Page 46 of Dr. Lillian Harrington
Her eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on the familiar figure near the center of the crowd: Lillian. She sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her expression calm but filled with pride. Their eyes met for a brief second, and Rebecca’s chest tightened with affection. That one look was enough to ground her, to remind her that she wasn’t alone in this. Lillian was with her, every step of the way.
Rebecca cleared her throat and began, her voice steady and clear as she launched into her presentation. She spoke aboutthe latest advancements in cardiothoracic surgery, highlighting cutting-edge techniques and innovations that had the potential to revolutionize patient outcomes. She moved through the slides with practiced ease, her hands gesturing confidently as she explained complex concepts in a way that made the audience hang on every word.
But even as she spoke, as she fielded questions from the audience with poise and precision, her thoughts kept drifting back to Lillian. How proud she must be, sitting there watching Rebecca in her element. And for the first time in a long while, Rebecca didn’t feel like she had to prove herself. She didn’t feel like she needed to impress anyone. She was proud of herself—of the work she had done, of the career she had built—and knowing Lillian was there to share it with her only made the accomplishment sweeter.
When the final slide appeared on the screen behind her, Rebecca wrapped up her presentation with a few closing remarks, the applause coming quickly as she stepped back from the podium. The sound filled the room, and Rebecca’s heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment—not just for her career, but for the fact that she was standing here, sharing this moment with Lillian.
As she exited the stage, a few colleagues approached her, congratulating her on the presentation. Dr. Hensley, a renowned surgeon from Boston, clasped her hand and nodded appreciatively. "Fantastic job, Rebecca. As always, you bring a fresh perspective to the field."
"Thank you, Dr. Hensley," Rebecca replied, her smile genuine. But even as she thanked him, her eyes were searching the crowd for Lillian.
When she finally found her, Lillian was making her way toward the small reception area that had been set up for the event’s speakers. Rebecca excused herself from her colleaguesand crossed the room, feeling the pull toward Lillian like a magnet.
"Hey, superstar," Lillian greeted her with a grin, her eyes glowing with pride. "That presentation was incredible."
Rebecca’s heart skipped at the warmth in Lillian’s voice. She had heard compliments before—praise from colleagues, patients, mentors—but nothing ever felt quite like this. It wasn’t just about the work or the success. It was about being seen—truly seen—by someone who mattered.
"Thanks," Rebecca said softly, stepping closer to Lillian. They were in a professional setting, surrounded by other doctors and attendees, but even here, even now, Rebecca wanted to reach out, to touch Lillian’s hand, to share that quiet connection between them.
Lillian’s eyes flickered with understanding, and for a brief second, the space between them felt smaller, more intimate. It was as if the entire room faded away, leaving only the two of them in the middle of it all.
"You were amazing, Rebecca," Lillian added, her voice dropping to a softer tone. "I’m so proud of you."
Rebecca’s chest tightened again, this time with emotion. She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Lillian’s arm—just a small, fleeting touch, but it was enough. Enough to ground her and remind her of the connection they shared, even in moments like this.
"I couldn’t have done it without you," Rebecca admitted, her voice low, meant only for Lillian. "Just knowing you were here...it made all the difference."
Lillian’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling. "I’m just glad I got to see you shine."
Before they could say anything more, a few more colleagues approached, congratulating Rebecca and shaking her hand. Lillian stepped back slightly, letting Rebecca take the spotlight,but Rebecca’s eyes never strayed far from hers. Every glance, every subtle touch, spoke volumes. There was a quiet intimacy between them, even in the middle of the crowded room.
As the reception continued, Rebecca introduced Lillian to a few of her peers, keeping things professional but always making sure Lillian felt included and seen. And though they maintained the boundary they had agreed upon—keeping their personal relationship separate from their professional lives—there were moments, small but significant, where Rebecca would let her fingers brush against Lillian’s or her gaze would linger just a little longer than necessary.
It was these moments that reminded Rebecca how much she had changed and grown. She was no longer the woman who kept everyone at arm’s length, afraid of letting anyone in. Lillian had changed that. Lillian had made her believe that it was possible to have both—a career she was proud of and a relationship that made her heart feel full.
By the time the reception began to wind down, Rebecca felt lighter, more content than she had in a long time. The presentation had been a success, but more than that, she felt like she had shared something important with Lillian. It wasn’t just about the work. It was about the connection they were building, the way Lillian had become such an integral part of her life.
As they stepped out into the cool night air, Rebecca slipped her hand into Lillian’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. They walked side by side, the city lights reflecting off the wet pavement, their footsteps in sync.
"You’re really proud of yourself, aren’t you?" Lillian teased lightly, glancing up at Rebecca with a smirk.
Rebecca chuckled, feeling the familiar warmth that Lillian always seemed to bring. "Maybe a little."
Lillian laughed, her grip tightening around Rebecca’s hand. "Good. You deserve to be."
And in that moment, as they walked back to their hotel together, Rebecca couldn’t help but feel like everything was falling into place. She had the career, the success, and the recognition she had worked so hard for.
The restaurant at the hotel was dimly lit, a warm, amber glow casting soft shadows across the intimate space. Each table was set with flickering candles, the low hum of quiet conversations and the clinking of glasses creating a serene atmosphere. As Rebecca and Lillian entered, they were greeted by the maître d’, who led them to a secluded table near the large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The view was breathtaking, the city lights twinkling like stars against the dark sky.
Rebecca felt a sense of calm settle over her as they sat down. The day had been a whirlwind of professional intensity—her presentation, the reception, the endless congratulations from colleagues—but now, it was just the two of them. The rest of the world felt miles away.
Lillian settled into her chair across from Rebecca, her smile easy, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight. She looked effortlessly beautiful, her blonde hair framing her face perfectly, her blue eyes full of warmth and mischief.
"So," Lillian said, her tone teasing as she picked up the menu, "how does it feel to be the star of the night?"
Rebecca chuckled, leaning back in her chair as she took in the scene. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders, the familiar tension from earlier in the day fading now that the pressure of the conference was behind her. "I’d say it feels pretty good. Though I’m not sure I’d call myself a star."
Lillian raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a smirk. "Oh, please. You were the highlight of the conference. Don’t act modest now."
