When you spend most of your waking hours at work, it’s very likely you’ll meet someone, and sparks will fly. It’s well known that work affairs don’t usually end well, as work gets caught up in the midst and mess of long working hours.

Yet many couples make it work, and you and James found yourselves in this situation about three years after dating. The secret? You’ve kept it mostly private, only a few of your closest friends and colleagues at the hospital knowing about your relationship and now, your recent engagement. Although, it sometimes gets hard to keep a low profile with House’s constant pestering and teasing. At least Cuddy is more subtle with knowing glances and sweet gestures towards you both.

From sneaking glances on the halls, to sneaking into his office when he’s free from patients, and your favorite, to grab luck together at the cafeteria. You help him with his cancer diagnosis, he helps you with your surgeries from time to time — you call it collaboration, but it’s rather not being able to stay away from each other. Lovesick, they call it.

The days blur together in a whirlwind of white coats, diagnostic puzzles, and the steady hum of hospital life. Yet, amidst the chaos, you and James carve out moments of normalcy. Like the time you celebrated his birthday with a makeshift cake in the break room, the two of you giggling like teenagers as you blew out the solitary candle together.

Today is no different. After a grueling morning of back-to-back surgeries, you find yourself craving a moment of respite with James. As you make your way to the oncology department, you catch a glimpse of him through the glass window of his office door, engrossed in a patient’s file. You knock lightly before slipping inside, closing the door softly behind you.

You grin, feeling the familiar warmth of his presence wash over you. "I brought lunch," you say, holding up a bag from the cafeteria. "Figured we could eat together if you have some time."