“Ahh!” Angelica screamed happily, thrusting her pudgy little hands up toward Kit, attempting to grab at Kit’s hair.

“Don’t think so, Angie,” Kit said, tickling the baby, who yelled gleefully in response.  “You like that, dontcha?  Yes, you do.”  Kit leaned in close to Angelica, speaking in a silly voice and making funny faces.

The clearing of a throat in the doorway caused her to jump and made her cheeks burn in embarrassment.  “Oh, Dr. Ellis!  You scared me!”

Dr. Ellis, a tall, elegantly handsome older gentleman with skin the color of mahogany, laughed heartily.  “Now even though you don’t look too old to have children, something tells me she’s not yours.”

“Doc, you know good and well I’m way too old to have kids,” Kit argued, still feeling her cheeks burn and wondering why.

“You don’t look a day over forty,” he promised in his deep baritone.

“Buttering me up will not make me pay for another day in here, you know,” Kit joked.  “And this is my niece, Angelica.”

The doctor came around to the side of the bed and bent at the knees, taking one of Angelica’s little hands in his fingers and shaking it up and down.  “Hello there, Miss Angelica.  You sure are a pretty one.  I have to assume that you get that from your aunt here.” 

The blush on Kit’s cheeks turned hotter, if that were possible.  Angelica, however, was delighted at her new visitor and shouted out her appreciation to show it, and then promptly spit up on herself.

“Charming,” Dr. Ellis remarked with a chuckled, grabbing towels from the cabinet.  Kit went to take them from him, but he resisted.  “Let me take care of it,” he insisted, bending down once more and gently wiping Angelica’s chin.  “You need to be taking it easy, Kit.  Just because we’re releasing you one day early doesn’t mean you’re free and clear.  Your health is still at risk.”

“That wouldn’t have been a strain on me,” Kit argued.

“Now, now,” Dr. Ellis said, throwing the towel in a basket under the sink and waving a finger at her.  “If you don’t take care of yourself, then who will?  Someone has to.  You need someone to take care of you.”

At his words, Kit felt an odd tug in her stomach.  A feeling like that of a thousand wayward butterflies bumping around inside of her stomach came over her.  Why am I getting nervous?

“Well,” Dr. Ellis began, scratching thoughtfully at his close-cropped salt and pepper hair.  “Bet you’re excited to be getting out of here, eh?”

Kit nodded mutely.

“I sure hate to see you go,” the doctor said.  “This place won’t be the same without you.  I suppose we’ll have to settle for buying your CD when it comes out and playing it over the loudspeaker.”  He stepped forward and laid a soft hand on her arm.  “Let me get your vitals just once more before you sign your release forms.  Just as a precaution.”

As his strong, gentle fingers found the pulse on the sensitive skin of the inside of her wrist, Kit had to stop herself from sighing aloud.  As it was, a chill ran down her spine and goosebumps broke out on her skin.  She just hoped Dr. Ellis didn’t notice.  Why am I reacting this way around him?

As she glanced up and her eyes met his, a thrill ran through her.  Oh my God, I have a crush on him, she realized.  Kit may have been getting older, but one never forgot the telltale signs of a crush.  I can’t have a crush on him.  He’s my doctor.  He’s seen me look my worst these last couple of days.  *****, he might have even seen me naked!  Ugh!  Hmm, I wonder what he looks like nakedstop that, Kit!  Stop thinking about your doctor that way! 

The doctor’s eyes remained locked on hers as his fingers on her wrist began to make small circular motions.  The space between them lessened, and Kit leaned forward and closed her eyes in anticipation.