I know it's been a long time. all I have left is to write the personal annecdotes. Jade's private life has finally shown itself to me in this massive story, so I got the first four Episodes ready for you. Season Two starts now. ~S.K.

Ep 1: Glad you stayed

The interactions with Jojo had become incredibly awkward for Tara. She knew that Jo was in love with her, but she couldn't quite grasp her own feelings. Since that drunken kiss at the wedding, there had been no further romantic moments between them.

Over the summer, Jo had been busy reaching out to local hospitals for a surgical fellowship, and she had successfully landed a cardiac fellowship in the same hospital where she currently worked. Tara, on the other hand, had kept herself occupied with her burgeoning business. Her career was taking off, especially after the release of the Lil' Muffin album, and she had been introduced to the world of celebrity party planning.

With her thriving career, Tara found herself with little time to address her feelings for Jo. That is, until the day Jo had off, and Tara found herself essentially trapped in her bedroom because Jo was in the living room. She couldn't help but peek out and was met with the surprising sight of Jo engaged in a heavy makeout session with an Asian woman.

Tara's annoyance was palpable. After all, hadn't Jo declared that she was her person just three months earlier?

Annoyed, Tara decided to confront the situation and opened her bedroom door, stepping out into the living room. Jo and the other woman jumped, startled by her sudden appearance. Tara couldn't hide her frustration as she greeted Jo, "Hey, Tara."

With a forced smile, Jo introduced the woman, "This is Dr. P... Lani." Her cheeks were tinted with a blush.

Tara gave a curt nod, her gaze lingering on the newcomer. "Hi. Nice to meet you. Jo has told me so much about you," she replied with a smirk.

Tara's tone carried a hint of irritation, and she quickly added, "I'm going to meet with Lady Zee. Don't wait up." With that, she exited the living room, leaving Jo and Dr. Park bewildered.

Dr. Park's eyes widened as she looked at Jo. "The Lady Zee?" she exclaimed, surprised by the revelation.

Jo smiled and nodded. "Yep."

" Who else does she know?" Dr. Park asked impressed with the celebrity name drop.

Jo leaned in, her smirk evident as she asked, "Do you want to ask about her, or do you want to get in my pants?"

With that, Lani's focus shifted, and they resumed their passionate embrace.

As I settled into my trailer one afternoon, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the last two weeks of shooting, I knew it was time to catch up on some consults. The script had me wrapped up in the world of the show, but my real-life responsibilities couldn't be ignored. I opened an email from Dr. Meave Cyrus, a gynecologist I frequently collaborated with.

The subject line read "Re: Consult Stanton 0006745," and I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as I clicked to read the message.

From:

To:

August 29, 3:45 p.m.

Re: Consult Stanton 0006745

Yep, it's gastroschisis, just like we thought, and most of the bowel and liver is out. Mrs. Stanton is due in 6 weeks and has a C-section scheduled for the 6th. Your office has given her an appointment for the 4th, which was the soonest they could get her in after you leave Canada.

Talk soon,

Dr. Meave Cyrus

MD/OBGYN

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, absorbing the information. Gastroschisis was a challenging condition, and I knew that this case would require careful planning and attention. Since the patient's due date was just six weeks away, there wasn't much I could do until after she gave birth.

I glanced over the lab attachments, but there was nothing immediate for me to address in this particular case. I had transitioned into a more specialized role, focused on surgical procedures and follow-up appointments, leaving behind the routine pediatric visits.

Just as I was lost in thought, Tori entered the trailer and planted a sweet kiss on my lips. She settled in next to me, her curiosity piqued by the email on my screen.

"Is that a disease I want to know about?" she inquired, her eyes fixed on the message.

I shook my head, knowing that discussing medical conditions wasn't exactly the ideal topic for casual conversation. "It will freak you out, and you will never leave Trina alone," I warned her.

Tori chuckled, her eyes dancing with excitement. "Seriously, I am so excited for her little boy to get here."

"We don't know it's a boy," I reminded her.

She expressed her hopes, "I am hoping. There are so many girls in our family."

I couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. I put my computer aside and turned to take my wife into my arms. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Curled up together, Tori ventured into a personal topic, her voice filled with curiosity, "You ever want another one?"

I couldn't resist teasing her, "Are you offering to carry?"

Her laughter was infectious. "You could carry too… My abs are my money makers."

A mischievous grin crossed my face. "Well, I'm not sure I want to carry a baby right now," I replied, lowering my lips to her pulse point.

