Meghan had a decent night, with only one bad coughing spell waking her up. She slept in, and woke to the smell of coffee and bacon. She followed the smell to the kitchen, where Kelsey was fixing breakfast.

“Morning, sis.” Meghan headed for the coffee pot.

“Good morning! How are you feeling? Hungry?” Kelsey flipped pancakes on a griddle.

“Yeah, I could eat a bit. Chest kinda aches, but I’m okay otherwise. Maybe a touch chilly.” Meghan had pulled on a light sweater, and pulled it around her a bit more.

Mitch rounded the corner from the bedroom and frowned. “Chilly?” He came over and felt her forehead. “Hmm.”

Meghan stepped back and took a sip of her coffee. “Can the doctor’s hat wait for breakfast?”

He chuckled. “Normally I’d say no, but then again Kelsey has breakfast almost ready and I’m a sucker for pancakes. Okay, but after breakfast…”

Meghan nodded and carried her coffee to the kitchen bar and sat down. Kelsey soon handed both Meghan and Mitch plates loaded with pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. They ate and conversed more about the engagement.

“Rick said last night that you hadn’t discussed a wedding date yet,” Mitch stated. “What are you thinking about?”

Meghan smiled. “Well, it’s currently February, and I want to give us a few months to be able to plan the wedding and such. I’m leaning towards September or October, personally.”

“I think they start having Wedding Expos in March,” Kelsey spoke up. “We’ll have to go to one or two of those, sis!”

“I think I’ll be a good friend and take Rick out to do something fun on the days you go,” Mitch said drily, remembering the one Kelsey dragged him to when they were engaged.

Meghan and Kelsey laughed. “What? You don’t want him to have to look at lace and photographers and musicians and eat too much cake and get sick?”

Mitch groaned. “Don’t remind me!” He turned to Meghan. “To change the subject, what are your plans for today?”

“I think Rick is going to take me for lunch. I don’t know of much else,” she replied.

“While you’re out, I need you to swing by the compounding pharmacy. I sent in a prescription for your antibiotics to be mixed for IV, so you’ll need to pick that up. We’ll get you hooked up for those this afternoon, after you get back.”

Meghan nodded. “We can get that done. Is it just one dose of antibiotics per day?”

He nodded. “Once a day for 10 days. We will do it IV while you’re here, and finish you up with oral when you go back home.”

Meghan looked at her empty plate, and then at Mitch’s. She took a final swig of her coffee and sighed. “Done?” Mitch nodded. “I promised to be a good patient after we ate. Let’s go get this over with.”

Mitch chuckled, but followed her back to the exam room. “I want to get vital signs and listen to your lungs,” he stated. He headed to the cabinets to pull out supplies, and Meghan, knowing what was coming, slid her underwear and pajama bottoms down and laid down on the exam table.

She soon had a thermometer in her bottom. Mitch took advantage of the opportunity and listened to her lungs while the thermometer registered. “Still sounding rough, but not as bad as yesterday,” her remarked. Seeing time was up, he removed the thermometer and looked at the reading.

“Stay put, Meghan,” he directed, and headed to his medicine cabinet. He pulled out a couple of Tylenol suppositories. He placed these on the table behind her, along with a tube of lube, and pulled on a pair of gloves.

“First my finger,” he warned, bringing a lubricated finger to her anus and slipping it into her rectum to lubricate it and do a quick rectal exam. He slipped his finger back out. He unwrapped the suppositories and inserted them, holding his finger in again for a moment to make sure they melted and stayed in.

“Okay, you can get dressed again.” Meghan pulled her clothes back into place and sat up on the edge of the table. Mitch disposed of the gloves and put everything back where it belonged. He pulled up the rolling stool and sat down in front of her.

“Will I live through the day?” she asked, smiling.

“Yes, I think you will. And I think you know my next question already,” he replied.

“Two days,” she responded.

“Hmmm.”

“Let me have today. If not, you can fill me full of water,” she countered.

Mitch gave her a steady look, but nodded.

“You and Rick went to med school together, didn’t you?” she asked.

“Yeah, we did.”

“This may sound like a stupid question,” she started, haltingly. “But do you think he’s a good doctor? I mean, I know he’s a good orthopod, but do you think him a good doctor, all around?”

