Other than frequent migraines, Andy was having a swift and efficient recovery. According to Shawn, he had doctored on plenty of stab wound victims, most less serious than Andy's and she was still doing better in the recovery stage. Tomorrow, Andy was going to be allowed to go back home. I knew Andy was more than glad to go home. She always talked about missing the comfort of her own bed or her view from the balcony from the bedroom.

Shawn's clinic was his house as well, so the place wasn't poorly decorated but Andy's house did have a better vibe. The room Andy was in only had one small window and the view was of a neighboring house. It wasn't exactly scenic or what she was used to.

Andy was ready to get back home, but most importantly she was ready to get back to work. She was anxious about her new title as the head honcho. Though, she stated she didn't want it before, it was apparent that she was more than ready to claim her new position. Rafael would come in every day and give her a summary on what's going on and the day to day tasks of being head honcho. He made sure he gave Andy every single detail and Andy listened on with engrossment and sometimes managed to jot down some notes.

Rafael hated the job, but he thought it would be perfect for Andy. Just as her father, Andy was a phenomenal leader. She oozed with style, grace and respect. Getting people to side with her wasn't exceptionally hard and she was great at having loyal comrades. When her and Jimmy fought for the title of head honcho, nearly the whole room was cheering for her. When she went down, the whole room got dead quiet as if they were watching someone who they admired get beat to a pummel.

Under Shawn's orders, Andy needed a two weeks rest before going back to her gang duties. But once she got back in the system, I knew the Family was going to be thrilled to have her back and so would her friends.

"Check this one out," Shawn exclaimed with a chuckle full of pride. Andy was taking her daily nap. She slept a lot since the concussion. It was almost like she was elderly sometimes. Under Shawn and I's care, she would sleep, eat and take medicine all damn day. It was peaceful but I couldn't wait until she got back to her fully, energized self. Hopefully being back in her own home will make her feel more wound up.

"Whoa, dude, that's sick," I told Shawn as I quite rudely snatched his phone out of his hand. While Andy slept, I spent a lot of time with Shawn. I learned about him and his clinic and sometimes he would show pictures of his past procedures. Like so, the picture that was currently of his phone, was of some guy with his abdomen cut open. Shawn was there in his baby blue doctor's scrubs. Though he had a mask covering his mouth, I could tell he was smiling as he posed for the picture.

"Most of the time I'm treating people for wounds from weapons or because they did something terribly stupid but this patient needed an appendectomy. I removed his appendix and stitched him back up and he was as good as new within a few weeks," Shawn explained as he gently took his phone back.

Shawn made everything seem like no big deal. He made going into surgery seem like an everyday thing. If asked, he could spit out facts about nearly any surgical task but he usually kept things simple and sweet. He was easy to understand which was rare for someone of his caliber. Then again, Shawn was like a 20-something-year old doctor extraordinaire for gangsters so everything about him was pretty f-cking rare.

"Who the hell took that picture," I asked. I was here nearly 24/7. I only really left when Mia or Camilo made me leave and go have at least an hour of fun. They would make me walk around the mall or go grab something to eat other than Shawn's snacks since all I did was worry about Andy's health. When I was here, Shawn was the only caretaker. He had gotten a couple of other patients and he never had a sidekick or helper.

Shawn scratched at his beard as he gave me a polite smile. "I used to have an assistant that helped me out but she recently got into medical school. I'm really proud of her and I know she'll do well, but it kind of left me in a bind. I no longer have an assistant so I do everything by myself. Believe or not, but it's hard to find an assistant when you're an illegitimate doctor who aids gangsters when they get injured. It's hard to find someone you can trust, you know?"

"Illegimate? Doctorate or not, you're just as good as any professional doctor. You have the skill. Without you, Andy would've died even if we took her to an actual doctor. You worked your magic on her, I'm so grateful and I know she is too." Shawn chuckled and his cheeks turned a hint of red as he fiddled with his phone. "How does this even work? How did you of all people become a doctor for gangsters? Did they recruit you or kidnap you or what?"

