Work Text:
Always thought that the one thing waitin' for me
Was not a wonderful world but a tragedy
But you went and rewrote our whole story
To an everlasting love
I will ride for you
Spare my life for you
If you asked me to
Trinity Santos wills herself not to cry.
Three decades and some change gives the surgeon every opportunity to practice the feat. A family who wants to do anything and everything for the sake of appearances, including not believing vulnerable girls when they speak the truth. Trinity learned long ago that crying silently and finding the nearest distraction. The skill got her through the heartaches in many forms, including medical school and the steps to becoming a real doctor, with an identity outside those fracturing, faltering family ties.
Still, the threat of tears comes for the happiest reasons.
Trinity Santos stands in a quiet, beautifully appointed room, preparing for a day that she never thought would happen, either in general or with the bride waiting for her in her specific, exacting glory. She has achieved many things over the last ten years, including carving out a medical career that exceeds all her hopes and flourishes in unusual ways, like Trinity Santos developing a reputation for working with struggling patients who are scared of the ops, but successfully navigating a relationship feels like a different dimension and success.
"We are going to make an awesome team, you and I."
Yolanda gently assesses the situation after producing the proposal the night before. Trinity cannot help but smile, those words echoing in her head as she stares into the mirror while cruising the final elements of her custom suit, which she has obsessed over in the last few months; the dress shirt has crisp edges, with the cuff links that are a gift from her friends.
"Hey, are we nearing the end of the grand suit preparation era? Your future wife is intimidating, and when anyone dares to mess with her precision planning right now, your best man may be in the firing line." Dennis teases from the doorway after knocking softly.
"I'm coming, but we are well within her 17 contingency plans. The guests aren't even arriving for another hour; she's hiding her nerves behind a need for control and to make sure all the key players are moving on the chessboard, " Trinity explains with a teasing smile, easily seeing the scenes play out.
"I'm taking your word for it; the Garcia woman is fussing over her worse than my brothers when preparing for harvest. Yolana may need help remembering that she can't control every detail like she does in the OR." Dennis grins broadly, ushering his friend out the door.
"Then the second-most work-obsessed doctor in the room, to take on that job." Trinity slings an arm over the young doctor's shoulder, pulling him close in, taking a moment to appreciate their enduring friendship from the most stereotypical medical beginnings.
"Yolanda will divert focus and start fussing over you like a proud hen."
Trinity doesn't disagree with that assessment; Yolanda has a deep appreciation for fashion and style, even though they spends hours in the hospital's confines with the harsh fluorescent lights. Making over Trinity is one of her favourite times, which becomes a feature of their early relationship; Trinity needs to work through her issues with the touch, but eventually grows to love the gentle attention.
"This final countdown is stressful. I should have used my first instinct to ask my girlfriend to elope after finishing Boards, not that such a thing wouldn't come with its risks. Yolanda has so many friends and family who would want to be part of the day." Trinity shakes her head at the thought.
"Hey, many people also want to celebrate you, Dr Santos. It may go against your life philosophy, but we love you even when you are prickly on the warpath in and outside the hospital. Of course, if you did run away, the group chat would throw you one hell of a reception party."
Against all odds and her core self-construct, Dr. Trinity Santos maintains friendships beyond the traditional bonding of Pitt and med school. The main group scatters to the winds of medical fate, taking up positions in hospitals and facilities around the US and abroad. Since the trial and funeral of her closest confidante, Trinity has been an expert at shedding friends when there is no reason to hang out. However, Dennis and everyone else don't play by those rules.
"Something like that may still be in the works. Mel and Victoria can't keep secrets to save their lives, especially when celebrating friendship and sentimentality." Trinity rolls her eyes at the sentimentality. She needs to work carefully to avoid streaking her makeup.
There is immense satisfaction in seeing all the planning pay off. Trinity rebels against the dictates of her ambitious and image-obsessed family, but she learns many of their lessons on pulling something like this on a big scale. The importance of matching details but not overwhelming with a theme, being generous with some elements for guests and conserving with others. Yolana is passionate about certain colours, so she takes control of matching background and foreground themes, huddling with photographers.
