here – she saw him this morning doing rounds with the interns. Would he really go on vacation without telling her? Could he stomach leaving work without providing nauseatingly detailed instructions to the interns?

The mystery was too enticing to ignore. She knew it was dangerous to go to Ethan’s office – there was a 50/50 shot of having sex on his desk or screaming at him so loud the whole hospital heard. And they hadn’t been able to interact without exchanging longing glances in days. But Charlie had to know what was going on.

Closing out her paperwork, Charlie went to his office and knocked on the door. There was no way he’d already left. Even if he was going somewhere, he was probably just hiding out in his office. Yet no one answered the door.

She tried again – no response.

Charlie got out her phone and instinctively opened his contact, but she lost her nerve and texted Harper instead.

Charlie: Do you know where Ethan is? The system says he’s on vacation.

Harper: Did he not tell you?

Charlie: Tell me what?

The text turned to “read,” but instead of receiving a typically prompt reply, Harper hesitated. Three dots indicated she was typing, but they stopped without any message from Harper. Charlie’s stomach lurched, wondering what on earth could make Harper delay when she was famous for responding immediately.

“Charlie! Just who I was hoping to find,” Naveen interrupted Charlie’s anxious thoughts. He looked casual, but his gait was anything but. He was practically running towards her, carrying a small envelope with an unusually tight grip.

“Oh? Everything okay?” Charlie asked, trying to match his friendly demeanor. They were both faking it – and doing so poorly. The entire time, Charlie eyed her cell phone screen, frowning as Harper apparently started and abandoned a dozen text messages. What could be so bad that she didn’t want to tell her?

“Of course,” Naveen smiled warmly, but there was something strange about his expression. Unease. Concern. Panic, maybe?

Had something horrible happened to Ethan?

“I am under strict orders to give you this letter at 2 pm. Unfortunately, my afternoon is booked, so I’ll just have to defy orders and give you the letter now,” Naveen explained.

Technically, it wasn’t a lie. He did have a meeting at 2 pm – he quickly scheduled one as soon as Ethan walked into his office this morning and told him the plan. Naveen wanted to make sure he had a perfect alibi for defying his friend’s wishes. He loved Ethan, but this was undoubtedly the stupidest thing he’d ever done.

Naveen held out a small envelope for Charlie, and immediately, she recognized the impatient yet rigid handwriting on the front. It was Ethan’s handwriting, and the letter was addressed to her.

She accepted it, tracing her fingers over the imprint of her name. Charlie was desperate to open it, hoping it had some explanation for all the strangeness around her, but she was too embarrassed to tear it open when Naveen had just informed her of the intended delivery. If she wasn’t supposed to receive this letter for another two hours, was it fair to open it now?

Naveen watched expectantly, hoping she would tear that letter to shreds and stop the melodramatic catastrophe ahead. He frowned when she hesitated.

Finally, he pointedly said, “I’ll give you privacy so you can read your letter. I’ll be in my office when you have questions.”

“When I have questions?” Charlie repeated, but Naveen had already started walking away – eager to have that enveloped opened.

Charlie’s eyebrows furrowed as she stared at the small envelop once more. None of this made sense. Ethan was a creature of habit – but everything about this went against his usual behavior. He’d left work without warning. He’d written her a letter, which he’d never done before, and then cryptically given it to Naveen for delivery. Something was happening, and she didn’t like it.

Curiosity got the better of her, and within moments of being alone, she ripped the envelop to shreds, too curious to protect the paper. Her eyes flew over the words, too stunned to speak as she processed the contents.

“My darling Charlotte,

I don’t know if this letter is a relief or a betrayal. I don’t even know which I’d prefer.

I’m leaving Boston. By the time you read this letter, I will be on a flight to San Diego for an interview. If all goes according to plan, you’ll never have to see me again. I don’t trust myself to come back before starting the new job. I’m already so close to abandoning this grand gesture and selfishly demanding your forgiveness when I know you should never forgive me.

Charlie, you deserve Boston. You deserve Edenbrook. You deserve the illustrious career I know you’ll have. You deserve the dream I ruined.

