Page 49 of Dr. Lillian Harrington
“I love you,” Rebecca whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.
Lillian stirred slightly, lifting her head to look at Rebecca, her eyes soft and filled with affection. “I love you too.”
Rebecca’s heart swelled at the words, and for the first time in her life, she felt completely and utterly content. She wasn’t afraid anymore. Not of love, not of vulnerability, not of the future.
Because with Lillian, she knew she was safe. She was loved. And she wasn’t going anywhere.
The soft, golden light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing the hotel room in a warm, gentle glow. Rebecca stirred slightly, the peaceful quiet of the early morning settling around her like a comforting blanket. She blinked her eyes open slowly, her body still wrapped in the familiar warmth of Lillian’s beside her. They were tangled together, limbs intertwined, the sheets bunched up around them in a way that spoke of a night spent close, connected.
Rebecca didn’t move right away. She didn’t want to disturb the moment—the quiet, serene stillness that made everything feel so perfect. She shifted her head slightly, just enough to watch Lillian, who was still sleeping soundly beside her, her blonde hair spread out across the pillow, her lips slightly parted.
For a long moment, Rebecca simply watched her. She had never felt this kind of contentment before—this deep, unshakable peace that filled her chest as she lay there with Lillian. The woman who had changed everything.
Lillian’s breathing was soft and steady, the rise and fall of her chest rhythmic and calming. Rebecca couldn’t help but smile as she watched her, her heart swelling with affection. She thought back to how things had been before Lillian entered her life—the cold, empty existence she had built for herself, where walls were erected to keep everyone out. She had been fine. At least, that’s what she had convinced herself. But now, lying here next to Lillian, she realized how much fuller, how much brighter, her life had become.
She didn’t have to keep pretending. With Lillian, there were no walls, no defenses. She could be herself—flawed, vulnerable, real. And Lillian loved her for it.
For the first time in years, Rebecca felt understood. Truly understood. And the best part? She wasn’t afraid of it anymore.
The thought made her smile widen, a soft, almost shy feeling blooming in her chest. She hadn’t expected this—hadn’t expected to fall for someone so completely. But with Lillian, it had felt inevitable, like the pieces of her life were finally falling into place.
Just then, Lillian stirred beside her, letting out a small, sleepy groan as she shifted slightly. Rebecca watched as Lillian blinked her eyes open, a slow smile spreading across her face as she caught Rebecca’s gaze.
“Good morning, Dr. Lang,” Lillian murmured, her voice still thick with sleep but laced with warmth
Rebecca chuckled softly, her hand reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from Lillian’s face. “Good morning.”
Lillian stretched out beside her, her body pressing closer to Rebecca’s as she shifted into a more comfortable position. “You know, you snore a little,” Lillian teased, her grin widening as she spoke.
Rebecca raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. “I do not.”
“You definitely do,” Lillian said with a laugh, her eyes twinkling. “It’s cute, though. I didn’t expect the Ice Queen to have such an endearing flaw.”
Rebecca rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t help but laugh along with her. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing you’ve been promoted to my official snore monitor.”
Lillian snickered, nestling closer as she wrapped an arm around Rebecca’s waist. “I accept the position. But it comes with perks, right?”
Rebecca hummed thoughtfully, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Lillian’s forehead. “Oh, I think we can negotiate something.”
They fell into a comfortable silence after that, their bodies pressed close as the morning light continued to spill across the room. There was no rush to get up, no immediate pull back to reality. Just the two of them, wrapped up in the warmth of each other, savoring the peace of the moment.
Rebecca closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself soak in the quiet. She had never imagined her life could feel this simple. This full. With Lillian, everything was lighter. She didn’t have to be the unflappable, untouchable professional all the time. She could just be Rebecca. And that was enough.
“Hey,” Lillian said softly after a while, her voice cutting through the comfortable silence. “What are you thinking about?”
Rebecca opened her eyes again, her smile soft as she met Lillian’s gaze. “You,” she admitted easily. “Us.”
Lillian’s eyes sparkled with affection. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Rebecca replied, her voice thoughtful. “I’m happy. Really happy. I never thought I’d feel like this, like I could just be myself with someone.”
Lillian’s hand tightened slightly around her waist, her smile warm. “You don’t have to pretend with me, Rebecca. You never did.”
Rebecca felt a rush of warmth flood her chest, the truth of Lillian’s words settling deep inside her. It was true. She had never had to pretend. Not with Lillian.
They shared another soft kiss, and for a long moment, Rebecca let herself get lost in the quiet intimacy between them. But eventually, the world outside started to creep back in, the clock ticking forward, reminding them that they couldn’t stay in this little bubble forever.
“We should probably start getting ready,” Rebecca said with a sigh, though there was no real urgency in her voice. She was perfectly content to stay in bed with Lillian forever, but she knew they had to return to their lives soon.
