Just a Simple Love Story by Kimberley Nunes (best historical fiction books of all time TXT) 📖

any more time he opened the door after knocking curtly.

“Doctor Octavio” Madeleine’s voice greeted him. “Oh, and Doctor Thompson, too?”

“Kaitlynn?” Sebastian spotted me behind the two tall men.

“What’s going on?” a stern and serious voice inquired.

“Mr. Benz” Octavio started. “We have good news. But first, let me introduce you Doctor Noakes.”

Sebastian’s and Ian’s father!

“Doctor Noakes, this is Frederick Benz, our patient’s father.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Benz” I was nervous.

Nodding he returned the pleasantries. His eyes were sharp and made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but I needed to keep my calm. After all, we have come to convey good news, right?

“Hmm” I spotted a certain red-head I hadn’t met after our first and last encounter. “What is she doing here?” she bellowed.

Both, Frederick and Sebastian shot her a deadly look making the annoying woman flinch.

“What is the news?” Sebastian directed his question to me.

Gin nudged me from the side. I glanced over at Octavio who nodded, giving me the sign to go on.

“We might’ve found something that will awaken Ian Benz” I stated making sure to address each of them.

Madeleine’s eyes grew wide and teary at the same time, while Frederick’s facial expression didn’t change one bit. So that’s where he gets it from. Karin’s jaw had dropped. Lastly, my eyes rested on Sebastian. It was unbelievable how many emotions crossed his face within a split second.

“You found something?” his voice shook.

While I nodded my superior took over: “Yes, she did. We can’t guarantee it will work on the human brain, but I trust in Doctor Noakes’ work. I’ve been able to observe her and know how thoroughly and precise she has worked.”

“So what needs to be done?” Frederick inquired. His facial expression might not have changed, but his voice sounded softer.

“Your son will need to undergo another surgery. We will be modifying the inbuilt BNG-29 slightly while it is still situated at the same place” Octavio glanced over at Gin Thompson, confirming with him.

“What is the chance of the whole thing going wrong?” the head of the family inquired.

It was silent for a while. I inhaled deeply answering his question: “The probability of him waking up is 8%.”

I heard Madeleine gasp and Karin mutter something incomprehensible. Frederick’s eyes focused on me. He seemed to be in deep though for a while. After some time he nodded.

“Sebastian!” he called. “You should decide this, as well.”

He turned his gaze to his younger son awaiting a decision. Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair glancing at me. This reminded me of the first time we met. From the corner of my eye I saw their worried mother grip her husband’s shoulder tightly.

“Doctor Thompson, what is your opinion?” the younger Benz brother questioned.

Gin looked him straight in the eye and answered: “I’ve operated on patients with a 0.3% chance of survival. So 8% doesn’t sound that bad to me. To sum it up, it’s the best option.”

Sebastian acknowledged the surgeon’s speech by nodding.

“And what do you think, Doctor Octavio?”

“As chief of the Neurological Research Department and my former consent, Mr. Benz, I trust in Doctor Noakes and her work. I agree with Doctor Thompson, it is not just the best, but most promising option.”

I could feel tears welling up, but suppressed them right away. Finally Sebastian Benz looked and addressed me: “Doctor Noakes.” He paused intently studying me. “Somebody once told me that, although nothing could be guaranteed, to grab my only option. Would you agree with that?”

“Whoever that person was” I stated, “she had never expected to actually convince you at that time. But I’m sure if you had to ask that person today, she would tell you this: Save your brother, Benz.”

The corners of Sebastian’s mouth slowly curled upwards forming a rare and most beautiful smile.

“Father, mother and you too, Karin” he turned around, “I trust in them. Let’s get Ian back.”

His mother smiled weakly while his father nodded approvingly. Karin was unexpectedly quiet.

“Mrs. Karin Benz?” I asked.

Her head shot up at my calling her name.

“Yes?” she sounded confused.

“Do we have your approval, as well?” I didn’t want to leave her out. No matter what kind of person she was, Karin was Ian’s wife. I wouldn’t want my husband to be sent for some operation without agreeing upon. The red-headed woman hesitated before asking: “Can you promise to bring him back alive and well?”

Karin’s expression was pure agony, sadness and most of all fear.

“No, Mrs. Benz. I can’t promise you anything like that” I truthfully replied. “The only thing I, no all of us can promise you is that we are going to do anything and everything humanly possible to succeed in returning a healthy husband,” I paused shifting my attention to Ian’s parents, “a healthy son and a healthy brother to all of you” I ended while resting my eyes on Sebastian once again.

“Karin?” Sebastian asked.

The red-head finally nodded in agreement.

“Then it’s decided” Gin summed up. “I’ll get everything ready! Please excuse me.”

“Please excuse me, too” Octavio excused himself. “I need to get some work ready, as well.”

Both my mentors left the room swiftly. I knew they would sort out all the paperwork and convince the medical board to operate Ian by tomorrow. They would take care of each and every detail in the background. I was quite sure that Octavio would go through every word in my notes at least another ten times to make sure nothing had been forgotten.