I can’t stop you from leaving, but I can take away your reason for going. If you’re running away from me, there’s no need. I’m already gone.

Please stay. Be the amazing doctor I know you were meant to be. I’ll read every paper you ever publish. I’ll be proud of every discovery you make. And I’ll rest easy knowing that you needed to be free of me to achieve it all.

 Don’t let me be the reason you upend your life and career. I’m not worth it. But you, my brilliant Charlotte, are worth everything.

I love you, Rookie. Make me proud.

-ER”

Charlie read the letter over and over again – as if repetition could cure the incurable and explain the unexplainable.

Anger and despair roared with each new word, resulting in shaking hands and a tear-stained page.

This… This… This asshole.

This self-important, self-sabotaging asshole! He had to get his way. He was so insufferably stubborn – almost as infuriating a match to her own tenacity. Somehow, Ethan managed to be the worst of them both, indulging in all of Charlie’s worst faults and adding more of his own. To do something like this – Charlie raged and mourned in equal measure.

He left before she could. And then he didn’t even tell her!

Because of him, the last time she’d be able to see him was this morning in the halls.

She hadn’t appreciated it. She hadn’t catalogued all the lines on his face or savored the scent of his cologne. Now that she tried to remember, she didn’t even know what color his tie was. Had he been wearing a tie?

She deserved a better memory. And fuck, the last time she saw him couldn’t be today. She was tired and disheveled. She wasn’t even sure if she’d remembered to put in deodorant this morning, and this was her final viewing?

There was so much she still needed to do. She needed to yell and scream at him. She needed to hold him and smell him and remember all the little details. She needed more time.

No.

He didn’t get to leave like this.

Not without saying goodbye. Or giving her this ridiculous, infuriating, and heartfelt letter instead.

What a pathetic, ridiculous trade. She’d spent two years loving him and one year sharing his bed, and now she didn’t even get a proper goodbye.

It wasn’t even the first time he’d done this to her. He’d abruptly abandoned her in the name of self-sacrifice before, and she’d done the same to him. But it was different now. She knew how he liked his coffee. She knew the laundry detergent he preferred. She knew … him.

Charlie nursed her anger like a neglected seedling, hoping that fury could erase the deep sense of loss in her chest. But her wrath failed to take root. Every time she told herself she hated Ethan Ramsey, she remembered the last lines of the letter.

“I love you, Rookie.”

Ethan loved her.

Charlie loved him.

The rest of it was a petty race to see who could fuck up first.

The fights seemed so stupid now. The issues looked resolvable. She could spend the rest of her life with this man if they’d both just let the other stay.

And suddenly, it was so simple that Charlie felt ridiculous for not seeing it before. Charlie loved Ethan more than she loved her reasons keeping them apart, and she deserved the right to say that to his face.

She had to stop him. He hadn’t left yet – she had time.

The realization spurred Charlie to movement, and before she knew it, she was sprinting through the halls to Naveen’s office. She needed to find out which airport he’d gone to. She could track down the flight from there, and if she left quickly, she might make it in time. But she’d need to tell someone before she left. She couldn’t just abandon her patients without approval.

Everyone moved out of her way – some with confused expressions, others with a knowing sense of relief. Later, she would wonder how much her coworkers knew about Ethan’s secret plan to leave, but hopefully, she’d be safely tucked in Ethan’s arms by the time those thoughts reached her.

Naveen’s assistant wordlessly motioned Charlie into his office, despite the meetings Naveen said would consume his entire afternoon.

Breathlessly, Charlie heaved at the door and sputtered out a series of questions, “Where is he? When’s his flight? I need to go, I’m so sorry, but someone needs to cover my patients because-“

Naveen cut her off. Luckily, he’d prepared for all of those requests. Otherwise, he would have had to rely on her labored speech, and that would have been too time-consuming to decipher. How fast had she been running?

“Dr. Carrick has taken over your patients for the next hour, and Dr. Trinh offered to take the hour after that, if you need it. The list goes on, as you can imagine,” Naveen calmly shuffled through his papers, “Ethan is flying out of Logan Airport on a Delta flight scheduled for 1:55. The monitors will tell you his gate number. If you leave now, you’ll make it there before he gets through security, but just in case, I bought you a ticket.”

