Chapter 3

Gabriela sighed heavily as she sat in the cubicle, throwing her head back and shutting her eyes. A bitter chuckle escaped her lips. The dizziness after therapy wasn't unusual, but it always managed to catch her off guard. Clicking her tongue, she stood up and flushed the toilet before stepping out.

At the sink, Gabriela leaned her hands on the edge, closing her eyes as the dizziness throbbed in her head. "Ah, shit," she muttered, still shutting her eyes tightly.

The creak of the restroom door opening barely registered with her. She was too preoccupied tugging her hair, hoping it would somehow alleviate the spinning sensation.

Vien entered and immediately noticed the person beside her. She blinked in recognition, her brow furrowing as she saw Gabriela tugging at her hair. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

The familiar voice startled Gabriela. She froze, opening her eyes before leaning back and clearing her throat. "W-why are you here?" she stammered, her gaze flickering over Vien's outfit. Scrubs? Seriously?

Vien rolled her eyes. "I'm a surgeon here, obviously," she replied, her steel-blue eyes scanning Gabriela's pale face. "You look awful. Are you sure you're okay?"

Gabriela nodded gently, avoiding eye contact. "I didn't know you were a surgeon," she muttered, her tone evasive. "And I'm fine—just a bit dizzy."

"Good," Vien said, turning toward the faucet to wash her hands. "Because the last thing I need is to carry you to the ER."

Gabriela gave her a sidelong glance as she pulled out her phone, texting with shaky fingers. Should've let Ash come in with me instead of waiting outside.

"By the way," Vien began, her tone softening. "I wanted to apologize for my daughter's behavior the other day at the university."

"It's fine," Gabriela replied curtly, slipping her phone back into her pocket. She sighed again and leaned heavily on the sink.

Vien's frown deepened. "Are you sure you're alright? Do you need—"

"Just... could you keep quiet for a while?" Gabriela interrupted, raising a hand to Vien's lips without meeting her gaze.

Vien shoved Gabriela's hand aside, concern etching lines on her face. "You're breathing heavily," she noted, her voice sharper now. "Hey, are you—"

Gabriela suddenly lost her balance, her face landing against Vien's chest. Vien froze for a moment, then instinctively caught her. "Hey!" she exclaimed, steadying Gabriela's weight in her arms.

The restroom door swung open, and Ashley strode in, her expression shifting to alarm. "Gabi!" she called out, rushing forward. She quickly gets Gabriela out of Vien's grasp, murmuring apologies. "I'm so sorry about this," Ashley said, glancing at Vien.

Vien cleared her throat, stepping back. "What happened? Should I bring her to the ER?"

Ashley shook her head, giving a faint smile. "No, she's just dizzy. It's a side effect of her therapy."

"Therapy?" Vien repeated, confused. "Is she... sick?"

Gabriela groaned, rubbing her temple. "No, I'm not sick. Jeez, these headaches," she muttered.

"I'm driving you home," Ashley said firmly, trying to guide Gabriela out.

"No," Gabriela protested with a soft chuckle. "Just let me rest a bit. I'll be fine. Can't believe I'm still not used to this therapy," she muttered.

Vien folded her arms, her frown returning. "What's going on?"

Gabriela sighed, glancing between Ashley and Vien. She cleared her throat, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her tone. "It's nothing serious. I'm on hormonal therapy—atypical testosterone levels, intersex stuff, you know," she said with a shrug.

Vien blinked, processing the explanation. She opened her mouth to respond, but the paging system crackled to life.

"Paging Doctor Briar. Paging Doctor Briar..."

Vien sighed, glancing at the door. "That's me. I've got to go," she said, nodding slightly toward them. Her hand lingered on the door handle as she glanced over her shoulder. "I hope you feel better soon."

Gabriela stared after her, then turned to Ashley with a bemused expression. "Did she just wish for me to feel better?"

Ashley smirked, giving her a playful shove. "Did you just fake an intense headache to get sympathy?"

