Chapter Text
Henry’s plane touched down gently on the RAF Northolt tarmac and slid easily into the usual hanger. He sighed wishing he was still wrapped up with Alex in France. He enjoyed a week without any worries or stress, it was just the two of them falling even harder for one another. One thing was for sure, he was positively in love with Alex, but a small part of him thought it was still early in the start of their relationship to say those words.
He grabbed his phone and sent Alex a text message saying that he had landed in London safely. He knew Alex still had another five and half hours left. He hoped his boyfriend was sleeping in preparation for his contract meeting and the night shift. He watched Ben disappear and come back with his luggage in hand.
“Ready to go?” Ben questioned softly seeing the prince get up from the chair and he followed Henry down the steps. The PPOs were waiting outside the plane for them already.
Ben quickly deposited Henry’s luggage into the boot of the Bentley and held open the usual door for the prince, who easily slid into the luxury vehicle and bucked his seatbelt. Once he knew Henry was safely in the vehicle he slid into the driver’s seat and bucked his own seatbelt. Derek was sitting in the passenger’s seat. Once everyone was safely in the vehicle he pulled out of the private hanger.
Ben had enjoyed the week in France and seeing Henry and Alex’s relationship develop in real time. He also enjoyed seeing the two of them come up for air every now and again looking more and more debauched than the last time, not that he cared.
Ben liked it when Henry was happy, and it seemed like Alex was good for Henry if the smile he had never seen on the prince’s face was any indication. In fact, that smile had yet to leave the prince’s face. He liked the look; it made the prince finally look his age.
The drive to Buckingham was full of traffic so it took a little longer than usual to get there. No matter he made decent time and snuck in the back way of Buckingham wanting to avoid the throngs of tourists taking photos outside the historic palace. The Royal Standard flying high at the top of the ancient palace. (It meant the Queen was home.)
He parked in the covered garage and opened Henry’s door. He and Derek followed a few paces behind Henry. Buckingham wasn’t a security risk, and it was doubtful that as an equerry he was needed for the family meeting and catch up.
Mary was the type of queen who summed her grandchildren and made a big ordeal out of it. Catherine was the type of queen and mum whose children visited on their own to discuss their day and projects with their mum.
In fact, Catherine had texted Henry to come for a visit the moment he got back to London because she wanted to hear everything about Paris over tea. Hence why he wasn’t dreading this meeting. It had been four years since Mary had died, the year after her Golden Jubilee.
He saw his mum’s coronation photo happily displayed in the entryway of Buckingham. She was sitting on the throne with her three children surrounding her. They all looked happy and unlike most official portraits with Mary he didn’t have to force his smile.
He expertly navigated his way through the Queen’s Apartments after all they spent a lot of time here as children. He knocked at her study door and soon found himself engulfed in his mother’s toned arms.
“Hi mum.” Henry said inhaling the comforting scent of her floral perfume. She was wearing a red tie neck blouse, a pair of grey trousers, and a red pair of court shoes that matched her blouse perfectly. Their media had dubbed her the Queen of Trousers. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you darling. I had several meetings this morning. Come in and let’s have tea and you can tell me all about Paris.” She said pulling away from the hug noticing he was wearing a pair of jeans along with a purple NYU Grossman School of Medicine adoring the front of it.
The hoodie clearly wasn’t Henry’s. Which meant either Henry abducted the hoodie when Alex wasn’t paying attention or things in Paris had gone better than she hoped.
“Did you also get accepted into NYU? Is there something you wish to tell me?” She teased sitting gracefully upon the settee and patted the open area beside her.
Henry laughed as he walked past the table that had a ton of photos on it. He touched his hand to the ancient wood in front of the wedding photos of his mum and dad. He missed his dad; he knew that’d he be equally curious about Alex. He also knew his dad would be thrilled at everything mum had accomplished in her four years as queen. He knew he was.
Her diplomas from Oxford proudly displayed on the wall behind the family photos. He was missing a Ph.D. he had gotten an MPhil instead. Mary had persuaded him not to go for his Ph.D. and instead joining the military like the good little heir he was supposed to be. He ignored that suggestion, but didn’t progress further, he was content with his MPhil.
“Alex loaned it to me.” He confessed. Alex had loaned it to Henry before they left Paris in hopes that Henry could transfer some good luck into to the cloth before Alex went for his board certification exam. He happily agreed the hoodie was warm, comfortable and smelt of Alex.
