Chapter Text
Bloom bit her lip as she hurriedly walked over to her classmate Terra, who gave her a welcoming smile.
"What I lose?" Bloom asked, placing her hands on the nurses' counter and thanking the nurse who had handed her a clipboard with a smile.
"We're at the end of the surgery schedule," Terra replied. "But nothing to worry about. Stella will assist Dr. Silva."
The only resident with fiery hair sighed with relief and remained silent, paying attention to every word said by Doctor Silva. He made some reservations regarding some of the doctors' errors without mentioning specific names. However, it was easy to find out who the victims were. At least for Bloom, who was observing his colleagues without actually doing so. It was just something she did and her father always said she was as observant as her mother.
One of the victims was Dane, the third-year resident. He grimaced and put a hand to his face, as if he couldn't believe Silva was exposing him. But again, it is necessary to point out that Doctor Silva did not mention any names. Then, the boy was elbowed by Riven Lewis. Dane puffed out his chest and put on his best stoic expression. To keep from laughing at that, Bloom placed the clipboard a little higher, covering part of her face.
Dr. Silva finished the script and dismissed the residents to their respective tasks, so Bloom continued at the nursing desk, checking the records and seeing which new patients were admitted to the hospital. Terra was beside her, telling her some important information when they felt Doctor Silva approach. Automatically, Bloom took a deep breath and looked at Terra, asking a silent question. Terra nodded in confirmation, then the woman turned around.
"Good morning, Dr. Silva. How can I help you?" Bloom gave him his best smile.
"You're late, Doctor Bellamy," he said, bluntly and loud enough for the other residents to hear.
"It's just that I had a problem…."
Silva didn't let her finish.
"You will be in charge of receiving the transferred resident. Of course, if that's okay with you."
For a moment Bloom was speechless and his mouth hung open. But then she closed it and said:
"Of course, doctor."
With that, Silva nodded and turned his back to him. Bloom leaned her body on the counter and let her head rest on the slightly cool surface. It was the worst task you could give to a resident who had only been at that hospital for seven months. She would have to take a guided tour without even fully knowing the place. The hospital was so big, and her days were spent in the emergency room and operating rooms, who could blame her?
Silva walked to stand next to neurology specialist Dr Farah Dowling. He accepted the coffee she offered him.
"Is she still here?" he asked.
"Yes" replied Farah. "She seems a little discouraged."
"This isn't good for her or me," Silva sighed, turning to the resident. "Bloom, you're supposed to go now and not whenever you want. And drink a cup of coffee on your way back, I don't want you falling over the patients during my shift."
Bloom rolled her eyes as she walked out of the room at a slow pace. She already had the perfect response if Doctor Silva decided to reprimand her. And the girl made a point of keeping her tired expression as she passed by the doctors who were having a conversation that seemed, to say the least, highly interesting.
Before she walked through the door, Doctor Dowling's voice reached her:
"Bloom, you will be reassigned to neurology when you return and take the transferred resident with you."
With that, Bloom almost couldn't stop the bright smile from appearing on her face.
"Thank you, Mrs. Dowling."
"Now you should go before Doctor Silva changes his mind" advised Farah.
Silva offered a small smile as he saw Bloom finally walk through the door.
"Farah, Farah, if only the other residents knew how you saved her from spending the day taking orders from me."
"It's not something I haven't done before."
"Indeed," said Saul. "But she doesn't belong to your specialty."
"Since the last time I looked at the residents' files, Dr. Bellamy hadn't chosen hers. Which means she could still be on my team" replied Farah.
"Touché!"
⚜
Doctor Bellamy ran as soon as she got out of the elevator when she caught a glimpse of Musa's characteristic hair. She didn't care about the reprimanding look she received from Stella or anyone else, the only thing she wanted was to have an opportunity to talk to Musa and if for that she needed to make bold choices, then she would.
"Musa!" she screamed "Musa!"
Musa turned around in surprise, expecting to find some indication of blood on Bloom's clothes, and when she didn't, she walked back to where she had been walking, allowing Bloom to stand beside her.
"How can I help?"
"A guided tour."
Musa raised an eyebrow and continued walking to a small outdoor courtyard on the first floor.
"No, I won't do that," said Musa, raising his hands to push the door open.
