When I Met You in the Summer

14

Ben and Miranda pursued their dreams of becoming doctors, each carving out their own paths in the world of medicine.

Ben had found his calling in anesthesiology, drawn to the precision and critical role it played in patient care. He threw himself into his training and studies, determined to excel and make a difference in the lives of those he treated. He thought about how helpless he felt knowing that Danny would never wake up combined with the guilt he felt about it being his fault. He figured he would atone by picking a career where he would help people wake up in a better condition than what they fell asleep in.

Meanwhile, Miranda had chosen a different path, specializing in surgery. She had thrived in the fast-paced environment of the operating room. Her passion for surgery drove her to push herself harder, always striving to improve her skills and make a tangible impact on her patients' lives. And long gone were the days of shy,quiet Mandy Bailey. 

Fate, it seemed, had a way of bringing them back into each other's vicinity. Miranda's surgical residency had led her to Seattle, a city she had never expected to find herself in.

Miranda leaned back on her couch, the soft glow of her living room lamp casting a warm light as she chatted on the phone with Lana. It had been a busy day at the hospital, filled with surgeries and patient consultations, but now she welcomed the chance to catch up with her longtime friend.

"So, how's life in New York?" Miranda asked

Lana chuckled on the other end of the line "Oh, you know how it is—fast-paced, chaotic, and always full of surprises. But I love it. The journalism scene here is intense, but it keeps me on my toes."

"I can imagine," Miranda replied, picturing Lana amidst the bustling streets and skyscrapers of the city that never slept. "How are things with your latest assignment?"

Lana sighed. "It's been challenging, but in a good way. I'm digging into a big investigative piece right now, trying to uncover some pretty juicy stuff. You know me—I love a good story."

"You know drama and gossip you mean" She teased

"You call it gossip, I call it sharing the scope" Lana said warmly. "And how about you? How's everything going with your surgical residency?"

Miranda paused, reflecting on her own hectic life in Seattle. "It's intense, to say the least. The hours are long, the surgeries are demanding, but I'm learning so much. I can't believe I'm finally doing what I've always dreamed of."

"I'm so proud of you, Miranda," Lana said sincerely. "You've come so far. Remember when we used to talk about our dreams back in high school?"

Miranda nodded, a hint of nostalgia coloring her voice. "Yeah, those were simpler times, weren't they? Who would've thought we'd end up where we are now?"

"It's funny how life works out. So, any little Tuckers on the way?" Lana teased, her voice playful over the phone.

Miranda laughed, picturing Lana's mischievous grin even though they were miles apart. "Not yet," she replied with a hint of amusement in her voice. "We're not in a rush, but we've talked about it."

Little did she know, Tucker had overheard their conversation. Curious and amused by Miranda's response, he couldn't resist joining in. Walking over to where Lana's voice could faintly be heard through the phone, he leaned in and interjected, "Hey, Lana, she's being modest. We're definitely trying."

Lana burst into laughter on her end of the line, charmed by Tucker's candidness. "Well, that's more than I needed to know," she said, still chuckling. "A simple 'not yet' was good enough for me."

Miranda glanced over at Tucker, her husband, after ending the call with Lana. The playful exchange about their plans for children lingered in the air between them. Tucker noticed her gaze and smiled, not immediately sensing any concern.