Two months later (Present Time)
"Should we grab some lunch?" Isabella asked, peering through the half-door into Savannah's cabin. Savannah glanced up from her computer screen, raising an eyebrow. "You're done already?" she asked, her voice light. Isabella stepped inside, her gaze immediately shifting to Savannah.
"No, not exactly. But I'm starving, and honestly, nothing comes before food," she replied, a playful smirk tugging at her lips as she blinked at Savannah.
Savannah couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. "Okay, give me just a few more minutes," she said, already turning back to her desk to finish up her work. Ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
Finally, Savannah stood up and grinned. "Alright, let's go. Time to feed you before you start turning into a hangry monster," she teased, as they both headed toward the cafeteria, the promise of food making Isabella's steps a little lighter.
The antiseptic smell of the hospital hit Savannah like a wave as she stepped through the sliding glass doors.
Each morning felt like a new test, a reminder that life goes on in the stark, fluorescent-lit halls where hope and despair intertwined. She had returned to work after a month in a hospital, a new place, a new journey, a new environment and a new her.
She had started working at HealZone Medical, an opportunity offered to her by Blaze. At first, she was reluctant, her mind clouded with doubt. There are so many others more deserving than me, she thought. They need this more than I do. After all, she had her stable position at You Heal Hospital. But Blaze persisted, urging her to consider the bigger picture, and deep down, she had always dreamed of working at HealZone one day. After much hesitation, she decided to take the leap, leaving everything else behind to embark on this new journey.
Yet, even as she stepped into this new chapter, the weight of her grief lingered, like an oppressive, heavy coat that she couldn't seem to shrug off. It hung around her shoulders, a constant reminder of what she'd lost, even as she tried to embrace the fresh possibilities ahead.
As she walked to the nurse's station, she felt the familiar thrum of activity: doctors discussing cases, nurses bustling about, patients needing care. She forced a smile for her colleagues, who looked at her with a mix of concern and encouragement. They didn't know how to ask, and she didn't know how to tell them.
The first few shifts had been a blur of routine and distraction. Tasks kept her hands busy, but her heart was elsewhere, trapped in memories of her child-laughing, playing, the sound of their voice still echoing in her mind. She often found herself staring out the window, the sun shining brightly, while inside she felt like she was still caught in a storm.
The first surgery was a complex case-a young boy with a heart defect. She focused intently on the procedure, the rhythm of her hands guiding instruments with precision. It was a welcome distraction, the adrenaline pushing back the memories that threatened to engulf her. For a few moments, she could forget the pain, lost in the intricate dance of sutures and healing.
But between the beeping monitors and the murmurs of the surgical team, her mind would wander. She could almost hear her child's laughter, feel their small hand in mine. Each time she blinked, she had to remind herself why she was here to honor their memory by continuing to save lives.
As she closed the incision, she felt a rush of relief. The boy was stable, and she took a moment to let that sink in. Savannah had done her job. She had made a difference. Yet, a bittersweet ache lingered, the joy of saving a life was tempered by the grief that never fully left her.
As Isabella set the tray down on the table across from me, she smiled and said, "Here's your favorite—black coffee and Cobb salad."
Savannah returned her smile, taking a long sip of the steaming black coffee, savoring its rich bitterness. Isabella, at just 23, was one of the kindest souls she had met since arriving at this new place. A registered nurse at HealZone Medical, she exuded a quiet dedication to her work, always putting her patients first and never backing down from a challenge. Her genuine warmth and commitment made her stand out, and it was impossible not to admire her for it.
Despite being younger, Isabella and Savannah had an immediate connection the moment Savannah walked into the hospital.
From that day on, Isabella never let her feel alone—though not in an overbearing way, but in a way that made Savannah feel incredibly grateful. She couldn't help but feel that she'd made the right decision in joining HealZone.
Isabella's constant presence and lively conversation had a way of drawing Savannah's attention away from the chaos of the hospital, whether she was deep in the middle of surgeries or managing the whirlwind of her day-to-day responsibilities. It was a welcome distraction, one that brought a sense of ease she hadn't expected, and it made the demands of her work feel a little lighter.
"What's your plan for the christmas?" Bella asked her and Savannah stopped eating putting her utensils down on the table leaning back on her seat, "I don't know" her voice was audible and her thoughts went back to Theo, he had always loved this time of year-the decorations, the traditions, the magic that seemed to wrap around them like a warm blanket.
But this year, everything felt hollow. She caught herself glancing at the outside the cafeteria through the glass window, each one a story they had shared. And she remembered the little gingerbread man they had made together, the handmade decorations that held the imprint of tiny hands.
