Kit ran her hand over my hair, "Nothing, I just love how your eyes sparkle when you talk about museums and knowledge in general." She squeezed my shoulder, "Knowledge will always be your mistress, won't it?"
I rolled my eyes playfully, "It's what comes with loving a genius." I slowly stood up, using Kit as a brace while maintaining my grip on the afghan. Looking down at her, holding my hand out, "But there is no one and nothing, I will love more than you Caitriona Neumann." I grinned watching how flustered I made the woman with a few simple words, "Now, come with me. A long, hot shower awaits us before we head off down to the Centre. Then it's the art museum, lunch and some shopping. Topped off with a romantic dinner at my favorite restaurant." Kit grabbed my hand, allowing me to lift her to be inches away from me. I dropped my voice an octave, "And, if you are lucky, a lengthy evening in bed for dessert."
Kit sighed, a smirk crossing her face as she slid her arm along my waist, "Then I guess we should hurry, shouldn't we?"
______________________
Kit held firmly on my elbow, her fingers wrapped around the crook, as we walked down the pale blue and white hallway of the Centre’s recovery unit. I had my head down, blindly walking with my head buried in Beth's medical charts. Reading over her progress over the last twenty four hours. I was so immersed in the positive outcome, I had to have Kit continue to guide me around errant walls and furniture, guiding me safely away from any further embarrassment I might incur.
The young girl was healing better than all of my expectations and hopes. The new organs were on track and growing quickly. Beth's new lungs had already begun to take over most of the load in the breathing functions from the old diseased ones. The new serum I had created with Erich over the last few weeks, sending my results from Rebecca and Kit to continue altering the formula, had cleared out the minor issues in her lymphatic system. The red and white blood cell counts were increasing at a rate that would allow the girl to be released by the weekend. Disease free with a clean bill of health. Beth would literally be brand new and better than ever.
Closing up the thick chart, tapping the thin metal cover, I covered Kit's hand with mine, pressing the charts against my chest, I motioned to the glass door we were slowly approaching, "This is Beth's room." I sucked in a slow nervous breath as we stopped to stand in front of the frosted pane with silver numbers painted on it. I hesitated entering the room right away, I was nervous. Nervous that the charts were telling me one thing, but I would see something completely different. Possibly pick up the small failures of my work and the procedures. The places where I could have done better, or worked harder.
Kit squeezed my arm, craning her neck to look at me, "What is it, Claire?"
I smiled gingerly, "I've never done something this big, Kit. Opening that door will mean completing a project that has been my life since I was sixteen and a half years old. Completing and yet starting it all over again." I breathed out slowly through my nose, "This moment makes me think of the ouroboros. This project has had me constantly re-creating it and myself. The eternal return." I shrugged, embarrassed that I was having a geeky, scientific profound moment.
Kit moved closer to me, her side pressing against my arm, warming me, "Well, you did, Claire, and knowing you. You did it to complete undeniable perfection." She nudged me with her shoulder, "Open the door, Dr. Avondale and see the success of you, your mind and your heart."
I couldn't stop the blush and could only look down. Running my thumb delicately over her fingers as I grinned, "You already have me, yet you continue to sweep me off my feet every chance you get, Kit." I kissed her cheek hastily before removing my hand from hers to reach up and tap on the glass door.
I felt Kit take a step back, the cool air snaking its way around the spot her hand vacated. I glanced at her, catching a look on her face that made me worried. Kit shook her head lightly as the door swung open to reveal Beth's father, Chris, grinning and teary eyed holding the door open. His grin grew wider when he recognized me, "Dr. Avondale."
Before I could return a polite greeting, Chris rushed me, throwing his arms around my body, lifting me up in a tight embrace, smashing his daughter’s charts between us.
"Thank you." The raspy whisper of the man, vibrated in my ear as I patted him on the back with my free hand. Chris released me, rushing back into the room, leaving the door wide open for Kit and I to follow him. I took a step, once again looking back at Kit, who was not making any effort to move from the spot she stood in. I held out my hand, "Kit? I want you in there with me."