"Please."
"No, Bloom."
Musa sat at one of the few vacant, round tables and leaned back in the chair, receiving the sun on her face. Bloom did the same. Almost the same, since she didn't lean over and look for a place that had shade.
“Please, Musa!”
"Bloom, you're asking me for a tour while I have neurology patients who need my attention. Give me a really good reason to interrupt my schedule."
Bloom gave a sly smile. And if Musa was smart, she would have accepted the red-haired girl's request for help without demanding a reason for such an action.
"I missed my parents' wedding anniversary to take over your shift, so you could go on that date with Terra's brother. And not to mention that Terra still doesn't know about it."
Musa pinched Bloom.
"Why did it?!" Bloom asked, massaging the sore spot.
"Keep your voice down! She doesn't know that and she won't know any time soon" Musa straightened her coat. "I'll help you with the guided tour and don't ask me for anything else."
"Okay" Bloom got up from her chair and walked towards the exit. When she got there and didn't see Musa, she turned to the second-year neurology resident. “Aren’t you coming?”
“Does this need to be now?”
"Yes" replied Bloom.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Shit" whispered Musa pushing the chair back.
This way, Bloom got someone who knew the Alfea hospital and who wouldn't make her look like a complete embarrassment.
Upon arriving near the hospital reception, Bloom analyzed the people in the room, as well as Musa and they both looked at each other when they found who they were looking for.
"It's that one" they said at the same time.
Bloom did her best to convey that the residence wasn't leading her to a life without friends and fun. Meanwhile, Musa did nothing to wipe the smug and proud smile off her face, which made the transferred resident swallow hard as they both stood in front of her.
"Hi, you must be Eli Driscoll. I'm Dr. Bloom Bellamy. And this is my colleague, Dr. Musa Heisenberg."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Eli said, offering a hand to each of them.
"It's also a pleasure to meet you. Isn't it, Musa?"
"Oh, yes, that's true," assured Musa, although there wasn't much reason to believe the courtesy of her voice. "It's always good to welcome new Residents."
"We'll take you for a guided tour, is that okay with you?" asked Bloom, after noticing how a crease formed between Eli's eyebrows.
"Yes, I would."
"Excellent!"
Therefore, Musa took the lead to introduce the hospital to the newcomer. There was no place missing from the list and even though Musa told scary stories that each of the places had seen, Bloom was responsible for showing such joy that Musa even joked that if being a doctor didn't work out, she could be an actress. Bloom's cheeks took on a reddish hue, because it was something that both her and her mother shared and it brought back good memories of her school days and anyway it wasn't every day that people recognized her theatrical skills.
After the guided tour, Musa said goodbye in the way only she knows how to do it and Bloom found herself with Eli Driscoll looking at her expectantly.
"Doctor Farah Dowling invited us to join her. The way is this way."
Eli's eyes lit up at the mention of the doctor and she followed Bloom without questioning the path and Bloom thought that if someone wanted to take her to the skyscraper, Eli wouldn't question it because she was excited about the idea of being in the same place with Dowling.
"Oh my God! She's amazing! She's my hero!"
"Then that's good for you, Dr. Dowling has a risky operation today. You can see" Bloom suggested.
"That's adorable."
When they arrived at the neurology department, Eli's eyes lit up and she observed every corner of the ward and studied each of the nurses, doctors and staff that passed by. Watching Eli, Bloom wondered if she acted the same way on her first day. She believes so, because she had many other reasons for acting this way than just first-day nervousness.
Luckily for the girls, Doctor Dowling had just entered the hallway. She was accompanied by Beatrix and another resident who Bloom couldn't name.
"Ah Bloom, I'm glad you've joined us" said Farah "And you must be the newest member of the resident team. Welcome."
"I'm honored to have met you, Doctor Dowling!"
Farah smiled sweetly at Eli, then gestured to her residents.
"Well these are my residents, Beatrix Daniels and Sky Weeis" Farah looked at Bloom. "And I hope Bloom will be part of our team soon."
Eli's presentation was followed by charming cajoles about each of Farah's released works. However, they didn't stay on that topic for long, as Farah managed to gracefully deflect so he could get back to work. Unfortunately, Bloom was responsible for the new girl even though he was in neurology. Which meant being last in line with Eli Driscoll by her side, clarifying each of the young woman's doubts and not having any action, since Sky and Beatrix had the best parts.
