The hospital lights buzzed gently as Fahlada adjusted the settings on a dermal scanner, her expression calm and focused. Her patient, a young woman with a stubborn rash, listened intently as she explained a new treatment plan.
"Stick to the regimen, and avoid scented lotions or harsh soaps for now. Your skin is likely reacting to an irritant, possibly stress-related, but we'll monitor it closely. If it doesn't improve within two weeks, we'll reassess." Fahlada's tone was calm and reassuring.
"That's fine, Doc. Looks like I'll be seeing you more often, then," the patient said with a playful grin, clearly flirting. Fahlada didn't flinch. She simply finished jotting down her final note on the chart. This wasn't new; it happened all the time. It was just part of the job, so she'd throw on a polite smile and keep it professional, whatever kept the patients and clients happy.
Just then, Nurse Ros peeked in and signaled her "lunch?"
Fahlada hesitated, her eyes drifting to the name of her next walk-in patient. She almost said no, knowing one more patient meant one more minute saved and maybe getting home early to see her wife. But instead, she nodded. Ros smiled and left her with the patient.
"Alright," Fahlada muttered to herself. "Just a quick break after this."
In the staff pantry, Doc Bow lounged at the table, carefully unwrapping her takeout. Beside her, Fahlada scrolled through her cellphone while sipping her coffee.
Doc Tan arrived a few minutes later, looking completely disheveled. His hair was tousled, his shirt slightly wrinkled, and his cheeks flushed, whether from the heat or something else entirely.
Bow and Fahlada exchanged a silent, knowing glance. Tan slid into the seat beside them and reached for his iced coffee. Just as he took a sip, Bow grinned mischievously and teased,
"You and Doc Wisanu have been very busy today, huh?"
Tan choked, sputtering his drink all over the table, coughing with wide eyes. Nurse Ros burst out laughing as she approached them.
"Oh no, where's your hubby to clean up your mess?"
Doc Tan waved her off, still flushed. "Cursed you all. He left already, okay?"
"Yep," Fahlada added with a smirk. "Looks like it."
Laughter filled the table. Fahlada nearly burst out laughing herself, surprised to realize Wisanu had been around almost every day, something she hadn't really noticed with how busy she'd been.
"You're just lucky you don't get caught," Tan teased Ros, glancing at Bow.
Bow rolled her eyes with a grin. "Please, we keep it professional when we're on duty."
Ros blushed but couldn't hide her smile as she quietly excused herself, leaving the three friends to trade teasing jabs and laughter.
When the noise died down, Tan turned to Fahlada, a cheeky grin spreading across his face.
"Feels like ages since we had this much fun. We hardly see you around anymore. So, how's it going being a soon-to-be mom?"
Fahlada leaned back in her chair, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Happy. Nervous. Everything at once. But I'm doing everything I can."
"You're always working," Bow protested. "No rest days, no meetups. Even in your free time, you're either on the phone with Earn or glued to your laptop. Did the fun version of you retire or something?"
Fahlada raised a brow, half-smirking. "Wait—are you saying I'm boring? I'm not boring!"
"Don't worry, we get it," Tan chimed in with a mock-empathetic look. "You're just not the same Fahlada who used to drag us out for midnight drinks. You're evolving into one of those responsible parents who forget what fun even looks like."
"There's nothing wrong with focusing on my family," Fahlada retorted, "Earn's pregnant, and the first trimester is such a delicate time. She needs me more than ever, so I want to be there for her. On top of that, I have to make sure the business keeps running smoothly with the major change coming. You both know that."
"Yes, yes, yes, we know. Everyone knows you're the Workaholic Wonder, Fahlada," Bow complained with a small smile tugging at her lips.
"But you also need time to breathe, to unwind. You haven't had a drink with us in months, Lada. Come join us after our shift today."
Tan perked up and shot Bow a conspiratorial glance. 'Good luck getting through to Fahlada with that one, '
Fahlada saw the concern in her friend's eyes, but there were things she prioritized now; more than drinking, more than hanging out with friends.
