Zach was in the study taking a call and he collided with Teddy on the hallway and caught her before she fell. Adrian saw him holding her and felt a tinge of jealousy. He decided to avoid them and walked the other way before they saw him.
"Sorry Teddy I didn't see you there." Zach giggled shyly and scratched the back of his head.
"Me too Zach this house is packed with people today." Teddy went to the kitchen.
Trying to avoid those two Adrian found himself upstairs. He hadn't been in this house in almost two decades. It still had the same scent as when Adrian when a child. He walked through the corridor past Zachary's room and the bathroom. His room. No he couldn't go into his room. He turned back and hurried downstairs.
"Hey what's the hurry you almost bumped into me?" Teddy shrieked not realizing it was Adrian. Adrian stood there and stared at her. This girl really was beautiful. "Adrian."
"Teddy right?" He asked smiling. "Ermm cute name."
Teddy wanted to tell him he gave her the name but she couldn't just yet. She smiled back and excused herself. If Adrian stood before her like and didn't recognize her she knew Tiffany was right. Adrian wasn't himself. She was both sad and disappointed. She has always thought about Adrian and waiting for his return but weeks past and then months and then years. Teddy knew he was in the city but no one told her why she couldn't visit him. She felt very sad seeing him again and him completely forgetting about her.
When everybody was done having dinner and the last guests were leaving Teddy was doing some of the dishes that couldn't go into the dishwashers. She was still sad thinking about Adrian. He was leaving with the guests and Teddy didn't know when she'll see him again or if she'll ever see him again.
"Need help Teddy?" Someone asked behind her. It was Adrian and he was already rolling up his shirt sleeves.
"Yes please." Teddy replied smiling as he grabbed a dishcloth and started drying.
Zach came in and also offered to help and he was going to pack the dishes away.
"Zach do you remember chicken?" Teddy asked cheerfully.
"Yeah. She must be big now?" Zach was curious.
"She had her own chicks last month. You abandoned her you monster." Teddy hit him with a cloth and he ran away laughing.
Adrian stood there watching them. Zach seemed very close with this worker. Was there something between them? She was the most beautiful woman of colour he had ever seen. His mother treated her a little different. Maybe she and Zach were ... His heart was beating a little faster. Why would he like someone his brother was dating. He remembered how he was holding her earlier . He had to get out of there and leave those love birds alone.
"Adrian!" Zach called him.
"Yeah?" He turned around and looked at his brother.
"Are you sleeping over?" Zach asked half suggesting.
"I think I should leave." He turned to Teddy. "It was a pleasure meeting you Teddy. I hope we meet again."
"Does that mean you won't come here again?" Teddy looked sad. Her big eyes were almost begging. Adrian looked at her then at Zach as if wondering why Zach wasn't saying anything. Zach stood there waiting for him to say something.
"I'll visit sometime with Zach." He replied hesitantly. She still looked sad not satisfied with his answer.
"Do you promise?" Teddy asked. "Zach visits often but you ... "
"I'll visit with Zach more often I promise." Adrian felt happy that she wanted him there. He said goodbye and left the farm with a smile on his face.
Adrian drove away happy. Something kept him away from his parents home for years but now he had a reason for going back there. Teddy. What a funny name. He wanted to go back there to see Teddy. He wondered why he didn't like the farm. He had memories of living there but why did he suddenly stay away. Adrian knew something had happened and he was afraid of finding out.
He reached his grandparents house and all seemed quiet. He went to his room quietly and slept peacefully. Julie went in to check on him in the middle of the night and found him sleeping soundless. She sat there watching her grandson for a while and he was peaceful. No tossing and turning nothing. She finally left and went to her brown room.
It's been years Adrian has been having trouble sleeping because of his horrible nightmares. Julie had always taken care of him at night and shushed him back to sleep. It was the first time she has seen him sleeping like this. Julie was glad Adrian had gone to the farm. She hoped he'll go back till he relives that nightmare that was the only way for him to get over it.
Tiffany stood by the kitchen counter sipping on her coffee. Teddy walked in carrying the little black sheep teddy. The little sheep has lost its black color. Tiffany smiled when she saw it.
"I can't believe you still have this old thing." She beamed at her. "Adrian doesn't remember any of this. He doesn't even remember you Teddy. I hoped bringing him back here and seeing you would trigger some old memory back. He has changed Teddy. He's no longer my Adrian."
"He thinks I'm a house worker Tiff. I saw how he looks at me. He doesn't know me at all. I probably would have forgotten about him too if you hadn't kept telling me he was coming back. It's been years .." Teddy trailed off.
"I need to figure out a way to get him to remember Teddy. I don't want to force him but he needs to forget that accident in order for him to heal from the past." Tiffany was determined.
"I'll do what ever I can to help." Teddy assured her. "He once saved my life I've never showed him my gratitude." Tiffany gave her a big hug.
"Im glad you came into our lives Teddy. You've been the best daughter ever."
Teddy went to bed that night happy and a little disappointed. She was happy seeing Adrian after all these years. He had grown into a very handsome man. Teddy wanted a chance to properly thank him for saving her life. She may have to pretend to be maid when he was around but she was willing to do anything if it was to help Adrian.