Naveen held out a piece of paper – an airline ticket to Nevada leaving at midnight. It was the cheapest same-day flight he could find.

“But how…?” Charlie trailed off, accepting the paper. It was too grand of a gesture, but she also couldn’t fathom giving it back.

“People who aren’t in love don’t have to run thousands of miles away to stay away from each other,” Naveen smiled softly, “I always knew you two would find your way back to each other. I just wished you hadn’t been so dramatic in getting there.”

“Naveen,” Charlie choked, rubbing her thumb along the ticket barcode. Charlie knew she’d never step foot in Nevada, but it was still the greatest gift she’d ever received, “Thank you so much. I can’t begin to tell you how much this means –“Charlie wiped at her eyes, momentarily forgetting the rush as she tried not to cry.

“Sweet Charlotte, you are one of my dearest friends. But you need to leave right now and stop Ethan from making a huge mistake.”

“Right, oh my God,” Charlie felt the anxiety creep back into her bones, making her practically bounce in place with the effort to stay still, “Thank you! I need to get a cab, fuck,” Charlie covered her mouth, offering an apology for her language as she rushed out of the office.

 Naveen smiled softly with relief.

One day, he would tell them that watching them fall in love was one of the most stressful experiences of his life, but today, he was satisfied that they were still in love.

Charlie bolted though Edenbrook with less care than should have been reserved for such a delicate place of healing. She weaved and ran through the halls, apologizing when necessary and promising to make up for the inconvenience. But she didn’t stop running.

Not even when she got out her phone to secure the fastest ride to the airport she could find, even if the cost made her wince.

Ethan was wrong. He was worth it. He was worth everything. Even an outrageous cab fare.

She imagined his face when she found him at the airport. What would she say? How would she convince him to stay? Would he even listen to her? For the first time, Charlie was thankful for the luxury of a long cab ride to compose her thoughts.

But then she didn’t need to imagine his face.

Because, when she reached the front door of Edenbrook, there he was.

He was standing outside, still putting his suitcase in the backseat of the cab. She didn’t need to race to the airport – he was still here.

Charlie couldn’t believe it, staring at him with a mix of awe and disbelief.

“You’re here,” Charlie breathed, amazed he heard her over the bustling city behind them. But of course, he did. It was Charlie. He always noticed her.

But she wasn’t supposed to be here.

“I am,” Ethan froze.

I almost didn’t go, he thought. His car was originally scheduled for 11:30 sharp. He’d technically been off the clock for an hour now, but he’d pushed back his car so many times that a bad stretch of traffic could ruin his entire itinerary. He’d lingered in his office for so long, finding every reason to procrastinate his exit. It was as if he’d hoped she’d sensed the danger and come running. When she didn’t magically come to stop him, he’d forced himself out of the hospital – only to wander the block for a while before finally getting in his cab.

He'd wanted to see her one last time. He wasn’t sure if he could leave without a proper send-off. But he also knew that seeing her would ruin his whole plan. There would never be enough “lasts” with Charlie. He would always want one more look, one more conversation, one more kiss. He’d spend his whole life chasing the perfect memory with her, and by then, it would be too late. He had to go before his mistakes were too engrained in her life to be undone.

But there she was – his beautiful Charlotte. He felt his resolve break before he could even admit it to himself. He’d always find a reason to stay for her.

And Charlie’s resolve broke a little bit too – just for different reasons. Her simple realization was muddied with hard truths and stinging betrayals – the most daunting of all was how much she loved him. She was so angry and hurt, but she was still so foolishly in love. She was his to hold and his to break, and they were both very good at breaking things.

It took a very large dose of courage to finally start talking.

And she began terribly.

“You are stubborn. And you think you’re always right. You’re so fucking afraid of ruining things that you try to ruin it. You should have let me make my own decisions, and you were wrong to try to fix everything because you disagreed with me,” Charlie puffed out. Her cheeks flushed with the effort of running after him and the frustration flowing through her words.

