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Harrison knows his mother more than she thinks.
He might only be thirteen but he knows his mother has someone or at least seeing someone. In all the time that Harrison had been aware of his mother's love life, aside from the failed marriage with his dad, Cassie had none. She never went on dates, never been asked out, or never asked somebody out.
After the custody battle with Chad and the fight with Chloe that ended with Cassie having an ankle monitor for God-knows-how-long, Harrison is deeply aware that his mother’s focus is only on him and giving him the best life she could provide.
Harrison isn't a big complainer. In fact, he even liked it when they lived in a small place like the one Cassie had when he was seven. Two bedrooms, a small kitchen, living room big enough for a sofa to fit, no backyard but there was a garage where he could play with his remote-controlled car. He just wanted to be with his mother. Harrison loves his father but if he's being honest, he prefers being with his mother and her parents than Chad and his trying hard bonus mom girlfriend.
When Harrison arrives early Saturday morning at his mother's apartment, something feels strange. Cassie never lets him arrive at an untidy apartment.
The first thing Harrison notices is there are two glasses on the center table - one wine glass, one regular glass. He knows his mother doesn't drink. She keeps the wine glasses for when people come over during special occasions. But there have been no special occasions recently. Did her mom make a new friend? The only ones he knows are Mateo, Victoria, Samira, Trinity, Dana, Heather, and Kiara. All who have come over a couple of times when he was here. Mateo and Victoria being Cassie's frequent visitors but that's just because they alternate on babysitting a new teen even when Harrison already insisted he’s big enough to not burn the house down.
Then he sees an unfamiliar jacket lying on the armrest of the sofa. One that doesn't look like something his mom would wear.
“Is this yours, mom?” He asks, lifting the mauve grey jacket.
Harrison swears his mom's eyes almost bulge out of her socket, much like when Victoria babysits him with Trinity and Trinity says curse words in English and Tagalog while playing video games with him.
“Oh, that's - yes. It's new.” Cassie lies and quickly takes the jacket and wraps it around her waist. “So, uh, how was your stay with your dad?”
Harrison shrugs. “It's fine. Dad had some people over for Chloe's birthday.”
Cassie's eyebrow raises. “Good people?”
“Yeah, they're nice. I met Chloe's sister and she gave me a teddy bear like I’m five.”
Cassie laughs and ruffles his hair. “You look five to me. Actually, you look like a teeny tiny baby.”
“Moooooom,” Harrison whines and fixes his hair. “Not my hair.”
“When did you become such a teenager?” Cassie kisses the top of Harrison's head. Before he grows taller than her and she can no longer do it, she thinks.
Harrison rolls his eyes and sits on the couch. He groans a little when he feels something plastic behind him. A big maroon hair clip, almost like a claw. As far as Harrison remembers, his mom never wears this type of hair accessory. She claims it’s unsafe for driving or something.
So whose is it? Victoria? But she always texts him when she comes over. Mateo? He has big long hair… and he's only seen him wearing a hair tie. Samira? Dana?
Dana!
He has seen her wearing this kind of clip once.
“Mom, is this Dana’s?” Harrison holds up the clip.
“Oh, no. That's - that's my friend’s. Let me have it.” Cassie practically snatches it from his hand.
The kid almost scoffs. Friend.
He knows his mother is hiding something.
“From the hospital?”
“Like I make friends elsewhere, kid.”
Fair enough.
“Who is it?” Harrison asks curiously.
“You don't know her.”
“You have a new coworker?”
“No, not new. Just… you haven't met.”
He nods, letting the topic go. For now.
Harrison takes out his phone from his pocket and texts his friend, Kamran.
Harrison [8:47am]: I think my mom is seeing somebody. We have to set up our plan fast!
Kamran [8:52am]: I think my mom is too! Our neighbor said she didn't come home last night. My mom only works the day shift!
Harrison frowns. What could two 13-year-olds do to get their mothers to date each other?
“Hey, you.” Cassie says, leaning against her truck, watching Baran alight from her car. “You left these at home.”
Baran takes the small paper bag and checks. “I’ve been losing my mind trying to find that jacket and clip.”
“You could have texted me.” Cassie lets out a small laugh. “How's your weekend?”
“Good. Kamran and I went to this cool interactive museum.” Baran leans against Cassie's truck as well. Baran shows her photos of her with her son and Cassie is all smiles watching them.