Tiffany had shown her a picture of the two of them the day they had met. Maybe if Adrian saw pictures of them as kids he may remember Teddy thought. She didn't know what would help Adrian but she was willing to do anything. Maybe he should come and stay at the farm. The family never changed anything in the farm in hopes he may come back and get something triggers his memory. Teddy finally fell asleep still thinking about Adrian.
Adrian woke up the next day feeling refreshed and energized. He realized he didn't he slept whole night without any nightmares. He didn't wake up at all. Could it have something to do with the visit to the farm? It must be. He's had those nightmares all his life and they couldn't just disappear. He's seeing a therapist but that didn't help.
Maybe he had to visit the farm more often like he had promised Teddy. It is time to face his past and finally get over those nightmares. If the farm is the only way then so be it. He can finally be with his family also. He can see Teddy too. He smiled just thinking about her. Adrian got up to shower and get ready for work.
When he got to the hospital the reception crew were huddled together gossiping as usual. Adrian disliked those ladies especially the blonde one with the long fake eyelashes. She was always shamelessly throwing herself at him no matter blow many times he rejects her. He has rejected her both nicely and brutally but she was not taking no for an answer.
They raised their heads as soon as they spotted him and all greeted him at once.
"Good morning doctor Caulfield." The reception ladies sang.
"Morning ladies." Adrian couldn't walk fast enough towards the elevator before that blonde lady caught with him.
"Doctor Caulfield I-" Adrian went inside the elevator and pressed the button quickly. Fortunately the door closed before Sandra could catch up to him. A junior Doctor that was already in the elevator chuckled and Adrian glared at him. The poor student Doctor felt Adrian's cold eyes boring into his back. He couldn't get out of that elevator fast enough. Adrian shook his head as the student got off the following floor and ran away.
The elevator went up to the 10th floor and Adrian got out and greeted his colleagues. He went straight to his office and made himself a cup of coffee. He put on his coat and opened his computer and went through a few patients files. His phone buzzed and he was needed there was an emergency. He got up quickly and ran towards the entrance.
The hospital was busy most of the morning and Adrian was in and out of theater the whole morning. He was done with his last surgery and went to the Café for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. There was a bunch if ladies sitting at the corner busy chatting.
"There's Doctor Caulfield. The most handsome Doctor I've ever seen but also cold as hell." One nurse chuckled.
"I'd take him any day." Another nurse chimed in. "His coldness is what makes him alluring and intriguing."
"Hands off girls Sandra has already claimed him. She's scratch both your eyes out." The three of them were laughing.
"Until he says yes I think I still got a chance." The other one retorted and the other two laughed. "He doesn't get tired of rejecting her."
"And she doesn't take a hint! Anyways I wonder though what if he's gay? I mean.." She lowered her voice. "He's gorgeous and can dress and he's never been rumored to be dating with anyone. Hmm."
"Hmm now that you mention it.." another agreed.
Adrian sat there listening to those nurses and chuckled now and then. He knew the ladies loved to gossip but he didn't know they even considered him gay. He was busy on his phone when his mother called him.
"Hey mom what's up?" He answer shocking Tiffany. Her kids and everybody called her Tiff she was wondering why he called her mom.
"Wow you haven't called me that since you left the farm as a child." Tiffany chuckled. "How are you doing? I got a call from grandma this morning."
"I'm fine." He was puzzled why would grandma call Tiff. "What did she say?"
"Did you sleep well? She said you didn't have any nightmares last night. Did you take any medication maybe?"
"No actually I didn't take any medication I slept like a baby. I only woke up this morning."
"Do you think maybe it has something to do with the visit to the farm? Did you remember anything while you were here?" Tiff asked with a little ray of hope.
"I- I don't remember. I .. I don't know." Adrian was hesitant. "I've been thinking about coming back to the farm. I think it's time."
"You've made the right decision sweety. We all didn't want to pressure you but maybe facing the past will help you move on." Tiff chimed excitedly.
"Ok lemme get back to work. I'll call you later mom."
Adrian hung up and got up to go back to his office. He called his mom Tiff but now that those nurses thought he was gay he called her mom. He thought if he called her Tiff they might think she was a woman he was seeing or something. He preferred them thinking he's gay.
He was willing to go along with anything that would stop those nurses from flirting with him. They would normally gossip about him while he was sitting there and could hear them. Adrian wasn't interested in dating in fact he wanted to be around people only when necessary. He didn't see the point in having friends. To him that was a waste the only goal he had was saving people's lives that's why he became. He cared for his patients but that's where it ended.
He never wanted further contact with his patients outside the hospital. Same with colleagues, he only interacted with when necessary. He didn't interact with them outside the hospital. Many found his behavior odd but then again how Adrian lived his life outside the hospital was really none of their concern.
After his conversation with Tiffany he thought of taking some time off work to visit the farm. If he returned to the farm maybe all his issues from the past might finally be resolved. This was something he needed to do if not for himself but for his family. They didn't like seeing him suffer the way he had suffered most of his life but he has always been stubborn.
"Doctor Caulfield." Someone called him.