September 4 2020
The string lights above the patio twinkled like stars. The table was full — Dave, Mateo asleep in a stroller, AJ's siblings, Maria and Daniel, and even Luke, half in uniform and half in family mode. Plates were cleared, wine was poured, and dessert had just arrived.
A small cake with "Feliz Cumpleaños AJ" in looping red script sat in front of her, a single candle flickering.
She didn't make wishes. AJ Sánchez didn't need wishes.
But tonight, she felt something rare: ease. Joy. Wholeness.
Then she heard it — rapid footsteps on gravel.
She looked up, and saw Lexie and Parker, breathless and pale, still in scrubs, rushing across the patio.
AJ - Don't do it
AJ said sharply, holding up a hand.
AJ-If someone isn't coding, turn your little intern feet around.
Lexie didn't stop.
Lexie - It's Emory Vargas. Twelve years old. Post-op craniotomy. He just seized. Then crashed. Vitals are unstable and—Jackson's trying to stabilize—
AJ - You *paged* me?
AJ snapped, already rising from her seat, dropping her napkin.
Parker looked sheepish.
Parker -Technically... we ran out the door and then paged you.
Dave stood slowly, watching the fire return to AJ's eyes.
AJ -You *said* it could wait until morning
she muttered to herself.
AJ-One meal. One night.
AJ- I'm sorry, Brewster
Lexie said.
Lexie- But he's crashing and Jackson said—
AJ - Fine
she cut in.
AJ - Let's go. Get in the car. You're both assisting. And if this turns out to be a nosebleed, I'm putting you both in the morgue rotation for a month.
Luke tossed her her coat like a reflex.
Luke - Already pulled your keys
he said.
Luke - Security's clearing the entrance. Dave and I will keep Mateo with us.
AJ looked at her still-lit birthday candle, untouched cake, and shook her head with a smirk.
AJ - Happy damn birthday to me.
---
HOSPITAL, TWENTY MINUTES LATER
Emory was already intubated, convulsing had stopped but his blood pressure was unstable. Jackson was holding the line but looked relieved the second AJ walked into Neuro Bay 4.
AJ -What do we know?
she asked, already snapping on gloves.
Jackson - Possible post-op bleed. Or hydrocephalus
Jackson said.
Jackson-Pupils were sluggish. I ordered a stat CT.
AJ - Smart
she said, impressed.
AJ - You call radiology?
Jackson - Lexie did
Jackson replied.
Jackson - And she flagged it for OR clearance.
AJ paused just a second. Lexie met her gaze, steady, even if nervous.
AJ — We thought... if he needs a shunt, you'll want the OR prepped.
AJ nodded, then to Parker
AJ - Get scrubs. Jackson, stay on vitals until I scrub in.
Lexie - And us?
Lexie asked.
AJ- You're with me
AJ said.
AJ- Let's see if you're worth dragging me out of my birthday.
---
OR 2, THIRTY MINUTES LATER
The room buzzed with urgency.
Lexie and Parker flanked AJ as she worked on placing an emergency ventricular shunt. Blood pressure stabilized. Cerebral swelling eased.
AJ operated with the force of someone who lived between crisis and control — but never let it break her.
Lexie handed her the next instrument before she even asked. AJ noticed.
AJ - You're learning
she said under her breath.
Lexie - You taught me
Lexie whispered.
They finished the surgery. Clean margins. Successful placement.
---
POST-OP
Outside the OR, AJ finally pulled off her mask, letting out a long breath.
Parker leaned against the wall, shaken but buzzing.
Parker - That was...
AJ -Real
AJ said.
Lexie - I'm sorry we ruined your dinner
Lexie said again, softly.
Lexie - But I didn't know who else could do it.
AJ turned to her, slowly.
AJ - Don't apologize.
She paused, then added:
AJ - You made the right call. You knew the signs. You kept him alive long enough for me to finish the job.
Lexie blinked.
Lexie - Are you saying—?
AJ -I'm saying happy birthday to me
AJ said dryly
AJ -and welcome to real surgery.
