A modicum of self-control

“Mmm,” she hummed, not bothering to open her eyes. “Unfortunately.”

A faint smile ghosted across his lips. “It’s a day off.”

“All the more reason not to move,” she countered, tightening her hold on him just a fraction.

“I was planning on going for a run.”

Her response was immediate—a groan, dramatic and deeply offended, as she buried her face further into his chest. “Absolutely not.”

“I didn’t say you had to—”

“You were about to,” she cut in, lifting her head just enough to fix him with a sleepy glare. “And then you were going to give me puppy eyes to convince me.”

That earned a quiet laugh, low and warm against her hair.  “I don’t believe I’ve ever given you those.”

“Fine,” she allowed. “More like ‘disappointed physician slash stern physical trainer’ eyes.”

Another laugh from him before kissing her forehead. “Stay here and sleep, love. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“I should go back to my apartment,” she said, voice softer now. “I need more clothes.”

Ethan stilled.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about the statement. Yet, he disliked it. 

Lilac shifted, pressing a distracted kiss to his chest as she started to push herself up. “I’ll be quick. I can grab coffee on the way back. Oh, and breakfast from that cafe—”

His arm tightened around her waist before she could get far.

“Don’t go.”

She blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly. “Ethan…”

“I mean it.”

Something quiet and heavy coated his tone. 

She searched his face. “I’ll be back in like an hour.”

“That’s not the point.”

Her brows knit. “Then what is?”

Ethan remained very still, careful not to rush his words. 

“I don’t want you going back and forth like this,” he said finally. “Like you’re… visiting.”

It was Lilac’s turn to go very still. 

“You’re not visiting, Lilac. In fact, you’re the only thing that makes this place feel like home.”

She said nothing, breath held as she hinged on every word. 

Ethan held her gaze, steady now.

“Move in with me.”

She blinked at him, processing. “That’s—”

“Big,” he finished for her. “Yes.”

She let out a soft, incredulous laugh. “You just… drop that casually?”

“I don’t do anything casually.”

“Clearly.”

She studied him, really studied him, like she needed to be certain this wasn’t just a fleeting thought.

“You’re serious,” she said.

“I am.”

Another beat. Then—

“Okay.”

Ethan blinked once. “Okay?”

She smiled, softer now. “Okay. I’ll move in with you.”

Something like utter relief settled in his chest. He leaned in, kissing her slowly, like he needed to anchor the moment.

When he pulled back, her eyes were still on him, warm but thoughtful.

“You know I might be difficult to live with,” she said.

“I doubt that.”

“No, really,” she insisted, shifting slightly so she could face him fully. “I have odd habits.”

“So do I.”

“I hate the dishwasher.”

“I know.”

She blinked. “You know?”

“I’ve watched you avoid it like it personally offended you.”

“It’s a Mexican thing,” she said with a small laugh. “Growing up, we used ours as storage. We washed everything by hand.”

Ethan’s mouth twitched. “Yes, your sister told me all about how often you had to do that job because of all the bets you’d lose.”

“That’s because she was a filthy cheater.”

Ethan chuckled. 

“Back to my weird habits. I also leave drinks everywhere,” she continued. “Half-finished coffee, water, and juice. Sometimes all at once.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re being suspiciously calm about this.”

“I’ve been living with it already,” he pointed out.

“That’s different. That’s temporary chaos.”

“And this would be permanent chaos?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll survive.”

She huffed a small laugh. “You say that now.”

“I mean it.”

Lilac paused. Then, with a suspiciously casual tone, she said, “I also want a cat.”

Ethan didn’t even hesitate. “Absolutely not.”

She gasped, offended. “You didn’t even think about it.”

“I did. The answer is no.”

“Ethan—”

“No.”

“It could be a nice cat.”

“They all start that way.”

She shoved at his shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said smoothly, pulling her back against him, “you agreed to move in with me.”

The truth of the statement seemed to finally hit her. A smile that was pure sunshine broke across her face, followed by a giddy laugh. Unable to help herself, she flung her arms around him and kissed him. Ethan, without hesitation, kissed her back. 

“We’re really doing this,” she said breathlessly when they pulled apart.

“We are,” he assured her with a final kiss. 

After a moment, her voice softened again. “I’m going to miss them.”

Ethan didn’t have to ask to know she meant her roommates. 

“I know.”

“I don’t know how to tell them.”

Ethan took her hand and kissed it reassuringly. 