Trinity contributes by working out the logistics for feeding and caring for their guests, joking somewhat cynically that the ratio is 1:20 in favour of the Garcia Isle of the
"Nobody will judge you for the tears; you can still be a surgical rockstar after the honeymoon." Dennis insists as they reach the large doorways with all the fresh flowers and people milling around, pausing to smile at one of the brides.
"Fuck, Huckleberry, I know, my twisted internal gremlin spends the first three decades shoving all traces of feelings in specially designed containment fields thar few breach, I earn every one of those well placed tears - I'm just saving them, as long as Victoria and Samira don't set me off." Trinity takes a deep and shuddering breath.
"Hey, our medical-obsessed prodigy and the woman with the highest-ever patient satisfaction scores ever are dragging themselves away from the hospital and trusting juniors, there is the slightest hope that they won't be in floods of tears and enthusiasm."
"Oh yes, the serenades to lifelong friendship and battling the medical establishment are happening earnestly. It's a toss-up if it will be us all, the medical group chat crew." Yolana interjects as she materialises in front of the wedding party members, reaching out to grip her future wife's hands.
"You are handling that with your typical grace and patience, while reapplying your makeup for the sixth time, you look wonderful." Trinity leans forward and kisses her cheek.
"I'm going to have trouble keeping that suit on you for the next six hours, but those sessions at the tailor were so worth it," Yolanda whispers in her ear.
"If already terrified of undoing all those intricate buttons and lace on the fly, without the time to concentrate. So let's do a final walk-around check-in for our wedding party and all their final jobs." Trinity links their arms, pulling the other doctor through the intricate arch.
Yolanda Garcia looks amazing in layers of intricate silks and lace, a right cream colour with long sleeves, sitting off the shoulder. The senior surgeon takes inspiration from the dresses that shape family weddings without replicating the long, having a range of flowers trailing down the skirt that glitter in the sunlight. There are small concessions to comfort, with a loose shift underneath and flats rather than high heels. Doctors have unique perspectives, outfitting themselves for long days and shifts.
"I can confidently say that somebody who supervises your study for Boards, with different degrees of distraction, that your hands are steady and very talented."
***
Making relationships work involves being brave in a different way.
Trinity Santos defines her survival ability by being the boldest and brashest future doctor in the room, refusing to fade into the background as a meek survivor or what she perceives as such. She is an expert in veteran and therapy, the various disciplines and their value to her life. Her latest shrink is patient in building up to the 'Yolanda Question,' as Trinity privately calls it.
"She seems to be making you happy and reflects a healthier dynamic than you talked about in the past. Admitting feelings and asking for things to go in a different direction will always be a risk, but also the opportunity for happiness."
The words of her therapist echo in her mind as she waits for Yolanda to open the apartment door. Their routine is familiar and comforting: they meet up after their shift or on their days off. Falling into bed and exploring each other's bodies and desires. Trinity makes an effort to make every spot that makes the older doctor weak with desire.
"Hey, sorry. I was just on the phone with my grandma, who wanted to know everything and anything about my day. She's a retired nurse, so she rakes me over the coals if there is a hint of direction for the people who run the place. Come in...." Yolanda reaches out and grabs Trinity's hand, a familiar gesture.
"What's your cover for this preoccupation?" Trinity asks with an edge of chronicity in her voice.
"I talk about how I have a standing date; that is the highlight of my week. She wouldn't interrupt such a moment, even if she wanted to get the details." Yolanda fists her hand in Trinity's dress shirt, pulling her close for a fierce and demanding kiss.
"I will do my best to live up to the reputation; even if today was hellish on multiple levels, drunk drivers are the worst, and my hair could use several washes." Trinity snorts laughingly.
It is so easy to fall back into a familiar pattern: the witty banter, sharing small information about their lives outside the hospital or these walls. Yolanda determines that she will be an expert at anything she commits to; most recently, it's figuring out how to bring Trinity pleasure, the movements and mannerisms that bring her the most enjoyment and sense of safety.
