Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

It was around nine o'clock at night.

A group of people gathered at the door of the operating theater. They lowered their heads and exchanged words. Four travel- worn individuals bent down and spoke to the person about to enter the surgery.

The woman in the pink suit held a child in her arms, and the woman in a gown lowered her head, reaching out to gently caress Ava's cheek on the bed. She spoke softly, "Sorry, I'm late." Ava lay on the bed and shook her head, smiling at her mother. "No, you came just in time. It's just that the babies were anxious to come out." Joseph, who was usually wearing casual clothes when he didn’t work and was now in a hoodie, casually rubbed his sister's hair.

"I'm waiting for you outside." Daniel chimed in, "I won't leave either. I'll wait for you and the babies to come out." "Okay, then I'll go in. Christina, you can go back home first. George, you'll soon see your two cousins later," Ava said to her nephew, tilting her head on the pillow.

George was an emotionally stable kid, much like a smaller version of Joseph, and he didn't speak much. "Okay." Everyone spoke to Ava, except for Frank, who pursed his lips and remained silent. He only held Ava's hand until she was pushed into the operating theater. Only then did he let go of Ava's hand and look at the closed door.

Rose and Edward were missing from the scene. Edward did not come because he needed to take care of his child at home.

Rose was already at the operating theater. She took leave today, afraid that her brother would be worried about her sister-in-law, so she planned to stay at the operating theater to accompany Ava.

As soon as the door of the operating theater was closed, Frank called his sister. "Where are the sterile clothes that were prepared for me?" Emma thought that Frank would not go in to accompany Ava. It was not until she heard Frank's words that she understood. She smiled in relief. Frank had always been so reassuring. He did not always heed Ava's advice.

On the plane, Emma and Daniel still mentioned their daughter's stubborn refusal to let anyone accompany her to the operating theater, and they all expressed their concern.

Then, the operating theater's door opened again. Rose was wearing a sterile suit, complete with a hat, mask, and gloves. She held an unopened sterile suit in her hand for Frank and motioned for him to enter after nodding to the elders outside the door.

Frank stood at the operating theater door and said to Emma and Daniel, "Don't worry, | will take care of Ava." Emma and Daniel nodded their head at Frank in satisfaction, and Joseph also nodded his head at Frank.

The door of the operating theater was closed again. Joseph instructed Christina, "Let me send you and George home first." Christina did not object. Everyone present was tense, and it was not appropriate for George to stay here all night, since none of them knew when Ava would finish the surgery. "Alright, I'll send George to my parents first." Emma said, "Okay, go ahead. Joseph, you can stay at the Yamin family for a while and don't have to rush over. I'll call you after Ava gives birth." Emma knew that Christina seldom went back to the Yamin family and thought that Joseph should stay there with Christina for a while longer.

After all, after Ava gave birth, Joseph would return to the company to handle some matters. She and Daniel would stay in Athana for an extended period. Christina would also go back with them, leaving her very little time to spend with the Yamin family.

Joseph, of course, understood what Emma meant and said, "Yes, | know." William pulled Daniel to sit down on the chair, and Grace held Emma's hand, comforting her and saying, "Don't worry. I'm sure that Frank can take good care of Ava. Besides, Rose and Sherri are both there with Ava.” "I know. With Frank around Ava, I've always been very reassured. He always knows what to do,” Emma generously praised.

Inside the operating theater.

turned on. Ava, who had just been injected with anesthesia, lay on the operating table. The cold atmosphere in the operating theater heightened Ava's nervousness, with the cold and glowing surgical equipment

emitted a clattering sound, and each noise felt like a knock

fully alert. Sensing her nervousness, Sherri attempted

cesarean section. You, on the other hand, don't seem as sensitive to anesthesia.” Ava, who was now still conscious, inquired, "Was she scared when she came in?" Sherri, with surgical scissors in hand, reminisced and said, "Since | knew

motorcycles or off- road vehicles." If Natalie was truly afraid of anything, it should be

intention of delving into such a somber topic with

exhausted, and eventually, they handed over the bag to my sister and begged her for mercy." As they talked, a tall figure entered through the door. Sherri looked up at the

god, you're here. | already have no idea what to say to comfort her. Sit down and say something to her," Sherri said, though she was more intrigued by how the usually reserved Frank would console his wife over the

sterile suit, she pouted with a wronged look. "Why are you here?" she asked, and tears welled up in the corners of

down and replied gently, touching Ava's forehead and wiping away her tears that had seeped into his heart. "I know you're afraid." What a silly girl. She was clearly scared, yet she

to me? | seem to

of the seemingly bold Ava when they just knew each

taking a tissue from the table and handing it to her brother and looking very obedient. Then, she quietly walked to Sherri's

She leaned closer to Rose and said, "There's a clear difference between people. When your brother talks to Ava, it's as if he could scare her just by raising his voice. Unbelievable. When | talk to Hackett, | have to shout at the top of my lungs since I'm afraid he won't hear me." Rose smiled. It was true. Sherri would stand at the top of the stairs and shout at Hackett if she had something to say. Hackett would answer from downstairs, as if they were shouting to each other from opposite ends of a ship. They had been scolded by Hackett's mother several times for that. "My brother dotes on Ava very much. He truly loves her." Sherri glanced at the two of them and nodded her head. "I can tell. Actually, everyone can see that, as long as they're not blind." For some reason, Sherri recalled the scene when she flirted with Frank. She remembered asking Frank about the type of girl he liked at the cafe. Frank said he liked girls who

ready, and the

nurses and two doctors came in. Rose was mainly waiting to offer help at any time, since she didn't know how to operate, but she could know when

speak after the surgery begins, but don't speak loudly or constantly. Just speak softly." Frank added, "You can just listen to me. If you agree or disagree, just nod or shake your head slightly.” Ava nodded her head

action. The surgery was on the verge of commencing. What was he going to do? All

her to take a seat. "Take care of yourself. If you're tired, you can go get a break.” Rose was instantly touched by her brother's considerate gesture. Even in this crucial moment, he remembered

sweet." Frank exhibited an unusual tenderness today. After touching his sister's hair, he settled back into his seat. Rose beamed

had encountered Frank before, in an interesting twist of fate. A few years ago, her best friend had a crush on Frank while having fun at Lithern Club, even pursuing him for a few days. She remembered her best friend claiming

showed her Frank's

to find Frank but discovered Frank kissing another guy at

She realized that it was hard to "straighten" a