Tori's gaze met mine as I leaned back. "So, you're saying later?" she inquired, a glint of hope in her eyes.

I couldn't help but smile as I looked down at my wife. "Maybe," I whispered, knowing that life was full of surprises, just like the cases I handled as a surgeon.

Ep 2: Pining

"You're staring again," Lysette teased, leaning against the bar.

Tara let out a low groan. "She said she loved me."

Amy chimed in, her tone practical, "You also said you didn't know how you felt and avoided her for months. What was Jo supposed to do?"

Tara acknowledged the truth in Amy's words. "No, I get it," she mumbled, taking a deep draw from her cocktail.

Changing the subject, Lysette praised Tara, "Meanwhile, you have outdone yourself with this one."

Tara shrugged, downplaying her achievement. "It's for a good cause."

Amy raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Yeah, and you did it all pro bono?"

Tara sighed, her thoughts drifting back to Jo. "It was for Jo. I'd do anything for—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Jo appeared, giving Tara a heartfelt hug and interrupting her. Tara closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the feel of Jo's presence.

Jo expressed her gratitude, "Hey, T. Thanks so much for doing this for the hospital."

Tara was momentarily lost in the scent of her best friend but was snapped back to reality as Dr. Park approached.

"Yes, Tara. This was a really great thing for us," Dr. Park added, and Tara reluctantly released Jo, who smiled warmly and joined her lover.

Tara watched them go, the sense of longing tugging at her heart. Amy spoke softly, reminding her of the reality she had created, "She deserves someone that can give her that. You blew it, kid."

Tara sighed and admitted, "Yes, I did."

Three days had passed since my return, and the 4th of September had arrived. I sat in my office, waiting for Ms. Stanton to come in for her appointment, reviewing my schedule for the week ahead. With my surgical cases winding down early enough to allow me to be home for dinner most nights, I couldn't help but revel in the newfound balance between my career and domestic life.

The peaceful atmosphere of my personal life seemed to spark a surge of creativity. Ideas for a movie, a passion I hadn't had the time to indulge in since becoming a doctor, began to dance through my mind. I decided to mark out tentative periods in my schedule for writing alone, a project that promised to be both challenging and fulfilling.

A soft knock on my office door brought me back to the present, and I called out, "Come in." In walked Dr. Cyrus and Dr. Shaw, accompanied by a very pregnant blonde woman and her husband, a burly man even larger than Beck.

I greeted them with a warm smile, extending my hand to the couple. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Stanton, Mr. Stanton. Please have a seat."

The husband appeared slightly puzzled, clearly not accustomed to my presence. Dr. Cyrus quickly explained, "Dr. West is one of the best pediatric surgeons in California. She just came off of a sabbatical, so she had not been in our meetings before, but I have kept her in the loop."

I directed my attention to the couple, eager to understand where they stood and what information they already had. "What has Dr. Cyrus explained to you about your child's condition?" I inquired.

Mrs. Stanton hesitated for a moment before responding, "She just said that he was going to need surgery the moment he was born because he didn't close up."

I nodded, sympathetically. "Gastroschisis is a birth defect that occurs when an opening forms in the abdominal wall," I explained, sharing my medical knowledge. "Your son's bowel has pushed through the hole, and developed outside of his body."

The mother's expression shifted to one of concern, and rightfully so, given the severity of her child's case. She shared, "We saw the ultrasound, but I couldn't make sense of it."

I retrieved a few sonograms from the baby's file, showcasing them to the couple. "The opening is on the right of his umbilical cord," I pointed out in one image, before displaying another that showed a gray area near the abdomen. "These are his intestines, and I believe his liver and stomach."

The mother was understandably taken aback, her youthful features betraying her worry. On the other hand, her husband's reaction surprised me as he scrutinized my credentials and my lifestyle as his eyes roamed the pictures of my family on my desk. "What are the odds?" he muttered to himself.

Dr. Cyrus chimed in, "It's pretty rare, but it's seen a rise in more recent years."

Dr. Shaw offered reassurance, "There is no probable cause for this. You didn't do anything to cause it. It isn't genetic or the result of anything you might have done. It's just how your child developed. Because the bowel is outside of his body, it is unprotected, which means there is a chance it can become irritated, swollen, and damaged. We need to act quickly after he is born to get his organs back inside his body."

The father questioned, "So you're just going to push his guts back in?"

I grimaced, considering the complexity of the case. "His situation is a bit complicated because his stomach and liver are also involved," I explained. "We'll also need to monitor for necrosis, tangles, and other potential obstructions."

