#ethan ramsey × f!mc

[jerzwriter]

I have had this ask sitting in my inbox for far, far too long, and this one, too. lol I finally had an idea—and I have one for the Carricks coming soon! I hope you enjoy it!

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan x Kaycee (F!MC) Featuring: Emma Ramsey (F!OC) Rating: General Words: Summary: Ethan wonders what happened to his sweet little girl, who thought he could do no wrong. It seems all he and Kaycee get these days are eye rolls and sighs. So when she asks her "embarrassing" parents for a favor, they begin to conspire.

Emma woke up at the crack of dawn, nothing short of a miracle given the tween definitely took after her mother when it came to mornings. There was only one early bird in this family, and he was chuckling at his sleepy daughter as she stumbled into the kitchen, where he had been enjoying his coffee while reading the news.

“Well, well, well,” he grinned. “What’s the miracle that you’re up this early.”

Emma stopped pouring her cereal at once. “Dad!” she groaned.

Ethan watched her with a small smile, wondering what happened to the little girl who thought he could do no wrong, the one who made him feel like a hero when he so much as found her lost toy. But she was in her tween years now, and nothing was the same. Suddenly, everything he said, wore or did was embarrassing and bound to ruin Emma's image for life. He missed the simpler days; those precious memories now felt like they were a lifetime away.

“Excited for the last day of school?” he asked, already knowing the answer. Of course, she was. She had been talking about the end-of-the-year party for weeks. It was a tradition at her school, and Emma’s classmates were only looking forward to one thing more than summer vacation – and that was the appearance of the Ramsey family’s brownies at the party.

“Dad, you and Mom made the brownies, right?” Emma asked, a tinge of nervousness in her voice.

Just then, a half-asleep Kaycee shuffled into the kitchen. “Morning,” she yawned as she stretched her arms over her head, startled when she saw Emma awake. “And what are you doing up so early, young lady?”

“Ugh,” Emma grimaced as Kaycee received a sympathetic look from Ethan.

“What did I say?”

Ethan shrugged as he rose to his feet and made his wife a cup of tea. “It’s the year-end party, and Emma is concerned that we won't fulfill our obligation and make her class brownies.”

“When have we let you down?” Kaycee smiled. “We’re going to make them this morning so they’re nice and fresh when Daddy and I bring them to school after lunch.”

Emma’s eyes went wide with panic. “What if you don’t have time! Everyone's looking forward to them!”

“Emma,” Ethan assured. “Your Mom and I have it under control. We’ll have them at your class right on time.”

Emma narrowed her eyes, sensing something was off, but shrugged it off. “All right. Just…please don’t be weird, OK?”

Kaycee smiled sweetly. “We’ll try, dear. We'll try.”

Before they knew it, it was party time! Ethan and Kaycee walked into Emma’s classroom, each carrying a baking dish covered in aluminum foil. The kids rushed over to them, eyes wide with excitement. Emma stood up front, trying to act aloof but clearly pleased that her parents had come through.

“Alright, everyone,” Kaycee announced, placing her tray on the table. “Emma told us you’ve all been so excited for these.”

“That’s right,” Ethan chimed in. “We worked really hard on these, didn’t we, sweetheart?”

Emma rolled her eyes the second Ethan said sweetheart, and Kaycee stifled a giggle.

“We worked very hard, honey bun,” she added. “We decided to make them a little differently this time, so we hope you like them!"

The kids all but squealed when she pulled the foil off her dish with a dramatic flourish to reveal… dozens of brown paper cutouts of the letter E. The room fell silent for a moment as the kids stared in confusion. Then, one by one, they started to understand, and the laughter began... for everyone except Emma.

“Mooooom! Daaaaad!” She groaned.

But her parents feigned surprise. “What?” Ethan asked. “You asked for brownies, and we came through. Brown E’s, just like you asked!”

Emma crossed her arms, trying to look annoyed, but the corners of her mouth were twitching into a smile.

Ethan, who had been holding back his own laughter, stepped forward with the second tray. “Don’t worry, Emma. We brought the real brownies, too.”

The kids cheered as he cut the gooey brownies into neat squares, placing one on each child’s plate. Only then did Emma join in on the fun.

“OK, OK, that was actually pretty funny,” she admitted.

Ethan ruffled her hair. “See? We’re more than just embarrassing.”

Kaycee leaned in, giving Emma a quick kiss on the cheek. “And you wouldn’t want us any other way.”

Emma, still chewing on her brownie, giggled. “Yeah, yeah. You’re all right. Thanks, Mom and Dad.”

And she meant it. As the kids sat in a circle devouring their brownies, Emma kept sneaking peeks at her parents, laughing and chatting with the other adults in the room. Even with her eye rolls and exasperated sighs, she knew she loved them with all her heart and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

She might, however, change a few items in her dad's wardrobe....

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

[peonierose]

Blue Lagoon

Book: Open Heart

Type of story: Social Media and Text edits

TW: None

Summary: It's Bryce's bachelor party. Let's see what he and his friends were up to.

A/N: I already did Luna's bachelorette party in case you want to read it first here are Part 1 and Part 2

A/N 2: It took me a while to get it done, but here it is. Enjoy!

[zealouscanonindeer]

Company

Synopsis: Comfort goes both ways, even in the most unlikely times.

Category: Fluff.

Ethan sat at his office desk, eyes trained on the desktop screen but tonight his attention was not on paperwork or administration details. That had long since disappeared, ever since he stepped down from his role as Chief. Now, he was back to doing what he loved, being a doctor.

With Aspen at the helm of the diagnostic team and leading it beautifully, he was content in sitting back and letting her continue. So he spent most of his time in the clinic and wards, scanning through as many patients as possible. He had also begun writing his second book, the object currently holding his attention. Though not for long..

"Dada! " The tiny voice was followed by a splatter of footsteps and laughter as someone zoomed past his office towards the living room.

He got up, slightly exasperated, he had finally achieved putting Tatum down only 10 minutes back. He had waited until her eyelids had pressed shut, her breathing even and her tiny hand slowly let go of his.

"Tate" He saw her on the sofa, standing against the backrest, her dark hair plopping up and down as she jumped. Her honey orbs started at him, challenging him to make her stop. Suddenly he was stunned by her uncanny resemblance to his wife.

"How in the world did you get out of the crib? " He mostly asked himself.

"I hold the bars and then get on the dresser and from there.. I do this. " She had by now climbed onto the backrest and flung herself off it. Ethan scrambled to catch her, his heart dropping when he realised he was too far away.

She landed on her feet and he sighed in relief, he himself wasn't so lucky. His fall was only half aided by the carpet. His hip hit the floor, causing a light groan to leave him.

His daughter stared at him from above as he lay on his back. Her lips let out giggles before she grabbed his arm.

"Silly dada. "

"Silly indeed. " Ethan muttered, smiling.

She pulled him, indicating she wanted to go somewhere. Ethan found his footing, the pain subsiding as she walked towards the master bedroom. She waited for Ethan by the door,her little legs dancing about, impatient to enter but the dark too scary to tread.

The moment Ethan switched on the light, she rushed in, grabbing handfuls of the duvet to launch herself onto the bed. Making herself comfortable under the covers, she patted the space next to her, looking at Ethan who stood leaning against the door, his features perked up watching his younger daughter's antics.

He sat down next to her and she immediately snuggled into him, his large arm wrapping around her entire body as she blissfully rested her weight against him.

"Why aren't you in bed, my gorgeous tater tot? " Her eyes brightened at the mention of tater tots.

"It's scary dada. "

"What is? "

"The storm. "

The weather had been terrible the past weekend, causing half of his family to remain in Florida, where they were visiting Aspen's family. He had stayed behind as Tatum had just recovered from quite a severe bout of flu and it was unadvisable that she be subjected to plane travel so soon.

"Did that wake you up? " She nodded vehemently.

"You know, it was really scary for me as well. I still find it very difficult to sleep during storms. "

"Does Mommy hold you too, when you're scared and read you your favorite bedtime story? "

"Something like that. " Ethan smirked.

"I miss Mommy. " Tatum sighed dramatically, throwing herself on the pillows and pouting.

"Me too." Ethan admitted.

"You don't need to worry, I gotcha. " She assured, her earnest promise evident in the seriousness of her eyes.

"I know you do. Thank you. " Ethan answered, the reassurance more profound than he expected.

"Let's continue our bedtime story, yeah. "

"Yeah! " Tatum ran across the hall before returning back silently. She stood by the door, fingers in her mouth and mumbled.

"It's dark. "

"Let's go together. " Ethan picked her up, gently removing her fingers out of her mouth and giving her a stern look. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, her tiny hand resting on his jaw absentmindedly.

Having gotten her book, Danny the Champion of the World, they settled in bed. Two chapters later, she was fast asleep. Ethan smiled, looking at his little girl, suddenly finding himself glad that he wasn't alone at home tonight. She gave him more courage than he could fathom possible.

His phone buzzed, vibrating against the bedside table. He picked it up to see his wife's image pop up. He quickly swiped up to see her smiling into the camera.

"Hey. How's it going there. I miss you."

"The storm's still crazy. God, I wish your plane left yesterday, I miss you too. "

"Hmm. You holding up fine? I know bad weather makes you restless. Try to get some sleep, okay? "

It was true, the storms always unnerved Ethan. He remembered Louise leaving before a particularly bad one. With Alan still adjusting to the new life and responsibility, Ethan had braved through one such night all on his own. Ever since then, nights like these brought back those memories with them. But tonight he felt strangely calm even in the midst of one.

" Don't worry one bit about me. " He said turning the camera towards their sleeping daughter.

"I have company. "

*********

@liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @jerzwriter @cariantha @peonierose @rookiemartin @kyra75 @queencarb @genevievemd @tessa-liam @coffeeheartaddict2 @tveitertotwrites @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[gutsfics]

heres my Bisexual Ethan Headcanon of the Whatever:

Hopkins Guy actually was a man in both routes, Ethan just tells a f!mc that he was a woman bc hes had some experience with women hes dated- even bisexual women- be weird about his bisexuality and claim its a red flag

[alj4890]

Hii 🥰

I saw this picture and thought it might inspire a fic or an edit (no pressure 🥰)

I'm so sorry this took so long to answer @peonierose 🤦🏻‍♀️ I had a lot of Choices couples in mind for this picture 😂 It has taken me a while to think of just the right story for this one and I think I finally have. After seeing Ethan tortured in some of my fics recently, I decided to do a drabble of him and an OC I mentioned in A Glimpse. For this story, we see how these two got together.

(Ethan Ramsey x OC*Sophie Triano) with some urging from (Tobias Carrick x Chris Valentine) in a Choices Open Heart drabble

@hopelessromantic1352 @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @choicesficwriterscreations @jerzwriter

Rating G for fluff

Masterlist

Something Sweet

"How was Bora Bora?" Ethan asked.

"Perfection itself." Tobias replied. "Chris and I had the best time there."

Ethan studied him. "You don't look very tan for a man who has been on an island for two weeks."

Tobias smirked. "But I do look tan enough for a man who was on a honeymoon with his wife."

Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Where's Chris?"

"Studying with Sienna." Tobias replied.

He eyed Ethan for a moment. Since they were alone, he decided to find out what happened after he and Chris left their wedding reception.

"By the way, how did you get back to the hotel?"

"How do you think?" Ethan replied.

"Who gave you a ride?" Tobias asked.

"Your brother did."

"Which one?"

Ethan stopped trying to complete some paperwork. He leaned back in his chair, set his hands behind his head, and focused silently on Tobias.

"It was Hugh." He finally said. "Why?"

"No reason." Tobias grumbled.

Ethan went back to work.

"If you rode with Hugh, then you must have ridden with Veronica."

