Loving Lily Lavender (27 page)

David’s a very lively and funny man. He had us all laughing the
entire evening. It’s been a while since I heard Lucas laugh so much. Have I
mentioned he has a charming laugh? Just hearing it warms my heart. Without
realizing it, I found myself staring longingly at him, and in a few moments he
glanced my way and caught me staring. At first his expression was questioning,
but then it turned to a look of longing of its own.

“Bella, David, I think it’s time I took Lily back to the hotel.
As you know, she hasn’t been feeling well this week.”

“Oh, of course,” they both said in unison.

We said our goodbyes and got into a cab. As soon as the driver
pulled away from the curb we were making out like two hormonal teenagers. Not
that I’ve ever had that experience as a teenager, mind you.

Every once in a while, I caught the cab driver eyeing us in the
rearview mirror. But we didn’t care, we were only kissing, although this
kissing ought to be illegal, but I’m glad it’s not.

When we made it back to the hotel I thought we were going to
spontaneously combust while waiting for the crowded elevator to take us to our
floor. As soon as we stepped out onto our floor and the elevator doors closed
behind us, we took off running to our room. Lucas fumbled anxiously with that
silly room card, but once inside, we made it as far as the entryway before
collapsing together onto the floor. Needless to say, it was a fun memory.

We stayed in New York for two more days and toured the sights. I
was most interested in seeing Ground Zero. I was surprised at my emotions at
seeing it, especially when reading the names of the people who lost their lives
there. Lucas and I held hands and said a prayer for the families represented.

Although it was a successful and enjoyable trip, I was glad when
we arrived back home. I was also glad to see Mom. She’s doing well and has
completely recovered from her accident and her spirits were up, though she
didn’t recognize me at all this time. Unfortunately, that’s happening more
frequently these days. I guess that’s to be expected under the circumstances.

We settled right back into our normal routine. Lucas started
going back to the studio while I stayed at home and took care of Chewy and the
house, no weddings scheduled anytime soon.

June twelfth has finally arrived, and I can’t believe it’s
already been a year since the first time I laid eyes on the dashing Brit I now
call my husband. We’re also celebrating our sixth month wedding anniversary.

I told Lucas I wasn’t really up to going out, so we decided to have
a quiet dinner at home, and then our favorite thing to do—snuggling by the
fire.

I spent an hour cooking a very special meal, a recipe from Paula
Dean’s new cookbook. It smells delicious and looks beautiful too—whether or not
it’s eatable, we’ll find out soon enough.

Lucas arrived home and gave me a quick kiss just before heading
up to take a shower. I decorated the table with candles and a beautiful bouquet
of roses from our garden. Tonight’s the night I’m going to give him the news
that will change his life forever. How will he take it? Will he accept it? What
am I saying? I’m not even sure that I’ve accepted it yet. No matter how he
takes the news, I know we’ll get through it—together.

“It smells delicious,” Lucas commented as he entered the dining
room. “It looks wonderful too. What’s the occasion?” He winked.

“Oh, I don’t know, just celebrating spending the last year with
the most amazing man on the planet.”

“Yes, it has been a year worth celebrating. And if I believed in
luck I would say that I’m the luckiest man alive to have had the last year with
the most beautiful and brilliant woman to have ever existed.” He pulled me into
his arms and kissed me with an intensity that left me woozy. In fact, when he
released me I actually stumbled into the nearest dining room chair.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course. You should be flattered that after a year your
kisses still leave me feeling light headed.” I smirked. He smiled back though
the concern never left his eyes.

We ate by candlelight and talked all the while staring longingly
into each other’s eyes. We’re in love more now than when we first fell, though
it has changed, grown deeper, truer, and much more intense. It’s one thing to
fall in love, with all the gooey feelings, sweaty palms, and overactive
heartbeat. But it’s another thing entirely, living in love. I am so blessed to
have a man like Lucas to live in love with.

