I wiped my hands on my trousers and took a deep breath after looking over my notes one final time.

Today was the day. I was presenting my defense to Harvard's Bioengineering department. Five years of hard work, research, and perseverance had gone into this degree, and if all went well today, I would officially be receiving my PhD when commencement rolled around in a few months' time.

Butterflies fluttered around in the pit of my stomach, but I tried my best to keep calm. I'd spent five years studying and working towards this moment. I knew what I was talking about and could, realistically, recite my presentation in my sleep. I was that well-rehearsed. I just needed to believe in myself.

After all, I had a support system of friends and family who'd all sent over encouraging messages this morning. A myriad of good lucks, well wishes, and you're-gonna-knock-it-out-of-the-parks. And if they believed in me, there was no reason I couldn't do this.

With only fifteen minutes left until my defense was set to start, I gathered my things and headed downstairs to the room I was set to present in. As the first one there, I continued to shake out my nerves, tapping my feet in a not-so-rhythmic beat, as I moved about and set up my laptop, but as the five-minute countdown ticked by, people began to file in.

Professors from the department, two colleagues I'd worked with over the years, and a few other students who took seats at the back of the room.

Thankfully, Miles was nowhere to be seen.

As the clock struck ten, one of the professors who'd interviewed me for the lecturing position straightened the papers in front of him and said, "Whenever you're ready."

I nodded, grabbing the remote control from the desk at the front as I expelled a slow breath. Turning to face the room, I saw Professor Klein give me an encouraging smile as she, along with the rest of the panel, waited for me to begin.

"Thank you, Professor," I started, before addressing the rest of the room. "And thank you all for being here. Today, I'm here to talk to you all about my research around artificial cell generation, specifically surrounding the different methods available to us for transplanting hand-crafted genomes into living cells, as well as the pros and cons to each method."

With each slide came new information; words I'd memorized to show the professors in the room just how familiar I'd become with my work. And when it came to the data, I let the numbers and charts speak for themselves. Using a laser pointer to draw their attention to the clear facts on my slides, I briefly explained the trends and outcomes, making sure not to overwhelm them with information.

I was clear and concise, gaining confidence as the minutes ticked by.

Before I knew it, I was wrapping up my presentation, recommending the same next steps to the department that Miles had just weeks ago, except I had the additional data to back it up.

"And that's why I believe, using the last method I presented before you here, there is an evident pathway to explore full synthetic cell generation. The artificial cells held their structure when subjected to my preliminary metabolic tests, and this department has the resources to expand this research into a more comprehensive strategy toward the end goal." With those last words, I took a deep breath and smiled at the room. "Any questions?"

Given that they'd all been jotting down notes while I'd been speaking, it wasn't a surprise when questions began flying my way. They asked me to expand on certain parts of the research or clarify a slide that had been slightly confusing, as well as explain how I'd decided which steps to take during my experiments and how my processes had begun to yield successful results. Then they'd asked how I'd come to hypothesize the method for fusing my artificial cells with optimal metabolic tests, which brought me back to the day, weeks ago, when I made the discovery in the first place. How I'd rushed to Professor Klein's office as my mind raced, though I left that detail out when I gave my answer.

"Well, I must say, this has all been very impressive, Lia," the lead professor said when there were no more questions. "If you wanted to step into the hall for a few minutes, the four of us will deliberate and let you know the verdict."

"Thank you," I said with a nod as I turned on my heel and headed for the door.

The moment I stepped out into the hall it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Leaning back against the wall, I exhaled slowly, in disbelief that it was really over.

But it was. I'd done it. I'd absolutely crushed it.

The minutes spent waiting felt long, but soon enough, the professors emerged from the room, offering me kind words as they passed and headed back to their offices, leaving Professor Klein to deliver the news.

"Well?" I asked, hope filling my chest.

Her lips lifted into a smile. "You passed."

I had to stop myself from slapping a hand over my mouth as a squeak escaped. And then another, more excited one.

Professor Klein laughed at my reaction. "Congratulations, Lia. You truly deserve it after all the hard work and dedication you've put into your studies these last five years."

"I couldn't have done any of it without your guidance though, so thank you."

She shook her head. "You would've excelled anywhere, and with anyone as a mentor, because that's just the type of person you are. Which is why I'm honored to say the department has decided to keep you around for a little while longer."

I inhaled sharply, surprised. "You mean—?"

