Haven's

     It's a much needed day off from being a nurse, and I've decided to see a little bit of Pinewood Creek.  It's a beautiful town with lots of small shops that I've perused, but now I'm hungry and everyone has recommended Haven's.  I'm quite impressed with what appears to be a cabin.  Since it's my first time there, the hostess is all to kind and gives me a tour.  It has a beautiful dining room with a small space that is obviously used as a dance floor.  Upstairs each room is themed and it is explained to me that the rooms are rented for private dining.  They are so beautiful, especially the outdoor themed one.  Like a little fairy garden.
     Soon I find myself seated and perusing the menu hoping to find just the right thing for my rumbling tummy.  I look up when the door opens and am surprised to see Aspen walking in the door.  She sees me and smiles.  She comes up to my table and...

Aspen:  Thanks for helping me that day, it was...
Astrid:  Crazy?  Yeah, I have lots of days like that.
She smiles.
Aspen:  I'm sure you do.  Try the Lemon Pepper chicken with roasted sweet potatoes.

I take a moment to read the description and I'm amazed.  It sounds exactly like something I want.  I look away from the menu to thank her and I can feel my smile falling.  Gone is the smile that she'd gifted me to be replaced by one of the most worried looks I've seen, and I'm a nurse.  I've seen lots of worry.

Astrid:  Honey, what's wrong?
She shakes her head and I know she's going to walk away and not divulge her worries to me, so I stand, grab her shoulders and guide her to sit.
Astrid:  Okay, now you helped me so, it's only logical that I help you.
Aspen: That's not-
Astrid: Necessary?  No, it's pretty necessary.  I'm a nurse and it's kinda what I do.  Besides, I'm nosy.
Aspen laughs at that, then nods.
Aspen: I'm just a little out of my element here.
I wait, but it's literally like squeezing blood out of a turnip with shifters.
Astrid: You're going to have to explain a little bit more.
She nods.
Aspen: Well, you met Xavier and Skylar.
I nod.
Aspen: We're....they're....I'm-
Astrid: Kinda in love with them?
Aspen nods.
Astrid: So what's the problem?
Aspen: I don't...doesn't it seem weird?
Astrid:  Weird how?  That you love two men?  Maybe, but that's because society has defined that a couple is a man and woman.  I'm sorry, I'm taking philosophy.
Aspen: That's okay.  I just...I don't know.
Astrid:  Let me ask you this, when you're with them how do you feel?
Aspen smiles and it doesn't take a genius to know exactly how she feels.
Aspen:  I guess I feel...complete.
I smile.  She really has found her mates.
Astrid:  And how do you feel when you're not around them?
Aspen:  Like a piece of me is missing.
Astrid:  There you go.  Don't worry about what others will think.  Besides, I believe you three have a little one on the way.

Aspen rubs her stomach and smiles.  She'll be just fine.  She pats my arm and leaves me to order my meal (which was delicious.)  As I leave I bump into a blonde male who sends chills down my spine and not the good ones, but I shrug it off.  It's my last day in Pinewood Creek and I've got so much more to see before I have to leave and head for home.

Begging for Forgiveness is still on tour with RABT!  Don't miss a stop!

Working in the Pinewood Creek ER: Part 2 of 2

He turned those big brown eyes on me and I sighed (in my mind, because it is so unprofessional to sigh aloud!).  Xavier was one good looking male--not that Skylar wasn't just as hot.  I shook my head and tried to focus.

Xavier: I didn't think it'd be this way.
Astrid: What would be this way?

He ran his fingers through his hair, then threw his hands in the air.

Xavier: I don't know--this.
Astrid:  I realize you're going through lots of things, but I'm kind of lost.
Xavier:  Sorry, it's just I don't know exactly what's going on myself.  Three months ago I find out my ma-boyfriend cheated on me, but now I want the person he cheated on me with...hell, I can't live without her.
Astrid:  Aspen?

Xavier nods.  I'm pretty much with the program at this point...Skylar and Xavier are mated and now Aspen has been thrown into the mix...somehow?  It's starting to sound a lot like those romance novels I read too much of.  Ah, who the hell am I kidding?  You can never read too much romance-erotic or otherwise!  I glance at my watch again...It's 7:50 p.m. and that means I've got--NO! NO! Focus!!!