"That would be a logical assumption since she is married to your brother." Ethan drily remarked.

Tobias refused to comment on that. "And if you were with Veronica, then you must have met her cousin, Sophie."

Ethan glanced up, eyes narrowed.

"So?" Tobias moved Ethan's laptop to the side. "What did you think of her?"

"She seems nice."

"Nice?" Tobias groaned. "Come on, Ethan."

"Can we get back to work or do you feel the need to bother me a little longer?"

Tobias shook his head. "Sophie is just your type."

"You haven't known my type since college." Ethan pointed out.

Tobias quirked an eyebrow and waited.

Ethan glared at him for the reminder he had fallen for Chris too.

"Sophie looks nothing like her." He bit out.

"I know that, but she has some similar personality traits that I think you'll like."

Tobias decided to drop that brief comparison when Ethan glared bordered on murderous.

"Hugh told me Sophie moved to Boston."

"She moved back to Boston." Ethan corrected, grateful to not be talking anymore about finding a woman like Chris. "Veronica and Sophie are expanding their business. She opened a bakery here a couple of months ago."

"Have you been by yet?"

Ethan rubbed a hand down his face. "I haven't."

He held his hand up to silence Tobias the moment he saw his mouth open.

"If I say I'll go by later this week, will you drop the subject and let me finish what I was typing?"

"I'll drop it for now, but we are discussing it again and again until you go see her." Tobias smirked at him.

"You are a colossal pain in my ass, you know that?" Ethan grumbled. "Go find someone else to bother."

"And leave you alone?" Tobias clucked his tongue in disapproval. "That wouldn't be very-- where are you going?"

"To see Sophie." Ethan snapped. "Right now, I'll do anything to get you to shut up!"

Tobias watched him storm out of the diagnostic office. He then sent a quick text to Chris, letting her know she could come inside.

So far, their plan to help Ethan find someone was off to a great start.

***************

"Don't breathe." Sophie whispered to those watching.

She carefully placed the last delicate sugar flower at an angle that defied gravity upon the five tier cake and carefully climbed off her step stool.

"Well?" She beamed at her staff. "What do you think?"

"I think we need to take them off now and store them before one breaks." Her store manager, Terry, declared. "You've got three more cakes to work on this week and the last thing we need is--"

"Ms. Triano!" One of the employees called out. "You have a visitor at the front."

Terry's voice went a higher octave when she began to leave.

"Sophie!" He cried. "The flowers!"

"They'll be fine." She winked at him. "You worry too much."

She chuckled over his look of disbelief.

Sophie couldn't help but be optimistic that all was working like she and Veronica planned. Ever since they were little girls with their Easy Bake ovens, they knew they wanted to open their own bakery one day. With their family's support, the two cousins graduated from the French Culinary Institute and opened up a bakery in New York.

It wasn't long before their cakes were featured in bridal magazines across the globe. Veronica and Sophie entered competitions on Food Network to gain even more exposure. Soon, they had orders years in advance for their baked treats.

They knew they should expand, but what made their cakes so popular, was that they each made every part of it themselves. They had staff to help with the mixing and all, but they were the true cake artists. Everything they designed from sugar blew everyone's mind.

For the first time in ten years, the cousins worked apart. Veronica needed to stay in New York with Hugh's work being there and their children were happy in their current schools. Since Sophie was single with no children of her own, she was the one to volunteer to open another bakery.

She'd wanted to come back to Boston for a while now. Though she thoroughly enjoyed working in New York, there was nothing like being back in her hometown. She needed that sense of comfort as she made all the decisions on her own. She still called Veronica multiple times a day, but this venture rested mostly upon her shoulders.

Sophie straightened her chef's jacket as she crossed into the main bakery. Cases gleamed under Edison bulbs revealing a variety of desserts. Cookies, tarts, pies, scones, cakes, etc. were all on display to tempt everyone who walked through her door. She did a quick visual sweep to make sure everything was up to her high standards before looking for her visitor.

Her eyes widened at the sight of the doctor she'd met at Tobias and Chris's wedding. Of all the people she thought she would see again, Ethan Ramsey seemed the least likely.

It wasn't that he ignored her at the wedding. He even talked to her about her bakery. He simply seemed to be preoccupied with something else.

***************

Ethan watched as she made her way over to him. He'd thought she was pretty the night he met her, but seeing her in chef's mode brought a smile to his face. She was in her element and the confidence rolled off of her adding even more to her beauty.

"Hey." She smiled at him. "What are you doing here?"

"You said I could come anytime I wanted something sweet." He spread his arms. "Here I am."

"And just what do you crave, Ethan?" She teased. "Are you a sugary puff kind of man or do you want something bitter?"

"No sugary puffs" He walked over to look at her offerings. "Though I will admit that most of this makes me think a diabetic coma might be worth it."

She laughed. "Follow me, Dr. Ramsey."

His eyebrow raised as he followed her off to a smaller room. There was a table and a set of chairs along with a cooler filled with various drinks.

"Have a seat." Sophie insisted.

She sat down across from him, pulled out a small notebook from her pocket and clicked a pen open.

"Now then." She raised her eyes to his. "Would you mind answering a few questions?"

"For?" He countered.

"To learn all your secrets." She replied.

His eyes widened.

Sophie laughed, shaking her head. "Easy there. I was teasing you. I'm wanting to understand your palette."

Ethan actually flushed.

"Then, yes, go ahead."

"Just say the first word that comes to mind." Sophie told him. "Fruit?"

"Apple."

Sophie wrinkled her nose.

"What's wrong with apples?"

"Nothing. I'm not a big fan of them. I'm more of a berry girl."

Her gaze dropped down to his white doctor's coat. "Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised with you saying apple."

Ethan relaxed in his chair. "They are good for you."

"I'll stick with raspberries."

"I like those too." Ethan added.

"You do?" She set her pen down. "Do you like dark chocolate?

"I do." He replied.

Sophie got to her feet. "Wait here."

She went through a set of double doors and returned with a slice of chocolate cake covered in a dark chocolate ganache.

"Try this." She handed him a fork.

Ethan's eyes widened with the first bite. A medley of the tart raspberry compote with slightly sweet chocolate left him wanting more.

"Good?" She prodded.

"It's incredible." He took another bite. "Best cake I've had in a long time."

She beamed at him. "Talk like that will make you my favorite customer."

He chuckled. "I'm tempted to buy the rest of the cake."

"No need."

She went back through the double doors and before they could shut, she was back with a black box tied with a white bow in her hands.

"You boxed the cake up before I even tried it?"

Sophie nodded a touch proudly. "I knew you would love it."

"How much do I owe you?" He got to his feet, reaching for his wallet.

"It's on the house." She replied.

"Oh." Ethan took the box from her. "Thank you."

Terry stuck his head through the double doors.

"Sophie!" He hissed without looking at Ethan. "The flowers! Carlton bumped the table and gave me a mild heat attack. Get them back into storage!"

Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'll be right there."

"You have flowers too?" Ethan asked.

"No. I make them." She waved goodbye. "Drop by anytime Dr. Ramsey."

Sophie paused at the door and winked at him. "I might even give you something else you'll love."

Ethan blinked in surprise once she disappeared. He wasn't quite certain how to take her parting words.

He frowned in thought during the drive back to the hospital.

"She meant more desserts." He told himself. "That's all she could have meant."

Once at Edenbrook, he sat in his car a few extra minutes. He eyed the black box and knew why he couldn't stop trying to see hidden meanings in her words and actions. He'd allowed Tobias to get in his head about there possibly being something more with Sophie.

He refused to give it another thought. He was too busy and too intelligent to ponder what women meant when talking to him. Of course, if Sophie did mean it in a flirtatious manner, then he would naturally respond in either a flirty fashion of his own or cold disinterest.

He picked up the box, a hint of a smile on his lips as he thought of her knowing he would love her cake.

If she was interested in him, he might be interested in her to.

*******************

A couple of days later...

"Any plans for your days off?" Chris asked.

Ethan kept pace with her as they walked towards their patient's room. "I'm going to the ballet Thursday night. They are performing The Sleeping Beauty."

"Oh?" Chris couldn't help but smile. "That sounds awfully romantic."

Ethan softly groaned. He knew what was coming next.

"Do you have anyone in particular you're taking with you?" Chris prodded, trying her best to look innocent.

"Chris." Ethan grumbled.

"Yes?" She was completely unfazed by the way he said her name.

"Tobias is rubbing off on you."

"I do more than rubbing." Tobias remarked from behind them.

Chris swatted him playfully with the file folder in her hand.

"What are we talking about?" Tobias asked, once he was walking along her other side.

"Ethan has a romantic night planned." Chris explained before Ethan could get a word out.

"Really?" Tobias looked over her head at him. "About time."

"I was just about to find out who Ethan invited to share this romantic night at the ballet."

"The ballet." Tobias slipped his arm around Chris when he noticed Ethan's face contort into irritated anger. "Can't set the mood much better than that."

"Enough!" Ethan snapped. "I'm not taking anyone to the ballet!"

"Why not?" Chris stopped him from walking on.

She placed her hands on her hips and backed him into the wall with her narrowed eyes and clipped tone.

"Are you honestly going to stand there and tell me that you are going to spend an evening of dinner and ballet without a date?!"

"I," Ethan hesitated. "Um..."

There was something about Chris's temper that made everyone take a step back. Even he got caught off guard from time to time.

But he wasn't in any mood for it today.

He glared down at her. He decided he wasn't going to be cowed by his former protege.

"I am planning an evening of enjoyment for myself."

Chris threw her hands up in exasperation, almost hitting both Ethan and Tobias in their faces.

"Men!" She grumbled. "Such a waste of bloody oxygen half the time."

Tobias groaned. "Welp, you set her off for the day. No man will be safe."

Ethan winced when Tobias smacked him on the back of the head.

"Don't tell her about your evenings for a party of one." He began to follow his wife. "She won't like it, then I'm the one left to deal with the fallout."

"She shouldn't be interested in what I do." Ethan grumbled.

Tobias shot a frustrated glance filled with pity towards him.

"What?" Ethan demanded.

"Chris cares about you." Tobias reminded him. "Once she calls you her friend, there is no escaping her concern. You know this about her."

Ethan stopped in his tracks. It was strange that it didn't hurt as much anymore thinking about Chris caring about him as nothing more than a friend. After their tumultuous year when she first arrived at Edenbrook, then having to go through seeing her fall in love with Tobias; Ethan was surprised they had survived it all to end up friends.

Maybe he was ready to move on and see what could happen next.

*******************

He decided he was ready to have a significant other as he ate dinner alone. Going to the ballet without someone there to talk to had lost the allure it once held. He still enjoyed his solitude, especially with the friends he had somehow become stuck with. This evening though would have been perfect for someone special.

As he walked into the Boston Opera House's lobby, he bumped into Sophie.

"Excuse me--Ethan!" She smiled at him. "Hello."

"Sophie," he glanced around to see if she was with a date, "it's good to see you again."

"You too." She too tried to see if he was with someone. "Are you a fan of the theatre arts?"

"I am." He cleared his throat. "Are you here alone?"

"Yes," she rolled her eyes, "I was given the Mcculler's box in thanks for doing a rush job on a cake for one of their parties. I've been looking forward to this night for weeks but couldn't find anyone who wanted to see The Sleeping Beauty with me."

Ethan's lips curved some. "I've rarely found anyone who enjoys coming here as much as I do."

"Where are your seats?" She asked.

"The Mezzanine, center." He replied.

"I don't suppose you'd like to join me instead?" She held up the two tickets she'd been given. "If you're alone, that is."

"I'd love to."

**********************

Ethan spent most of the ballet studying Sophie. There was something about her that seemed to give a sense of peace that he'd never experienced with anyone else. She was completely still, yet relaxed in her seat. Her eyes followed the movements on the stage while a slight smile graced her lips.

