A/N another nine thousand miles epilogue one shot because i love them too much. enjoy!

Synopsis: Casey can't believe that Izzie didn't tell her

    It was still dark outside when Izzie opened her eyes. She heard the familiar sound of water running in the bathroom and smiled lazily before turning around. The time on the clock read 4am.

    She could just about make out Casey brushing her teeth at the sink. She allowed herself to drift back to sleep when she felt a pair of lips attach to her cheek as warm hands embraced her.

    "You woke me up," Izzie groaned.

    "I saw you looking at me from the mirror," Casey replied and Izzie giggled. Casey nuzzled her face in her wife's neck and gave a few more kisses. "I'm gonna go for my run now," She whispered.

    "Okay, be back soon. You have to get the kids ready for school. I've got an early shift at the hospital," Izzie said, closing her eyes again.

    Casey got off of her and turned off the side lamp, letting Izzie have a bit more sleep.

    When Casey was back from her run, the first thing she saw was Izzie scrambling to gulp down her coffee while gathering her stuff. "What's the early shift for?" Casey asked, going into the kitchen to get a drink.

    "We've got an early surgery scheduled today. Gall bladder surgery," Izzie replied, not looking up. Once she was ready, she rushed back into the kitchen. She pulled Casey down by the neck and quickly pressed her lips against hers, not waiting for her to kiss back.

    "Love you, bye," Izzie said before rushing out of the door. Casey watched as she closed the door behind her and chuckled to herself.

    She then heard tiny footsteps coming down the stairs and she smiled at the sight of her children walking lazily down the stairs in their pyjamas.

    "Where's mummy?" Megan asked, rubbing her eyes. "She had to rush off the work. I'm bringing you guys to school," Casey replied. "Don't you have training today?" Declan asked.

    "Not today. Break day. Okay enough questions or you'll be late for school," Casey said, walking up the stairs with them.

    "Can we go see mummy after school?" Megan asked and Casey smiled. "She'll be home in the evening baby."

    "But shouldn't we celebrate today?" She asked and Casey furrowed her eyebrows. "Celebrate what?"

    "The surgery! It's the first surgery she's leading," She continued and Casey's eyes widened. "Did mummy not tell you?" Declan asked.

    Casey bit her lip and looked around nervously. Why would Izzie not tell her something so important? "Alright, alright go get ready."

    As Casey drove the kids to school, she stayed silent the entire time, not focussing on the conversation Megan and Declan were having at the back. She had to go see Izzie after this.

    "Ummm guys, when did mummy tell you about her surgery?" Casey suddenly asked and Megan's eyes lit up. "Last week after she picked us up from school. She was so happy. She said she was leading a surgery for a ball bladder or something," Megan squealed.

    Casey slowly nodded and cursed to herself.

    Once she dropped the kids off at school, she sent a quick text to Izzie.

    "Baby you in surgery?"

    Izzie: Just about to go in. You okay?

    "Just dropped the kids off. Btw, this surgery... it sounds pretty cool."

    Izzie: Haha what's so cool about a gall bladder

    "Maybe cos you're the one operating on it."

    Izzie: I've heard your pick up lines and you can definitely do better

    Casey smiled at her phone but was still wondering at the back of her mind why Izzie didn't tell her how important this milestone would be to her.

    "Can I see you for lunch?"

    Izzie: We gotta eat at the hospital though. I've only got 30 minutes.

    "See you then."

    Casey sighed before driving off, knowing she had to make a grand gesture. She dialled a number on her bluetooth.

    "Hello?"

    "Sam! Where's that place Paige goes too to get flowers?"

    "I don't know. Why don't you ask her?"

    "Because she'll ask too many questions. Could you ask her for me?"

    "Okay."

    "Thanks Sam love you."

    Once Sam had sent her the address of the flower shop, she made her way there. She knew Izzie liked roses. She thought about the time when they were young and in Australia and Casey had given Izzie a rose the day after they started dating.