"You should check your email when you return to your office," she replied knowingly, "but I'd like to be the first to congratulate you on your new position here at the university."

Oh my god!

I internalized most of my excitement, trying to remain professional, but I couldn't help the beaming grin that appeared. "Thank you."

"You deserve it," she said. "But do remember you still have exams to get through and a report to hand in, so don't celebrate too hard just yet."

While she was right—there was definitely still work to be done—there was no way I was letting this weekend go by without a bit of celebratory champagne. "Understood."

Going our separate ways, I quickly re-entered the classroom to collect my things before heading for the elevator. And once the metal doors closed in front of me, I let the elation inside of me go. Jumping in frenzied movements, I shimmied my hips and squealed with glee, letting the reality of what'd just happened sink in.

I'd passed my defense and landed the lecturing position.

What a day.

Composing myself as the elevator dinged open, I walked down the hall toward my office, patting my hair down as I went. Though the smile on my lips was not disappearing.

That is, until I noticed the door to my office was cracked open and the light was on. Two things that were definitely different from how I'd left them. And I swear to god, if Miles had decided to show his face, he would be regretting it momentarily.

But as I pushed the door open fully, it wasn't Miles that was in my office. No. My breath whooshed from my lungs when I saw Derrick hop up from my chair.

"D-Derrick?" I stuttered with surprise.

I blinked, wondering if what I was seeing was a dream. An illusion of some sort.

Nope, he was actually here.

Derrick shoved his hands into his front pockets, his shoulders tense as a small, meek smile pulled at his lips. "Hey."

I felt my heartbeat speed up as I asked, "What are you doing here?"

There was a wink of silence before he answered, and during that time, my eyes flicked to my desk to see a small bouquet of pink tulips resting there.

"Well," he started slowly, "I knew today was your big day and I wanted to be here to cheer you on. Though once I got here, I figured an outsider wouldn't exactly be allowed to watch a defense, so I thought I'd catch you after the fact." He gestured to the flowers. "These are for you by the way." Analyzing my expression, however, had him suddenly frazzled, given that I had yet to give him any indication that my defense had been successful. "Unless, shit, Lia, did things not go great?"

My resolve cracked slightly as my lips quirked upward. "I passed."

A subtle spark of joy lit up his eyes. "That's great," he chirped, bringing up his arms as though to give me a hug. He stopped mid-movement, however, thinking better of it and cleared his throat to cut the awkwardness. "I mean, uh, congratulations. You must be relieved it's over."

"It's definitely a burden off my shoulders," I admitted, "but I still have a few things to do before I'm completely finished with my degree."

He nodded in understanding before dropping his gaze to the ground, letting a lull of silence dance between us. Long enough for it to start becoming uncomfortable.

"Look—"

"Derrick—"

We both went to speak at the same time, and were quick to bite our tongues once we realized we were talking on top of one another.

"You go," Derrick said.

"Okay, well, I was just going to ask why you were really here," I said. "Because while I don't doubt you remembered today was my defense, you live in Los Angeles. A text or phone call would have sufficed, and after a couple weeks of not talking—which I know is just as much my fault as it is yours—I can't imagine it's a coincidence that you're back in Boston."

I needed to know, because there was a strong urge inside of me to do away with the space between us. To put my arms around him and fall into his embrace as though the weeks since our last conversation hadn't happened.

Except they had. This was the first time in weeks that I was hearing his voice, and while I couldn't blame him for vanishing and turning his focus elsewhere, since I'd done the exact same thing, we needed to talk.

Derrick sighed before meeting my gaze. "I'm here because I miss you. I miss talking to you about my day and seeing your smile, even if it was through my phone. I miss hearing you talk about your work and helping you study. I just miss you. When the Royals got knocked out of the playoffs a few days back, the only person I wanted to talk to once the night was over and I was alone in my condo was you."

"I tried to be there for you though," I pointed out. "I reached out that night."

"I know." He raked his fingers through his hair, grimacing. "When I saw your text come in, there was a part of me—a large part—that wanted to respond. To talk to you about how much it sucked the season was over, but I also didn't want to just sweep our fight under the rug. And I wanted to be able to apologize in person.

"I'm sorry," he continued with sincerity, taking the smallest step forward. "I'm sorry that I brought up distance being an issue with our relationship, because while it did suck to be far away from you, it wasn't a big enough issue to make things fall apart completely."

"But you weren't the one to bring it up," I said, fidgeting with my hands. "I was."