Savannah could almost hear his voice urging her to put up the tree, to hang the lights. She tried to imagine the joy that would have filled the room, the sparkle in his eyes as they unwrapped the familiar ornaments. But instead, the silence felt deafening, a reminder that her home was missing its brightest light.
She took a moment to breathe, grounding herself in the present. Outside, the world will buzzed with festive energy-families gathering, children playing in the snow. She longed to join them, to find joy in the season, but the heaviness in her heart felt too profound.
This Christmas would be different, yes, but perhaps it could also be a time of remembrance. She resolved to keep our traditions alive, to celebrate the joy they brought to her life, even if that joy felt muted this year. And as she gazed at the tree outside, she realized that while her heart ached, it also held the love they shared, a love that would never fade, no matter how quiet the season felt.
"Wanna join me?" Isabella asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Let's go explore the city and have some fun!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "What do you say, Savannah?" she added, her voice brimming with anticipation.
Savannah couldn't help but smile at her infectious energy. "You're really looking forward to Christmas, aren't you?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "It's like you can't wait for the holidays to start."
Isabella grinned, her excitement palpable, but Savannah, her curiosity piqued, leaned in slightly. "Do you... perhaps have something planned already?" she asked, her voice trailing off as she gave Isabella a mischievous look, her eyes wide with suspicion but also with a hint of excitement.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Isabella stuttered, her voice faltering, and Savannah could instantly tell something was off. She leaned in, eyes narrowing with playful suspicion. "Come on, spill it," she urged, her tone teasing but insistent.
"T-tell you what?" Isabella shot back, trying to play it cool, but the smirk on Savannah's face only deepened.
Savannah's gaze sharpened, watching Isabella's every move. "You're stuttering, your cheeks are as red as a tomato. Who's the person you're hiding?" she asked, leaning in closer, a knowing grin spreading across her face.
Isabella's confusion was pure performance, but Savannah could see right through it. "Person? Who?" she asked, clearly flustered, her face betraying her.
Savannah leaned back in her chair with a playful sigh, crossing her arms. "Tell me, or I swear, I'm not talking to you again," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mock seriousness. The challenge hung in the air, and Savannah wasn't about to let it go.
"Savannah," she looked annoyed, but had no choice but to surrender.
"We met at the café near my house about six months ago," Isabella continued, her voice softening with a hint of nostalgia. "We had so many similarities, our tastes matched perfectly. We talked, we connected... and before we knew it, we got interested." A blush spread across her cheeks, a delicate pink hue that made Savannah smile.
Savannah raised an eyebrow and teasingly replied, "Oh no, honey, that sounds like a whole other story time. You'll need more than a few minutes to tell all the details." She gave her a playful look, then added, "But go on, celebrate your Christmas with your person."
Isabella opened her mouth to protest, but Savannah quickly interrupted, holding up a hand with a gentle smile. "Don't worry about me," she said warmly. "I'll be swamped with work that day anyway. I'll be busy." With that, she stood up, pushing her chair back.
As she made her way toward the door, Savannah paused for a moment, glancing back at Isabella. "You deserve to celebrate your life, Isabella," she said softly. "Don't let anything stop you." And with that, she left the cafeteria, giving her friend the space to embrace the joy she deserved.
-Around 8 PM
The cool night air wrapped around Savannah as she stood by the front gate of the hospital, her breath visible in the chill. After another long shift, her legs ached, and the weight of the day pressed heavily on her shoulders. She glanced at my watch, wishing the taxi would arrive soon.
The parking lot was nearly deserted, the soft glow of the streetlights casting long, stretching shadows across the pavement. Savannah wrapped her coat tighter around herself, the fabric offering little comfort against the evening chill that seemed to settle deep into her bones. The usual sounds of the hospital—its constant hum of activity—had faded into the distance, replaced by the quiet stillness of the night. For a moment, it felt as if everything around her had slowed, leaving her in a bubble of solitude.
Just as the weight of the day seemed too much to bear, a familiar car pulled into view, its headlights cutting through the darkness. Savannah's gaze lifted instinctively, her heart giving a small, almost imperceptible flutter. It was him. The man who had always been her steady anchor, the one who seemed to appear just when she needed a spark of light. His warm smile greeted her as he stepped out of the car, and in that instant, the weight of the day seemed to lift, if only for a moment.
"Need a ride?" he asked, his voice smooth and inviting, with a subtle, almost hypnotic quality that made Savannah's breath catch for a moment.
She hesitated, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. "I called a taxi," she replied, trying to sound casual, though the quickened beat of her pulse betrayed her calm exterior.
