Page 1 of Lost and Found

Prologue

Reid

The entire time you are growing up, people always ask you: ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Most of the time we lie, because we’re kids and we don’t know what the hell we even want for dinner, let alone ten,twenty years from now. However, I don’t really remember lying because I don’t even remember ever wanting to be something other than a doctor. It seemed like the best job in the world. When I was a kidandgot sick and didn’t feel good, my mom took me to the doctor and they gave me medicine, which I was convinced was magic and I felt better in a few days. Doctors were magicians to me and what kid didn’t want to do magic?

Then, as I got older, I realized how it really worked yet, I was still intrigued with medicine. I still wanted to be a doctor, so I enlisted in the Air Force and studied to become a medic and then a doctor. By the time I was honorably discharged, I was an M.D. My dream came true. The thing is, that I think we all enter a career with a slight naivety, or at least I did.

Being a doctor is supposed to be the best thing in the world. You get to save people, give them hope, give them a second chance at life. You are supposed to make all their hopes and dreams a reality. You’re supposed to make them feel better until you can’t. That’s the harsh reality that you know exists, but you never expect it to be as hard as it truly is.

Yes, I knew when I decided to be a doctor that I would lose some patients. I would have to deliver some of the most heartbreaking and devastating news in this world. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to save them all, but that didn’t stop me. You’re naïve until you actually experience the bad of this profession, until you lose your first patient, or deliver that death sentence. When you have to actually come to terms with the fact that you can’t save them all. Saying those things, and actually witnessing them, are two very different situations.

Then, there is the fact that you have no life aside from being a doctor, or at least I don’t. My patients come first, always. You don’t think about the number of hours you’ll spend working or the fact that you’ll do it on little to no sleep at all, witha large, strong coffee in hand.

Even with all the downfalls though, I wouldn’t trade my career because of those amazing moments. Those moments when you get to save someone’s life and tell them they’ll get to see another day. When you see tears of happiness or relief, instead of sadness. When they hug you because they are overjoyed and grateful. Those moments are what makes being a doctor worth it. It’s those moments that I feel like a magician in this completely mundane world. It’s the best feeling in the world. Nothing has ever compared to it until one tragic loss led me to find the most life-altering thing this world could offer…love.

Chapter One

Paige

I walk outside and stand on the back porch, as I watch Codi and our son, Corey, playing in our backyard on the swing set that Codi spent all night building. I watch as my beautiful little blonde-haired boy runs around, laughing with glee. It’s a beautiful day. The sky above is clear and blue with the sun beaming down on us. Again, this part of California rarely has bad weather. Thank goodness our backyard is full of trees to give Corey enough shade, so that he can play out here without getting burned.

I take a deep breath, feeling grateful for this life. I met Codi the first year of college. I was studying to be a teacher and he was working on his engineering degree. We just happened to run into each other, literally, in one of the campus parking lots. I remember being shocked by how handsome he was with his golden-brown hair and bright sky blue eyes. When he apologized and smiled at me, my heart flip-flopped in my chest and I knew this was the feeling everyone was always raving about.

Codi was the perfect gentlemen. He helped me up, then bent back down to collect the books I had dropped as well. He offered to walk me to class and I couldn’t tell him no, I didn’t want to. As we walked, he talked about the campus while asking me a few questions. By the time we reached my class, I was completely crushingout on him. He apologized one more time, and said he hoped to see me around before disappearing down the hallway. He had no idea how much I was hoping to see him again.

A couple of days later, I was at the local coffee shop that was across the street from campus. I had stayed up late studying for a big exam, and I needed to splurge on a Chai Tea. When the barista called my name out, I was surprised to find Codi already standing next to my cup. “So,Paige. I was wondering what your name was and regretting that I hadn’t asked when I realized my mistake.”

I gave him a smile while my heart flip-flopped again. “Yes, and do you have a name?”

“Codi Reynolds,” he told me, as he extended his hand to me. After we got our drinks, we shared a table and got to know each other better. I quickly lost track of time, which I would find out was normal in his presence. When I realized the time, I jumped up and dashed out of the coffee shop while hollering goodbye to him. I made it to class just in time, and despite having a huge exam, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face.

As I left the class, I was shocked to see Codi sitting on the floor outside of my class. He looked up and smiled at me. He stood and asked if I’d like to go out some time, which was a no brainer for me and I might have answered him a little too enthusiastically, but I didn’t care. He made me feel good and safe, which was something I didn’t have a lot of.

After our first date, I knew I could spend my life with him, and luckily enough, I got to do just that. I didn’t trust easily, but after I lost my great aunt, who had raised me after my parents had been killed in a random store robbery, Codi was by my side day in and day out. He did everything to help me through that time. I knew after that,I was in love.

Now, here we are almost eight years later, happily married with Corey, and another one on the way. Codi is, in fact, an engineer and despite having my teaching degree, I’m a stay at home mom for now, but I wouldn’t trade it.

Codi comes over and takes a seat beside me on the back porch steps. “Corey wants to go to the zoo again.”

I laugh. “He does love those animals.”

Codi leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Do you and the little one feel up to it?”

I smile and lean my head against his broad shoulder. “Of course, we’re just fine. Let’s go, it’s a beautiful day for the zoo and maybe a visit to the park.”

“Oh, he’ll love that, but then, of course, we’ll have to get ice cream,” Codi says, with a chuckle.

I nod my head. “Of course.” Corey had a slight obsession with ice cream. We try our best to monitor his intake of it, so we don’t buy it a lot, but when we went to the zoo, we always let him get some once we were done.

Codi stands up and walks across the lawn to collect Corey. He picks him up and I watch as Corey’s face lights up with delight. Watching them together is the best experience I’ve ever watched. It makes my heart so full and so happy. Sometimes, I can’t believe this is my life.

Chapter Two

Reid

What another long day. I’m exhausted. Actually, exhausted isn’t a strong enough word for how tired my entire body feels right now. I just spent almost ten hours in surgery, but at least I got to deliver good news to a family for once. I was able to remove the brain tumor and the patient should be back to normal in no time. It’s moments like this, when I get to deliver good news and save someone’s life, that makes this job worth it.

As I get closer to my vehicle, I hear my phone going off and suddenly, I remember I was supposed to have a date with Ella tonight. Crap! This isn’t going to go over well.

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