BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice

Jason's coworkers had just finished their very off-key version of the birthday song, their voices blending in a way that was more charming than musical.

All eyes turned to the birthday cake. "Happy Birthday Jason" was clumsily scribbled in pale purple icing, the words slightly smudged and uneven.

"That one's on me," Tracy said with a sheepish grin, her cheeks flushed pink. "My three year old thought the cake was a drum. But don’t worry there was a double layer of plastic wrap. No cake-to-hand contact."

Jason laughed. "Honestly? That feels like the perfect metaphor for my life right now."

"Jason! Blow out the candles, They're melting into wax," Bella called, her voice bright with energy.

He paused for a moment, closing his eyes to think of a wish. On his first try, he failed to blow them all out. The second puff did the trick, putting off the remaining flickers. With that, his coworkers moved into action with the speed and behavior of a trauma response team.

Being nurses, they treated the cake like an urgent case. Someone took the candles off in one smooth motion while Bella, armed with a plastic knife, began slicing the massive dessert into clean, even squares. Another colleague followed with paper plates and forks, passing out slices like meds on a busy round.

Jason barely had time to breathe before someone handed him a piece. He took a large bite, grateful. Everyone remained on their feet, aware that in any moment, they could call them back to duty.

Tracy licked a smudge of frosting off her fork and arched a brow at him. "So why'd you come in on your birthday, huh?"

He smirked. "To celebrate with you all, obviously."

She gave him a look only a mother of three could master, a perfect blend of amusement and disbelief. "No, really?"

Jason shrugged. "It’s true. No big plans. Nate and Jesse wanted to take me out, but I figured I’d work this shift instead." He paused, then added quickly, "I’m celebrating tomorrow with a few friends."

Bella lighted up. "Good, because Saturday is the hospital holiday party. You're coming, right?"

He hesitated. "I dunno. Everyone's bringing a date, and I'm flying solo."

Bella rolled her eyes and adjusted the black ponytail that kept slipping over her shoulder. "You can sit with Vee and me. My friend loves you."

"The feeling's mutual," Jason replied with a grin. "But I don’t want to be the awkward third wheel."

"You won’t be. It’s at a fancy hotel, there’s free food, and the raffle prizes are amazing. Who turns that down?"

He looked cornered by their happiness. "Why do they always hold it so early in December, anyway? I’m not in the holiday mood yet."

"Because everyone disappears as Christmas gets closer," Tracy explained. "Scheduling is a nightmare later in the month."

Bella leaned forward. "And this is your first party with us. You started in February. It's time you showed the team you're part of the family."

Jason sighed in mock defeat. "Fine. I’ll come. But I’m leaving right after dessert."

"Deal," Bella said, smiling. "It’ll be nice to see you out of the house."

She wasn't wrong. Ever since Jesse and Nate had got together and Jason moved into her spare room back in August, he'd spent more time alone than not. Bella had watched him go from playful to quiet, his usual spark dimmed.

Jason took another bite of cake, savoring it but the last bite slipped right off his fork and smacked onto his scrub top. "Oh come on," he muttered, grabbing a napkin to dab the frosting.

He tossed the napkin and plate in the trash just as Tracy called from across the room. "Hey, can you bring a piece to Rose in the kitchen? She spotted me carrying it in and made me promise."

"Sure thing," Jason replied. Tracy handed him a generous slice on a fresh plate.

"Thanks again, everyone" he called out to the room, balancing the cake carefully as he stepped into the hallway.

As he walked toward the kitchen, he glanced down at the icing stain on his chest. Great. Now he looked both festive and unprofessional. He sighed, mentally preparing to scrub it off at the sink before heading back to his unit.

He rounded the corner and slammed directly into someone.

It felt like a linebacker tackle. His shoulder collided hard with another body, and before he could process what was happening, he heard a shout and the clatter of something hitting the floor.

Vincent Maloney was now on the ground, flat on his back, his tablet spinning a few feet away.

Jason froze.

The cake? Still in his hands.

Well, kind of. The slices were now plastered directly onto Vincent’s chest, clinging to his scrub top like an unfortunate piece.

Jason stared, horrified, while Vincent slowly looked down at the cake now stuck to him, frosting oozing.

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Author's Note:

Jason really said "Happy birthday to me" and took out the most intimidating man in the hospital with a piece of cake 🎂🤣. What do y'all think Vincent is gonna say? Because THAT was not in the schedule... Drop your reactions below💬👇