Somewhere Only We Know

“John?” Ariana squeaked as she stepped into the room of her first patient, a curious look on her face. It had been months, the last she had heard, John was in perfect health, and she was a little surprised to see him back again. She had thought Daniel had fixed him up the last time he had been admitted.

“Dr Costa, what a pleasant surprise, I was half expecting the other boy” John beamed as he looked up at Ariana.

Ariana shifted a little at the mere mention of Daniel before she peeked down at John’s chart. “Abdominal pains?” she prodded.

“The emergency doctor is having me tested for appendicitis, so I have a little time. Why don’t you catch me up?” he grinned as he adjusted himself in bed. He was pleased to see Ariana, he’d never liked Daniel as his doctor, and he couldn’t wait to catch up with her. He was curious as to whether she was still with Iker.

Ariana blushed gently. It had been over a week since she and Iker had married and she was a little amazed that no one had figured them out. Neither of them had been particularly overt, but she was sure that someone would have figured it out by now. They weren’t exactly doing much to hide it either.

“I know that blush” John grinned “Are you still with what’s his name?” he teased.

“Iker” Ariana corrected “And yes, I am still with him” she admitted softly.

John smiled at her. He was pleased, part of him had fretted that Ariana’s nerves would end any relationship she and Iker had, but he was thrilled that it hadn’t. She was a nice girl and deserved something as nice as what she had with Iker. “How long has it been now?” he posed.

“We’ve been dating for eight months” Ariana replied, trying to hide her smile.

John tilted his head. “What are you not tell me Dr Costa?” he teased.

“Casillas” Ariana corrected without a thought as she scribbled down his vitals onto the chart. It was odd, she had taken Iker’s name, but she rarely used it. It wasn’t like she could sign her name without people asking questions.

John chuckled. “What did you say?” he quipped.

Ariana looked up and pushed her glasses up her nose. “What?” she mused.

“You corrected me. I called you Dr Costa and you said Casillas. Is there something you aren’t telling me?” he grinned.

Ariana’s cheeks warmed. “I did that?” she muttered.

“Yes” John smiled.

“Oh” Ariana muttered “I shouldn’t have said that” she added.

“No, really?” John teased sarcastically.

Ariana sighed and moved to stow his chart at the end of his bed. “I have other patients to check on” she muttered as she moved to walk out of the room, but John reached out, stopping her. “You’re not leaving me hanging like this Ari” he teased “I want to catch up” he added.

Ariana looked at him dubiously before she smiled a shy smile, sitting at the end of his bed. “Can you keep a secret?” she posed.

John nodded and marked a cross over his chest. “I swear, I will not breathe a word to another soul” he noted.

Ariana smiled softly and reached into her shirt, pulling out the chain she wore around her neck. “This is my wedding band” she mused “Iker and I married last week in secret” she admitted gently.

John smiled. “You’re off the market? I had a son I was itching to set you up with” he teased.

Ariana nodded. “We wanted to marry before the baby came along” she gushed.

“A baby too?” John beamed “Iker has certainly been a busy boy” he teased.

Ariana blushed before her pager beeped, causing her to move to her feet. “I will see you later John” she smiled as she moved towards the door “Good luck for the surgery if you need it” she added.

John smiled gently. “Congratulations Dr Casillas” he teased.

~#~
“Another new patient Dr Costa” the nurse mused as she placed a chart in Ariana’s hand. It had been a hectic morning, Ariana had been rushed off her feet, and she couldn’t wait to get home. Iker would be home from training by the time she made it back and she was looking forwards to another cozy night in front of the TV. She knew that there wouldn’t be many of them once the season started and the baby came along.

“What’s the issue with this one?” she posed as they made their way to the examination room.

“He’s complaining of headaches and nausea” the nurse replied.

Ariana nodded her head and stepped into the room flashing a small smile to the patient. “Mr Peralta” she smiled “I am Dr Ariana Casillas and I will be tending to you today” she smiled.

“Casillas?” the nurse peeped.

Ariana’s face paled slightly. She couldn’t believe that she had done it again.

“I didn’t mean that. Costa. I am Dr Ariana Costa” she spluttered.

The nurse shook her head. “You said Casillas. You married Iker” she giggled.

“No” Ariana spluttered.

“Don’t lie Ari” the nurse grinned “You married that man” she added before she skittered out of the room.

Ariana rolled her eyes and sighed.

She couldn’t believe she had let the cat out of the bag so simply.

~#~
Shaking her head, Ariana stepped into the staff lounge, desperate to just get home. Since she had slipped up to the nurse, she had been bombarded with ‘congratulations’ and she was starting to get a little tired of it all. She knew it was a big deal, she was the wife of a national sporting hero, but she didn’t want to be fussed over. She was a quiet girl and had always hated being the centre of attention.

Pushing the door back, she rubbed her temple slightly before a loud chorus of ‘surprise’ echoed, causing her to jump. “What the hell is this?” she spluttered as she rested her hand over her heart, trying to calm down its erratic beating.

“It’s a surprise party for you” Penelope Williams smiled.

“I can see that, but why?” Ariana spluttered.

“Because we hardly got to celebrate your engagement and we are going to celebrate your marriage” Penelope smiled.

Ariana blushed and smiled a little, wordlessly thanking everyone for turning out.

“When are you going to tell everyone about the baby?” Penelope whispered.

Ariana shrugged a little and offered the other woman a small smile. She felt a little awkward, she doubted the news of her marriage was going to be confined for the hospital for very long, and she doubted she would be able to hide from it.

People were going to find out and they were going to have questions.