"It's getting late," he said, his smile small but tinged with something unreadable—a shadow of something that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Let me take you home."
Savannah studied him closely, feeling the weight of his gaze on her. There was an undeniable pull, a quiet intensity in the air between them, something unspoken but palpable. She knew he was connected to things she couldn't fully grasp, but there was an undercurrent of warmth in his presence, a softness that hinted at something real beneath the surface.
With a soft sigh, she slid into the backseat of his car, the warmth of the interior immediately enveloping her like a comforting embrace. As she settled in, she could feel his eyes on her—an intensity so powerful it sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"You shouldn't be out here alone so late," he said, his voice carrying an edge of protectiveness, as if he were trying to shield her from something beyond the physical world, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.
As they drove through the city, the streetlights flickered past, casting fleeting glows that only seemed to deepen the intensity of his gaze. The silence stretched between them until Blaze broke it with a soft, steady voice. "Long shift?" he asked, his tone almost casual, yet tinged with something else.
"Yeah, the usual," Savannah replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though her exhaustion seeped through the words. "It's hectic this time of year."
"I know," he said, his voice unwavering. "You work too hard."
The weight of his words sent a shiver down Savannah's spine. How did he know that? There was an unsettling depth to his concern—something more than simple observation, something she couldn't quite understand. It was as if he could see into parts of her life that she'd never shared.
The car took a turn, and Savannah caught a glimpse of the night sky through the window, stars sparkling faintly against the darkness. "You shouldn't have to work these hours alone," he continued, his tone shifting, becoming softer, more intimate. "You deserve to be taken care of."
Surprised by the sincerity in his voice, Savannah glanced at him, her heart skipping a beat. "You don't have to worry about me," she said, trying to brush it off, but the warmth of his words lingered in the air.
"Doesn't mean you should," Blaze replied quietly, his voice gentle but firm. "There's more to life than just surviving your shifts."
A flutter of something—appreciation, maybe even affection—stirred within her, but Savannah quickly pushed it aside, unwilling to confront the feelings bubbling just beneath the surface. She couldn't afford to dive into emotions now, not when she had so much to focus on. Yet, as the car moved through the city streets, the quiet intimacy between them was undeniable, and Savannah couldn't help but wonder what it all meant.
Savannah took a deep breath, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat as she searched for the right words. "It's been... hard," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Some days are better than others."
"I can only imagine," he replied, his voice rich with empathy. "I'm here if you need to talk about it."
As the car pulled away, the city lights outside blurred into streaks, each one a fleeting reminder of the life beyond those hospital walls. The soft hum of the engine filled the space between them, and for a moment, they fell into a comfortable silence. It wasn't awkward; it was more like a shared understanding, unspoken but mutual. Every glance, every breath, felt as though they were both waiting for something to shift.
His eyes flicked to her, and she could almost hear the unasked question hanging in the air: What could this be between us?
The road ahead seemed endless, and Savannah found herself wishing the ride would stretch on forever. There was something about him—something familiar, comforting—that felt like home, like a safe harbor from the relentless chaos of her life. She wanted to lean into that warmth, to explore whatever this connection could become, but a part of her—fear, maybe, or doubt—held her back.
"Do you want to grab something to eat?" he asked, breaking the silence with an ease that felt natural. "I know a great little diner that's open late." His voice softened with a reassuring smile. "I promise, no pressure. Just a casual bite."
Savannah met his gaze, the sincerity in his eyes unmistakable. The warmth she had come to recognize—no, rely on—was there again, drawing her in. It would be so easy to say yes, to let herself enjoy a simple moment outside the constraints of her work. After a long pause, she gave in, her heart lightening with the decision.
"Okay," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, but her heart lifted at the thought. The night, the possibility of what could unfold, suddenly felt full of promise.
As they drove toward the diner, the night seemed to stretch out, full of untold possibilities. Savannah stole glances at him, noticing the way he focused on the road, his jaw relaxed, a subtle smile playing on his lips. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing at a crossroads, torn between the safety of the familiar routine she'd built and the alluring uncertainty of what could be.
The diner they pulled into was a cozy refuge, its warm, golden glow inviting them in from the cold night air. The familiar sounds of plates clinking, the hum of low conversation, and the soft murmur of the jukebox filled the space, creating an atmosphere that was both comforting and timeless. Savannah slid into a booth by the window, her fingers tracing the edge of her coffee cup as she stared into the dark liquid, trying to steady her racing thoughts.
