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Re: Two Fragial Hearts in White Coats with Prescription of Love

Nick smiled, sliding into the chair beside her.

"Oh, I caught that," he said softly. "Cute, huh?"

He opened his book, but his eyes stayed on her face a little too long.

"And here I thought the Danish was the only reason you kept me around."

Nick leaned closer, lowering his voice so the other students wouldn't hear. "Circulatory diseases are fine with me. Though right now, I'm more worried about your pulse, Lynda. You're looking a little flushed."

His grin widened, teasing but warm.

Then, gentler, he nudged her notebook with his pen. "Come on, study freak. Teach me something before I start thinking you missed me."

Re: Last Christmas was the Beginning, But this Christmas is Forever (2025)

Nick's tired face softened as he looked around.
"Well," he said, easing into the chair with a groan, "I think this place looks more like home than it ever has."
He reached for the cola, then glanced back at the paper chains, the handmade colors, the little touches of Lynda everywhere.
"And I think," he added, voice gentler, "that I've got the cleverest, sweetest woman in the world makin' Christmas out of paper, glue, and pure stubborn love."
He took a sip, then shook his head.
"As for those pre-med students? One of 'em tried to tell me the heart was on the right side because 'it depends how you're looking at the body.'"
Nick leaned back, rubbing a hand over his face.
"I swear, Lynda, I almost quit medicine right there."

Re: An Emerald Evening and A Little Irish Luck Brings an Unexpected Surprise (2026)

Nick had been halfway through updating a patient chart when his phone buzzed in the pocket of his white coat.

The moment he saw Lynda's name across the screen, the exhaustion from the last several hours eased instantly.

A slow grin tugged at his mouth as he leaned back against the counter and read her message once... then again.

"It's been too long since I seen you..."

One of the nurses nearby caught the expression on his face and smirked knowingly.

"Dr. Barkley," she teased, "you look way too happy reading that phone."

Nick chuckled under his breath as he locked the chart on the computer. "Professional curiosity," he answered smoothly.

"Mmhm."

He ignored the laughter behind him and headed for the stairwell without another word.

The second he stepped through the door upstairs, he spotted her sitting there on the steps, looking beautiful even in tired scrubs with her hair slightly falling loose from the long shift. For a moment he simply stood there watching her.

And then she looked up.

That smile hit him straight in the chest every single time.

Nick descended a few steps toward her just as she hurried up the stairs to meet him halfway.

When she called him "Dr. McDreamy," he laughed softly and shook his head.

"Oh, so that's what they're calling me now?" he asked, his voice low and amused. "Good to know."

But the teasing faded the second she admitted she missed him.

Nick's expression softened immediately.

Without hesitation, he slid one arm around her waist and pulled her gently against him until there wasn't any space left between them.

"Yeah?" he murmured, looking down into her eyes. "Because I've been thinking about you all damn day."

His hand brushed lightly along her back while the sounds of the busy hospital echoed faintly through the stairwell door.

"This place is trying real hard to keep me away from my girl today."

That familiar twinkle appeared in his eyes again as he leaned closer, his forehead almost touching hers.

"And for the record," he added quietly, "you texting me to sneak away and meet you in a stairwell?"

A crooked smile spread across his face.

"Honestly might be the hottest thing that's happened to me all week."

Nick watched the blush rise in her cheeks and it only made him grin wider.

"You okay there, sweetheart?" he teased softly. "Your knees looked a little weak when I smiled at you."

He tightened his arm around her protectively before she could deny it.

"Good thing I'm here to catch you."

Then his gaze narrowed playfully.

"So," he said, "what's really going on in that beautiful head of yours? Because I know that look." He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "You're planning something."