"Hey, I spend a small fortune on showers with excellent water pressure; take advantage of that effort; scrub downs take on a whole new meaning," Yolanda managed to untangle their limbs, even if Trinity moaned in protest.
"I have thought about this all day; there are too many steps between here and that expensive bathroom, Dr Garcia." Trinity counters her words by obediently trailing behind the older doctor, clicking off her shoes and pulling the scrub top over her head.
"I am sure your ankles will hold for the next thirty seconds. If not, Jack Abbot owes me a favour, and we have experience in salvaging feet, don't we?" Yolana smirked and teased as she carefully shrugged out of her favourite tee shirt. Even when she is at the height of passion, she won't risk wrinkling her outfits.
Trinity falls into a trance of pleasure as Yolanda guides her under the water. She pulls Trinity's hair from the simple ponytail, combing her hands through it before reaching for the shampoo. She comments on their plans for the evening, a mixture of promise and hope. Trinity eases into the touch, acknowledging that her shoulders and feet ache.
"I would accuse you of being too tense, but anybody who sees the patient lists knows what you were contending with; I wish we could operate together or at least manage with the auditing notes." Yolanda presses kisses against her shoulder before reaching to adjust the water.
Trinity struggles to respond as Yolanda rinses the conditioner and the other expensive scents that the younger surgeon doesn't hate anymore because they remind her of easy and passionate nights. Of course, it isn't easy to express those feelings when there are parameters for what they can be to each other.
"You were distracting as a distant surgeon, much less when you became my regular hookup with soft, clean sheets and decent blackout curtains, not to mention coffee that keeps me going." Trinity smiles at the other woman as she reaches for the loose and casual sweatpants and a loose T-shirt.
Trinity swallows heavily at the unexpected swell of emotion, at the tender care at the moment. There are more and more of those little interludes that don't directly relate to sex and stress relief; they don't always talk about shifts or medicine. It's so difficult to figure out how to make sense of the feelings; in a small way, it feels like when she starts to see that Dennis and Victoria are more than just the weak link to the Pitt Department.
"You need to eat before we consider anything else more pleasant; there is no need to crash out on the coach. Let's get some good protein and noodles; I grabbed those that filled you through med school, although I think they have had an upgrade." Yolanda explains as she runs a brush through her hair and throws on her PJs. The bright blue colours always make Trinity smile.
It hits her immediately: the therapist's words echoing in her mind, almost like the first time she set foot on the ward as a fully qualified doctor.
"This routine isn't working for me anymore."
There are a hundred different ways that she could phrase the comment, using swear words and medical metaphors, but none spring to mind, not when it takes everything in her to focus on sitting at the dining table, pausing to meet Yolanda's eyes, her heart thumping against her chest, feeling like this is the top of the rollercoaster, waiting for the decent or the crash of heartbreak.
"Are you breaking up with me or the noodles combination? Because I could see advantages to both, you wouldn't be the first to do either." Her voice is frosty and stiff, and Yolanda carefully puts down her fork.
Every instinct in Trinity screams at her to stand down, back away from the onslaught of potential emotional risk. Yolanda's expression turns from easy and warm to stony. This feels far worse than their confrontation over Frank Longhom, causing a faint ringing in her ears. She wills herself to breathe around the pressure in her diaphragm.
Yolanda stares as if waiting for a familiar pattern - people leaving and abandonment issues - somehow the same emotional baggage. Trinity's family stayed distant, where important people were in her life.
Seeing you is the highlight of my week, even if I have a hellish day or the best operation, keeping a person alive when the odds are against them. I want to know what your grandma plans for the day, or looks after you when your headaches get bad. I was wondering if we could give this a real go, spending time with friends, running errands, debating where to go for holiday weekends, or waiting for each other after shifts with coffee and Tylenol." Trinity leads everything out with a single breath.
