"Happy Holidays!"
Kristina glances away from her computer monitor, elation swiftly spreading on her face when she sees Amy standing in the doorway, two coffee cups and brown paper bags in both hands.
"Hey!" she gets up and embraces her friend, "Oh my God, it's been awhile!"
"It has! With all the craziness of the past year, I figured I'd check in and see how things are going."
Kristina takes a cup and bag from the nurse, sitting down at her desk. Amy sits across from her.
"First things first," the woman has a sip of her coffee, "how are you?"
"I'm doing okay. The craziness with Molly's lawsuit and Greenland is over, so now I'm able to live my life."
"You were definitely in the news for a while with the Greenland stuff and the court drama. How are you and Molly doing after that?"
"We don't have a relationship anymore. She cut me out after her lawsuit, and I gave up on reconciliation after she put my family in danger."
"Oh my God, wait," Amy leans in, "Did Molly have your late great-uncle go after Dex and Ciara?! Holy crap, Krissy, that's awful! I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay. What matters is that they got out of there in one piece and they're alive and well."
"True. I gotta say, it was pretty badass that you were part of that rescue squad. Dex and Ciara are really lucky to have you."
"Yeah…" a sweet smile slowly spreads onto Kristina's face.
"How is that little baby girl? I haven't seen her since you gave birth."
"Oh, she's great," Kristina pulls out her phone, pulling up her photo gallery. She leans over to show Amy an assortment of pictures, some of Ciara on her own and some with the mother and daughter together, "just an absolute angel."
"She's beautiful, Krissy. She looks just like you."
"Aw, thank you!" Kristina beams as she pockets her phone.
"How's Dex?"
"He's doing alright."
"How are things between you guys?"
"Things are…improving. We didn't talk at all after the lawsuit, and we sort of hashed things out after Greenland. We still love each other, and we're on speaking terms, but there's still a lot of damage from me lying about Ciara."
"Wait, that doesn't make sense. You guys still love each other, and you're not back together?"
"I don't want to undo the progress we've made, and he has every right to still be upset over my lies."
"Sure, but, I mean, I'm sure Ciara would benefit from having both of her parents around her, wouldn't she?"
"She would, and with him granting visitation, she'll get that."
"I…what?" Amy blinks in disbelief, "This is your family, Krissy! You carried that baby girl for nine months and went through hell for her! Dex doesn't get to tell you that he loves you and then say 'no' when it comes to Ciara!"
"It's not that simple-"
"It has to be! I know you: I know how hard you fight for the people you love! And you're just going to take this lying down? Be the Krissy I know and love and let him know what you deserve!"
Kristina takes a deep breath, trying to choose her words carefully, "I'm not the same person I was a year ago, Amy. Getting in Dex's face and demanding joint custody won't do me any good. I'm not just trying to be in Ciara's life, I'm trying to be in his too."
"And you're just gonna play by his rules?"
"Yeah," Kristina shrugs, her voice pitched up slightly, "I'm fighting for my family, not against them."
"Hm," Amy hums, "okay, if you say so."
"I do, now let's change the subject."
"Okay. How is Corinthos-Davis House doing?"
"Why don't I give you a tour and show you?"
The women briskly walk through the hallways, Amy noting each and every bedroom door and decorated bulletin board. Kristina does the same, making a mental note of who resides where and what items are pinned to each corkboard.
"I've been back full time for a little while," she says with Amy behind her, "I would've been back sooner, but the lawsuit and then the Greenland fiasco put me on an extended maternity leave."
"The place looks great so far," Amy remarks, following Kristina past a set of gray double doors. They stare out at a vast cafeteria, set up with faux-wooden benches and tables on clean white tile. Affirming posters rest neatly on the walls, and in the far right corner sits a large, open window, cooks walking by every few minutes.
"This area is…wow," Amy looks around, eyes wide, "Colorful and clean and it definitely looks state-of-the-art."
"It is. Do you remember Ansel from the Youth Center? I brought him on to run the kitchen; he's finally putting that culinary school training to use!" Kristina giggles.
"I'm glad! Was the receptionist with the black buzzcut also from the Youth Center?"
"No, Riley moved here a couple months ago from San Francisco. The kids love them."
"Aw, that's nice," Amy remarks as the women exit the cafeteria. They walk through the halls, waving to an occupied Riley as they turn the corner. A woman with braided red hair approaches them, causing Amy to stop in her tracks while Kristina expertly slows down.
"Sorry to bother you, Kristina," she says, her voice sweet, "but I've been looking for you. Dr. Collins called."
"About what?" Kristina asks as Amy shrinks into herself.
"Well, he said that he sent an employee here to talk to you about a potential new resident, and he hadn't heard from you yet."
