A Chance Encounter!

"I don't like that medicine," Anna complained, burying her face in Freen's shirt and clamping her lips shut.

"But it's cherry flavored, sweetie! You love cherries," Freen coaxed.

Anna still refused, so Freen tried again. "Come on, baby, you need to take this. It will make you feel better."

Despite not having gotten sick again since waking up, Anna was still feeling unwell. Her stomach hurt, and her temperature was still too high. Lack of sleep and feeling under the weather had made her cranky, and she was clinging to Freen tightly.

Freen tried to persuade her once more. "Please, Anna? Just take a tiny bit, and I'll get you a special treat – a Popsicle! Okay, baby?"

Anna lifted her head, eyeing Freen skeptically. "A banana Popsicle?" she asked, her brow furrowed in a miniature version of her mother's expression.

"Deal," Freen nodded, relieved that she wouldn't need to call in reinforcements. "But first, you need to take this medicine."

Obediently, Anna opened her mouth and accepted the spoonful of medicine Freen offered. Immediately after, she held out her hand, silently asking for her treat.

Laughing, Freen quickly grabbed a Popsicle from the freezer and returned to the couch. Anna snatched the frozen treat and snuggled onto Freen's lap.

"Freen, you gonna stay with me all day?" Anna asked, leaning back against Freen's chest.

Freen circled her arms around Anna's waist and placed a kiss in her hair. "Actually, kiddo, I'm supposed to go to work this afternoon. But my mom will be here with you, and your mom and I will get home as soon as we can. It'll only be a couple of hours."

Anna looked up at Freen with wide, tear-shining eyes. "I wish you would stay with me, Freen. I like when you're here. I feel better with you here. Don't go."

Freen's heart melted, knowing Becky would likely tease her about being a pushover. "How about we talk about this later?" Freen said, trying to stall. "For now, let's just watch a movie and rest, okay? We'll worry about me leaving later."

Freen gave Anna another kiss. "For now, I'm staying right here with you. Don't worry."

Completely absorbed in preparing for the trial, Becky was unable to check in with Freen throughout the day. She only received a text from Freen in the late morning, assuring her that everything was fine. Assuming Freen would return to work in the afternoon, Becky was surprised when she learned at the end of the workday that Freen had called in to say she wouldn't be coming in at all.

Concerned, Becky tried calling Freen from the car, but her calls kept going to voicemail. Frustrated and worried, Becky accelerated, eager to get home.

As soon as she pulled into the driveway, Becky rushed out of the car, leaving her bag behind. She hurried inside, slowing down only when she saw Freen lying on the couch, Anna fast asleep on top of her.

Becky sat on the coffee table, eyeing Freen with amusement. "I thought you were heading to work this afternoon?"

"She's feeling better," Freen whispered, nodding towards Anna, who was fast asleep on top of her. "Just catching up on sleep."

Becky's gaze softened as Freen explained, "I was going to go in, but she didn't want me to leave. She was crying, and...I just couldn't."

Becky chuckled. "She's got you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she?"

Freen smiled sheepishly. "A little over an hour," she replied to Becky's unspoken question.

Becky nodded, understanding. "You didn't have to stay home, you know."

Freen's eyes met Becky's. "I wanted to. I liked being able to take care of her like this."

Becky's heart swelled with love. She gently brushed a strand of hair from Freen's face, her fingers grazing the brunette's cheek. "You amaze me, Freen," she whispered. "Anna and I are so lucky to have you."

Reaching out for Becky's hand, Freen smiled, feeling grateful. "Do you believe in fate?" she asked, catching Becky off guard.

"Honestly?" Becky tilted her head. "I'm not sure. As a doctor, I believe there's a scientific explanation for everything, but..." She trailed off, her eyes locking onto Freen's.

"Why do you ask?" Becky's voice was soft.

Freen squeezed Becky's hand. "I've been thinking a lot about us. About how we met, and how Anna brought us together." A smile spread across her face. "I feel like it was meant to be. Like fate brought me to Anna, and to you."

Becky's eyes welled up with tears. "Everything happens for a reason?" she whispered.

Freen nodded, her shoulders rising in a gentle shrug. "I think we were meant to find each other."

Becky's smile was watery. "You know what? I think you might be right."