Bloomington

Misunderstandings

Catherine heads out of the house earlier than she had planned. She thought it would be better to get ahead of schedule and go check on Ethan to make sure the surgery went as planned. She grabs the coffee that Rose put out for her, picks up the keys to her Porsche, and heads out the door. She didn't put much effort into getting ready, she truly was not in the mood after the crazy night that she had. As she is driving to the hospital her mind wanders and she starts thinking about Tommy and where she and Jackie stand now. As much as she loves Jackie, she cannot help but wonder if she truly deserves her. Her mind starts to spiral out of control and before she knows it, she has arrived at the hospital

Catherine parks her car in the hospital parking lot, taking a deep breath to steady herself before stepping out. She walks briskly through the hospital doors, her eyes focused on her destination.

The hospital corridors are filled with the familiar sounds of beeping machines and bustling medical personnel. Catherine follows the signs that lead her to the area where Ethan is being cared for. The scent of antiseptic hangs in the air, heightening her anxiety.

As she reaches Ethan's room, Catherine takes a moment to compose herself, reminding herself to stay strong for both Ethan and herself. She pushes open the door, her eyes immediately drawn to the sight of Ethan lying in the hospital bed, recovering from his surgery.

Approaching the bed, Catherine's heart softens at the sight of her beloved dog. She reaches out, gently stroking his fur and offering words of comfort. Ethan stirs slightly, acknowledging her presence with a weak wag of his tail.

As Catherine sits by Ethan's side, her thoughts turn back to Jackie and the complicated situation they find themselves in. Doubts and insecurities linger, threatening to overshadow the love they share. But deep down, Catherine knows that they have weathered storms before and emerged stronger.

Lost in her thoughts, Catherine is momentarily startled when she hears a knock on the door. She looks up to see Jackie standing there, her presence bringing both relief and a surge of emotions. Their eyes meet, and at that moment, the world outside the hospital room fades away.

--

Without saying a word, Jackie walks toward Catherine, her steps steady but filled with purpose. She stops by the bedside, glancing at Ethan and offering a soft smile before turning her attention to Catherine.

"I'm here, Catherine," Jackie says.

--

As the words "I'm here, Catherine" leave Jackie's mouth, Catherine's eyes fill with tears and she starts sobbing. She cannot tell if they are tears of sadness or relief but all she knows is that she is happy to see Jackie by her side.

Moved by Catherine's tears, Jackie reaches out to embrace her, holding her tightly. Jackie holds her close, offering a comforting presence and letting Catherine know that she's not alone.

As the tears flow, Jackie whispers soothing words, assuring Catherine that she is there for her, and that they will work through this together. Catherine's sobs gradually subside, replaced by a sense of emotional release and the warmth of Jackie's presence.

They remain in each other's arms, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. Slowly, Catherine's breathing steadies, and she pulls back slightly, looking into Jackie's eyes. She sees the genuine love and commitment reflected in them, and a glimmer of hope begins to spark within her.

"I'm here, Catherine," Jackie repeats, her voice filled with tenderness. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what. We'll get through this together."

--

Catherine's face lights up with a mix of relief and joy as she hears the vet's words. She squeezes Jackie's hand, and they both thank the vet, their voices filled with genuine appreciation.