Thank you for the reviews. This story is taking on a slightly different path than I first thought.

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Ch. 4

"You're looking for Dr. Burke? He's the best heart surgeon," Cristina cautiously proceeded as she began her inquiry. "but your record doesn't suggest any heart abnormalities. Is there anything you'd like to alert us about?"

Samuel nodded. "My last name was Burke."

Cristina knew it. She didn't have to guess further. "You are his—"

"Father." Samuel shook his head and smiled sadly, "I WAS his father."

"Does Burke… uh… Preston… know?" Cristina was curious, because this man in front of him did not resemble any of the men in the framed photos Preston owned.

"It's a long story."

Cristina held her tongue and continued nodding. Samuel would have been more reserved had he been talking to the old Cristina who always interrupted.

"I'm a disgrace to my family. I was an alcoholic and I killed someone. But that isn't important now. Tell me, Doctor, is Preston Burke a good man?"

"He's a very good man. Well, he's the best surgeon, the best Chief—"

"Is he married?" Samuel's eyes lit up.

"Married, with a 3-year-old daughter." Cristina wasn't sure if she should be volunteering so much information. She ought to check with Preston to see if the man was merely an imposter, but there was something about Samuel that made her want to stay.

Samuel nodded approvingly, "Are they happy?"

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"Daddy, what do you wanna eat tonight?" Asha had been sitting in Preston's office for over 3 hours, filling her coloring book and reading quietly. But even the best-behaving little girl would feel hungry when the night fell.

"Sorry, sweetheart. You must be starving now." Preston didn't realize it was almost eight. "Your mummy said you could choose where to eat. Have you made up your mind yet?"

"Anything that both you and mummy like, daddy."

Preston pondered on Asha's reply. It's been a long time since he thought about what he or Cristina liked. Back when they were dating, they would fight over which restaurant to go to. Once a family was formed, the dynamics gradually shifted. Their life went on smoothly, yet something was missing. They were far from being an estranged couple, but they're spending very little time talking about their feelings. Sometimes he wished their conversation could revolve around themselves—not the hospital, not their daughter—just the two of them.