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Flashback Chapter

  
Flashback
— December 19th, 1990; Denver, CO

Nathan paced around the hospital room of the Saint Joseph's Hospital. Both he and Ava were in Denver for a Texas Rangers convention, but when an 8 1/2 month pregnant Ava began having Braxton hicks contractions, he was instant on bringing her in.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Ava asked as she glanced at her husband who looked out the window

"I'm fine, I'm just worried. What if something happens to our daughter?" Nathan asked

"Nothing's gonna happen to her honey." Ava reassured. "Why don't you go get something to drink?"

Nathan was hesitant. "Ava, I'm not leaving—"

"Nathan, I'll be fine. Now, I might be pregnant, but I'm no invalid. I promise you my sweet husband, everything will be okay."  Ava reassured

After giving his wife a kiss on the lips, Nathan walked out the door, and towards the vending machines in the waiting room. Ava caressed her baby bump and begin to sing, La La Lu from Lady and the Tramp.

"You have a beautiful voice." a feminine voice said

Ava turned her head towards the door and saw a young woman, with warm hazel eyes, thick, shoulder length honey blonde hair, and a warm smile. "Thank you." Ava smiled

"You must be Ava Walker." the blonde smiled as she walked into the room

"Yes, are you going to be my doctor?" Ava asked

"Yes. My name is Dr. Ali Mills. That's Ali, with an i." Ali smiled as she extended her hand for a handshake

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Mills." Ava smiled as she shook Ali's hand. "Please, have a seat, my husband went down to the vending machine. He was nervous, so I told him to go down and get himself something."

"Ah, that's perfectly natural for all new fathers." Ali smiled as she took a seat. "So tell me about your little girl here."

"Stella Blue. My little star sweeper." Ava smiled as she ran her fingers over her baby bump. "Well, she was kind of a surprise for us actually, but a blessing."

"They're the best." Ali smiled.

"Do you have children?" Ava smiled

Ali softly smiled in reply. "No, but I would love to have them."

"Give it time my darling. It will happen. Now, I assume you've always wanted to deliver babies?" Ava said as Ali examined her

"Actually, I've always wanted to be a pediatric surgeon. There's so many children I can save, but my professors never thought I could do it." Ali said

"You know, the best revenge you can have on someone like that is to prove them wrong, my sweet Ali. Now, I know we just met, but something tells me we are just alike. I'm a fourth generation Texas rancher. My mother wanted me to take over the ranch but I didn't want to do that. I went to nursing school, and I'm active in my local community. As for you, us women were given voices and we have to use them. Fight tooth and nail to be a surgeon if that's what you really want, it's not gonna fall in your lap my darling." Ava

"You really think I can do it?" Ali asked

"I know you can." Ava smiled.

"I'm never going to forget you, Ava. I'll make sure you have the best possible care for you and your baby." Ali smiled as she took Ava's hand in her own

"Thank you Ali. I know you'll make one hell of a surgeon, and you'll save babies all around the world." Ava smiled

"Thanks Ava, now as far as Stella Blue is concerned, she is healthy. But, it just seems just trying to make an early appearance." Ali laughed

"Just like my husband." Ava laughed. "Would you believe he is the world's earliest riser? Oh my good lord it makes me so mad. But, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Before anything else could be said, Nathan came into the room, carrying water for Ava. "Hey hon, I didn't know if you wanted anything so I got you—oh hello." he said as he saw Ali

"Nathan, this is Dr. Ali Mills." Ava smiled. "She's been taking excellent care of me."

"Thank you ma'am." Nathan smiled as he shook Ali's hand. "Nathan Walker, Texas Ranger."

"You're welcome. It's a pleasure meeting you Nathan. I was telling Ava here that little Stella is perfectly fine, she is just ready to make her appearance early." Ali smiled

"Well, we sure appreciate everything, Dr. Mills." Nathan smiled

"It was my pleasure. Merry Christmas you two." Ali smiled as she embraced Ava. "And congratulations."

"Merry Christmas, to you as well, Ali." Ava smiled as she returned Ali's embrace

"Merry Christmas."

Life is full of chance encounters, and how people can change your life in the most beautiful ways. And that is what Ava did for Ali. So instead of going into labor and delivery, she went into pediatric surgery, and Ava herself went into pediatric nursing. Ava and Ali themselves never saw one another again, but just that one chance encounter with a stranger, changed everything.