He then took in the rest of her. Sophie's dark chestnut hair cascaded down her shoulders. The white dress she wore was flattering to her figure. His eyes drifted down to her hands loosely clasped in her lap.

She was, he noted, the exact opposite of Chris. He wondered if Tobias had done this on purpose. Unlike the very tall, pale skin, green eyed, red headed Scottish doctor he'd first fallen for, Sophie was of a more average height, caramel colored skin, topped off with a pair of dark brown eyes and hair.

She was striking in her beauty. He realized he hadn't really appreciated that fact the last couple of times he'd seen her. He suspected that getting over his former love had clouded his mind from taking in the lady beside him.

****************

Sophie could practically feel Ethan's eyes on her. It took all her strength to remain relaxed in her seat. She couldn't recall the last time a man had studied her so intently. Men hit on her, but no one actually looked at her the way he was doing right now.

She didn't know if it was those piercing blue eyes of his or the type of man he was, but her nerves were notched so high that if he remotely made a move toward her, she'd probably tackle him where he sat.

She thought he was handsome the night she met him. She found him almost cute dressed as a doctor. But something about him in his suit, sitting beside her in the dark, made him almost irresistible.

Veronica told her she needed to get out and date more. Maybe she was right. Sophie had not been with anyone for nearly a year in preparing for the move back to Boston. Most of the men who came into her bakery were already in a relationship. It was rare anyone single came in, much less asked to speak to her.

Since she spent most of her time in the back decorating and supervising, she never had a chance to flirt with any of the few male customers who came in for treats to take to their offices.

Maybe that was why Ethan's attention affected her so strongly. She'd been longing for a relationship and hadn't even known it.

******************

The lobby of the Boston Opera House...

"I was thinking about going to get something to eat." Sophie looked up at him. "Any chance you'd care to have a late dinner with me?"

Ethan hesitated.

Sophie immediately regretted asking him.

"I actually ate earlier." He glanced at his watch. "How--"

"No problem." She nervously tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Thanks for sitting with me."

Sophie began to walk away, waving goodbye to him.

"Wait!" He caught up to her. "I was about to ask if you'd rather come to my place for dinner. It's late and most of the restaurants that your dress is meant for will be closing."

"Oh." She couldn't help but smile. "I don't want to put you to any trouble."

"No trouble at all. I enjoy cooking on my nights off." He offered his arm to her. "How did you get here?"

"Taxi." She placed her hand within the bend of his arm.

"Good. Then I can drive you home later."

*****************

When Ethan pulled up to his apartment building, Sophie's jaw dropped.

"You live here?"

"Yes, why?" He asked.

"Because I live here!" She pointed at the building. "Twelfth floor. Apartment B."

"I'm on the seventeenth." He told her.

Ethan couldn't believe he'd been living in the same building as Sophie all this time yet had never crossed paths with her.

Or had he and he simply hadn't noticed?

"You won't have to worry about driving me home now." She teased.

He smiled at her. "I can still walk you to your door."

Sophie laughed while getting out. "I'd like that."

Once in the elevator, she turned towards him. "Would you mind if I stopped at my place first and changed clothes?"

"No."

"These shoes have to go." She told him.

Sophie grasped his arm to balance as she slipped the painful high heels off.

Ethan watched her with a touch of amusement as she scooped up the pair with a soft curse.

"I won't be long." She told him while stepping out on her floor, casting a warm smile at him over her shoulder.

"Seventeen B." He reminded her.

"I'll be there." She promised.

*****************

Ethan quickly undressed the moment he shut his door. Tossing the finely made suit jacket and pants into his closet, he next tackled his shirt and tie. He settled on a light blue t-shirt to wear along with a pair of blue jeans. While pulling his pants on, he stumbled cursing into his kitchen to see what ingredients he had on hand for Sophie.

Her knock a couple of minutes later made him steady himself. He paused a moment realizing that he was actually excited about the prospect of getting to know her a little better.

He opened the door to find her casually leaning against the door frame. She'd put on a t-shirt like he had along with a pair of jeans. Sophie held up a bottle of wine with a hesitant smile.

"I wasn't certain what we were going to have, but I can say this is an excellent pinot grigio."

Ethan took the bottle from her, his brow furrowing with what to cook.

"Uh oh." She teased. "Is my choice of wine that bad?"

He looked up at her. "Not at all. I was thinking of what I could pair with it."

"Honestly Ethan," Sophie set her keys on his side table, "I'm up for anything. A simple ham sandwich would be great right now."

He snorted as he led her into his kitchen.

"I think I can do a little better than a ham sandwich."

"Really?" She settled comfortably on one of his bar stools. "Well now I am curious to see your cooking skills in action."

"I doubt they compare to yours." He remarked over his shoulder.

He began to gather the ingredients to make Tuscan chicken.

"Anything's better than mine."

Ethan' eyebrows raised in disbelief. "Sophie, you own a bakery and develop recipes for it on a daily basis."

She waved that off as if it was no big deal.

"The thing is," she confessed, "I can make desserts in my sleep, but savory dishes are where I mess up."

"Are you saying that you--"

"Can't cook." She admitted with a grin. "It baffles everyone I meet. Give me sugar and flour and I'm good, great even. Hand me that chicken and tomatoes and spinach and I'm going to destroy them as soon as I put them into a pan."

Ethan shook his head with a laugh. "I'm the opposite."

"You can't make desserts?"

"Not even pancakes." He explained about the meals he used to cook for him and his father. "Dad would just bring home ice cream or a box of cookies for us to have with our meals. He insisted I never pick up a bag of sugar "

Sophie laughed, feeling more at ease around him.

As the two talked, Ethan went through the prep work with ease. He uncorked the bottle of wine then led her into his living room. The pair sat down somewhat close, angling their bodies toward each other as they continued to talk about their lives.

He discovered that the thirty-three year old was highly intelligent, not just in the culinary world but in other aspects such as business and even history. Her ability to use humor here and there with her stories only added even more to her ability to hold his attention.

After spending so much time at Edenbrook, Ethan had forgotten that people outside of medicine could be a nice change of pace. He also found that she could easily grasp what he was talking about as he described what he did on the diagnostic team. Her questions were well thought out and actually made him pause a time or two to consider the answers.

When dinner was ready, they sat at his table, lights dimmed as they continued learning about the other.

It was, he decided, one of the best meals he'd had in a long time.

"Ethan, that was amazing." Sophie declared.

"Thank you." He got up to take their empty plates.

"I insist on doing the dishes." She took them out of his grasp. "And to make you dessert in thanks for cooking for me."

"There's no need." He followed her to his sink. "Like I told you, it was nice to cook for someone other than myself."

"If you ever need to do so again," she winked at him, "I won't be opposed to you calling me."

"Don't be surprised to hear from me often." He smiled at her, reaching over to finish up the dishes. "Go relax. I know you've been on your feet all day."

Sophie shook her head. "I feel reenergized. I haven't had a home cooked meal since I moved back to Boston. I sponged off Hugh and Veronica's meals once a week in New York along with having a set of restaurants around town to deliver my favorite comfort foods."

Sophie went into his pantry. Her eyes darted here and there as she went through the ingredients he had on hand. After another peek into his fridge, she set out everything to make a quick batch of sugar cookies.

"I see you found the raspberries I picked up earlier today." He teased.

Sophie blinked then remembered their conversation in her bakery.

"I hope I inspired such a wise decision." She quipped.

"You did." He picked up one of the cartons she'd set out. "Want me to clean these for you?"

She nodded while measuring her dry ingredients.

Ethan watched fascinated as she went through everything without having to check a recipe. She moved with a precision he'd only seen in the operating theater at Edenbrook.

"These won't be as pretty as my cookies at work." She explained while dropping spoonfuls on a cookie sheet. "But they'll still taste just as good.

"And what are the raspberries for?" He asked.

"Frosting of course." She smiled at him. "And I'm going to teach you how to make it."

"I believe I told you that sugar and I don't get along in the kitchen." He got up and came around the counter.

"And yet you have powdered sugar in your pantry." She teased.

"That was a mistake." Ethan explained. "The grocery store was out of granulated sugar and for some reason the delivery person assumed powdered could be substituted in its place."

Sophie laughed over the disgruntled expression on his face.

"I bet your coffee hasn't been the same since."

"It hasn't." He grumbled, smiling as he looked at her. "You can take that powdered sugar with you. After tonight, I never want to see it again."

"You'll want it after this lesson." She nudged him with her elbow. "Just imagine the look on your father's face when you present him with a cake or cookie with your homemade frosting."

"That's assuming I can make it or even the pretend cake and cookie you added to this scenario."

"Shh!" She playfully scolded. "You're ruining my future triumph."

"If I learn this," Ethan countered, "then you'll have to let me teach you something next time."

Sophie lowered her head, fighting a huge smile. "Next time, hmm?"

"You'll be learning how to make one of the dishes that you consider your comfort food." He told her.

"And when would this lesson happen?" She prodded, pretending to direct her attention to his food processor.

"I'm off tomorrow." Ethan stepped a little closer to her. "Or if next week at this same time would be better for you..."

"Either works for me." She added some more raspberries to the food processor. "I have tomorrow off too since I'll be working Saturday."

Ethan's voice held a touch of heat when he moved even closer to her.

"Then tomorrow it is."

Sophie could feel her heart race as she looked up at him. Her eyes fluttered closed the moment his lips brushed hers in a soft, tender kiss.

She sank into him the moment the kiss deepened. Her arms wound around his neck, fingers drifting into his hair as he molded her to his body.

The oven's buzzer broke them apart.

"That was a devious way to get out of your cooking lesson." She teased once she removed the cookies from the oven. "I'll have to remember to use it tomorrow night."

Ethan chuckled, moving behind her. He slipped his arms around her waist, placing slow unhurried kisses along her neck.

"We should work on the frosting." She bit back a moan when his hands began to wander.

"Doesn't the butter need to be room temperature?" He muttered against her ear.

"You're right." She turned in his arms, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss that left him moaning.

She ran her hands down the hard planes of his chest, a slight smile curving her lips.

"We have anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour to allow the butter time to reach room temperature."

"I think an hour would be best." He tugged her toward his couch. "Don't you?"

"I do." She gasped when he yanked her into his lap. "Maybe even longer."

********************

Two days later...

"What's this?" Tobias gestured to the plate of cookies.

"I did some cooking while off." Ethan told him.

Chris reached over to try one. She made a humming sound of delight.

"These are so good! I love raspberries."

Tobias reached for one. "I didn't know you baked, Ethan."

"I'm learning." He replied with a smirk.

Chris and Tobias shared a loaded glance.

"Is there someone giving you lessons?" Chris asked.

She couldn't help but be hopeful that a certain pastry chef was becoming a part of his life.

"There is." Ethan picked up the case files and smiled at the couple. "Expect a lot more treats like those these next few weeks."

[openheartfanfics]

Ethan x F!MC: Pure Fluff

One Shots A - 2

A Question - @mm2305 Ⓜ Ethan reacts to Olivia’s pole dancing confession.

A Quick Visit - @yanawillow  Ethan drops by at Anastasia’s apartment with some comfort food for her and her friends the day before her board exams

A “Real” Doctor - @jerzwriter   Casey wins... once again.

A Reunion to Die For - @openheart12  Ethan comforts MC during the Grey’s Anatomy Reunion.

A Romcom Ending - @jerzwriter 💘 Ethan is thanking his lucky stars. Not only has he found his perfect woman, but she also knows what's important in life - each other.

A Simple Wish - @jerzwriter  Ethan has the perfect evening planned for Kaycee's birthday; but when everything seems to go wrong, she shows him how everything is just right.