Catherine smiled and it made her eyes crinkle with amusement. She watched her son leave the table full of photos she proudly displayed in her office. Most of them were of her children back when they were younger, and her Artie was still alive. She missed her husband dearly and there wasn’t a day that went by that she didn’t think of him. She watched Henry stride over to the settee and sit down beside her.
“I supposed that answers that question.” She remarked wanting to know more about why, but instead handing Henry a teacup full of Earl Grey. Her nails a light pink with a chrome overlay. It was another rule she had overturned. Mary didn’t like loud nail polish and if they did wear any it had to be barely there. Now all the ladies in their family, including Victoria, had their nails painted.
Henry sighed softly and looked at his mum. He was sort of terrified with this topic of conversation about his ideas and thoughts about coming out of the closet and about Alex. He took the teacup from his mum’s hands and took a sip trying to soothe his anxiety, he shouldn’t even have anxiety around his mum. He realized it wasn’t anxiety about his mum, but the anxiety of the situation. He supposed now was as good as any to talk to his mum about his idea.
“Alex and I were having a conversation and he mentioned that his residency program puts on a graduation dinner and assuming he is alright with it, I would like for us to debut our relationship during that dinner. It is something that is massively important to him and I’m so proud of him already. I was thinking I could post something about him on Instagram followed by a tasteful photo of us kissing.”
Catherine smiled and nodded hoping he’d continue the rest of his idea. So far, she liked the idea assuming that Alex was alright with it. She knew he could handle anything the media could throw at them and had done so as the former First Son.
“He also has a two-week Holiday in Mexico planned for after his graduation. I know you probably wouldn’t let me be gone for two weeks, but if you could spare a week, I’d love for him to have the opportunity to show me a part of his heritage and Mexican culture.” Some of that was a lie. He would enjoy learning about some of the culture, but the biggest part would be lounging on a beach next to his lover. The two of them getting to relax and just be like they could in France.
Catherine smiled softly at the idea of her darling on Holiday with his boyfriend. “I could spare you for two weeks. You deserve happiness.” She said hugging her child tightly the plan formulating in her brain. She knew the media would talk regardless of what her children did. She found it better to let her children do what they wanted instead of always controlling the narrative like Mary.
She also thought that if Alex was alright with it, she could send her other children to Mexico for a few days. If she could create a united royal front of support for Alex, it might make the media go easy on him. She knew their media would hate him. He was an American and the more traditional media would have a problem with him being biracial.
She personally thought the traditional media needed to die. They supported Mary and criticized everything she did. Her favorite headline was “Queen Catherine will ruin the Monarchy.’ It had been four years and if anything, they had more support from their people than ever.
Henry’s eyes lit up when she said she could let him have the full two weeks. “Is there a catch for Alex?” He questioned, knowing that if Mary ever gave anything generously it usually came with strings. He knew his mum wasn’t Mary, but still he learned not to trust anything nice without expecting a ton of strings.
When Henry asked if she had a catch for the suggestion, she wanted to dig up her own mum and yell until she lost her voice. “No strings attached. My darling, I am so sorry that Mary ever gave you gifts with strings. You should be able to do something you want without expecting to make it up to anyone.” She said hugging him tightly. “I love you with all of my heart.”
“More than anything I just want you to be happy. I hate her for telling us to prioritize our birthright over our own happiness. If anything, I’d say we are entitled to happiness over the birthright. I’d rather see happy princes and princesses, than ones who hate their life because of birthright.”
She personally grew up with an abusive mother who hated her children and hated having all daughters. She, however, loved her sisters and was especially close with her youngest sister, Charlotte. She had married someone below her station and Mary was so irate that she stripped Charlotte of her title. Once she was made queen the first thing she did was give her sister her title back of Princess Royal.
“Does Alex make you happy?” She knew the answer to that question but still wanted to ask it. She saw the photos he had sent her, and the answer was plastered on the front of the hoodie and her middle child’s face. There was no doubt in her mind that Alex made him happy.
Henry felt more at ease when his mother said he could go on Holiday with Alex, and it does not require them to be puppets on strings. He knew his mum and should think better, but regardless of how much therapy he had had, Mary had ruined him to his core. He had trauma when it came to expectations of the crown so no matter how many times his mum reassured him the scars were there and deep.