This has become a routine so quickly. They arrive at the hospital’s parking lot with half an hour to spare just to talk about the days they aren't together. Cassie tells her about Harrison, Baran tells her about Kamran. They steal kisses here and there behind their cars, sometimes inside. Baran always clocks in first then Cassie follows approximately three minutes later. If HR were as much of a gossip as Princess and Perlah, their relationship would be out in the open by now.
Baran checks her watch. 6:40 am. She has to go in. She hooks her index finger and pulls Cassie's chain and kisses her, soft and gentle. As much as she wants to kiss her hard and take her breath away, Baran has to control herself.
“Well, good morning to you too, Dr. Al-Hashimi.” Cassie grins, hands sliding down her back.
“I’ll see you inside, Dr. Mckay.”
“So formal. That wasn't what you're calling me last -”
“Mckay,” Baran shushes her.
Cassie lets out a huff. “God, you're no fun.”
“I’ll see you inside,” she repeats.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cassie watches Baran, hair half up and half down and putting on her mauve grey Lululemon jacket, walk towards the employees’ entrance. Cassie memorized it by now. It takes Baran a minute to walk in so she waits another minute before she starts walking to clock in.
In the minute that she waits, Cassie can't help but think about Baran. They have been seeing each other for about six months now but if Cassie is being honest with herself, she has been intrigued about the new attending since Robby left and Baran started taking over the day shift.
She remembers it like it was yesterday. Robby has pursued his sabbatical or whatever journey he was calling it. She explicitly remembers Baran’s curly hair on display as she gives a pep talk for the incoming shift. It's not as fun as Abbot’s but it works. It's definitely better than Robby's approach. After her pep talk, everyone doesn't know what to expect, sometimes it's a code blue simulation, sometimes it's random review questions, and sometimes it's a return demonstration of a procedure.
It's a good brain exercise, really. Most of the time. When people didn't have a long shift from yesterday. But when does that really happen?
Today, it's Cassie's turn. It's a code blue simulation.
Baran starts giving her the status of the fake patient while the others watch. A med student starts fake compressions as per Cassie's order and enumerates all medicines that she would give the patient, and all the symptoms to watch out for.
Cassie knows this case by heart. Sometimes it's hard for Baran to turn off her brain and they talk about different patients when they're cuddling at her apartment or cooking dinner at Baran’s kitchen.
It should be considered cheating at this point when she's basically fucking the teacher. Not that everyone knows it, of course. (Do they?)
After the drill, the night shift endorses their patients to the day shifts. Cassie gets two of Abbot’s patients and one of Toomarian’s. Two for med surg, one for ICU. Should be easy.
The shift starts like any other. Cassie feels pride seeing Victoria, being an intern now, takes triage along with one med student. It was just them not too long ago.
“See something you like?” Baran whispers behind her.
Cassie turns around, meeting her girlfriend’s eyes. “Hi.”
“Something wrong with Javadi?”
“Oh, no, no.” She shakes her head. “Just watching.”
“You miss triage?”
Cassie shrugs, biting her lip. “Just realizing how fast time flies.”
Baran eyes her with curiosity. She doesn't ask what prompted the realization all of a sudden, she just hums in agreement.
“God, I need to start thinking about what I should do after my residency,” Cassie sighs, pulling on the stethoscope around her neck.
“You think about leaving PTMC?”
“Well, I have to find a job.”
“Dr. Robby is not coming back and Gloria discussed finding a replacement with me.”
“What's that got to do with me?”
“I may or may not have recommended you.”
“Baran…” Cassie doesn't know what to say. No one has believed in her like Baran believed in her. “You're not just saying that because we… you know?”
Baran huffs at her insinuation. “Cassie, you're a great doctor and teacher. You're smart, quick on your feet, great listener, and not to mention, you have the highest patient satisfaction scores out of everyone for two consecutive years. And even if we don't agree with your ways sometimes,” Like when you sneak out to treat people in the park, goes unsaid. “I know you want to improve the system just as much as I do. So why not start here?”
Cassie thinks. She looks back at the triage where Victoria and the med student are talking to patients. She does love being here, treating patients, teaching med students and new doctors, joining programs like the street team. PTMC has been her life for four years.
“Just think about it.” Baran squeezes her arm before walking back to the nurse station.
Kamran looks out the window of his bedroom when he hears a loud truck stop on the driveway of their house. He sees his mother get off the truck and wave goodbye to the driver.
She sends a flying kiss.
Huh?
Kamran quickly runs downstairs, hoping to get a look of who the driver was but whoever it was, drove away too fast.
He opens the door before Baran could. “Maman, where's your car?”
“Hello to you too, jigar-am.” Baran kisses the top of her son’s head. “My car won't start. Triple A will bring it around later.”
