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──── ⑅*❀*⑅ ────
━━Althea was rushing around her apartment in a near-panic. Her shift started in forty minutes, she had overslept, and—just her luck—Mrs. Hendrix, Tallulah's usual sitter, had an emergency and couldn't make it.
Balancing a career in medicine and motherhood had never been easy, but Althea tried not to bring her daughter to the hospital unless it was absolutely necessary. Still, today, she didn't have a choice.
"Lu, baby, are your shoes on?" she called, double-checking the contents of her bag: snacks, coloring books, tablet, headphones.
"I think so!" came Tallulah's voice from the couch, sleepy and unsure.
Althea sighed and ran over. "That's not reassuring," she teased, crouching to check. The shoes were indeed on—just on the wrong feet.
"Okay, we're gonna fix that, then we're out the door. And no wandering today, you hear me?"
Tallulah nodded solemnly. "Yes, ma'am."
Althea smiled despite the stress tugging at her shoulders. "Thank you. You can still play doctor if you behave."
"I will! Can I use the tiny stethoscope again?"
"We'll see," Althea said, grabbing her daughter's hand. "Now come on—if we miss this cab, I'm going to cry."
At the Hospital
Tallulah's eyes lit up the moment they entered SGMW. The last time she was here, it was only for a few minutes—Althea had introduced her to Bailey and a few of the nurses. But this was different. This was a whole day with her mom at work.
Doctors walked past them, some offering warm smiles or curious glances. Tallulah held her mom's hand tightly, trying not to let her excitement bubble over.
"Remember what we said?" Althea asked as they approached the attending lounge.
"Be good. Don't wander. Don't touch needles."
"And?"
"No repeating things the nurses say," Tallulah added, mimicking her mom's stern voice.
"Perfect," Althea said, crouching down. "I just need a minute to change. Stay right here on the bench. I'll be fast."
Tallulah nodded, already pulling her doll from her backpack. Althea gave her a kiss on the forehead and slipped into the lounge.
A few moments later, Mark and Derek came around the corner, deep in conversation—until they noticed the little girl on the bench.
Mark smirked. "So that's her."
Tallulah looked up at the two men. She remembered them—one had nice hair, and the other looked like he'd smile more if he wasn't so serious.