Re: A Valentine's Day Story that Leads to One Crazy Love (2026)

Nick's smile softened the second he saw her panic.
"Lynda," he said gently, leaning a little closer across the table. "Breathe."
He reached over, his fingers brushing hers again—only this time, he didn't pull away.
"I didn't say anything because I was trying not to look too happy," he admitted, his voice low. "You asking me to that dance? That's the best thing that's happened to me all week."
His thumb moved lightly over her knuckles.
"And for the record," Nick added, eyes warm and teasing now, "I miss you too. I miss you stealing my coffee, correcting my notes, and pretending you're not the most terrifying overachiever in this hospital."
He glanced up at the paper hearts hanging over the cafeteria, then back at her.
"So yes," he said. "I'll go with you. But I'm warning you now—if I get you on that dance floor, I might not want to let you go."

Re: A Beautiful Western Day to Marry Your Person

Nick had every intention of having a calm, relaxing morning before the wedding.
That plan lasted exactly twelve minutes.
Because the second his phone buzzed with Lynda's name lighting up the screen, the grin that spread across his face was immediate and helpless.
He was sitting on the couch in a pair of gray sweats and a navy Henley, barefoot, halfway through breakfast with SportsCenter muttering in the background while his tux hung nearby like a threat. His hair was still damp from the shower, coffee sat untouched on the table, and he'd been trying—and failing—not to think about the fact that in just a few hours Lynda would officially be his wife.
Then her text arrived.
Nick opened it instantly.
By the time he reached "sweet and sexy McDreamy," he was already laughing under his breath and shaking his head.
"God, I'm marrying a menace," he muttered affectionately to himself.
But the laughter softened the farther he read.
Because underneath the teasing and champagne-fueled sass was Lynda. Missing him. Thinking about him. Loving him.
And suddenly the apartment felt a little too quiet without her in it.
Nick leaned back into the couch cushions, rereading the message twice before finally typing back.
Sweetheart, first of all... our car payments did not deserve that stray bullet this early in the morning.Second... yes. I am VERY excited to see you in that dress. Pretty sure seeing you walk down that aisle is going to be the exact moment I forget how to breathe.And for the record, I fully support you getting spoiled at the salon today. Future Mrs. barkley deserves the full treatment.As for me? I'm currently eating breakfast, pretending to watch TV, and trying not to lose my mind knowing I get to marry the most beautiful woman on the planet in a few hours.Also, hearing you say you miss me is not helping. Now I miss you worse.I can already picture you sitting there with champagne in your hand, flirting with me through text messages while everybody around you falls in love with you too.And baby... I don't care how expensive the dress is. I'd marry you if you showed up wearing one of my old T-shirts.Though honestly? The thought of you in that wedding dress might actually kill me before the ceremony starts.I love you too, more than I can probably put into words right now.Now finish getting pampered and try not to drive the salon workers crazy with that smile of yours.See you at the altar, future wife. ❤️
After hitting send, Nick stared at the phone for a second longer, his chest tightening in the best possible way.
Then he exhaled slowly and ran a hand down his face before looking over toward the tux hanging nearby.
"Okay," he muttered to himself with a nervous smile. "This is really happening."
And for the first time all morning, the nerves finally hit him too.

Re: It's A Beautiful Day to Hunt Easter Eggs (2026)

Nick smiled, leaning in to kiss her once more.
"Lunch, a Coke, and my beautiful wife asking about my day?" he murmured. "No, sweetheart. I don't need anything else."
He glanced toward the stairs, his expression softening.
"Except maybe to sneak a peek at our boy after I eat."
Nick sat down, loosening his tie with a tired but happy sigh.
"Work was good. Couple of surgeries, nothing too dramatic. One appendectomy, one gallbladder, and Mrs. Haskell still thinks I'm personally responsible for hospital food being terrible."
He smiled, reaching for her hand before she could sit.
"But coming home to you and Tommy?" His thumb brushed over her knuckles. "That's the best part of my day."
Then he tilted his head, catching that look in her eyes.
"Uh-oh," Nick said warmly. "That's your planning face."
His smile widened.
"What are you up to, Mrs. barkley

Re: It's A Beautiful Day to Thank Mama on Mother's Day (2026)

