It's only us. (ON HOLD)

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It's been two years since my first day at clinicals, grace and i have become not only became rising nurses, we also became great friends as well.

"hey, niara, what shifts are you working?" she asked, sitting next to me in the break room.

"im working doubles." i sighed, i rubbing my temples," it's been a crazy day, but i get to spend time with one of my favorite patients."

"ahhh, the 8 year old?" she asked," charlotte right?"

"yes! she's doing so much better, so i'm excited to see her growth." i said with a smile," it's a lot of stuff to happen at a young age.."

charlotte newman, my youngest and favorite patient i have ever cared for on a consistent basis. i work in the pediatric side of the hospital more than i expected, so i ended up making a bond with the kids.

charlotte, came in when she was 6, after she got diagnosed with leukemia. she was admitted to the chemotherapy ward.

she had to stay overnights a time when she got sick, and after about a two week time period, her parents began to request me as her main nurse every time i was available.

charlotte and i became familiar with each other, to the point where she almost refused having any one else but me for more than three nights in a row.

meaning, there was a line or "rule" that had to be discussed.

parental consent was given. as they said "she's more than someone who "nurses" our daughter, she's become apart of her life and her family, we'll let niara fulfill all of charlottes wishes. she tells us she makes her room feel more like a home."

basically, let me explain.

the parents gave me permission to not only be around their daughter 25/8, they were saying i was allowed to give her any comfort or attention needed, as they were okay with her in my care. especially if they weren't around.

if charlotte was having trouble sleeping, i am allowed to rub her head to go to sleep, or hold her until she falls asleep.

basically, anything you wouldn't usually do with a patient, i have consent to do. 

there are limits to such things as, sleeping in the same room, and stuff like that. but so far, she falls asleep when i leave the room and hasn't had a problem since.

"how's she been doing? is she feeling better?"  grace asked, stirring her coffee with the wooden stirrer.

"chemotherapy is going well, she's been eating more too, more than she's eaten in a good minute.. but sometimes her vitals are concerning, so i keep close attention to those."

"ah, i gotcha.." she said," that's not too horrible, has she finished the last coloring book you gave her?"

"actually she has." i said, opening my purse up. i pulled out two different coloring books.. "which one do you think she'd like better?"

grace looked down at the two options, but chose the princess one," oh yea, for sure this one."

"i was thinking the same thing, i was just like... let's get an outside force." i said softly. i looked at my watch before i realized my break was over. "shit, i've gotta get over to her ward, i'll keep you posted if anything happens."

"you're the best, tell her i said hey!"

"you got it!" i booked it down the hallway, my name tag wildly bouncing against my body as i ran down the hall," 'SCUSE ME DOCTOR BATES!" i called out, as i ran past her.

"COOL ON THE COFFEE NIARA." she called out to me, with a hearty laugh.

doctor bates is one of the only doctors in the hospital i knew before clinicals, for.. other reasons.