Emma told me she was out of surgery,” Ava explained, walking up to get a closer look at Vivienne.

  “Well, she won’t wake for a while yet, but the surgery was successful . . .” Hollis replied, not taking her eyes o her daughter.

  Ava nodded and stroked Vivienne’s hair a ectionately.

  She stayed for a while in the silent room, then started to move back toward the door.

  “Listen, Ava.” This was the first time Hollis had called her by her first name.

  “Yes, Dr. Roman? Do you need anything?” Ava replied, rather formally.

  “No. Uh . . . I just wanted to apologize about what happened earlier,” Hollis told her, still keeping her eyes on

  Vivienne.

  “Don’t worry about it. You were traumatized and said some stu . It happens in our line of work all the time.” The calm Ava was back. She grabbed the door handle, only to be addressed once again.

  “No, not just then. I feel like I didn’t treat you well even before this. You must think I am a terrible person. The thing is—most people who know me don’t think favorably of me,”

  Hollis got out, finally turning away from Vivienne to face Ava.Ava stayed silent, not expecting that the conversation would go this way. Hollis looked at her for a while before getting up from the chair and walking to stand in front of Ava.“The thing is, Ava, I am jealous of you,” she admitted. “I tried not to be, but I just couldn’t help it. The things I said aren’t even about you. They are just coming from my frustration,” Hollis went on, running a hand through her hair.

  “Most anger is like that,” Ava said, and sighed. “But don’t worry. It’s not that big a deal. I don’t think badly of you.”

  Hollis nodded and kept her eyes locked with Ava's for a while, before looking at the door behind her.

  “But why would you be jealous of me?” Ava asked, stepping back a little. Hollis’s physicality intimidated her.

  “The thing is, all my life I have tried to be the best mother I can to Vivienne. I don’t value anything more than her, not even my career,” Hollis explained. “But I have let her down, first with the divorce, then . . . . Ava, I have been so terrible that . . . , ” Hollis stopped to breathe, “that the poor girl tried to harm herself. I just have no idea how it got to that point.” She was trying her best not break down.

  Hollis found that she didn’t have it in her to act tough this time around. Her baby daughter had almost been lost and she was feeling extremely weak. She clenched her fists so hard that the knuckles began to turn white. “And then when Vivi met you, she was just so di erent when she was around you. She laughed, told you stories, and fought me to just to bring her to see you. And what did I do? I didn’t let her,” Hollis continued, breathing heavily.

  Ava waited a moment, then spoke. “It may not be my place to say, Dr. Roman, but you need to stop blaming yourself. We cannot control everything that happens around us. Perhaps Vivienne struggles to show emotion, much like you do, but I’m sure she loves you more than anybody in this world.”

  Ava had the sweetest voice and it was intoxicating when she spoke softly. Hollis’s head shot up to look Ava in the eyes, her own face like that of a broken person. “But I could have acted less selfishly. Even if you make her happy, it’s Vivienne that feels happy. How did I not realize that? I held her from you all this time, just to satisfy my own ego. Love isn’t supposed to do that. You risked your life and even broke protocol to save Vivi. I am so very grateful,” Hollis said, making Ava's face soften further.

  “I want to apologize,” Hollis continued, “and to thank you at the same time. I know it won’t make up for how I behaved. It may not even make a di erence . . .” Hollis struggled once again to find the right words, “but let me do this anyway.” Their eyes fixed on each other, as if in a trance.

  “I should go now. I’ll come see Vivienne again.” Ava moved back slightly. She felt Hollis’s hand wrap itself around her arm. With a sudden pull, the two women’s lips were on each other and they were kissing. Hollis kissed with a passion and lust that had built up over weeks of looking at

  Ava—of hating Ava. And Ava kissed with the same passion, and to take away Hollis’s pain.

  Hollis’s tongue darted out and ran across Ava's lips, making her knees buckle. Ava swayed in Hollis’s strong arms as if moving to a pre-set tune. Pressed against the door with Hollis’s arms around her, Ava felt as if she was floating. She felt peaceful even as they broke apart, both panting for air.

  Hollis cupped Ava's cheek with one hand and placed a soft kiss on her lips once again, then rested her forehead on Ava's.