“Yeah, I do, and I’m not saying that just because he’s my friend. Why? What do you want to know?” Mitch asked, thinking back to his conversation with Rick the evening before.

“Well, it still seems surreal sometimes that I’m going to be marrying a doctor. And, if he’s anything like you, he’s going to want to care for me.”

“And you’re trying to gauge if that’s a safe thing to allow?”

She swallowed. “Uh, well, yeah.”

He chuckled. “You’ll be in good hands. Now, I’ll warn you that he may be rusty in some areas, but both of you are always welcome to call me for help.” She nodded. “Have you two talked about medical stuff on both sides?”

“No, we haven’t,” Meghan replied.

“You should,” Mitch advised. “And you need to be completely open to him about everything, even embarrassing or intimate details. And, if I may give a bit of advise?”

“Please.”

“If he wants to examine you, let him. As a doctor, getting to know you physically is as much practical as it is establishing another level of intimacy. And it sets a level of expectation for you as to how well he can and will and does care for you.”

Meghan nodded and contemplated what he said. “Thank you,” she finally responded. “It’ll be a conversation we’ll have sooner or later, I’m sure.”

Mitch hesitated, then spoke. “I should tell you that Rick usually comes to see me when he has an issue. He’s a pretty healthy guy, so it’s usually just a yearly exam, immunizations, that kind of thing. He does occasionally deal with constipation issues, as you do. I’ll let you two discuss that. And I’m telling you this so that you know that he’s comfortable seeing me as his doctor, as well as his friend and colleague.”

She nodded. “Thank you. That’s good to know.”

After Rick and Meghan got back from lunch and a couple errands, Kelsey led them back to the exam room so she could get Meghan’s IV going with the antibiotics. “Sis, can you run a liter of fluids as well?”

Kelsey nodded. “Can do, Meghan.” She pulled out a liter of normal saline and the tubing, only to have it gently taken out of her hands by Rick.

“I got this, Kelsey.”

She looked at him for a minute, then nodded. “I’ll leave you two alone. If you need me, holler.” She left the room and closed the door behind her.

Rick spiked the bag with the tubing and set up the IV. He flushed Meghan’s heplock, and hooked up the fluids. He then set up the little bag of antibiotics and got those attached and running, as well.

Meghan watched him, amused. “Are you my nurse, now?” she asked humorously.

Rick chuckled. “Yes.” He pulled up the rolling stool and sat down beside her. “But I’d rather be your doctor,” he added, seriously.

“Huh?” Meghan was confused.

“Meghan, as your husband, it will be my honor to provide for and protect you. To love you with everything that I have. But I also want to be your doctor. I want to take care of you when you need it.” He paused. “You know that Mitch and I are good friends, have been since med school. When Mitch met your sister, fell in love with her, they talked at length about a lot of things, but health was one of those. I remember, because he talked my ear off with nerves about asking her what I’m asking you. He wanted to be your sister’s doctor, be the caretaker of her physically in addition to everything else he would take care of as her husband. I admired that, and swore that I would love to do that for my wife, as well. So, I’m asking you if you’d do me the honor of being your doctor as well as your husband.”

Meghan nodded. “I think that’s a natural request, Rick, although I’d not really thought about it. Of course, I do try to keep my bones in one piece,” she teased.

Rick smiled. “I do know how to doctor someone beyond repairing bones and replacing hips,” he said, drily. “And I was a pretty good general practitioner by the time I got out of med school and started my ortho residency, if I do say so myself.”

“Well, I’m glad that you are. There are times that I’m not the healthiest person in the world,” Meghan admitted. “This past year, for example. Not really a good indicator for my personal health track record, but Mitch has been a lifesaver.”

Rick nodded. “I’m glad he’s been there for you when you most needed it. I just want to take over that role for you.”

Meghan looked at him fondly and smiled. “I’d like that a lot.”

Rick looked relieved. “Of course, I’m hoping that you’ll feel the same way about caring for me when I get sick. I tend to be pretty healthy, but I do catch the bugs going around the hospital on occasion. And like Mitch and Kelsey, we’ll figure out our own personal treatment protocols.”

“Such as?” Meghan asked.

