Hosie~ One Shots

The Dream Job Offer

Hope Mikaelson sat at the kitchen table, staring at the job offer on her laptop screen. The words were everything she'd ever dreamed of: an art gallery in New York City wanted her to join their team. It was the kind of opportunity that could launch her career, the chance of a lifetime. But as the excitement simmered, a knot of worry formed in her chest.

She glanced across the room at Josie Saltzman, who was sitting on the couch, reading a book. The sight of her girlfriend, so calm and content, made Hope's heart ache with the uncertainty she was feeling.

Unable to keep it to herself, Hope finally spoke up. "Josie, can we talk for a minute?"

Josie looked up from her book, immediately sensing something was off. She set the book aside and moved to sit across from Hope at the table. "Of course. What's going on?"

Hope took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "I got a job offer today. From an art gallery. In New York City."

Josie's eyes widened in surprise. "New York? Hope, that's incredible!" Her initial excitement, however, quickly turned to concern. "But... when would you have to move?"

"They want me to start in two months," Hope replied, her voice soft. "It's everything I've ever wanted, Josie. But... it's so far away from here. From you."

Josie felt her heart skip a beat. She knew how much this opportunity meant to Hope, but the thought of being separated, of trying to maintain a long-distance relationship, terrified her. Still, she forced herself to push those feelings aside.

"I'm so proud of you, Hope," Josie said, her voice trembling slightly. "This is your dream. You've worked so hard for this."

Hope looked at Josie, her eyes searching for any sign of what she was truly feeling. "But what about us, Josie? I don't want to lose you. I don't want this to come between us."

Josie took a deep breath, trying to stay strong. She reached across the table and took Hope's hands in hers. "Hope, I love you more than anything. And because I love you, I want you to go. You can't pass up on this opportunity. It's your dream."

Hope's eyes filled with emotion. "But what about our relationship? What if the distance is too much? What if we can't make it work?"

"We can make it work," Josie said firmly, though there was a hint of sadness in her voice. "We'll visit each other, we'll call and text all the time. But Hope, you can't give up on your dreams because of me. I won't let you."

Hope shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "Josie, I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Josie whispered, her own tears threatening to spill over. "But if you don't go, if you don't at least try, you'll always wonder 'what if.' And that will eat away at you, Hope. I don't want to be the reason you gave up on something so important to you."

Hope felt her heart break at Josie's words. She knew Josie was right, but it didn't make it any easier. "I don't know if I can do this without you."

"You won't be without me," Josie said, squeezing her hands. "We'll still be together, just... in different cities. And when the time is right, we'll figure out a way to be together in the same place again."

Hope nodded, though the tears were now streaming down her face. "I love you so much, Josie."

"I love you too, Hope. And that's why you have to go. For both of us."

They sat there for a long moment, holding each other's hands, trying to draw strength from their love. The future felt uncertain, but they both knew that they had to face it head-on, together.

As the evening turned into night, they talked about how they would make the long-distance work, planning visits and video calls, and making a list of things they wanted to do when they were together again. The fear was still there, but it was tempered by their love and determination.

Later, as they lay in bed, wrapped up in each other's arms, Hope whispered into the darkness, "Thank you for believing in me, Josie."

Josie kissed the top of her head, her voice filled with love. "I'll always believe in you, Hope. And I'll always be here, no matter how far apart we are."

Hope hugged Josie tightly, her heart full of love and gratitude. "You're my everything, Josie. We'll get through this. I know we will."

As they drifted off to sleep, they both knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But with love like theirs, they were ready to face any challenge the future held.