Culling

Part II • Chapter XI

As he hummed the lullaby to me and traced his fingers up and down my arm, I didn't remember anything. However, I found that I didn't mind at all.

☜♡☞

"We have to go over everything again?" I asked Sean as I fiddled with the tie of the paper gown that I had been told that I needed to change into.

The old doctor from before, who apparently went by Dr Riordan, started to answer but Sean cut him off. "Yes, it would be best to have a physical with professional equipment that isn't a field kit - plus I want to begin to input your records into the database."

Dr Riordan frowned at Sean. "Dr Green, I understand that you are an excellent physician, but I must insist-".

I looked at Dr Riordan in panic as he began to speak. I knew what he was going to say, he had been complaining about this the entire time I had been here. He thought that Sean wasn't an acceptable choice for my examination and had insisted on doing it himself. Sean had been heading him off, and had told him a number of times that it wasn't his business, but I could tell that he was getting annoyed now.

Honestly? I was starting to get the impression that he wanted bragging rights about doing my exam... or something. In any case, something was off about him and I didn't want him touching me.

It was Owen that interrupted Dr Riordan this time. "Miss Sorenson is perfectly capable of deciding to whom she entrusts her physical care. I understand your intentions, but Dr Green will not allow his personal interest cloud his professional judgement."

Dr Riordan frowned. "She is still a minor, she can't make those kinds of decisions yet."

"Then I can," Uncle Lucas removed his outer jacket as he walked into the room. "Sorry I'm late. I had to convince the wonder twins that they weren't needed to fend off the 'pervert doctor'." He narrowed his eyes at the doctor, "Was I wrong in my assumption?"

Dr Riordan actually stepped backwards with a hand to his heart and stuttered. "Well, I never."

Uncle Lucas continued, "You are only even allowed in this room at the insistence of President Hendricks. Don't forget that. I suggest that you back down and take a seat."

Owen smirked and Sean covered up a laugh as the older doctor stood stunned into silence. Finally, his face began to clear of the red that had been overtaking it and he took a deep breath. "Very well. Don't break my equipment, Dr Green. I'll be sitting right over there, watching." He pointed to a chair in the corner of the room behind where Owen sat.

After Dr Riordan stomped off sulkily, Dr Green became all business. "Alright Miss Sang, same as before. If you don't want Owen or your uncle here during your exam, they don't need to be. Technically a minor or no, you still have rights." He shot a scathing look at Dr Riordan who glared back at him in return.

"No, it's ok. I really don't have anything to hide." I didn't know why my uncle wanted to be here, but it seemed to make him happy to feel included. Owen and Sean already knew everything from when we did this before, and... from what I understood, right after my parentage had been exposed to Mason and Chase, Uncle Lucas had immediately put in a request for guardianship.

Apparently having lots of money and power will allow you to do that really quickly in our legal system, so the interview yesterday had all but been a formality. For all intents and purposes, I was already a member of the Gentreau family. I just hadn't known it.

When I had been told that he had decided to bring me into the family before even meeting me... I think I was beginning to believe that maybe this new family of mine really did care. Owen and the boys trusted them, and they seemed to be interested. So for now, I would trust them.