READY FOR LOVE | JENLISA

Chapter 74

Jennie – 5 years later

I bite the inside of my cheek and instinctively tighten my grip on Lisa's hand in anticipation.

"Easy, baby." Lisa whispers, her lips brushing against my ear, setting off a whole new swarm of butterflies in my stomach.

"Patience." She chuckles, planting a kiss to my cheek before sitting upright in her chair.

Today is one of the biggest days of my life and to say that I'm nervous would be an understatement. Today is the day that I find out where I've been placed for residency, where I'll be spending the next several years of my life.

My absolute dream is to be placed in cardiothoracic surgery at Hanner Memorial Hospital here in Georgia. It is an amazing hospital with a top ranked cardiac surgery team and it's only thirty minutes away, meaning Lisa and I wouldn't have to uproot our lives and move. It's also where Cora works, meaning that I wouldn't have to leave her or the rest of my family behind. I've never been away from Georgia, the place that I've called home since Richard and Monica took me in, and I don't have any intentions on leaving. But if I happen to match at another residency, I'll have to move, which will absolutely gut me.

Lisa and I have talked about the possibility of me having to move to another hospital, and she said she'd happily follow anywhere I go. I believe her, I do. But I'd also feel extremely guilty if she left everything behind because of me. She's finally starting to get a grip on her future after losing out on her dream of going to the NFL after the accident. Coach set her up with a really great job and I'd hate for her to leave it all behind because of me. And not to mention leaving my parents and Miss Cora behind...

I pull Lisa's hand onto my lap, grasping it with both of my hands as I sit and listen to everyone's name be called except for mine. I try to sit as still as I possibly can, as negative and anxious thoughts being to swirl around in my head, ranging from what happens after today, to what if they forgot my envelope, to what if they decided not to even put me in a residency at all?

Sensing my anxiety, Lisa uses her free hand to gently grab my chin, turning my face to look at her. She gives me a reassuring look, and I close my eyes, taking in a deep breath and silently counting to three.

Before I open my eyes, a soft pair of lips briefly brush against mine in a sweet kiss. When I open my eyes, Lisa is smiling at me, her face inches from mine.

"Jennie Kim."

My heart rate kicks up as soon as they call my name, and I'm sure my grip on Lisa's hand has become vice-like.

"You've got this." Lisa reassures me before standing, pulling me out of my seat.

I stand, flattening out the skirt of my lavender dress, and glance over at my parents and Cora who are all sporting proud, excited and encouraging smiles before letting Lisa lead me to the front of the auditorium. I grab my envelope from one of the department chairs and immediately hand it to Lisa, too scared to open it myself.

During the Match Ceremony, if we wanted, we could have someone special come up with us to announce our placement. I couldn't choose between my parents so they both gave me their blessings to let Lisa go up with me to announce my residency, since she's been such a constant in my life and my rock for the past five years.

Not to mention this decision will affect her too since she'll be going with me. When I asked her to stand beside me today she was honoured.

Lisa and I stand in front of the microphone and I shakily introduce myself as Lisa opens the envelope that seals my fate.

Before she pulls out the piece of paper she gives me a soft smile. "It'll be okay." she vows softly, grabbing my hand, her thumb brushing against my knuckles soothingly. "Wherever you go, I'll follow."

Tears prick my eyes and Lisa gives my hand one more reassuring squeeze, bringing it up to her lips to press a quick kiss to the back of it before letting my hand go to take out the paper from the envelope, unfolding it.

Lisa visibly takes in a deep breath, her eyes scanning the paper in her hands. Her face is blank for a moment until her grey eyes lift to lock with mine, wide and misting over. I watch her throat work on a swallow before she brings her lips closer to the microphone, with a smile engulfing her face. "Hanner Memorial Hospital. Cardiothoracic Surgery."

My breath catches in my throat and the tears in my eyes nearly spill over. I clamp my shaky hand over my mouth just as Lisa picks me up, spinning me around.

I choke out a disbelieving laugh, grabbing the paper from Lisa's hand as soon as she puts me down to read the words for myself, not believing them. Two large, warm hands gently grab my face, loving grey eyes capturing my attention.

"You did it, baby." Lisa whispers, smiling proudly.