Shawn laughed as if I had asked him a ridiculous question but I didn't feel offended. I knew he didn't mean it in a rude way. "To put it in simple terms for you, the De Palma Family is very popular. You and I both know that. Everyone knows that. No other gangs messes with their turf or with the crew. Since the Family is so respected, they barely get into legal troubles but when they do, they have lawyers they pay under the table. They also have doctors, such as myself. As a doctor, I get paid a salary by the top boss of the Family. Any family member with any injury can come to me and other family doctors to get treated. Everyone gets treated for free with no questions asked. This way we don't fill up local hospitals and take beds away from the average people with gangsters and also, we don't have to deal with legal questions such as, "how did you get shot?" It keeps the violence under wraps. This whole neighborhood is full of other doctors and some lawyers. No one normal lives around here. The Family finds doctors and lawyers who may be blackballed from the system or can't find a place where they fit in, and hire them under their wing."

"That's actually pretty f-cking smart." My mind was completely blown. Not only did having doctors help the Family get away with illegal sh-t, but it was also considerate of other citizens. If a hospital gets a rush of gangsters with gunshot wounds, it could halt the process of saving someone who got injuries in a more moral way.

"We have Andy's father to thank for that. He set up this system exceptionally. One day, she's going to be as big as him. She'll find even more ways to advance the Family," Shawn stated boldly. He seemed to have a lot of respect for Andy, then again, nearly everyone did.

"Wait, so, how did you get caught up in this?"

"Oh yeah, well, long story short, I met some gang members from the Family in high school. We became good friends almost instantly. Back at home, my family hated my guts. They loved sports and I wasn't into it. All I did was research medical procedures and diagnosis in books and online. I was a f-cking nerd in my family's eyes. The De Palma Family, however, used that. I studied some more and after a while, I got my own personal gangster graduation to become a doctor. I started when I was nineteen and now I'm twenty-four."

"What the literal f-ck? You knew how to perform surgeries at nineteen!?"

Shawn gave me a humble shrug. "It just comes natural for me. I love saving lives and why not save lives of people who actually care about me. The De Palma Family is an actual family. They're not your average gangsters. They're my family."

I honestly wanted to tear up. Shawn's family were really dumbasses. He was a smart and talented kid and his parents didn't appreciate that. Most parents would kill to have a kid who had the potential to become a doctor, my parents included. "You came from a f-cked-up family to a well-rounded, multi-talented individual. I came from adoptive, loving parents who are doctors, but I feel you on a whole other level. You're like my spirit brother or something." I ended up giggling at myself for even thinking of the term 'spirit brother.' Shawn laughed as well.

"Well, I really like your personality and you seem really intelligent. You've completed college and I know you want to go to medical school so how about I grant you an offer?" I raised an eyebrow at Shawn as he tapped his finger on the back of his cell phone. "Why don't you be my new assistant? Within a month or two, I'll have you doing basic gunshot wound care. You'll slowly learned everything I know and possibly more. All you have to do is shadow me, observe and listen to me every now and then. Within six months, you might even be doing surgeries depending on how fast of a learner you are. I'll pay you a fixed salary and everything. Once you know enough, I can get you promoted to a doctor on my level or you can pursue your endeavors in medical school. All you have to do is say the word."

Shawn's offer was one in the million. It was too good to pass up. If I wanted to I could skip medical school, make as much as a regular doctor, still help people and have a relaxed schedule. That sounded like paradise. It's all I ever wanted with a few twists but it was more than doable. But what would my parents think? They couldn't know that I was a doctor without credentials to a bunch of gangsters. Even if they did know, they'd blow their f-cking top. They'd probably rather for me to be a spoiled brat mooching off them my whole life rather than that. But then again, this was my life, right? My path.

This offer was so ideal for me. My girlfriend was gang affiliated so I might as well join the cause. It'd be easier for the both of us in the future. Or what if I'm getting ahead of myself? What if there isn't a future between us and I f-ck up my whole life trying to adapt my lifestyle to hers, just to have to go back to normal?

"I tell you what. Get back to me with an answer, but for now, just stick around and shadow me when you get some time. My door's always open," Shawn said after my long silence. I blushed as I shook my head at myself. I probably looked like a maniac as I argued with myself in my head. I didn't even want to imagine what my facial expression looked like. "Just think it over, okay?"

"Alright, I will. I definitely will."