"He sent-" Kristina instantly looks at Amy, who glances away, "Are we meant to be taking in a patient?"
"...I wanted to ease into talking about that," the nurse replies sheepishly, "since you're my friend and it's been a while-"
Kristina lets out a rough sigh, turning to the redhead, "Thanks, Bianca. I'll get the information and then give Dr. Collins a call."
"I'm sorry, Krissy," Amy says as they enter the office by the front door, "I didn't want our reunion to only be about work."
"If you wanted to hang out with me, you could've just texted me," the young woman sits down, pulling out a pen and legal pad, "Who does Dr. Collins want to move in here?"
"Jasmine Ross," the nurse answers, pulling out her phone. She shows her friend a photo of an ID card, displaying a young black girl with a semi-large afro smiling against a bright blue backdrop, "She came out as a lesbian to her parents, and they…didn't take it well, to say the least."
"How old is she?"
"Thirteen."
"How's her current condition at GH?"
"She's got a broken arm and a lot of cuts and bruises. Dr. Collins put a hold on her discharge because of the situation, and he feels that she would be better off away from her family."
"He wants a permanent move?"
"Krissy, this poor girl was brutalized. It's so bad that he's been talking to the hospital lawyers about removing parental rights."
"Okay, okay, I can work with Dr. Collins on having Jasmine formally moved in, and I can have Bianca put her psychology degree to use and meet with her."
"Thank you!" Amy claps her hands together, "When are you able to meet with her?"
"Uh," Kristina checks her calendar, "let me call Dr. Collins and work that out."
"Okay, thank you, Krissy. You're saving this girl's life," Amy smiles, getting to her feet, "It was nice to see you. Hopefully we can hang out soon!"
Kristina watches her leave, the office door closing behind her. She then turns to her phone, dialing Dr. Kevin Collins's direct line.
"Hello?" the man picks up after a few rings.
"Dr. Collins?" she asks, "It's Kristina Corinthos-Davis."
"Kristina, hey! I'm glad you called. Did Amy fill you in on my request?"
"She did. How hurt is this poor girl?"
"Well, physically, she'll make a full recovery. I can't say the same emotionally."
"Damn," Kristina swears, shaking her head, "I'm so sorry she went through that."
"I feel the same as you, and that's partly why I want Corinthos-Davis House involved here. I don't know if your business is versed in crisis intervention, but it seems like the ideal place for her."
"It'll definitely be a first for us, but we're more than happy to take her in. Amy told me that you're considering removing parental rights?"
"I am. I'm not sure if it's legally possible, but I'd love to have Jasmine out of the reach of the people who did this to her. She deserved to be with a family or community that accepts her for who she is."
"Do you want me to come by her hospital room and meet with her? Or would you prefer my lead counselor, Bianca, to come?"
"If you can send Bianca before the end of today, that would be great. We'll work together, and if Jasmine is comfortable, once she's discharged, we can bring her by for an in-person meeting."
"Whatever she wants to do, and whatever you think is best."
"Great! We'll keep in touch. I look forward to seeing Bianca soon! Thank you, Kristina!"
"Thank you too! Talk to you soon!" she hangs up with him, instantly pivoting to her emails. She spends the next series of minutes crafting the email to the counselor before sending it off. The next few hours involve routine walks around the complex and checking on the housemates she encounters, making sure their high spirits remain intact. Her main phone rings just as she returns to her office.
"Hello?" Kristina asks, picking the device up.
"Kristina, hi, um," Bianca's voice comes through the static, "can you stop by the hospital at all?"
"Is everything okay?" she tenses up, "Did something happen?"
"Everything's fine. Jasmine wants to meet you, if that's at all possible."
"Oh," she relaxes, "yes, I'll come by now."
"Okay, thank you."
Kristina hangs up first, leaning back in her chair, taking a deep breath to collect herself. She looks around the room, locking onto photos of her and Dex and her and Ciara on the bookshelf behind her. Getting to her feet, she takes off, weaving through traffic the moment her car exits the complex parking lot. Time melts away during the drive, and her head's still a bit hazy when she parks and enters the hospital.
"Kristina?"
She freezes immediately, recognizing the deep voice. Turning around slowly, her eyes meet TJ's.
"What are you doing here?" he asks, crossing his arms.
"I'm here on business. Dr. Collins called me about a patient."
"Jasmine Ross, right?"
She blinks at him, "...Yeah. How did you know?"
"I'm her treating physician."
"Oh," she replies, her eyes darting away for a brief moment, "well, uh, she's in good hands with you, and Dr. Collins."
"Yeah…" TJ sighs, "Let me show you to her room."
The silence is deafening between them as they head up to the second floor ICU area. They turn at the second corner on the right, and TJ knocks before they enter.
