5 years later

"Lucie come on, you need to put on your uniform. Please," Tessa begged. 

Lucie had been going through a rebellious phase and would always put up a fight before school. The teachers hadn't commented on a change in behavior in class, so Tessa figured it was just with her. 

"No," she shouted, tossing her skirt onto the bed. "I don't want to go to school!"

"Why don't you want to go to school?"

"It's boring," the stubborn little girl grumbled. 

"Well," Tessa said, "my works not much more fun. I have to run around all day, and wouldn't have time to play with you."

"Then I want to stay with Aunt Sophie."

"You want to clean houses with Aunt Sophie," Tessa raised an eyebrow. 

"No," Lucie groaned. "I just don't want to go to school. I want to stay home and read."

Lucie had adopted her mother's love for reading. Tessa always loved the fact that her daughter knew how to appreciate literature. 

Except now. 

"Lucie Jayne Carstairs, if you do not put on your uniform, I will ground you from reading for a week." 

It may not seem terrible, but one week was forever to 8 year old's. 

So reluctantly, Lucie put on her uniform and got in the car. After dropping her off, Tessa went to work. 

She was an RN for the emergency room at Lenox Hill. It was a usual morning, coughs and broken arms, nothing drastic. 

And then the shift change came. Tessa groaned when she saw who she would be working with. Dr. Mortmain was an egotistical man who thought everything he said was law. The doctor was inappropriate with Tessa, as well as a few other nurses, but nothing has ever been done about it. 

"Please don't leave me with him," Tessa whined to the doctor on duty at the moment, Charlotte, whom she liked very much and considered a friend. 

"I'm sorry. I don't like him either, but I  just did a 22 hour shift. I need to get home to Henry and Charlie," Charlotte replied. Henry was her husband and Charlie was her 10 year old son. 

"Don't forget to sleep," she replied and Charlotte laughed. 

"Yeah, that too."

About twenty minutes later Tessa was in a room preparing someone for fluids when he came in. 

"Hello Ms. Gray, what are you doing here?" He always called her by her maiden name, though she's expressed many times she would prefer he call her Ms. Carstairs. 

"Dr. Branwell ordered fluids for Mr. Herondale earlier, I was just doing what she said," Tessa tried to stay professional in front of the patient who was watching them with intent blue eyes.  

"Ah I see, well I want to take a look at the fellow before we proceed with treatments."

"Um," the patient interjected, "I'm fine with the fluids. I know what's wrong with me. I passed out after a jog because I'm dehydrated. I would like to get this done as soon as possible."

Dr. Mortmain looked shocked that someone would interrupt him. "Fine then," he snapped at Tessa. "Give him the fluids then," and stormed out of the room in a tantrum. 

Tessa turned toward Mr. Herondale, "I apologize for him. The fluids will run for about 30 minutes then we can get you out of here." 

"In such a hurry to get rid of me," he joked as she put the I.V. in. 

"Well it is cold and flu season," she smiled. 

"If I fake a cough can I stay longer?"

"I thought you said you were hoping to get out as soon as possible."

"Yes, well a pretty girl has changed my mind it seems."

Tessa flushed but still had a small smile. "I'll be in to check on you in 10 minutes. Just press the nurse's button if you need anything." And she left it at that. 

As her feet carried her through the familiar halls, her mind wandered back to the man's compliment. At least she thought it was directed toward's her. 

Many men had tried, but Tessa hadn't dated anyone, since Jem's death. She sometimes wondered if that part of her was broken. 

The other mom's at Lucie's school always gossiped about her, how they thought it was unusual for Tessa to not have remarried, that Lucie didn't have a father figure in her life. Tessa always brushed off those comments because she knew she was doing the best she could with her daughter. 

But were they right? Did Tessa's non existent love life affect affect her baby girl? Tessa shook her head, it doesn't matter.   

When she returned to Mr. Herondale's room 10 minutes later, as promised, he was all smiles and talk, subtly checking her fingers for that telltale ring. 

Her therapist said it was best for her to remove it, since it brought so many memories. It was kept in a jewelry box that held all of her prized possessions. A few pairs of real diamond earrings and necklaces that Jem had gifted her. Her wedding band, and her angel.

The last thing her mother had ever given her. 

Tessa was usually wearing it, but it got in the way at work. 

After work, Tessa went home. Since she wouldn't be to pick Lucie up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, Sophie watched her (for no charge thankfully) until Tessa got home. 

She walked in to see her house in total disarray. This was the last thing she needed today.