Disclaimer: I don't own ER. A bit OOC.
It's a well known fact that you should never give lilies – they're a sign of death.
The experts say you should never make decisions regarding relationships – the starting or ending of them – when you're depressed about your disability.
Lilies – beautiful, fragrant, exotic – your mom's favourite.
Her – beautiful, fragrant, exotic – your favourite, the woman you're in love with.
Never give them, never make the decision.
But what if your mom likes lilies, and you want to say thank you, in a small way, for all she's done?
What if the woman you're in love with is standing on your doorstep offering you her heart?
You can't give them because they are a sign of death, but she likes them.
You can't accept her heart as that's starting a relationship, but you can't reject it as that would be ending one.
You're in limbo, neither decision can be right.
But flower shops are full of lilies, people do buy them, do give them.
And that woman on your doorstep, her mere presence lightens your world.
Surely that means neither is wrong.
So you give lilies to your mother and she smiles.
And you invite Neela in and offer her your heart in exchange and the possibilities in life reawaken.
Perhaps the lesson is that the 'experts', 'they' aren't always right and you should do what is right for you. You're not sure, all you know is that you're happy and the people you love are happy too and that's enough for you.