Sorry that it has, once again, been so long! It appears I am more than a little rusty at job hunting since I haven't had to for almost six years! lol Enjoy!

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In my mind, I knew everything was being taken care of. I could even see the nursery becoming more and more complete everyday. However, I couldn't stop the worry.

Late at night, while everyone was sleeping, I mentally counted how many people wouldn't come because they hated me. I would count my selfish failures as the reason why I wasn't accomplishing the things my friends had accomplished for me. In a short week I had devoted my life to worry.

Leave it to Louise to assure that I couldn't on the day of the shower.

When I woke up, I had a brand new dress laid out with all of the fixings. After my shower, I found a whole array of every convenience breakfast item known to man. Cristina showed up around ten to take me for a manicure and pedicure-apparently her way of weasling out of decorating. Once I was all polished, we went to grab a quick lunch.

At one-thirty, there was no more stalling.

No options.

Just Joe's.

Cristina was giving me the ugly eye, so I pushed myself inside.

Oh my God! You could not believe my surprise!

Everything was fantastically plush in shades of neutral and baby pinks. All of the liquor bottles were concealed under cozies made of brown cotton and pink bows. A complete nursery set comprised of a crib, changing table, dresser, and rocking chair were arranged artfully around the bar with all of their dressings intact. Pretty cream callas lay atop the varnished table tops in a windmill pattern with chocotinis, both alcoholic and non, in between each floral blade. All in all, it was simply perfect and majestic in a cozy home way.

I went directly to Louise and Joe to give them huge hugs. It no longer mattered if everyone and no one came, because at least two people cared enough to make all of this. They glided past my thanks, but they deserved it.

Before I knew it, party time had arrived. Joe's began to fill up with nurses that once snickered, but now carried gift bags and elaborate diaper cakes. The Chief and Adele showed up with an armful of presents, most notably a tiny, white, Dior sleepsack that bore a name tag that read "Dr. O'Malley Jr.". Once again, my friends showed up with presents that could only be from them, and by the end of the shower, I had everything I could ever need for at least six babies.

After Joe and Louise had packed up the remaining food and enlisted the straggling patrons to carry it across the way to the break room, I took time to just sit. I had almost lulled myself to sleep with the gentle rocking, when a hand reached out to stop the chair.

I turned, expecting to see George. However, I was face to face with Callie. For no good reason, I clutched to my belly.

"Hey, Callie. Fancy meeting you here. Free cake just went across the road to the hospital, you should go have some."

"Shut up."

"Excuse me?"

"I said 'Shut Up'. You need to let me get this out before I puke."

I answered her with silence.

"Okay. Perfect. Look. I know you weren't expecting to see me, and I wasn't expecting to be here, but I am. I've talked a lot about being the bigger and better person, but I haven't been. Ignoring you, and letting people harass George, does not make me better. It makes me lame, and low, and I am sorry. This does not mean you are not the things I said, but that I should let it go and stop calling you them. And I do. I do want to let go. We will never be friends, I will never be excited about how things have turned out, but I am not letting go if I am holding on to hatred and blame. Enjoy your holidays, Izzie. Enjoy your family. You've been lucky, so good luck on the rest."

"I don't know what to say."

"Just say that you understand my position, and you accept the apology I owe you. I won't forget, but I forgive you. Say you accept my forgiveness, and please forgive me for making it even harder."

"I do. I am so sorry..."

"No more of that. We have an understanding. I guess we won't be seeing each other much after the next few weeks, but I'll see you around. Promise me that you will take care of him?"

"I promise."

She turned around and left.

After she walked out the door, I shut my eyes once again.

I slept worriless until everyone came back.