Chapter Text
AJ’s POV
It was a very quick two months in Boston of which I couldn’t feel more proud of the woman that would, very soon, be my wife. The day after Chastain closed its doors we found ourselves cuddling on the airplane-her head rested firmly on my right shoulder as she slept with a grin on her face. We did fight for the window seat, to which I won as my ticket did say I had dibs. However, knowing my woman was with me, caring enough to argue with me, was just sexier than I thought. We eventually tried to make love in the bathroom, after wiping it down of course. However, I didn’t realize how big my muscular build had become and we barely both made it inside the small room. Though “small” was an understatement. That night we made it to my friend’s house as he would be gone on a mission trip for three months and he was letting us stay for those two, granted we take care of his home.
The day after that, Mina started the end of her Residency at Mass General, to where, I too, got a temporary job in the Cardiothoracic Department. We didn’t tell her Attendings that we were together, but we did fill out the paperwork for HR. At first the Residents and other female doctors hit on me a lot, but they quickly learned to keep their distance. However, when I brought Mina with me to an event their mouths quickly shut. We got the stares and evil smirks as we walked into the Banquet Hall followed by the “she’s not allowed to be here because she’s a Resident” speech from Mina’s new Attending. However, when I told them, “Well, good thing my fiance’s not here as a Resident,” his eyes widened and he never harassed us about our relationship again.
As usual, Mina shone in the OR, so much that all the Surgical Residents seemed to grow a great dislike to her. There were so many rumors about her that surfaced and they they despised her more when they found out that she was on the International List of Doctors as she and I went a week to DC to perform a very high profile surgery. Their envy was great, and they had all the right to be so as Mina was just that amazing of a surgeon. Regardless, Mina never once lowered her head-she just kept on going and doing what she needed to do, and boy was she remarkable.
We both were able to attend Feldman’s wedding, of course she needed to return to Boston that very night, but we went together. Though...she made sure to get Feldman’s measurements that night of the Bachelor Party, to which she crashed, and it was a bit hilarious. He was against her doing so at first, but once she told him that she’d be paying for his tux, the guys quickly lined up for their measurements. Mina was ecstatic because she didn’t have to make them stand or anything-they did it all on their own.
Their wedding was in the Atlanta Aquarium. They only had a few guests-their parents, siblings, and then Conic, us, Kitbell, Chu, and some other nurses. Together we all danced under the mini sea of colorful fish and hammerhead sharks. The reception and wedding was all in the same area, though their vows were extremely cute. I found myself being very giddy during the whole ordeal- I couldn’t wait to say my vows to Mina in the few weeks following.
We went back to Atlanta for another weekend as we had to pick the cake and she had to go to some fancy place for us to get the guy’s tuxes...and mine too, of course. Then, Mina, Nic, Adaku, and my mom went on some girl’s trip to buy who knows what...though I assume it was possibly some sexy clothing and jewelry of some sort, as I know Mina made her own wedding dress. Though, I also figured that Mina would also like for the women to wear specific clothing on our special day. I went with Conrad to try on and get my suit fitted and then went to go pick out the flowers and sexy clothes for the honeymoon.
The one last thing we had to do in preparation...was to get our rings. By which Mina and I picked them out in Boston and had a great time enjoying this small bit of time in our lives.
One night, we were in bed cuddling up and ready to sleep, when Mina got a phone call from Conrad.
“She’s going into labor,” I heard him say, to which, Mina immediately got up and grabbed her bags. Of course she'd have them already packed and ready to go.
“AJ...I’ve gotta go,” she said as she put on her blue jeans-her a** looking as fine as ever.
“I know, I’ll let your Attending know you’re taking a few days off,” I assured her as that was the procedure we had discussed earlier.
“Thank you,” and before she left she walked over to my side of the bed and made sure to give me one of her savory and passionate kisses.
“I’ll miss you, you know,” I told her after she was done.
“I know...I’ll miss you too. Marshall’s jet is waiting for me at the airport. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. Can’t wait to share a cigar with the new father…”
“Since when do you smoke?” she asked me and she cocked a brow as she headed into the closet to grab a jacket.
“I don’t. But I heard it’s tradition to do so when a baby is born,” I responded as I rested my head upon my pillow and had a hand behind my head.
“Oh...ok. Well make sure to go to a well ventilated area and to not keep the smoke in your lungs for too long...so you don’t start coughing,” she said as she walked out of the closet and stood by the entrance of the room.
“Ohhh? Well what do you know about smoking?”
“I’ve smoked a few back in the day… Baba had some cigars lying around from his trips...and so did Mother.”