Xavier: Yes.  I just don't know what to do?
Astrid:  What's upsetting you most?

He rests his head on his hands and sighs.

Xavier: I'm not sure.
Astrid:  Sure you are.  What upsets you most?  And don't think about it, just say something.
Xavier:  That I'll be replaced.

I pat his shoulder.  I sure wouldn't leave him if I were Aspen--or Skylar for that matter.

Astrid:  What makes you feel like that?
Xavier: I don't know.
I sigh.  We could do this all night, but I've really got to get some sleep so I can come back in the morning.

Astrid:  Obviously you're not secure in your relationship with Skylar, so you feel like he'll leave you for her.  
Xavier:  Maybe.
Astrid:  Look, he could've left you three months ago.  He could've left you when he came to find Aspen....or whatever, but he didn't.  You're right here with him.  I think you'd both benefit if you'd sit down and talk with one another.  Communication is an excellent tool.

Xavier nods but I can see he's got to work this out for himself before he'll even think about talking with Skylar.  I've done what I could, and I'm pretty drained.  I can only imagine how drained Xavier is.  I stand and pat him on the shoulder.

Astrid:  I've got this feeling, Xavier.  I've got a feeling that everything will work out.

Xavier nods but I can tell he doesn't believe me.  And quite frankly I'm not sure if I trust this feeling myself.

Working in the Pinewood Creek ER: Part 1 of 2

I recently spent a week in Pinewood Creek helping out at their ER.  I got to meet a lot of new people and made some interesting friends.  Here's a little insider info.

I was working in triage when Caleb, Miranda, Aspen and a few others burst through the ER doors announcing they needed a doctor immediately.  I calmly walked over to the male who held Aspen within his arms and began my questioning...

Astrid:  What seems to be the problem?

Caleb: She's hurting in her stomach. (He points to Aspen.)

I smile politely, because there's no reason to alarm anyone.  As I look Aspen over I notice she's a bit pale, but other wise she seems just fine.  I place my hand on her arm and am relieved to find her skin warm and dry.  

Astrid:  Can you point to where it hurts?

Aspen's hand is already lying protectively over her abdomen, and the strained look around her eyes let me know she's worried and anxious.  She moves her hand slightly in a circle to indicate it is her mid abdomen that hurts.  I smile and nod.

Astrid:  Ok.  I need only one to go with me through triage.

The tawny haired male looks as though he's about to argue and I prepare to put on my stern nurse face, but as luck would have it Aspen decides that Miranda will follow her through the triage process.  The slightly taller male with brown hair puts Aspen down in the wheelchair and kisses her on the forehead.  The stress in Aspen's face momentarily disappears, but is quickly replaced when I close the triage door.

Astrid:  I can let one of the guys in here if you'll feel better about the process.

Aspen shakes her head and I continue.

Astrid:  Tell me what happened...

Aspen details the incident and relays that she is pregnant.  Soon, I escort her to ER 1C and just as a precaution I place the telemetry leads on her.  I give report to Arianna, another nurse who works in the ER.

Astrid:  Got a 26 year old female that is 11 weeks pregnant who is having abdominal pain, mid abdomen, cramping like.  Recent fall with no apparant injuries.  She's anxious and waiting for you.  Normal sinus on the monitor.

Arianna: Thanks.  Do you know who her OB is?

Astrid: Dr. Sanchez.

Arianna:  Ok, I'll tell Dr. B to go check her out and see if she wants me to call her.

I walk back to the triage room and relate that both Miranda and Aspen are in ER1C and that someone will update them soon.  I also explain the one visitor per patient policy and notice that the tawny blonde male is about to burst from anxiety.  His pacing isn't doing my calm any good.

Astrid: Sir, why don't you come with me.

I glance at my clock.  6:50 p.m.  It looked like I wasn't getting off on time again tonight.  The male follows me.

Astrid;  What's your name?
Male:  Skylar.
Astrid: And what are you to Aspen, Skylar?

I expect he is her brother or cousin.  They don't look alike, but surely he wouldn't allow his girlfriend or whatever to be carried by another man.

Skylar:  I'm her ma-boyfriend.
I'm surprised to say the least.
Astrid: So, tell me what's going on.