“Such as all temperatures will be rectal temps. No hiding of medications.” She wasn’t sure what he meant, and asked him to clarify that one. “If you need a Tylenol, just take it. But don’t sneak around to hide the fact from me. I’m free to question your taking a medication, but you don’t have to announce it, either. And this goes both ways, of course.”

“Ah, I see. What’s something I need to know about you and your health?” she asked. “We probably need to discuss that about each other.”

Rick nodded. “I’m trying to not jump directly into doctor mode with you,” he chuckled. “But to answer your question… I am a pretty healthy person. I generally make it to the gym 2-3 times a week, and like to lift weights and walk the track. My knees protest pretty good if I try to run anymore, so I generally just walk. I do take vitamins daily, and give myself a B-12 or B-complex injection once a week. I’d love for you to give those to me,” he smiled and winked.

Meghan chuckled, and he continued. “Now, one thing I do occasionally struggle with is constipation. That has been an issue since I was a boy. Like Mitch, I prefer to treat constipation with enemas. Do you know what those are?”

Meghan nodded. “Yeah, Mitch introduced me to them last year. They aren’t exactly my favorite, but I do like that they are effective, much more so than laxatives or prunes. Prunes were mom’s go-to when we were growing up. I have problems with constipation, too,” she admitted.

Rick regarded her. “How do you usually treat your constipation?”

“I’ve never given myself an enema, if that’s what you’re asking. I usually use prunes. But I have come here and asked Mitch to help me a couple times in the past.” She paused.

“I’m more than willing to give you an enema if you need one in the future,” Rick promised, “and I hope you’ll be willing to help me when I have issues.”

“Of course,” Meghan replied. “I just wish there was a more comfortable way to deal with the cramps.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll figure out something,” Rick replied, winking. Meghan blushed.

“I’ve pretty much told you about myself. So let’s talk about you.” Rick switched gears.

“Are you sure you don’t want to write it down,” Meghan joked.

“That bad, huh?” Rick chuckled. “Oh, I probably will eventually, but not today. So, you deal with constipation, and of course the Addison’s disease. What else should I know about?”

“Well, I had an ovarian cyst removed last year, so I’ve got a bikini line scar. Mitch has been having me do pelvic exams a couple of times a year so we can make sure nothing is coming back. In fact… I’d have to check my calendar, but I think it’s about time to do that again, that and my yearly PAP smear.” She made a face.

“Why the face? I’m just curious. Does it hurt?”

Meghan shook her head. “No, it’s just more the intimate nature of the exam. I don’t really mind it. But…” She quickly stopped talking before she said too much.

Rick had noticed the “but”. He took a risk and pushed the issue. “But, what? I really want to know, Megie.”

Meghan blushed. “But, it sometimes causes intimate feelings. You know, down there.” She refused to look at him.

“Meghan, look at me.” It took a moment to get her to face him again, and she was beet red when she did. “Are you saying that the exam gets you aroused?” She didn’t answer him, but she nodded. “Would it help for me to tell you that a lot of women have that same response to the exam?”

“They do?”

“Oh, yes. In fact, we’re taught in med school to ignore it, and to avoid touching certain spots as much as we can avoid it to not cause undue excitement. Is there a certain part of the exam that causes more arousal than other parts?”

She nodded. “The feeling of the speculum being opened and stretching. I, ah, also like the feeling of the digital rectal exam.” She blushed yet again.

“Do you like the feel of a thermometer in your bottom?” Rick asked. Meghan nodded. “And yet you don’t like enemas. What about an enema do you not like?”

“Mostly just the cramps,” she explained. “Mitch generally uses a colon tube, and I like the feeling when it’s inserted. The water flowing in is pretty neutral. He used some kind of balloon nozzle once, and I did like that, as well.”

Rick smiled. “So you’re saying that my gal is anal erotic. We’ll have to explore that!” She blushed yet again, and he laughed. “To be honest, I’m rather anal erotic, as well. The feeling of water from the enema nozzle running across my prostate is rather pleasant.”

Rick glanced at Meghan’s IV and saw that the bag of antibiotics had run through, while she was still working on the bag of fluids. He stopped the tubing for the antibiotics, removed it, and tossed it in the trash. Returning to her side, he sat again on the stool.