“Yeah... and I smoked weed once...not a good idea. Though, when Pops found out-he was pissed I didn’t share…” and I started laughing, got up off the bed, and walked towards her sexy self. “Have a safe trip…” and I kissed her forehead to which she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I know how she absolutely loves it when I do so. When she reopened her eyes I took her in an embrace and I whispered in her ear, “I love you.”
“Oh...is that so?” she whispered back. “Well…” and she kissed my neck, “I love you more...but now I really do have to go.” She tried to pull away, but when she least expected it I kissed her in that spot on her neck… “AJ! I really do have to go…” but then she kissed my lips and we started to get heated. Within a few more minutes she pulled away, grabbed her bag, and left the room.
I made sure to quickly texted her the word: impossible.
The next day, when I got to Atlanta and walked into the almost fully-opened, ex Chastain, Atlanta Medical Center, it all felt real. In three more weeks, Mina and I would be coming back to Atlanta, and a few days later we’d be husband and wife. When I walked into Nic and Conrad’s room I felt a bit jittery as I knew that perhaps, one day, I too would be walking through the halls of the maternity wing when Mina was expecting...if she could and would.
“Heyyyy, there are the new parents,” I said as I strolled into the room with a few gift bags and noticed that only Nic, Conrad, and Mina were within the four walls...there was no sight of baby Gigi.
“Hey Man,” Conrad said as he came up to me, shook my hand, and then did the brief brotherly hug. I continued and went up to Nic and hugged her as well.
“Congratulations,” I whispered, and then passed her a gift I had picked up for her on the way to the airport.
“Wow, between you and Mina, I think we had more gifts than in our baby shower,” Nic teased.
“Oh, please. You can never have too many gifts,” Mina responded.
I then went over to Conrad and told him about the cigars and we discussed how we’d take a few minutes later on in the day.
“Hey,” I said as I approached my woman and passed her a small, white box.
“Hey,” and she took it, gently placed it on the sofa behind her, and then quickly wrapped her arms around my neck. “I missed you,” she whispered in my right ear.
“Oh...I’m flattered…” and planted a very loving smooch amongst her soft and plump lips.
Seeing how affectionate we were Conrad decided to have a go at us. “Hey...hey. You two need a room or something?” he teased.
“Ha...no man. Just missed my woman. You know how it is,” I said as I unglued myself off Mina and picked up the white box up off the couch. “I brought you some chocolates...from your favorite bakery.”
“Hmmm, yummm,” and then she looked at Nic and said, “hey...I will share with you just this once…” and then opened the box, placed my favorite circular chocolate in my mouth, and then went to sit on the bed with Nic. They both devoured the morsels and only shared one with Conrad.
“So...when do I get to meet the little miss?” I asked.
“She should be back in a few minutes...she’s getting her bilirubin checked again,” Nic stated between bites, “Man this chocolate is amazing. The one with the caramel filling is my favorite.”
“Right?” Mina agreed.
“So they opened up the maternity wing and half the hospital? How’s that working out?” I questioned.
“Well, there were so many pregnant women at AG that they decided to open up the maternity wing here first. Your wing’s up next…” Conrad said. Suddenly there were some squeaking noises coming from the entrance of the room.
“Good thing the baby is here. I get dibs on holding my beautiful niece,” Mina said as she jumped off the bed and went to go wash her hands. “Come here, baby girl,” she said as she approached the plastic crib, gently pulled the Gigi out, and cuddled her in her arms.
“Oh no, AJ. Looks like someone wants to have her own pretty soon…” Conrad stated as we watched how Mina swayed while speaking to Gigi about how her beanie didn't match her outfit.
“Yeah...not happening anytime soon. I have enough holding my niece...though it seems like she might need a change of diaper...don’t you Gigi?” Mina said as her smirk turned into a face of disgust.
Conrad, Nic, and I looked at one another and then Nic and Conrad started bickering over who changed Gigi.
“It’s your turn...I can barely get off the bed,” Nic said and then had some smirk and looked up at the ceiling.
“...ohhh I can smell it from here-my nose is more sensitive,” and then he sighed, “But anything for my baby girl,” Conrad said. However, when he turned to go get Gigi, Mina was already changing her on the beige and green hospital couch.
“Oh brother...stinky poopy diaper. Auntie Mina will clean it all up,” Mina was saying to Gigi and she was smiling yet crinkling her nose.
“Wow. That’s a sight I never thought I’d see,” Devon said as he walked into the room while squinting, “I-uhhh, brought a teddy bear for baby Gigi,” he said and he walked towards Conrad and Nic and hugged them both.
“Yes...she looks good, doesn’t she?” Nic asked while her gaze was set on Mina's person.
