28. Elle

TWENTY-EIGHT

Elle

Wednesday, August 14

BioTechnique Marine Labs

Gainesville, FL

10:51 am

I sigh as I adjust the microscope, peering intently at the algae sample we collected from the Gulf last week. Trying to manipulate the delicate instruments with my still mostly useless left hand is frustrating. I've gotten used to working one-handed, but it definitely slows me down.

"Hey Elle, how's that Nannochloropsis culture looking?" my colleague Jake calls from across the lab.

"Promising," I reply, jotting down some notes awkwardly with my right hand. "The lipid content seems higher than our previous strains. Could be a good candidate for biofuel production."

I lean back, rubbing my neck. It's only Wednesday, and I'm already exhausted. Coming back to work after a month and a half away has been an adjustment. Part of me still wishes I was back in Birmingham with Shep and Opie, even though I love what I do.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I carefully prepare some slides to run more tests on the algae. As I'm pipetting samples, my phone buzzes. It's probably just another work email, but I have to check to make sure it isn't Shep.

I finish what I'm doing before checking—just a reminder about a team meeting later. I try not to feel disappointed.

I also keep hoping I'll see something from McWane Science Center. The recruiter got me an in-person interview before I left Birmingham, which was nice. We walked the entire facility while we talked about my experience and education at BioTechnique.

The more we talked, the more I became convinced they needed someone like me, with my experience, to really grow the marine life program. But she said I was overqualified for the position. I tried to tell her I didn't need a fancy title; I do this work because I love it.

I didn't hear back, so I'm guessing they found someone a little more dumbed down. Oh, well. It was a complete fluke anyway that I came across it. But now that we both know we are open to one of us moving, I have my eyes open for both neurosurgeon positions in Florida and something in the marine biology space in Alabama.

After finishing up, I check my email. I can't believe it! I have an email from McWane. I rush to open it, hoping they are at least willing to give me a second look.

I open the email from McWane Science Center with trembling fingers, my heart racing. As I read, I can hardly believe my eyes:

Dear Dr. Eloise Klass,

We are pleased to offer you the position of Chief Scientist at McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama. After careful consideration, we believe your expertise and vision align perfectly with our goals for advancing scientific research and education.

The position details are as follows:

Title: Chief Scientist

Responsibilities:

-Lead scientific research programs, particularly in marine biology

-Collaborate on new exhibit development

-Secure research funding through grants and partnerships

-Develop educational programs based on research findings

-Oversee a team of researchers and scientific staff

We would like you to start as soon as possible but understand you may need to give notice to your current employer. Please contact Dr. Amanda Chen at (205) 555-7890 or [email protected] to discuss next steps and a potential start date.

We are excited about the prospect of you joining our team and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Thompson

Executive Director, McWane Science Center

I stare at the screen, my mind whirling. They're offering me the job!

I can hardly contain my excitement as I quickly type out a text to Shep:

OMG! McWane Science Center offered me the Chief Scientist position! Call me when you can!

My hands are shaking so much I have to retype my reply twice before I can hit send. I know Shep has clinic today, so he might not be able to respond right away, but I'm bursting to share this news with him.

I try to take a deep breath and calm myself, but it's useless. My mind is racing with possibilities. Moving to Birmingham, being close to Shep and Opie, starting a new chapter in my career—it's all suddenly within reach.

I pace around my living room, willing my phone to ring. Should I call my parents? No, I want Shep to be the first to know. I pick up my phone again, checking to make sure the message sent. It did, of course. I force myself to put it down.

To distract myself, I open my laptop and start looking at apartments in Birmingham. But every few seconds, my eyes dart back to my phone. Still no response.

I get up and pour myself a glass of water, trying to steady my nerves. This is precisely what I wanted, but now that it's real, it feels overwhelming. There's so much to consider, so much to plan.

My phone buzzes, and I nearly drop it in my haste to check. But it's just a promotional email, and I groan in frustration.

"Come on, Shep," I mutter. "Check your messages."

I know I'm being impatient, but I can't help it. This news could change everything for us. I need to hear his voice, share this moment with him, and know if this is the sign we need to take to the next step.

I flop onto my couch, staring at the ceiling. My hand still aches a bit, which is a reminder of how this all started. Who would have thought a cut hand would lead to this?

My phone rings, and I snatch it up. My heart leaps when I see Shep's name on the screen.

Monday, August 19

McWane Science Center

8:01 am

I take a deep breath as I step into the McWane Science Center for my first day as Chief Scientist. The familiar scent of the exhibits and the excited chatter of visitors fill the air, but today, it feels different. Today, I'm not just a visitor but part of the team.

Sarah, the HR director who offered me the job, greets me warmly and hands me my new ID badge. Seeing my name and "Chief Scientist" printed below it is surreal. She gives me a quick tour, pointing out my office and introducing me to key staff members along the way.

My office is spacious, with large windows overlooking the main exhibit hall. I can't help but smile as I set my bag down on the desk. This is happening.

The morning flies by in a whirlwind of meetings and introductions. I meet with the research team to get a rundown of their current projects. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and I get even more excited about the possibilities.

As I'm sitting at my desk, trying to make sense of a complex grant proposal, there's a knock at my office door. I look up to see Shep standing there, a bouquet of vibrant Gerber daisies in one hand and a picnic basket in the other. My heart skips a beat.

"Surprise," he says with that irresistible grin of his. "Thought you could use a lunch break."

I can't help but laugh. "You have no idea how much I need this right now."

Shep is so handsome in his worn jeans and a button-down shirt. I'm used to seeing him dressed up or in scrubs, but I'm digging this in between.

We make our way to the garden area, where we enjoyed ice cream with Opie on our first visit. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet it was only a few weeks ago. As we sit down on a bench, Shep hands me the flowers.

"Gerber daisies," I say, inhaling their sweet scent. "You remembered."

"Of course I did," he replies, unpacking sandwiches from the basket. "So, how's it going? Feeling like a big-shot Chief Scientist yet?"

I chuckle, but it comes out a bit hollow. "More like a fish out of water, pun intended. There's so much to learn and so many people to meet. I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water."

Shep reaches out and takes my hand, his touch comforting and familiar. "Hey, enough with the drowning metaphors, it's only your first day. Give yourself some time to adjust. You're going to be amazing at this job, Elle. I know it."

His confidence in me warms my heart. "Thanks, Shep. I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right," he says, squeezing my hand. "And Elle... I want you to know how proud I am of you. The sacrifice you made to move here and make this relationship work means everything to me."

I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. "Shep..."

He takes a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine. "I love you, Elle. I'm pretty sure I never stopped loving you, and I was reminded of that the moment I saw you again in that hospital room. I just... I needed you to know that."