“I’m going to take my leave, too. Please feel free to ask me anything. Mr. Benz has my number. So whatever it might be, please contact me, no matter what time.”

I smiled and turned around heading out the door and straight for my office. There was still a lot to do and barely any time. I fished out my phone quickly dialing Gin’s number.

“Gin, please get the team ready by six today evening … Yes, don’t worry about it, I’ll get the print-outs ready and will set up everything else necessary … You’re a worrywart, you know that? I told you I’ll be fine. I’ll pump myself up with a good strong coffee and energy bars … Yes, please … oh and Gin? Thank you!” I hung up on Gin and pressed the speed dial connecting to Octavio.

“… yes, it’s me … okay then, I’ll call you later.”

The chief of department was on his way to the medical board and had promised to call me right after talking to them.

It was quarter to twelve. I had six hours to get everything ready for the briefing and had practically nothing ready. Shaking off this depressing thought I headed for the canteen to get something to keep me going for the next couple of hours. Buying four coffee cups, a packed salad and some pastries, I sighed and kicked off right away after locking myself up in the tiny office.

At quarter to six I collected all the copies and notes I had made and headed for the small conference room we were supposed to meet and discuss about various things.

We concluded the meeting at eight o’clock. I contently fell back on my seat while Octavio finished the protocol to my right and Gin tidied up the room.

“Hey, you two” I asked for their attention. “I can’t express how grateful I am to have the both of you at my side. So, thank you. If I can pay you back in any way, please tell me.”

I looked up from my hands to see both of them smiling widely in their own ways.

“After all this I want you to take me out for a splendid dinner and some great music with lots and lots of drinking” Gin declared.

I smiled happily: “No problem at all. What about you, Octavio?”

He huffed in response: “I’m fine with you delivering me a good report and then bringing my department further prosperity.”

“I’ll do my best. But if there is anything else, tell me, both of you.”

Gin ruffled my hair grinning: “It’s fine, kiddo.”

“One of the rare moments I agree, child” Octavio agreed patting my shoulder.

“Let’s get some sleep before the big day” the surgeon suggested.

“Oh, did any of you inform the Uchihas?” I wondered out loud.

Both the men looked at each other: “Wouldn’t be bad if they knew, right?”

I grinned and volunteered to do it. Before saying our goodbyes we agreed on meeting at seven tomorrow to go over everything one last time.

I hurriedly changed out of my working attire and into my casual clothes which was a green summer dress reaching just above my knees, with a deep V-neck at the back and nude heels.

My every step echoed in the long empty corridors before I stood in front of room 1024. I knocked and heard a familiar voice say: “Yes, please.”

I opened it smiling brightly: “Hi.”

Bright blue orbs greeted me slightly surprised: “Hi.”

I shut the door behind me and walked over to Ian’s bed checking the results.

“Nice dress” I heard the young Benz comment from where he was sitting. Heat shot up in my cheeks.

“Thanks” I muttered.

“Specially the back” he mused.

I turned around feeling my skin color change slightly. At least the room isn’t lit too brightly.

“Um… The operation has been set for tomorrow morning at ten o’clock” I tried changing the subject feeling shy.

“Tomorrow at ten then” he repeated.

There was something deep and longing in his eyes that gazed upon me. I felt hot all of a sudden. Sebastian hadn’t moved from his seat by the window, but I felt a tingling sensation on my bare arms and open back. I swallowed hard and fiddled with my empty hands.

“I’ll get going then. I need to get up early and…“ I stammered. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sebastiane.”

I need to get out of here.

“Hey, Doc” he spoke after some time, “you convinced me the first time and today, too.”

I smiled shaking my head: “Then you are way too easily wrapped around.”

I laughed while heading out.

“Who knows” he mumbled.

“Good night, Sebastian” was the last thing I said.

Welcome Back!

 

Before Gin Thompson could patch up Ian’s head I left the operating room, threw off my scrubs and plastic suit, washed my hands and headed for the waiting room. The entire Benz family had gathered.

“What are the news, Doctor Noakes?” Madeleine Benz came up and inquired.

I sighed once, but my brightest smile followed: “It’s done!”

Sebastian and Karin jumped up running over. Even Frederick, the head of the family came close.

“It took some time and there were some difficulties, but Doctor Thompson and his team were able to successfully modify the BNG-29 and are sewing Ian up at the very moment” I conveyed the good news.

Madeleine hugged her husband happily while Karin cried out relieved. Sebastian relaxed visibly and smiled a genuine smile.

“Sorry, but I need to do this right now” he told me.

I arched an eyebrow not understanding what he meant at first. But when his arms wrapped around my shoulders and his head rested on mine it hit me. I was more than surprised. Well if that wasn’t the understatement of the year. But however awkward I thought it to be, it felt warm and right. His strong arms held me tightly, while his entire body relaxed. I was happy, actually.

“Doctor Noakes?” a voice asked for me. “Oh... Sorry for disturbing.”

I somehow managed to squish myself