“Oh. Who’s that then?”
“Who’s who?”
“The one that dropped you off.”
“My coworker.”
“Doctor?”
“Yes.” Baran looks at him. “Why are you such a curious cat today?”
“No reason.” Kamran shrugs. “I just thought it's, you know, your seizures. I was just worried, maman.”
Baran smiles tenderly at her child. “It's not that, I promise. I haven't had them since my first day.”
Kamran nods in understanding. He mentally sighs in relief that he managed to hide his curiosity behind being worried and not on being a nosy son who wants someone else for his mother.
“Maman, are you free this weekend?” He asks.
“Yes. Do you have a game, jigar-am?”
Kamran nods. “We're playing against this other school in Pittsburgh.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, maman.”
“You’re welcome.”
Kamran sits on the counter and watches his mom make dinner. He tries to divide his attention between whatever his mother is saying and texting Harrison.
Kamran [9:10pm]: We’re on for Saturday. I already told my mom about our baseball game.
Harrison [9:12pm]: Yes, dude!! My mom says she has the day off.
Harrison [9:12pm]: It's not gonna be weird that we’d be like brothers if they really started dating, right?
Kamran [9:15pm]: Why would it be weird?
Harrison [9:21pm]: Idk.
Kamran [9:22pm]: It won't. They need this. And I don't like some other kid to be my family.
Harrison [9:24pm]: Me too. But r u sure ur mom is into girls? I don't want my mom getting her hopes up.
Kamran [9:25pm]: She is. She dated one of our neighbors in our old house and she's a woman!
Harrison [9:27pm]: Just making sure.
Harrison [9:27pm]: And since you're the best, let me copy your homework in math tomorrow. :D
Kamran rolls his eyes. He doesn't expect any less from Harrison. That boy is hopeless in math.
“Who are you texting, jigar-am?” Baran asks, leaning over to look at his phone. Kamran locks it.
“No one,” he answers quickly. Too quick for Baran's liking.
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Maman, no!”
“You know you can tell me anything -”
“I swear it's not that!” Kamran insists. “It's just a friend and he’s hopeless in math.”
“Ah, I hope you're teaching this friend instead of letting him copy your homework.”
“Yes, maman.”
“Oh, fuck!” Cassie curses out loud, stumbling against the wall. She presses the call button and before anyone could answer, Dana comes to the rescue.
“What the hell?! Security!” Dana yells, helping Perlah and Mateo restrain a drunk and aggressive patient.
Security comes along with a running Dr. Al-Hashimi.
“What happened?” She surveys the scene. Her heart leaps when she sees Cassie’s face bleeding. She runs to her side, cupping the redhead’s face. “Are you okay?”
“M’fine. Fuck, he hit my cheek and he still has a ring - somebody remove his fucking ring.” Cassie yells at the nurses. Cassie does not yell, especially at nurses.
“Come here. We’ll take care of that.” Baran guides her to a vacant bed. She pulls an e-cart and grabs a saline solution, basin, and gauze to clean up Cassie's nose.
Cassie hisses at the first touch. Baran is gentle with her but it hurts. She hasn't been punched in years. The last time that she did she was 28 and probably deserved it. She was high on something and stole a couple of vials from her dealer. Good thing she was already numb then that she didn't even feel it. Just saw blood dripping on her white shirt.
“Where did you go just now, azizam?” Baran asks, voice as soft and tender as her touch. “I’m checking you for concussion.”
“I’m fine,” Cassie huffs. “Aside from feeling like my brain isn't screwed right.”
“I’m ordering an x-ray for your nose and you're under observation until then.”
“I’m fine. I can work -”
“You're staying put.”
Baran has that firm and determined look on her face and Cassie knows she's not winning. When has she ever?
“Fine,” Cassie grumbles and sits back. “Can I, at least, get a kiss?”
“You're really like a puppy.”
“You love me.”
“Don't let anyone hear you. I don't want rumors getting around that I have favoritism.”
“But you do.”
Baran sighs in defeat at Cassie's pout. She presses a short kiss on her girlfriend’s lips. “I’ll send Dana to make your chart. I know you don't like people fussing over you but be nice.”
“Yes, Dr. Al-Hashimi.”
“Good girl.”
Cassie’s cheeks quickly turn red. “Shut up.”
When Dana comes in to check on Cassie, she immediately sits on the edge of the bed, iPad on hand. She puts a pulse ox on the tip of her finger.
“So, did your girlfriend kiss it better or what?” Dana asks, glasses hanging low on her nose.
