Prologue

It was goddamn cold. Not commonly-autumn cold but freezing cold. Temperature dropped far below average this November; last weekend it was snowing for the first time this upcoming winter. The thin layer of snow melted during the following day and since then, it was raining. This day was not an exception, though the heavy skies seemed to be somehow tired, blessing the city with occasional showers. Nevertheless, a cold wind started to blow, casting out the last remnants of warmth from anyone who was foolish enough to go out, including you.

You cursed under your breath when the strong wind revealed your coat open. Wrapping it tightly around you, you hung your head low and like this you were fighting your way through almost empty streets towards the metro station. You cursed under your breath when the wind raised some rain-forgotten dust and blew it into your eyes. It stung and you were unable to clean your vision in this nasty weather, no matter how hard you tried. To make this day even better, you stumbled into the first person you met outside since you left your work more than ten minutes ago. You muttered your apologies and rushed forward, but that person, quite tall in your blurred vision, stopped you by taking your upper arm.

“Miss [Surname]?” His deep voice was somehow familiar.

You turned to him and tried to focus your still stinging and now teary eyes. “Yes?” It was definitely a very tall man. He was wrapped in his coat too and his scarf flew wildly in that insane wind, but you recognised his features anyway. “Oh, doctor Pace!”

He smiled down at you. “Yes, it is me. You seem to be rushing somewhere.”

“Except away from this nasty weather? Just home.” You replied, trying to comb your hair. Unsuccessfully, of course. “It was a long day.”

“Come, I can give you a ride.” He offered, still smiling down at you. “We can stop somewhere to warm ourselves with coffee or tea if you have time.”

That was not a bad idea and… this man saved your life four years ago after all. You had no chance to thank him and this seemed to be a good opportunity to do so.

“Sure, doctor. It will be my pleasure.”

“No, it will be mine.” He moved his hand towards cars parking on the side of the road. “My car is there. Come.”

~ flashback ~

It had been a common appendectomy. Or at least it had been supposed to be. Your surgeon had seen a mass growing on your right ovary and told you about it immediately after you had been woken up. Following blood tests, scans and biopsy had showed it was a tumour. Another surgery had followed when it was removed successfully though it had left a metastasis. Nesting near to your spine and growing, it had created too much pressure so you had been in constant pain until it was removed. Luckily enough, that had been the last one tumour you had to have removed from your body. A chemotherapy that had followed immediately after had left you weak and nauseous, though your will was stronger than ever. It was a dreadful year behind you, but you were prepared to fight for your life. Two years ago, after some scheduled test, you were assured that there was no sign of cancer left in your body. You were officially cured. For now.

~ end of flashback ~

The small cafeteria near your home was warm and cosy. You used to spend a lot of time there, meeting with your friends or reading a book all alone; no one had ever chased you away because you were sitting there for too long or drank too little. You knew the owner well, though you were never the best friends. Arriving there just before 6 pm, the place was rather full, yet ‘your armchair’ booth was free.

Doctor Pace was a proper gentleman, helping you to undress your warm coat and hanging it together with his on a nearby hook. Waiting for you to sit first, he sat on the chair opposite you, smiling at you warmly.

“I have never been here though I have heard a lot about this place from my patients.”

You chuckled. “Your patients have to be my friends then. Though I am glad that place is not that popular as some other places in the downtown.”

Doctor nodded and took the menu. “So what do you recommend to me?”

“It depends.” You smiled warmly.

“On what?”

“If you like tea or coffee more.”

“Coffee for me.” He replied after a short pause. “Though I leave it to your choice.”

You beamed at him and waved for a waiter to come. “Two café latte with a picture, please.”

The waiter smiled his perfect smile. “As always.” He said with noticeable British accent and left.

Your gaze followed him for a certain while, admiring his booty in those brown trousers with suspenders. It was part of a dress code of the employees there, as you have noticed long time ago. You returned your gaze to another handsome man. “Do you agree with my choice?”