---

"It feels so f-cking good to be back at home," Andy said as she fell back on her bed. She put her hands behind her head and closed her eyes. A soft hum came from her mouth as her lips curved upwards. "Come lay with me, darlin'. Sulk in this bliss with me."

I giggled at how dramatic she was being, but played along since she was also being cute. Kicking off my shoes, I laid back on the bed as well. Even I was guilty of letting out a peaceful sigh. Andy had the most comfortable bed in history. Staying nights over at her place was amazing just for the mattress itself. Andy wrapped her arm around me and pulled me closer. I snuggled into her and she kissed my forehead.

"Let's stay like this forever," she spoke softly. "I'll never let go, Jack."

I snorted before laughing. "Did you really quote the Titanic, you just ruined the mood, lame ass!"

Andy put a finger on my lips. "Shh, life is so much better when you're quiet." She laughed at herself and I sat up straight. "Come on, darlin'. Lay back down with me. I was just kidding around."

I crossed my arms and looked forward with my lips closed tight. Andy was chuckling as if the situation was funny. She sat up as well and wrapped her arms around me. "I didn't mean it, darlin'. You know I love you and your big mouth."

I rolled my eyes as she began giving me smooches on my neck. "Come on. I know you're being fake mad at me right now. You know you want to smile," she told me. I remained quiet and acted as if she wasn't even there. Though her kisses were ticklish, I tried to keep a straight face. Andy grumbled, "Fine, you made me mad so now I have to do this the hard way. "Andy unleashed an attack of quick kisses on my neck as she pulled me into her lap.

I began giggling abruptly as I held onto her arms tightly. "You're so stupid," I told her between giggles as she continued to kiss me.

She let out a breathy chuckle against my neck before kissing my jaw. "I'm stupid, but you love me."

"Unfortunately," I told her before turning my head to kiss her lips. She smiled softly and looked into my eyes dreamily. It was moments like this that I couldn't believe such a gorgeous girl was my girlfriend. I moved a short, wild strand of hair from her face and put it into its place. "I'm so happy you're alive."

"Me too. I would be so pissed if I died before the fiftieth Fast and Furious movie came out," Andy said as she rolled her eyes playfully. I made a face at her to tell her she wasn't funny and she laughed. "Also, it would suck if I died without letting you know that I was in love with you." She kissed my collarbone. "And what would suck harder is dying before being a doctor for you and babying you when you get the smallest of colds." She kissed my neck. "Or dying before I can take you somewhere out of the country." She kissed my cheek. "Worst of all, it would suck if I died before getting you pregnant with at least fifteen of my babies." I laughed and blushed as she kissed my temple.

"You're so sweet sometimes especially since the concussion. Sometimes I wonder if it's really you in there," I told her as I grabbed her cheeks.

She smirked as she laid me back on the bed and climbed on top of me. "Maybe you should give me a test drive, just to make sure I'm fully functioning after the concussion," she suggested as she wiggled her eyebrows friskily.

"No test drives until at least two weeks from now." Andy's eyes nearly popped out of her f-cking head when I said that. It was hard not to laugh.

"T-two we-weeks," she stuttered.

"I want to make sure you're fully okay. Plus, just think about how earth-shattering and jaw dropping it's going to be when we finally relink after so long. It's going to be groundbreaking, bebé."

"I've never heard you say so many rich white people words in such a short span of time. It's kind of a turn on."

I chuckled and pushed her off of me. "You're so ludicrous."

Andy moaned like a cheap pornstar and I nearly lost my sh-t from laughing so hard. "You're so f-cking hot when you talk like that, baby girl."

"You're so nasty or shall I say, scatological."

Andy moaned even louder. "Yes! Say it louder!"

"Scatological!"

Andy faked an orgasm, but it seemed so real that knowing her, it probably was. Her body twisted and convulsed and at the end she let out a pleased sigh. "F-ck, I need a cigarette after that." Andy reaches in her dresser and actually pulled out a carton. I was still cracking up as she walked over to the balcony to smoke outside.

"Please smoke one. Maybe you'll die quicker."

Andy stuffed the cigarette in her mouth and gave me the middle finger before stepping outside. I hated that girl, but I loved her so f-cking much.

-

Do you think Delaney should take Shawn's offer?

Are you happy that Andy's back home? Now the story can pick up.