Unexpectedly Farah stood next to Bloom, without the presence of any of her residents or Eli, which must have been a result of Sky's entertainment.
"Take it, you need it."
Looking at Farah's hand, Bloom saw a small coffee cup. She smiled as she took it.
“Thanks. How did you know?”
"Musa" replied Farah. "She's one of my best residents. Smart girl. She told me you asked her to help with the tour, so it was easy to understand that you hadn't done what I explicitly asked."
"I'm sorry…"
"It's okay. I was a resident before, I know how things work." Farah straightened her dress. "Now it's time for me to go back to work. Eat something substantial and then come join me."
"Thank you, Doctor Dowling."
"Thank me by choosing neurology instead of traumatology. You don't know how happy it would make me to have you on the team."
"I'll think about it," Bloom promised.
⚜
It was rare to happen, but it happened.
Most of the doctors in residence and their superiors were at that exact moment having lunch at the same time, which led to the cafeteria becoming crowded. At a table in the center was Farah Dowling, Saul Silva and Ben Harvey. At a table not so far away, but which gave good visibility to the golden trio, were Bloom, Musa, Stella, Terra, Eli and Beatrix. Unfortunately, when Aisha went to sit down for lunch, she was called by the cardiologist, which led to a vacant seat at the table, but no other resident wanted to sit.
Riven and Dane were at the next table with other residents who in Bloom's view were quite boring. The reason? The conversation. If she could, she wouldn't listen, but what could she do? Riven wouldn't shut up if he was begged.
"I'm sure Dowling and Silva are fucking each other."
Upon hearing what one of the emergency residents said, Bloom made a face and still chewed the meat. The one who threw fries at Chad was Stella.
"Oh, stop it you idiot! Just because you cheated on your fiancée with the sales rep doesn't mean others need to do the same."
"You just need to look, princess," Chad said. "It's obvious. The way he looks at her reveals that there is more than a professional relationship. Terra's father is the one left at that table."
Instead of snapping back like she always did, Terra chose to eat in silence and let Chad say whatever he wanted. Something that Bloom thought was good, because Terra's face always turned red with so much anger that Chad made her feel. If Riven irritated when she wanted to, Chad irritated people just by breathing.
An argument ensued.
Beatrix obviously added fuel to the fire.
Sky asked them to stop.
Riven's friends continued to plot discord.
Stella almost lost her cool.
And in the middle of it all was Eli poking Bloom.
"What are they talking about?"
"Dowling and Silva."
"That I understand. But why?"
Bloom looked at her colleagues and at the golden trio's table. They were almost finished and she didn't want to be trampled when co-workers rushed to discard their food when they noticed Silva or Dowling getting up. So the girl suggested to Eli that they go outside the cafeteria.
"Here's the thing, there are rumors that Dowling and Silva had a romance. Or that they are still having that romance. It's hard to say."
"Why are there these rumors?" asked Eli, extremely interested.
"Where to start... well, they served as doctors in the army at the same time. And from the records the hospital has, Mrs. Dowling was integrated into the team, months later Mr. Silva."
"They said Terra's father was left, what does that mean?"
"Oh, that," she continued. "Dr. Harvey served in the army at the same time, but was integrated into this hospital about two years after Dowling arrived."
"Does that mean Terra knows their personal lives?"
"Technically? Yes." Bloom looked back and saw the doctors rushing to dispose of the lunch wrappers, so she guided Eli to the nearest elevator and they entered. "You want to know what the rumors are about, right? They started when they were residents, so they might be wrong now. There's not much to say about that time, but if you look at some photos of the hospital you can see that there is companionship between the three and especially between Dowling and Silva. The rumors actually started after the residency, when they were already specialized in their areas and had to teach the residents. They started to pay attention that Dowling had an alliance, Silva too, but then the news came that Dowling already had a daughter, but nothing was said about a possible Silva daughter. Then people started saying that he couldn't be Dowling's husband."
Each time Bloom spoke, the more surprised Driscoll became. You could see the damn connections happening in her eyes.
