Mia

They're dating.

They're fucking dating.

Of course my dad would go for my therapist. As I walked away from Dr. Lovato's office I wanted nothing more than to hit something, or to get away from this stupid treatment center. I didn't go to lunch, but eventually two nurses came in to get me. They didn't miss anything here, and it pissed me off more than it should have. I forced down some food, then was free to walk the grounds. As soon as I got onto the lawn Jessica was at my side.

"Something's wrong." She decided, after studying my face for a moment. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm not really allowed to... At least I don't think I am."

Jessica just shrugged. "I know a lot of things I'm not supposed to know. You can trust me."

I took a deep breath in, then spilled out the words in one rush of air. "I think Dr. Lovato is dating my dad."

"Not possible." Jessica snorted and shook her head. "No way. Dr. Lovato doesn't date."

I lifted one eyebrow and looked at her. "Then how come I just heard them kissing in her office and telling each that they want a future together?"

Her eyes widened. "Holy shit, are you sure?"

"Yeah... I don't know what to do. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I mean... I want my dad to be happy, but I don't want him to stop loving my mom."

"I've had a lot of experience with dealing with death and watch people fall in love again." Jessica tilted her head. "My mom died too, and I watched my dad remarry. At first I was pissed... for a long time actually... Then I kind of had a reality check. It's not that people forget the person who is now gone... but it's like a new piece of your heart opens up or unlocks. You don't kick someone out of your heart, you make room. That's what happened with your dad... He made room for someone new. And Dr. Lovato is great. She's an amazing person, Mia, if she says she wants a future with your dad, then she does. People like her don't say things and not mean them."

~*~

Demi

"I don't think this is the way to Connors' old office." I said, following Neil Walker through various hallways.

"You are correct. Connors' office isn't suitable for a chief anymore. You see, Dr. Lvoato, I've followed your work for a very long time. You look out for your patients, and you're not self-interested. You've overcome a lot, and I think you will make an excellent chief. You had top grades at med school and when I called for reference, your professors told me you are one of the finest psychiatrists they've ever seen, and I agree with them. You have what it takes, Connors didn't."

"Thank you so much Mr. Walker."

He smiled warmly. "Call me Neil. You're on the board now, and you can consider me a friend."

I took a slow deep breath. "Mr. Walker... There's something you need to know before I take this job." I said firmly, my heart pounding at what I was about to do.

"And what's that?" He stopped outside a door to look at me.

"I'm romantically involved with a patient's father."

His eyes bulged in a way that would've been comical in other circumstances. "Are you out of your mind?!"

"I checked, and it's not unethical if it does not impact the patient's recovery. His daughter knows about us, and we've spoken about it. However, I can't take this job without you being aware of that."

Neil's shoulders relaxed microscopically. "You're sure it's unethical."

"Yes." I had scoured the internet for a ruling on this, and finally found one in my favor.

"As long as it's not a legal issue, and it doesn't hinder her recovery, I'm okay with it." He paused and raised his eyebrow. "Just don't go shouting it from the rooftops. The others on the board as well as some doctors won't like it. They won't be able to do anything, but that doesn't mean you won't face criticism."

I smiled and shook my head. "I wasn't planning on telling anyone else."

"Good..." He put his hand on the doorknob. "Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I shook my head. "Then welcome to your new office."

He pushed open the door and I gasped as I walked inside. The office was huge, with floor to ceiling windows that showed the beautiful grounds of the facility. A huge desk stood with a high-backed chair, an Apple desktop computer, laptop, and iPad sitting with the treatment center logo portrayed on each screen. Across the room were two armchairs and a couch.

"This is beautiful." I whispered, running my fingertips along the dark wood desk. Then I turned to look at him. "You've been planning this?"

"You don't miss much, do you?" He smiled and shrugged. "We knew the facility needed a change and you were the clearly qualified candidate."

I smiled and looked around the room again. "Thank you, Neil."

"It's my pleasure."

~*~

When I got to Wilmer's house, I got out of the car and practically ran inside.

"Will?" I called out into the dark house. "Wilmer?"

I put my stuff down and walked upstairs to his bedroom. He was laying on his back on the bed, sleeping in just a pair of sweatpants. I smiled and changed silently into his t-shirt that hung off of one of the bedposts, then climbed onto the bed, snuggling into his side.

"Mmm." Wilmer grunted and rolled onto his stomach, one arm slinging around my waist to pull me close to him. I smiled and kissed his jawline before laying my head down and shutting my eyes. Just before I was able to doze off though, I felt him jolt awake, breathing hard.

"Are you okay?" I said, putting my hand on his back as he sat up straight.

"I'm fine." He rubbed his face with his hands and sighed. "Just another fucking dream."

I hesitated at his obvious agitation, not sure if he wanted to elaborate. I slid my hands up his back to his shoulders, resting my chin on it. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He closed his eyes for a minute and when he opened them again they were watery. "Mia was handing there..." A small sob escaped his lips and I leaned my forehead against his temple. "In that fucking room... just hanging there from that fan." His breathing started coming in gasps.

"Wilmer?" I asked, worry seeping into my voice. "Wilmer look at me." Still he didn't move; keeping his eyes squeezed shut as his chest began to heave. I slid one leg over his lap and moved so I straddling his hips, then pulled his face out of his hands. He opened his eyes and I smoothed his hair back from his forehead. "I want you to breathe, okay?" I've said the same thing to dozens of patients having an anxiety attack. "Wilmer followed my breathing and focus on my voice, okay?" I wrapped my arms around him and his head fell into the crook of my neck.

"Hold onto me." He whispered, and I hooked my legs around his waist. After a moment his arms locked around me to.

"I've got you." I whispered. "Baby I've got you. You're okay, and so is Mia. I would be getting a call right now if she wasn't."

"I can't lose her Demi." Wilmer practically choked out. "She's all I have left."

"You're not gonna lose her. She's going to be fine, and I'm gonna make sure of it."

"I can't lose you either." He mumbled and I pulled away a bit so I could look him in the eyes.

"That's just silly, you know I'm not going anywhere."

Wilmer's eyebrows pulled together and his eyes stared into mine. "Promise?"

"I promise." I murmured, tracing down his jawline with my fingertip. "I love you too much."

His head dropped forward against my neck. "I love you too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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-Rachel