My appointments go about as well as expected after the new developments with my heart, and I'm higher on the list than I was before. I'm reminded to keep my phone, and the pager they gave me weeks ago on me at all times, and I wonder if I'll be lucky enough to get a heart for Christmas—doubtful, but I can dream. The fact is I'm probably going to get worse first like Edward said, and I have to prepare for that.

Edward leaves Emmett a voicemail, detailing everything and mentioning that we might grab a bite to eat so he's not suspicious when it takes us longer to get home. I feel a little underdressed when we get to the waterfront restaurant compared to Edward's suit he always wears when we come to Seattle, but he assures me I look beautiful.

Even though we've been together for weeks, I'm still a little nervous as the waiter takes our order. I keep looking around, making sure there are no familiar faces in the crowd.

"How was Thanksgiving with your parents?" I ask.

"Well." He sighs, grimacing slightly. "My parents and I don't exactly have the kind of close-knit relationship your family does. My mother and I get along well, but my father … well, he has an ego the size of Texas."

"Why? Is he some important CEO?"

He shakes his head. "He's a heart transplant surgeon too. I once swore I'd never be like him, which is why I went into the military … then I did my cardio rotation and fell in love. But I try my hardest to keep from becoming him. He's cold and callous. When I got into transplants, he was proud of me for probably the first time in my life. And then, when I got a little burnt out and moved here, he told me I was giving up the best career I'd ever find. Did you know that when Emmett first asked me to take care of you, I told him no?"

I'm taken aback and nearly choke on my Coke. "What?"

He nods. "Yeah, I thought my transplant days were over, but for some reason, I changed my mind. I'm so fucking glad I did."

"Me too." I smile, realizing he's the reason I'm still making memories with my family. "Because of you, I'm back home with my family. If there weren't this, oh … one of a kind, incredible doctor here, I wouldn't have moved back. I would have missed so much."

"Maybe it was fate that changed my mind then." He grins.

We talk a little more about his family and childhood over our meal. I'm sad that he doesn't have the kind of support I do, but it seems like his mom is still there for him. Elizabeth sounds kind and caring, but Edward Sr. sounds like a serious prick, and I realize how lucky I am that I have caring doctors in my family. Sure, Emmett has a little ego, but nothing like Edward's dad. Edward doesn't think he even cares about his patients but the glory behind it—which is why he didn't want to follow in his footsteps completely.

"Let's take a walk before heading home," he suggests as we leave the restaurant.

He holds my hand tightly in his own as we walk, and I love being open for once about being together. He makes me feel so special, and for a little while, we pretend we don't care who sees us kissing. I want this every day because, the fact is, I'm falling in love. I can't stop it, and I don't want to, but I'm still not ready to say it out loud.

If I admit this is real, what happens if something goes wrong?


Thanks to May, Nole, Fran, Brier, and Meg for prereading and Sally for Beta'ing.

Thanks for all the well wishes. Updates may be sporadic this week because I'll be traveling, but I promise to update as much as I can.