Yolanda remains silent, but her eyes start to fill with tears.
"I want to show you something. Give me a few seconds." Yolanda holds up her hand before wiping away a few tears.
Trinity blinks in uncertainty; of all the ways she expects Yolanda to react, slipping out of the room isn't in the top five. Her therapist insists that whatever happens, the training surgeon will survive and pick up the pieces. However, at that moment, she doubts that possibility, waiting for Yolanda to pass judgment on the proposition.
"I was going to put this in your locker. It answers your question, indirectly, at least." Yolanda hands over a small package with a bright pink ribbon. The other doctor hugs her from behind before handing her the gift, kissing Trinity's cheek.
Trinity takes a deep breath. The vulnerability of admitting feelings makes her hands shake as she opens the envelope. Blinking for a few seconds, the words come into focus. It's a simple medical cypher and scavenger hunt, reflecting on some noteworthy cases and highlighting what they learn together as surgeons and doctors.
Trinity gives the older woman a curious smile before reaching for the ever-present noticeboard to break the code. She taps her pencil to start writing down the leaders. Yolanda crutches down beside her, waiting for Trinity's reaction. She has the outward appearance of calm, but studying Dr Garcia means that Trinity can see that she invests in the outcome.
"WOULD YOU HAVE A GO AT BEING GIRLFRIENDS?"
"YES OR NO?"
Trinity cannot help the peel of happy laughter. She shakes her head before leaning over and kissing Yolanda soundly, then reaching over with her pencil. She pretends to hesitate before circling 'Yes' with an exaggerated flicker. Please take a few moments to put small hearts around the question, giving her girlfriend a delighted look.
"So what this establishes is that we are dancing around each other, like a fucking Romcom or a character from a Jane Austen novel? Instead of communicating like adults?" Trinity asks, cocking her head as she cradles the note.
"I was afraid to disrupt the balance. Some people didn't treat you right, and I could repeat some of those patterns, being careless and thoughtless, which happened in the past. We must treat each other with the care and precision we give to the patients and the operating room." Yolanda reaches to cradle her cheek, blinking back a few stray tears.
***
Making relationships real involves learning a new language.
Nobody in Trinity's life expects her to be the type to have the stamina or constitution for a long-term relationship, least of all the surgeon in question. Oh, there is no doubt that she is a fun and respectful girlfriend or even a casual hookup, insisting on open and honest communication, regardless of the duration of the time together.
"I did everything to save her from turning the anger outward rather than inward, but Sarah couldn't make the connection and wouldn't let me hold her up until she felt stronger. Wannabe athletes always insist on doing things themselves. Believe it or not, I always have a reputation for being the grounding force in our group." Trinity whispers into the dark.
Trinity doesn't like to embody or believe in therapy lingo. Still, the surgeon in training cannot help but feel that there was something of a 'breakthrough' since she stood her ground with Yolanda, demanding something more than their casual relationship and increasingly sleepovers. Which, of course, means that she cannot help the night terrors.
"I have every reason to believe you are a fantastic friend, especially when people are in the darkest places." Yolana turns to face Trinity in their bed, running out to run and soothing down her forearm.
"She would always excuse me for 'playing doctor' too soon and to let her cope in different ways, Fuck, I could repeat that script on my deathbed. We survived the monster together, but were so different in how we negotiated life afterwards." Trinity lets out a tremulous breath, fighting around the familiar lump in her throat
Yolanda Garcia enjoys fixing problems, both inside and outside the operating room. Trinity had never known a defense like it, even when people were arseholes at the bar or when they struggled through meetings with the Santos family. However, she stays silent on these nights, providing comfort through touch.
"It drives me crazy to relegate all the moments with a new sense of knowledge, the resources that could have been available if I were the doctor in the relationship and could have actual power." Trinity lets out a frustrated sigh, a tremble at the end.
"Remember the first rule in medical school about diagnosing yourself. Just because you would have extra knowledge theoretically doesn't mean that anything would act as the panacea that will bring another person peace, even if you have the Michael Robbinvich and Jack Abbot School of Medicine. " Yolanda points out that it was not for the first time.