Nick's entire expression changed the second the nurse finished explaining.
Not fear exactly.
Instinct.
Protectiveness.
Without another word, Nick Barkley handed the chart he'd been holding to another doctor passing in the hall and immediately started toward the ladies room at a near run.
"She just had a baby," he told the nurse calmly over his shoulder, even though concern was already tightening his chest. "Hormones, stress, missing Tommy, Mother's Day—her body's reacting before her mind can catch up. She's okay."
At least he prayed she was.
The nurse hurried beside him. "So we don't need psych or another doctor?"
Nick stopped briefly outside the restroom door and shook his head.
"No. She needs her husband."
Then he knocked gently against the locked door.
"Lynda?" he called softly.
Inside, the crying quieted for half a second before starting again.
Nick rested one hand against the door. "Honey, it's me."
Another shaky sob came from the other side.
"I can't stop it," Lynda Barkley cried. "I'm leaking everywhere and I look ridiculous and everybody saw—"
"No, sweetheart," Nick interrupted immediately, his voice warm and steady. "You look like a mother."
That only made her cry harder.
Nick closed his eyes briefly, his heart twisting.
"Lynda," he said gently, "open the door for me."
For a moment there was only silence.
Then finally—
The lock clicked.
Nick stepped inside quickly and shut the door behind him before anyone else could look in. The sight of her nearly broke him.
Lynda stood near the sink with tears streaking her cheeks, desperately trying to blot at the spreading stains on her scrub top with rough brown paper towels that were only making things worse. Her shoulders shook with embarrassment and exhaustion.
"Oh, baby..."
Nick crossed the room immediately.
The second he wrapped his arms around her, she collapsed against his chest.
"I was doing fine," she cried into him. "I was ready to come back, Nick, I swear I was—"
"You are ready," he whispered, rubbing one hand slowly up and down her back. "Nothing about this says you aren't."
"But everybody saw—"
"And every mother in this hospital understood exactly what was happening."
He gently pulled back just enough to look at her face.
"You carried our son for nine months," he told her softly. "Your body hears babies crying, sees flowers about Mother's Day, misses Tommy for five minutes, and suddenly decides it's feeding time. That's not weakness, Lynda. That's love."
Fresh tears spilled from her eyes.
Nick reached up and carefully brushed them away with his thumb before glancing down at her soaked scrub top.
"Okay," he said softly, shifting immediately into problem-solving mode. "First thing—we're getting you cleaned up and comfortable."
Lynda sniffled. "I brought extra pads but they're in my locker..."
"I'll get them."
"And my spare scrub top..."
"I'll get that too."
"And Nick?" she whispered shakily.
He looked back at her instantly.
"What if this keeps happening?"
Nick leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Then it keeps happening," he said simply. "We deal with it together. You're a doctor, a wife, and now a mom. None of those cancel the others out."
Lynda let out a trembling breath as he held her close again, her body finally starting to calm against his.
And somewhere beneath the embarrassment and hormones and tears...
For the first time since returning to work...
She finally let herself admit the truth.
She didn't just miss Tommy.
She missed being needed by him every second of the day.

Re: Stranded in Grey and Western Tides Only Brings Strength to a Forever Love

Nick smiled softly, brushing his thumb along her cheek.

"Yeah," he whispered. "I remember."

He looked over at the sleeping babies, then back at Lynda with a tenderness that nearly broke him.

"And I remember this part too," he murmured. "You trying to be strong when your body's begging you to rest."

Nick carefully pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder, keeping his arm around her.

"Sleep, sweetheart," he whispered against her forehead. "I've got you. I've got them. And Adam's stable."

He stayed still as she slept, listening to the soft rhythm of her breathing and the tiny sounds from the bassinets nearby. For the first time in days, the hotel room felt peaceful.

Nick kissed her hair.

"A cruise from Rome," he whispered with a quiet smile. "Only you, Lynda, could turn recovery into an adventure."

When one of the babies stirred, Nick moved slowly, easing out from behind her without waking her. He crossed to the bassinet and gently lifted the baby into his arms.

"Hey, little one," he whispered. "Let your mama sleep."

He looked back at Lynda, still smiling in her sleep.

"She's earned it."