Kit shook her head with a terse nod, "It's fine, Claire. I can stand out here."
I sighed, picking up her hand from where it hung at her side, lacing the fingers together in mine, "Kit, you are my girlfriend, my family, my inspiration. You are one of the reasons why I pushed harder in the last few weeks to start and finish this procedure. You belong in there as much as I do." I could see her jaw twitch, she was going to stand strong. I changed tactics, "Come in and at least meet my friend Beth, I know she is excited to meet you. I have told her all about you."
Kit raised her eyebrows, "When, I thought you had just met the girl a few days ago?"
I smirked, tugging on Kit's hand to move her, "Beth and I have been writing letters back and forth since I first met her." I shrugged, "She might be an eleven years old, but she is one of the few people who understands me. She is a lot like I was at that age. Beth asked about you when she saw Rebecca here, asking who my new bodyguard was and if the old was watching over her. I might have gushed about you."
Kit closed her eyes, trying to hide the smile, "This doesn't make it less nerve wracking for me. To pass the test of an eleven year old girl. And I thought meeting your parents was tough." She blew out a breath, "Let's not keep them waiting."
I chuckled, gripping her hand as we walked into the room. Chris looked up at us then back to the bed, "Beth, Dr. Avondale is here to see you."
I smiled when I saw Beth's mother sitting next to the girl on the large bed, both reading over a science magazine with others splayed out on the comforter in front of them. I opened my mouth to say hello, when I paused.
The sight Beth astounded me. Instead of a grey, thin sickly girl I had last seen in Erich's office, now sat a vibrant, glowing young lady. Beth's skin was a healthy pink, her bright brown eyes were clear and lacked the cloudiness and yellow tinge from her liver failing. She just looked reborn. Even Beth's grin had a little extra to it when she caught my eyes. "Hi Claire." Her voice had so much more life and certainty in it. She glanced at Kit, trying to tuck herself in the corner behind Chris.
Beth bent closer to me, a silly grin on her face as she whispered, "Is that Kit? Your girlfriend?"
My own smile widened when I heard her call me by my first name, sticking true to the promise that friends called each other by first names, not doctors and patients. "Hello Beth, I came by to see how you are doing." I asked the question even though it was clear how she was faring, I still needed to verbalize it. I then looked over my shoulder at Kit who was blushing fiercely and whispered back to Beth, "Yes, that's Kit. My girlfriend." I set the charts down on the edge of the bed.
Beth giggled, throwing me a knowing smile. "She's pretty, I like her." The girl leaned back, speaking louder as she answered my first question, "I am doing great." She lifted her arm with the serum IV still in, holding it up for me to look at, "When can I get out of bed and go outside? Mom said we should wait for you."
I nodded, moving to the side of the bed to check the IV line and bag of dark violet serum. In an hour or so, I could have her removed from the IV and allow her to move freely without dragging the metal IV rack behind her. "Your mom is right." I rolled the sleeves of my light jacket up, reaching into the bedside table drawer for a stethoscope and small light, then set about examining Beth.
I listened to her heart as she told me about all the things and places her mom and dad promised to take her to see. The natural history museum, the castle on the hill three towns over and that
she could try out for soccer in the spring. I smiled, listening to a healthy, happily pounding heart. Moving to press the stethoscope against her back to hear, clear, deep breaths being taken in and out. I stepped back, "Tell me how you feel, Beth."
Beth shrugged, "I feel." She paused, scrunching up her face to find the appropriate words, "I feel like a brand new superhero. Strong, light, happy." The girl smiled at me, "I have so much energy buzzing in my legs and arms. I can take big deep breaths and hold them. I can see without my glasses and I can hear things, like mom and dad whispering when they think I am asleep." She then bit her bottom lip, "And I am really, really, hungry." Beth's parents laughed quietly, trying not to disrupt the examination.
I nodded as I chuckled, setting the stethoscope around my neck. I knew Beth would have some similar side effects Kit and Rebecca had experienced from the serum of clear sight, impeccable hearing and high energy levels. The only difference was the minor things I removed from the newest formula. The regeneration properties Rebecca still carried and the toll it took on hormones like it had for Kit and I.