    Now she would have to get a huge bouquet with them. She got a card attached to it that said "Love, Casey".

    She ran a few errands that Izzie usually dealt with like grocery shopping and laundry because Casey was usually out for training. She wanted this day to be special for her so she got it all out of the way for her.

    It was now lunch time and Casey was on the way to the hospital.

    When she entered, the first thing she saw was doctors and nurses walking around and a huge cafeteria/cafe. She looked around and sighed in relief when she saw Evan.

    "Evan!" She got his attention and he turned around. "Hey Casey! What're you doing here?"

    "Is Izzie done with surgery?" She asked and Evan smiled widely. "Yep! And she did so good too! She's such a good leader. You should be proud," He said and Casey felt a tinge of guilt in her stomach.

    "I'm guessing those are for her?" He said, pointing at the bouquet and Casey nodded. "Do you know where I can put these?"

    "She should be going to the resident quarters soon. No one usually goes there except her to study so you can catch her there."

    Casey thanked Evan before rushing off. She followed the signs to find her away around to the resident quarters. Casey never liked being in hospitals. The surgery she went through a few years ago was pretty traumatic.

    Once she entered the quarters, she realised that there were many long tables with white boards and chairs. It looked like a classroom.

    "Casey?"

    Her eyes widened and she turned around to see her wife standing there with thick books in her hands. "Babe! Hey..."

    "What're you doing here," She giggled before walking closer and then gasped when she saw the bouquet.

    "This is for you," Casey smirked and Izzie smelled the roses. "Thank you baby," Izzie whispered, placing the bouquet on the table before putting her arm around Casey's neck. "Not that I'm complaining but why the surprise?" She asked.

    Casey sighed. "I didn't know you led your first surgery today," Casey said and Izzie's smile faded for a bit. "Oh! I see. Well, it was a big success. I'm very happy," Izzie said simply, not giving her an explanation as to why she didn't tell her. Casey was a little taken aback but she didn't feel like ruining the day.

    "So... you ever have sex in the resident quarters?" Casey whispered and Izzie gasped. "You're playing a very dangerous game with me Casey Gardner," Izzie muttered, playing with the hem of her wife's shirt.

    Casey looked down at Izzie's white coat and smiled widely when she saw her name tag.

    Dr Izzie Gardner

    Surgical Resident

    "Come on, let's go get lunch."

    As the girls ate their lunch, Izzie talked about everything that wasn't related to the surgery she did and Casey was getting frustrated. Right when Izzie was about to continue her story, she got interrupted by a ring on her phone. "Oops, sorry babe. It's Elsa," She said and picked it up.

    "Why the hell is my mother calling right now?" Casey thought to herself. "Hey Elsa! Yeah I just finished, it was great! Thank you, I appreciate it. Please, you don't have to do that!"

    Casey listened intently as Izzie continued to speak with excitement, the smile never leaving her face. "What was that about?" Casey asked. "Oh I told your mum about the surgery last week and she promised to make me a pie to celebrate," Izzie replied before turning off her phone. "Anyways, back to what I was saying-"

    "Wait my mum knew about your surgery?" She asked and Izzie started to look a little nervous. "Well yeah... she called me the other day," Izzie mumbled. "Who else knows about it?" Casey asked, the frustration now evident in her voice. Before Izzie could reply, her phone rang again.

    Casey looked down to see that it was Erika. "Are you not gonna pick that up?" Casey asked and Izzie sighed before picking up.

    "Izzie! Is your surgery done? So how was it like leading the team?" Casey could hear Erika's voice. She sighed before putting her credit card on the table and getting up. "Casey wait!" Izzie exclaimed but her wife had already left.

    "Is this not a good time?" Erika asked. "No, no I'm just... it's Casey. She's mad at me. Thanks for calling though."

    "Of course! We'll talk more tonight though. You better go deal with her."

    Izzie paid for the meal with her own money before rushing off. She asked around if anyone had seen Casey anywhere and everyone shook their heads apologetically.