The night felt heavy, the weight of everything pressing down on her, but here she was, attempting to enjoy a simple dinner. The jukebox played softly in the background, old tunes that carried a bittersweet mix of nostalgia and melancholy. Savannah closed her eyes for a moment, taking a slow, steadying breath, trying to push the swirling memories from her mind and simply allow herself a slice of normalcy.
As they settled into the rhythm of conversation, he seemed to be carefully drawing her out, asking about her day, how she was feeling. To her surprise, she found herself talking more freely than she ever had before, sharing thoughts and feelings she'd kept buried for so long. There was something about him—an ease, a warmth—that made it feel safe to open up, even as the shadows of his own world lingered in the background, silent but ever-present.
Finally, after a pause in their conversation, Blaze leaned in slightly, his gaze steady and unwavering. "So," Blaze asked, his voice soft yet probing, "What are your plans for Christmas?" The question hung between them, almost weightless, yet charged with a quiet expectation. Savannah met his eyes, unsure whether she wanted to answer or let the moment stretch a little longer.
He nodded, his expression softening with understanding. "I get that. It's a tough time, especially after everything you've been through."
"Yeah," Savannah murmured, her gaze dropping to her coffee as she traced the rim of her cup. "I used to love Christmas—the lights, the decorations, the joy. But now... it all feels hollow." The words left her with a sense of heaviness, as if they carried the weight of everything she'd lost.
"I understand," Blaze said gently, his voice quiet but sincere. "But maybe this year can be different. Maybe you can create new memories, even if they're small."
Savannah lifted her eyes, surprised by the warmth in his voice. There was an honesty to his words, an openness that invited her to believe in something better, something beyond the grief she'd been carrying. "Like what?" she asked, her voice soft but curious.
Blaze paused for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. She stared at him, her thoughts drifting, until suddenly, something he said caught her completely off guard. "I wanna join you."
Savannah blinked, unsure she'd heard him right. She just stared at him, confused, her mind racing to make sense of his words, but she couldn't bring herself to ask him to clarify. Instead, she remained silent, caught somewhere between disbelief and something warmer she couldn't quite place.
He must have sensed her confusion, because he smiled faintly and put his utensils down with a soft clink. "Let me say it again," he said, his voice firm but kind. "I want to celebrate my Christmas with you. Let me join you, Ana."
The nickname—Ana—took her by surprise, a gentle ripple of warmth spreading through her chest at the sound of it. She didn't object, didn't question it, even though she hadn't expected it.
For some reason, the way he said it felt right, even soothing. Ana—a name he had recently given her, and for reasons she couldn't explain, she liked the way it sounded when it came from him.
"I would love that." Savannah finally replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her heart skipped a beat as his sincerity wrapped around her like a lifeline, pulling her out of the weight of her grief. She could see the genuine care in his eyes, the quiet, unspoken desire to help her heal. And in that moment, she realized that maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new—something she could hold onto, something that could help her find joy again.
He smiled back at her, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "How about we start with some decorations?" he suggested. "I'll bring the lights, and you can pick out a tree."
"A tree?" Savannah echoed, the idea both foreign and unexpectedly exciting. "I haven't done that in years."
"Then let's do it tomorrow," he said, his voice warm, a quiet eagerness in his tone.
Savannah hesitated, a pang of reluctance threading through her chest. "I'm not sure... I-I don't want to," she stammered, the flood of memories of Christmas with Theo crashing over her in an overwhelming wave. The thought of decorating, of celebrating, felt like a betrayal to those moments, to the life she once had. She knew it wasn't healthy, but it was hard to let go of the past.
He looked at her, his expression softening as he processed her words, then nodded in understanding. "Okay, we won't then," he said, his voice calm but carrying an underlying note of something she couldn't quite place. His response confused her a little, but for some reason, it was exactly what she needed to hear. He wasn't pushing her, not trying to force her into anything. His quiet acceptance gave her room to breathe.
A soft smile crept onto his lips, and in that moment, Savannah felt her heart shift, drawn to the kindness in his eyes, the sincerity of his gesture. Blaze's smile was warm, and despite the heaviness she carried, it made her feel lighter, as though he could somehow hold both the sorrow and the possibility of joy in his presence.
As they finished their dinner, the weight of sorrow still lingered in the air between them, but it no longer felt as suffocating. Now, it was tempered by a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could embrace this season—this season of joy and pain alike. With him by her side, it didn't feel quite as impossible. And for the first time in a long while, Savannah allowed herself to believe in the possibility of healing, one small step at a time.
Author's Note :
Hello y'all, how are you? I hope doing good <3
Can't believe we're halfway to the story :(
Comments will be appreciated:)
And if you can then please use some power stones <3
Good Night/Morning<3<3