Dr. Shaw added information, "We are prepared to keep your son in the Neonatal unit for at least two weeks."

Dr. Cyrus continued, "We've been monitoring his health, and we are confident we can take care of him. Dr. West has extensive experience and expertise, and we are all here to provide comprehensive support for your son's complex condition."

I reassured them, "You will be giving birth at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, right next to Children's, so I will be able to be there for your son's birth. Due to the severity of his condition, we'll schedule a C-section, and he will be immediately placed in my care."

The mother sought clarification, asking, "He's going to be in a different building?"

I reassured her, "No, he will be transported to Children's when you are discharged. However, the timing may vary depending on the extent of his organ involvement and whether they are swollen or irritated, which could limit the space available in his body."

The father appeared to relax and relinquished his earlier suspicions. This was my moment to explain the steps of the surgical repair, and I proceeded to do so, offering as much information and reassurance as possible, even though I knew that in such a situation, some details might be lost to them.

That evening, I returned home to find Trina and Tori sharing sonogram pictures. Trina was excited to show them to me, but I couldn't resist snatching them from her and examining the images of her baby for myself. After a moment, I sighed in relief and handed the pictures back to her. "Looks good," I reassured her.

Trina seemed a bit puzzled by my reaction and asked, "What were you expecting to see?"

I shook my head and headed into our bedroom, needing a moment of solitude. "You don't want to know," I replied, my thoughts still lingering on the challenging case I would be dealing with for the next two weeks.

Tori followed me into the room, concerned. "Tough day back?" she inquired, taking a seat on our bed.

I sighed, acknowledging the weight of the situation. "I'm going to be working on this case for the next two weeks," I admitted, my voice heavy with the gravity of it. "It's brutal, and I'm pretty sure that if I wasn't as good at my job, he would have condemned me because he saw our wedding photo."

Tori sought clarity, "He? The kid's father?"

I nodded, confirming the source of my apprehension. The encounter with the child's father had left me with a lingering unease, making an already challenging case even more complex.

Ep 3: Boss chick

"Okay, you really have to get yourself together, T. This shit with Jo is going too far," Erin, Tara's assistant, said as she pulled Tara aside.

Tara had been visibly distracted ever since Jo and Lani started dating. The previous night, Jo and Lani had stayed in their apartment, and Tara was unaccustomed to hearing Jo with anyone else. It was beginning to gnaw at her. "I know, you're right."

Erin, with an air of authority, implored Tara, "Look at yourself, look at who you are and what you're doing. You're planning Lady Zee's 40th Birthday."

Tara nodded, trying to shake off her feelings. "I'm a boss chick. I got this," she told herself.

"Shake it off, and let's get these candles, glasses, and flowers set," Erin said, taking charge as she placed a fuchsia gardenia in a glass of water and positioned it in front of a black, gold, and fuchsia striped place setting. The napkin on the table read, "20's Come Back Tour."

I lay in bed, the warmth of Tori snuggled beside me making for a pleasant night. We had enjoyed our time together, and I had just drifted into sleep when my phone rang. Groggily, I answered, "Dr. West?"

"Good morning, Dr. West, calling about your Gastroschisis case?" a nurse from the hospital on the line informed me. I sat up in bed, my bare skin shivering from the sudden cold around me.

"What's going on?" I inquired, quickly sliding my naked form out of bed and heading toward the bathroom, knowing I needed a shower.

"The mother went into active labor and is having a vaginal delivery," the nurse explained.

"Shit, okay," I replied. "Has he been delivered?"

"She's pushing," the nurse informed me.

"Okay, I'll be there soon," I said, hanging up. I hopped into the shower for a quick rinse, and ten minutes later, I was dressed in scrubs and on my way to the hospital.

By the time I arrived, little Tyler was already in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I approached him, tapping his forehead gently with my gloved hand, my ritual to connect with my patients. I carefully assessed his exposed intestines. They appeared to be in good condition, with only a few signs of irritation. His liver seemed to be irritated. I spoke to the medical team, "A pouch Silo is best. His intestines look good, and the birth didn't seem to traumatize him too much."

As I prepared for the procedure, I stepped over to the sink, washing my hands thoroughly with surgical soap. The medical team helped me into my surgical gloves, and I moved closer to the baby. I flexed my fingers, ready to begin the procedure. Anesthesia was administered to keep the baby calm.

