2brown-eyes is the bestest!
No song so…
Truly Madly Deeply—Savage Garden
Dartmouth—Hanover, N.H.
March 19, 1999
Match Day Ceremony
The dean of medicine at Dartmouth, Doctor Baldwin, takes the stage, and the room falls silent. The Match Day Ceremony is a steadfast tradition here in the Geisel School of Medicine, and it's about to point us in the next direction of our lives.
Edward is at my side, his breathing calm and centered, but I can feel the slight tremble from his hand that rests on my thigh. I lean my head against his arm to offer comfort in the form of my touch, and he settles almost instantly.
A countdown clock ticks down on the side wall as several speakers take the stage to praise and congratulate this class. Most students will be learning their residency post today, while others will be left behind to continue their education even further by choosing a different path in the research side of medicine.
With four minutes left on the clock, the students are instructed to get their envelopes. The room turns chaotic, but I stay seated, knowing he'll return with it in hand.
Carlisle and Esme occupy the two seats to my left, and she leans over to speak in my ear. "Do you have a preference?"
"We love it here," I say, referring to Hanover where we've built a life. "But a change could be nice also."
"It won't bother you to leave?" Her eyes flick down and back up.
I huff a laugh. "Not at all. I'm married to a doctor."
Her trill of laughter is bright and happy. "That you are, my dear."
Carlisle stands as Edward approaches with his envelope in hand, and he pulls his son into his arms for a firm hug. "I'm so proud of you," he says, hand clasped on his shoulder. "Is it too much to hope there's something on the West Coast in that envelope?"
Edward chuckles, shrugging. "Probably so, but you never know."
"You know I'm the Chief of Staff now." He lifts a brow, planting the idea in Edward's mind. "I can offer you a cushy position."
Edward's eyes meet mine, and they're shining. Of course, we'd love to go home to Forks—eventually. Just not right now. We've both agreed that if he's going to be a doctor, a pediatrician, he's going to be the best and that means the best residency program he can get.
Forks can't give us that.
"Maybe one day, Dad," Edward says, smiling. "Not just yet, though."
"Hopefully before I retire, at least." Carlisle laughs like it's a joke, but it's totally not. He wants to watch his son work in the field. It may even be his dream.
"Definitely," I say, trying to get to my feet as the woman starts the countdown.
10
9
Edward rushes over and takes my hand.
8
7
6
I'm up and by his side in no time.
5
4
3
2
I hold my breath.
1
"Happy Match Day!"
All the families cheer.
And Edward rips into his envelope like a crazed person.
After a beat of skimming the page, his eyes flash to mine and he drops to his knees, his palms cupping my eight-month pregnant belly. "It looks like we're headed to Boston, son." He lifts his green gaze to my brown one. "Are you okay with that?"
I nod, holding back tears. I don't know why. We were almost positive this would be his placement, but I guess my hormones are getting the best of me. "Boston sounds like an adventure," I say, wiping away the dumb tears. "I'm so proud of you, babe."
He pulls me as close as my stomach will allow and whispers, "I love you." Then he promptly moves to his father. "It's not the West Coast, but it's the top children's hospital in the country."
"I couldn't be prouder, son," Carlisle says, hugging Edward again. "Now, let's go feed my grandson." With a wink my way and a clap on Edward's shoulder, Carlisle leads us from the auditorium and to the parking lot where a limo awaits.
"What the hell is this?" Edward asks, chuckling uncomfortably.
"What?" Carlisle's blue eyes flash to his son. "I can't splurge a little for your big day?"
Edward pulls me just a little closer. "You can," he says, pulling open the door to assist me inside. "This is perfect."
With two more books in my series and Edward's residency starting in the fall, Boston will provide the first opportunity for us to stand on our own two feet. I still have a chunk of savings from the check my mother gave me, and Carlisle has been a gem while Edward was in school.
But we're married.
Official adults.
With a baby on the way.
It's time to show we can make it on our own.
Cranky Carlisle sure did put out hahahaha!
Boston's Children's Hospital for his residency.
A son on the way!
See ya tmr :)