“Meghan, if you’re willing, I’d like to do your pelvic and PAP. I’m a little rusty,” he warned, “but I do remember how to do them, and I’d be fine with having Mitch here to mentor, if you wish.”

Meghan thought for a minute, and finally nodded. “I’m fine with you doing it. I don’t need a chaperone, but if you feel more comfortable with Mitch being here, I’m okay with that.”

“Thank you. Now, there’s one other thing I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Okay. What would you like to discuss?”

“Well, remember I said something about a remodel going on at my house?” Meghan nodded. “I’m taking a few rooms downstairs and creating my own exam suite. Not on the same level as Mitch’s, here, but it will be private and functional.”

“Oh!” Meghan was taken by surprise at this. “Is this something most doctors do?”

Rick laughed. “Oh, most of us don’t, but we all dream about at some point or another. I’m just in a good position to indulge my fantasy, and Mitch’s setup here has pushed me to go for it. It’ll be helpful for taking care of each other. I wanted to tell you about it now so you can help me design it, set it up to suit our wants and needs.”

A knock sounded on the door. Rick glanced at Meghan, who nodded. He opened the door, and Mitch came in. “How are you doing, Meghan? Did you get the antibiotic?”

Meghan nodded. “Yeah, it finished a few minutes ago. I’m just waiting for the fluids to get done now.”

“I see. And may I ask about what we discussed this morning? Mind if I talk in front of Rick?” Mitch asked.

“Rick and I have had that discussion,” she confirmed. “You have my permission to talk about my medical stuff in front of and with Rick.”

Mitch smiled. “So am I being fired as your primary doctor?”

Meghan chuckled. “Oh, absolutely! You’ll still be my backup, though.”

“Understandable. Now, I have a question. Have you gone any today?”

Meghan made a face and shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”

Rick looked at Mitch, and then at Meghan, comprehension dawning on what they were discussing. He looked at Meghan. “Constipation?”

She blushed but nodded. “Yeah. It’s been a few days.”

“Are you going to treat it?” Rick asked Mitch.

“Planning to, unless you want to do the honors.”

Rick looked at his fiancée. “Would you like me to do it, Meghan? Would you like me to give you an enema?” He knew he was kind of putting her on the spot, but also wanted to see how far she trusted him at this point.

She sighed, but nodded. “I’m going to get one anyway, I know Mitch. If you don’t mind, though, I’d like to get this IV finished and heplocked before the enema, though.”

Mitch raised an eyebrow at Rick, but nodded. “Then I’ll pull out what you need and get out of your hair.” Rick followed Mitch to the counter and cabinets and the two soon had all the supplies gathered that Rick would need to do Meghan’s enema. Mitch excused himself and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Rick looked at the bag of fluids hanging from the IV pole. “You’re almost dry, Meghan.”

She glanced up and nodded. “Probably 5 more minutes on the bag.”

Rick sat down on the stool. “How does Mitch usually position you for an enema?”

She thought for a moment. “I’m either in the knee rests or on my side.”

“Is one more comfortable for you than the other?”

“Probably the knee rests, as it doesn’t scrunch up my stomach.”

Rick nodded. “Yeah, I think that would be more comfortable, as well.” He stood. “Let me get those attached to the table for you while your IV finishes.”

He got the exam table configured for her while the IV finished running through. Meghan reached over and shut off the flow to the tubing and unhooked it. “It’s done, Dr. Brant. Do you want me to go change now?”

Rick nodded, noting that she did indeed go more formal on him. “Yes, please. I’ll get the bag ready while you do so.”

Meghan grabbed a blanket out of the warmer and headed for the bathroom to change. Rick brought the IV pole closer to the sink and started running water so that it would be nice and warm. He filled up the bag, purged the air, and clamped the tubing. He brought the pole close to the exam table, and set lube and a box of gloves nearby on a tray, as well.

Meghan emerged from the bathroom, lower half wrapped in the blanket, and hesitated. Rick smiled at her reassuringly. Meghan gave a small nod, and approached the table. She sat down, adjusted the blanket around her, and sighed.

“Ready?”

“Yeah. Just a bit nervous, to be honest,” she admitted.

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” he assured her. He helped her get into position on the table with her legs in the supports, keeping her covered momentarily. He pulled on gloves, and looked at her. “Okay, Meghan, I’m going to lift up the blanket now.”