A soft smile before leaning in for a kiss - @writer-ish  She has something on her face and he wipes it off.

A Special Gift - @genevievemd 🎄 Gen and Ethan have a special gift for their parents on Christmas morning.

A special one - @zealouscanonindeer  A slight reimagining of Ethan and Aspen's first drink together.

A Strange Discovery - @storyofmychoices  Ellie and Ethan are enjoying a quiet evening together.

A Strong Affection - @jamespotterthefirst  They run into each other at the park where she gets to meet the thing he loves the most in the world: his dog Jenner.

A Sweet Ending - @jerzwriter Ethan wonders what happened to his sweet little girl, who thought he could do no wrong. It seems all he and Kaycee get these days are eye rolls and sighs.

A Surprise Date - @choicesfanaf   Arundhati takes Ethan out on a date.

A Surprise Visit - @bex-la-get ��👔  Ethan gets a surprise for Father’s Day.

A surprisingly enjoyable Halloween - @ambraambrose   It was Halloween and Ethan hated Halloween and all the hype about it. Feat. OPH Gang

A Tall Order - @jerzwriter  It's a snowy lunch break at Edenbrook. Feat. Aurora Emery, Jackie Varma, Sienna Trinh, Tobias Carrick

A Texting Relationship - @daddytyrilstarfury 

A Thank You - @trappedinfanfiction  Celia got through the hearing, now she needs to say thank you.

A Time and A Place - @liaromancewriter  Ethan Ramsey and Cassie Valentine’s relationship has seen its share of bumps on the road, but it’s finally smooth sailing. Are they ready to take the next step?

A True Prince - @liaromancewriter  Ethan brings Cassie coffee, aka the fairy tale comes true.

A Valentine's Surprise - @peonyblossom 💘 Ethan is woken up early by his daughter, who needs his help making a Valentine's Day surprise for her mom.

A Very Scary Halloween - @jerzwriter 👻 Kaycee is delighted to be attending their first party as a couple, but the evening takes a frightening turn for Ethan.

A Very Important Question - @tveitertotwrites   Claire has an important question for Ethan.

A Visit Home - @choicesfanaf   Aru takes Ethan to a visit to her childhood home.

A Whisper in a Silent Night - @alwaysmychoices  In the early, uncommitted days of their relationship, Charlie makes a bold confession because thinks Ethan is asleep...

A Winter Morning - @potionsprefect  ❄ Ethan and Victoria spend a rare morning off together

[lucy-268]

Not the Right Person

Series/Pairing/Characters: Open Heart - Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Charley Valentine); Sienna Trinh; Aurora Emery

Rating / Warnings: General

Summary: Various “Celebrations” for Valentine’s Day when you aren’t celebrating with the right person.

Comments/Notes: Written for CFWC Valentine’s Day event @choicesficwriterscreations, and Galentine’s Day, February 13, @choices-february2023.

Disclaimer: Most characters belong to PB, Charley is sort of mine

Word count: 737

Residency, Year Two:

Charley was logged onto the computer at the nurses’ station nearest the diagnostics office. She was entering notes for her cases, while alternately looking down the hall. She was surprised when the lights were turned off and Ethan stepped out into the hall, pulling the door shut behind him. He had his briefcase in one hand, and was holding his phone to his ear with the other.

As he got closer, she overheard the very end of his conversation right before he hung up. “I know I said I’d go, but I didn’t realize it was Valentine’s day when I agreed to go out with her!” He dropped his phone in his pocket and froze as he saw Charley. She quickly averted her eyes from him and back to the computer.

“Dr. Valentine, did you get the test results back on Mr. Barnett?”

She nodded. “I took care of it. Baz was right, so he’s taking care of him right now.”

Ethan nodded, and shoved his hand through his hair. “So I don’t need to stay? I’m happy to cancel my plans.”

Charley shook her head. “Baz and June have it under control. I’ll be leaving myself soon.”

“Do you have plans?” Ethan asked, not sure whether he was hoping she would or wouldn’t. He knew wanting her to not have plans was unfair as he insisted on a reset.

“Yes, I do.” She logged off the computer and gave him a tight smile. “I need to run. See you tomorrow, Dr. Ramsey.”

After turning away from Ethan, Charley hurried to the stairs, bypassing the elevator. She hurried down to the staff locker room to shower and change. Soon she met Aurora and Sienna in the atrium. Jackie was notably missing. “I hope I’m not too late.”

Aurora smiled and shook her head. “Right on time. We have plenty of time for our reservations.” She held up her car keys. “Let’s go!”

The host greeted them when they arrived and soon they were seated near the terrace. Sienna laughed. “I figured since we were a group of three on Valentine’s day, we’d be shoved into a corner!”

Aurora grinned. “It helps since I’ve known the owner and chef since first grade.”

A smiling waiter appeared, with three glasses of water. “Good evening, ladies. Do you have any questions about the menu?”

Aurora shook her head. “I think we’re ready for the started. Madeline recommended a seafood tower and sauvignon blanc to start. Is that okay?”

Charley and Sienna looked at each other and nodded. “If the chef is recommending it, I’ll try it.”

The ladies had finished their starter and ordered their main courses, salmon for Charley, Chilean sea bass for Aurora, and roasted lamb for Sienna. They had laughed, reminiscing about prior Valentine’s days. Aurora took a sip of her wine. “Oh, I don’t think someone is having a good date tonight.” She gestured toward a table by the fireplace. “I think that’s a friend of Aunt Harper’s. Tina something? Tina Richards.”

Sienna and Charley looked over. Tina was frowning at her date. Sienna agreed. “She doesn’t look happy.”

Aurora frowned, trying to remember. “Harper said she just moved to Boston. She’s looking for a fresh start after a divorce. Harper has been setting her up on blind dates.”

Charley gave a cursory glance at the table and then focused on the man. She would recognize the jaw anywhere. “Ethan.” She didn’t even realize she’d spoken aloud.

“It is!” Aurora said.

Sienna looked at Charley. “Are you okay?” she mouthed to Charley, who nodded.

This next morning Ethan was surprised when he got to the diagnostic office. Charley was already there with a cup of coffee form Derry’s. “Good morning, Dr. Valentine.”

She looked up from the latest issue of the NEMJ. “Hello, Ethan.” She nodded to a second Derry cup on his desk. “I brought you coffee.”

He picked up the cup and took a drink. “How was your… how was your… evening last night?”

Charley stared at the words in the magazine. “It was a lot of fun.” She turned to look at him. “How about you?”

Ethan opened his laptop and turned to face it. “Mine was not what I was expecting.”

Charley turned back to her magazine and Ethan pulled up a file on his computer, both thinking about how their evening could have gone better if they were with different people.

[myglassesareinkansas]

Open Heart Fic

Title: searching for safety

Fandom: Open Heart (Pixelberry Choices)

Relationship: Bryce Lahela x F!MC, One-Sided Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Characters: Bryce Lahela, F!MC (Casey Valentine), Ethan Ramsey, Sienna Trinh, Harper Emery, Tobias Carrick

Important Tags: Attempted Rape/Non-con, Panic Attacks, PTSD, Power Imbalance, Canon Divergence, Established Relationship

Summary: Casey Valentine is in a deeply committed relationship with Bryce Lahela. Everyone at the hospital knows this. Ethan just chooses to ignore it.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Chapter Four: The Waiting Game - @ilikemenbutonlyethanramsey

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

[socalwriterbee]

Sweatin'

Choices Book: Open Heart

Character Pairing: Tessa Martinez (MC) x Ethan Ramsey

Rating/Warning: SMUT⚠️⚠️ 18 + Content⚠️⚠️

Word Count: 2320

Base in Play: Home Run (HR)

Song Inspiration: The Wolf by The Spencer Lee Band

Summary: After another restless night, Tessa heads down to the gym to work out what ever has her tossing and turning, Ethan's turns up to help her with a different method.

A/N: This story started out as a drabble one night a couple weeks ago, so with a drink (that turned into more than one) in my hand and the 50 shades soundtracks for my song choosing, this story came about.

A/N 2: This is between two consenting adults, who hit it out of the Ballpark and touch all the bases. This is for day 4 of Spring Fever Pitch, domestic!

please excuse any errors, misspellings and such...

Characters Belong to Pixelberry

⚠️⚠️continuing to read past this point you agree that you are 18+⚠️⚠️

****

I could smell the Redwoods, feel the crunch of the dirt road path beneath my feet. A path, I could run with my eyes closed because it was home, having ran it many times before I left for medical school and one I would run when I had the chance of going back home. It brought a sense of calm and that is what I needed at the moment.

Sweat trickles down my back as my feet softly pound the rubber band of the treadmill, the Redwoods running through the screen that sits in front of the machine. The sight of the rainfall hitting the floor to ceiling windows, adrenaline running through my veins, the burning of muscles reminding me of how long I have actually been down here. 

It had been another restless night, tossing and turning, my mind not turning off to let me rest. Since sleep had eluded me for the second straight night, I came down to the gym in our apartment building to work off what had to be some sort of stress and try to clear my mind, hoping sleep would come.  

My workout playlist fading away when I remove my headphones letting them hang around my neck as I turn down the speed to begin my cool down. 

Wiping the sweat off my face with the towel I had hung over the hand rest, I check the time on my watch, a few minutes past two in the morning. Ethan should be arriving soon, giving me plenty of time to shower and greet him, fall into bed together and pray sleep comes. 

“Can’t sleep again?”

The husky voice that sends shivers coursing through my body whenever I hear it calls out from behind me. Hopping up to the sides of the treadmill, to not hurt myself as I wait for it to stop after pressing the off the button. 

Looking over my shoulder, Ethan leans against the frame with the glass door to the gym open, his clear blue eyes no longer hiding behind the dark rimmed glasses he wears, taking what surely is my wild appearance, my brown hair that has fallen loose from the ponytail sticking around my face and neck. 

Ethan’s tie slightly undone as he stalks his way towards me. “Yeah, I thought a run would help clear my mind to whatever is keeping me up, time got away from me.” My words coming out with a heavy breath.

Ethan reaches up to brush back some of the fallen hair, then brushes his knuckles against my flushed cheek, causing goosebumps to prickle along my glistening skin.

“Redwoods?” Ethan asks with arched eyebrow with a glance at the screen. “Maybe you should take a couple days off.” 

“I’m fine. Just thought I might try something different tonight.” I say, tugging at his tie, bringing him closer. 

Standing an inch or so taller than Ethan, leaning down, I press a soft kiss on his lips. Letting out a chuckle when our eyes lock on each other. This feeling of having some sort of dominance at the tiniest height difference felt nice, usually I was the one usually looking up.

“Something funny?”

Biting my bottom lip to hold my tongue, trying to not let it slip that I’m enjoying this looking down at him, even if it would be for this moment. But the corners of my mouth betray me, giving a small smirk.

“Ethan!” Letting out a yelp at the sound of Ethan’s firm hand landing smack on my ass, the thin material of my workout shorts, the thin material making it feel like it was skin to skin and a few inches down it would have been. “What was that for?”

Before the shock of his playful smack, his hand massages the sting away. Ethan takes a step up on to the treadmill causing me to step back, the rail hitting my back. “You’re a liar Tess. And don’t act like you don’t like it when I smack it.” 

Grabbing the soft textured pattern from his tie, pulling him into me, saltiness on this tip of my tongue as I lick my lips. I do like when he does things like that and the teasing is fun. “Hmm.. you sure about that Dr. Ramsey?” 

Ethan’s eyes darken, roaming up and down from the space between us. The swells of my breasts pressing against the top of my black sports bra as I breath in and out. Another kind of heat begins to course through me when Ethan gets that hungry look in his eyes.

