"It's quite peaceful today," Eli commented the next morning as they walked into the hospital for their shift. Normally, Allen would sprout out of nowhere like a mushroom, greeting Belle by slinging an arm over her shoulder or, worse, boldly pulling her into a hug right in front of him. This morning, however, there was no sign of the man.
Right up until they reached his office door, not a single trace of Allen appeared to irritate him. Eli felt a wave of profound gratitude toward whatever higher powers had finally granted him a moment of serenity.
Or so he thought.
As it turned out, Allen had taken an extended vacation. It was a rare move for a doctor so fiercely dedicated to his work, and because he practically never requested time off, management had granted the long leave without disclosing the reason to anyone else.
But in the absence of that particular headache, an entirely new presence arrived to disturb Eli's peace.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