I watched his vitals and took a moment to compose myself. Calming my nerves, I took a deep breath and began the delicate process of placing his liver, then his stomach, into the pouch. I slowly untangled and repositioned his exposed intestines, their fragility and tiny size requiring utmost care. It took about 45 minutes to complete this process.

I positioned the spring-loaded opening at the abdominal wall's opening, securing the pouch over him. We needed to let gravity guide the organs into their proper place.

Once the procedure was finished, I remarked to the nurse, "That went a lot better than I was expecting." I removed my gloves and washed my hands.

Just as we were completing the procedure, Mr. and Mrs. Stanton arrived at the NICU. Mrs. Stanton was anxious to know how her son was doing, and I reassured her with a warm smile. "He has very light trauma. A vaginal birth could have been more complicated, but he did well."

Relieved, Mrs. Stanton inquired about the pouch hanging over her son. "What's that sack hanging over him?" asked Mr. Stanton.

I explained, "It's a mechanism called a Silo. It allows the intestines to naturally fall into place, protecting their moisture and temperature."

Curious about the next steps, Mr. Stanton asked, "So what happens next?"

I nodded and elaborated, "We're going to let gravity work its magic. Over the next few days, we'll watch his organs move into his body. After that, we'll perform the surgical closure we discussed in our previous meeting. Right now, he's a very strong little boy."

Relieved, Mrs. Stanton asked, "Can we see him?"

I nodded and stepped aside, allowing the parents to approach their son. I exited the room, my phone ringing as I did. It was a FaceTime call, and I saw a familiar face on the screen.

"Hi, Chloe," I greeted my daughter.

"Mama, you weren't here for the special breakfast I made," Chloe pouted.

I smiled warmly, "Aw, Chloe, did you make me breakfast? I'm coming home right now to taste it."

Concerned, Chloe asked, "What happened, Mama?"

I reassured her, "There was a very sick little boy who needed my help, so I came to help him."

Chloe's enthusiasm returned as she said, "Can I see him?"

I explained, "You can't see him right now. His mommy and daddy need to say it's okay. I'm coming home right now, so keep my breakfast warm."

With a quick goodbye and a wave, Chloe signed off. Tori laughed, "Okay," and then winked at the camera before ending the call.

I was about to leave when I heard a familiar voice from behind me. "Well, well, well. Never thought I'd see the day."

My blood ran cold, and I turned around to find Dr. Snelling, someone I hadn't expected to see. "Dr. Snelling," I breathed out, dreading the confrontation.

Nell continued with her taunts, "So you settled down for the skank with the kid? Is she still the secretary?"

I quirked an eyebrow, surprised that she wasn't already aware of my life. She had always had a way of knowing everything about me. "She's dead actually."

She laughed, her tone dripping with bitterness. "Nell, what do you want?"

Nell continued to push my buttons, saying, "I just came over to say hi. I'm on rotation here at Children's." She seemed oblivious to the discomfort she was causing. "Frankly I didn't think you practiced here anymore.

"I've been away for a short sabbatical," I said with a shrug.

"Oh wait!" Nell stated. "YOU were the surgeon I was covering for?"

I shrugged. "I guess?"

"They said you were a superstar…" then she started laughing again. A laugh that is meant to make me feel bad. But It's just bitter resentment. "What are they talking about?"

I shrugged. "I don't know Nell… I have a breakfast to get to. See you."

Nell Snelling… what an alliterative name. I went out with her during med school. And then again as a resident… and then just before I left her for Kristen, she had asked me to marry her. She was insufferable and suffocating but she was so good in bed. There was something about her that was like kryptonite.

She was also an incredibly talented Surgeon. She only went into Pediatrics because she wanted to follow me. Neuro was where she liked it. But her being here could really disrupt my life.

Ep 4: A Lovely Fellow

There is a montage of situations Jo has gotten herself into. A day in the life of Jo. She gets out of Lani's car with a soft peck on the lips they separate.

Jo walks into the locker room, her scrubs on and soon covered by her lab coat. The lovely fellow walks the halls of the hospital prepared for surgical rounds.

In a patient's room, Jo is checking a patient's heart and talking to a family. Dr Park looks into the room and says something. Dr. Bingham nodded and said goodbye to the family following Dr. Park out of the room.

Jo and Lani are making out against the door of the on-call room. Completely carried away with each other.

Jo is back on rounds and eats lunch with her friend Andrew. They Joke as Andrew tries to take one of Jo's fries and she threatens him with her fork.

Jo is in the OR scrubbing in, her eyes skirt over Lani's form. She smiles and puts on her mask and heads into the OR She makes the first incision.