"First of all, I'm not stressed, so I don't need to unwind," Fahlada replied, her words coming a bit too quickly, sounding more like an excuse. "Besides, I need to be home early tonight. Earn's cooking, and I don't want to miss that. But I understand your point… I promise I'll make it up to you guys once everything has settled."
Tan smirked. "Oh, please, we both know that 'settled' is just a fairy tale you tell yourself. That will never happen anytime soon," He leaned in closer to her. "So how about this weekend? Party at Wisanu's estate. Bring Earn. Free food, music, zero pressure, and totally pregnancy-friendly! I'm practically bribing you here."
Bow nodded in agreement as she sipped her coffee, then shot a pointed look at Tan.
'Good job. The only answer here is yes.' Tan caught it immediately and gave her a thumbs-up.
Fahlada glared at them, crossing her arms. "I only get Sundays off. I just want to sleep in and do nothing with my wife."
'Mission failed,' Tan and Bow thought, defeated.
Tan put his palms together in mock prayer, wearing a hopeless expression.
"Then hire an assistant! Or take in one of those bright-eyed med interns… Come on! Delegate!"
"Dermatology interns," Bow echoed with a grin. "Seriously, Lada. If you want more time for your wife and yourself, you need to let someone else help. You deserve a little fun, too."
Fahlada exhaled deeply, "… I'll think about it."
——
Later that night, after wrapping up at the hospital, Fahlada arrived home late.
The dining room lights were still on. Earn had dozed off at the table, arms tucked under her head. A scent of Tom Yum soup in the air.
Fahlada's heart ached at the sight; an emergency surgery had delayed her, and now her wife was asleep waiting. She stepped closer and gently stroked Earn's hair.
"I'm sorry I'm late," she whispered.
Earn stirred, eyes half-open. "You're home…" she murmured sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
"It's okay. Let me reheat the food for you."
Earn tried to stand, but Fahlada gently stopped her.
"You should rest," Fahlada said, a hint of concern in her tone.
"I even texted you to go to sleep early; this could be bad for your health."
"And I texted you back that I'd wait for you," Earn argued, pushing herself off the table with a smile. "So I'll rest… after you eat." But before she could fully stand, Fahlada scooped her up in her arms, catching her completely off guard.
"Fahlada!" Earn squeaked. "Put me down. I'm heavy!"
"You're perfect," Fahlada said with a cheeky grin. "I can still carry you, no problem."
"Stop showing off, Fahlada Thananusak," Earn grumbled, but her arms sneaked up around Fahlada's neck anyway.
Fahlada hurriedly carried Earn to their bedroom, completely ignoring her wife's half-hearted protests. She set her down gently on the bed, leaned in, and kissed her forehead.
Earn looked up at her with sleepy eyes. "I hate you. You haven't eaten yet."
"I will." Fahlada's words were gentle but charged with meaning, reaching far beyond hunger.
Their eyes locked under the warm glow of the bedroom lamp, and Fahlada's heart raced as she took in Earn's breathtaking face, the alluring eyes, the slightly parted lips, and the soft, flushed cheeks. She couldn't resist any longer, so she leaned in again, capturing her wife's lips slowly and reverently.
Their moment didn't need grand declarations. It lived in the measured, deliberate unbuttoning of Earn's dress, every inch of exposed skin sparking warmth beneath Fahlada's lips. Earn's fingers wandered over Fahlada's face, tracing every curve with careful touch before pressing her nails lightly into her wife's back… a silent plea and fierce connection as their lips met again in a deep, hungry kiss.
Fahlada's hands wandered over Earn's body, tracing each line as though seeing them for the first time. Her lips traced a path along Earn's collarbone, lingering over each spot, before lowering to cup her wife's chest with a gentle teasing pressure that drew a soft, breathy gasp. Her hand rested lightly on the small swell of Earn's belly, tracing it with mindful care.
"The baby," she murmured and lowered herself slightly, pressing a tender kiss there.
"I have to be careful."
Earn's gaze dwelled on Fahlada with adoration as she brushed her fingers along her cheek.
"You always are."