“Oh sweetheart, you are a terrible liar.” Ethan runs his finger across my collarbone and traces those mounds that call to him. “I know what you like, you liked looking down at me, thinking I’d fall to my knees for you.” His touch continuing its journey over my body, over the flatness of my stomach and back around to the roundness of my ass.

Taking a handful and giving it a firm squeeze as he pushes me into his solid body. “And I would have, gladly, but when I got home, you weren’t in bed.” Ethan continues. “You were on my mind all evening, ready to come home to you. Wondering if I could wake you up, return the favor. To feed this hunger I found myself in.”

My mouth suddenly running dry as the memories of the wake up calls I’ve given him. My hands pressing firmly against his defined abs while my hips move against him, Ethan’s eyes still closed, letting the feeling of him stretching and filling bring out the moans at his slightly parted lips, my moans joining his as they fill our bedroom.

His name being the only thing that my mind could muster up to say. “Ethan.”

Feeling a chuckle rumble through him, he knows what I am thinking of. “You like it when I take over, right when you’re about to come, rolling you onto your back, you letting me take over as I thrust into you making come all over my co—.”

“Ethan!”

His eyes lock into mine with a curious lift of an eyebrow. “You want me to stop?”

God no! And in the back of my mind this was not the place and I was covered in sweat and pretty sure I wasn’t smelling too good either. But with that look in Ethan’s eye, he was a wolf and I the lamb. 

Ready for his taking.

Had I been in our bed when he got home, I knew I would be teased with until I was begging him to give me anything and everything.

“I just finished a run, I’m covered in sweat and I’m pretty sure I smell.” I tell him what just ran through my mind. 

Ethan wraps his hand around my ponytail, pulling my head back exposing my neck to him. The  faint press of his lips pressing against my skin, my pulse quickens The feeling of Ethan’s tongue licking his lips faint against my heated skin, a moan escaping past my lips.

A long drag of his nose against my hyper aware skin as he inhales. “Jasmine, citrus and —.” Ethan pauses.

“An…and what Ethan?”

“Tessa undress for me and I’ll tell you.”

“Are you crazy? We are in the gym of the building we live in, what if someone walks in?” I make a point with a step back, the spell of arousal breaking as I try moving slightly away from his tight hold on me.

Ethan grunts at the space I’ve created or the thought of waiting to continue this until we were behind the safety of our home. He had to know that was a possibility of someone walking in, yes even at two in the morning, highly unlikely but still a possibility. The look, the hunger I saw in his eyes told me the exact opposite. 

He wanted me here and at the moment damn the person who stopped the wolf from coming out tonight.

“Tessa.” He grits.

“If I don’t?”

Amusement spreads across his face at my defiant question. The both of us knowing what he is capable of, the capability of the man in front of me that makes my knees weaken. The handrail pressing into my back, my stare not backing down from the man who is going to have me howling out his name.

The need settling in between my thighs at having a taste of what he is like when he gets like this gets stronger as Ethan takes his time to answer.

Ethan pulls at the zipper on my the front of sports bra. “Well…”

My hand covers his, stopping him from undressing me. “Take me home and tell me.”

Ethan shakes his head, “I can’t seem to control myself, not when I know you’re like this. Skin glistening, wet for me and don’t try to tell me that you aren’t.” His lips crash onto mine, devouring me until I let him in, groaning when he pulls away. “I am going to lick, kiss and do everything that turns you on and what makes you call my name out.”

Breathlessly I answer his non-question. “Yes.”

“Good.” Ethan says pushing my hand away with his, letting him continue. “So you like your clothes, right Tess?”

I nod.

“So let me take it off properly or I can always rip it off. The choice is yours love.” 

The zipper of my sports bra going down, revealing me before him. Ethan frees me from the bra, letting it fall onto the treadmill. His hand cupping my breast, one then the other giving a pinch between his fingers as if my body wasn’t already at attention to him.

Ethan smiles at the reaction to my body, lifting me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He walks us over to a bench, laying me down on my back, the material of the bench cooling my hot bare skin.

Unwrapping me from around his waist, he continues to undress me. My shoes come next after my sports bra was left back on the treadmill, then Ethan hooks his fingers on the waistband on my workout shorts, my hips lifting for him to pull them down.

Standing up straight Ethan looks down at me—almost naked for him. What a scene we must have, me bare except for the panties I wear and Ethan fully dressed looking at me with hunger in his eyes. Just the thought of someone walking in on us like this makes me press my legs tighter together, seeking some sort of pressure to give relief to the ache.

Watching as Ethan pulls off his tie and slowly begins to unbutton his shirt. I reach up to help, only for him to shake his head no. I let out another frustrated groan. Once his shirt falls to the floor, Ethan gets on his knees, pushing my legs apart—.

“Ethan, I don’t think that’s…” I whimper.

Ethan’s hand roams over my inner thigh, followed by licks and nips of his mouth until he reaches my most sensitive spot, sliding my panties to the side. “You wanted to know what else you taste like, smelled like to me… didn’t you Tess?” The pressure of his mouth on me, making my back lift from the bench and my hands reach down and grip onto his dark brown hair.

His tongue lapping before giving me a gentle suck, over and over, my legs over his shoulders pressing against into him. Ethan’s hands remove my legs from his shoulder, spreading me wider as he makes his way up. Licking and nibbling again, over my stomach and onto one breast and then the other.

Cupping the sides of his head in my hands and bringing him up to kiss his lips, his hand between us as he begins to undo his pants, lowering them between kisses.

“Ethan.” I whimper, needing more of him.

Lining himself up, ready to stretch me over him. Slowly filling, the wolf still teasing the prey until he still. His blue eyes on me the entire time, filled with much more than lust. The bite of metal from his belt hitting the back of my thigh as he begins to move, thrusting back and forth

His hands holding tight onto my hips, with each thrust getting me closer to coming undone. Letting me go, Ethan presses his body into mine, raising my arms over my head, holding them there as he leans and presses his lips against my ear. Ethan’s hushed words driving me over the edge as I fall, calling out his name. 

My body coming down from its high as Ethan goes still reaching his own release.

Our breathing steading, in and out, slowly letting the sound of rainfall be heard again as it continues to hit the window. My eyes begin to close as everything I had been feeling melts away and sleep that had eluded me begins to settle through me, Ethan’s hunger leaving me completely spent.

My eyes lazily open at the sound of Ethan’s soft laugh and loss of body weight from my body, catching him pull his pants back up before gently pulling me to my feet, I stand in front of him. He cups the side of my face before softly asking. “You ok?”

Words fall me, so I nod. More than ok.

“Come, let’s get you home.”

Ethan reaches down in front of me picking up his white button up, covering me. Leaving me standing there wearing now only his shirt while he picks up my clothes and bundles it up.

Taking my clothes from Ethan before he lifts me into his arms, bridal style, I let my head fall letting it rest against his chest.

“Maybe I should let you pounce on me more often when I can’t sleep.” I say before sleep consumes me.

****

event tag: @springfeverpitch

[jerzwriter]

Kaycee reflects on how life turned out exactly as she imagined it and how it didn't when she and Ethan dropped their daughter off at college for the first time. When they leave, they know their journey will lead them back to Boston, but will it lead them home?

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan x Kaycee (Past) Rating: Teen Words: 3,800 (sorry!) Summary: Please see above. A/N: This really took on a life of its own! @tessa-liam asked for two prompts from this list, and I merged it in with an anonymous ask from the same list. The three prompts are highlighted below, and they made for an angsty story! I hope you enjoy it!

This is not part of my HC - but a one-off, one-shot.

Participating in @julychallenge Pink: Love, Black: Loss.

Kaycee raised a cup of hot chocolate to her lips and smiled. It didn’t matter that she was now in her forties; she’d always prefer its silky, sweet taste more than coffee, and she didn’t care who knew it.

Sitting in the passenger seat of Ethan's parked car, she closed her eyes to listen to the sound of a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves outside; the moment felt almost perfect. It was exactly the day she had envisioned when she imagined dropping Emma off for her first semester of college. But as quickly as the thought entered her mind, she heard Ethan’s voice and was reminded – it wasn’t exactly as she had planned.

She stepped out of the car as they walked down a tree-lined path toward the car, Ethan’s arm wrapped protectively around their daughter’s shoulder.

“Now remember, you do not go out alone at night, no matter what. Wait for your roommate, another friend, or call campus security.”

"Yes, Dad," Emma said rolling her eyes. "You seem to forget I grew up in Boston – I have street smarts, Dad.”

The young woman looked to her mother, desperate for a save, and Kaycee reached out to embrace Emma one last time.

“Ethan, I don’t want to leave her either, but it’s getting dark, and it’s a long ride back to Boston.”

Ethan smiled tenderly as he stared at his “little girl.”

“It’s funny. I always imagined it would be me dragging you away, not the other way around.”

“Well,” Kaycee smiled curtly, “life has a way of surprising us.”

It had already been three years. Three years since their assets were divided, custody was determined, and with the scribbling of two signatures on a lifeless document, a marriage of almost twenty years came to an end. They’d come a long way since that painful day. Being in each other’s presence no longer elicited queasiness. The sight of each other didn't lead to dampened eyes or a feeling of guilt that consumed them. Still, it wasn’t easy. But today, they did what they always did best – they showed up for their daughter.

It was a two-hour drive from Boston to Hanover, New Hampshire. Ethan had hoped she’d pick his alma mater, Brown, where she’d only be 52 minutes away. But Kaycee reminded him that Emma’s top pick was originally UCLA. All things considered, Dartmouth wasn’t that far. But when Emma asked if they could all drive her to campus together, that two-hour journey suddenly felt much longer.

They were all surprised at how pleasant the ride up had been. Emma was a ball of nervous energy and chattering non-stop. The joy of heading off to college was mixed with the fear of being away from both her parents for the first time was familiar to her parents, and they both offered reassurance. They marveled over how it felt like it wasn’t so long ago that they were off to college – beginning their adult lives – at the starting line of all their dreams. They hoped Emma would realize as many of hers as they had, but they hoped other dreams would have happier endings than theirs.  

“...and I’m thinking I might double major,” she said without taking a breath. “Because Poli Sci is what I want to do... that’s my passion... but if I want to get into a top-tier law school, I think double majoring in English would be beneficial.”

“Sweetheart,” Kaycee smiled from the backseat. “Why don’t you get through your first semester? Then you can make that call.”

Ethan shook his head with a gentle chuckle. “Can someone tell me how a child with two parents who are renowned in the medical field is hell-bent on becoming a lawyer?”

“Dad,” Emma exasperated. “You always told me to pursue whatever I wanted to...”

“And I meant it,” he interrupted. “But you have to admit, this was unexpected.”

They arrived on campus and unpacked Ethan’s Porche Cayenne – the SUV Kaycee insisted was his mid-life crisis, even though he had already passed that point when he bought it. They could have left as soon as all the boxes were in the dorm room, but they refused to leave until her new bedspread was in place, the matching curtains hung, and little fairy lights twinkled around the perimeter of the room.

With no excuses to stay left, Kaycee turned to her daughter, her voice cracking with emotion. “Well, I guess this is it.”

“Mom!” Emma scolded. “We said no crying.”

“I know. But my baby’s all grown up. I’m entitled to a tear or two.”

The mother and daughter were wrapped in a hug when Ethan returned to the room holding a cardboard tray with two cups of coffee and one hot chocolate – he was elated that his daughter had his refined tastes in hot beverages.

“What did I miss here?” He asked.

“Mom’s starting to get weepy,” Emma smirked.

Kaycee wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Just finishing our goodbyes,” she said. “I’ll go to the car to give you two some privacy.”

“You don’t have to leave...” Ethan started, but when he realized his ex-wife was about to burst into the tears she had promised Emma she’d hold back, he understood. “Fine,” he said, handing her his keys. “Why don't you wait in the car?”