I set my hand on Beth's shoulder, squeezing it, "I will make you a deal. If you allow Dr. Zehren to run you through one more CT scan and one more MRI, I will let you and your parents go out to lunch." I held up my hand to stop the giddy girl before she exploded, "But only lunch. I want you to take it easy for a few more days before I sign off on you being one hundred percent healthy."
The girl squealed with excitement, launching herself in my arms, squeezing me as hard as her father had, "Thank you, Claire!"
I hugged the girl back with both of my arms, looking over at Kit. Tears in her eyes with a huge grin plastered on her face. I bit the inside of my mouth to hold back my own tears, letting Beth go as she bounced in my arms and on the bed too much for me to contain. I smoothed out my jacket, rolling the sleeves back down. I cleared my throat to try and get back to a semblance of doctor mode, "If you need anything, Mr. and Mrs. Littel, please don't hesitate to find me, Rebecca or Dr. Zehren." I then pointed at Kit, "Even my girlfriend Kit will do everything she can to help you for the rest of your stay here at the Centre."
Chris and Diane nodded in acknowledgment, glancing at a now extremely embarrassed Kit who was trying to push deeper into the wall to hide. I chuckled at seeing the brave, bold woman wishing she was a turtle so she had a shell to hide away in.
I walked back to the edge of the bed, scooping up Beth's charts. Setting my stethoscope on the top. I then made eye contact with both parents, ensuring I had their full attention as I spoke the next few words. "The CT and the MRI are only to double check her organs and get a clear after picture for her records." I had seen the spark of concern when I bargained with Beth. I moved to stand next to Kit, "Also, from today on, Beth will be under my care as her primary physician. Whether it’s a common cold or something else, please call me first and I will be there. No more worrying about insurance or overworked doctors. Beth will have the best I and this Centre has to offer." I paused, "If that suits you, of course."
Chris spoke as his wife covered her mouth, tears rolling down to meet her hand. He grabbed my hand, shaking it like an eager car salesman, "Yes, of course! That more than suits us." He paused, breathing heavily as one does when they are overwhelmed with joy and happiness, "How can we ever repay you, Dr. Avondale?"
I shook my head, looking at Beth bouncing in her bed, circling all the things she wanted to do and see in the tourist guide of Geneva. I looked back down at Chris, "I have everything need, Mr. Littel." I glanced at Kit, reaching back for her to take my hand. I smiled when I felt her fingers slide over my palm to settle in the grooves between mine.
I furrowed my brow playfully, "Well, there is one thing." I pointed at the science magazine on Beth's lap with my chin, "Take her to the National Air and Space museum in D.C. She loves space shuttles and told me if she can't be president, she would like to be an astronaut on the mission to Mars." I turned back to Chris, "Call me when you schedule it, I will make sure you have the best tour any eleven year old can imagine."
Her father grinned, "Of course, anything for my little girl."
I moved back to stand next to Kit, calling after Beth, "Call me when you are done with your scans and call me anytime you want, Beth. I will always answer, whether it's questions, concerns or if you just want to talk."
The girl grinned at me, "I will, thank you again Claire. For everything."
I could feel the weight of her thank you in the simple words. The way she felt relieved and excited. Two words that meant the world to a girl who had no hope a few weeks ago, who now had the entire world in her hands and at her disposal. I whispered a choked, "You're very welcome." Before exiting the room, Kit right behind me, never letting go of my hand.
Kit closed the door behind us, shutting out the murmurs of the excited family. The second I heard the door click, I turned. Throwing myself at Kit's arms, laughing hysterically as the tears let loose. "Kit! I did it! I can't believe it! But I really did it. That little girl will live a long, healthy, incredible life."
Kit was caught by surprise when I launched my body at her, taking her a moment to wrap her arms around my waist to hold me as I celebrated and let out the excitement I struggled to hide under my doctor's bedside manner. When the entire time I was in that room, I wanted to bounce like Beth did.