“They’ll be happy for you.”

“They’ll also never leave us alone.”

“That, I fully expect.”

She laughed quietly, settling back into him. Their bodies conformed to the warm tangle of sheets. Ethan, his heart a hundred times lighter, kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. 

The run could wait. 

“In many past studies,” the speaker said carefully, “minority patients were underrepresented. That makes it hard to know whether treatments work the same way for everyone.” 

The biggest difference for Ethan was not the modern stage design or the updated technology. 

It was the person at the podium. 

“My study followed patients for eighteen months. We wanted to see if the treatment would be successful, but more importantly, if the results would stand over time.”

Dr. Lilac Allende stood at the podium in a tailored black suit, her posture graceful and composed as she retained the crowd’s apt attention. The bright lighting caught in her dark hair, traced the line of her cheekbones, and made her green eyes luminous as she spoke. As Ethan watched her, he dropped all semblance of professionalism for a few minutes and admired his beautiful wife. 

“My team and I are happy to report that the data held strongly. At eighteen months, efficacy remained statistically significant. Complication rates did not increase over time.” 

The crowd erupted into deserved applause. Before he could help it, Ethan remembered a younger version of her standing beside him in Edenbrook crowded corridors, asking him questions and hanging from his every word. He remembered challenging her during rounds, and pushing her harder than he had ever pushed anyone. This moment was proof of the raw potential he saw in her then. 

It was no wonder he fell hopelessly in love with her somewhere along the way. 

“Any questions for Doctor Allende?” the moderator asked. 

Ethan was at the microphone before she finished asking the question. Lilac watched him from the stage, her expression neutral. She did not look surprised in the least that he had questions for her. 

“Yes, Dr. Ramsey?”

“Your follow-up compliance rates are unusually high,” he said. “Patients from lower-income brackets completed the protocol at nearly the same rate as higher-income participants. How?” 

A lesser presenter would have flinched at his direct tone but Lilac remained confident, even offering him a smile. 

“It's very simple, Dr. Ramsey. We paid participants for their time,” she said. “If they had to miss work, we covered lost wages. We provided transportation vouchers. Childcare stipends. We didn't want only patients who could afford time off to be represented. ”

The crowd voiced their approval. 

“We also felt strongly about building trust with potential participants. So we partnered with community physicians for recruitment instead of relying on tertiary referrals. We employed diverse coordinators and held informational sessions in local churches and community centers before enrollment began.” 

“Building trust was part of the protocol?”

“Absolutely.”

Her voice softened, but her posture remained firm.

“As a first generation Mexican-American physician, I’ve seen how distrust affects participation. Many families in my community hesitate to engage with healthcare systems because of prior experiences such as discrimination, language barriers, and feeling dismissed.”

The room was silent now.

“We addressed that directly. We held information sessions in Spanish and English. We explained everything clearly. We answered questions before anyone signed anything.”

Ethan nodded once, offering no other reply. His eyes then slid to the data panel displayed on the screen. 

“Your Hispanic cohort demonstrates slightly different side effect patterns at month twelve. Interpretation?”

The crowd’s attention moved from one physician to the other, holding their breath as though watching a contentious tennis match. The fact that they were husband and wife only added to the intrigue. Many were curious to see whether the infamously critical Dr. Ethan Ramsey would go easy on his own wife.

It became clear almost at once, however, that he questioned her with the same surgical precision for which he was famed. And it became equally obvious that Dr. Lilac Allende did not need him to treat her any differently than he would any other presenter. 

“Certain genetic variations can affect how patients process medication. Because we enrolled enough Hispanic participants, we were able to detect that variation early. We adjusted the dosing and those differences were resolved.”

“And was that a reactive change or planned monitoring?” 

Lilac's smile broadened. 

“Planned.”

“Explain.”

“It would have been irresponsible to conduct these trials without any prior testing. As such, we built pharmacogenomic studies into the protocol from the beginning. We expected differences with CYP450 expression patterns. We were ready for them.”

There was a long silence. Finally, there was a small shift in Ethan's expression. 

The moderator glanced at him. “Any follow-up questions, Doctor Ramsey?” 

 Ethan shook his head. 

“No.” 

—-

Backstage, the applause still pulsed faintly through the walls like distant thunder. Lilac slipped into the greenroom first, the last of her adrenaline humming beneath her skin. There was a lightness to her step now and she was positively glowing. 