“Charlotte I’m so-“

“I’m not done,” Charlie cut him off. “You were an asshole to leave without saying goodbye – when you went to the Amazon and now.”

“How did you know I-?” Ethan began, but she silenced him with a look.

It wasn’t two yet. She wasn’t supposed to have the letter.

“But I did the same thing to you. We’re both…” Charlie paused, trying to find the perfect way to describe their cosmically misaligned faults. But all she could come up with was “Assholes. But I love you, and I’m not letting you get on that plane.”

Ethan’s hands itched to take hers – to abandon his grand gesture and run up to her. To hold her. To feel the warmth of her skin and feel the thump of her heartbeat. To promise to spend the rest of his life making up for his mistakes.

But at his core, Ethan didn’t believe he deserved her. He was too damaged. Too insecure and irrational. To self-righteous and overbearing. He’d done too much wrong to ever deserve something so right.

“I’ll ruin your life,” Ethan managed, despite the lump in his throat and the crippling sorrow that he’d never be enough for the woman he loved. He said it like a warning, like he was begging her to believe him. Even in protesting, he knew he couldn’t resist running back to her.

“No, you won’t,” Charlie said firmly. She didn’t know where she found such resolve when, in all likelihood, he would ruin her life. She’d never be the same after him. One misstep and she’d be destroyed. But she gave him the trust she wanted them both to earn.

Ethan shook his head, but he was already walking toward her. She was like a magnet, pulling him closer and closer to danger. He was close enough to smell her shampoo – coconut and vanilla – and it almost broke him. Tears welling in his eyes, Ethan’s fingertips grazed her cheek. When she leaned into his hand, he instinctively cupped her face, pushing a stray curl out of her eyes.

When he looked at her, it was with desperation.

Desperation that she believed him – that she understood the profound risk associated with loving him.

And desperation that she wouldn’t care. That he could hold her until they were nothing but bone and old memories.

“I couldn’t even tell anyone you were mine. Just like you said – I was so afraid of fucking everything up that I actually fucked it up,” Ethan was pleading with her to appreciate how horrible he’d been, “You deserve better.”

He didn’t even realize that, since approaching her, he’d bent his knees to even out their height difference. He didn’t feel the way he bent to her, still desperately concerned with being close to her. Something about that made her smile.

“Would you do that now?” she asked, hoping she already knew the answer.

He should have lied.

That would be the right thing to do.

But the idea of hiding her now was so outrageous that Ethan laughed. A weak, tear-stained, breathless laugh – but a laugh all the same.

“No,” he shook his head, “I’d scream it from the atrium. I’d be obnoxious about it. Probably even marry you and force you to take my last name like some asshole.”

Dr. Charlotte Ramsey.

It wasn’t terrible to either of their ears.

“I wouldn’t change my name,” Charlie countered, the smile still lingering on her lips.

“Good,” Ethan was laughing again. He traced the curve of her cheek, swallowing back a sob as he asked himself what the fuck he was doing.

He was supposed to be running away right now. Why was he holding her?

“I know we keep messing it up,” Charlie chewed on her lower lip, and it took every ounce of Ethan’s resolve not to free it, “But I love you. I don’t want to live without you, and I genuinely believe we can make it work. We just… need to be less dramatic, maybe. Talk it out instead of threatening to move to different states.”

That was funny, Ethan thought to himself, but he was too panic-stricken to laugh.

“What if I hurt you?” Ethan asked with such raw pain and fear that it took Charlie aback.

“You will,” she said quickly – too quickly to phrase it as delicately as the conversation deserved.

Of course, he would. Reminded of his ultimate mission, Ethan started to pull away – intent on getting the hell out of Massachusetts before he could harm her. Charlie stopped him, clamping her hands on his wrist desperately.

“I’m going to hurt you, too. That’s just what happens, Ethan. But I still love you, and if being in love with you means that we’re going to hurt each other sometimes, I still want you,” Charlie confessed, “I trust you, Ethan. Even if you don’t trust yourself.”