I had accomplished the impossible and completed the first full test of a project that I had started in my parent’s basement close to twenty years ago. Twenty years of work coming to fruition in the form of an eleven year old girl and giving her the chance her genetics had failed to.
Kit ran her hands over my back, I could feel her smiling as she pressed her cheek against my neck, "You are incredible, Claire. I expected nothing less from you."
I leaned back in her arms, letting her reach up to wipe away the happy tears running down my cheeks. I grinned wider seeing how peaceful and happy she was, even after I embarrassed her in front of strangers. I leaned forward, kissing the redhead with gentle force, catching her off guard again. It was a quick kiss but one that left us both breathless and her flushed. I held her face in my hands, "I am glad you were there, by my side to see that. To see Beth and see the happiness, the joy, the freedom of life that family now has. Because it is what I hope to have with you. You are equally as incredible, Kit." I became overwhelmed with emotion again, words escaping me faster than sands in an hourglass. I opted to kiss her again, whispering against her lips, "Thank you."
Kit tilted her head back, looking at me confused, "Thank you?"
I nodded, my thumb running over her cheek, "Mhm. Thank you for loving me like you do. I don't think I would have had the strength I do now or the passion to live my life to the fullest, if it wasn't for you falling into my life." I glanced at Beth's door, "When I saw excited how Beth was to embark on her new life, I understood her eagerness." I turned back to Kit, "Because you have given me a new life."
Kit's eyes turned glassy, tears rimming the edges, "Claire..."
I shook my head, pressing my thumb over her lips, "No words are necessary. I'm happy and when I'm happy I either rant about science or medicine, or I spout overly sappy things." I dropped my hand from her cheek to grab her free hand, "Let's go, I want to spend this perfect day with the woman I love and I don't want to waste another damn minute of it."
I clutched Kit's hand, pulling her to lean on my side as we walked down the hall and out into the front lobby where I could hand off the charts to a nurse before setting up Beth's final scans. Sending a quick email to Rebecca and Dr. Zehren the plans and to assist wherever they were needed, and to let them know I would be taking the rest of the day off.
I felt light as I signed off on the final orders, light, complete and excited. Excited for the future of my now successful project and complete because I had a new life with Kit waiting for me.
As we pushed through the lobby doors and out into the small garage that led to my small car, I decided that I would ask Kit to marry me this we
ekend.
Alistair be damned, nothing, not even him, could ruin the complete happiness I felt in this moment.
Claire was glowing, in a literal and figurative sense, as she stood outside of the small cafe waiting for me to come out with her hot chocolate. I barely paid any attention to the surroundings around me, far too focused on staring at the grinning blonde who kept staring at her feet as she shuffled back and forth on the old cobblestones.
"Excuse me, Madame?" The heavy French accent broken my blatant staring, snapping back to the smiling teenage girl holding out my extra-large espresso and Claire's triple chocolate hot chocolate. I blushed, as the girl's smile was a knowing one. I was the only one standing at the counter and the way I had been staring at Claire with a stupid, dreamy look on my face. Well, it wouldn't take an entire jury to find me guilty of being smitten.
"Sorry, thank you." I tossed a few francs into the tip jar, before taking the warm thick brown cups. Ushering myself outside, I held out the hot chocolate to Claire, "A triple chocolate? Are you back on the junk food wagon?"
Claire looked away from her boot tops, grinning wider as her eyes met mine. "I don't recall ever leaving it." She took the offered cup, smiling as she breathed deeply the rich chocolate aroma pouring from the tiny opening in the white plastic lid. "Plus, this is a day of celebration." She waved her hand around, "The sky is bright with the sun and blue. We are in one the most romantic cities, in my opinion." Claire sighed, "And I am with you. This day is almost perfect."
I bit the inside of my mouth, Claire always had a unique effect on me, but seeing her this happy and stress free, it was making it hard for me to breath let alone think. It made me forget for a few seconds there was still a horrible puzzle with a mad man holding the final pieces. I sipped my coffee, linking my arm into hers, "Maybe we can move here when you retire from the Senate?"
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