"Jasmine?" the girl's name leaves Kristina's mouth softly, frowning at the sight of all the bandages on her face. The young girl looks up at her, fear bright in her eyes.
"Jazz," TJ steps forwards, kneeling down by Dr. Collins, "Ms. Corinthos-Davis is here to see you. She runs the home Dr. Collins was telling you about."
"It's your place?" Jasmine squeaks out as TJ swaps places with Kristina.
"Yep," she nods, "it's a big house with a lot of kids just like you."
"Are they nice?"
"The nicest," Bianca nods.
"Jasmine, dear," Dr. Collins speaks up, "we think it would be beneficial for you to spend some time at Corinthos-Davis House. What happened to you is something we don't want to have happen again."
"When did this happen?" Kristina asks softly, leaning towards TJ.
"A couple days ago. The cops arrested her parents and they're being charged. Dr. Collins floated the idea to get you involved yesterday."
"Thank God they're away from her."
"Yeah."
"Will my parents know where I am?" Jasmine asks, her voice shaky, "Will they be able to find me?"
"No, not at all," Dr. Collins responds, "We're working with the PCPD to make sure they can't hurt you anymore."
"Plus, Corinthos-Davis House has great security," Bianca follows with.
Jasmine looks around the room, her eyes darting from person to person before she locks onto Kristina, "Do I get my own room?"
"Absolutely," the young woman smiles, and it causes the girl to do the same, "it'll be up and ready when you're discharged from the hospital."
"And we'll make sure some PCPD officers are with you when you pack your things," Dr. Collins adds, "So, what do you say? Do you feel comfortable moving into Corinthos-Davis House?"
"Yeah," Jasmine beams, "Thank you, Miss…"
"Kristina," she gently shakes the young girl's hand, "Call me Kristina."
"Thank you, Kristina."
"You're welcome."
As TJ and Dr. Collins coax Jasmine into napping, Kristina and Bianca walk into the waiting room. The two doctors follow just as Bianca takes her leave back to Corinthos-Davis House.
"Thank you so much, Kristina," Dr. Collins smiles, "Jasmine's going to be in great hands with you."
"I'll do right by her for sure. I can't imagine ever treating my daughter like that, and if someone else does that to her…" Kristina shakes her head, "God, her parents are absolute monsters! I hope they get the book thrown at them for how they treated her."
"Trust me, they will," TJ nods, and Kristina feels a very slight tug on her heart when she picks up on his implication.
"I'll get some paperwork together for the courts so we can officially revoke their parental rights," Dr. Collins nods at them both before leaving them behind. Kristina lets out a sigh before sitting down at the nearby sofa. TJ joins her, and they sit in silence for a beat.
"Dr. Collins is right," TJ speaks up, "Jazz will be in great hands with your business."
"Yeah. I mean, that's what the goal of Corinthos-Davis House is. Kids who lost their homes find a new one there, and they'll receive the kind of love they deserved to get from the families that disowned them."
"It sounds like the place is doing really well."
"I'd say so."
"That's good," TJ nods, "I appreciate that, thanks to you, these kids will have new families."
"Well, you know what they say: blood doesn't make family."
"No, it does not," TJ lets out a chuckle. Kristina turns his way, pondering her next question.
"So, uh, how have things been for you otherwise?" he questions, stunning her.
"Oh…um…fine. Things are fine."
"How are you and Dex? Are you guys back together?"
"No. Did he say we were?"
"No, I was just wondering. He said you guys have been pretty civil to each other since the hearing. How's Ciara?"
"She's good: healthy and happy."
"I'm glad! I've been meaning to visit her. I'll set something up with Dex."
"With or without Molly?"
"...Without," TJ struggles as the answer leaves his mouth, "I know she's persona non grata with you two…as much as she hates that."
"She earned that."
"I know, and you guys have every right to keep her away from Ciara, but I'm not gonna lie, being the middleman sucks sometimes."
"I'm sorry," Kristina frowns.
"It is what it is. I love both Molly and Dex, and I'm not sure what I'd do without them in my life."
"Yeah…I get that…" Kristina glances away as TJ stands up.
"It was nice to catch up with you, Kristina," he looks down at her, "and I really appreciate you stepping in and helping Jazz."
"I'm happy to help."
"I'll see you around," he then walks off, Kristina watching him all the while. She stays put for a moment before standing up herself, slowly approaching the window into Jasmine's ICU room. She feels her heart splinter the more she fixates on the bruises and bandages that litter her face and arms. The walk back to her car is somber yet assured; the drive back to the business is the same. She nods at Riley, perfectly perched at the reception desk, before entering her office and shutting the door behind her to continue, and eventually finish, the rest of her workday.