“What girlfriend?”
“Oh please, Mckay. I have eyes, technically I have four right now.” Dana pushes her glasses up.
“I don't know what you mean, Dana.”
“Al-Hashimi.” Cassie's pulse rate spikes up on the oximeter and Dana laughs. “Relax, I ain't HR.”
Cassie wishes she had been knocked out instead.
Baran insists on driving Cassie home, much to Cassie's whining that she's fine.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow too,” Baran tells her, leaving no room for debate.
“With coffee?”
“With coffee.”
“Wow, I feel like a princess already.”
“Don't get used to it.”
“Oh, I’m getting pretty used to this princess treatment. Can you carry me inside?”
“You're heavier than me, Cassie.”
“Wow. Is this you telling me I have gained weight, babe?”
“It most definitely is not.”
When Baran pulls over in front of Cassie's apartment, she takes Cassie's hand, squeezing it gently.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you today,” Baran says. “You’re supposed to be safe in a place where we work and save lives.”
“It’s not your fault, Baran.”
“I was in charge.”
“Doesn't mean you can be in all rooms at the same time,” Cassie reasons, not letting her girlfriend blame herself. “I’m fine. Really. I’ve had worse.”
“That doesn't make me feel any better.” Baran sighs.
Cassie sits back. “By the way, Dana knows.”
“Dana knows what?”
“That you're my girlfriend.”
“You told her?”
“I didn't. She just asked me if you kissed my wound better.”
“What?”
“I guess we're not as slick as we thought we were.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very.”
Baran doesn't say more. She stares at the steering wheel and Cassie looks at her, observing if it's another episode of her seizure even though it has been a year since the last one.
Cassie tucks Baran’s curls behind her ear. “Are you okay, babe?”
“I am.” She nods. “I’m just processing.”
If she is being honest, Cassie feels worried about their relationship. She understands the need to keep it a secret, really. But HR isn't as strict with dating within the workplace as it used to be, especially not to doctors. Not anymore. And truthfully, what do they expect from single people who spend almost all their time together in one space? Some things are bound to happen.
Like her falling in love with Baran.
And maybe - hopefully - Baran falling in love with her too.
They technically didn't say the L word seriously yet. Not in the context that matters. But Cassie can't be hallucinating all of these feelings between them, right?
Right?
“I could talk to Dana and tell her she's wrong,” Cassie offers. “I could tell her we’re just friends or -”
“Cassie,” Baran interrupts. “I’m not worried about Dana. Or anyone at work. I don't care about them finding out.”
“You don't?”
“I’m not ashamed of telling everyone, azizam. I’m not. But I am worried about…”
Cassie shifts on the passenger seat, one leg up. She knows exactly what Baran’s fears are. Their fears, after all, are two sides of the same coin.
“We agreed to not tell Kamran and Harrison if we thought it wouldn't work,” Cassie reminds her. “Do you think this wouldn't work?”
Baran turns quiet for a minute and that doesn't soothe the worry bubbling in the pit of Cassie's stomach.
“I want it to work,” Baran says, smiling gently. “I want it to because you're important to me, Cassie.”
Cassie is right where she wants to be when Baran’s lips press against her own, her soft hand on the back of Cassie's neck. Cassie's tongue asks for permission and who is Baran to say no?
They shared many kisses before (and more) but this one might just make both of them combust.
“Azizam,” Baran whispers, pulling away just a centimeter away from her lips. “Your nose.”
“Didn't feel anything,” Cassie reasons.
“Yeah, that's because you're horny.” She laughs, patting Cassie's chest. “You should rest.”
“Why can't we make out some more?” Cassie whines.
And Baran? Oh, she's far too gone to turn back around and run. She's fallen so deep and fast for Cassie Mckay.
“Maman, you don't need to put on makeup for my game!”
“I do. The bags under my eyes aren't hiding themselves, jigar-am.” Baran insists, still putting on concealer under her eyes. “Can you sit still? We still have an hour.”
“But I have to be there to meet my friend!”
“What's so exciting about this friend, hmm? Is this someone you like?”
“Uh huh!”
“Oh, a crush?”
Kamran grimaces. “Ew, no! He’s a boy.”
“Kamran, boys can like other bo -”
“I know, maman.” Kamran rolls his eyes. “But I like girls so far. This friend is just my best friend.”
“Oh.” Baran pauses. His son is finally having a friend after years of struggling to fit in. “That's great, joonam. Is he nice?”
“He is,” Kamran answers. “And he has a hot mom.”
