In the mirror she saw a face, with a mixture of awe and grace. She couldn't tell who was more confused, the face she saw or herself.
Was the Cristina Yang she used to know forever gone? What was Burke trying to convey when he told her to "be Cristina" again?
On her nails she found many colors, ones that made her roll her eyes. She couldn't believe she did her nails, and Burke was equally amazed.
Cristina didn't want to become Izzie Stevens, but if being girly and folding her fingers around Burke could actually feel that comfortable, why shouldn't she?
Colin was wrong about many things, but he might be right this time-- Cristina wasn't the same person anymore-- not worse, only better.
Cristina wished Burke could give her more credits than doing a good job playing the affectionate and sweet fiancee role. It was part of the plan, but it wasn't pure acting.
Well, it couldn't have been fake if it made her heart leap in a giddy whirl when their hands touch in the patient's room, at the nurse station, in the OR... everywhere.
It must be real when her heart ached and a lump formed in her throat everytime their eyes meet when Colin tried to put down Burke in front of the patient and the nurses.
It just felt so natural to be asking Burke a surgical question she already had an answer to when Cristina saw that expression of mild disappointment and self-doubt spreading across Burke's face.
She wasn't consciously aware of her desire to boost Burke's ego until Colin pointed it out. She only wanted to be there for Burke, to remind him she wouldn't mind containing her own ego to bring out the best of him, if that was what he's been doing for her for so long.
Yes, Cristina was still the same Cristina, but she has improved. She has learned to care about people. She even felt sorry when Colin exited the OR, clearly hurt and lonely.
And who said it was bad to be different? The raw emotions that came to the surface somtimes made her feel unsafe. But Burke would be there to guide her and they would grow together--Wasn't that why they were getting married?
"I'll always be your Cristina," Cristina whispered into his ear from behind the couch.
As she laid her hand over his cheek, Burke took off his glasses and raised his brows. Pulling her forward into his embrace, Burke narrowed his eyes and gave her a mesmerizing smile.
"Ok," Burke kissed her neck.
"And don't make a big deal about it," Their smile soon turned into a ripple of hushed giggles when Burke buried his head over Cristina's.
This was more like it.