"My psychological wounds are healing. Many days, I can smile at memories of us goofing off after training and gossiping about people we like; she was one of the first people who knew that I was gay, hopelessly besotted with one of the girls that we met at the state champs. Yet, I have one patient, and it hits me in the chest."
Trinity Santos doesn't talk about her feelings or past. She learned long ago that she was unlikely to get a positive response. There were many conditions for love and acceptance. It's getting easier to share small pieces of information in the safety of this bed with this woman.
"Patients will be able to do that to you for the rest of your professional life, and when it doesn't, you know it's time to leave. The trick is to stand, wait for the tide to pass, and focus on anatomical changes you can make in the moment. Come, how can I soothe the heartache?" Yolanda insists, framing her face with gentle fingers.
"Says the woman who always seems to keep going no matter the event or the difficulties you face with a patient or chaos in the operating room." Trinity teases, not for the first time.
"In all our conversations, I never claimed that my approach to coping was the best or even ideal, and contentment is an ever-shifting mark, especially when starting at a new hospital and clinical outreach. Empathy is never a weakness, even when coping may look different on a given day. Do you want to talk through the case, or try and get some sleep?"
Understanding Yolanda Garcia is a mystery at times; she is the most confident surgeon at the hospital and has a good reputation with her colleagues and support staff. At the same time, she tends to withdraw and work towards self-preservation at the expense of relationships with friends and family when she struggles to reintegrate into post-hospital life, especially after the pandemic.
"I always feel better talking about the past and breaking some of the thought loops that keep me awake." Trinity yawns and snuggles closer, answering the question by curling into Yolanda's shoulder.
"I am happy to be a sounding board, whatever the time."
***
Making relationships good involves doing perpetual trust falls.
People often told Trinity in her youth that her survival techniques were excellent and the highest of 'best practice' when she was a scared teen who was losing everything, but such elements failed in adulthood. Faith in other people is not something that she can give easily, especially when everyone competes for a few spaces. However, she needs to place her faith in her friends.
"What if moving in together messes up what we have? It's so good right now, the best. My track record with cohabitation before finding Huck in an abandoned hospital wing was not good. Yolanda treasures her space. It took her years to get everything in order after the will tension and family wrangling.
Trinity feels ridiculous, holding court with her friends in a small group in the apartment's living room that barely feels like home anymore. Each person in this room came here without a second thought when Trinity sent out a distress message, unable to figure out the next step. Dennis is the first to arrive from his shift, even though this place feels more like his than hers. A cosy arrangement as he navigates the next placement. Samira and Victoria pile in not long after.
"Well, if that does happen, it would put you in most surgeons and medical professionals. Mom is always preaching the virtue of figuring out a communication style and sticking to it, not that she and my dad are prime examples of that skillset." The younger Dr Javardi interjects with uncharacteristic cynicism.
"But you and Yolanda have been dry-running living together for months, figuring out domestic routines, annoying habits, major points of friction and fear, and holding space, so if anybody can make it, it's the two of you." Casey gives Victoria a fierce and reproachful look.
"Yolanda's place is the perfect distance between our workplaces. I can walk or run to the hospital, and Yolanda always fusses over me to have a slower breakfast." Trinity agrees, glancing between her friends and trying to figure out the problems and doubts.
Trinity finds it easy to talk about the practical; most people have ringside seats to this relationship right from the beginning, when they were flirting in and outside the operating rooms. Still, there are moments when Yolanda is the only one who can support her and soothe her nightmares. Trinity Santos lives her life not needing anyone or anything, but fundamentally, she needs Yolanda Garcia and the comfort she provides.
"Exactly, it's not like it's easy to have a cruisy baseline when you are busy working professionals, which cuts down the relationship commute and builds in time to see each other by doing weekend chores. Go Team Garcia and Santos." Samira holds her hand in triumph.
***
Making relationships steadfast involves showing up.
