𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐑𝐄.

2.

𝐎𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣.

Chapter 2: New Beginnings

Onika stood in front of Texas Children's Hospital, the sweltering Houston heat already making her clothes stick to her skin. The day felt heavy with newness, thick with possibilities. She took a deep breath, her nerves bubbling up beneath the surface, though she tried to keep them at bay. Today was the first step in her fresh start. A new city, a new job, and hopefully, a new version of herself.

Pushing through the hospital's wide double doors, she was greeted by a flurry of activity. Parents moved quickly through the hallways, pulling their children along, and nurses darted in and out of rooms with focused determination. The walls were painted in soft pastels, the kind meant to soothe anxious minds, though it barely worked for Onika. The buzz of a children's hospital was a far cry from the chaotic pace of New York, but she welcomed it.

She made her way to the nurse's station, spotting a tall, striking woman with a confident smile. The ID badge clipped to her scrubs read Megan Pete, and it was clear from the way she moved that she was someone used to being in control.

"New girl, huh?" Megan said, her Southern drawl unmistakable as she leaned against the counter, eyeing Onika with a friendly grin. "I'm Megan. You must be Onika. Heard about you. Came all the way from New York, right?"

Onika nodded, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice. "Yeah, just started today. Still getting used to everything."

"Girl, you'll be fine," Megan said with a chuckle. "Texas Children's is way more chill than New York. But don't get too comfortable, these kids'll keep you on your toes."

Onika laughed, some of her tension easing. Megan had a magnetic energy that made it hard to stay anxious. "I'll keep that in mind."

Megan patted her on the shoulder. "Good. You're with the best crew, so just shout if you need anything. First days can be rough, but we'll take care of you." With a wink, Megan turned and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Onika to focus on her first assignment.

Onika pulled her chart and headed toward Room 314, her first patient of the day—a four-year-old girl named Blue. A mild cold, the chart said, but her father had brought her in to be sure. Onika smiled at the little girl's name. Blue. That was cute.

When she entered the room, the first thing she noticed was the bright, inquisitive eyes of a little girl perched on the examination bed, her legs swinging back and forth as she held a small doll in her lap.

"Hi! I'm Blue!" the girl said immediately, her voice sweet but slightly raspy.

Onika smiled, walking over to her. "Well, hey there, Blue. I'm Nurse Onika. I hear you're not feeling too good today."

Blue nodded seriously, her eyes wide. "My throat hurts, and Daddy says I sound like a frog."

Onika chuckled, her heart instantly warming to the little girl. She glanced at the man sitting quietly in the corner of the room. He was dressed casually—jeans and a plain t-shirt—but there was a calm, steady presence about him. He looked up and met Onika's eyes, giving her a small nod of acknowledgment.

"Thanks for seeing her," he said, his voice deep but gentle. "I know it's probably nothing, but I just wanted to make sure."

"No problem at all," Onika replied, flashing him a reassuring smile. "Better to be safe than sorry, especially with little ones."

She turned back to Blue, pulling out her stethoscope. "Alright, Blue, let's take a look at that throat, okay babygirl?"

Blue nodded and opened her mouth wide, letting Onika shine the small light inside. "You're being so brave, Blueberry. I'm impressed," Onika said with a warm smile as she checked her throat and then listened to her breathing. Despite her young age, Blue didn't seem nervous at all. In fact, she was handling everything like a pro.