Ethan followed a moment later and shut the door behind them with quiet finality. The public mask remained in place for exactly two seconds.

Then she smiled at him.

And it melted.

“Well?” she asked, arms crossed as she leaned against the makeup table. “Did I pass the infamous Ramsey Trial by Fire?” 

Ethan chuckled. “You did,” he said evenly. “Though I’m disappointed.”

Her eyes widened. “Disappointed?”

“You anticipated most of my questions.”

A slow grin spread across her face. “You forget I learned from you. And I am also your wife so I know you better than anyone.” 

The smile that earned made her heart quiver. Before they continued further, Lilac reached into her pocket for her phone. “Hold on. I need to text Sienna.”

“I already did,” Ethan replied. “Jonah’s asleep. Refused to settle until she showed him a picture of you at the podium.”

Lilac’s expression melted instantly. “He did not.”

“He did,” Ethan said dryly. “He has your dramatics.”

She laughed and typed anyway.

Is my favorite boy snoring yet?

The response was instant and came with a photo. Jonah’s tiny body was sprawled across Sienna’s shoulder, impossibly small and impossibly perfect.

Lilac exhaled softly and set her phone down.

“Okay,” she said, turning back to Ethan. “Now we can discuss your behavior.”

His eyebrow lifted. “My behavior.”

“Yes, Dr. Ramsey. Highly unprofessional.”

“I was the picture of professionalism. My questions were relevant and valid.”

“Not your questions. The way you were watching me.” She pushed off the table and took a few slow, measured steps toward him. “Sure, you were very composed and stoic.” She stopped directly in front of him. “But your eyes?”

He didn’t move. “My eyes did nothing.”

She held his gaze. “Your eyes did everything.”

 “I was evaluating the data.”

“No,” she corrected gently, reaching up to straighten his tie though it didn’t need straightening. “You were evaluating me.”

His gaze darkened slightly as her hands moved up to his collar. 

“I was impressed with your methodology.”

It was her turn to look affected. Her green eyes were dark and glimmering as she pressed her body closer. 

“Mmm. Say that again.”

“Impressed.”

Lilac pushed herself up on her tiptoes, closing the already imperceptible gap between them. Her lips pressed ever-so-slightly against his, a mere whisper. Before Ethan could pull her close and give in to the mounting tension, she pulled back, leaving him crazed. 

“Not just impressed, though. You looked…” she trailed off deliberately, "...possessive."

“And did you enjoy that, Dr. Allende-Ramsey?” he said, his voice hoarse. All pretense of restraint long gone. 

“Very much, Dr. Ramsey,” she returned, her fingers sliding down his shoulders. “I was counting down the minutes until I could get you alone.” 

“You have me alone now.”

His thumb traced the swell of her hip, driving her a little more insane with each pass. As if that wasn't enough, Ethan leaned down to whisper in her ear, “What do you propose we do now, Doctor?” 

Before Lilac could tear his clothes off, there was a knock at the door. “Doctor Allende, the luncheon will start in five minutes.” 

The assistant did not wait for a response before continuing down the hall. 

“I guess that means we should behave,” Lilac said with a resigned sigh. She pulled away from her husband, ready to collect her things. Before she could get far, he gently took her wrist. When she glanced at him, his expression was so sincere, all words fled her. 

“You really were incredible out there. I am so proud of you,” he said quietly.

Her expression softened instantly.

“That means everything, mi amor,” she answered.

He raised her hand to his lips, pressing a loving kiss to her skin.

“You’re brilliant. And fearless. And you’ve built something that will outlast both of us.”

Throat tight, Lilac had no words that could properly express how much that meant to her. Instead, she squeezed his hand, lifted herself to kiss her cheek, and murmured, “I love you.”

“I love you,” he returned without missing a beat. 

The smile they exchanged rivaled the sun. 

“Now, please don't make me go to that luncheon,” he begged, eliciting a laugh from her. 

“We're in one of the most beautiful cities in the country with an upgraded luxury suite. Not to mention, we have a babysitter until tomorrow evening. If you think I'm going to waste a minute of that at some boring old luncheon, you're crazier than I thought, Ethan Ramsey.”

“Mmm,” she hummed, not bothering to open her eyes. “Unfortunately.”

A faint smile ghosted across his lips. “It’s a day off.”

“All the more reason not to move,” she countered, tightening her hold on him just a fraction.

“I was planning on going for a run.”