He heard her final question and he beamed at her at his was his pure happiness smile. “So very happy. He communicates so well. I think I’m already in love with him, but I’m afraid of the magnitude of my own feelings.”
“Mum, he takes away my insomnia and the past week I’ve had some of my best sleep since dad died. I trust him in a way I can’t articulate.” He admitted pulling out his phone and showing her some of the candid photos that Ben had snapped of the two of them. He adored them all and most of them were of them just lost in their own conversation and their own little world.
“My darling, I knew your father was the one. When you find your person, you just know. I met your dad after losing my PPOs and he and I spent the night together dancing and him quoting Shakespeare. I had never felt happier than when I was with your father and the days my children were born.”
“He lit up my world in a way no one else could. I felt like I could be myself with him. He loved me for me and not because of some tiara or birthright.” She held him tightly since loved these moments with her children she didn’t care hold old they were sometimes a mum hug could just make everything better.
“I love the fact Alex is taking away your insomnia. You two look so happy together and that is a happiness that I haven’t seen since you were a child. Don’t ever be afraid of that feeling be like a moth and soak up that feeling.”
“You deserve your own person that makes you feel how your father made me feel. You want to tell me why it has taken you eight years to finally realize that you love the man? I was starting to think I’d have to contact him myself. I think if I were you, I’d have contacted him when Mary died. I would have supported you then.” Catherine playfully swatted his knee.
“MI6 sent me all of his information and that is a great man you have found. He’s lovely Henry. Would you like to see the file? His transcript is remarkable.” Catherine mused she had loved reading his file about as much as she loved reading Tom’s file. She loved the young actor and how much he supported Bea. She needed someone humorous in her life and he loved her for her and not because of titles and tiaras.
Her support was invaluable to him, but still the scars ran deep. “I would like our relationship to have some secrets and have some development. I’d hate to know everything about him, but I already know he’s intelligent, so I’d like to see that transcript.”
Catherine got up from the settee and gracefully walked over to her desk and held up a giant file the MI6 agent had given her on Alex. She ruffled around until she found his transcripts and class list from his medical school application. She sat the file back on her desk, the file had even managed to impress Philip and he was the harder to impress one. She handed Henry the papers, watching his face beam with pure pride as he read the document.
“He was in all AP classes his Junior and Senior year and he’s one of the few who apply to medical school with a perfect GPA.” Catherine said sounding proud. “Although, I think your transcripts will always be my favorite.”
When Henry shifted, she noticed something that looked suspiciously like a hickey. She quickly pulled back the fabric and saw a collection dotting his pale neck and she heard her study door opening.
“Henry!” She teased in her mum voice. Her child was an adult and was free to have hickeys and leave hickeys. She just found the bruises dotting his neck amusing. She heard Philip’s angry footsteps enter her study.
“How can I hate myself after five years of therapy.” Philip demanded in way of a greeting and then he realized his brother was home from Paris. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He said uncomfortably, noticing his mum’s worried eyes as he sat down next to his brother.
“I’m happy your home.” He threw his strong arms around his brother. “How was Paris and Alex. Are you two dating, boyfriends?” He needed something happy to distract him from his internal self-hatred. His tone even and perfectly jovial.
Even after five years Henry still wasn’t used to having his older brother back when they were children, he used to love Philip’s advice. He used to love polo games with his brother and then Mary gaslighted him into the perfect heir and he lost his brother and best friend.
He still expected this Philip to be a mirage and a figment of hope. His brother was hugging him and wanted to actually hear about him dating another man. He felt a tear dot his eye. Damn those scars and anxiety.
“Paris was wonderful. Alex is good, he has a meeting with his boss to discuss his attending contract today. He also gets to see his parents tomorrow at Rafael’s rally. Alex and I are dating, and he did agree to be my boyfriend.” He heard his mom squeal next to him, even Philip looked happy.
“Does this mean Alex will be coming to your birthday celebration?” Philip questioned politely. Despite ruining their wedding cake, he grew to like and respect Alex. He had seen the MI6 file and even he was impressed with the file.
After being deprogrammed he couldn’t see one thing wrong with Alex, well besides the wedding cake innocent. Henry had confessed that he was equally to blame because he hadn’t always been the nicest to Alex and most of that incident was because of how he acted towards him at the Olympics and earlier in the reception line.
