A Day at the Hospital and Nighttime Reflections

The sun was beginning to set behind the buildings, casting long shadows over the hospital park. After an intense day in the CSSD, Olivia, Lindsay, and I found ourselves sitting on one of the benches in the hospital's green area. The exhaustion was evident on our faces, but there was also a sense of satisfaction from having survived the first day without major incidents.

Lindsay was leaning against me, her head resting gently on my shoulder. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot to me. Though she didn't say it out loud, I knew she was exhausted too. Olivia, on the other hand, seemed to be processing everything that had happened while absentmindedly eating some fries she had brought from the hospital.

"Was it really a good idea to trade our European vacation for this?" Olivia asked, looking toward the horizon with a dramatic expression. "I mean, we could be in Paris right now, drinking wine and pretending to be bohemian artists. Instead, we're here, surrounded by sterilized surgical instruments and discussing how to organize things without ruining them."

Lindsay smiled faintly, lifting her head to look at Olivia.

"Well, technically, we're learning something new. And tomorrow we'll go to the surgery area. That should be more interesting than the CSSD."

Olivia perked up immediately, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Surgery? Like in Grey's Anatomy ? We might get to see a live operation. Imagine how exciting that would be."

I looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

"You're dreaming too much, Olivia. At most, they'll let us observe from a separate room, probably behind glass. I'm not even sure if they'll let us get that close."

Olivia frowned, clearly discouraged.

"A separate room? What kind of experience is that? If I'm going to be in a hospital, I want to see something epic. Maybe we should mention who Lindsay is. You know, 'Hi, I'm the princess of Sapphire Grove Hospital.' That would definitely open some doors."

Lindsay quickly shook her head, though I noticed a flicker of doubt in her eyes.

"No, Olivia. I don't want to use my last name to get special access. Besides, I'm not sure it's a good idea to draw so much attention."

But her hesitant tone made me suspect that she also wanted to see a live surgery. I understood; the idea of witnessing something as crucial as a surgical operation was tempting. However, I didn't want her to feel pressured into doing something that might make her uncomfortable.

Without saying anything, I hugged her tighter and kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes for a moment, relaxing against me. I knew she didn't need words to feel my support.

After a few more minutes of silence, we decided to return to the Airbnb we had rented near the hospital. We changed clothes, ordered a huge pizza, and settled onto the couch to watch Grey's Anatomy . It was inevitable that we chose that series after spending the day in a medical environment.

As we watched a particularly dramatic episode where the doctors argued about personal relationships within the hospital, Olivia couldn't help but comment:

"Is it really that common to have sex in hospitals? Because if it is, I might need to reconsider my opinion about working here."

Lindsay and I exchanged a glance before responding in unison:

"It's just a show, Olivia. They need to attract viewers."

She huffed, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, sure. But think about it: hot doctors, constant adrenaline, saving lives… It's like a breeding ground for intense romances. I bet it happens more than we think."

"Or maybe they're just exaggerating for the cameras," I suggested, trying to keep the conversation light.

Lindsay nodded, smiling.

"Besides, imagine trying to keep a secret relationship in a place where everyone sees you all the time. It would be impossible."

Olivia leaned forward, a mischievous expression on her face.

"Exactly. That's why they make it work. The danger, the risk… that's what makes it exciting!"

"Or extremely awkward when someone catches you," I added, imagining the scene.

Lindsay laughed softly.

"I'd rather not think about that. Besides, can we focus on something else? Like, for example, what to expect tomorrow in the surgery area."

Olivia brightened up again.

"Right. Tomorrow will be our big day. Maybe we'll even manage to convince someone to let us into an actual operating room."

"Or we'll end up watching an operation through a monitor in a separate room," I said, reminding her how unlikely her dream was.

"We'll see," she responded, winking at me. "Never underestimate the power of my charisma."

We all laughed together, letting the conversation flow without rushing. It was comforting to be like this, simply enjoying each other's company after a long day.

As we continued watching the series, Olivia kept making sarcastic comments about the fictional dramas of the characters.

"Seriously, who has time for so many love problems while saving lives? These doctors need to prioritize better."

"Maybe that's the moral of the story," I joked. "Don't mix work with pleasure."

"Says the relationship expert," Olivia retorted, throwing a pillow at me.

Lindsay chimed in, smiling.

"At least they have time for drama. We haven't even had a normal day here."

"That's because you two are too boring," Olivia said, pointing at us with a piece of pizza. "You need more intrigue in your lives."

When we finished the episode and the pizza, we prepared to sleep. Olivia gave us one last mischievous look from the threshold of her door.

"Remember, no hospital dramas in real life," she said with a sly smile.

Lindsay threw a cushion at her, though she couldn't help laughing.

"Goodnight, Olivia."

"Goodnight," Olivia replied, closing her door with a small thud.

Once alone, Lindsay and I lay down in silence, enjoying the closeness after a day full of emotions. We didn't need to say much; just being together was enough. Soon we fell asleep, exhausted but excited for what awaited us the next day.

The next morning, we got up early and headed back to the hospital. Upon arriving, we noticed an immediate change in the attitude of the receptionists in the lobby. This time, their smiles were wider, almost reverential, and they treated us with a courtesy that bordered on excessive.

"Good morning, Miss Grove, Mr. Steele, Miss Hart," one of the receptionists greeted us respectfully, pronouncing our last names as if they were noble titles. "The surgery area is expecting you. They've arranged special access for you to observe from the direct viewing room."

Olivia raised an eyebrow, looking at me with a triumphant expression.

"See? I told you. Someone did their homework last night. I'd bet my last snack that they already know who Lindsay is."

Lindsay tensed slightly, uncomfortable with the sudden attention.

"I don't think it's a good thing," she murmured, tucking her hair behind her ear. "This is only going to make everything more complicated."

"Or maybe it's an advantage," Olivia suggested, shrugging. "Look on the bright side: now we have VIP access. We might even get into the operating room if we play our cards right."

I shook my head, trying to stay calm.

"We're not here to play or take advantage of anything. We're here to learn. If doors open because they recognized Lindsay, that doesn't mean we should walk through them without thinking."

Lindsay nodded, visibly relieved by my comment. Olivia, however, seemed unable to let the opportunity pass.

"Alright, alright, we'll be good," she said, raising her hands in surrender. "But if someone offers to let us into an operating room, I'm not saying no."

The receptionists guided us to the surgery area, making sure we knew exactly where to go. The deference in their behavior was undeniable, and while Lindsay remained uncomfortable, Olivia was delighted with the situation.

"It's official," Olivia commented as we walked through the pristine white hallways. "Lindsay, your last name is basically a golden ticket. You should use it more often."

"I'm not going to use it," Lindsay replied firmly, though her tone betrayed some doubt.

Olivia rolled her eyes but didn't press further.

Finally, we arrived at the assigned area. We stopped in front of a door labeled "Surgical Observation Room," where a doctor was waiting to explain the day's procedures. Before entering, Olivia looked at us with a mischievous smile.

"Alright, team. Today will be epic. I'm ready to see blood, scalpels, and maybe some real medical drama."