"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Nurse Dana"

Brian managed to leave the hallway & found himself standing in front of the big nursery window overlooking all the precious newborns. He stepped a little closer looking at each tiny life wrapped in the hospital blankets like perfect bundles of burritos. His eyes fixated on Miranda. She was pink & perfect. "She's beautiful like her mother", Brian thought. He couldn't shake the image of Serena's weak body out of his mind. She has to make it through this. She had to for Miranda & for him. He wanted to tell her that he still had feelings for her. The nurse who had coaxed him out of Serena's room put her hand on his back. Brian turned back to look at her.

Nurse: Pardon me. Brian, was it?
Brian: Yeah. How's Serena?

Brian's hair was disheveled & he looked so tired & worn. He couldn't sleep thinking about Serena.

Nurse: She's fine. She's just getting her rest.
Brian: I want to see her.
Nurse: I'm sure you do, but you should really get something to eat. Our cafeteria is right downstairs. Your wife & daughter are gonna need you to...
Brian: I'm not. We're not married. Serena is a friend.
Nurse: I see. Well, your friend is going to need you when she wakes up.
Brian: I don't want leave...
Nurse: She'll be fine. She's stabilized. She's just really weak & could use the rest. And you could use some rest as well.
Brian: I'm fine.
Nurse: Brian, I'm surrounded by people who say that phrase all the time & you know what? More times than not, they're not fine. Look, I'm actually on my break now. How about I buy coffee?
Brian: Sure.

He reluctantly agreed, but he had a feeling the nurse wouldn't leave him alone until he did. He followed her petite, but quickly moving figure. You could tell she knew her way around the hospital. She took him down the staff stairs & into the private halls & doorways. She looked like she was in her early thirties, had strawberry blonde hair in a messy bun & stood about 5'4". Brian's 6'4" frame had a hard time keeping up with her through the zig zags of the halls.

Brian: Whoa, it's like a maze in here. Haven't you ever gotten lost?
Nurse: Maybe once or twice, but I've been here for a few months now so I guess I know my way around.
Brian: Yeah.
Nurse: Ah, here we are.

The nurse held her badge up to double metal doors. They opened up to the cafeteria. Brian & the nurse walked in & headed straight to the coffee.

Nurse: I come here often. This is my oasis amongst the chaos. Hazelnut or French vanilla?
Brian: Hazelnut, please.
Nurse: 2 hazelnut coffees please.

The nurse flashed her work badge & received a discount for the coffee. She handed one cup to Brian.

Brian: Thanks.

Brian sipped some coffee while glancing at the nurse's badge for her name. It read,"Dana".

Brian: Dana?
Nurse Dana: Yeah?
Brian: Oh, I was just reading your name badge. That's my mom's name.
Nurse Dana: Oh really?
Brian: Yeah.

They sat at a table for two right by a window. This time of the day, the hospital seemed it's busiest. Many people bustling in & out. Some came in for regular check-ups & routine procedures. Others came in for special medical treatments & critical surgeries. Dana explained that she can always tell if someone leaving the hospital had a good or bad day.
She could see their faces from the table they were sitting at.

Nurse Dana: I people-watch.
Brian: Same.
Nurse Dana: Yeah, my son keeps telling me it's rude.
Brian: Your son?
Nurse Dana: Yeah.
Brian: How old is your son?
Nurse Dana: He'll be 15 this month.
Brian: You have a 15 years old?
Nurse Dana: Yeah, I was a teenage mom, just like your friend. I think that's why I wanted to work in that department because I know how hard it is to go through.
Brian: But look at your now.

Nurse Dana smiled.

Nurse Dana: Why do I have a feeling you & Serena are more than friends?
Brian sighed, smiled, turned to the window & sipped his coffee.
Brian: It's a long story. Not sure how long your break is.
Nurse Dana: We can walk & talk.

Nurse Dana & Brian walked out of the cafeteria, this time they walked down the common halls. Brian explained you the nurse about how much he cared for Serena.

Nurse Dana: If you love someone, you should let them know.
Brian: Time has never been on my side.
Nurse Dana: I'm going to tell you something my mom told me. If it's meant to be, it'll be. And if waiting is involved, then wait. But I mean, Serena isn't going anywhere soon. She'll probably be in recovery for a few more days.

They stopped in front of the gift shop.

Nurse Dana: Why don't you get her something?
Brian: I think I will.

The nurse began to walk off. Brian called out to her.

Brian: Hey Dana, thanks.
Nurse Dana: Have a good day, Brian.
Brian: How much do I owe you for the coffee?
Nurse Dana: How about you buy next time & tell me the follow up story?
Brian: Deal.