Page 44 of Dr. Lillian Harrington
Rebecca’s gaze softened, and for a brief moment, Lillian saw the vulnerability in her eyes—the fear, the doubt, but also the hope. "I’m trying, Lillian," Rebecca whispered, her voice raw. "I want this to work. I want us to work."
Lillian pressed a soft kiss to Rebecca’s lips, her heart swelling with affection. "We will. We are."
At the hospital, they had managed to strike a balance, one that worked for both of them. They maintained their professional distance, never letting their personal relationship bleed into the workplace. But even in the sterile, clinical environment of the hospital, Lillian could feel Rebecca’s support in subtle ways—the way she would catch her eye during rounds, a small nod of acknowledgment that reminded Lillian she wasn’t alone.
And Lillian had learned to handle Rebecca’s coldness better, knowing that when they left the hospital, things would be different. That when they were alone, Rebecca’s walls would come down, and the woman who cared so deeply for her would emerge once more.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs. And that made all the difference.
One evening, after a particularly long day at the hospital, Lillian found herself curled up on Rebecca’s couch, her legs tangled with Rebecca’s as they shared a quiet moment together. The TV played softly in the background, but neither of them was really paying attention.
Out of nowhere, Rebecca spoke, her voice soft but steady. "I’ve been thinking about what you said. About the future."
Lillian turned her head slightly, her brow furrowing. "Yeah?"
Rebecca nodded, her gaze fixed on some distant point in the room. "I don’t know what the future looks like for us. But I know that I want you in it. Whatever that means."
Lillian’s heart skipped a beat, her chest tightening with emotion. She hadn’t expected Rebecca to open up like this, not so soon. But here she was, offering a glimpse into her fears and hopes.
"I want that too," Lillian replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever it looks like. I want you."
Rebecca’s eyes softened, and in that moment, Lillian knew that despite all their challenges, despite the hurdles they still had to face, they had something real. Something worth fighting for.
And as Rebecca leaned in to kiss her, slow and tender, Lillian felt a surge of hope swell in her chest.
They were building something together. Something strong. Something real.
And that, more than anything, made her believe that they could be happy. That they already were.
16
REBECCA
Rebecca stood at the entrance of the luxurious hotel, the tall glass doors gleaming under the soft, golden light of early evening. The air was cool, crisp, and full of anticipation. She could hear the low hum of voices inside, the distant clinking of glasses as conference guests mingled in the lobby. The buzz of medical professionals gathered for the event made her pulse quicken, but it wasn’t just the importance of the evening or her upcoming presentation that had her on edge.
It was the woman standing beside her, the steady presence that grounded her: Lillian.
Rebecca stole a glance at Lillian, who was smiling softly, her eyes bright with excitement as she took in the grandeur of the hotel. Dressed casually but effortlessly beautiful, Lillian looked entirely at ease, and Rebecca felt a wave of warmth settle over her. There was something about Lillian’s calmness that always seemed to soothe the chaos swirling inside her.
"This place is fancy," Lillian said, her voice filled with playful awe as they walked toward the check-in desk. "I didn’t know medical conferences came with such...luxury."
Rebecca chuckled, her nerves easing slightly as she caught the teasing in Lillian’s tone. "Well, we have to uphold the image of sophisticated professionals, don’t we?"
Lillian gave her a sidelong glance, raising an eyebrow. "Sophisticated, huh? Is that what they call it?"
"You’re lucky you’re with me," Rebecca teased back, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Otherwise, you’d be staying at a motel down the road."
Lillian laughed, the sound light and genuine, and it filled Rebecca with a sense of ease she hadn’t realized she needed. The tension that had been creeping up on her all day—the nerves about her presentation and the weight of representing herself and her hospital in front of so many esteemed colleagues—faded just a little.
They reached the check-in counter, and the clerk, a smartly dressed man, smiled warmly as he greeted them. "Good evening. Welcome to the Carlisle. Checking in?"
Rebecca nodded. "Yes, under Dr. Lang."
As the clerk tapped away at the computer, Rebecca felt Lillian’s hand brush against hers, a subtle touch that sent a ripple of warmth through her. It was a small, unspoken gesture, but it was enough to remind her that she wasn’t doing this alone. Lillian was here by her side, and that made everything feel more manageable.
The clerk handed over the key cards with a polite smile. "You’re in one of our best suites, Dr. Lang. Enjoy your stay, and if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to let us know."
"Thank you," Rebecca said, sliding one of the key cards into her pocket. She turned to Lillian, her expression softening. "Ready for our little getaway?"
