Chapter 28 - Anastasia

Almost in tears, I walk out of my last surgery. As I scrub out, I take a moment to myself. I look around knowing that I'll never see this place again; the place I completed my 5-year residency in general surgery, followed by a 2-year fellowship specializing in pediatric surgery; the hospital and people I trusted with my own treatments when I found a lump in my chest. It's a bittersweet moment.

Most people don't know it's my last day here. I didn't want them to know, because I didn't want to draw attention and start up rumors again. Once I'm gone, they can think  whatever they want. I won't care because I'll be at the other side of the country by then. It won't affect me.

I teared up while cleaning out my locker. I found stuff that I'd long considered lost, like so many hairties, socks and random post-it notes. I put every last piece inside my backpack and then hang the white coat with my name and the hospital's logo on it for the last time.

Before leaving, I planned to say goodbye to some of the kids I've been taking care of for years like Daphne and Lukas. But I'm not sure how I'm going to hold it together. Especially for Daphne, I've been treating her since my first day here as a resident, I've literally watched her grow up while being in and out of hospitals.

So, I prepare myself before stepping in her room. I wipe the tears from my eyes and take a deep breath.

"Harvey?!" I stop dead in my tracks under the doorframe

"Hey" his smile grows as he sees me, "Sloan told me that your surgery was taking a bit longer, so I decided to swing by and check on Daphne" he explains

"And when did UNO get involved?" I notice

"She claims she's unbeatable"

"And your ego is not to back out from a challenge" I nod

"I'm kicking his ass" Daphne says

"Nope. I can still win" Harvey claims.

Daphne looks at me shaking her head. I approach them and sit besides Harvey, setting my hand on his shoulder and then my head on top of it.

"You really didn't think this through, did you? What would happen if her parents came in and saw a strange man sitting with their daughter?" I point out, whispering in his ear

"Oh, I'm no stranger. They know me" he informs in a normal voice

"Since when?"

"Since last week, I believe"

"What are you talking about?" I finally ask.

"Dr. Morgan, glad you finally made it" Mrs. Anderson interrupts us as she enters the room

"I... Of course" I reply.

"Mr. Specter and I were going over a few details regarding the move. Will you be starting work immediately in Boston?" she wonders

"Yeah, pretty much. But what move were you..." I'm still confused.

"To Boston's Children Hospital" she reveals

"What?"

"Yes. We don't trust another doctor as much as you. You know Daphne and her conditions better than anyone. And it would be foolish not to take Mr. Specter upon his offer"

I turn to Harvey, "What offer?" I ask.

Harvey puts his cards down. "Excuse us" he says and leads me out of the room.

"What offer is she talking about, Harvey?" I ask again as soon as we are out of earshot

"I told Sloan to approach some chronic patients of yours and give them my card. Of those who called, I informed them of your move to Boston and asked if they'd like to follow you in order to stay on your roster. And I specified that I would cover the expenses of their move and help them get set up there. So, Daphne, Lukas and Noah are coming to Boston" he explains

"Are you serious?" I gasp

"Very".

"Oh my God!" I jump in his arm, not caring who sees us this time. "You are amazing. You are incredible. I love you" I squeeze him with all my strength

"I love you more" he replies, holding me just as tight.

The feel of his heart beating against mine is a feeling I'll never get tired of. Strangely, it's really comforting.

But when I let go, I smack him. "When were you gonna tell me?" I ask

"Right now. That was always the plan" he lies

"Yeah, right" I chuckle. "God... I can't believe you are actually doing this"

"Of course I am. I couldn't bare seeing your heart break every time you thought of leaving them. So, I found a way to fix it and make it happen" he tells me as he caresses my cheek. "I told you, you don't have to think when you're with me; I'll take care of everything. You got the little people, and I got you" he tells me as he holds my face.

I got you.

I want to cry. Because I know he's got me. He's proven that to me multiple times. All my life, I had my own back, and then I was focused on taking care of everybody else. It feels so relieving to know that I have someone 100% on my side, who's going to drop everything in order to take care of me.

"You have no idea how much I love you right now" I say with tears in my eyes

"I think I do" he chuckles and pulls me in his arms again. "Next stop: Boston. Are you ready?" he asks

"More than ready" I smile

"Let's go then" he keeps one hand wrapped around me as we leave.

This is it. It's happening! I'm anxious, scared, but most of all I am fucking excited to know that I'm not doing this alone. And even though he can't take that step with me, he is willingly spending thousands to just keep me by moving my babies across the country with me. So today, I choose to look at the positive side and be grateful for everything he's offering me.