"However, they seemed very close and in tune," Bloom continued. "Which led the residents at the time to ask questions about why they didn't share their lives outside of the hospital. Soon, they resolved the issue. You should already know the answer."
"Lovers?" With Bloom's confirmation, Eli leaned his back against the elevator, only to have to leave the next moment. "Lovers!"
"Yes, lovers."
"What does Terra say about this?"
"Terra is secretive. She tried to tell them that Dowling and Silva are not lovers, but after so many months of not listening to her, she gave up."
"Have you never seen her daughter?"
"Well, by my calculations she must be our age, so no. Since I entered this hospital I have never seen any girl calling herself Dowling's daughter."
"And what do you think about that?"
"At first it was fun, I watched all their interactions."
"But and now?" Eli wanted to know.
"Silva would never cheat on his wife, much less would Dowling cheat on her husband."
"Do you think they have nothing to do with each other?"
"I didn't say that," Bloom clarified. "But I believe that above all else they are good friends."
The elevator closed behind them and Bloom went to the reception of the neurology center, took certain files and gave them to Eli Driscoll to read while they waited for Mrs. Dowling. Luckily for them, the nurse-in-training, Flora, showed up to brighten their day, so Bloom talked to her and introduced Eli to Flora.
⚜
"Oh no!"
Bloom looked at the surgery board one more time to see if he was right.
"Why are you saying this?" Eli asked, really confused.
"Silva and Dowling's surgery is at the same time and in parallel rooms."
"Oh."
"This means that their patients may have conditions that could evolve into the other's specialty."
"What if Dowling is busy?"
"They'll have to call another specialist," Bloom replied, walking towards the surgery wing. "We have to make a choice: Dowling or Silva?"
“Dowling, no doubt.”
"That's what I thought. Come on, it's this way."
When they arrived in the room, there were already many resident doctors sitting, with chairs remaining near the door. Bloom didn't complain at all, but from Eli's expression, she wished she had gotten the front row.
When analyzing the room, Bloom noticed that Aisha was in the first row with an extremely tired expression, but that she was still alert with a cup of coffee in her left hand, sipping it while talking to those around her.
Bloom poked Eli's arm.
"Pay attention to her, to everything she says. Within this room, she is the closest to finishing her cardiology residency and is one of the best among the residents in her area."
Driscoll nodded in agreement.
The patient was later brought to the operating room, then the doctor. Dowling entered the room, taking a brief look at the audience before returning to surgery. At the same moment she started, Silva also started. But who could say that? Absolutely no one. It was another one of those coincidences that happen only once in a lifetime.
The minutes turned into hours, resident doctors left the room, others entered and some remained. Aisha was one of those who was interested in staying from start to finish, and if she needed anything she would send one of the first year residents to get it. Bloom's luck was not to be in front of her and to be a second year.
Suddenly the calm turned into a storm. The sound of equipment from the parallel room managed to reach the room where Bloom was, as well as the doctors' desperate whispers. Then there was a call. Bloom immediately stood up as her eyes never left Dowling as she slowly walked to the door.
"Dr. Dowling, Doctor Silva is asking for your assistance."
Dowling looked at the patient in her hands and then at the resident in front of her. Sky nodded.
"Tell Doctor Silva I'm coming."
"Yes, doctor" said the nurse. "And he's asking Miss Bellamy to be with you."
Dowling looked at the audience through the glass.
"You heard Doctor Silva. Doctor Bellamy, come with me."
Bloom ran out of the observation room and quickly ran down the stairs to the operating room. When she got there, Flora was already waiting for her to help her put on her costume and put on her gloves. The moment she put on the last glove, Farah appeared beside her.
"Is ready?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's go, Doctor Bellamy."
Farah didn't dare stand in front of Doctor Silva and on top of the patient who had his chest exposed. Farah was there to help, but the one who would do what she suggested would be Stella. So why was Bloom there?
"Please get Stella out of here" ordered Silva.
"What? No, I can help!"
"Doctor Starla, go! You are in no condition to operate, you are exhausted."
"But…"
"This is my operating room, as long as I am in charge of this operation, I am the one ordering it. So please go now."
With no other choice, Stella left the room accompanied by Flora. The young doctor knew that Silva was right, but her pride was hurt and just like her mother, she couldn't handle defeats very well.