“Yeah...she really does,” I responded and headed towards her and sat down on the sofa.”Looks like someone is getting a little soft…” I whispered to her.
“Nonsense. Who wouldn't want to coddle this little miss? Honestly though...I never thought I'd be able to hold my sister’s child,” Mina whispered as she picked up Gigi and held her in her arms. I looked up at Mina’s face, one that was full of love and admiration. I know she wished she could’ve held both her sister's babies, spoil them, and dress them up according to the latest fashion trend. I’m glad that she was able to find a sister in Nic, and hopefully, one day Nic could return the same sentiment.
“Look at her tiny finger,” I whispered.
“Reminds me of the time I saw Michelle in the incubator,” then Mina took off Gigi’s left sock. “And she has small toes that would look amazing in the pink shoes I made her.”
“Mina. Why on Earth would a baby this small need shoes?” I questioned, “logically, she won’t need shoes till she can walk.”
“I know...but her photo shoot is in a few minutes and she certainly has to look extra fabulous,” then she looked up at me and saw my squinting eyes and wrinkled forehead, “Hey...a baby’s gotta have her shoes to match her outfit,” Mina said matter-of-factly.
“A photo shoot? Of course you’d make sure she’d have one,” I said and smirked while I shook my head. “Hey...Uncle AJ needs his turn with the little miss. You’ve had her for the last few minutes…” I complained in my normal, not whispering, voice.
“Hey...I get some time with her too,” Devon immediately complained.
“You’re right...but get in line,” I responded, and then Mina finally passed Gigi to me to which I swayed her in my arms. Little Miss was absolutely stunning, a complete mixture of both her parents. She had brown eyes, Nics brows, lips half Conrad’s half Nics, her ears were medium-sized, the bit of hair she had was a light brown, and she definitely had Nic’s complexion.As she closed her eyes a little more with each sway, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about the one day where I could possibly hold my own child in my arms-a complete and perfect product of my love for my woman and the love she had for me. And as I moved about, I glanced over at Mina who was grinning from ear to ear, and I wondered if she was thinking the same.
“You know...they both look great with a baby…”Nic said and then devoured the last bit of chocolate.
“I suppose they do,” Devon agreed.
“I soooo can’t wait till we raise our kids together,” Nic added, to which Mina looked up and smirked. Perhaps Mina did think the same after all.
Later on at night, Conrad and I found ourselves on the rooftop-in the designated smoking area, smoking our cigars.
“Man, I’ve never smoked a cigar,” Conrad said.
“Yeah...me’en either. I’ve smoked other things though. However, I have this belief that one should celebrate with one when one has a baby...so…”
“Well. Let’s have at it,” and he sat down on a metal chair that overlooked the glistening lights of Atlanta.
We lit up our cigars and then started heavily coughing.
“Ugghh, man. I see why some people only do this when they have a kid.”
“Yeah, likewise. I wouldn’t do this everyday, that’s for sure,” I responded.
As we tried to smoke the cigars a bit we found ourselves just holding them in our hands instead. Then we took a few pictures to keep for our records and continued to chat.
“So...you’re a dad now. How does it feel?” I asked Conrad.
“It feels completely surreal. I mean...I just got married to the love of my life and within a year now I have two. I feel like I’m complete-like my life is complete.”
“You seem happy man. I’m happy for you.”
“I am. And thank you. I see you’re happy as well. It’s almost time for your big day too.”
“Yeah...whooooo...I still can’t believe I’m engaged. If someone would have told me a year ago, that I’d be engaged to Mina and you’d be married with a kid…” and I shook my head.
“I know right. The things we’ve gone through in one year have been life altering, but in the end, we get our women and our happiness. When Mom died and Dad and I had our falling out, I thought I’d never be able to have that type of happy ending for myself. And now that I have it, ,I want to protect it and never let it go. I want my relationship to be the best and most healthy one there is.”
“I know what you mean. I wish the same. My parents have been excellent role models, and I want to bring that knowledge into my marriage and be the best husband that I can be. Mina deserves that...our marriage deserves that...and our one-day family deserves that too. Our mistakes and obstacles don’t define us...just what we learn from them and how we go about after acquiring that knowledge.”
“I agree.”
“Now...just make sure you don’t kill the first boy Gigi brings home…”
“Boys? Oh no, don’t get me started on that. My child was just born, man... Though...if the guy breaks her heart…”
“Hahaha. Well, dude...Gigi also has a bunch of uncles so we all have your back, Bro.”
“Thanks….hey, man?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for coming...it means a lot.”
“Yeah..no problem. We’re basically family now anyway, right? Family always is there for one another…”
“Yeah. Yeah we are,” Conrad said.