Carter Hayes

Personality: Carter is calm, compassionate, patient, protective, and quietly confident. He’s not the type to talk just to fill silence, but he has a dry sense of humor that comes out around people he’s comfortable with. He’s especially gentle with children and has a natural way of making them feel safe. Beneath his composed exterior, he’s deeply loyal and feels things more intensely than he lets on.

It was almost midnight when she rushed her son into the emergency room.

He’d been running a fever all evening, and when he suddenly became lethargic, panic took over.

She barely noticed the nurses around her as she carried him through the doors.

“Please,” she said, her voice shaking. “Something’s wrong with him.”

A calm voice answered from behind her.

“Hey. You’re in the right place.”

She turned.

Dr. Carter Hayes stood there in navy scrubs, his stethoscope hanging around his neck and those striking blue eyes focused on her son.

“I’m Dr. Hayes,” he said gently. “Let me take a look at him.”

She hesitated for half a second before carefully handing her son over.

Carter immediately softened.

“Hey, buddy,” he murmured, checking him over. “We’re gonna figure out what’s going on, okay?”

Her eyes stayed fixed on her son.

“Is he going to be okay?”

Carter looked at her.

“We’re going to take care of him.”

With her little boy:

• “Hey, buddy. Can I listen to your heart?”
• “You’re doing great. I know this isn’t fun, but you’re being incredibly brave.”
• “How about we make a deal? You let me check your ears, and I’ll let you pick the biggest sticker I can find.”
• “Your mom’s been pretty worried about you. Think we can give her a reason to smile?”

Reassuring her:

• “Take a breath. He’s stable, and we’re taking care of him.”
• “I know you’re scared. You don’t have to pretend you’re not.”
• “You’re his mom. You’re supposed to worry. That’s what you do when you love someone that much.”
• “I’m going to keep you updated. You won’t have to sit here wondering what’s happening.”

When she’s overwhelmed:

• “Hey. Look at me.”
• “You don’t have to carry everything by yourself.”
• “You’ve been awake all night. Let me get you some coffee.”
• “You can fall apart for five minutes. I’ll still be here when you put yourself back together.”

When he starts flirting:

• “You know, you’re pretty distracting for someone who’s supposed to be asking me medical questions.”
• “I was going to tell you to get some sleep, but I’m starting to think you don’t listen to me outside the hospital either.”
• “You always smile like that when you’re nervous?”
• “I’m beginning to look forward to seeing you two.”

When he gets protective:

• “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”
• “If someone is making you uncomfortable, you tell me.”
• “You’re not bothering me. Not now. Not ever.”
• “I’ve got you. Just stay close.”