Dr. Mors was overly impressed by Liberty's ways of making the patients feel at ease. One of the reasons she took her under her wing was her perceptiveness and her ability to walk in the shoes of her patients just like she was doing at the moment. She wanted to personally train her and mould her to one of the best - something was captivating about her when she was in her elements, she could understand why Jason was smitten with her. Although the subject of the affection was blind, Dr. Mors could see in his eyes and his action, his longing and the growing fondness for her. Pity her best student was not experienced in this aspect of life, an innocent, hopeless soul who couldn't differentiate between a joke and a confession. She could cut the story short and tell her pupil herself, however, her curious mind couldn't let her, a story that was being written right before her eyes, right in that hospital room. She has a front seat to all of it - all that she was missing were popcorns.
Her eyes twinkled with amusement, "You two are cute and quite entertaining but I have to go and she's right Jason... You will be fine.", she chimed in before looking at her time, "it's almost your lunch break....I think after Jason you can go-".
Jason caught on to the ideas running through Dr. Mors's head, he could see in her eyes that she knew the secret hidden in his heart, a secret that was revealed with pure intentions but turned to a joke out of a bruised ego. He could still feel a tingle of embarrassment every time he recalls his immature confession - the shame of it all.
Dr Mors looked at him with a distinct mischievous but cheering gaze, "See you tomorrow Jason...", she winked then disappeared to the corridors. At that moment, all his suspicions were confirmed, that gaze told him all he needed to know. She knew and was rooting for him - if only his life weren't so complicated. Unbeknownst to Dr. Mors, his affection will not yield any fruits and because of this, he could only wish to keep her by his side, and love her from afar. He was glad she hadn't noticed him as a man, because that would only make it harder for him to resist the urge to make her his. For now, he's happy being Coco and Milo's nephew.
'Easier said than done', he thought as his heart beamed joyously when she turned and smiled at him. His yearning deepened, and was hit with sudden sadness, "This is going to be a long life...", he sadly blurted out
"Don't worry, Dr. Mors will get you back on your feet in no time. I have seen her do it-", she said pitifully. She was blind to the real root of the sudden looming dark cloud on Jason's head and the thoughts running through his mind, she could only conclude that he was depressed about his job. She felt helplessly sorry for him, and she's seen this look before, from many patients, but could only imagine what they were going through.
She couldn't leave him alone, not when he was unaccompanied, her loyalty and gratitude towards Milo made her pull a chair next to his bed, "Okay, you know what - I will have my lunch here. Let me ask my friend to bring my lunchbox and let me order something for you. I can't eat alone. So, what are you-"
She was cut short by a nurse who waltz through the door covered with a smile directed to her before turning to Jason," Mr Parker, while you were unconscious, we called your fiancé and your uncle as they were listed as your emergency contacts - we managed to get your uncle and he confirmed his arrival tomorrow. However, we haven't heard anything from your fiancé. It is hospital protocol that we look after you until your kin has arrived, so if there is anything you would like us to get you, or help you with, don't hesitate to press the button next to you..."
He was not surprised, this was not the first time his fiance was unreachable when he needed her, but that didn't mean it made it less disappointing, with a faint smile, " it's okay... you have done a lot already. I think I can survive until my uncle arrives...", the nurse nodded with a smile and then left the room.
He turned his face to meet Liberty's grin, "Oh wow! You're engaged! Congratulations on your engagement....you must be a happy man. You are the second person from our town I know who's getting married.". Her genuine happy reaction only burdened his heavy heart.
"Please order me a chicken salad and an apple juice..."
"Oh yeah! The lunch!", She took out her phone and began typing, "...but Jason, why does it sound like you are not happy with the engagement-"
He chuckled nervously, "Well...my engagement...I don't know how to feel about it. The best way to describe it is I am neither sad nor happy. I am just floating.". He believed proposing to her would somehow make him feel closer to her - it's been a year since the event that changed both their lives. Marrying is the least he could do for her. "Oh yeah, who is the other person you know also getting married?", he asked curiously
"My sister-", she said without hesitating
"Oh wow! congratulations to her! I bet she's happier than I am!"
"I wouldn't know. I'm yet to see her and I haven't even met the fiancé", she said with a hint of annoyance,
He grinned nervously, "Well...funny story, I am yet to meet my in-laws either.", Liberty glared at him, displeased with his actions.
"Don't give that look... it's not on purpose--", the smile on his face completely faded, "Well...to be honest with you, it feels like we've become even more strangers ever since we got engaged. We're yet to meet each other's families. Even funnier, we haven't even spent at least two whole months in the same space this past year..we are both always on the move...".
Her heart broke for them, and with a smile, she assured him, "Well...perhaps the injury will be a way for you to spend time with her..."
Without hesitation, he said, "I doubt that, you heard the nurse. Besides, it is an important year for Stella, between preparing for the bar and trying to graduate, I truly understand-"
Liberty's brain glitched upon hearing Stella's name, "Did you just say Stella and bar exam?!" She sprang from her chair in shock, "Stella?!...My Stella??"