“Sure.” He chuckled. “But with a picture?”

You nodded proudly. “A picture on the foam. That waiter is really skilled in this art. Once he created a dragon for me.” Recalling the picture you missed a spark in doctor’s eyes. You averted your gaze, looking at the bar where your latte was already being prepared. “Half of the girls in here are smitten with him. I am sort of too, but in a good way.” You chuckled again. “I admire his skills.”

“Only his skills?” Doctor Pace teased you.

You blushed and returned your gaze to him once again. “Yes, only his skills.” You replied, not letting him to get under your skin. Metaphorically, as literally he was there already. “So, doctor… It seems you are doing well.”

“Yes.” He inclined his head as if bashful. “I am not working for the General anymore.”

“So you are on your own?”

He nodded but not replied verbally as the waiter brought your lattes. You thanked him with a smile and looked down on the cup. “Look, a swan!” You laughed. “What do you have?” You leaned forward to look at the picture.

He crooked his eyebrows. “A bear, I think.”

“He is lazy today.” You stated. “Usually he plays more with it.”

“Perhaps he is just busy.”

You looked up at him and noticed his eyes are pinned to your cleavage. You leaned back but you took heed to make it look natural. “So you are on your own. But you are a surgeon. How do you manage to earn money like that? Because as far as I know, you are not doing plastic surgeries.”

“No, I am not a plastic surgeon. I was worried about exactly what you have said, that I would have no clients, but somehow it works. Not being in General, I am not bound by their schedules so I can do more urgent patients when needed. My former colleagues send to me these patients frequently.”

“So you are really doing great. Your car was a hint, by the way.” You chuckled.

He laughed on your remark. “Yes, that car might be a hint. The private clinic allows me to spend my time more comfortably and the pay is good. Not that good as I was thinking but it is enough for me to survive somehow and to feed that car.”

You chuckled, comforted by his sense of humour. You liked his nature too, he was kind and gentle. You remembered him joking before your surgery to calm your nerves. He was a sweetheart of a doctor, you could say.

“So what are you doing, miss [surname]? And working is not an answer.” He took a sip of his latte and looked up at you.

“[Name], please.” You offered to him. “We do not need to hold some decorum here.”

“[Name].” You name rolled off his tongue as a sweet honey. Your spine shivered at his tone and you lowered your eyes, bashfully blushing. “Then you have to call me Lee.” He offered to you as compensation and smiled at you.

“Sure, doctor Lee.” You teased him a little and took a sip of your own latte to hide your growing blush. A warm coffee would explain it, you thought to yourself. “Indeed, I am working. It is a boring office work but I cannot complain. It was pretty hard to find an employer that would tolerate my too-often absences.”

“Are you still struggling with your disease?”

“Thankfully not. I was proclaimed healthy not that long time ago but I am still monitored if there are no other tumours growing.” Your eyes dropped to your cup and distorted image of the foamy swan. “One can never be sure that cancer is gone for good.”

Doctor Pace nodded at your statement. “Though, you are quite a fighter. I kept an eye on your case just to be sure you are doing well, and you indeed did. I mean, you had not given up even when it seemed you will not last longer than a couple of days.”

“I had no other choice.” You admitted bitterly. “I was too young to die even by my own standards. And you helped to save my life too. I can never express how thankful I am for your sharp eye, doctor.”

“Lee, please. I am not in my clinic.” He chuckled. “And you are not my patient anymore. Though, I would not mind to have my hands within you again.” He teased you.

You blushed violently. “Doctor Pace, why would you say such thing?”

He shrugged. “You have one of the most beautiful uteruses I have ever seen during my career.”

You blushed again. “Doctor…”

He laughed. “I am so sorry, [name]. You are not used to our humour. Though, you seem to rather enjoy it.”

You chuckled. “I do enjoy your company, doctor. This day seemed to be a disaster from its beginning but now I cannot complain.”