“It does. Is that a problem?” Henry questioned looking at his mum and Philip. He figured it wouldn’t be a problem with them. Most of the time birthdays were quite affairs and he didn’t have any public appearances scheduled for the days Alex would be in London.
“I also invited him over for a few days of his own birthday. He’s going to spend the official day in DC with his family, but Ben has arranged a flight to London so I can have a few days with him.” He confessed, looking at his shoes.
“That is perfectly fine. I look forward to getting to know Alex outside of Dr. Alex.” Catherine admitted. “The more the merrier, besides he is your boyfriend he should be celebrating with everyone. Alex is welcome in Kensington and Buckingham anytime he pleases. The same goes for any and all of our other estates.”
Philip smiled and squeezed his brother’s hand. “Everything she said and more. We will happily take another birthday guest and another birthday to celebrate. I’m truly happy for you. So now that we know the Paris highlights. I’m sure Hen would like to keep some of those memories private for now. Can I please have someone help me with the internal self-loathing therapy made me feel today.”
Henry squeezed Philip’s hand back. “Go ahead.” He had over a decade’s worth of therapy under his own belt he was very good at coping with that feeling.
He listened to Philip explain that he was afraid of regressing and having his siblings despise him again. He was afraid of being a terrible father to his two darlings. Henry and Catherine 0listened intently and both working to soothe Philip’s self-loathing.
After that conversation with Philip confessing his self-doubt. Henry felt better about this relationship with Alex and knew that his entire family would stand by his side in support. That was one less conversation he had to have with his brother today. He was sure that if anything happened to his mum, he wouldn’t completely revert everything back to the way Mary had it. It was one of his deepest fears, but after having Philip talk for over an hour about his own hatred, he felt better about it.
After three hours talking about Paris and plans with his mother and listening to Philip discuss his feelings of failure it was time for him to go back to Kensington and catch up with his favorite sibling who had been at an event for one of her charities. He and Philip left their mum’s study after several tight hugs.
He followed closely behind Philip to the covered garage. Philip, Martha, and Victoria also lived in one of the apartments The three of them were supposed to eventually move to Clarance House, but they just liked the proximity of their siblings and Victoria just adored her aunt and uncles, plus they made for good babysitters when needed.
“What was mum scolding you for when I walked into her study?” Philip questioned softly.
“I might have a few hickeys and I think she was more shocked about it than scolding me about them.” Henry said pulling back the hoodie and showing Philip his neck. He had seen similar marks on Martha so figured It was no big deal showing his brother.
Philip laughed and the sound filled the hallway. “Does Alex have matching ones?”
“Well of course.” At one point in Henry’s life, his brother would have judged them. Today it was laughter and wondering if Alex’s neck also matched. It was something Bea and Tom would both do once they got back to Kensington.
The two of them fell into step with one another until they reached the garage. They both slid into the awaiting Bentley, aware of a time when sharing a vehicle wouldn’t have been possible between them. Now Philip chatted animatedly about how Victoria happily watched David and was begging for a puppy of her own. Philip had said David was perfect but that he seemed a little more tired a sluggish compared to the last time they had watched David.
That thought lingered in the back of his brain. David was thirteen and he knew a beagle’s average lifespan was between twelve and fifteen. He was seeing the signs of aging too and it scared him. David was his most loyal companion, and he didn’t ever want to lose his buddy.
The car pulled into the secret entrance of Kensington Palace and the two men left the vehicle and Henry’s foot barely touched the entryway into the shared apartment space and Bea was engulfing him a bone crushing hug with Tom close behind.
“Impressive hickeys.” Tom said with a wink to his future brother-in-law. “I assume Paris was a success.” He noticed the purple NYU hoodie. He was happy for Henry finally getting the man of his dreams. Bea smirked when her fiancé mentioned Henry’s hickeys and she noticed what was on the hoodie he was wearing.
Henry’s face turned a stunning shade of pink at Tom’s antics. He truly was perfect for his sister. He felt David sniffing his jeans.
“Hi buddy. I hear Tori took such great care of you. I’m happy to have my buddy back though.” He said crouching down to give his old beagle a good scratch behind his floppy ears. David happily wagged his tail seeing his human was home.