"Please, Dr. Bellamy, come closer, you will be Farah's hands."
Bloom approached, stood face to face with Silva and waited for Farah's commands, which came after Saul explained what was happening. Afterwards, Farah had to leave in a hurry to return to the patient who was in the other room, but she spent the entire time reporting to Saul to find out how things were going.
"Look at me, Bloom. You've done this so many times. So take a deep breath."
With Doctor Silva's words in her mind, Bloom took the tweezers and looked for the source of the bleeding, while Silva worked on something else. With a little more than half an hour she had the honor of closing the patient. The team dispersed and she went to clean herself up, with Doctor Silva by her side.
"Great work today, Doctor Bellamy. You were exceptional."
"Thank you, Doctor Silva."
Upon leaving the operating room and meeting the others in his class, Bloom found some in the break room, lying on the beds, chairs and on the floor itself. She drank a glass of water and went outside, letting them rest with their eyes closed. Bloom was asked to be present when she spoke to the family of the patient who operated on Silva. He was a man in his forties and was happy to be able to live a few more years with the woman he loved. This moved Saulo, who thought of his wife at the exact moment he saw the smile of relief on the patient's face.
Silva held the door for Bloom to pass. When the two were far from the patient's door, he asked:
"Are you going home now?"
"Not really," she replied. "I have three more hours before my shift is over."
"Then good luck and drive carefully."
"Okay General" Bloom joked.
"I'm going to let this one slide because it was a tough day."
Mr. Silva left, so she went back to the break room, which this time was practically empty, as the others had been called to the emergency room. Then she sat down and let her head fall onto the table. After a long moment like that, Bloom got up, walked to the fridge and opened it, seeing a bowl with a small note with his name written in red letters. She picked up the bowl and read the note.
'Your father made it for you and forgot to give it to you. Eat everything and get home safe. — Mom.'
With a wide smile on her face, she sat down and ate the natural sandwich accompanied by an apple and a pear. Definitely one of her favorite childhood snacks.
⚜
As soon as she got home, Bloom placed her keys on a sideboard in the entrance while taking her feet out of her shoes, because unlike her mother, she refused to spend the day in high heels, back and forth. When her feet found the comfort of the slippers, she let out a sound of satisfaction and closed her eyes for a moment. If she could, she would teleport to her room and throw herself on the bed. Unfortunately, she had no powers. Unfortunately, in her world there were no people with powers. Unfortunately, science has not evolved to this point.
"Mom, Dad, I'm here!"
Upon leaving the entrance hall and entering the living room, Bloom saw her parents sitting on the sofa, with their hands intertwined, leaning on each other.
"I'm glad you're here, I was already asking your father to pick you up."
"It's not necessary, Mom, you know that."
Bloom sat in the armchair next to them. If sitting isn't the right term, it's more like falling apart.
"Did you drive here?" It was her father's turn to ask.
"No daddy, I came by taxi."
"Good."
Then her mother offered her a glass of water and she accepted without even realizing how much she needed it. Then she settled down better and just looked at her parents, admiring the love that was still possible to see in each one's eyes and how it would never cease to exist, because if they lived all these years together and still raised her to be a woman exceptional, they couldn't help but love each other. She knew this was a naive idea, but it was the only constant in her life. Her parents stayed together through so many changes that occurred.
“What was the cause of the commotion?” asked her mother, after a long time watching her daughter, while her husband braided her hair.
"What commotion?"
"The one at lunch."
"Ah, that one," Bloom said, remembering. "You know, the same as always."
Bloom's mother looked at her, clearly indicating to her daughter silently that she wanted more than that.
"Okay. They were saying that Doctor Silva is cheating on his wife with you."
Bloom's mother couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Even after so many years this still continues" declared Farah, then she turned to look at her husband. "What do you think of this, my love?"
"I don't even want to think about what they would do if they knew that you, my lovely lover, are actually my amazing wife."
With that said, Saul showered her with kisses, then Bloom put her hands on her face.
"Oh my god! I don't need to see this, stop, stop now! Oh, my eyes!"
Even though Bloom was shouting, you could hear the good humor in his voice. So when Saul stopped showering his wife with kisses at her request and looked at his daughter, Bloom burst into laughter.