Baran bursts out laughing. “A hot mom?”
“I heard one of the teachers call her that.”
Baran checks her face in the mirror one last time before turning to her son. “And it's relevant that your best friend has a hot mom?”
“You like girls, don't you, maman?”
“Yes, I do. What's that got to do with anything?”
“I can hook you up with his mom!”
“Hook me up?!” Baran doesn't know whether to be offended or laugh. “Where do you even learn these terms, Kamran?”
The kid rolls his eyes. “I use the internet.”
God, remind her to put restrictions on his phone.
“Jigar-am, I can get a date by myself.”
“I know that! But my friend’s mom is really nice! She's a doctor too!”
“Oh, really? Good for her. But I don't need you, my own son, to hook me up with anyone.”
“She's gonna be in our game later,” Kamran says, picking up his cap. “She can't wait to meet you.” The kid smirks and makes a run downstairs.
“What! Kamran Al-Hashimi, come back here!”
Cassie’s legs are bouncing restlessly on the bleachers. The sun is out and the heat is just hot enough to make her sweat. Because what else is there to make her sweat this much, right? Surely, it's just this fucking weather.
It's definitely not because Harrison just blurted out that the mother of his new best friend would be so interested in meeting her. Right after she parked the car.
And before she could even protest or ask what he means, Harrison runs to his team and doesn't give her a chance to speak.
The little shit, Cassie thinks to herself. Sometimes she wishes her son didn't get so much of her.
Cassie adjusts her cap and sighs. She shoots a glare at Harrison from afar.
“Dr. Mckay.” Cassie looks up at the blonde woman towering over her, who she instantly recognizes as one of Harrison's teachers.
“Ms. Jones,” Cassie says, waving hi. “I didn't know teachers are required to attend the kids’ baseball games.”
“Oh, we’re not. I just enjoy watching the kids play.” The teacher pauses. “You took the day off, doctor?”
“Yeah, I couldn't miss this. It's important to Harrison.”
“He’s lucky to have a mom like you.”
Cassie smiles politely.
Cassie and the teacher engage in a small talk. Cassie laughs here and there at what she says so she won't seem disinterested and impolite. She's not dumb and dense to not notice that Ms. Jones is nervous and is trying hard to get her attention with the occasional light touches on her arm when she laughs.
When Cassie hears her son call from the field, she excuses herself from the teacher and bolts. Quite literally.
“What's up, sweetheart?” Cassie asks, dragging along a backpack of essentials. “Do you need anything?”
“My friend’s mom is right there.” He points to the other side eagerly. “Let's go.”
“Harrison -”
“Mom.”
It's both a curse and a blessing to have a child that she can't say no to. She’s partly to blame when he inherited those baby blues that are way too powerful for his own good.
Cassie still follows Harrison, much to her dismay. The thirteen-year-old stops when he spots his friend. And an overly familiar figure standing behind him.
Baran meets her eyes and Cassie wants to laugh. Baran does, too.
“You boys are trying to set us up?” Baran asks both of them.
Cassie can't hold it in anymore and lets out a loud laugh that confuses both of them.
“Mom, why are you laughing? This is serious!”
“Harrison, she's my boss.”
“Technically, yes.” Baran agrees. “We work together.”
The two boys look up at them. Harrison’s face is red in embarrassment. Kamran is more focused than anything else.
His eyebrows furrow. “Does that mean you two can't date?”
Baran and Cassie glance at each other. They have done this before many times, communicating without words. It's a dance they memorized in the ER.
But before Cassie can say anything, Baran beats her to it.
“We already are, jigar-am.”
Cassie's eyes pop out in surprise. “Oh, we’re telling them now?” She asks in a whisper.
“No time like the present, right?” Baran takes her hand and gives it a squeeze. And Cassie lets her.
“No way!” The two boys exclaim simultaneously with the biggest grins on their faces.
“Dude!” Harrison jumps at Kamran’s back, giggling. Kamran holds on to his legs and carries him in a piggyback, roaring like they already won the game when it hasn't even started yet.
“You're serious, maman?” Kamran asks again, a wide grin on his face.
“I am. Very much.”
“Wait. Mom, I thought you were flirting with Ms. Jones back there -”
“I wasn't!” Cassie interrupts, face almost as red as her hair. She looks at Baran and is met with her girlfriend's suspicious stare. “I swear! She was talking and I pretended to listen because it's polite…”
Harrison laughs at Cassie's face and drags Kamran back to the field, leaving his own mother to defend herself.
It turns out two 13-year-olds didn't even have to do anything for their mothers to date.