Kaycee adjusted the passenger seat, admiring the soft leather. Ethan had always preferred to drive, and she’d spent a good portion of her life sitting beside him, but it was the first time she sat in this car, purchased right after their divorce. Remembering a life now lost was already difficult, but her mind rushed to places she had no desire to go.

Ethan had never been forthcoming about his relationships since their split. Of course, she had heard the rumors... some said he was dating the new Director of Nursing, others swore he and Harper had rekindled their old flame. But she never asked Ethan about them; it wasn’t her place. Their conversations revolved around Emma, and that’s how she kept it. Still, as she sat in a seat she once coveted, she couldn’t help but wonder if others now filled that space.

The sound of the driver’s door opening quickly ushered her back to reality, and she was grateful she could blame her tear-filled eyes on Emma.

Ethan turned to her with a tender smile that Kaycee hadn’t seen in some time. “She’s going to be OK," he reassured.

“Oh, I have no doubt about that,” she replied, dabbing her eyes. “It’s me that I’m worried about.”

Ethan had to chuckle. “I know that feeling quite well.”

An awkward silence fell between them. At another time, they would have hugged and offered each other assurances. He would have told her their new chapter was beginning, too. They could focus on the dreams they had planned together, but now, he just fumbled to find a classical music playlist as he started the drive.

“Thank you for agreeing to drive up together,” he finally spoke.

“Of course. Emma wanted both of us here. I’d never deny her that.”

“No, but if I’m being honest, I half expected you to tell me you were taking a Greyhound on the return trip home.”

A slow smile spread on her lips, and she confessed. “I did price them.”

“I bet you did,” he laughed.

The conversation turned to the other comfortable topic between them: Medicine. He lauded her recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, and he told her when he planned to retire. Kaycee reminded him that Emma embracing law wasn’t too odd; after all, it had been her second career choice, too. He quickly reminded her that he remembered. He remembered more than she knew.

They drove for about an hour when a pinging sound began getting louder and louder. Kaycee tried not to chuckle when the expensive car came to a halt, knowing her trusty old Toyota would have never stranded them like this. Ethan looked under the hood, then returned to the car with a sigh.

“Tripple A will be here shortly,” he informed. “There’s a Porche dealer a few miles away, but of course, they’re closed until the morning.”

“Of course,” she half grinned.

Ethan turned to her with a smirk, and she couldn’t decide if it was one of annoyance or amusement, so she decided to believe it was a little of both.

“Are you enjoying this?” He said sarcastically.

“I always told you that simple was better when it came to cars. There’s no need for the expensive bells and whistles.”

“Yeah,” He chuckled sadly. “You told me a lot of things.”

“I’d tell you what Greyhound could get us back to Boston, but the last one left forty minutes ago... “

“Yep! I think we’re stranded here for the night, too. Not just my car.”

When the Tripple A driver arrived, Ethan and Kaycee hopped into the cab of his tow truck.

“There is a hotel nearby,” the man said. “I’m happy to bring you there. But there might not be any vacancy. A lot of local colleges are welcoming students this weekend, and a lot of parents who aren’t letting go stay nearby.”

“Yeah,” Kaycee barked out a laugh. “We’re familiar with that!"

“Oh, I see,” the man grinned. “You’re those parents. Well, as someone who has been through this, I can tell you it gets easier. Just think of it as the start of your second honeymoon.”

“Oh, no, we’re not...” Kaycee started but decided to skip it as they pulled up to a Comfort Inn. “You know, never mind.”

“This is the only place around here,” the driver informed. “If you can get a ride, there are more places about twenty miles down the road.”

Ethan looked at his watch. “The vacancy light is on, and it’s been a long day. This will do just fine.”

Kaycee ran to the restroom in the lobby while Ethan went to the front desk to secure rooms. When she stepped back out, she saw him grimace.

“Before I tell the desk clerk yes, are you sure you don't want to get an Uber to another hotel?”

Kaycee scrunched her nose. “An Uber in these parts? At this time of night? Unlikely. What’s the matter,” she chuckled. “Did you check the reviews and find out it’s not a five-star rating?”

“No, wiseass,” he smiled, enjoying the banter that used to be part of his daily life. “The problem is, they only have one room left.”

“Oh,” Kaycee said with a fallen face.  

“Exactly.”

“Well,” she laughed nervously. “We’ve round ourselves in this position before, haven’t we?”

Both their minds drifted to the conference in Miami during Kaycee’s intern year.

“Yes,” Ethan replied. “But that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”

“Ethan,” Kaycee shrugged. “We’ve been in each other’s lives for decades. We have a child together. We can share a room for one night unless...”

Unless there is someone in your life who would prefer you didn’t, she thought as Ethan asked her to continue.

“Uhm, never mind. We’ll be fine for one night.”

The walk to their room was peppered with small talk in an attempt to break the tension. But they were both so tired that they really didn’t care. They’d fall asleep, wake up, and find a way home. Everything would be back to normal. That's what they thought until Ethan opened the door.

“There’s only one bed?” Kaycee gasped.

“The front desk said there were two queen-sized beds!” Ethan insisted.

“Well, by my calculations, there is only ONE.”

“Obviously, they were wrong.”

“Noooo!” Kaycee mocked to Ethan’s chagrin. He looked around the tiny room; the only other furniture was an uncomfortable looking chair and desk.

“I’ll sleep in the chair,” he declared.  

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Kaycee insisted. “Ethan, it’s not like we haven’t slept in the same bed before.”

“Yeah... that was the norm for us... until that... changed.”

They exchanged an uneasy look, and both understood the best thing to do was go to sleep quickly. After kicking off their shoes, they both lay perched on the edge of the mattress, facing away from the other. Though they weren’t touching each other at all, their presence was obvious, and as exhausted as they were, suddenly, neither could sleep.

“Kaycee, are you still awake?” Ethan whispered.

“Yes.”

“How is our little girl already in college?”

“I don’t know,” she said sadly. “The years just flew by. And it’s odd because some of those days and weeks felt like an eternity, but I turned around twice...” she audibly gulped. “... and they were gone.”

The room went silent; all Kaycee could hear was her ex-husband's breathing. “So many precious days,” he lamented. “I know I haven’t thanked you enough."

“Me?” a startled Kaycee replied.

“You’re the only one here,” he chuckled. "Emma is a remarkable young woman, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my daughter."

“I know she is,” Kaycee laughed, rolling on her side to face Ethan, who had already turned her way.

“Well, that’s in large part because of you, and I should thank you more often.”

“You’re just as responsible,” Kaycee insisted. “You’re an amazing father, Ethan. You always were.”

He fell silent, hoping the darkness of the room would prevent Kaycee from seeing the emotion in his eyes, though there was no way to conceal it in his voice. If I had been an amazing father, I wouldn’t have let our family end. If I had been an amazing father, I would have fought harder for us to work, he thought, but all that came out was a broken.

“Thank you. You know, when you walked into Edenbrook all those years ago, I had no idea how much my life was about to change,” he smiled as Kaycee shifted uncomfortably.

“Ethan... it’s probably best if we don’t talk about this. I think we should just....”

With that, the lights flicked on, and Ethan was sitting upright.

“Why not?” he asked. “Not making time to talk is where everything started to go wrong for us.”

“It was,” she concurred. “But the time to fix that passed a long time ago. The ink on our divorce papers is long dry, Ethan. This isn't how it works.”  

“It can work anyway we want it to,” he countered. “Kaycee, we may not be together anymore, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be a part of each other’s lives.”

“We’ll always be a part of each other’s lives. We have Emma.”

“I don’t mean because of Emma. I want you to be a part of my life because, with the exception of our daughter, you've been the single most important person in my life. For the past three years, I’ve felt like a stranger in my own soul without you. I miss hearing your voice. I miss your laugh. When I have exciting news, you're the only one I want to tell it to. I want you to be more than the person I arrange drop-offs with, and now that Emma is grown, we won’t even have that.”

“Are you telling me you want to be friends? She asked.

No. I don’t want to be friends. I want us to be so much more, and I wish I had the nerve to say it.

“Ethan,” she repeated after an extended silence. She saw the tears glistening in his eyes as he reached over and pushed a strand of hair away from her face.

“Friends.... or something,” he choked.

Kaycee’s head fell into her hands, partly because she was tired, partly because she was trying not to cry.  

“Ethan, where did it all go wrong?”

Their minds drifted back in time to the days of trying to manage two busy careers with the needs of their child, long days filled with demands, exhaustion, and the feeling that they could never get it right. Sometimes, they fought; sometimes, they held it all in. Sometimes they turned the guilt inward... they weren’t good enough, they were failing, they should be better at this... and sometimes, they projected it onto the other... "You never...", "You used to...", "I can't believe you..." In time, they learned being alone isn't the worst feeling in the world, being in a relationship, but feeling alone was, and when the loneliness became too much to bear, they decided it should end.

“Why did we let it go?" Kaycee sniffled. “There was no affair, no hatred, even our fights weren’t all that bad. Our marriage was like a boat, just drifting away as we watched, and neither of us thought enough to help it change its course.”

“We were focused on work,” Ethan sighed with regret. “Focused on Emma. Then we had elderly parents to care for... it took so much of our time that in the end, we forgot to focus on each other.”

“But we knew what we had was special. Why the hell didn’t we fight for it!”

“You wanted to,” Ethan whispered. “You wanted to. I... I blame myself.”

“Ethan, you weren’t the only one responsible for our marriage ending.”

“I’m the one who stormed out of counseling, telling the counselor that it was absolutely useless. I’m the one who began to withdraw. You begged me to try.”

Feelings they believed to be long buried began to rise to the surface again, and the pain was as raw as it had ever been.

“You withdrew... but I never asked you why you did. I let my imagination get the better of me and...”

“And?”

“Did you stop loving me?” She asked, tears now streaming down her cheeks.

“No!” Ethan gasped. “Oh, God no, I never once stopped loving you.”

“I allowed myself to believe that you did,” she said, wiping her nose with her sleeve. “I felt like an obligation... like if we didn't have a piece of paper decreeing that we had to be together, you'd be long gone. And I swore I’d never be in a marriage like that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that?”

“I thought I did,” Kaycee replied. “Maybe not with words, but with actions. I tried to give signs, but..."

“Kaycee, I never learned to read  your mind.”

“I know that... and that’s why I’m as responsible as you for letting our marriage die.”

“I wish I would have fought harder,” Ethan wept as Kaycee’s floodgates opened.

“Me too,” she shuddered. “Me too.”

Ethan instinctively reached for her hand, surprised when Kaycee fell into his arms. His arms encircled her and held her close. Both were overwhelmed by the warmth and familiarity, a feeling of comfort from a time long gone when they were each other’s port in a storm. When they were each other's home.

“I’m sorry,” Ethan cried. “I’m sorry I let it end.”

“I’m sorry, too,” Kaycee cried into his shirt. Ethan went to pull away, but she refused to let him go.

“Please... can you hold me just a little longer?"

“Of course,” he whispered, resting his head on hers as she nuzzled into his shoulder.

Comforted by his touch, Kaycee fell into a deep sleep and slept better than she had in a long time. But Ethan found no such relief; he remained awake all night, never letting her out of his arms until he got up in the early morning hours.

The sun was shining through the window, and Ethan was seated at the desk with an abysmal cup of coffee in hand when Kaycee woke up with a startle.

“Hey, are you OK?” he asked, as she groggily nodded. He moved to the edge of the bed and sat beside her. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing... you’re here,” she replied.

“Did you forget? The car broke down, we had to stay here, there was only one room...”

“No... no,” Kaycee stopped him. “I remember all that. I just had a bad dream. I dreamt that you left me during the night, and I woke up alone.”

