"So, I've been thinking that we should spend our free weekend at this cabin we can rent at the visitor's area in the nearby forest," Nino pipes up, grabbing a fork to pierce the marble potato, lying on his plate, with it.

Nurses Nath, Nino, and Adrien are at the cafeteria to eat their dinner together. For the first time in three weeks, the three have a short break they can spend together to eat. Now that they also have this upcoming weekend break in six weeks, Nino has been planning a lot of things the three of them could do.

Nath then suggests, "Well, I've also been thinking that we'll go as participants to one of the medical conventions that will be held on that exact weekend!"

"Oh, come on, Nath!" Nino groans. "This is finally a break for us and you still want to do something medically-related?" He playfully nudges the red-headed nurse sitting beside him. "Try to think of something more fun than that!"

"Participating in conventions is fun!" Nath argues, "At least, we can have fun while still doing work that could help us in the hospital."

While the two bicker about an activity the three of them could do, Adrien's attention is on the doctor purchasing her daily serving of two mini chocolate croissants at her favorite stall. Adrien's hand, holding a fork, listlessly goes through his plate of salad in front of him. His thoughts are not on the upcoming break for they always circle around the doctor, and how she said that he is now up to one percent. Finally, one percent.

After nine months of working at the same hospital with the doctor of his dreams, he is now 99 percent away from officially being with her. Well, that is if she stays true to her words. He does not have this kind of doubt, though. He knows that she will stick to what she said for she is also a woman of her word.

"Dude? Adrien?"

Adrien jolts in his seat upon hearing his name out of the blue. "Y-Yes?" He acknowledges, clearing his throat after and turns his head to face Nino. "You were calling me?"

"Anyway," Nino drawls out. "Nath and I need someone to make the decision if we will push through with my amazing plan of renting a cabin in the forest or...go to a boring convention," he finishes, glancing at Nath.

The other nurse scoffs and shakes his head, going back to eating his single serving of mashed potatoes. "Adrien," he mumbles, eyes still on his plate of food, "try to talk some sense into your best friend."

"Hey!" Nino exclaims, widening his eyes at the red-headed nurse, "I'm the one with the most sense now, excuse you."

Stunned with the sudden decision that has fell into his hands, Adrien tries to find the right words that could make both parties, or if they can, reach a compromise. "I...uh, I was thinking of spending the weekend at home. You know...staycation?"

Nino's face scrunches in disgust and scoffs. "There is nothing fun with having a staycation."

Adrien says back, "We always used to do that together when we were in nursing school." He shrugs then continues, "I don't see anything wrong with doing it again."

"Yet Nino is right," Nath declares, looking up from his food. "Staycations are boring especially now that we have money to spend to go somewhere else."

Adrien testifies, "I thought you were always the introverted type, Nath."

"Hey, an introvert can always get sick, sometimes, with their surroundings," Nath clarifies, "Just because I run out of my social battery faster than the average person, it does not mean that I only choose to coop up in my home." Then he uses his fork to point at Adrien to emphasize his side, "I would still like to coop up but in some other comfortable place like a hotel...of a medical convention."

Nino then suddenly whines out loud, "Oh man! Just when I thought that we agree on something, you decided to bring up that stupid convention."

"Hey! At least be happy to know that we both find a staycation boring," Nath states, talking with his hands. "I guess we can both agree that Adrien is the most boring one out of us all."

Adrien takes offense with those words, especially since it is Nath who said them. But he does not show it in his face for he finds the playful banter between his two friends more fun than feeling hurt.

The two continue to come up with places to visit and activities to do that they both can agree on while Adrien watches them silently, and even takes a few bites from his salad.

He suddenly becomes startled when a small brown paper bag is swiftly placed in front of his plate from a person that passed by the table. The other two nurses do not notice it, engrossed with their conversation at hand, so it's only Adrien who glances over his shoulder to try and spot the person who left it.

But that person may be a brisk walker since there is no one in particular that stands out in the cafeteria. The other people with them are nurses and doctors from different departments.

Without minding it, Adrien faces the paper bag again and takes it to see what's inside.

