Chapter Eleven

London

When I agreed to go to the conference, I'd been thrilled, honored, and ready.

Or at least my brain had convinced me I was all of those things. But as it got closer and closer, I realized how woefully unprepared I was. This wasn't some little conference with some local people. Heck, it wasn't even a university event. This thing was going to be huge.

From the time I started in my field, I'd worked in small practices, first for another dentist and eventually with my own practice. I had a small group of local dentists I coordinated on-calls with, and I was involved in the clinic, but that was really it. How I went from that to suddenly speaking to such a large gathering of experts blew my mind. Somehow, they decided I was going to not only be their guest but to be there as an expert. Maybe "expert" wasn't the right word, but it was still overwhelming.

Writing the speech hadn't been bad. I was going to be speaking about my passion, and when you talked about what mattered to you, the words just flowed. The writing part was a piece of cake.

It was preparing to actually deliver that speech that was stressful and had me wanting to turn back time and change my answer to their request.

The entire drive there, that's all I did—prepare for my presentation. I read my speech over and over and over again, practicing it in my head so I didn't distract Gray from the traffic he was dealing with.

I'd already given my speech to Gray a few times. He assured me it was great. But also? He was my daddy. His job was to think I was great and awesome and adorable and pretty much the bee's knees. And then there was the fact that he wasn't in my field. Would he understand the nuances of my word choices? Who the people were who were going to be listening to me?

We checked into the hotel the night before my big speech. The hotel was fancy, which somehow added to my insecurity. Was I worthy of this venue? It was safe to say I needed to get out of my head.

"Want to go to dinner?" Gray put our suitcase on the bench along the wall. "There are some nice places around here.

"I don't think so." I plopped on the bed. "I can't get out of my own way."

Gray came over and lay down beside me. "Do you know why I let you hyper-focus on your speech in the car?" Not that he asked, it was kind of weird.

"So I won't mess up tomorrow?"

"Nope. I 100 percent know that you've got this. You are so well thought of in your field, you give back in ways so many others hadn't even considered, and you have important information to share."

"You have to think that." I rolled onto my side. "That doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. But you are biased."

"Maybe I am, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong. They invited you. Out of all the dentists in this country, you're the one they picked. You're right. My opinion doesn't really matter. So don't go by it." He reached over and cupped my cheek. "You've got this."

"And you let me hyper-focus because I wasn't ready to hear it yet."

"You are wise, my little conductor." He kissed me and then rested his forehead against mine. "What do you say we get some dinner in and ignore the rest of the city around us?"

"That sounds like the best idea ever."

We ordered room service and, while we waited for it to come, I double-checked my suit to make sure it didn't need to be pressed and put on comfy pajamas. And then I did the scariest thing of all. I handed Gray my notes and made him promise not to give them back to me. If he said I was ready, I was ready.

I ended up staying up far too late, the two of us watching multiple versions of Murder on the Orient Express . It was fun watching the train and, even though I knew who did it, there was something fascinating about the reveal. Eventually, I got some sleep. Not enough, but it would do.

The last thing I remembered Gray saying to me before I fell asleep was, "You've got this," and for the first time, I believed it.

The next morning, after grabbing a quick breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Gray came with me. He was my "assistant" because that's how they labeled the ticket. He wasn't somebody in the field and was probably the only person there who could say that. But that didn't stop him from coming in to see my big speech. He sat with me as they introduced me and called me up for my award. It was go time.

A few deep breaths, and I walked up to the front of the room clapping. I shook hands, accepted the plaque, and then locked my eyes on Gray as if he was the only person in the room.

I gave it my all, not missing a beat, not forgetting any lines, not feeling the loss of the papers I'd given Gray. And when my last word was spoken, the room responded with a standing ovation. Who knew they did that outside of the theater? I sure didn't.

I'd done it. I managed to not only get through my speech but also to show others how I'd accomplished all I had so they could do the same.

The person running the event announced it was time for us to head to our first sessions. And some people did leave, but many more stayed, wanting to catch a word with me. I looked up to find Gray and, when our eyes met, he gave me a little wave, and I nodded. He'd been there for me when I needed him most, and now it was time to let me fly.

I spent the entire next session chatting, answering questions, and helping people figure out how to start giving back in their own communities. It felt amazing. But, eventually, they needed the room, and it was my turn to attend sessions, to sit back and learn.

When it was finally time for everybody to break for supper, I headed back to the room. There were sign-ups aplenty for groups going to different kinds of cuisine, and even dinners hosted by some of the sponsors, but I didn't want any of that. I was put-a-fork-in-me done for the day. Sure, networking was great, but so was being away from all the people, all of the stress. All I wanted to do was be with Daddy.

I walked into our hotel room and was met with a surprise, not that it should've been one. Daddy had laid out my train pajamas on the bed, and, behind them was a paper gift bag.

He looked up as I came in. "How was the rest of your day?"

"It was good. It was very good. I got myself worked up for no reason."

He gave a subtle nod.

"But you knew that."

"I did." He chuckled and came over to hug me close.

"You didn't try to push me."

"No. I didn't need to and you wouldn't have wanted me to."

And he was right. I wouldn't.

"Did you want to go get dinner tonight or have me bring something back here?" he asked. "The pajamas were a just in case you needed them."

"Honestly, I just need my daddy."

"It's a good thing I'm here." He kissed my forehead. "We can clean up, get fed, watch some of your train cartoons, and just relax."

"No present time?"

"You saw that, did you." He stepped back. "Go ahead."

I snatched the bag up and reached inside. I wasn't sure what I expected, probably something little or at least train related. How wrong I was.

" World's Favorite Dentist ." I read the T-shirt out loud. "They make these?"

"Turn it over."

When I flipped it over, it had a picture of the dentist from Rudolph on it, and I hugged it close, not even containing my laughter.

"I saw it, and I thought of you, but I have a secret. It should be you on the back."

"I don't want to be the world's favorite. I only want to be yours."

"Done, my little conductor. You're officially my favorite dentist."

"Thank you, Daddy." I grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss.