March 28 2021
It was late. The house was quiet, her son already asleep in the next room. AJ sat at the kitchen table, staring at the untouched cup of tea in front of her.
Dave leaned against the counter, watching her carefully. He'd given her space since that night, but he knew she was still carrying more than she'd admit.
Finally, AJ broke the silence. Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
Aj- I'm sorry, Dave.
His brow furrowed.
Dave- Sorry? For what?
Her fingers twisted around the mug, knuckles white.
Aj - For losing the baby.
The words hung heavy between them.
Her eyes glistened, though she refused to let the tears fall.
Aj -I should've known better. I should've slowed down. I let the stress... the interns, the cases, everything—I let it eat me alive. And because of that, I—
Her voice cracked, raw and jagged.
Aj - I failed.
---
Dave crossed the room in two steps, crouching in front of her so she had no choice but to meet his eyes.
Dave- Stop
he said firmly.
Dave- You didn't fail. Don't you dare blame yourself for this.
AJ shook her head, jaw trembling.
Aj - I knew something was wrong, and I kept going. I kept answering pages, yelling at interns, running around like nothing was happening. If I'd just—
Dave- You were doing what you always do
Dave interrupted, voice softer now.
Dave- You were holding everything together. You can't control this, AJ. No one can.
Her breath hitched, and for once she didn't fight when he took her hands in his.
Dave- You didn't lose the baby because you were stressed
Dave said gently.
Dave- You lost it because sometimes... life is cruel. And I hate it. But don't you dare carry that guilt. Not on top of everything else.
For the first time since it happened, AJ let the tears spill, silent and steady. Dave didn't let go. He stayed with her until the sobs quieted, until she leaned against him, exhausted but lighter somehow.
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