It all clicks in his head when he brings out a mini chocolate croissant from the bag. Chuckling softly to himself, he takes a bite off it. No one needs to tell Adrien who gave it to him. Just with the bittersweet taste of chocolate, and the crisp texture and warmth radiating off the pastry is enough to know that someone he finds special gave it to him.

As much as he wants to savor it, he finishes the mini croissant in four bites. Aside from it being sentimental, the nurse currently appreciates the flavor more.

"By the way, Adrien," Nath calls him, turning away from ending his conversation with Nino. He does not even notice an empty paper bag lying beside the plate of his blond co-worker. "Did you hear about our new department head?" Nath asks.

Adrien wipes the corner of his mouth with a paper napkin and sharply tilts his head, turning confused. "They're changing heads?"

"The current one is retiring so the cardiology department needs a new one."

"Will it either be Doctor DC or Doctor Chloé?" Adrien asks.

Nath shakes his head. "Neither," he answers then throws Adrien a look of disbelief, "I'm surprised that you don't know about this. Did Doctor DC tell you anything about this?"

Adrien pouts. "She never mentioned anything..." he trails off, thinking of this newfound information as surprising news. Doctor DC would have told him about it for it is something that everyone in the department should be aware of. Plus, he would say that things have somewhat changed between the two of them. Adrien is entirely sure that the doctor is not that cold to him compared to nine months ago.

"Our new department head is coming from Cleveland Clinic in the United States," Nath continues.

"Wow, no way!" Nino exclaims in awe, "Cleveland Clinic? Damn, that doctor seems like someone really important."

Adrien adds, "Cleveland Clinic is on top when it comes to cardiology." He, too, is in awe. How could someone from one of the most famous hospitals come back to be a department head of one of the many general hospitals in the country?

"The doctor actually did their residency here, but was invited to help out and continue learning in America," Nath utters, scooping up a bit of his mashed potatoes before bringing the fork to his mouth. After awhile he finishes, "Now the doctor's deciding to come back."

"Why didn't Doctor DC tell me anything about this? This is exciting news! What's the name of the doctor?"

"Doctor Luka Couffaine," Nath answers.

"Doctor Couffaine..." Adrien drawls out, "sounds like he's a cool guy."

Nino scoffs then mutters under his breath, "Cool? I take back what I said 'cause he sounds more like a sketchy guy."

------------

"I'm so happy to have you here again, Nurse Adrien!" Manon cheers out loud from her bed.

Nurse Adrien flashes her a wide smile and pushes the nurse cart with him, entering her room. "Hi Manon!" He greets her cheerfully, parking the cart by the foot of the bed. "It's great to see you all energized and excited."

The young girl exclaims, "Of course, I am!" Then she rubs her chin and raises an eyebrow at the nurse. "Would you want to know why?"

"Uh...is it because you're excited that it's time for medication?" Adrien replies, saying the true purpose as to why he is has arrived earlier than Doctor DC as she is still finishing her rounds in the main department.

Manon energetically shakes her head. "Nope! It's almost my birthday!" She announces happily, throwing her hands into the air.

Adrien cocks his head. "Birthday? Oh, my goodness!" He exclaims. "When will it be? We should celebrate it!"

"I'll be turning 12 in two weeks! I'm so excited! It will also be the third birthday that I'll be celebrating here at the hospital!"

Third birthday at the hospital?

It only hits Adrien now that Manon has most of her childhood stolen away because of her condition.

How can a child still be happy even if they never celebrated their birthday outside a hospital for almost three years?

Adrien finds Manon's happiness and excitement baffling.

He clears his throat, hoping to mask his pity for her by smiling. "So, what are you planning for your birthday?"

She giggles then pulls the nurse's arm to sit on her bed. "I'm not allowed to have parties here," Manon tells him, "so I always look forward to the cake they serve me."

"Just...cake?" He asks carefully, "Do you receive something other than cake?"

"And why are you suddenly talking about cake instead of taking your medicines?"

