Today was going to pass like it was just another day. It was just another day, nothing special. At least Amelia hoped it would pass like just another day. She didn't bother reminding anyone of what today was and didn't expect anyone to remember anyway. That was perfectly fine.
Her Mom called of course, she would never forget this day, not again. She did once, when Amelia was 12 but Derek reminded her. It was the only year any of them got a store bought cake. Carolyn made and decorated five cakes a year until they were off at college⦠except that year.
Derek would have remembered. He loved these days, they were his favourite. He always used to make a big deal of it, even when they were on the other side of the country to one another. He'd send balloons or a singing card. Something that would make her laugh and just wish she could wrap her arms around him and thank him for making her feel special.
She missed him today. She missed him every day just more so than usual today.
Lizzie called and so did Kathleen. They always did. It was a quick call on their way to work after dropping the kids at school, no big fuss. Nancy sent an email. That wasn't surprising. She never was one for sentiment.
A clipped aneurysm and two trauma calls into her day and her Seattle family had made no mention of what today was. She baited Maggie to see if they were just 'forgetting' and had some silly surprise party planned or if they'd actually forgotten. If anyone was going to break and just burst into song in the middle of the ER, it was Maggie. No song and dance. Just what she wanted.
Another trauma that resulted in a craniotomy. The last three hours of her shift were spent in the OR followed by an hour writing up Post-Op notes and checking on her patients. It had passed like it was just another day. That's just what Amelia wanted.
Making her way into the Attending's Lounge and over to her locker, Amelia was ready to hang up her stethoscope for the day. She just wanted to go home, take a nice, long hot bath and go to bed early with a good book. No fuss, no pomp and circumstance. Opening her locker to grab her clothes to change into, Amelia gasped softly at what had been left for her. In her locker was a bouquet of perfect red roses. Short stemmed in a little glass jar with a hessian bow tied around the lip, they were in full, beautiful bloom. Attached to the bow was a little note with a single line written in very familiar scrawl.
'Happy Birthday Mia'