Jo is pulling off her gloves as she walks out of the OR and tosses them in the trash. She removes her mask. Her patient had died and Jo is not doing well. It really wasn't her fault, but she took it personally.

Jo is telling the family about the death, and she holds the wife of the man that died.

Jo walks into the locker room devastated at the end of the day. She pulls off her scrub top. Soon she feels lips against her shoulder blade. "You can't blame yourself," Lani whispered against her skin.

"I know," Jo said. "When will it stop bothering me?"

"Never," Lani said, turning Jo around to look at her. "But you can't let it stop you, because the next person can survive it."

"Even if I can't?" Jo said and took a deep breath. "I'm gonna go home tonight."

"Okay," Lani stated. "Can we stop at my place so I can get a change of clothes?"

"No, I'm going alone, Lysette invited me out. Burn off some steam." Jo said turning back to her locker and pulled on her regular shirt.

"Okay." Lani said. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," She stated and pulled her pants on. "Tomorrow." and with a quick kiss to Lani's lips Jo walked out of the locker room.

The early morning light filtered through the bedroom curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Tori lay curled against me, her head resting on my shoulder, her fingers absentmindedly tracing circles on my bare skin. We'd spent the night tangled in each other, like we always did. There was no one else I ever felt this close to—Tori was my anchor. But right now, something felt off. Something I hadn't told her yet.

"You've been quiet," Tori murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep.

I hesitated. I didn't want to ruin the peace we had, but I couldn't shake what had been gnawing at me for the past day. "Yeah… work's just been a lot lately."

Tori lifted her head, propping herself up on her elbow so she could look down at me, her dark eyes soft with concern. "Is it just work, or is something else going on?"

I swallowed, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten. I couldn't keep this from her any longer. "There's something I need to tell you."

Her expression shifted, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Okay. What is it?"

I sighed, sitting up and running a hand through my messy hair. "It's... someone from my past. Nell. Dr. Snelling." I could feel Tori's gaze on me, but I couldn't meet her eyes just yet. "She's back at the hospital. I didn't even know she was going to be there."

Tori sat up, too, shifting closer, her hand resting on my thigh. "Who is she?"

I turned to face her, finally meeting her eyes. "Nell... she's someone I used to be involved with. Before you and I met up again. I left her for Kristen. It was... casual. We dated off and on, no strings, nothing serious. She never pushed for more, and I wasn't ready to give more back then."

Tori's brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt. She just watched me, waiting for me to continue.

"I hadn't seen her in years. And now, she's at the hospital, on a rotation. I wasn't expecting it. And the thing is... I don't know how to feel about it. I mean, I'm not interested in her like that anymore." I paused, my words catching. "But Nell has this... effect on me. She always knew how to get under my skin. And now, with her around every day, I'm just—" I rubbed my face, frustrated with myself for even bringing this up. "I don't know. It's stupid, right? But I'm afraid it's going to make work a lot more complicated."

Tori was silent for a moment, processing. "This Nell... she meant something to you?"

I shook my head quickly. "No, it wasn't like that. We never had anything serious. We weren't like you and me. But there was... something. A pull, I guess. I was young, and I wasn't ready for anything real."

Tori's hand squeezed my thigh gently. "And you think she still has that pull over you?"

I didn't answer right away, because I wasn't sure. "I don't know. Maybe. It's not that I want her, not at all. But it feels like unfinished business. Like there's something unresolved, and I hate it. I hate that she can still make me feel... unsettled."

Tori's expression softened as she shifted even closer, her hand coming up to cup my cheek. "Jade, you've never been one to leave things unfinished. So maybe that's all it is—something that needs closure. But you've gotta be honest with yourself about what's really bothering you. Is it Nell? Or is it the fact that she's bringing up feelings you thought you buried?"

Her voice was calm, steady, and that's what I loved about her. Tori was always the rational one, always knew how to ground me when I was spiraling. But this time, there was something different in her tone, something more.

"I'm not worried about Nell," I said, more firmly this time, though I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince her or myself. "I'm worried about how she's going to affect me at work. It's been a long time, and I'm not the same person I was back then."

Tori nodded slowly, her thumb brushing my cheek. "You're not. You're stronger now. And we... we're not like what you had with her. What we have is real, Jade. It's not casual, it never was. You and I were always more than that from the beginning."

I exhaled, finally feeling a sense of relief. "I know. It's different with you. It always has been."