By now, they’d amassed a curious crowd of onlookers, but Ethan would have rather died than let her go and pretend like he didn’t love her for the sake of some strangers. Sensing them, too, Charlie started to untangle herself from their complicated embrace, but Ethan stopped her.

I don’t care if they see, he quietly implored. Her eyes widened, and to her own surprise, she did trust him.

“Stay with me in Boston,” Charlie begged.

“What if I ruin your career?”

“I don’t care.”

“What if I hurt you and we don’t work it out – and all of it could have been avoided if I’d just left today?”

“I’d still want you to stay.”

She’d want me to stay, Ethan mulled over that phrase until it was part of his soul.

This brilliant, wonderful, kind, and thoughtful woman. She’s everything he ever wanted but never thought he’d deserve. And she trusted him. She wanted him.

Maybe he just had to trust her, too.

His plans crumbled in his hands – self-sacrifice be damned. All he ever wanted was Charlie, and oh my God, he was actually going to let himself have it.

“I’m going to stay,” Ethan said, eyes dazed. Like he hadn’t really processed what that meant.

But Charlie had. She was grinning ear-to-ear, and in his stunned state, Ethan thought she looked the most beautiful she’d ever looked.

I’m staying, he thought, I’m going to live the rest of my life loving Charlotte Greene.

How the hell did he get so lucky?

Eyes still brimming with tears, Ethan’s face split into a smile, and he scooped her in his arms, forgetting about their height difference as he lifted her off the ground to hold her close. His darling, wonderful Charlotte.

“I love you so much I can’t sleep without you,” the words flowed out of his mouth so quickly that Charlie could hardly process them. Every compliment and moment of affection he’d held back poured from his lips, intermixed with kisses across her skin. “I love you,” he kissed her nose. “I love you, Rookie.” He kissed her cheek.

He would have carried on like that forever – finding some new way to say he loved her as he kissed every inch of her face.

But Charlie interrupted him, looping her arms around his neck and kissing his lips the way she’d wanted to for months. It was raw and unrefined, blending pure adoration with desperation and unbridled need. It was spliced with flowing tears and face-splitting smiles, and it was the best kiss she’d ever had.

“I love you, Ethan Ramsey,” Charlie breathed against him, so mind-numbingly happy that she momentarily forgot every sadness she’d ever felt.

“I love you, Charlotte Greene,” Ethan replied, matching her smile. Passively, he wondered how long he’d have to wait until he could tack on a ‘Ramsey’ to that last name. Given how he felt right now, he’d last an hour before he was on his knees begging her.

Then again, doing that would require releasing her from his arms – and he had no interest in doing that.

HOOONNNKKKKK.

Charlie jumped, breaking apart just enough that Ethan could mourn the absence of her warmth, and he carefully put her down. They both looked to find the cab driver impatiently waiting for them. Admittedly, he’d been interested in their grand reunion, but he didn’t have all day to wait on a pair of lovebirds kissing on a sidewalk.

“Are we going to the airport or not?” he demanded.

“We are not,” Ethan grinned, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. He pulled out two hundred dollar bills and offered them in conciliation for the wasted time. He looked back to Charlie, “We could still do a local fare. I have the rest of the day off.”

He hoped she’d suggest they just went home. He was eager to spend the entire day reclaiming every inch of that apartment with affection for Charlie, rather than the ghosts of her devastating absence. It was only a bonus if that day was mostly spent in bed.

But before she could say yes, her pager buzzed, informing her of an urgent patient update. Wasn’t Tobias supposed to take her calls?

“Shit, I need to check on this,” she frowned down at the device, cursing it and whoever sent the message, “But don’t go! I’ll find you right after. Just wait here.”

Charlie couldn’t fathom the idea of letting him go off in that car alone. She wasn’t convinced he wouldn’t still go to that stupid airport, so she lingered nervously.

“I promise I’m staying – in Boston and here while you check on the patient.” There was nothing that would take Ethan away now.

Charlie looked back at her pager, wondering how bad it would be if she just ignored it. But when confronted with all the horrific possibilities, beginning with a harmed patient and ending with the loss of her medical license, she immediately tucked the pager back in her pocket and rushed towards Ethan, giving him a quick kiss, “I’ll see you soon.”