He lifted the blanket at her nod, exposing her pelvic area. He pushed the blanket back towards her abdomen and adjusted the overhead light to give him a better view. He sat down on the rolling stool in front of her and took a second to admire the view.

He lubricated his finger. “I’m going to do a quick digital exam, hon, and then I’ll administer the enema.” He brought his finger to her anus and gently inserted it. He waited for a few seconds after fully inserting his finger so she could adjust to the feeling of intrusion and watched her face. Meghan had closed her eyes and had a relaxed look on her face. He watched her as he slowly rotated his finger in her rectum, and then removed it. He smiled, and picked up the colon tube, lubricated it, and brought it to her bottom. “Tube now, Meghan. Relax for me.” He inserted the tube, slowly feeding it a few inches into her. He paused. “How does that feel to you?”

“It feels good,” she answered quietly.

“I’m going to start the water now. Let me know if you get uncomfortable or start cramping.” Rick unclamped the tubing, and water started filling Meghan’s colon. He kept the flow slow, so as to not cause her undue discomfort.

She was okay until about half the bag was in, then started having some cramps. Rick helped her through them by massaging her stomach and encouraging her to take the rest of the bag. Finally, all of the water was in. He clamped the tubing, but left the colon tube in place.

“How are you doing, sweetheart? I want you to try to hold this for a while.”

“Minus the cramps, I’m okay. Ouch,” she replied, cramping again. Rick started massaging her abdomen again, but also reached down and started massaging on her anus and moving the colon tube in and out a bit.

He managed to keep her distracted and ease the cramping until 15 minutes had passed. “Okay, Meghan, I’m going to remove the colon tube and help you down, and then you can make for the bathroom.” He removed the tube from her rectum, helped her sit up and remove her legs from the rests, and watched as she hurried to the bathroom.

After she had shut the door, he turned his attention to the supplies he had used. He got the bag cleaned and hung to drip dry, as Mitch had requested, and returned the lube to its drawer. Once finished, he sat down on the rolling stool to wait. He pulled out his phone and sent Mitch a text: Successfully completed. She did great.

His phone soon chimed with a reply. Sounds good. Need anything?

Nope. Just waiting for her to be done, and then we’ll join you.

Meghan stayed with the Branstons until Wednesday, then headed back to her apartment after her doctors’ appointments. Her lungs were getting over the pneumonia, and her burns were looking good. She was still tired frequently, but was glad to be back home to finish convalescing.

Meghan unpacked her duffel bag and wrestled the oxygen concentrator back to its spot in her living room. She made sure it was plugged in, and then switched her oxygen cannula to the concentrator. She turned it on, and went to check her fridge. She’d only been gone a few days, but she didn’t want to keep anything that might have spoiled during her absence. Everything looked okay, so she shut the fridge door and plopped down on the couch.

Her phone chimed. She was pleased to see it was Rick, saying he had time for a call if she did. She dialed his number.

Hey, Megie! How did your appointments go? Rick asked.

“Pretty good. Lungs are sounding better, so they’re pretty sure the antibiotics are doing their thing. And the burn graft is looking good, as well. Still need to keep it covered, but it’s healing.” She yawned.

Well, that’s good news. Are you still planning to teach tomorrow?

“Yeah. Fred and Brad have rescheduled the class I was to teach for Thursday, so I’d better be there. I’m ready to have the subject behind me.”

I’m sure. You have to teach the same lecture twice tomorrow, correct?

“Yeah, day and evening classes. But I’ll only have the fire cadets during the day group.” She sighed. “There are times I wish I didn’t open my mouth and volunteer.”

Oh? Why? What’s bugging you about this class? Rick asked, concerned.

“Oh, nothing, really. I’m just tired and don’t want to teach it,” she chuckled. “But I made an offer and everyone’s rescheduled around it so I can fulfill a promise, so I gotta do it.”

Ah, gotcha. Hey – I can’t offer you a good meal, but wanna join me at the cafeteria for dinner?

Meghan looked at the clock. “I could be there around 6. Any idea as to the special of the day?”

Not a clue, Rick confessed. But there’s always burgers and chicken strips and the sub station.

“It’ll work,” she agreed.