Chapter Text
Mel’s crush was getting out of hand. She knew it was wrong. It wasn’t normal to have a sort of gravitational pull with her married coworker, but she did. Frank Langdon made her feel so alive and appreciated, maybe even loved.
He did little things like bring her boba on the days after a night out with Trinity, because he knew that Mel needed an extra pick me up. He encouraged her and helped her with medical stuff. And lately, they’ve been doing more things outside of work. They went to the new war exhibit at the history museum together. Frank had asked her to go with him and Mel desperately tried to not read too much into that. They also started grabbing food or coffee and Boba together.
It was all making Mel feel fuzzy. He always made sure that she understood when he was joking, which was extremely rare. Mel had always struggled with social cues, especially with sarcastic humor, but Frank always found a way to make sure she was in on the joke with him.
As well as things had been going with him, she had a feeling he’d start to distance sooner than later anyways. She had the absolutely ridiculous idea to suggest that they go with his kids to the history festival the Pitt museum was putting together that summer. Mel had been racking her brain for any excuse to hang out with him more, and when she heard about the event, the invitation just slipped out of her mouth.
He seemed a little taken aback by her offer, like he was processing it and muttered, “I have to clear it with Abby first. She’s been really protective of the kids lately, especially when it comes to me.”
“Oh of course,” Mel responded dumbly, feeling like she overstepped by inviting the kids. Were they even there yet as friends?
Frank had mentioned months back that things with Abby were complicated since rehab and that they were working on a permanent solution. Mel didn’t want to pry about that and Frank just never mentioned it again, so she assumed they worked it out. And she knew she should be happy for him for that. She never wanted to see a family torn apart.
So Mel did her best to push her feelings aside. It had been over a week since she mentioned the festival, so she just assumed it wasn’t happening. To his credit, Frank didn’t seem to be acting differently. He still always chose her to work with him on cases whenever he could. And he had brought her a boba that morning just because.
The day was moving along like any other. Luckily it wasn’t the busiest day they’d had so she and Frank got a moment to just hang out in the lounge. They were sitting at the table and he started tapping the sides of his chair. Mel had noticed that was something he did when he got anxious. “Is everything okay?” Mel asked.
He stopped tapping and his eyes softened as he looked at her. Ugh why did his eyes have to be so blue? It’s like he’s trying to kill me.
“I wanted to talk to you about something… I know you asked about us taking the kids to the festival. Abby kind of felt weird about not having met you—.” Langdon was cut off by Dana barging through the lounge door.
“There you two are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Dana exclaimed exasperatedly. “Tanner is here.”
Frank stood up so quickly that Mel knew his back was going to be sore later that day. “Oh my god, what's wrong?”
“Everything is fine. Tanner just took a little tumble during his t-ball game and needs to get stitched up,” Dana assured him.
“Okay, I’m going to go see them,”
“Nope.” Dana replied.
“Excuse me?” Frank looked like he was going to boil over.
“We need you for a laceration case. You're the only one who has done one before.”
Frank sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. “But, Tanner…”
“Is going to be fine,” Dana assured him. “He was showing off his injury to me and Emma. We’re getting a room for him and Abby right now. You’ll be able to see them once you’re done.”
"I can take care of Tanner,” Mel stepped in.
Frank’s shoulders immediately lowered. “That would be amazing Mel,”
Dana had an unreadable look on her face. “Are you sure about that?” Mel didn’t understand why anybody would doubt that Mel would take care of Frank’s family. They were practically tethered together throughout their shifts.
“There’s not a doctor here that I’d trust more,” Frank replied and Mel felt a warmth inside of her that she wished she could will away.
“Alright…” Dana seemed perplexed by the whole thing, but let it slide. “They’ll be in room 2 in a few minutes.” Dana informed Mel and walked off.
“Mel, I can’t say how much I appreciate you…”
“I know, I’m the best,” Mel joked. She never joked that much before, but Frank Langdon definitely brought out her sense of humor.
Frank smiled at her, then his expression grew more serious. “There is something I wanted to tell you..."
“Dr. Langdon we need you now!” Dr. Robby yelled as he barged through the room
“Go, I have got this covered,” Mel patted him on his shoulder and he took off.
——
Mel had never met Frank’s family, though she felt as though she already knew them. Frank was always telling her about Tanner’s obsession with all things dinosaurs and how Penny had grown to love her ballet class.
“I hear we have a very important patient in here!” Mel greets as she enters the Langdon’s hospital room,” Mel offers a warm smile to Tanner, who is on the hospital bed. “I am Dr. Melissa King and I”ll be taking care of you today!”
“Hi Melissa! I’m Tanner,” He yelled out proudly. “I got this cool cut on my eyebrow from t-ball.”
“Honey, you need to call her Dr. King. We don’t call Adults by their first names,” Abby told him. Mel had always wondered what Abby looked like, but she was even more beautiful than she could have imagined. She had perfect long, brown, wavy hair and green eyes. Mel shouldn’t have been shocked. Of course Frank has a beautiful wife. He’s one of the most handsome men i’ve ever seen.
“Oh I have no problem with it, but how about you call me Mel?” Mel smiled at Tanner.