“I know,” he kissed the tip of her nose.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. Now go.”

Ethan watched Charlie rush back into the hospital, despite looking over her shoulder at least a dozen times. When she was out of sight, Ethan gave the cab driver another fifty-dollar bill just to celebrate his good mood, and he took his suitcase out of the back, allowing the man to get about his day.

When Ethan started walking into the hospital, he got a better look at their witnesses, and he recognized a few faces. They looked nervous, like witnessing Charlie and Ethan was too personal to be the hospital gossip they’d hoped for.

Ethan waved politely, unbothered by their presence.

“We won’t tell, Dr. Ramsey,” one of them spoke up – a nurse on the third floor who Ethan recognized as being particularly kind to the residents when she helped clean up their mistakes. It was fitting that she would try to clean this up, too. Even if she didn’t know the full extent of Bloom’s threat, she knew that professing his love for a resident would be a huge scandal for Dr. Ramsey.

“No need,” Ethan shook his head, “But thank you.”

The nurse eyed him, silently offering him another chance to save himself, but Ethan didn’t take it.

Ethan picked Charlie. Despite all the danger of heartbreak and personal ruin, he’d promised to stay. And he knew that he couldn’t do that if he maintained the secrecy that drove them apart in the first place. Something had to change, and that meant being open about who he loved and how much he loved her.

So, Ethan knew exactly what he needed to do – beginning with meeting with Leland Bloom.

#choices #with and without #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan ramsey x charlie greene #choices fanfiction #pixelberry #romance #angst #dr. ethan ramsey

[zealouscanonindeer]

Together.

Synopsis: The aftermath of the attack comes with a waterfall of feelings.But is it enough to stop pretending?

Ethan's POV

Category: Angsty fluff. I can never resist a happy ending

Sunlight peeked through the blinds at the blissful couple nestled in sleeps abode. I was the first to stir, stretching as consciousness returned, slowly opening one eye, then another before opening both to stare at the back of the woman who occupied every inch of my soul.

Her body moved rhythmically, even breaths for which I was grateful, ever since the attack seeing her felt like mercy on my heart. I would have died inside had she not made it. I loved her, with every fiber of my being, I did. And I would show her just how much I did, every single moment that we spent together.

I smiled, closing my eyes and sleep lulled me back into its abode.

**********

"Ethan? Hey. " A gentle nudge against my shoulder followed by a kiss on my forehead roused me. I pulled her hand in mine.

"Penny."

"Wake up, sleepyhead. It's almost noon. "

" Perfect time to come back to bed. " I turned to my side, pulling her hand with me, her body following.

"Who are you and what have you done to my Ethan? "

"It's you Rookie, what are you doing to me? "

She giggled, sitting by my side, bending over me. Suddenly water slapped against my face, making me jerk back, my eyes flying open.

"Oh, sorry. "

Aspen moved her wet hair back over her right shoulder. I looked up to see her smile sheepishly at me, leaning down to peck my lips lightly. I held her against me, her bathrobe soft against my skin, not allowing the kiss to end. Her lips moved in a perfectly synchronized manner, tasting of honey. Needing air, we broke away.

I laid back, staring at her as she brushed my hair back, her fingers running through them, instantly relaxing me.

"Why are you looking at me like that? "

"Like what? "

"With that wierd look in your eyes. " I couldn't in that moment fathom how I had ended up finding her, how I would treasure her forever.

"I was just thinking"

"About? "

I wasn't gonna tell her just yet but she meant everything to me, how I would never hurt her again. I flipped us over so that she was under me. I hovered over her, kissing her once more.

She smirked at me.

"As much as I would like to, you have a shift. At a hospital you work at, as a doctor. " She teased.

**********

Reluctantly, I picked up my belongings and car keys, giving Penny a lingering kiss, hugging her tightly.

"Someone's all lovey dovey today. " She pecked my clothed shoulder. Ignoring her astute observation, I quickly steered the conversation in a different direction

"When are you coming in again? "

"At around 7. I have a night shift today."

Noticing my slightly deflated look, she chuckled. I bade her goodbye, walking out to another day at Edenbrook.