He stares at me and I'm sure I need to check the mirror for the snakes growing out of my head.  I've had this look before.

Astrid:  You'll feel so much better if you just tell me.
Skylar:  I fucked up.  I'm sorry.
Astrid:  Language doesn't bother me, so don't apologize.  Just talk and I'll listen.
Skylar:  I first met Aspen three months ago and it was instant.  I wanted her and I had to have her...so I did.
Astrid:  What do you mean by that?
Skylar:  (sigh)  I fucked her like a whore and then left when I realized what I'd done.

I wait.  Silence is sometimes a good thing, no matter how awkward it may seem.  

Skylar:  He called right as I finished...not the first time, but the second time.  I'd cheated on my fucking mate.

Obviously this was a slip he'd not meant for human ears, but I'm a nurse and I wore my big girl panties.  I do believe I can take a few shifters.

Astrid: Who's your mate?
Although he looks horrified at his obvious slip, he answers.

Skylar:  Xavier, but so is Aspen.  How can this be?
Astrid:  Sometimes I think things have a way of working themselves out and I believe you three, and I'm going out on a limb here and including the brown haired dude who carried Aspen in, will be just fine.  Now that doesn't mean that you didn't do anything wrong, but maybe you can make up for your wrongs.  
Skylar:  How in the hell will she ever forgive me for leaving?

I pat his back and stand.  There's not much more I can do.
Astrid:  Trust me when I say she is crazy about you guys.  
I look up and see the brown-haired male, Xavier, and I wave him in.  He sits by Skylar and takes his hand, which Skylar pulls away.  I sigh.  There's a lot of work to be done between the three of them.

Astrid: Look, I'm not supposed to do this, but I can take one of you back to see her.  

Skylar jumps up from his seat and I know he'll be going back with me.  I feel bad that I can't take Xavier, too but it's hard to care for patients when there is a hundred family members.  He gives me a slight nod and a sad smile that makes me want to cry.  His brown eyes scream past pain that I can only contemplate and pray that I never experience.  I pass Destini at the nurse's station and wave hello.  She smiles and continues thumbing through papers.  I leave Skylar at the door of Aspen's room and send a little prayer to whomever is listening to watch over these three.  Something just isn't right, but I can't figure out what.  As I clock out, I wave goodbye to Destini and instead of going out the bay doors, I go back to the waiting room.  I sigh and take a look at my watch.  7:38 pm.  I sit my bag down beside the brown haired male and I begin.

Astrid:  Tell me all about it.

Character Spotlight!

A Game of Cat & Mouse release is swiftly approaching...November 15, 2012!!  The suspense is killing me!  LOL!  I'm that person that nearly goes bonkers around Christmas time because I want people to open their presents!!!  

Anyways...I'd like you to meet Miranda Sullivan:

I had the opportunity to interview Miranda before she moved to Pinewood Creek!

AC: Hi, Miranda!  I'm so happy you could meet with me today.

Miranda: Thanks for having me.  I'm sorry I look such a mess!  I've been packing all day.

AC:  Oh, you look just fine, Miranda.  What are you packing for?

Miranda:  Oh, I've just been hired at Pinewood Creek Elementary School!!  I'm so excited!

AC:  I'm sure you are.  That's great!  Congratulations!

Miranda:  Thanks.  I'm really excited!  I recently found this cute little cottage!  It's surrounded by the woods and there's this little flower garden in the back.

AC:  I'm happy for you.  What do your parents think about you moving.

Miranda:  I think Mom's going to take it pretty hard.  I'm the baby.  She was pretty distraught when Brice went into the Military. She won't admit it but she's been crossing off the days on the calendar until he comes home for Christmas.  She was just as upset when Andrew left for his residency.  

AC:  Wow!  Three children!  When did your mom find the time for anything else.

Miranda: chuckles There's also Cassie.  She married her high school sweetheart, but at least she'll be close to home.

AC:  So, is there anyone special in your life?

Miranda: No.  But maybe I'll find someone in Pinewood Creek.

AC: Maybe you will.  Hope you have a wonderful day, Miranda and an even better move.

Miranda:  Thanks.  Sorry to just run, but I've got so much to pack!