Ten months later...

These last few months have been all work, no play. The transition into my residency was a major change for everyone, but amazing. I've been taking it all in, making connections and building relationships with my coworkers.

Julia's a year old and running around everywhere. She's very close and attached to Zo's family now. They also help out with keeping her. It was tough when the new season started, and Zo had to go back to work.

Julia's also talking. She doesn't have full sentences yet, but she's a chatterbox. She and Zo have full-blown conversations like two adults. She repeats everything everyone says. Of course, her first word was dada, which I thought was cute. Zo missed it when she said it, but he was happy that was her first word.

The hardest part of her growth so far was weening her and Zo off my nipples. It's been a month since I stopped but the milk is still flowing.

All the blame goes to Zo. He won't leave them alone. At first, it was funny, but now not so much. I'll know better with the next pregnancy. My breast will be off-limits.

I was currently at work on my evening break, bored in the cafeteria, about to eat dinner. Zo wasn't picking up my FaceTime call. He's with some of his teammates hanging out. I tried dialing his sister Mai's number, she didn't pick up either. Julia was in her care, having some bonding time.

"I guess everyone's busy," I mumbled to myself while texting my sister Maliha. I just knew she would respond. But oddly enough, she didn't either. "Well, damn."

I tried calling my mom. I knew she was busy at work, but I figured I would try anyway. No avail. Whelp.

I only get little breaks here and there, so I can't expect people to drop everything just because I have a minute to talk. Sigh

My mood lightened a little as I saw my coworker and now friend walking up to my table. "Hey, girl." She plopped down in the chair in front of me, placing her dinner down on the table. She was eating on the fly like me.

"Hey Stacey boo." I sat my phone down on the table, smiling at her. "How did it go with the laparoscopic appendectomy?"

"Superb, Dr. Dumea's three incisions were precisely done. He was able to remove the appendix without further damage, easily. —Severely inflamed, but luckily it didn't rupture. I can't wait until I can assist in." She smoothed over her dark red hair while blinking her chestnut colored eyes.

We've become close over the past few months. She's interested in cosmetic surgery, as well. She does research on skin grafts for burn victims. That's what inspired her to go into this field. She want to come up with more ways to improve the skin transplant process. She's obsessed with it and I admire that about her.

She's also a heavy basketball lover and played in college. She knew who I was and who I was with before meeting me. That made me leery initially. However after getting to know her I began to slowly warm up to her. Everyone's been cool about the whole Kenzo thing anyway.

"Same here, I can't wait to at least do the final sutras or something. —But we'll get there. I'm sitting in on Dr. Sandler's spinal fusion." I did a little dance in my seat while picking up my fork. I was finally digging into my chicken club sandwich and side salad. She unwrapped her burger.

"Lucky ass." She laughed before taking a bite. "I might sneak in between rounds."

We did a little humorous devilish grin at each other. We're always hustling for surgeries. Finding ways to sit in and see whatever we can.

After biting into my sandwich, I rechecked my phone. I had been at work all day and haven't received a call from anyone yet. I sighed, placing my phone in my pocket. "I miss my baby girl. Been trying to reach everyone, but oddly they're not answering."

"You know it's hard to get in contact sometimes with our schedules. It's hit or miss." She comforted me before taking another bite of her burger.

My phone vibrated in my pocket finally for the first time today. I couldn't get it out fast enough. I've never been happier to receive a notification in my life.

I took my phone out and waved it up in the air. Stacy laughed, "See, and you were all worked up for nothing."

I giggled before checking to see who it was.

How's work? Everything is great here. Sorry I wasn't able to respond to you right away. My niece and I were all over the place today. She should sleep well tonight.

: Sounds like you two had a blast! Works great, I'm on break right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you! One favor pleeaasssseeee? A pic?

We're playing Americas Top Model with her dolls we got today. I know Zo is going to kill me for this lol.

Uh oh lol. I'm staying out of that one. Awww look at my baby!

I'll make sure I say it was all Julias idea. But she's having fun dressing them up and walking them down our little makeshift runway.

Too cute, lol. I was wondering why no one's answering their phone. Do you know what's going on?

I waited for a response, but she didn't. Hmmm. It was odd because she always responds to me.

"That was was Zo's sister, Mai. She sent me a picture of Julia." I showed Stacey my screen viewing the photo sent.

"She's so adorable. I can't wait to meet her." She smiled down at my phone. With our busy schedules and the fact I spend my free time with Zo and Julia, it doesn't leave time to hang out and get to know each other outside of work. But giving how close we've become I will definitely have to make time for it. She's cool people.

Our first day here as an intern, Stacey and I were sizing each other. We learned we were both interested in the same field. She assumed I was some entitled snob who craved attention. She thought I was going to easily skate by, giving my father's position and my famous boyfriend.

As the first week went on, we noticed each other's hard work and dedication to learning all of what we could about medicine. She was the one who kind of extended the olive branch, giving my competitive spirit. She noticed my calming beads on my wrist and sparked up a conversation. I learned she was all about energy and protecting it, as well. She had the stones she carried around.

"Same, we'll have to set something up for sure." I nodded agreeing.

We quickly finished our food, then parted ways. She had to get back to her rounds, and I had surgery to see. But I wanted to peep in on my dad in his office first.

I took the elevator to his floor, and sped walked my way down the hall to his assistance desk.

"Good evening Mrs. Elaine, is my father in?" I noticed his blinds were shut in his office located behind her desk.

"Hi my sweet Diri, he already left for the evening. He said he was meeting your mom for date night, left about an hour ago." She stood up to gather her belongings to head out the door as well. She's a sweet lady and has been working here since before my dad was even a resident. She adored her job and had no plans of retiring. She didn't move as fast as the other employees, but her wisdom and knowledge of this hospital were irreplaceable. This lady knew me since birth.

"And why are you still here? You know he doesn't like you working late?" I checked the clock on the wall reading six o' six.

"Oh, hush that fuss. I'm heading out now." She placed her purse over her shoulder. "Your father said for me to tell you not to disturb him tonight. He and your mother are in for the evening, if you know what that means." She did a little wink, her little pale wrinkled face lit up laughing.

"Those two are always at it, I tell ya." We shared a laugh. "Did he say anything else or was that it?" I was trying to figure out why everyone's avoiding my calls. I knew they were all hiding something. I just didn't know what.

She walked out from behind her desk and headed toward the hall. "That's all I know. Now get back to work, young lady."

I groaned, dragging myself out the door. "Alright, see you later, Mrs. Elaine.

She shook her head, smiling at me and my childlike behavior. I made my way back down the hall towards the elevator.

While in the elevator, I pulled out my dry phone, deciding to scroll through social media. I found myself on Zo's page, noticing he had been active recently. I quickly exited out because that's just something we don't do, go crazy over each other's pages.

As the elevator went down closer to my desired floor, I had to remind myself that maybe he was planning something.

This day was taking forever to go by. I wasn't due to get off for another three hours.

Making my way out of the elevator, I decided to push all of my thoughts to the back and focus on this operation. I needed to be ready for when Dr. Sandler starts quizzing us in the middle of surgery.

However, I had a little surprise of my own for Zo, and I've been holding on to it for about a week now. Tonight will be perfect to tell him.

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