Manon happily greets the woman standing by the doorway, "Doctor DC! You're finally here!"

Nurse Adrien immediately stands and flashes a shy grin at the doctor. "D-Doctor, you're here-"

"I trusted that she would have been done with her medication before I got here," the doctor cuts him off, throwing the nurse a look of disappointment.

"S-Sorry..."

Manon then defends the nurse, "Don't blame him, doctor! I'll take my medicine when I'm done talking about the slice of cake I'm hoping to get for my birthday!"

Doctor DC's expression shifts into something of excitement when she faces Manon. "You're right," she gushes, "It is almost your birthday!"

Adrien does not even question the doctor's favoritism over her patient anymore. What can he do? In order to get to her heart, he needs to at least be at par with her love for her patients. It's a tough and challenging path.

But that is one of the reasons why he admires the doctor so much.

The doctor proceeds to ask Manon just as Nurse Adrien decides to prepare her medicines, "What do you want for your birthday?"

The young girl shakes her head bashfully. "I...I'm a bit shy to say it," she admits in a soft voice.

Doctor DC cocks her head to the side and walks closer to the patient. "Is it something else other than the slice of cake?" 

Manon scratches the back of her head and confesses in a small voice, "...I was hoping for a new heart."

The nurse sees how the doctor's face falls for a second but masks it by making sure to keep a wide smile on her face.

"I know you are," she replies, taking the young girl's hand. "I can't promise that it will be available during your birthday, but I will make sure that you will truly get a new heart, okay?" She reassures her, squeezing her hand. Then the doctor cranes her neck to look at the nurse standing before them. "Nurse Adrien and I will make sure that you'll get your new heart. Right, nurse?"

Adrien forms a small grin on his face and nods softly. "It will be our promise, Manon."

After giving Manon's prescribed medication and updating her records, the doctor-nurse pair left her room in high spirits for the patient to not feel down or even distressed at the end of the day.

"What's running in that head of yours?" Doctor DC suddenly asks as the two walk beside each other in the corridor with the nurse still pushing the cart with him. Still walking, she throws him a glance. "You've been with me for almost a year. I know that look when you're thinking hard."

And Adrien really is thinking hard. It's the altruistic side of him to do something for Manon; something that could create good memories for her to bring as she continues her life even with her condition.

He whispers, "It's about Manon..."

"And?" She raises a brow at him quizzically.

"I was thinking of a party for her."

The doctor pauses in step and instantly grabs his arm to stop the nurse as well. She pulls his arm the other way to make him face her. "What?" She spits out, furrowing her brows. "You want to have a party for Manon?"

"I know that it is not allowed-"

"Good to know that you're aware of that!" She exclaims, interrupting the nurse, "So why are you still thinking about it?"

He argues, "It's the least that we could do! That girl is going to celebrate her third birthday at the hospital and I know that we cannot give the gift she truly looks forward to having."

Doctor DC groans, "Come on, Adrien!"

"Come on, Marinette," he retorts, crossing his arms in front of him and standing tall.

The doctor's eyes widen with the sudden utterance of her name. Without stopping herself, she slaps the arm of the nurse. "I told you not to say my name during work!" She yells in a whisper, warily looking around to see if anyone has spotted their heated conversation.

"Then you clearly do not know me well yet, Doctor." Adrien grabs every ounce of courage he has to lean his head closer to the doctor's. "I am not good with following rules," he finishes with a smirk.

It's beating. It's beating fast. Doctor DC could not contain the rhythm of her heart. His face is so near to hers and it's clear that he likes the close proximity, he likes how he's learning how to fully grab ahold of her.

She coughs out a scoff and gazes the other way from his piercing stare. "Not following the rules will get you in trouble," she grumbles.

"That's why you need to help me," he points out. "Help me gain permission from the administration to hold even the smallest of parties in one of the vacant meeting rooms in the hospital."

She lets out a sigh of defeat. "Adrien-"

"Come on, Marinette," he urges once again. "Do it for Manon. That's the only thing that you should think of. It's for Manon."

