“I know relationships are scary. I’m exhibit one for thinking things are going to last forever and they don’t.”
Cameron averted her eyes from Melanie once more. But Melanie gently put her hand on her chin and turned her face back to hers.
“But you’re not Rob. We are a partnership. We love each other for who we are and we don’t expect the other to be anything they’re not. This is going to work, Cam. I wouldn’t be in this with you if I didn’t think that.”
Not knowing what to say, Cameron stood and pulled Melanie to her feet. She held her close, crying softly into her shoulder.
“Thisisgoing to work.”
“And it’s okay if that’s scary.” Melanie kissed her ear. “It just means we get to be there to love and support each other through the good times and the bad.”
“I wouldn’t want to do that with anyone else.”
“Good,” she giggled. “Because you’re the only person I want to kiss for the rest of my life.”
They kissed again, but this time it had more passion behind it. Cameron would have stayed there longer in Melanie’s arms if her pager hadn’t gone off.
“Damn job,” she groaned with a laugh as she pressed her forehead into Cameron’s. “Thank you for lunch.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll pack up the rest of it for you and put it in the fridge then go find the kids.”
“You’re the best.” Melanie kissed her again. “I’ll see you and the kids tomorrow after work, okay?”
“I miss you already.”
“Don’t make me want to quit my job.” Winking, Melanie turned to head out the door. She stopped in the doorframe, looking back at Cameron. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter 30
Melanie
Working ten days in a row was Melanie’s limit. Not only her personal limit, but the hospital’s limit as well. The hospital had a policy in place that after ten shifts in a row, there was a mandatory four days off. Melanie thanked the sweet union gods above for writing that into their contracts. She could make it through one more shift to have the rest of the week off and not have to clock back in until next Monday.
The shift wasn’t going to be easy though. They started the day with three laboring patients on the floor and one on the way, transferring from a smaller hospital for a possible c-section. She and Vera had helped deliver two of the three babies already. Melanie had just transferred the second one to postpartum before she dramatically collapsed on Vera’s leather couch.
“I’m so tired.”
“I’ve delivered twelve babies since Friday.Twelve,” Vera dramatically groaned from the floor, which was as far as she made it apparently into her office before needing to lie down. “What in the world was in the water in September?”
Melanie chuckled. “I have no clue, but I’m glad I’m off a week after today.”
“Lucky bitch.” Vera pulled her phone out of her scrub pocket and sighed. “Our transfer is here.”
“Tell her to keep her legs closed for five more minutes.”
“Come on.”
Standing, Vera playfully patted Melanie’s behind as she reluctantly got up for the couch. The two minutes of rest was better than most days, so Melanie would have to take what she could get. She followed Vera down the hall, feeling like a badass knowing she was the doctor’s favorite nurse. Melanie had been working too long at the hospital with Vera tonotbe her favorite nurse when most of the other nurses were bornafterthey started working together twenty something years ago.
Melanie knew how lucky she was to work with a doctor as well respected and talented as Vera. There was nothing that women couldn’t do, and Melanie admired her immensely. She loved that Vera trusted her enough to let her be by her side as often as she was. The two had made a pact to retire at the same time, but Melanie knew that day was still a long way off. They both loved their job too much.
Helping people bring babies into the world was a blessing Melanie knew not everyone got to experience. She knew it was a privilege to stand by someone on arguably one of the hardest and best days of their life simultaneously. Melanie loved getting to connect with her patients, although at times she got closer to certain patients than others. Vera had told her it was part of the job, but to also be careful about befriending every patient.
That was something Melanie had to remind herself of often. She hated seeing some patients leave labor and delivery for postpartum because she knew she wouldn’t see them again. Not unless they had another baby. But she also knew that was part of the job. Melanie was meant to be in those patients’ lives for a moment, not forever.
She also loved how unpredictable labor and delivery was. No two days were ever the same, and Melanie thrived on that.