“Should we tell them that your human has a boyfriend now?” He heard Bea’s happy squeal followed by Martha’s squeals of delight and felt his pregnant sister-in-law hug him. It was a little awkward since she was getting rounder than she did with Victoria. Tom sent him a smile and two thumbs up.
“In that case let me help you unpack, and you can tell me everything.” Bea said gently pulling her brother’s hand gently leading him in the direction of his own apartment.
Martha looked at her husband to see if he was coming along to hear about Henry’s time in Paris.
“You go ahead love; I’ve already heard about Paris. I’ll go and check on Victoria.” Philip loved his brother, but he didn’t feel like hearing about Paris a second time. He’d let them have their moment alone with Henry.
He watched his love penguin waddle down the hallway, he knew this would be their last child. He didn’t want to put her body through any undue stress, he knew it stung them both when she miscarried. No sense is trying and hoping it only devastated them. Two perfect daughters and having his perfect wife was more than enough for him, besides his siblings were finding mates so he’d eventually have nieces and nephews to dote upon.
Bea did not let go of her brother until they arrived at his bedroom of his apartment. She watched Martha sit gracefully on the bed. David took the doggie stairs and burrowed into the bed beside Martha.
“So, tell us everything.” She said listening as Henry explained about their time in France. She was holding onto Martha, the two of them sharing a knowing look with each other when he mentioned that Alex had taken away his insomnia and he had slept the best he had while on the trip.
Henry was gone and so in love with Alex and they approved. Alex sounded like a perfect gentleman and they both were jealous when Henry said Alex had made him breakfast in bed most mornings. That alone made them swoon. They both approved of Alex, he seemed like he made their brother so happy and that is what they wanted for him.
“I am so happy for you; aren’t you glad I decided to ask you how you were feeling in the hospital about Alex, and he overheard. I was starting to think I was going to have to turn into a conspiracy theorist if the two of you did not pull your lovely heads out of your asses. For two highly intelligent people you both suck at feeling confessions. I was starting to think I would have to sacrifice a portion of the wedding cake to finally get to the two of you together.” Bea playfully lectured. She knew how much her older brother wanted Alex, so she was thrilled it was finally happening.
After another couple hours of talking, Martha left Henry’s apartments to help Philip get Victoria a bath. Tom excused himself for a video meeting with his agent to discuss his year off from filming. It was his choice. He wanted to be able to travel with his wife and not have to worry about stupidly early call times and time zone calculations. It would also be nice not living out of a hotel room for six-twelve months. Catherine had told him that he could still film whatever movies he wanted. She wouldn’t be like her mum and force him to give up the career he loved.
Bea smirked at her brother now it was just the two of them and David. She loved her older brother he had been her rock back when she was sixteen and rebelling from the crown and finding herself doing lines of cocaine to take the edge off.
She hadn’t quite forgiven herself for falling so hard, but he had caught her and had been gentle with her instead of forceful. He told her his deepest secret and she happily went back to rehab and had been clean ever since and they had become super close when Mary was going on and on about birthright and tradition since they were anything but traditional.
“You know for once I’d like if we can just do the British thing and just not talk about it.” Henry teased and Bea wacked him with a pillow.
“Dear everyone but Tom and probably Alex has been in therapy. We are conditioned to talk about our feelings and everything else. I’d rather have mum be hyper engaged in our personal lives and support all of our decisions than Mary forbidding our decisions like we are little children and don’t know what we want. I like being a princess under mum, I like being able to have the foundations and charities I want.” She sassed making herself comfortable next to her brother.
Henry laughed softly. He knew Alex had been in therapy too, so Tom was the odd one out. That was honestly kind of terrifying having that many people need therapy because their birthright and grief caused so much in their lives. “You are the best little sister. I know all of that but sometimes my anxiety reminds me of previous trauma. I’m still scared that I’m going to wake up and everything will be a cruel dream.”
“It’s not.” Bea said firmly even though she understood. Sometimes she thought she’d wake up and Tom would be a figment of her imagination and that she was actually engaged to an abusive Earl that Mary thought perfect for her.
Alex felt the jet land easily having just woken up from a five-hour nap. He looked out the window and saw they were in Teterboro Airport. He sighed slightly, realizing that he was back home, and it was time to try and negotiate a better contract with Bellevue.