    She figured she might be back at the resident quarters so she made her way there. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Casey on the floor of the hallway, looking like she was in pain. A bunch of nurses were attending to her.

    "Casey! What happened?" Izzie rushed over to them. "It was just a fall. I'm fine," Casey said, refusing to look at Izzie as she struggled to stand up but failed to do so. "Could you order an x-ray for her? Thanks," Izzie told one of the nurses who nodded. "X-ray? I don't need that, I'm fine," Casey groaned.

    "You're in pain," Izzie said sternly as the nurses left to prepare for the X-ray. "Izzie I fell. Of course I'm in pain. But I don't need an X-ray," Casey said.

    "You were in a serious car accident before. If you're having any pain I need to make sure everything's okay. So can you just shut up and let me take care of you?" Izzie yelled and Casey's face softened.

    "I'm not disabled..." Casey mumbled, trying to fight back tears and Izzie sighed. "I know you're not babe. You're just... you have a medical history. We just have to be extra careful."

    Izzie wiped the tears off of Casey's face.

    "Why didn't you tell me about your surgery?" Casey asked and Izzie bit her lip. "Leading your first surgery is all you've ever talked about! Why wouldn't you tell me immediately when you got the role?"

    "Casey does it matter-"

    "Of course it does! Our kids knew, Erika knew... hell even my own mother knew before I did. Why would you not tell me?"

    "The day I got the news was also the day you got the news about your Nike sponsorship. And that Olympic coach that wants to sign you. You were so happy that day I just didn't want to-"

    "WHAT?!" Casey exclaimed and Izzie looked around to make sure no one was there. "Your accomplishment is what mattered that day..." Izzie replied and Casey scoffed.

    "You're so fucking dumb baby," Casey said, laughing dryly. "WHY. WHY would you ever think that? Yeah that day was a huge win for me but nothing will feel like a bigger accomplishment than seeing YOU succeed."

    Izzie looked down but Casey brought her back up by putting her hands on her face. "Do you know how fucking proud I am of you? Leading your own surgery as a resident? That's fucking badass. It was like yesterday when we met in a biomedical course and now you're a fucking surgeon! You're saving lives babe! Tell me how that would ever not be a valid accomplishment."

    Izzie now had tears in her eyes as the thought of her dreams coming true actually started to sink in. "All those sponsorships and the Olympics and whatever... yeah they're a bonus. I'm proud of myself for it. But YOU are what's most important in my life. You're all I need. And I always wanna be the first person to know everything."

    "It was kinda dumb to not tell you..." Izzie finally admitted, laughing through her tears. Casey placed her forehead on hers. "It was really dumb."

    "Do you think that X-ray can pick up a broken heart?" Casey asked and Izzie giggled.

    The nurses then returned with a wheelchair. "The X-ray room is ready ma'am. Would you like Dr Gardner to do it for you?" The nurse asked and Casey smirked.

    "I would love Dr Gardner to do me."

    Izzie's eyes widened and the nurses looked at each other with confusion. "I meant 'do it for me'! Yes, yes let's... let's just do it..." Casey mumbled and Izzie turned red.

    Izzie helped Casey into the wheelchair before she started to push her. "You feeling okay babe?" Izzie asked.

    "Yeah my back's just a little sore."

    Izzie turned the corner to the X-ray rooms and saw that it was empty. "Ooo babe, can you help me lift up one of the foot rests?" Casey asked and Izzie walked to the front of the wheelchair before Casey grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto her lap.

    "Casey!" izzie whispered before giggling. Casey used her feet to push the wheelchair forward to the room that was about 10 steps away.

    "You're crazy," Izzie whispered.

    "Come on let's get this over and done with so we can go home. I'll order Chinese and banish the kids to my mum's," Casey said.

    "You're a hopeless romantic, you know that Casey Gardner?"

    "And you love it Dr Izzie Gardner."