6,000 Miles (Station 19)

Mastermind

Adelina's POV

"I'm still waiting for Dr. Sheppard to sign your discharge papers," my sister said as she entered my hospital room. I had asked her when I could go home enough for her to know what I was going to say. I sighed and leaned back in my bed.

"She said she was going to sign them hours ago," I lamented.

"She's in surgery; I'm sure she'll sign off as soon as she's finished."

I could only roll my eyes in response.  It had been 5 days since the accident and I was bored out of my mind. Even if I couldn't look at screens or go back to school yet, I was eager to go home... or you know, back to Carina and Maya's apartment. The thought of home sent my brain spinning.

"What is it, bambina?" My big sister could read me like a book.

I wasn't sure I wanted the answer but I asked the question on my mind anyway. "Did... did you tell papa?"

Unfortunately, I could read Carina's face just as well. Her sad sigh told me everything I needed to know. Sitting down on my bed, she nodded. "I called him a few days ago to let him know. But papá, he's..." Carina sighed and ran her hand through her hair trying to find the right words. "He's complicated and just too stubborn for his own good most of the time."

"I know," I told her. I didn't need an explanation, I knew how our father was. The minute I got on that plane I knew that things were going to be different. "It's fine. I was just wondering."

Carina gave me a sad smile before her pager went off. She placed a kiss on my forehead and headed out. "Ti voglio tanto bene."

"Anch'io" I smiled back as she disappeared down the hall.

Carina's POV

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I repeated as I found Amelia in radiology looking over some scans.

"No problem," she shrugged casually. "Everything still on track?"

I nodded. Maya had just finished her shift so I figured she would be at the hospital soon. I needed to get home before Adelina so we had it arranged that Maya would come to pick her up and say that I had been pulled into an emergency delivery.

"I'll call you when I'm ready at home and then you can discharge her."

"Got it boss," Amelia laughed and went back to work as I quickly made my way out of the hospital.

As I got in the car, I called Maya, anxiously needing to know that everything was going according to plan.

"Take a breath," my girlfriend instructed the moment she answered the phone.

"I didn't even say anything yet," I retorted.

Maya repeated herself and I did as I was told.

"Good," she said with a laugh as she heard me exhale. "Okay, now what's up?"

"Just wanted to check in. You're on your way to the hospital right?"

"What hospital?"

Before I could snap, another voice entered the conversation. "Shut up!" I heard Andy say with a laugh followed by the sound of her playfully hitting Maya. "Yes, we're on our way."

"Dio mio," I muttered. "Don't give me a heart attack please."

"Sorry my love," Maya replied, stifling her laughter. "We're almost to the hospital now. Andy had a bad day so I brought her along to cheer her up. Hope that's okay."

"Si, bella. Of course that's okay." I paused then smiled to myself, giddy at the plan we had devised. "I'm sure tonight will cheer up a few people."

"Okay babe, well I'm parking now so drive safe and I'll see you at home later. Text me if there are any updates."

With that we hung up and I put as much of my focus back on the road as I could.

Adelina's POV

I checked the clock again and saw that it was almost 4pm. I was supposed to be discharged at 10 and needless to say, I was not pleased with the 6 hour delay. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, pulling my glare down from the ceiling. I perked up when I saw Andy and Maya enter the room.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked as a smile spread across my face.

Maya smiled back then explained that my sister got pulled into an emergency so she came in case she needed to take me home. I was grateful for that; I wanted to get out of the hospital ASAP.

I reached behind me and pulled the candyland box off the table. "You up for a game while we wait?"

Andy smirked as she pulled up a chair. "Only if you're ready to lose."

An hour and three games of candyland later, Dr. Sheppard finally appeared in the room. "You ready to get out of here?" she asked, happily waving my discharge papers in the air.

"More than you could possibly know!" I was so relieved to finally be leaving, but it felt weird that my sister wasn't there.

"Should we wait for Carina?" I asked, unsure of how much longer she'd be.

Amelia and Maya shared a look.

"She might be a while. Let's just go home and she can meet up with us later." Maya suggested.

I nodded and started to pack up the random things I had accumulated over the past few days.

As we made our way out to the car, I realized Andy was still with us. As if my sister's ability to read my mind was contagious, Maya answered my silent question.

"Andy's coming over for dinner if that's cool with you."

"Yeah of course," I answered, putting a smile on my face. I secretly wished we weren't going to have company because I was really tired, but if someone had to be there, I guess I was glad it was just Andy.

As we reached the apartment, I couldn't help but feel like Maya and Andy were watching my every move. It started to annoy me, but I brushed it off. I would be nervous too if it was Maya coming home from the hospital. Then I opened the door and saw Carina in the living room and was deeply confused.

She smiled at me as I walked in and wrapped me in a hug.

"Wait... why are you home? I thought you had an emergency at work."

"Mmm, I may have lied," I heard her say, her face still pressed against the top of my head.

Looking up at her, I pulled away. She took my puzzled look as a cue to explain.

"I had to pick up your surprise," Carina said with a devilish grin.

I looked back at Maya and saw a happy smirk spread across her face as she winked at me.

"Go look in the kitchen, bambina." My sister nudged me further into the apartment. I was expecting to see a special dinner or maybe a tiramisu waiting for me, but my real surprise was so much better.

"SOFIA!"

I screamed as I ran to my girlfriend. I picked her up and spun her around but lost my balance in the excitement and within seconds we were both on the ground laughing through happy tears, elated to finally be back in each other's arms.