  Ava's arms were around Hollis’s waist and she tightened them before letting go. Hollis stepped away and Ava walked out of the room, leaving them both with one question: What the hell just happened?

  “I MUST SAY, how you stood up to Dr. Roman again was amazing!” Lisa said.

  “I was just doing my job, Lisa.” Ava replied, rather frustratingly.

  “No. Hollis might be a great doctor and all, but she can get arrogant at times. I think they are all scared of her. No one stands up to her here,” Lisa continued, a frown on her face.

  “Well, maybe she isn’t that bad. Maybe she’s just misunderstood,” Ava said, suddenly feeling protective of Hollis.

  “Oh, come on! Have you run into someone so far who said, ‘Hey, you know what? Dr. Roman said a nice thing to me,’ or ‘She’s been kind to me.’ Have you? No. You haven’t, because those people don’t exist,” Lisa chirped with a snort.

  “Well, sometimes people are more than what they seem on the surface,” Ava replied, throwing a glare at the wall in

  front of her.

  “ Wait a second, you are defending her quite a bit. You like her?!” Lisa interrupted her best friend.

  “Oh, come on. I am just saying that . . .” Ava playfully shoved Lisa.

  “No, seriously Rodriguez. What is going on? And why on earth did you blush when I said Dr. Roman’s name? . . .

  There! You did it again! See?” Lisa asked, her eyes accusative.

  “Wha.. What? Ay, Dios mío! You are impossible,” Ava said. She wasn’t going to say anything. Instead, Ava quickly turned away from Lisa, so that her back faced Lisa’s onslaught.

  “Aha! You switch to Spanish whenever you are nervous.

  It’s okay. You like the tough butch, Dr. Roman. Even if she is a total ass.” Lisa was amused, a smirk playing on her lips.

  “Or maybe I switch to Spanish because I speak it,” Ava quipped, ignoring the latter part of Lisa’s comment and making Lisa’s smirk widen.

  The kiss flashed in Ava’s head and she felt heat creeping up to her face once again. Her whole body felt warm and she instantly wished she was in Hollis’s arms once again.

  Shaking her head furiously, Ava went back to work.

  “M-Mom . . . Where a-am I?” Vivienne’s faint voice made Hollis turn. She was finally awake! Vivienne’s eyes went wide as she anxiously glanced around the room. Her eyes landed on Hollis and Vivienne visibly relaxed, knowing she was safe.

  “Yes, sweetheart, I’m here. I’m right here. You are doing fine. Karen will be here soon, too,” Hollis replied, her voice cracking as she tried not to cry in front of her daughter.

  “Where is Eric? He . . . he was with me. Is he okay, Mom?”

  Vivienne asked, her eyes showing fear once again.

  “He is fine, honey. He was moved to a di erent hospital.

  You two will see each other soon. You saved him, my brave

  baby,” Hollis said a ectionately, stroking Vivienne’s brown locks.

  Dr. Ross entered the room, files in hand as she looked at Vivienne and Hollis. “Good news, Dr. Roman. Vivienne is recovering faster than we had anticipated,” she said.

  “Good job, Katherine. I cannot thank you enough. She’s awake, finally,” Hollis said to Katherine, giving Vivienne a reassuring look before turning to Katherine once again.

  “Yes,” said Katherine, “the little queen should be out of here soon. No one should stay in a hospital more than is necessary,” Katherine added, visibly happy as she went to greet Vivienne.

  “Hey, Hollis. How’s Vivienne doing?” Dr. Miller said, entering the room shortly after.

  “She is doing pretty well! Thanks, Chief. The valve replacement was successful and she’s awake now,” Hollis informed her, as Rebecca joined Katherine and stood next to Vivienne’s bed, lovingly greeting the girl.

  “Well, she was with Dr. Ross and the woman opens hearts for breakfast. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You wouldn’t get a better heart surgeon anywhere in the world,” Rebecca said, chuckling.

  “Actually, the local police o cers are here. They just need to ask a few routine questions and then I will let you guys be.

  From what Eric told them, you’re a hero, kiddo. You saved the boy’s life,” Dr. Miller said, as two uniformed police o cers entered the room.

  “Good evening. Vivienne Roman, right? How are you doing now?” The o cer asked Vivienne, after Hollis had given her consent.