She decided to gaze into his eyes again. His eyes only held the truth and sincerity, in line with his proclamation. Doctor DC could see it and from where she is standing, she could feel it.

Asking permission from the higher-ups is going to take a lot of work and she can't promise a good result from it. She has planned a party for Manon years ago, but it was turned down by most of the administration at that time and it really left a lasting impact on her.

She does not want to say it out loud, but the last thing she would want to see is the nurse looking all dejected and woeful for not being able to do something for his patient.

His sadness is what she does not want to see from him ever again.

"I..." she breathes out, "I really can't promise anything, but I will try. I will try."

----------

The doorbell rings twice inside his apartment. Adrien wonders who it could be, though he has a bit of an expectation of specifically who is standing outside.

But it's late at night, almost two in the morning. Who would visit him this late?

He stands from his couch and walks to his door. He unlocks and pulls it open to reveal a tired-looking Marinette with disheveled hair and wrinkly clothes leaning on her side. "I knew that you would still be awake."

"Doctor, it's very late at night already!" He scolds her.

"Oh, so now you decide to call me by my profession?" She places a hand on her hip as she stands straight. After letting out a yawn, she brings out a folded piece of paper from her coat. "I felt like you gave me a challenge, so I made sure to do it." She hands it for him to take. "Those are a few of the signatures from the admin that will allow us to hold a small party for Manon. I need three more and then we're good to go."

"W-What?" Adrien exhales in disbelief and unfolds the paper, seeing the proof of five different signatures under the letter asking for permission. "You...you didn't have to do this immediately-"

"Shut up and take it," she cuts him off, growing annoyed. "I hate how you can be so slick for one second and then go back to having your tail in between your legs right after."

Adrien could only chuckle softly at her tired state yet also feel grateful for the work she has put into this plan of his. "I'm sorry that I could be confusing at times. It confuses myself, as well."

She murmurs, "Keep on saying sorry for a lot of things you had to make me do. I even had to give up a day-off for this." Feeling the onset of a growing headache, Marinette brings a hand to her temple and starts to massage it, rubbing circles on the area.

Now Adrien starts to look at her in concern for she does not look alright at all. He thought that it was because she was awake for a long time, but perhaps it is not only because she's been up until now. She may have been overworking herself.

"You don't look well," he points out.

"Glad to know you noticed, Sherlock," she mutters under her breath, closing her eyes.

"Is there anything you want me to get? I think you should go back to your apartment to rest-"

"Here's the main reason why I'm here this late," she cuts him off. "Alya is not here and I left my keys."

"O-Oh, do you want me to-"

"Can I sleep with you tonight?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Long A.N. ahead:

I'm sorry if my updates have been really slow for these past weeks. I've been preparing for the exam I need to take to enter medicine school but it was only then that I realized it wasn't the life I want.

Becoming a doctor would add around 10-11 more years of my constant studying and for those who really want to become one, they would find it worth it. I don't, though.

So I've been doing a lot of self-reflection even if it made me sick to the stomach and even until now, I still do not feel well.

My mentor helped me saying that perhaps there is something more for me out there, something as noble as being a doctor. She said that what makes a job noble is if it is done with the purest of intentions of helping people and offering such work for the glory of God. Any job is noble if you give your best at all times.

It truly opened my eyes and made me realize that maybe my first love for things purely in psychology is what I should pursue after I graduate from university next year. Now, I am looking toward a future of getting a Masters (and hopefully, Doctorates!) in both Clinical Psychology and Speech Pathology.

It's a big leap from my life in the hard sciences to now going back to the social sciences, but I am excited. I find my future more bright, yet still challenging, than ever before.

I finally gained the courage to tell my family and they support me wholeheartedly. My closest friends also know about it, even if they are all studying to become doctors, and they also show their support.

I decided to tell you since I wanted to get it off my chest some more. Yes, I still have my doubts perhaps regarding my further studies. But I have never been more sure of a decision in a long time (even if it makes me woozy hahaha).

Thank you so much for reading until here.

Also, I hope you liked the chapter! I posted a new book, "Mayday". Please check it out when you have the time.

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