August 8 2020
FOUR SEASONS BORA BORA, OVERWATER BUNGALOW**
It was like waking up inside a postcard.
Crystal-blue water surrounded them, stretching endlessly beyond the horizon. Their private bungalow stood on stilts above a lagoon so clear, AJ could see stingrays gliding below when she looked over the deck.
No pagers.
No scrubs.
No security patrols.
Just quiet.
Mateo was back home with Carla, Maria, and Luke — and for the first time in months, AJ could breathe without bracing for the next blow.
She stepped out onto the deck in a thin, white wrap, her hair loose and salty from the breeze. Dave was already out there, shirtless, holding two coffees and watching the sun rise.
AJ - You gonna stare at the water all morning?
she asked, leaning against him.
Dave -I was hoping you'd come out so I could stare at you instead.
She rolled her eyes, but smiled. The flirt still hadn't faded.
---
LATER THAT MORNING
After breakfast delivered by canoe and a spontaneous dive into the lagoon, they laid side by side on a double hammock strung between two palms. AJ rested her head on Dave's chest, listening to his heartbeat as the wind swayed them.
AJ - I don't know how to relax
she admitted.
Dave - Yeah, I figured
he said.
Dave - You've only rewritten your OR schedule in your head three times since we got here.
She looked up at him, mock offended.
AJ - I'm trying
Dave - Try harder
He flipped her into a kiss so sudden and deep, she laughed against his mouth.
---
SUNSET DINNER ON THE BEACH
That evening, they dined barefoot under the stars on a private stretch of sand — lanterns casting golden halos around them.
Dave raised a glass.
Dave - To Mateo. To the people we lost. And to all the things we fought like hell for to get here.
AJ - And to what comes next
AJ added.
Aj - Which will *not* include any murder attempts, crashes, or surprise patients on our honeymoon.
Dave -Deal.
They toasted.
---
NIGHTFALL
Back in their bungalow, after hours of swimming, laughing, and sneaking in naps between kisses, AJ lay in bed watching the moonlight reflect on the ceiling.
AJ - This feels like... the eye of the storm
she whispered.
Dave turned to face her, brushing her cheek.
Dave - No. This *is* the calm. We earned this.
She looked at him, and for the first time in years — there was no guarded edge in her eyes. Just peace.
AJ -Then let's never forget it.
Dave - Even when we're back in chaos?
he asked.
AJ- Especially then.
