Page 86 of Finding Mercy

I blow out a breath and get ready for work—what a way to start the damn day. Twenty minutes later, I’m dressed and go out to the kitchen to get coffee. As I’m sipping my coffee, they come into view. Ivy is all clean and dressed. The paint from her cheek and arms is gone. Mercy takes such good care of her.

Ivy runs over to me, wrapping her arms around me, “I’m sorry. I wanted to make a surprise for Mercy. Please don’t be mad.”

I set my coffee cup down on the counter and hugged her back.

“It’s a beautiful picture and it was quite the surprise. No more wall pictures, okay? Let’s stick to paper.”

“I’ll get paint today to paint over it.”

I shake my head, “No. Leave it. But no more after this.”

“You want me to leave the butterflies?” She asks with a raised pitch.

“Yeah well, it’ll give Xander so much pleasure to mess with me about it. I’d hate to disappoint him.”

She giggles, and all is restored in my grumpy heart.

Ivy stares up at me, “Cars?”

I chuckle, “Yes, car scrubs today.”

She scrunches up her nose, “I like princesses.”

“What are your plans today?” I glance at Mercy.

“I’m taking Ivy to school and then running to the hospital to see Maria. After Ivy is done with school, we are going to the dress shop, so she can try on the dress I picked out for her.”

I smile broadly, “I’m sure she will enjoy that. Why are you seeing Maria?”

I’m pretty sure they aren’t friends. Maria is the Supervisor of the social workers in the cancer ward.

“I want to talk to her to see if it’s possible for me to come back part time, during the hours when Ivy is in school.”

“The kids need someone like you. If you need me to talk to her-”

She shakes her head as she interrupts me, “No. I want to do this myself.”

I sigh, “Very well, baby girl.”

“Do you have time for breakfast?” She asks, walking into the kitchen and grabbing bacon and eggs from the refrigerator.

“Thank you, but I don’t. Text me when you’re done with Maria. If I have time, we can have coffee.”

She giggles, “Don’t you get sick of seeing me, Dr. Lexington?”

I raise an eyebrow at her, “Surprisingly, I don’t.”

I squat down near Ivy, counting the eggs, “Give me a hug, Princess. I’ll see you later tonight.”

She turns to me and hugs me, “I love you,” she squeals.

I am a little shocked by her words but respond, “I love you too. Have a good day at school.”

Then I stand and move over to Mercy. I pull her into my arms, unafraid of the egg in her hand, and kiss her neck.

“You’re lucky I feel nice today, or you’d have broken egg all over you.”

I give her a serious expression, “That would be an instant ten. Choose wisely, baby girl.”

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