Goodbye Kiss

59. When Night Meets Day

When Night Meets Day
Season 9 x 21
May, 2003:

i stood in the doorway, on my tiptoes kissing luka.
his lips parted mine and squeezed me into a tight hug.
"i have to go" he whispered
"you'll love me when you get back, right?"
i shook my head "we won't forget about each other?"
"i love you more than anything, gianna"
"i love you so much" i nodded
he bent down and picked up his bag, kissing my forehead again.
that's when the tears welled up in my eyes.
"be safe, luka"
"i love you" i added once more.
"i love you, too"
i closed the door.
the tear fell from my eye.
i love this man. that was even an understatement. it actually hurt me when he wasn't with me.
we made each other whole again.

Today———
it feels like forever since i've seen luka.
i missed him more than i could really explain. my mom and dad didn't understand why on earth someone would want to go the the congo. i hadn't fully understood it for a long time, either. it didn't really matter what they or i thought of it, anyway. luka was helping those who needed him the most.
the hospital had been an absolute disaster, though, especially today.
"i've been working graveyard shifts forever" pratt groaned
"aren't you off to northwestern?"
"tonight's my last shift" he smiled
"so, you won't be seeing me" he grinned, beginning to walk away
"wait, can i have a hug?" i frowned
"anything for you, g" he laughed
he wrapped his arms around my shoulders.
"you're a good doctor, greg"
"i'll see you around" he assured
i waved goodbye.
originally, i had the night shift but abby made me swap with her.
after that funeral, she and carter weren't in a good place. i mean, if my brother fell into my fiancés grave i'd probably move to mexico or something.
the ER had a grace period from romano, though. he was getting his arm amputated after a fire accident he had awhile ago. i actually felt bad for the guy.
"gianna, can i go on my break now?" lydia asked
i looked at my watch, nodding.
"yeah"
"and it's good to have you back" i smiled
she had been floated to the icu the past couple months.
"thanks" she smiled, heading for the lounge.
"alright, i need you over here" gallant shouted
"vomiting child?" i groaned
he nodded his head.
——
"are labs back on that woman who soap?" carter asked, he was on the phone.
"they're backed up" i shrugged
"aren't we all" he groaned
i began walking away
"wait-"
"luka's on the phone"
my eyes went wide and i sat next to him on the counter.
"i can't hear you"
"alright, i'll think about it" he nodded
"do you want to talk to gianna?"
"here she is" he smiled
i took the phone from carter's hand.
"luka" i smiled
"it's so good hearing your voice"
"i know but it feels like forever"
"yeah, i do too"
"things are the same as always" i laughed
"how about you"
"what you're doing is really good"
"i love you, too"
"okay, well i'm glad i could here from you"
"here he is"
i handed the phone back to carter
"i'll come" he sighed as i walked away.

"labs are back on soap eater" i said, handing carter a piece of paper
"and gallant, want me to replace vomiting kids saline?"
"yes ma'am" he smiled
"he puked twice in the past hour"
"stomach flu" he groaned
"just wanted to let you know" i smiled, walking into the exam room.
"how are you, jordan?"
"i puked again"
"alright, i'll get you a new bucket" i smiled, throwing the dirty one in the garbage.
then, i replaced his saline drip.
"your mom said she's on her way over here, okay?"
"when she comes you'll be good to go home"
"okay"
"i'll be okay?"
"yeah"
"just don't eat too much next time, alright?"
"i know" he frowned.
——
a mass suicide came in an hour ago. unfortunately, a few died. one admitted upstairs.
i looked at my watch. five o'clock. i was off at six since i had to go home and babysit.
"finally it's quiet" malik sighed
"yeah"
"plans for tonight?"
"babysitting" i smirked
"your life is kinda boring now that luka has gone?"
"i know"
"all i do is go home and go to bed"
"why don't you hit the club?"
i shook my head
"i feel bad" i shrugged
"my boyfriend is in africa changing the world and i'm clubbing?"
"i don't know what to say, g" malik smiled
"i'll be watching cartoons all night" i shrugged, smiling
"well, have fun with that"
"thanks malik"

i walked into the lounge.
"so, you're going to africa after all?" i asked carter, raising my eyebrow.
"luka needs help out there"
"that's what you were talking about"
he nodded his head
"i hope you and abby are eventually okay"
"i hope so too"
"you better stay safe"
"i'll be fine" he smiled
i opened my locker door as carter opened the door to the lounge.
"tell luka i miss him" i smirked
"i'm sure he misses you, too" he laughed
"bye, carter"
"goodbye, gianna"
———
i tied on a pair of low rise sweatpants on as i heard a knock on the door.
it was gio.
"here's the diaper bag with all of angelo's stuff"
"mashed bananas on the menu tonight"
"isabella eats anything"
"you, cynthia and gianluca better have a good night" i smiled
"we owe you, gia"
"i haven't watched disney movies in awhile" i shrugged
"heard from luka?"
"he's doing good" i smiled
he nodded his head "that's good"
"yeah"
"goodnight"
"night"
i shut the door.
"alright kiddos, are you hungry?" i asked
"yeah!" isabella smiled

i leaned over the bathtub, bathing the two babies. well, i guess three and a half years old isn't much of a baby anymore but, oh well.
isabella couldn't stop singing under the sea. i guess that's what you get for watching little the mermaid with a toddler.
angelo was a very giggly little baby though.
i changed their clothes and set up pillows for us to sleep. i cradled angelo in my arms though.
"am i a fun aunt?"
isabella smiled and nodded her head
"good"
i planted a kiss on angelo's head and one on isabella.
"goodnight my babies"
you know, i did end up having a lot of fun taking care of these kiddos. aways being surrounded around kids and family made me excited to be a mother of my own one day. i loved these little people.