“Oh… You’re Mel…” Abby said as he gave Mel a look over, like she was trying to figure something out. Mel just nodded awkwardly feeling like she was being evaluated for some reason. Abby smiled at her. “How about Dr. Mel?”
“That sounds good to me,” Mel responded.
“Do you know my dad?” Tanner asked.
“Yes, actually your dad is a friend of mine! He’s one of the very best doctors in this hospital!” Mel smiled at the little boy. “Why don't we take a look at your face Tanner?” Mel examined the cut and cleaned it out. “You must be pretty good at t-ball huh?”
“Yeah, my dad says I’m getting pretty good! He taught me how to swing!” Tanner grinned widely. Mel thought she was going to lose her mind at the thought of Frank playing ball with his kid. She was having too impure of thoughts for being in the same room as Frank’s wife.
“Do you have children Dr. Mel?” Abby asked Mel as she was gathered the materials for the stitches.
“No, but I’ve been the primary caretaker for my sister for the past 10 years,” She answered.. “She’s on the spectrum, so when our parents passed, I took over care-taking responsibilities. Actually, Frank is great with her too.”
“That's really nice Mel,” Abby smiled at her genuinely. Of course shes kind too. “Frank mentioned that you're into history? That there was some event you two wanted to take the kids to?’
“Oh yes!” Mel perked up. “It’s this really cool event that the Ford PItt Museum puts on every year. Lots of families go. I suggested that Frank could bring Tanner and Penny. Obviously, I’d love for you to come too. The more the merrier!”
Abby chuckles lightly. “That’s very kind of you to offer, but I think this would be a great opportunity for you and Frank to bond with the kids by yourselves.” Mel wondered why Frank's wife was concerned about Mel bonding with her kids. “I’m sorry that I've been taking so long to give him an answer about it. I’m just really protective about who meets the kids, especially when they’re a… friend of Frank’s.” Abby winked at her, which Mel didn’t quite understand.
Mel wasn't quite sure why Abby put such an emphasis on the word friend, but she definitely understood being protective. She often felt protective about Becca and who she spent her time with. "I completely understand.”
“But we should definitely all get coffee together sometime,” Mel smiled at her. She wasn't sure if it made her feel better or worse that Abby seemed really cool. She guessed she was happy for Frank at least. He deserved to have somebody so cool and supportive.
Just as soon as Mel finished stitching Tanner up, Frank came bursting through the door, panting and holding his back with his left hand.
“Mel! Tanner!” HIs gaze flitted between the four other people in the room frantically. He finally settled on Tanner and knelt beside Tanner. “How you doing champ?”
“I’m all better now Daddy! I was really brave!” Tanner exclaimed. “Dr. Mel stitched me up!” Tanner proudly pointed towards his stitches and Frank lightly rested his fingers against them. The interaction was so cut, Mel thought her ovaries might explode. “Dr. Mel is the best Daddy!”
“Trust me, I know,” Frank threw Mel an appreciative glance, but there was something pained behind it. Mel couldn’t control the blush that was creeping up her cheeks. She wondered if Abby could tell.
“She knows everything, Dad,” Tanner said knowingly.
“I don’t know about that,” Mel started. "But one thing that I do know is that people with chronic back pain shouldn’t be on their knees and slouching for long stretches of time.” She gave Frank a pointed look and put his hands up in defense and stood up.
“Good call Dr. Mel,” He said ‘Dr. Mel’ with such intention that Mel thought she might explode. God, why did he have to have such strong eye contact? Mel always had struggled to keep eye contact with people, but something about Frank's blue eyes and intense gaze made it easy.
“Oh, is your back still bothering you?” Abby inquired. Mel didn’t understand how Abby wouldn’t be aware of Frank's back pain. It seems like every other day he has a flare up. If he were my husband, I’d give him massages every night. Mel cringed at herself for being so lustful about him, especially in front of his wife.
“Yeah, sometimes,” Frank brushed it off like it was nothing, and not something that is a constant pain in his life.
A sturdy knock sounded and Dana came in. “I heard there was a really brave boy in here!”
“It was me!!” Tanner cheered as he bounced up and down.
“That's awesome buddy! Is it okay if I steal your doctor away from you? Mel, your patient in 4 is asking for you,” Dana gestured for the door.
“Does Dr. Mel have to go?” Tanner complained.
"I'm afraid so, but I did hear there was some ice cream in the lounge…” Dana teased. “Wanna help me find it?”
“Yes!” Tanner quickly stood up. “Can I, Mom?” He looked over at Abby with puppy dog eyes.
“Go for it champ,” Abby said sweetly. “But make sure you thank Dr. Mel first.”
“Thanks Dr. Mel!” His little arms wrapped around Mel’s legs in a hug. “You should come to one of my t-ball games sometime. I’m really good!”
“That is a very kind offer Tanner!” Mel patted him on the head.
“Thanks a lot Mel,” Frank’s voice was soft and Mel felt her heart aching in her chest. All she could handle doing was nodding and leaving the room, leaving the Langdon family.
Mel couldn’t help but think about how lucky Tanner was. He had a family and two parents looking out for him. Mel hadn’t had that in a long time.