"I'm just laughing because no one imagines you're a teddy bear" Bloom defended herself.
"I liked that," said Silva. "A bear can protect those it loves with its sharp claws and teeth."
Then, Farah looked at her husband and with a light touch on his shoulder he knew that he should get off her, as well as understanding the message, that they should talk seriously with Bloom.
When Bloom noticed the exchange of glances and the change in expressions, the smile continued, but it was a smaller one, a smile that he was trying his best to continue.
"What happened? I don't like it when you guys make that face."
"What a face?"
"That's it, dad. Exactly what you're doing!"
A long moment passed before Farah said:
"We need to talk, my darling."
"I'm definitely not liking this," Bloom declared.
"It's not bad at all. It depends on what point of view you look at" assured Saul.
Bloom felt nervousness taking control. She quickly clasped her hands together, contorting them slightly. Her father was the first to notice and reached out to touch her hand. Feeling his touch and warm gaze, Bloom's nervousness eased slightly. Then, Farah looked at her husband, looking for confirmation that he was ready for what came next. When he found it, Farah nodded.
"Mommy…"
Bloom braced herself. She really prepared herself for what her mother was going to say and she could already feel the tears building up in her eyes.
"You will have a brother!"
"Mom, I promise, we'll find the cure for…" Bloom's voice trailed off and she looked at her parents. "Did you guys say I'm going to have a brother?"
"Yes, sweetheart."
"A real baby?"
"Yes," said Saul. "A baby that cries, breastfeeds and poops, just like you were when you were born."
"So you're not sick?" — Bloom asked her mom.
"Well, if you consider morning sickness an illness, then yes, I am sick."
Bloom cried. But they were not tears of sadness, but rather of joy. The purest happiness. Then, Saul pulled her towards them and she knelt down, then hugged them.
"I can't believe this," Bloom commented. "I've been asking for a brother for thirteen years and now I'm going to have one."
"Better late than never" joked Saul.
"It wasn't planned" informed Farah.
"Great, my brother and I already have something in common. We're surprise babies." Bloom turned away from her parents, drying her face with the back of her hands. Then she tilted her head to look at her parents who didn't take their eyes off her. "Now it's serious. I know it's happy news, but we have to talk about the pregnancy. We can't close our eyes, it's a risky pregnancy and we don't know if it will be viable."
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. The baby is healthy and even at your mother's age, you will both be fine."
“How long are you pregnant?”
"Sort of…" Farah made a thoughtful face, as if he was calculating the days.
However, it was Saul who responded:
"Two months. About two months."
With her father's response, Bloom had to sit on the floor, and from there she made no effort to get up.
"That's a lot. When did you find out?"
"At the hospital, right before lunch. Your dad helped me do the exam."
Bloom chuckled once again. She would have done anything to be able to see her father's face when he was helping her mother with the wand and saw a fully developing fetus. It would have been great to have seen this, but unfortunately she missed out.
As she calmed down, Bloom looked at her parents only to burst into laughter once again. Five long minutes passed before she had control over herself and stopped laughing, unable to bear the pain in her stomach.
“Who did you call to be sure?”
“Your uncle Ben.”
What did Saul answer for? The daughter burst into laughter once again.
"So now I'm going to be a big sister? That's amazing! But tell me something, does the dynamic of just being co-workers at the hospital continue or not? You know, I always wonder how it worked out for me, but now with the baby… I don't know."
"We didn't think about it" Saul confessed. "But perhaps it's time for the secret to be revealed. What do you think?"
"I think it's perfect!"
The way Bloom responded told her mother that she was more on the way to unconsciousness than consciousness.
"Saul, it's time to take her to bed. It's past her bedtime and yesterday she came home late because of that party."
"Certain."
Saul got up from the couch and approached h
is daughter, crouching down so he could put her in his arms.
"Come on, Lieutenant, it's time for bed."
Bloom accepted her father's arms willingly, after all, she didn't want to climb the stairs with her own legs.
"Sleep? I don't want to sleep, I'm still wide awake."
At this very moment, Bloom opened her mouth and yawned.
"You don't even believe your own words."
Before Saul took a step out of the room, Farah approached them both, placed a kiss on her daughter's forehead and wished her good night.