And they moved together with their bodies sliding close beneath the sheets. Smiles gave way to gentle sighs, heated kisses, and low pleas. Fahlada's hand explored Earn's most sensitive places, coaxing a breathy gasp.
"Not too loud, babe… Your mom is just in the next room," Fahlada whispered, a teasing lilt in her voice.
Earn arched a brow, silently asking, 'Seriously? How?' She tried to stifle Fahlada's provocative remark, but before she could, her wife slid a hand along her arm, drawing her gently closer.
Without missing a beat, Fahlada pressed another deep, lingering kiss to her Earn's lips, anchoring herself in the feel of her skin, the warmth of her breath, and the low moans drawn out with every careful touch. Their bodies moved in silent rhythm, perfectly attuned. Fahlada held her close, letting the weight of the week slip away with each caress.
When they finally eased apart, they stayed wrapped in each other's arms, breathing slowly, hearts still racing, savoring the quiet warmth that lingered between them.
Earn broke the silence with a breathy chuckle, her laughter blending with ragged breaths. "Okay… what you did was mean."
"Really? I think you liked it… No, you loved it," Fahlada said with a grin, pressing a soothing kiss to her wife's forehead.
"Whatever," Earn replied, and they both laughed, holding each other tight.
"I didn't realize you still had that much energy after such a long day. I thought you were swamped."
Fahlada faced her, gently touching Earn's nose with hers. "I am," she said. "I just missed my beautiful wife." She then pressed a trail of light kisses along Earn's shoulder.
Earn smiled, eyes half-lidded with the warmth that had begun to bloom again. But after a beat, that warmth shifted as Fahlada's voice dipped lower.
"Do you think I'm boring?"
Earn blinked, surprised, narrowing her eyes with mock suspicion. "Boring? No way. Where'd that come from? Wait.. Is that why you made love to me tonight?"
"No! Of course not!"Fahlada said, her voice firm but tinged with defensiveness.
"I'll make love to you anytime, anywhere—"
"Relax, I'm just messing with you." Earn smirked, leaning in slightly to press a light kiss to Fahlada's lips. "That's just payback for earlier!" She caught the hint of sadness in her wife's eyes at the question about their intimate moment, so she decided to change the subject.
"So… why did you ask if you're boring?"
Fahlada hesitated, her gaze drifting upward. "Long day. Patients. Paperwork. You know the drill."
"You sure? That didn't sound like just tired."
Fahlada gave a small, lopsided smile. "Just something our friends said earlier at work. They were joking, I know. Said I never go out anymore. No rest days. Always working." She took a deep breath and then looked down. "Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm boring now, and you might get bored with me too."
Earn propped herself up on one elbow, searching her wife's face. "Babe… I will never get bored with you".
Fahlada met her wife's gaze and felt relief at the sincerity in her beloved's eyes.
Earn continued, "Your friends tease you because they miss you. That doesn't mean you're boring. Why don't you meet up with them sometime? I'm fine here—Mom's around, and Susi comes over almost every day to play with me. Ingfah and Rati check in on me, too. I want you to have fun."
Fahlada sat up, her tone suddenly serious.
"But I'm already having fun… with you." She lifted Earn's hand and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of it.
"You're my safe space. I don't have enough time as it is, especially with all the changes at the hospital. So as much as I can, I want to spend my time with you."
Earn's eyes softened, feeling just how deeply her wife loved her, knowing she was always the priority.
"That's what I love about you. But just like our relationship, you need to nurture your friendships too." She squeezed Fahlada's hand. "You've changed. We all have. But not into something less, just… more focused, more grounded. You show up in different ways now, and it's still beautiful."
"Do you really think so?" Fahlada asked, not meeting Earn's eyes.
Earn lifted Fahlada's chin, guiding her to meet her gaze, and nodded.
"Absolutely. You're still you, just a version that's grown. That's something to be proud of, not ashamed of."
Fahlada let out a low sigh, leaning her forehead against Earn's.
"Thank you, babe. You're the best."
Earn held her close, savoring the moment, and whispered, "Always…"