Alex let herself into the apartment at lunchtime that Friday, bearing a paper sack containing soup from the deli, fresh bread and fruit. She knew Olivia was still not up to much more in the way of food.

The apartment looked empty, and she started to worry that Olivia had taken a turn for the worse and been taken away in an ambulance. Just then, the bedroom door opened, and a sleep-rumpled Olivia emerged.

"Hey Olivia," Alex took a step towards her, and peered anxiously at her face, relieved to see nothing amiss.

"Hi Alex," Olivia said. "I'm sorry, I meant to be up and dressed by lunch. You must be sick of the sight of me in my nightclothes."

Alex swallowed. She could never imagine being sick of the sight of Olivia, whatever she was, or wasn't, wearing.

"Did you sleep?" she asked Olivia.

"Yeah," Olivia sounded frustrated. "That's all I can seem to do. I don't think I've ever felt so tired."

"Your body must need it," Alex told her, with a smile. "Are you up to a light lunch, d'you think?"

Olivia nodded, and smiled, tiredly.

The two women sat at the table, relaxed and comfortable in each other's company. Just as Alex was clearing the dishes, there was a knock at the door. Olivia moved as though to get up, but Alex was faster. Putting her hand on the brunette's should, she said, "you stay there, I'll get it."

Alex was pleased to see Melinda Warner through the spyhole, though she didn't recognize the young girl with her. She opened the door and smiled.

The child, who was seven years old at most Alex guessed, darted past Alex and flung herself at Olivia. "Auntie Livvie!" she cried.

"Easy there, Gracie," Melinda told the child. "Remember, Auntie Livvie's been real sick."

Olivia laughed at the enthusiasm and energy of the child. She swept her up into a big hug, and kissed her on the cheek. "Don't listen to your ma," she said, a conspiratorial grin on her face, "I'm all better now. And I'm thrilled to see you!"

"I hope you don't mind," Melinda said to Alex. "We're on our way to the market, and I didn't want to leave her in the car."

"You did the right thing," Alex said. "What a beautiful girl," she looked over at the girl, whose long hair had been tied into dozens of braids, and each braid was loaded with endless bright-colored beads. The child's smile was wide and infectious, and Alex was delighted to see Olivia chatting enthusiastically with her, and tickling her which sent her into raptures of giggles. Clearly Olivia knew her well.

Melinda smiled. "She's a handful," she said, but could not hide the pride in her voice.

"Your daughter?" Alex guessed.

Melinda nodded.

"I didn't know you had a daughter," Alex told her. "She seems a real live wire."

"She loves her Auntie Livvie," Melinda said. "Olivia's a wonderful godmother to her."

"I didn't know she was a godmother," Alex said. "I suppose there's a lot about her I don't know."

"You'll enjoy learning about each other," Melinda said, cryptically. "Okay, Olivia," she addressed her friend. "Let's go into the bedroom. I just want to check a few things with you."

Olivia rolled her eyes, in mock-exasperation, making the girl giggle afresh. "I'd better do what your mother says. Will you two be okay to keep each other company in here?" she looked over at Alex.

Alex smiled. "Of course," she replied. "Gracie can tell me what it's like having a big, bad detective as a godmother," she grinned.

Grace laughed. "Auntie Livvie's not bad!" she laughed at the idea. "I love her."

"I'm pleased to hear that, kiddo," Olivia said, as she and Melinda disappeared into the bedroom.

a&a&a&a&a&

"So how are you really?" Melinda looked Olivia directly in the eye. "The truth, please."

Olivia smiled. "I'm okay," she said. "But I've never been so exhausted. Please tell me I'll be back at work soon."

"Not for at least a week," Melinda told her. "Maybe two. You've been very sick, Liv," her tone was serious. "Even with Alex taking care of you, I was close to having you admitted."

"She's been so kind," Olivia lay back on the bed as instructed.

Melinda drew Olivia's shirt up to just below her breasts, and palpated her flat stomach gently. She watched Olivia's expression carefully. "You still have some pain?"

"It's much better," Olivia told her. "Truly."

"Any nausea?" the doctor asked.

"Hardly at all," Olivia answered, which earned her a sharp glance from the doctor.

"Have you been sick today?" Melinda demanded.

Olivia shook her head. "Not for ages," she said.

Melinda took out her stethoscope. "Can you sit up for me?" she asked. She checked Olivia's heart rate and breathing, raising her shirt at the back to get a full reading.

"Your chest still bothering you?" Melinda asked.

"A little," Olivia admitted. "But not as much as before."

"Your immune system has been compromised," Melinda told her. "Any kind of infection can take hold much faster than usual. You swear you'll call me straight away if it gets worse?"

Olivia nodded. "I promise."

a&a&a&a&a&

"So you're on your way to the market?" Alex asked Gracie.

Gracie giggled. "We have to get some stuff for my mom," she told her. "She's having a baby, and she's eating all sorts of crazy food. Ma says lots of pregnant ladies do that."

"I didn't know Melinda was pregnant!" Alex exclaimed.

Gracie laughed again. "No, silly," she said. "Not my ma. My mom. I've got two mothers," she explained slowly to Alex, clearly used to having to clarify the situation. "It's my mom who's having the baby. The baby's coming soon, ma says, just a few more weeks."

"Well that's very exciting," Alex said. "So tell me Gracie, what crazy food does your mom want you to get?"

Gracie screwed up her face. "She wants feta cheese and chocolate spread. But she wants them both together in a sandwich. Ew, gross," she made her disgust quite clear.

Alex laughed. "You're right, that is a crazy combination. Do you want a glass of orange juice while we're waiting?"

Gracie nodded, enthusiastically.

a&a&a&a&a&

"So, doctor," Olivia said wryly. "Am I going to live?"

"For a couple of months at least," Melinda grinned back. "But I want you to take these for your chest," she was writing out a prescription, "twice a day. Can Alex get that filled for you?"

"I'll ask," Olivia said. "Though I'm sure I can make it to the drug store, it's only across the road, and the fresh air..."

"You are going nowhere," Melinda's voice was firm. "Not until that chest clears up. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am," Olivia smiled.

"I'm glad you're better," Melinda impulsively pulled the taller woman into a hug.

"Me too," Olivia said, returning the embrace. "Thank you for all you've done. I do realize this is not part of your job."

"We're friends," Melinda said. "Good friends. I know how you feel about hospitals, hell, about doctors in general. It's the least I can do."

Olivia smiled, a lump forming in her throat. "I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate it."

"I know," Melinda's voice was serious. "There's one more thing I want to know."

Olivia looked at her. "What's that?"

"I want to know when you are going to ask her out," Melinda said. "She's totally smitten with you."

Olivia looked startled. "Oh no, it's not like that," she stuttered. "She's just been taking care of me. She's been really kind. But she's not gay, I'm sure of that."

Melinda snorted. "She is so gay," she said. "And she's fallen hard for you. I've seen how she looks at you Liv. What's wrong, aren't you interested in her?"

Olivia shook her head. "It's not that. I just never thought... you really think she might be gay?"

"Trust me," Melinda put her hand over Olivia's. "Ask her out. She's not going to turn you down."