  “Um, I’m better now, o cer,” Vivienne replied, a little nervous. She was now sitting up in bed, her back against the headboard.

  “This won’t take long.” the o cer smiled before his face turned serious. “Your school mates have described the shooter as a tall, blonde guy—Andy—and they said that the firing was unprovoked. Can you confirm this for us?” he asked Vivienne.

  “Yes. He . . . he had a pistol, but I don’t remember much.

  We were just dancing, but, um . . . I didn’t hear any fight or anything. Suddenly there were gunshots and an explosion and people started screaming. And there was blood. A lot of blood,” Vivienne replied, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she tried not to break down.

  “Anything suspicious about him? Or about that night?”

  the o cer asked.

  “No. He was a regular guy, and . . . I liked him, honestly. I just don’t know why he would do anything like that,”

  Vivienne explained, her voice growing fainter as she ended.

  “Okay, I think we are done here. Thank you so much for your time and patience. Get well soon,” The o cer said, placing the notebook back in his pocket as he left the room.

  “Mom, why would Andy try to kill everyone all of a sudden?” Vivienne broke the silence that had ensued in the room, now gripping the sheet that was covering her body.

  “Honey, sometimes people lose control of their minds, and they think that the only way out of their misery is to harm other people,” Hollis explained calmly, her hand caressing Vivienne’s. “But you just relax for now, okay? We will talk about this back home. Don’t worry about it right now,” Hollis added, stroking Vivienne’s hair and placing a kiss on her head.

  “Hi. Um . . . Dr. Roman? I came to see Vivienne.” Hollis recognised Ava’s voice immediately. “Oh my, you’re awake!”

  Ava said. “Thank God, you’re feeling better now.”

  Katherine and Rebecca greeted Ava as she came to stand beside Hollis. Leaving the three in privacy, Dr. Miller and Dr.

  Ross left the room.

  “Yes, of course. And yes—she’s better now,” Hollis replied, brushing away thoughts of last night as she kissed Vivienne’s hand.

  “Hey, you!” Ava turned to Vivienne with a smile. “Looks like my ambulance is pretty fond of you. That was your second trip now!”

  “What? You were there to pick me up again?” Vivienne asked, reaching forward in her bed. Her face looked happier, as if knowing that Ava had picked her up made her feel better.

  “Of course I did! Into the fire like a Marvel superhero!”

  Ava said, laughing. She angled her arm to show o her biceps.

  “Wow! That is so cool!” Vivienne replied, laughing.

  “I know, right? I am the best they have here, so they send me in for the tough missions,” Ava continued, feigning a serious expression as she put a hand on her hip. Her gesture made Hollis smile too, even though she tried to hide it.

  Vivienne laughed again, her eyes lighting up.

  “Anyway, I brought you this,” Ava said. “This is one of my favorite paintings and it’s yours now.” Ava handed a medium-sized print to Hollis, who carefully placed it into Vivienne’s lap. Hollis and Vivienne looked at Ava, then stared back and forth between Ava and the painting. Their faces bore expressions of awe. The painting was a landscape, with a beautiful pink sky.

  “Oh this is amazing! I have always wanted to make something like this, too!” Vivienne exclaimed happily.

  “Thank you, Ava.” She blushed.

  Ava smiled at her and ru ed her hair, making Vivienne giggle. “You’re most welcome, angel.”

  Hollis stared at Ava, surprised yet also feeling a sense of contentment. She thanked Ava, who smiled genuinely, as

  always.

  “Mom. Remember I told you I had to go shopping for paints? When I’m out of here, we’ll go, okay? And um, can we . . . can we take Ava too, please?” Vivienne asked Hollis, a hopeful look in her eyes.

  “We’ll go any time you want to, baby girl, once you’re absolutely fit and healthy again,” Hollis said, smiling at her daughter. But then she surprised Vivienne by saying, “And of course we’ll take Ava along. If she wants to come, that is.”

  Hollis turned to Ava, whose face lit up with a smile shortly after the shock of Hollis’s words, and nodded at Vivienne. “Of course, I’ll come with.”

  Vivienne let out a happy hum as she hugged her mother.

  “Well, I’ll come to you myself this time. As long as it’s not in the ambulance again,” Ava said, patting Vivienne’s head earning a grin and a furious nod from the girl.