Gabriela chuckled softly, leaning on Ashley for support. "Maybe," she said, grinning despite herself.

Vien leaned against the car, waving as she watched Blair emerge from the school gates, giggling with her friends. Her daughter's infectious laughter brought a soft smile to Vien's lips. Since the divorce and Vera's insistence that she return from New York to Switzerland, her life had been a careful balance of work and being a present, devoted mother.

"It's not like I'm thinking about marrying again, not after everything," she muttered to herself, chuckling at the thought. Her past relationship had taught her that love couldn't survive on one person's effort alone.

"Mommy!" Blair called out, breaking Vien's reverie as she dashed toward her.

"Hi, my baby," Vien said, bending slightly to wrap her daughter in a warm hug. "How was school? Did you have fun? No funny business for Mommy's little princess?"

Blair giggled. "It was fun, Mom! And no funny business, boss!" she replied playfully, saluting her mother.

Vien laughed, standing upright. But her smile faltered slightly as she noticed Blair pause, her gaze lingering on a classmate being picked up by their father. Vien knelt down, gently brushing her daughter's cheek. "Do you miss Daddy, Blair?" she asked softly.

Blair glanced up, offering a small smile. "No," she said, shaking her head. "If Daddy was here, you'd just cry, Mommy. I don't like it when you cry."

Vien froze, her heart aching at her daughter's words. The last thing she wanted was for Blair to harbor resentment toward her father. She let out a quiet sigh, cupping her daughter's cheeks. "Blair," she said gently, "what did Mommy tell you? You don't need to be mad at Daddy."

"I'm not mad, Mommy," Blair said earnestly. "I just don't want you to cry. And I'm happy with you."

Vien's chest tightened. "Don't you hate Mommy for leaving Daddy and coming back to Switzerland?" she asked hesitantly, afraid of the answer.

Blair shook her head firmly. "No, Mommy. I love you," she said, throwing her arms around Vien's neck.

Vien scoffed softly, hugging Blair tightly. "And I love you more, my sweet princess," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry for leaving Daddy, but one day, you'll understand."

Her marriage had been happy once, but the betrayal and the years of emotional strain had broken something irreparable. Ending it had been the only choice left.

"Mommy," Blair said, pulling back slightly to look at her mother. "If you get married again, will I still be your baby?"

Vien blinked, stunned. "What?"

"I mean..." Blair hesitated, fiddling with her fingers. "One of my friends said she has a new mommy now. What if you get married again? Will I still be your princess?"

Vien let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Blair, you'll always be Mommy's princess. My one and only."

Blair huffed, puffing her cheeks in mock frustration. "So, no new princesses? No new babies?"

Vien chuckled, ruffling her daughter's hair. "No new princesses, I promise."

Blair looked up again, her expression turning curious. "Mommy, why does Shiloh have two mommies?"

Vien paused, tilting her head. "Why so many questions today?" she teased, scooping her daughter up and placing her in the car's passenger seat.

Blair pouted. "You're not answering me!"

Vien laughed as she buckled Blair's seatbelt, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. "Well, sweetheart," she began, sitting back in the driver's seat, "sometimes people fall in love with someone of the same sex. Like your Aunt Vera fell in love with your Aunt Nyx." She glanced at Blair. "It's normal to love someone, whether they're a man or a woman. As long as there's love, respect, and kindness, that's all that matters."

Blair nodded thoughtfully. "So, that's why Shiloh has two mommies? Because Aunt Vera and Aunt Nyx love each other?"

"Exactly," Vien said, smiling. "And that's why they have Shiloh and his sisters."

Blair tilted her head. "Mommy, do you want to fall in love with a woman too?"

Vien froze, her hand hovering over the car's ignition. "What?"

Blair giggled. "Shiloh seems happy with two mommies. Can I have two mommies too?"

Vien's jaw dropped, and she burst out laughing. "Blair! Oh my goodness, what are you even saying?"

Blair grinned, clearly amused by her mother's flustered reaction. "Just saying, Mommy!"