“You are spoiling me.” He disarmed you with another of his sweet smiles. “I am not sure I deserve that much praise.”

“I will blush…” You lowered your gaze bashfully.

“You are blushing already, miss [surname].” He teased.

“Should I be embarrassed?” You asked him, supressing a laugh.

“Certainly not.” He assured you and took a sip from his coffee. “And this bear-latte is delicious. I am surprised I have not heard about this place before from either my patients or friends.”

“They do not know what is good.” You teased again. “Before my… struggles, I used to be here every day but then the complications came…” You did not have to say any more, doctor Pace understood that rather well. You sighed heavily and returned your focus to your coffee.

“Hey…” Doctor Pace reached for your hand and stroked it gently. “The past is past. But tomorrow is tomorrow.” He smiled at you warmly. “Think about it.”

You chuckled. “Right. I have to be more optimistic.” You looked up at him. “But what if I do not want to think about tomorrow? What if I simply want to enjoy the present?”

“And do you?” He teased you.

“Oh gosh yes.” You admitted, finishing off your coffee.

Doctor Pace laughed and finished his coffee too. “So, do you wish me to ride you home?” He smiled at you.

“You are a real gentleman, doctor.” You said, blushing again. “I am not used to men acting that nicely around me.”

“They are no men then.” He looked at you seriously. “It is this age, when young males are rude and offensive towards females. I do not understand it and I do not understand even more that the girls are letting them. I mean, do not have they at least some self-respect? Where is the romance in calling a girlfriend whore or slut? Why is the biggest quality of a woman to be able to orally satisfy her partner? Where is the place for wisdom, intelligence or inner beauty?” He shook his head.

“You are old-schooled.” You remarked.

“Perhaps I am, but I do not see that as a fault of a character.”

You leaned back in your armchair. “Tell me about the inner beauty.”

He looked up at you. “Because I am a surgeon?” He teased you to ease the mood a little. You had to chuckle. “As a doctor, I meet many people. It is not unusual to deal with the families of my patients and I am quite observant; or at least many say I am. I can tell if someone´s character is a dull one or if one has their wits. Man does not have to be a sex-symbol to be gentle and caring. Look at me! I am a giant!” He laughed. “When I was a child, many told me that I shall be a basketball player or a miner; because of my physique. And where am I now?”

“Why did you choose to be a doctor?” You were curious.

He shrugged. “I wished to help people. It might sound like a cliché but seeing my patients recovered brings me a real joy. Just look at yourself, [name]. Your prognoses were grim, so to speak. They gave you months to live. And look where you are now. A young successful woman, living her life on her terms, not on the terms of the illness and medicine.”

You averted your gaze. “I am not that successful.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Why do you think so? You have a job, your own apartment… You do not need to own a yacht to be proclaimed successful. What is inside, counts. Not the property.”

“Do you own a yacht?” You teased him.

“No. But I have a farm.”

“Oh? Do you?” Him, having a farm? That would be the last thing you could think of.

He nodded. “Though, I do not have much time to spend there. My family takes care of it instead of me.”

“You family?” You dropped your eyes. “Are you married?”

“Is that a hint of sadness in your tone?” He teased you. “No, I am not married. My sister and her family lives there. And I do not have a girlfriend either so you do not have to worry. The only chicks I have are one feet tall and feathered. I am free to take.”

You blushed violently this time. “I would never consider it, doctor.” You defended yourself, though it was not the entire truth. Would you not be his former patient, you would consider it.

“Let us have dinner together.” He proposed. “I pay.”

You shook your head. “I am sorry to decline that offer, but I have to. Even when I am officially healthy now, I am still on a strict diet. Macrobiotic, to be specific.”

“I know what that means.” He smiled. “So, when you cannot go to a restaurant with me… we shall cook something together. Your place or mine, it is your choice.”

You knew you would regret this… but you agreed.