Her gaze didn't waver, but there was a subtle shift in her eyes—something she wasn't saying. "You know, I've been in casual relationships before. I know what it's like to be in something that doesn't mean much. But I've never been in anything like what we have. And I don't plan to let anything—or anyone—mess that up."

Her words hung in the air, and for the first time since I'd seen Nell again, I felt like maybe this wasn't something I had to fear. Maybe it wasn't about Nell at all. It was about me, and how much I'd grown.

Tori leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips, and when she pulled back, her voice was quiet but firm. "Whatever it is with Nell, you'll figure it out. But don't forget what we've built. I trust you, Jade. I need you to trust yourself."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle into me. "I do. I won't let anything come between us."

But even as I said it, there was a small, nagging doubt that crept into the back of my mind. Not about my love for Tori—but about whether or not I could handle Nell's presence without letting old memories, old desires, resurface.

Because if I was being completely honest with myself, the past wasn't as far behind me as I wanted it to be. And Nell... Nell had a way of finding the cracks in my armor.

I step into the NICU, my mind still on Tori and Chloe at home, but the sight of Tyler's vitals draws me back to the present. His heart rate is up, and something about his chart feels... off. Then I hear it—the sharp, angry voice of Tyler's father, loud enough to make the nurses look nervous.

"I don't care what that dyke doctor says! My son needs to eat!" he spits, glaring at the nurse standing by Tyler's bedside. "That doctor doesn't know what she's doing. She's no older than I am, and she thinks she's some big-shot surgeon just because she's on TV. She doesn't understand what this feels like!"

My stomach tightens, but not from his words—I've heard worse. No, it's because I know this type. Someone who sees my face on a screen and assumes I'm just a performer, not a professional. Normally, I'd brush it off, but this... this feels different. Maybe because it's been hanging over me, the fear that my time in the spotlight would cloud my credibility.

Before I can defend myself, another voice cuts through the tension like a scalpel.

"She knows exactly what she's doing." It's Nell. Of all people. Her tone is sharp, authoritative. "Dr. West is one of the best pediatric surgeons around. If your son's life is in anyone's hands, you should be thankful it's hers."

I blink, caught off guard. *Nell, defending me? My chest tightens with a confusing mix of gratitude and... something else. Something I don't want to acknowledge. Not with *her*. Not anymore.

"Look," I say, stepping forward, my voice calm despite the tension in the room, "if you're uncomfortable, Dr. Snelling can take over the case."

Nell turns to me, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "I don't do bowels, West. I'm a neuro surgeon, remember?" Her voice is light, teasing, as if this is some inside joke we share.

That familiar tug stirs again, and I force myself to push it down. *I'm married, happily married to Tori. We have a beautiful life together—a life I would never trade. I can't let whatever this is—this leftover attraction to Nell—distract me.

Tyler's father grumbles something under his breath, but he's done. He storms out, leaving his wife behind, her shoulders sagging with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry about him," she says quietly, her voice trembling. "He's just... he's scared."

I give her a reassuring smile. "It's okay. This is hard on both of you." I gesture toward Tyler. "May I take a look?"

She nods, stepping aside. I move closer to Tyler, my hands already in sterile gloves. His tiny form looks so fragile, with his intestines still outside his body, cradled in the Silo pouch. But his temperature's too high. I gently palpate his abdomen, feeling for anything unusual. My heart sinks a little. His colon—one section feels too firm, and I don't like that. I don't like it at all.

This could mean necrosis. If that happens, he'll need surgery—a resection. I focus on him, blocking out everything else, including the uncomfortable tension that's built up in the room with Nell's presence.

"We're going to keep a close eye on him," I tell his mother softly. "His temperature's up, and I want to monitor this section here." I gesture gently to the firmer part of his abdomen. "It could be nothing, but I want to be sure."

She looks at me, her eyes glassy with tears. "Will he be okay?"

"We're doing everything we can to make sure of that," I say firmly, offering her the most reassuring smile I can muster. "He's in good hands."

I step back to wash my hands, feeling the weight of Nell's gaze on me. I know she's watching. I can *feel* it. For a brief moment, I catch her eye, and that same, old spark flares up—the one I've been trying to ignore ever since she walked back into my life.

I look away, my thoughts immediately shifting to Tori. *This isn't what I want. This isn't who I am anymore.* I've built a life, a beautiful, fulfilling life with Tori. We've fought through too much to let something—*someone*—from the past complicate that.

Nell's presence lingers as I step out of the NICU, but I push it aside. I'm going home to my wife, to my daughter. That's where my heart is. That's where it belongs.