"You tried to apologize after that first outburst though," he countered, "while I was in my head. I'd just talked to a teammate about his long-distance relationship, and I'd been thrown by the fact that he'd spent three years with his fiancée and only gets to see her a few months a year. It had me thinking that was the direction we were heading, and after not seeing you for a couple of weeks, I was getting down on myself."

"And if I'd let you talk, you would've told me that, and I would've understood," I said, and it was true. "I was upset and emotional and I immediately directed my anger toward you."

"How did that whole situation go by the way? Did Miles get what he deserved for stealing your work?"

"By a technicality, he didn't steal my work." I rolled my eyes, still of the mindset that he did, in fact, steal my work for his own gain. "He credited me in fine print and didn't deny it was my work when questioned by the department. So, he passed his defense, but he definitely got what was coming to him. The department is letting him go, which means after he hands in his final report, he's done with this research team."

"Good riddance," he mumbled.

"Yeah, I won't have to worry about running into him this summer."

It took Derrick a moment to realize what I meant, but when he did, his eyes widened. "You mean you got the lecturing position?"

I nodded, unable to keep the smile off my lips as I thought about it.

A cheery laugh escaped him, and I didn't stop his movements as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. His happiness reinvigorated my own and I found myself grinning into his shoulder, closing my eyes as my hands drifted slowly up his chest, landing on his pecs.

"Congratulations, Lia," he said, pulling back and lifting a hand to my cheek. Rubbing his thumb softly against my cheek, he continued, "I know how much you wanted it."

"Thanks," I replied softly.

Looking into his eyes, seeing the sincerity of the man I'd fallen in love with, it was impossible for me not to lean forward. The feeling of his mouth was familiar, even with the barely there contact.

"Wait," Derrick said, leaning back once more. "I need you to truly understand how sorry I am about the lack of communication these last couple of weeks."

"You don't have to apologize anymore, Derrick," I said. "I did the same exact thing. I turned my focus to my work, and I can't fault you for it."

"And while that's great to hear, because I also don't fault you, I want to say that I do think we can make our relationship work. Long-distance isn't for the faint of heart, but if it's the only way to keep you in my life, as my girlfriend, you bet your ass that I'm going to do it. And when I get the schedule for next season, I'll immediately sit down with you and try to figure out every possible chance we have to see one another."

My hands smoothed down his chest. "You'd do that?"

"Of course," he said, as if it was the easiest question he'd ever have to answer. "After all, I seem to have fallen in love with you, so I definitely don't want to let you go. If you'll have me, that is."

A feeling of euphoria washed over me at his words, leaving me beaming up at him. "I love you, too," I said, unable to think of any other suitable response, and before I could get another word out, Derrick's lips were on mine.

For real this time.

The way our lips moved wasn't tentative or soft; we were hungry for one another. I used my teeth to nip at his bottom lip, prompting a moan, and in return, his tongue delved into my mouth, tangling with mine, reigniting the sparks that seemed to always flow between us.

When I tipped my head further to the side, not even thinking that we were currently in my office, his mouth trailed down my jaw and found the spot beneath my left ear that always seemed to light my body aflame.

Bringing my hands back to his cheeks, I fused our mouths together once more, indulging in hot kiss after hot kiss until I finally pulled back, breathing hard.

"How long are you in town?" I asked, my cheeks surely flushed pink.

"Well," he replied with a smile, his fingers tracing the soft skin just beneath the hem of my shirt, "I'd planned to stay long enough to apologize and win you back. Then I figured we could make a plan together."

"You don't have any other plans for your off-season?"

He shrugged. "I mean, not really. I'd like to see my parents, maybe find my way to a tropical island, but I know for a fact I want to be with you, for however long you'll have me."

I quirked a brow. "Are you saying you want to move in with me for the summer?"

We hadn't known each other long—it hadn't even been four months—but the possibility of having him around for the foreseeable future had my heart loop-de-looping inside my chest. It was a risk, but it was one that felt right.

"It depends," he trailed, "is that something you're comfortable with?"

Grinning up at him, I nodded. "I think I'd like that."

"Well then—" He leaned down to peck my lips. "—it looks like you've got yourself a roommate."

My features softened as I leaned into him. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

a/n: can y'all believe Lia and Derrick have come this far?! love a happy ending for them! (though was there ever any doubt??)

only the epilogue left to go, which will be up next Friday!

remember to vote and leave your thoughts on the chapter (and the story as a whole) below!