“Well, you made sure I couldn’t do that, even if I had wanted to,” he smiled. “You basically slept on top of me all night.”

“I did!”

“You did," he smiled. "Did you at least sleep well?"

“Like a baby – and you?”

“I slept OK,” he fibbed, pointing to the paper cup on the desk. “That cup of swill parading as coffee should help wake me up a little more.”

“Yeah,” she laughed. “I think I’ll make myself a cup, too. If you have to suffer through it, I should, too.”

She flung her legs over the side of the bed, but Ethan grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the mattress.

“Kaycee, I have to tell you something before I lose my nerve.”

A line formed between her brows. “What... what is it?”

“I need to tell you what I should have said three years ago. That I’m sorry. I took us for granted and allowed life to come between us, which was so foolish because you... you were my life. I've felt like a stranger wandering in a strange land where he no longer belongs for the past three years. See, I love you, Kaycee. I never stopped, and the biggest regret of my life is that I let you go. So, I know the answer is probably no, maybe you'll think I’m crazy, and I could be... but is there a chance... any possibility that you and I could try again. If we can, I promise, I'll get it right this time."

He sat in nervous anticipation in every silent moment that followed. Kaycee’s eyes were wide, and her lip trembled, but he wasn’t sure why. It was taking too long. It was taking too long, and he braced himself for rejection... the rejection he now realized that he had feared so desperately that he found it easier to let her go. But it only took a moment for all that to change.

Kaycee threw her arms around his neck, holding him tight as she peppered him with kisses and pushed him back on the bed. Her lips found his, and they came together; their hearts raced as it deepened, their hands caressing the curves they still knew by heart. At long last, they were home.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he smiled breathlessly.

 “What gave it away?” she giggled, kissing him again. “But we have to take it slow. You’re the love of my life, and I want this to work more than anything, but we have to think of Emma. The divorce was hard on her, and we can’t let her know about this until we’re sure... 100% sure... that we’re forever.”

“I agree,” he smiled, his hands running through her hair. “You take all the time you need, but I know... if you’ll have me... this is forever. I don’t want to know a day without you again.”

“Can I have a week or two?" she grinned.

“As long as I can see you during every one of those days.”

After another lengthy kiss, Ethan reached for the hotel phone.

“What are you doing?” Kaycee asked.

“Calling the front desk.”

“Why?”

“Because check out is in a half hour, and we’re going to need this room longer.”

"Are we," she grinned. "I'm not on the schedule tomorrow; what about you?"

“Me?" Ethan beamed. "I’ll be calling out.”

"Good," Kaycee smiled, "Because we're going to need this room for another night."

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Tagging others separately.

[justyourusualash]

Hii 😍

I saw this template and thought it’d be fun to learn more about your MC / OC 🥰 (no pressure)

Okay, so I'm gonna do this as sort of an interview with both of them.

How long have you been together for?

Angel: Almost 3 and a half years! Ethan: (Proudly) 3 years, 4 months and 26 days. Angel: (Shellshocked)

How did you meet?

Angel and Ethan: (Together) In the Edenbrook waiting room.

Who made the first move?

Ethan: (Smiling) I did. Kissed her when we went to Miami to find a cure for Naveen's disease. Angel: Oh! And what about what you did after the kiss? Ethan: Rookie! We're engaged. We're getting married in two months! I apologized. Angel: Does not mean I'm gonna stop bringing up your stupidity.

What was your First date?

Ethan: Sorellina's Angel: Derry's Ethan:(Rolling his eyes)

What is a trip you took together?

Ethan: We went to Denver after she got her board results. She showed me all the places she grew up around. It was nice seeing everything and getting to know her better. Angel: I'd say the trip we took to Miami this past October where he proposed.

What is a show you watch together?

Ethan: Brooklyn 99. Even though she has watched it so many times! Angel: It's my comfort show! Also, Lucifer!

What is your favorite meal to eat together?

Angel: For me it's the Georgian chicken he makes. Ethan: I prefer the Ramen she makes.

What is your favorite ting about your partner?

Angel: His eyes! Ethan: Her smile.

[zealouscanonindeer]

Dangerous Games 4

Synopsis: If you win, good. If you don't, even better.

(It's all fun and games until things get real.)

Category: Fluff.

Previous chapter Next chapter Series masterlist

I groaned as I shifted my weight onto my left side, my sore body and aching muscles complying hesitantly. I squinted at the bedside clock, the fluroscent 5:40 hitting my eyes. I felt for my phone, switching off my alarm, which was gonna go off in another 10 mins.

Ethan was dead asleep next to me, his heavy breaths cutting through the silence of the bedroom. I curled further into the duvet, the Egyptian cotton soft against my naked body before forcing my body off the bed.

A little clumsily I made my way to the shower, my legs wobbly. After all, we had only gone to bed 3 hours prior. Ethan's reasonable words of needing rest echoed as I fought the creeping exhaustion. But wasn't it his fault that he was so hot that I could barely contain myself?

I dressed quickly, putting on a pair of scrubs, grabbing my things and an apple as I exited the apartment, lucky enough not to wake up Ethan or Jenner and made my way to the nearest subway station.

Work continued as usual with new patients at the clinic and a few new entries for the diagnostic teams which Baz and I dealt with pretty quickly. Lunch rolled around and I made my way into the resident lounge.

I stopped in my tracks as all my friends turned towards me, staring. Sienna looked a mixture of horrified and slightly amused. Jackie broke into a laugh, whistling.

"What? "

"Whare have you been all night, huh? Who was this new guy? "

"There's no... " I stopped, better her believe it was some one night stand than realizing I was sleeping with my much older boss. I reverted my answer.

"Just some rich philanthropist. " I said dismissively. They eyed me skeptically, Jackie opening her mouth to say something when Elijah stopped her. She nodded to him, steering the conversation away from the current topic.

After lunch, Sienna and I hung back. She still looked abashed, slightly flushed.

"Did you not drive them home yesterday? I left you the spare key. Did they suspect something?"

" Of course I did. Well..they didn't until this morning. "

"What happened this morning? "

"You walked in wearing Ramsey's scrub top. "

I looked down, my eyes widening in horror as the words Dr Ethan J Ramsey MD stared back at me, the white lettering against the blue fabric suddenly very prominent. The top suddenly felt oversized against my shoulders. It also smelled faintly of him.

"Fuck. Now? " I breathed out.

"Guess you should go talk to Dr Ramsey. " She replied, her sincere worry evident through her tone.

"He's gonna be real mad at me. "

"I doubt it. "

I rolled my eyes, opening up his chat and texting him whether he was in. On receiving his reply I scurried up the back stairs, his scrub top in my hand, having changed into a spare one I left in my locker in case of emergencies.

I knocked before entering, slowly peeking into his private office, finding him sitting on the desk, glasses reflecting the light of the computer screen in front of him, his hand running mindlessly over his beard.

"Hey."

"Penny, come in. What can I do for you?"

Stop using Penny and being professional in the same sentence.

"So.. This happened. " I held up his scrub top, waiting for him to figure it out.

"Rookie.. You did not! "

"It was really dark and I grabbed the first one I found." He ran his hand over his face, huffing in annoyance. A moment and he promptly slipped into damage control.

"Who all saw you? "

"I have been at the free clinic for 2 hours after which I met with Baz to discuss the new dignostic cases, although I don't think he realised, atleast he didn't let on that he did. Then I bumped into.. Oh god!.. the interns just before lunch where I met all my friends. " I rambled, embarrassed that the entire hospital probably knew by now.

I sat onto the couch, covering my face with my hands, I had made one big mess of everything.

"Penny, listen to me. " Ethan pulled my hands away, holding my chin in place to meet his gaze.

"It's not the worst thing to happen. In fact, I'm a little glad it did. "

"You are? "

"Yeah. Atleast no one will ask you out now, they know you are mine. Besides, June still hasn't found out, so we'll be fine."

"Are you making a joke right now? "

" I was trying to. " He chuckled fondly, tender eyes meeting mine with a lopsided grin

I laughed, pecking his lips as I relaxed onto the couch, teary that Ethan was so committed to us that he really didn't seem to care.

"I'm gonna head to the cafeteria to get lunch. I'll see you later. " I nodded as he reached for the door.

"Ethan? "

"Hmm.?"

"Your place, same time as usual? "

"Do you even need to ask? I believe I need to teach you a lesson..about mindfulness"

***********

I'm debating whether to continue the series further. Would you like to read a part 5 where Ethan teaches Aspen a thing or two about mindfulness?

************

@liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @jerzwriter @cariantha @peonierose @kyra75 @rookiemartin @queencarb @tessa-liam @genevievemd @coffeeheartaddict2 @tveitertotwrites @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[alj4890]

Hi, I have a request. Take as long as you need, or just delete if you don't find it appealing, but...

I'd love a fic in the early days of Tobias & Chris's relationship. They're public now and very much in love, but he witnesses a tender moment between her and Ethan... how does he react?

🤣 I was actually working through a fic along these lines for one of my kiss prompts. Your request came at the best time to help me finish this 😊 Hope you like it 😘

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: a passionate kiss ending in ripped clothing.

@jerzwriter @hopelessromantic1352 @trappedinfanfiction @twinkleallnight @tessa-liam @kyra75

Masterlist

Visceral Reaction

At a coffee shop not too far from Edenbrook...

"Hello, Doctor." Chris tapped Ethan on his shoulder.

He turned around with a start then slowly smirked at her. "What are you doing here?"

"I need coffee." She replied.

"So you decided to come all the way down here on your day off." He rolled his eyes. "Surely you've got a coffee maker at home."

Chris nudged him forward when the line moved. "Yes, I have a coffee maker at home, but this place makes the best pumpkin spice lattes."

Ethan winced.

"What?" Chris demanded.

"I can't believe you're going to ruin coffee with a fad." He grumbled.

"A fad? Pumpkin spice is not a fad!"

"Yes, it is." He argued.

"You are such a coffee snob!" She exclaimed. "I can't believe that the man who introduced me to the espresso romano is going to stand here and deride my love for pumpkin flavors in coffee."

"Lemon is a natural additive that is used to diffuse the bitterness of the espresso." He reminded her. "It does nothing but make the coffee refreshing."

He placed his order along with her typical pumpkin spice latte. While still arguing with her, he paid for both their drinks and guided her towards an empty table.

Chris sat down caddy cornered from him so she could watch the door for Tobias. Her gray eyes narrowed playfully on Ethan's blue.

"Are you actually going to sit there and say that the spices used to make pumpkin spice are unnatural? Because I would like to point out that cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves can be found in many people's gardens."

Ethan leaned forward, eyes locked onto hers. His smile grew over how passionate she could get when defending her arguments for something completely ridiculous.

"No. I am going to sit here and say that your addiction to those particular spices is unnatural." He gestured towards her cup. "No one should ingest as much of those as you do."

She burst into laughter while playfully shoving his shoulder for bringing up her need for all things pumpkin spice.

"You know," her eyes sparkled with her humor, "researchers at John Hopkins did a study not too long ago on why people like me love pumpkin spice desserts and drinks."

"Really?" Ethan relaxed back in his chair. "I'll bite. Why do people like you fall so hard each year for a scam of charging an extra dollar or two for some spices you could add at home yourself?"

She snorted, propping her head on her hand while looking up at him. "As you well know, Dr. Ramsey; smell particles are able to travel to the back of our nasal passages and activate our smell receptors when eating."

Ethan merely lifted an eyebrow in response.

Chris grinned at him. "And the parts of the brain that process odor are very close to the parts of the brain that process memory information."

"So this is all about triggering happy memories?" He concluded. "That's why you drink this poor excuse for coffee by the gallon?"

