Work Text:
Frank was never one to get to work early. He clocked in when he had to and clocked out —mostly— once the shift was over.
This time, though, he walked quickly inside the hospital, glancing at his clock marking it was 6.46. He flew by the lockers, leaving his stuff quickly, before going to the nurses station. Where Dana was already switching with the night shift nurse.
"Oh, hey, hon", Dana said looking up.
"Hey, where's Mely?" he asked without missing a beat. Dana huffed and rolled her eyes.
"I think she's finishing up with patience on north 13" she replied.
Frank thanked her and quickly moved to said section of the ER. He smiled and just stood by the door as he listened to her explain to a patient when to come back to get some stitches removed, her voice deep, soft and gentle. She glanced up at him and smiled shortly when she noticed him. She quickly finished her explanation and slid out the room.
"Morning, sunshine" he chimed when she was close enough. "How was your shift?".
"Long" she mumbled walking to the nurse station. Frank walked closely behind her. "How was your night?".
"Boring without you" he replied with a smirk and Mel chuckled as she sat down to finish some charts.
"What about the kids and Becca?" she pointed out
"Oh, yeah. That made me sound like an asshole, huh?" he chuckled, leaning against the back of the chair.
"She's probably used to that by now" he heard Santos chimed from behind.
"There she comes," Frank muttered as he turned to watch Santos stand by the patient board. "Always good to see you, Santos".
"Highlight of your day, I know" she replied simply and then looked down. "Good morning, Mely-banely".
Mel looked up and tilted her head in thought.
"Does 'Banely' even mean something?" she asked genuinely.
"Nop, just rimes," Santos shrugged. Mel nodded, accepting her response.
"Well, good morning, Trinity" she said before standing up, closing the tab she was working on. "Oh, your guy with the bladder was discharged a few hours ago".
"Sad I didn't get to say goodbye. That man was hilarious”, she replied, then added “God, you look awful, go to sleep". Mel breathed out a laugh.
"She looks beautiful. You look beautiful, Mely" Frank said, frowning despite being very much aware there was no bite to Trinity's words and knowing that Mel knew that too.
"Oh, chill out, Danny Zuko" she rolled her eyes. "This is how my girl and I communicate".
Mel waved her goodbye while she walked away. Frank huffed. "She's not your girl", he muttered before following her to the lockers.
He stood next to Mel while she grabbed her stuff, just watching her. Once she was done, she turned to him.
"Kiss?" he said, opening his arms to her. She chuckled and stepped closer. Frank immediately hugged her, avoiding crashing her backpack, and placed kisses over her face and lips while she laughed.
"Hey! No funny business while on the clock" Robby's voice rumbled against the walls. Mel pulled away and accommodated her glances.
"Morning Dr. Robby" she said, a soft blush on her cheeks, Robby nodded at her, a friendly gesture.
"Yeah, well, if you don't want funny business by the lockers then what about you align our shifts again, huh? These are the only 15 minutes I get with my wife for twelve more hours!" Frank complained, throwing his arm around Mel's shoulders, who just chuckled softly and placed her hand on his arm, rubbing it gently.
Robby rolled his eyes and scoffed playfully before patting Frank's shoulder as he walked by.
"You'll live, Romeo" he replied teasingly. "Come on, rounds in 2 minutes".
Frank huffed and looked down at Mel.
"Left you some breakfast on the table" he said before placing another kiss, this time to her temple. Mel closed her eyes for a few seconds.
"Thanks" she whispered softly.
"And you're picking up Tanner and Millie—"
"At five from their swimming lesson, yep" she interrupted. "Becca?"
"Happy as a hippo on the facility, she has art class today".
"Yeah, she's always happy about that" Mel nodded then sighed before pulling away. "Okay, see you in another twelve hours, I guess," she winced. Frank cupped her face and gave her one last kiss.
"I love you. Sleep, yeah?" he said softly, still cupping her face.
Mel stood on her tiptoes to place one quick peck on his lips before pulling away.
"Love you. Have a good day".
She finally turned around and walked out of the hospital. Frank checked his clock. 7.04. The longest twelve hours had already begun.