  Ava and Hollis didn’t talk much, but each caught the other one looking. It was as though each of them wanted to start, but also wanted to let the other one go first .

  “Yeah, I promise. It won’t be the ambulance this time,”

  Vivienne said, smiling at the pair.

  “Hey, sweetheart!” Karen’s voice filled the room as she rushed to hug her daughter, tears in her eyes. Placing a kiss on Vivienne’s forehead, Karen pulled back. “I brought you your favorite juice,” she told Vivienne. Hollis got up to let Karen catch up with Vivienne, and sure enough, Karen settled into the chair that had been previously occupied by Hollis.

  “Sorry I was late. The tra c in this area is impossible to get around. But I rushed even faster when your mother texted me that you were awake,” she said to Vivienne, looking at Hollis first, then facing Ava.

  Hollis placed a hand on Karen’s shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze as Karen smiled at her.

  Karen began talking to Vivienne, who was beyond happy to see her mother.

  Ava’s heart clenched as she watched the exchange between Hollis and Karen. “Why am I jealous? What’s wrong with me?” Ava asked herself. “They are exes. Exes talk. They’re good friends, and being friends doesn’t have to mean anything else now. Heck, they have a daughter together! And even if there is old romance brewing again, why do I care so much? Hollis probably doesn’t even remember the kiss. Why would it mean anything? It was a mistake—something that happened on whim.”

  The thoughts continued to plague Ava as she watched Hollis.

  Ava wanted to leave the room, but also wanted to stay there.

  “Did you sleep at all here?” Karen asked Hollis. “Must have been tiring. You can go rest, now. I’ll be here.”

  “No. It was all right. Quite good, actually. I mean, I am used to night duties, so . . . not that tired,” she said. Hollis felt she needed to hold back because she didn’t want to revisit the night. There was that kiss she still had to unpack.

  Seeing Hollis blush and stutter and the mention of the night made Ava happy. It was time to go.

  “Hey, Ava?” Karen called out to her, just as Ava was on her way out the door. “Why don’t you come over sometime?

  Actually, it would be great if you could come this weekend.

  Vivi should be home by then, and we would love to have you over. It is the least we can do, seeing as you saved our baby’s life.”

  “Thank you, Karen. I will definitely come over,” Ava replied, smiling broadly. This made Hollis happy for a reason that even she didn’t completely understand at that moment.

  “Yeah, it will be fun! My leave is ending soon, so it’ll be good to hang out before that. It’s been a while since you’ve had a guest. Right, Hollis?” Karen asked. Hollis just nodded with a smile.

  “Sure,” Ava said, before leaving the room with a beaming smile on her face, butterflies in her stomach, and a fiery feeling that had ignited within her, which she couldn’t quite explain yet.

  19

  Emma all but ran into the restaurant and tried to spot her friends. Houston Steak House, read the massive board on the front of the building. “Hey guys!” she chirped, walking over to the table. Katherine and Sophia got up to give Emma a hug and greet her back.

  Emma had stu ed her mouth with berries. “Hello, chipmunk!” Sophia said, chuckling at Emma.

  Emma gave her a mock glare. “So, I love strawberries. Sue me.” Sophia rolled her eyes, while Katherine laughed at the exchange between the two.

  “I’m so glad we could finally just have a relaxing day and meet up like normal people,” Emma said, once they’d gotten past the chipmunk conversation.

  “Yeah. It is so nice,” Katherine said, smiling.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” came Luke’s voice, as he slid into the chair next to Emma. Emma’s whole face lit up. She turned to the man and gave him a thousand-watt smile.

  “Hello, handsome.” Emma greeted Luke, pulling him in for a chaste kiss.

  “Hey Luke. How are you?” Sophia asked, while Katherine said her hellos.

  “Good, Soph. How’re you guys?” Luke asked, turning to Katherine.

  “Oh, much better now that we’re finally out of that dreaded hospital. I mean—don’t get me wrong. I love the place. I love the job. But there’s only so much one can bear,”

  Katherine said, sighing.

  “Tell me about it.” Sophia rolled her eyes and they all laughed.

  They ordered their food and soon were chatting away. The place was nice and cozy, and they felt their previous stress fade away. “I’m so glad the tragedy didn’t end in deaths.