"I work with you, Ethan." She teased. "Pumpkin spice is the only thing saving you daily from my temper."

She winked at him. "If I were you, I'd get down on my knees tonight to thank God for giving you this spice for protection."

Ethan snorted, fighting back a smile. He hadn't realized he needed something like her humor to help diffuse the tension he was currently under.

"How's work going?" She asked, sipping her coffee.

"Well, for the most part." He replied.

Chris noticed the dark look that passed over his face. There was only one thing that she knew of that could cause that particular expression.

"Have you talked to your father recently?"

Ethan averted his eyes from hers.

"Yes. He keeps calling."

"About your mother?" She carefully prodded.

He nodded, eyes narrowing upon his coffee without really seeing it. His mind was a jumble of memories and lingering bitterness. It was both distracting and disconcerting that his parent whom he hadn't seen in over twenty years was trying to get back into his life. If she was causing these types of problems now, how much more trouble would she be if he allowed her into his life again?

His eyes shot down to the sight of his hand being held by Chris. Her thumb brushed over his knuckles as she squeezed it in silent understanding.

Ethan swallowed before looking up at her. There was no pity that he could detect in her facial expression, only a sense of friendly concern. Without words, she was letting him know that she was fully on his side and would support him no matter what he decided to do about his mother.

He gripped her hand in gratitude.

****************

Tobias could only stare at the sight of his girlfriend at first laughing, talking, and playfully touching a man she not only worked closely with but also had quite the romantic history.

For some reason, their conversation took a dramatic shift from humor to being serious. Now, the two were holding hands while gazing at one another in silence.

Chris shared recently that she thought she and Ethan had found a new way forward in friendship. Tobias was happy that they had, especially since they worked together. He couldn't begin to imagine how awkward it must have been for the two of them. It was one of the many reasons why he never dated anyone that worked at Mass Kenmore. He needed work to be as stress-free as possible.

I had no idea that their friendship was THIS close.

He prided himself on never being jealous. At least he hadn't been before in previous relationships, or whatever his brief flings could be considered as. But, something about seeing Chris be herself, her fun sweet self, with someone like Ethan made his heart nearly stop.

Tobias knew Chris was his as well as her love and affection belonging to him.

If she still wanted Ethan, she'd never have agreed to go out with me.

He reminded himself that fact a few more times as he made his way over to their table.

Still though, why is she here with Ethan?

After all, she'd been the one to insist they meet here before going to see a matinee.

Was it so she could see Ethan or to get that coffee she talks about all the time, he wondered.

Chris noticed Tobias first. Her smile turned more tender just at the sight of him while she let go of Ethan's hand.

"Hey." Tobias greeted them both with a forced smile.

It took a lot of focus to keep it firmly in place.

Chris reached over and took his hand, tugging him down to greet him with her usual kiss.

That action went a long way to reassure him that all was still well between them.

Though he did still wonder at the closeness between her and Ethan.

He couldn't help but be worried. He trusted Chris and knew she would never cheat on him with another man. But...this was Ethan. He'd been the one man she'd waited over a year on in the hopes to be able to be with him.

"What are you two up to?" Tobias attempted to sound casual as he sat down next to her.

"Nothing much." Chris kept her hand in his. "Ethan and I were having our usual debate over coffee."

"Oh?" Tobias looked curiously back and forth between them.

The subject of coffee doesn't require all the little touches, smiles, or absolute attention, does it? Nor does it turn heartfelt later on.

"You need to tell him the truth." Ethan rolled his eyes at Tobias. "What we were really discussing--"

Here we go. Tobias braced himself.

"Is Chris's addiction."

Tobias sat there an extra second to absorb that statement.

"You mean her pumpkin spice addiction?" He asked.

"You told Ethan about your theory, didn't you?" Chris wagged a finger in warning at Tobias. "I knew you two would give me trouble one day."

Ethan chuckled. He was grateful that Chris was keeping the last of their conversation between the two of them. Though he was on his way to being close friends with Tobias again, he wasn't quite ready to share what was going on with his mother with anyone else at the moment.

He noticed the time and got to his feet. "I've got some lab results that should be finished by now. I'll see you in a couple of days."

Chris waved goodbye then focused on her date.

Tobias summoned his typical smirk for her before she could ask if something was wrong.

"What time does the movie start?" She asked.

"In about an hour."

Her smile turned flirty. "An hour, hmm? I think between the two of us, we can find a way to pass the time."

That wasn't a bad idea. He actually needed a little more proof that everything was still the same between them. What better way to do so than taking Chris somewhere more private?

"Come on." He laced his fingers with hers as he got to his feet. "Let's find a place without people."

Chris nearly tripped in her haste to follow him outside.

The sun was shining a little too brightly for what he had in mind. Tobias looked about the busy street, seeing nothing conducive to finding a spot where they could be alone.

He glanced down at her bemused face then led her towards where he'd parked. He opened the passenger door and instead of letting Chris get in, he sat down and moved the seat as far back as it could go.

His lips curved when he looked up at her.

"Care to join me?" He asked, reclining the seat the rest of the way down.

Chris laughed at his not so veiled hint of how they should spend their free time. Without a second thought, she settled on top of him.

Once the door was shut, the two attempted to get a little more comfortable.

"This is nice." She murmured, placing kisses along his stubbled jawline.

"Yes, it is." His hands moved along her back.

He needed more of her. His lips found hers in a heated kiss. His tongue slipped through her parted lips to seek her own. Her moans filled the air as she restlessly moved against him, needing more of his touch.

Tobias was determined to drive her crazy. He wasn't certain where this desperate need to do so came from. All he knew was he felt it the moment he stepped into that coffee shop and saw her with Ethan.

When I saw them holding hands...

His hands slid under her sweater to seek out all the spots that made her go wild. Chris broke away from his kiss. Her breaths hitched with every touch he lavished upon her mixed with how he kissed her neck.

The cramped space made every motion turn into an almost teasing sensation. It gave just enough friction to work them up but not enough to satisfy. The dark tinted windows fogged up, giving them all the privacy they needed to take things further.

Tobias became almost frantic to begin getting Chris out of her clothes. He gripped the bottom of her sweater and jerked it up. In his haste, he didn't realize that it had gotten snagged on the door handle.

A ripping sound rent the air making the two pause.

"How bad is it?" Chris asked, twisting around to see the damage.

"Bad." He muttered.

He could tell that the tear in her sweater went halfway up her back. Tobias was in utter disbelief that he'd allowed his jealousy to get to the point where he was actually ripping her clothes off just to prove that all was right between them.

Chris turned back towards him, mouth crashing against his for a long, deep kiss. Something about having him that eager to be with her made her desire for him quadruple.

Tobias moaned her name when she broke away to slowly begin unbuttoning his shirt.

Her gray eyes, stormy with desire, caught his attention.

"Since I can't go to the movies now," she teased, sliding her body against his in a sensual rhythm, "you'll have to keep me entertained for the next few hours."

His smirk flashed as he tried to catch his breath. Seeing her flushed from their kisses went a long way in giving him back his confidence.

"Just the next few hours?" His hands began their delicious torment to her sensitive skin once more. "That's all you need?"

Chris arched into his touch. Her lips curved as she gazed down at him.

"Not even close." She replied. "But it'll be a good start."

[openheartfanfics]

Ethan x F!MC: Pure Fluff

One Shots A - 1

A Birthday To Remember - @choicesfanaf   Ethan attends Arundhati's birthday party.

A Cheesy Halloween Story - @jerzwriter 👻 Ethan refuses to be Mickey to Casey’s Minnie. But when it’s Bryce to the rescue, he’s none too pleased. Feat. Sienna and Bryce

A Christmas Elf - @genevievemd 🎄 Gen surprises Ethan at the hospital with lunch... and their 4 month old daughter dressed as an elf!

A Christmas Meeting - @trappedinfanfiction  🎄 It's finally time for Ethan and Celia to celebrate their first Christmas together. It'll also be the chance they need for Ethan to finally meet her family

A Christmas Miracle - @drethanramslay 🎄 Leah has a very important gift for Ethan this year.

A Conversation With His Father - @genevievemd  While visiting his father, Ethan comes to a realization. Feat. Alan Ramsey

A Crash With Fate - @trappedinfanfiction Ethan has a bad day, a surprise encounter might turn it into a better one.

A Cure for Homesickness - @choicesfanaf   Ethan makes a delicious meal for Arundhati.

A Day at Home - @potionsprefect  Ethan spends a day with his kids whilst Victoria works.

A Day in the Life - @blazerina

A Day Off - @lucy-268  The competition for best intern and the spot on the diagnostics team is underway.

A Day to Ourselves - @mrsbhandari They have a picnic date.

A Day to Remember - @trappedinfanfiction   It’s their big day, and with that comes nerves.

A Dance In The Moonlight - @bex-la-get Natalie and Ethan share a moonlit dance.

A (Finally) Quiet Night At Home? - @lucy-268   MC curses in front of their children and hopes Ethan steps on a lego.

A Family Day - @jerzwriter Kaycee and Ethan introduce baby Emma to some of her mother's favorite things.

A Happy New Year - @takeharryandgo  🌟 New Years at Donahue’s in Book 1 and pre Miami. Feat. Harper

A Hawaiian Prank - @potionsprefect He thought it was going to be a relaxing break.

A Home With Love - @potionsprefect After a bad day at work, Ethan cannot wait to get home.

A Letter to My Love - @potionsprefect The night before their wedding, Ethan and Victoria pen a letter to each other.

A Little Delay - @jerzwriter  It's a lazy Saturday afternoon, and Ethan is marveling at how much his life has changed... and how much he wants to do with Celia... but then, things take a not-so-sweet turn.

A Little Holiday Cheer - @jerzwriter 🎄 It all started at Ethan & Merida's place, so it's only fitting that we go back there again! Feat. Bryce x F!OC, Ethan x F!MC, Tobias x F!MC

A Love Like This - @genevievemd  (2.17) MC questions whether or not she made the right decision with Esme and Ethan is there to offer advice.

A Lunch Break Observation - @ambraambrose   Ethan observes the new cohort of interns and forms his opinions. Set in book 1.

A Merry Christmas - @takeharryandgo  🎄 A fluffy little Christmas fic featuring our favorite doctor and intern.

A Moment for Cuddles - @ethanramseysrookiexox  🎄 After Christmas dinner, Ethan and Charity enjoy a cuddle

A Moment of Peace - @genevievemd  In which Ethan comforts Gen.

A Moulin Rouge Birthday - @tveitertotwrites   It's Claire's 30th birthday and the gang has a Moulin Rouge Broadway themed party.

A New Era - @genevievemd  Gen and Natalie head to the ERA's tour, then make a startling discovery. Feat. Bryce Lahela x F!OC

A New Life - @potionsprefect  Luke and Lily are welcomed into the world.

A New Team Member - @storyofmychoices   Ellie tries to hire a new team member for the diagnostics department.

A Night At The Movies - @takeharryandgo  Ethan runs into Meredith at the Classics on the Common movie night. Set in book 1, Ch 8

A Night at the Opera House - @lucy-268  Ethan wants to stay home, but Charley wants to go to a charity gala. They are going, obviously.

A Novel Concept - @jerzwriter  Ethan Ramsey is in the dog house. It's apparently clear, and his buddy, Tobias, comes in with an assist. Feat. Tobias Carrick

A Perfect Christmas - @lem-20  🎄 Casey asks Ethan to spend Christmas day with her

A Place to Call Home - @coffeeheartaddict2   Ethan and a pregnant Casey move into their new apartment in the seaport district.

A Place To Call Home - @potionsprefect  Victoria and Ethan make a house a home.

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Birthday Wishes

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC Category: Text Fic Author: @jamespotterthefirst