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“Thank God,” Melanie said, relief accenting her voice.

“There was a little more to it than I expected and I had to remove more tissue than we’d talked about, but it should heal beautifully.”

Melanie suddenly put her arms around Alexis and hugged her tight.

Alexis knew this was a response to the stress of waiting and held her for a moment.

“Thank you,” Melanie said with tears in her eyes. “You just never know.”

Alexis nodded. “We’re sending off the tissue, just to be sure, but I highly doubt it’s cancerous.”

Melanie responded with a nod. “When can I take her home? What do I have to do to take care of her?”

“There’s a dressing on it now. All the instructions to care for the incision will be in her release papers.”

“Okay, okay.” Melanie nodded then she looked up at Alexis. “But hey, you’ll be out Saturday to make sure she’s doing all right.”

Alexis smiled. “I will. If there’s anything you need before that don’t hesitate to call me. Krista has my contact information. Call me directly on my cell phone.”

Melanie finally leaned back in her chair and sighed. “Thank you, Alexis. I didn’t realize how scared I was.”

Alexis gave her hand a squeeze and smiled. “Will you do something for me?”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Would you text CeCe and let her know everything went well? She’s already texted me once this morning and I can’t give her information about a patient.”

“I’d be happy to. She’s such a sweetheart,” Melanie said, getting out her phone.

“Yeah, she is,” Alexis agreed.

“I’ve got a group text to the family and I’ll add CeCe to it,” Melanie said as she pulled up the text.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Alexis waited until Melanie had the message sent then said, “Would you like to see her?”

Melanie gasped. “Yes! I thought I’d have to wait.”

“I have connections. I can get you in,” Alexis said with a wink.

10

Alexis walked Melanie into the recovery room where Krista was beginning to stir.

Melanie grabbed her hand and bent down to kiss her forehead. “I’m right here, baby,” she whispered.

A hint of a smile pulled up the corners of Krista’s mouth as her eyes fluttered open.

Alexis was suddenly filled with such a sense of longing. To be able to elicit that reaction with a whisper. She could see the love between Krista and Melanie as if it was its own entity. I want that! She imagined the feeling inside her heart to love someone like that and to know they loved her back the same way.

Tears stung the back of Alexis's eyes. She blinked them away and cleared her throat, afraid her voice might expose the emotion she was feeling at the moment.

“Hey, Doc,” Krista said dreamily.

Alexis grinned. “Hi, Krista.”

“Everything went well, babe. You’re going to be okay,” Melanie said softly.

“No, I’m not. I need a kiss, baby. Your kisses will make me well,” Krista said drunkenly.