The day continued like always, annoying interns, diagnostic cases and a couple of hours at the clinic. It was time for my shift to end, packing up my stuff I headed out, popping into the resident quaters to greet Aspen where I was informed she wasn't in yet.

I called her but she didn't answer, which was usual, and utterly annoying. I walked out to get into my car, winding through Boston traffic when the car bluetooth pinged with Penny's name.

"Hey. Where..." Her hoarse gasp shut me up.

"Ethan. Where are you? " Her laboured breath hitched as she gasped into the receiver.

My heart clenched with fear, breaking into a cold sweat I calmed my rising anxiety.

"Darling? What's wrong? "

"I need you to come quick. "

"Hold on, I'm almost there. Just hold on. " I prayed and begged her.

********

"Rookie "

"ROOKIE" Jenner barked frantically, running towards me.

"Here." A whisper called out to me from the kitchen floor.

I knelt down by Aspen's weak form, helping her into a sitting position, supporting her weight. She had a pretty bad bruise on the side of her shoulder, already turning black and blue. Jenner stood by my side, worried at the scene before him. She looked up at me and smiled weakly, trying to put on a brave face so I wouldn't worry.

" Don't worry, I just felt dizzy and blacked out. I hit the counter on my fall." She moved her arm, wincing.

"It's probably due to the anemia. You'd warned me it was a common after effect of the toxins I was exposed to. "

" You're right. I'll drive you to the hospital and get you set up. " She nodded as I picked her up.

*********

I pulled the car into the parking space, getting my seatbelt off and ready to open the door when she stopped me.

"Wait! "

"What? " I scanned her, noticing the alarmed look in her eyes.

"You can't take me inside and somebody might see me get off from your car. Drop me at the back entrance and then go home. Your shift's done, it will be suspicious if you return five minutes after I'm here. "

"Have you lost it! I'm going nowhere. "

"But, Ethan everyone will know.. about Us. " My insides fluttered at her words.. Or one word in particular. Us. I didn't care anymore.

"Then let them. " I looked at her earnestly. The way her eyes lit up at my decision had me wishing I had done it long ago.

"Let's go in, together. " I offered.

"Okay." She pushed the seatbelt off as I opened the door for her and helped her out. I steadied her, walking her in through the hospital doors.

**********

"Dr Ramsey! Um.. You're gonna..? " Marlene startled seeing me walk into Penny's room.

"Yes Marlene, I'm gonna sit by my sick girlfriend for the entire night. "

"Of course. " Marlene smiled a genuinely happy smile, leaving as she completed her last call, ready to hand over the floor to the next nurse on duty and head home.

The hospital was in quite a stir now. Hushed whispers and shocked indiscreet looks, everyone trying their best to hide their surprise and failing. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, we weren't exactly parading being together, we just weren't hiding it anymore. I was tired of it.

Knowing how precious time was, knowing how much of it was already gone, not knowing how much was left, a chill ran down my spine just thinking about having regrets. This... Us it wasn't something to be kept like dirty secret. I wanted people to know I loved this woman and she deserved nothing less than that.

I sat lost in my thoughts when a small voice called out to me.

"Ethan."

"Rookie, hey, what's wrong? "

"Nothing.Could you just get the bed into a sitting position. " I turned the lever, pushing her slightly up.

"Thank you. For tonight. "

"What do you mean? "

Her eyes turned warm and glazed, she had beautiful eyes, the chocolate orbs stared at me with so much understanding, I couldn't help but fall in love all over again. Man, I had it bad.

"For showing how much this means to you. Us"

I simply kissed her forehead, words leaving me. I was done living safe. This was definitely a risk but when it came to her...She was worth every risk in the world.

**********

@liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @jerzwriter @cariantha @peonierose @rookiemartin @kyra75 @queencarb @genevievemd @tessa-liam @coffeeheartaddict2 @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

#open heart mc #open heart fan fiction #open heart choices #open heart fanfic #open heart #oph fics #aspen milla kallie #ehan x aspen #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey fanfic #ethan ramsey x mc #dr ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #oh fandom