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don't have to stay." Cristina mumbled, wincing as she put stress on her stitches to look at Eleanora. The girl had stayed the past two nights and probably would stay the rest of her stay in post-op.

"Yes, I do." Eleanora replied, setting up the small couch in the corner for her to sleep on. "I promised you wouldn't be alone, and your mom goes back to the hotel. I'm staying." She flopped on the couch, stretching before curling under her blanket.

Cristina scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah yeah." It was quiet for a moment before she spoke up again. "Hey, aren't your parents coming tomorrow?"

Eleanora hummed. "Yep. Bailey agreed to let me skip rounds tomorrow on the condition that I work discharge AND scut. I pick them up from the airport around 6." She fluffed the hospital pillow under her, turning her back to her friend so she could curl against the back of the couch.

Cristina snorts, turning off the lamp. "You're such a good daughter." It was quite for a moment, then she snickers. "You're probably a Daddy's girl. Am I right?"

Eleanora pouted. "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

It was silent again and Eleanora was soon half asleep. Cristina broke the silence, her voice soft and slightly weak.

"Thank you for staying, Sunshine."

Eleanora smiled, keeping her eyes closed. "I told you I was here, and I meant it, Cristina. Now go to sleep."

____

have always been a love of Eleanora's. Her family had travelled to Italy every other summer, and sometimes during school breaks. They had travelled to other places as well throughout her childhood and college years, such as Rome, Ireland, Canada, and a good amount of the states. This time, Eleanora was standing in the Seattle airport, hoping to see at least one person in her family in the next five minutes.

They had decided almost as soon as Eleanora accepted the residency at Seattle Grace that they'd visit after a month or two, of them.

Eleanora had tried to explain to them she wouldn't be able to spend every day with them, and that realistically she would only be able to see them for a few hours of their three day trip. However, every single human in her immediate family were stubborn as all hell and would never listen to an excuse like that.

Her mother had told her that it was nonsense, that she could see them those few hours and they'd make it the best hours she's had her entire time there. Her dad said they'd go sight-seeing while she was working and that he'd make her food prep for at LEAST a week. Her siblings would be harder to please, however.

Enzo's fiancé was still in New York and he'd undoubtedly be pouty the whole time, and her younger brother Max would probably be doing work for his masters program. The only one who would maybe enjoy their vacation was her younger sister, Sabrina. She was in her Junior year of high school, and was undoubtedly getting an excused absence for a "family matter".

Eleanora's head perked up when she heard yelling, a smile forming on her lips. Her father was always bossy in airports, worried that they would all lose their luggage if they weren't focused enough.

She brightened when she saw the tall, tan figure of her older brother. She let out a squeal, running forward. "Enzo!!"

His head snapped up, a laugh escaping him. They threw their arms around each other, her squeezing him tightly and him rocking them back and forth. "Eleanora! Dear god, woman, you're faster than I remember!"

She let out a laugh, pulling away to look up at her brother. "And you're so much taller. I thought I told you stop growing? You're making this whole serious-surgeon thing seem stupid when you make me look this small."

He scoffed, flicking at her head. "It's not my fault you're all short. Take it up with Mom, it's her genes."

"Piccolina!"

Eleanora looked over to see said mother rushing towards her, Max and Sabrina not far behind. Eleanora let her mother shove Enzo to the side and engulf her into a tight hug that Eleanora quickly returned. Enzo made a hurt noise, rolling his eyes. However, he had a fond smile on his face.

"Dads still by the luggage, making sure we have all of it." Sabrina stated, giving her sister a small, questioning look. Soon after, however, she gave a warm smile. "You look good, Ella. Still, you could try and do something with your hair."

Her mother, Heidi, gave Sabrina a scowl, pursing her lips. "Sabrina! Your sister is a hard-working surgical intern! She probably just ended a shift!" Heidi scolds, stepping away from her eldest daughter slightly to pick up her purse.

Eleanora gave a sheepish smile, shaking her head. "No, I'm just about to start one. I'll have enough time to bring you guys to your hotel to drop off your things and then give you the directions to the house and my spare key, then I'll have to leave."

Heidi pouted, opening her mouth to complain, but Eleanora was scooped up into strong arms. She squealed, but stopped fidgeting when she smelt the familiar scent of her fathers cologne mixed with the detergent her mother swore by.

She soon became excited, wrapping her arms around her father. "Dad!"

"There's my girl!" He boomed, setting her down. Antonio "Anthony" Amedeo was a tall, muscular man who always prided himself on the success of his children. When Eleanora decided to continue her education and become a Surgeon, her father had been so supportive, but was still so heartbroken when she decided to go to Seattle instead of staying in New York.

Eleanora was 98% sure she missed her dad the most. Yes, she missed all of her family, but something about having to leave her dad back in New York never settled with her.

She smiled up at him, her eyes bright. "I missed you, Dad. I missed all of you, so, so much. And i wish that I could spend the whole day with you, but I was able to skip rounds and promised that I wouldn't be much later than an hour or so. Dr. Bailey would kill me."