He just hoped he had a somewhat normal night and could get some more rest before Rafael’s Rally tomorrow. To be honest he didn’t even want to go to the rally. He loved Rafael and Matthew and always enjoyed seeing them, but while he followed politics, he had closed the whole ACD First Son chapter of his life. Logan had driven him to his apartment complex.
Alex put his Apple Watch on its charger as he took a quick shower to try and prepare for the night. Once he dried and styled his curls, he got dressed in a grey tee shirt, a pair of jeans, and his red knit embroidered jacket.
He had others but the red one reminded him of Henry and David taking a nap on it. It had been watched since then, but it still made him happy to think of the beagle napping on his jacket. He tossed his earbuds, phone, and wallet into their correct pockets.
He put on his compression socks; he would never forget the first time he put compression socks on. He spent five minutes struggling to put them on like he would any other pair of socks. He finally found a TikTok video showing the correct way to put them on. He never dreamed a pair of socks could make him feel like a dipshit, but that pair succeeded.
He grabbed his watch from the charger, seeing that it was now fully charged. He clipped his badge reel to his jeans. He tied his On Cloud sneakers to his feet and slung his work backpack over both of his shoulders. He left his apartment with a soft click, he needed to make a quick Target run to grab a couple cans of energy drinks, the skin tone band-aids, and his favorite box of Kind bars for his locker.
Alex tossed in his earbuds figuring he could give Henry a call as he walked to Target and grabbed what he needed. He listened to the ringing sound in his ears and Henry answered on the third ring.
“Hey dear.” Henry answered. “Are you home?”
“Hi baby. I’m back in New York. Freshly showered and walking to the Target to grab a few things for work figured I’d give you a call.” Alex said walking along the streets of New York. No one paid him any attention.
He walked into the Target and grabbed a basket still talking to Henry. He only needed a few things; he grabbed the band-aids in his color and then over to the drink aisle. He grabbed a few cans of his usual, and grabbed something in a black can that said it was rainbow sherbet flavor. It sounded interesting.
He didn’t take any medication to control his ADHD. He used caffeine and it worked for him. So, he usually drank an energy drink at the start of his shift, caffeine didn’t affect him like some people. It never makes him jittery or shaky during surgery. It just helped keep him focused.
He grabbed his snacks, quickly paid for everything in the self-checkout, tossed everything into his backpack and left the store. He also disconnected the call with Henry. He walked to the hospital, tapped his badge to the sensors and navigated his way to the chief resident call room to change. He didn’t feel like having the other surgical residents staring at him and the line of hickeys.
He quickly changed into his navy scrubs and tied his sneakers back to his feet. He grabbed one of the giant band-aids from the box and covered all the hickeys on his neck using the mirror. He covered himself with the red jacket and tossed his passport stamp scrub cap, safety glasses, stethoscope, and everything else into their correct work pockets. He quickly texted Paige and Adrian to see where they were before his meeting in fifteen minutes.
Alex saw his watch light up with a text message from Adrian that they were in the cafeteria, so he walked quickly to the cafeteria. He found them chatting at a table.
“Welcome back!” Paige said happily. “So, are you leaving us? Did some other hospital swoop in and steal you away with more money and more days off.”
“Thanks! I’ve missed you guys.” He said, giving them all a quick hug. “Actually, I have a meeting with Edwards in a few minutes to discuss the negotiation I sent back. If not, other hospitals will take me. Ever since saving Prince Henry I have other hospitals sending me contracts daily trying to get me to come work for them.” He smirked knowing his negotiation was more than fair and reasonable.
“Fingers crossed.” Adrian said he didn’t want to lose his brother in all but blood. “Also, I notice the band-aid on your neck. Did you actually visit with other hospitals or were to busy with whomever keeps giving you hickeys?”
“I was visiting hospitals. I cut myself shaving.” Alex said with a charming smile and itching to change the subject. “Paige, I noticed that you were looking at formal dresses have you found one you like?”
Adrian smirked at his brother in all but blood. “I don’t believe that lie for a second. You have hickeys under the band-aid. So have you started to sleep around or are you hiding a relationship from your best friends and family?”
Paige smiled softly and she could tell Alex was lying like a rug but clearly, he wasn’t comfortable talking about the mystery person. “Alex, I have several that I love, but I have found that I have champagne taste on a beer budget. Not just any beer either, my budget is for fucking PBR. PBR, Alex, PBR!”