Her response was immediate—a groan, dramatic and deeply offended, as she buried her face further into his chest. “Absolutely not.”

“I didn’t say you had to—”

“You were about to,” she cut in, lifting her head just enough to fix him with a sleepy glare. “And then you were going to give me puppy eyes to convince me.”

That earned a quiet laugh, low and warm against her hair.  “I don’t believe I’ve ever given you those.”

“Fine,” she allowed. “More like ‘disappointed physician slash stern physical trainer’ eyes.”

Another laugh from him before kissing her forehead. “Stay here and sleep, love. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“I should go back to my apartment,” she said, voice softer now. “I need more clothes.”

Ethan stilled.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about the statement. Yet, he disliked it. 

Lilac shifted, pressing a distracted kiss to his chest as she started to push herself up. “I’ll be quick. I can grab coffee on the way back. Oh, and breakfast from that cafe—”

His arm tightened around her waist before she could get far.

“Don’t go.”

She blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly. “Ethan…”

“I mean it.”

Something quiet and heavy coated his tone. 

She searched his face. “I’ll be back in like an hour.”

“That’s not the point.”

Her brows knit. “Then what is?”

Ethan remained very still, careful not to rush his words. 

“I don’t want you going back and forth like this,” he said finally. “Like you’re… visiting.”

It was Lilac’s turn to go very still. 

“You’re not visiting, Lilac. In fact, you’re the only thing that makes this place feel like home.”

She said nothing, breath held as she hinged on every word. 

Ethan held her gaze, steady now.

“Move in with me.”

She blinked at him, processing. “That’s—”

“Big,” he finished for her. “Yes.”

She let out a soft, incredulous laugh. “You just… drop that casually?”

“I don’t do anything casually.”

“Clearly.”

She studied him, really studied him, like she needed to be certain this wasn’t just a fleeting thought.

“You’re serious,” she said.

“I am.”

Another beat. Then—

“Okay.”

Ethan blinked once. “Okay?”

She smiled, softer now. “Okay. I’ll move in with you.”

Something like utter relief settled in his chest. He leaned in, kissing her slowly, like he needed to anchor the moment.

When he pulled back, her eyes were still on him, warm but thoughtful.

“You know I might be difficult to live with,” she said.

“I doubt that.”

“No, really,” she insisted, shifting slightly so she could face him fully. “I have odd habits.”

“So do I.”

“I hate the dishwasher.”

“I know.”

She blinked. “You know?”

“I’ve watched you avoid it like it personally offended you.”

“It’s a Mexican thing,” she said with a small laugh. “Growing up, we used ours as storage. We washed everything by hand.”

Ethan’s mouth twitched. “Yes, your sister told me all about how often you had to do that job because of all the bets you’d lose.”

“That’s because she was a filthy cheater.”

Ethan chuckled. 

“Back to my weird habits. I also leave drinks everywhere,” she continued. “Half-finished coffee, water, and juice. Sometimes all at once.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re being suspiciously calm about this.”

“I’ve been living with it already,” he pointed out.

“That’s different. That’s temporary chaos.”

“And this would be permanent chaos?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll survive.”

She huffed a small laugh. “You say that now.”

“I mean it.”

Lilac paused. Then, with a suspiciously casual tone, she said, “I also want a cat.”

Ethan didn’t even hesitate. “Absolutely not.”

She gasped, offended. “You didn’t even think about it.”

“I did. The answer is no.”

“Ethan—”

“No.”

“It could be a nice cat.”

“They all start that way.”

She shoved at his shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said smoothly, pulling her back against him, “you agreed to move in with me.”

The truth of the statement seemed to finally hit her. A smile that was pure sunshine broke across her face, followed by a giddy laugh. Unable to help herself, she flung her arms around him and kissed him. Ethan, without hesitation, kissed her back. 

“We’re really doing this,” she said breathlessly when they pulled apart.

“We are,” he assured her with a final kiss. 

After a moment, her voice softened again. “I’m going to miss them.”

Ethan didn’t have to ask to know she meant her roommates. 

“I know.”

“I don’t know how to tell them.”

Ethan took her hand and kissed it reassuringly. 

“They’ll be happy for you.”

“They’ll also never leave us alone.”

“That, I fully expect.”

She laughed quietly, settling back into him. Their bodies conformed to the warm tangle of sheets. Ethan, his heart a hundred times lighter, kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. 

The run could wait.