16. Rebecca
REBECCA
R ebecca 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?"
Lillian grinned, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, absolutely. I’m ready to see you in your element commanding a room full of top surgeons and dazzling them with your brilliance."
Rebecca felt a small flush creep up her neck, and she rolled her eyes playfully. "You make it sound so dramatic."
"It is dramatic," Lillian countered, leaning in slightly. "You’re a big deal, Rebecca. Don’t pretend like you’re not."
Rebecca couldn’t help but smile at the playful confidence in Lillian’s voice. There was something so comforting about the way Lillian saw her—strong, capable, and deserving of the spotlight. It made the nerves she had been carrying all day seem far less daunting.
As they walked toward the elevators, their bags in tow, Rebecca found herself glancing at Lillian again, her heart swelling with gratitude. How had she gotten so lucky? How had someone like Lillian—so warm, so open—come into her life, breaking down walls that Rebecca had spent years building?
The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside, the silence between them comfortable.
Rebecca leaned against the cool metal wall, watching Lillian press the button for their floor.
She could feel the tension of the upcoming presentation, the familiar buzz of responsibility, but it was different this time.
Lillian’s presence made it easier to bear, made the weight of it feel lighter.
As the elevator hummed upward, Rebecca let herself think about the last few weeks and how much their relationship had grown.
She had been so afraid to let Lillian in at first, terrified of being vulnerable, of losing control.
But Lillian had been patient, kind, and unrelenting in the best way.
Slowly, Rebecca had let her guard down, and now, she couldn’t imagine her life without her.
"Hey," Lillian said softly, breaking into Rebecca’s thoughts. "You okay? You seem somewhere else."
Rebecca blinked, snapping out of her reverie. She smiled, reaching out to take Lillian’s hand, their fingers intertwining naturally. "I’m okay. Just...thinking."
"About your presentation?" Lillian asked, her thumb brushing gently over Rebecca’s knuckles.
"About a lot of things," Rebecca admitted, her voice quiet. "But yeah, the presentation is part of it."
Lillian squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You’re going to be amazing. You always are."
Rebecca’s smile widened, her chest tightening with emotion. Lillian’s belief in her was unwavering, and it was moments like this—moments of quiet support—that reminded her how lucky she was to have someone who saw her so clearly.
"I don’t know what I’d do without you," Rebecca said, her voice low but sincere.
Lillian tilted her head slightly, her eyes softening. "You’ll never have to find out."
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal the hallway to their suite.
They stepped out, still holding hands, their movements in sync without a second thought.
As they reached the door to their room, Rebecca swiped the key card, pushing the door open to reveal the luxurious space inside: a spacious room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a king-sized bed, and a bottle of champagne chilling on the table by the window.
Lillian let out a low whistle, her eyes wide with admiration. "Well, this is fancy."
Rebecca chuckled, setting their bags down near the door. "Only the best for the conference’s keynote speaker."
Lillian grinned, stepping up beside Rebecca and slipping her arms around her waist. "I’m proud of you, you know that?"
Rebecca felt her breath catch for a moment, the warmth of Lillian’s words settling deep in her chest. She wrapped her arms around Lillian, pulling her close. "I do. And that means everything to me."
They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside fading away.
For the first time in a long while, Rebecca felt like she could breathe.
The pressure of the hospital, the constant weight of her responsibilities—it all felt distant now, as if the only thing that mattered was the woman in her arms.
"Come on," Lillian said, pulling back slightly and giving Rebecca a playful nudge. "Let’s enjoy this getaway before you have to be switched on and dazzle everyone."
Rebecca laughed, the sound light and genuine, and for the first time that evening, she felt completely at ease. This was what she had been missing for so long. The simple joy of being with someone who made her feel seen, cared for, and loved.
As they unpacked and settled into the room, Rebecca couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of contentment. This night was about more than just the conference. It was about them, how far they had come, and how much further they could go.
And for the first time, Rebecca allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could have both—the career she had worked so hard for and the love she never thought she deserved.
Rebecca stood backstage, taking a deep breath as she adjusted the microphone attached to her blouse.
The room beyond the curtains buzzed with conversation, a hum of voices rising and falling, blending together into a low, constant drone.
The crowd was full of the most respected names in the medical field—surgeons, researchers, and specialists from all over the country —and tonight, Rebecca would be standing in front of them, showcasing her work, her expertise, and her passion.
She was used to this. The pressure, the eyes on her, the expectation of excellence. But tonight felt different. Because tonight, Lillian was in the audience.
Rebecca felt a rush of warmth spread through her chest at the thought of Lillian sitting among the crowd, her eyes focused and bright, her smile encouraging.
Knowing Lillian was there made everything feel lighter.
For so long, Rebecca had tackled these moments alone—carrying the weight of expectation on her own shoulders, never letting anyone in.
But now, with Lillian, it was different.
There was someone to share the moment with, someone who cared about her beyond the hospital, beyond the work.
"Dr. Lang, you're up," the event coordinator said softly, nodding toward the stage.
Rebecca straightened, took one more calming breath, and stepped out from behind the curtain.
As she walked onto the stage, the hum of voices quieted, the room falling into an expectant hush.
The bright lights overhead illuminated the podium in front of her, and she felt the familiar adrenaline rush of standing before an audience.
But this time, it wasn't just nerves. There was a quiet confidence building inside her, fueled by the knowledge that Lillian was out there, supporting her.