Alex smiled and grabbed his phone. “Do you have a particular designer in mind. I might be able to DM them on Instagram and you can get the dress of your dreams.” He knew Paige lived with roommates, but NYC was expensive especially on a resident budget. Technically Paige was a trauma anesthesiologist fellow, but it was just one step above resident on the totem pole.
“I love Mac Duggal specifically this one.” Paige turned her phone and showed him a beautiful plum dress that had a ton of glitz. It screamed Paige the neckline was perfect for a royal wedding, and it had capped sleeves.
“Send me that photo and I’ll see if I can work my connections and get someone to loan you a dress.” He hated to use his name and fish for connections, but he also understood where Paige was coming from.
He did invite her to the biggest event of the year, and she didn’t want to wear something super cheap and feel out of place. The least he could do was help her find a nice dress for the occasion.
Paige looked at him, she didn’t want to feel like a charity case. She supposed it was no different than a designer offering one of their creations to walk a big event. She loved that dress, but she didn’t have $800 just laying around that was ridiculous amount of money for a dress she’d wear once. “Thank you for helping.”
“You’re welcome. I need to get going to my meeting is anyone else on night shift with me?” Alex questioned getting up from his seat.
“No, but I’ll be back in the morning.” Adrian supplied seeing Paige nod in agreement.
“You both suck. I’m off tomorrow. My parents have been begging me to attend Rafael’s rally tomorrow. Adrian, I can’t even remember the last time you and I had a shift together.” He sighed, leaving the cafeteria. He did not have a good feeling about this meeting.
He made his way to Dr. Neil Edwards’ office and knocked at the door. He figured his boss would tell him no and not even come back with a rebuttal.
“Come on in.” Neil said cheerfully seeing Alex stroll into his office. He didn’t understand what possessed a kid as attractive as Alex to suffer through medical school. If he looked like that, he would have taken the easy route and become a model.
“So unfortunately, we cannot meet your contract demands at this time. This is what our counter is.” Neil said handing him the offer. He knew if he were Alex he would not accept.
“This is the same offer I countered. Can I be honest with you?” Alex said seeing the older trauma surgeon nod.
“This is the lowest salary I’ve had anyone offer. I love Bellevue and I know the people. This isn’t a competitive offer. I have offers that are more competitive. I know I’m a chief resident and this place still sees me as a resident, but this offer is honestly insulting. I had expected at least a counteroffer. Texas, Boston, and Philadelphia offers are extremely competitive. Can you at least have the board reconsider?”
Neil smiled and took the offer back from the resident. “I’ll try. I make no promises though. As your residency director and fellow trauma surgeon I’m proud of you kid.” He figured more hospitals would have Alex on their radar.
He just hoped Bellevue didn’t fuck around and lose the kid. He thought his counteroffer was more than reasonable given the cost of living for NYC. It wasn’t like he was any resident. He was the lead surgeon for one of the Prince’s of England that took talent. Clearly other trauma centers saw that talent, why couldn’t his bosses.
“Thank you.” Alex said feeling his phone going off in his pocket. “I am being paged. Have a nice night Dr. Edwards.” He ran out of the office, clearly, he was in for a fantastic night. He kind of expected Bellevue to be stingy but not that stingy. He had a lot to think about and not much time to do it in. Maybe he’d get lucky and have an easy night to make lists and compare the offers.
Night had quickly turned into day and Alex was having one of the worst shifts of his life. First Bellevue rejects his contract negotiation and didn't even offer a fucking rebuttal. Then his phone kept getting paged and paged. He had pronounced three people dead. Best of all the fifth year who was supposed to be working called him sounding sick. Alex being Alex told her he’d work it. He had called his family and told them the disappointing news.
He was leaning against the wall trying very hard not to cry when he felt his watch vibrate with a text from Henry.
‘I’m sorry you are having such a terrible night and that you have to miss Raf’s rally.’ Followed by one that made a smile appear on his face.
‘Should I tell you that when we're apart, your body comes back to me in dreams?’ He groaned seeing those words. He missed Henry, he missed Paris.
He no sooner read Henry's text message and got a news alert that made his blood run cold.
President Rafael Luna Has Been Shot at Rally in New York City.