July 30 2020
EARLY MORNING, AJ AND DAVE'S HOUSE
The sun barely peeked through the curtains when AJ was already up. She tiptoed around the kitchen, trying not to wake Dave or Mateo.
One hand held her coffee, the other her phone — where she was coordinating with the florist, responding to vendor emails, and still double-checking a neurosurgical case scheduled for 9 AM.
Dave walked in, groggy, holding Mateo.
Dave- You've been up for what? Two hours?
he asked, amused.
AJ - Two and a half
AJ replied with a tired grin.
Aj - Between finishing the RSVP list, checking on the cake delivery, and prepping for a spinal decompression, I'm basically running a wedding *and* a hospital.
Dave kissed her forehead.
Dave - You're unbelievable.
She looked at him with a mock-stern gaze.
AJ- You'll think I'm unbelievable until I make you finalize the table arrangements tonight.
---
NEURO FLOOR — 9:15 AM
In the OR, AJ was in full command. The patient was a middle-aged man with a severe lumbar herniation, and the pressure was intense. Her interns — Jackson, Lexie, Parker, and Ben — were scrubbed in, carefully observing and assisting.
AJ - Scalpel
AJ called, focused and calm.
Lexie passed it to her.
Lexie - So... you're really getting married next week?
she asked, trying to sound casual.
AJ- Yes
AJ replied without looking up.
AJ - August sixth. And if anyone so much as touches my cake before I do, I'll reassign them to night shifts for a month.
The whole OR chuckled. Even in the most delicate procedure, AJ was sharp, quick-witted, and unshakably composed.
---
LUNCH BREAK, AJ'S OFFICE
AJ sat in her chair, barely taking bites of her salad between phone calls.
AJ- No, the peonies go *with* the eucalyptus. Not instead of
she said into her phone, then sighed.
Jackson knocked gently on the door.
Jackson- We have consults waiting... but if you need a break—
AJ shook her head.
AJ - No time for breaks. Bride or not, I'm still head of neuro. Let's go.
---
EVENING, AT HOME
Later that night, AJ sat on the couch with a massive binder in her lap. Mateo was asleep against her chest in a wrap, while Dave was typing something on his laptop — wedding vows, maybe.
She looked exhausted but proud.
AJ -Do you think I'm crazy?
she asked quietly.
Dave looked over.
Dave- No. I think you're a force of nature. And I think you're gonna be the most badass bride to ever walk down an aisle.
She smiled, tired but happy.
AJ-Let's hope I don't scrub into a surgery on the morning of our wedding.
Dave raised an eyebrow.
Dave - Don't tempt fate.
-