After we finished desert, I set an envelope in front of him.
“Happy anniversary.” I kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“Happy anniversary to you too, baby.” He pulled an envelope out
of his jacket pocket and placed it in front of me. “Please, Lily, open mine
first,” he insisted with a look of anticipation.

When I opened the envelope, there was a piece of paper in it. I
pulled it out, unfolded it, and read . . .

Loving Lily

(Verse 1)

She’s the sun on my face and the wind in my hair.

She’s the reason I smile when I wake.

There’s nothing on this earth lovelier in my eyes.

The very touch of her lips makes me shake.

She’s everything to me.

Pray this doesn’t sound silly.

But—I live—for loving Lily

(Verse 2)

I felt such fear when I thought she was gone. 

She’s the beauty that haunts my very dreams.

She taught me how to live.

She taught me how to be.

She taught me to forgive.

She taught me to be free.

She uncovered my eyes and now I can see.    

Too bad if this sounds silly.

But the truth is—I live—for loving Lily.

When I finished reading the words, tears swelled in my eyes.
“Luke, it’s beautiful.”

“Lily.” He took my hand and peered intently into my eyes. “These
are the lyrics to a song I wrote for you. This is the song that’s been chosen
to play on radio stations all around the world, starting next week.” He smiled
a brilliant smile.

I gasped. “Lucas, are you serious?”

“Absolutely.” He got up, went into the den, and came back with
his guitar. Within seconds he was strumming the most beautiful melody I’d ever
heard. My heart melted as he sang the words to me, every word having some
cherished meaning to him. As the song came to an end, I was so overcome with
emotion that I burst into tears.

“Lily, honey, are you okay?” He put down his guitar and rushed to
my side.

“Yes,” I managed to say. “It’s just so beautiful. Thank you.”

He drew me to him, and I rested my head on his shoulder as he
comforted me.

“I’m sorry if I upset you.”

“No.” I lifted my face to meet his gaze. “You’ve made me
incredibly happy. I will always cherish this moment. I love you so much, Luke,
always remember that.” I reached up to stroke his face gently, mesmerized again
by his sharp, handsome features.

“I love you too—so much. You’re the reason I get up every
morning. In fact, you’re the reason for everything I do.” Then he pressed his
lips to mine. “Now,” he smiled, “let’s see if what’s in your envelope can top
what was in mine,” he teased as he headed back to his chair and sat down.

He opened the envelope, pulled out the two small photos, and
studied them as I watched with hopeful anticipation.

“Umm, thanks, honey, but what am I looking at exactly?”

“Well, use your imagination.”

He turned the photo all around trying to make sense of the image.
Then his eyes focused in on the tiny word “baby” next to the small,
oblong-shaped object in the center of the photo. He froze, and his face turned
pale white. I kept silent as he processed this new information.

As the look of shock began to fade, he looked at me wide-eyed. A
smile slowly crept up on his face and I sighed in relief.

“I guess what was in my envelope topped what was in yours.” I
reached over and hugged him tightly. “Congratulations—Daddy.”

Loving Lily Lavender was the first book I wrote, and I’m thrilled
to finally see it published. The story came to me in a full-sequence dream. It
was the sweetest dream of love surviving despite the challenges that threatened
it. I couldn’t seem to shake the dream, and for three days it was all I could
think about. Finally, I sat down to write my thoughts down on paper so I
wouldn’t forget it. Six weeks, and three notebooks later, a full length novel
was formed. I did my best to do the dream justice. I hope you have enjoyed it.

The flashback scene with the little girl with Alopecia was in
honor of my dear friend
Laura
Hudson
, who continues to inspire me with her beauty and larger-than-life
personality. Thank you, Laura, for all your help in getting this book in the
hands of readers, for believing in my work, but more importantly, for being my
friend.

Thank you to all of my family and friends, you know who you are,
because I used all of your names in this book. I wasn’t creative enough to
think of that many on my own….hope it’s okay. Too late. And if I forgot you
then I don’t love you. Kidding.