Trinity spent her life navigating arguments and disapproval from all quarters. She was in line to be a debate club member, but couldn't juggle too many extracurricular activities with fierce academic ambitions. Her family may have believed in her attacker's guilt, but they are in no doubt of her disapproval and rage against the system.
"I am sorry that was an arsehole move, your friends and ex-girlfriend were perfectly kind and gracious. There was no excuse for acting like a fucking idiot making a scene at an event that was important to you." Trinity jams her hands further into the pockets of her jacket.
"Why did you? Before you answer, I will go through this crockery against the wall if you try to tell me that you have no people skills and can't be taken anywhere outside the operating room. The joke was only passable the first 50 times. It's bullshit, you can listen better than most people I know, and have met a few of my exs before." Yolanda glares over her shoulder to convey the meaning.
Yolanda demonstrates perfect control, chopping veggies for a stir-fry, one of Trinity's favourites. This night may be some feet of passive aggression. Trinity dutifully takes the opportunity to gather her thoughts while she takes out plates, knives, and forks. The source of one of their first
Trinity waits until they settle down for dinner.
"Because for the first time in my life, I am with somebody I love, like and respect; in all my previous interactions, some elements were true, but it was easy enough to sacrifice one for the other, usually convenience. Sometimes, it is easy to pretend we are still in the hookup era, only with more depth and therapy. Sometimes, being near my friends makes me feel awkward and fearful.
"What are you afraid of? All my friends adore you as 'good for me' and say nothing but nice things about you and our relationship. There isn't an ex that could even reach that level of intimacy."
"I am always afraid, a former athlete who runs for the wrong reasons to escape rather than gain a position, waiting for my work not to be good enough, forcing myself onto caseloads, not wanting to risk losing my position. Your friends all knew all the in-jokes and fond memories; it put me on edge, and I revert to type behaviour -
***'
"Trinity Santos, will you marry me?"
Making relationships work involves faith in conventions that didn't seem part of Trinity's natural makeup, not when she gives everything to a medical career. Falling into a situation with the older, brilliant surgeon was predictable, with the instant attraction. However, the step towards a genuine relationship, with features like trust and vulnerability, is a fundamental shift.
"You are doing this when I rushed home in my ratty gym clothes after a double? complaining about arrogant interns making OR times work." Trinity cannot help but blink owlishly, trying to put the pieces of this scene together.
It wasn't like the prospect was a complete surprise. Trinity Santos and Yolanda Garcia are pros at integrating their lives after years of therapy, practice, and mistakes.HR at their respective hospitals has everything on file. Even cute photos in Trinity's locker and joint mail come from their wider friendship circle.
The wedding of Robby and Collins was one such event last year.
"Trying to find the perfect moment distracts me in theatre; you'd kill me if I made some Instagram trip down memory lane or even quizzed you on that patient when I guided your hand in a way that wasn't strictly necessary? I couldn't love you more in those raggy gym clothes and wild hair." Yolanda insists, gesturing a beaming smile and the shine of tears.
Trinity stares, wanting to capture every aspect of this moment. The ring in the box is practical for Trinity's tastes and the life of somebody who spends time in operating theatres. It is a beautiful platinum band with an engraving of what looks like an artistic rendering of a heart tracing. One of their mutual friends is an artist specialising in such things.
Trinity and Garcia reluctantly said for them, answering questions as they watched the monitors, seeing different patterns from future surgeons.
"Well, we can't have such a brilliant distraction. Yes, I will marry you, Yolanda Garcia; you are the safest and steadiest person that holds me together in more ways than one." Trinity leans down, cradling the other woman's cheeks, kissing her soundly, possibly cutting off the rest of the speech.
"The best bet on a talented intern I have made, miscommunication and all. " Yolanda chuckles through happy tears.
They stay like that for a few moments. Trinity insists on trying on the ring; the banter is typically on hold. Of course, it fits perfectly. Yolanda would measure such things with the same standards she applies to everything else. Trinity feels like every stereotypical future bride. Looking at how the light captures the ring, she thinks this symbolises hope.
"Wait, did you talk to the group? Mel and Victoria have been acting weird for days. Smiling and me like fucking Disney movie, not to mention my being a little different in our regular lunches." Trinity turns to give her new fiancé a sceptical look.
"I may have floated the idea to the crew and told your mother what was happening, but I never wanted to ask permission, least of all from the Santos family, who did not stand up for you." Yolanda shrugs as if her defence of Trinity is an everyday occurrence.
It takes a while to realise that she has people in her corner who can't go anywhere.
"I would have paid to see the fortune of those extremely different reactions. Mel, Samara and Victoria would be unbearably excitable. My mother would struggle to form a response." Trinity tilts her head curiously.
"I am sure there will be videos somewhere with an over-the-top soundtrack." Yolanda leans down to kiss her.
***
The best revenge is living well.
Trinity Santos-Garcia reflects on this cliche as she waits for her wife (still a surreal title to contemplate) to extract herself from her favourite nurses and techs. If her mother shows up and speaks to the daughter, whom she barely understands, she is running out of time. Of course, the Santos matriarch makes an appearance; it wouldn't be proper not to attend. However, there is a difference between showing up and being a meaningful presence.
In theory, her family was in the courtroom, but they weren't there for the surviving victims. There has always been a distance between the conditional life that she could never meet, even as a successful doctor with a career that most people can brag about, even if making it to this moment has equal significance. Marriage equality may be the law of the land (for now), but adjustments happen more slowly in some family dynamics.
It was ten minutes to the hour when her mother.
"Dr Garcia did a wonderful job bringing everything together. It was a lovely ceremony, and it was very moving. She loves you well, which is all we could hope for, even if your choices are extremely baffling." Her mother gestures minutely to her suit but doesn't follow up with any commentary. "Sarah would have heartily approved of this moment, one of your biggest champions." Her mother swallows thickly as if she is fighting more emotion.
Trinity blinks in surprise. Her family doesn't talk about her friend, especially in the last few years when rumours swept through the small professional sports world, which can sometimes feel suffocating even years later. She spends an equal amount of time studying her mother's expression and trying to interpret her expression; the same thing happens now.
"Yes, my pre-ceremony party would look different under her guidance, but if the trends of your faith hold, then she is here, free of pain. Now, I must go and find my wife before she decides to see a medical emergency to deal with in her gorgeous dress, which we can agree would be a disaster." Trinity blinks in surprise when her mother reaches out and grips her hands for a second.
"Yes, there is much to do to finish the activities for the night. There will be many beautiful photographs and keepsakes. Have a wonderful time with your new wife." Mrs Santos fidgets, leaning over to press a careful, uncertain kiss against her cheek.
Trinity pauses, opting to say one final thing playing in her mind.
"Thank you for coming, I know this goes against everything you were hoping for in the Santos family values, but would you like to see some of those photos. " Trinity chooses her words carefully, ignoring her instinctive hurt and urge to justify their happiness in the new life.
"Yes, please, that would be lovely. You look wonderful tonight."
***
"How did it go with your mom?"
Yolanda rushes ahead and opens the car door, ushering Trinity into the car as if it were her favourite day activity. They are not doing a honeymoon in the traditional sense, and it has not been for a while yet. Yolanda is eyeing a promotion or shift to another hospital, and Trinity wants to wait until they can enjoy the moment without either of them sneaking looks at work or starting to discuss work cases.
"You heard the highlights when you were hovering protectively, waiting to pounce as you did on the first day when the other underlings and I were competing to meet your exacting standards, only now your favourite thing is riding to the defence of the surgeon who you think is almost brilliant as yourself, Dr Garcia." Trinity holds up her thumb and forefinger teasingly.
Instead of going anywhere for their wedding, the newlyweds opt to stay home and celebrate; after much consideration, communication, and compromise, they build a house that feels like a home. This sanctuary is true for the two high-achieving professionals and the sometimes faltering women who deserve equal space.
"I would have fallen in love with you if you became that professional athlete, even if you wouldn't give a reclusive science geek like me the time of day." Yolanda tucks a loose strand of hair behind Trinity's ear.
"This hypothetical athletic version of me would have been equally self-conscious around a woman with such drive, determination and not to mention glorious bone structure that would make even the ortho bros weep." Trinity leans forward and kisses her soundly
"Never repeat that god-awful pickup line in public; I guess it's a good thing we met on the floor of Dr Robby's Pitt, even when it took us a year to communicate like grown humans." Yolanda laughs delightedly, peppering Trinity's face with kisses.
Trinity rests her head on Yolanda's shoulder, taking a moment to relax amongst last week's businesses. She is grateful that her feet are holding up to the challenge, but her cheeks still ache with the natural level of smiling and laughing. Yolanda runs a soft hand through her hair, murmuring and bantering with her younger cousin, who volunteers to be their driver.
"It's time to use those wonderfully dexterous hands, Dr Santos-Garcia. I wore this dress to look pretty in the photos and live up to my reputation as stylish, but it’s no longer useful for the rest of the evening or the week if I have anything to say on the matter."
Trinity Santos never falls for sentimental cliches like love and first sight; things are different when you see the anatomy that makes up the human body. We are all a feature of physiological storms and primitive impulses. Still, she can't help but feel similar emotions when she sees the hyper-confident Dr Garcia in action; she hopes we will never fade.
"You first, Dr. Yolanda. My presentation is a construction of your wizardry. Is it only right that you do the final act?" Trinity gestures vaguely towards her dress shirt.
"I did do such a good job, didn't I? figuring out length, the right cuff links, which colour would best show off your features. You were very patient with me, Darling." Yolanda leans over and kisses her cheek.
"Yes, you can claim a victory, the crowning glory of your day."
Yolanda Garcia is exacting in many things; Trinity often jokes that the Boards and subsequent exams were a breeze compared to the Garcia Teaching Method. Of course, there was and is the flare of attraction that burns on a low head long before they begin to understand each other. Yolanda feels the same way about the presentation in the outside world, finding outfits that fit, making Trinity feel comfortable, and, heavens forbid, confident in the outside world.
"You have every right to claim the same victory after spending some time interacting with people, charming them and handing your mother's version of attainment. We have always made a fantastic team, now we have the paperwork and name change to prove it."
"Mel and others are taking turns to see how long we will last without breaking out the Operation Game to keep our skills sharp. That lot will bet on anything and everything without runaway ambulances to keep them entertained." Trinity trails off into a happy sigh as Yolanda kisses down her neck.
While Trinity would like to imagine that they will have a wild night of passion, an epic one for the ages, still, realistically, she can feel the exhaustion nibbling at the edges of her mind. The overwhelming emotions, happiness and joy. She struggles to shake the tension of seeking her family without the comfort of resolution, which has been a feature of her life over the decades.
Still snuggling with Yolanda after sex is one of her favourite pastimes.
"Far be it from me to disrupt the famous betting pool, but I intend to focus on your surgical dexterity, as wonderful as it is." Yolanda maps each angle of her new wife's neck and shoulder as if it were the most important task in the world.
Yolanda gently pushes the other doctor onto the bed with new sheets, blankets, and covers. They were a thoughtful gift from Yolanda's cousin, who wants them to be comfortable and celebrate their new lives. Trinity stretches out, gazing at Yolanda as she hovers above her, working to unwind that fancy hairstyle that involves far too many bobby pins.
"I could stay like this forever; you are glorious when barking orders at the team on the floor or helping the juniors, but this is a whole different level, and nobody else gets to see you from this angle. Everybody gets to see the wonder of Dr Santos, but this version of you is mine." Trinity reaches up and gently tugs Yolanda down for a kiss.
"Well, that's a good thing because I wasn't paying exact attention, but forever was implied, and right now, I couldn't think of a better fate, minor injury to my foot and all
.