Loving Lily Lavender (16 page)

I wrapped my arms around him and cradled him to me. “I’m so
sorry, Lucas, forgive me. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was so hurt
by seeing you like that, and the next minute I was angered by what Samantha
said.

He jerked his head up to look at me. “What did Samantha say to
you?”

“She said you looked like you were enjoying it.”

“Lily, you know I wasn’t. You’re the only woman I could ever
want.”

“I know, I know,” I said, rubbing the tears from his face.

“Please don’t ever leave me like that again, please.”

“I’m so sorry, Lucas, I’m such a fool. Please forgive me.”

“Just promise, you’ll stay with me.” His eyes turned from
desperate to hungry.

“I promise,” I whispered and then his lips crushed mine. He
kissed me with more intensity than I’ve ever experienced. It reminded me of the
goodbye kiss when he left me to go to L.A. It had that same feeling of
desperation, and I responded to it eagerly.

His lips parted mine as the kissed deepened. Our breathing
accelerated as he pulled my shirt off over my head, barely breaking our kiss. I
pushed him back and ripped his shirt off. We looked at each other for a brief
second and smiled, realizing we were re-enacting the scene from earlier. Only
this scene was real, no one was going to yell cut, and we were going to finally
see this one through to the end.

“You know, as much as I wish I could lay here all day with you, I
think we have some making up to do to Landon.” I wished we had more time to
savor the moment.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, but we’ll have an encore tonight.”

“Most definitely, though I’m not sure you can top that,” I
teased.

“Just watch me.” He flashed me his brilliant smile.

“I look forward to it.”

“Lily, thank you for making us wait. That was the best memory of
my life. You were amazing.”

“Yes, it was amazing for me too. I just wish I wasn’t so stupid
beforehand.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s hard for all partners to watch
that. I’m just glad it wasn’t me. I would’ve gone mad watching some guy put his
hands all over you. Remember how I acted when Randall kissed you? And I didn’t
even witness it.”

“You’re just trying to make me feel better.”

“Is it working?”

“Yes.”

“Landon, please forgive me for disrupting your filming schedule.
I was a fool. I promise I’ll stay out of the way from now on.”

“Don’t be silly girl.” He pulled me into an embrace, as if I were
his daughter, and kissed me on the top of the head. “I’ve been a director for
seventeen years, and how you reacted today was nothing compared to how some
husbands and wives react. Especially husbands, they’re the worst.

“Really?”

“I’ve had to shut down production for a whole week waiting for a
couple to make up. Or better yet, hire a stunt double to perform the entire
love scene except for the face shots.”

“Now there’s an idea,” I teased.

“Don’t worry about it so much, you’re a new bride, you’re
entitled. Besides, after you guys left, we just filmed another scene with the
family. The bad news is, we have to come back to the love scene and get more
takes. One is not going to do. I’m sorry.” 

“Oh no, don’t be sorry. I’ll just make sure I have something else
to do.”

“Well, that went better than I thought,” I said, approaching
Lucas.

“See, I told you there was no need to worry.”

“Well, I take some satisfaction at the thought that Samantha is
going to be mad that she has to do your make up over again.”

“Oh yeah, she’s going to be real mad. Maybe we should tell her
what we did to mess it up.” Then we both laughed.

I knew I was wrong to want to get her back a little bit, but it
made me feel better anyway.

We threatened the gang with pain of death if they showed up at
our place that night. We stopped and got a bite to eat on the way home. When we
entered the room, I called dibs on the shower and ran to the bathroom first.  I
was getting ready to get out when Lucas pulled the door back and came in.

“May I join you?”

“Actually, I was just getting out.”

“Oh no you don’t.” He pulled me against him and kissed me
passionately.

“Hmm, maybe you’re right. I think I missed some spots.”

Ten minutes later I squealed, running from the shower as the last
of the hot water ran out. Lucas was right behind me, laughing in amusement.

He was chasing me through the living room when I slipped and
skidded across the floor, causing him to laugh harder. He picked me up and carried
me to our bedroom where our party continued.

 Early the next morning, I had just gotten out of the shower when
I heard a knock at the door. I knew Lucas was next door showering in his old
room. We had decided not to give it up for that very reason. I put on my robe
and went to the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s Detective Santiago, Mrs. Lavender.”

I opened the door cautiously. “Please come in.” He spied my
attire and said,

“I’m sorry to come so early, but I wanted to catch you before you
left.”

“Yes, of course. Can I offer you some coffee, Detective?”

“No thank you. Is your husband here?”

“Um, not at the moment, but he should be here any minute.”

“Good, because I would like him to hear this too.”

After a few minutes Lucas came through the joining door with a
towel wrapped around his waist. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know we had company.”

“Mr. Lavender, I’m sorry to catch you both at a bad time, but I
have some information.”

“Yes, please have a seat, Detective. What is it?”

“Well, we definitely found a drug on your flowers. It’s a drug
known only as DCB. It’s not very common, but it can be purchased in a powdered
form. If sniffed, the symptoms are usually hysteria, delusions, headache,
dizziness, and in some cases, suicide depending on how severe the intake.”

I gasped. “Do you think whoever sent me the flowers meant me
serious harm?” Lucas came to sit with me and took my hand.

“I have to assume so. We’re checking with all the florists, but
it’s possible whoever sent them made the arrangement themselves. The card
didn’t have a company name on it.”

“So, what are your thoughts, Detective?” Lucas asked.

“Well, at this stage of the investigation, I’m inclined to
believe it’s a crazy fan that wants Lily out of the way. Hopefully, this is
just an isolated incident and we’ll hear no more from this person. For now,
continue to keep Lily close and surrounded by someone constantly. Call me if
you have any questions or anything comes up, even if you think it’s
insignificant.”

“Thank you, Detective, for all you’re doing.”

“You’re welcome, just doing my job. Have a nice day.”

“You too,” we both said, shutting and locking the door behind
him.

“Lucas, someone’s really trying to kill me.”

“It’s okay, Lily, I’ll protect you. I won’t let anyone get near
you.”

“We don’t know who this is. It could be anybody. You can’t
protect me from everyone.”

“Oh yes I can. I won’t let you out of my sight.”

“You know, it’s really hard to take you seriously when you’re
barely covered like this.” I reached up and laid my hand on his bare chest.

“I was just thinking the same about you.” He pulled me up into
his arms.

“Do we have time?”

“Does it matter?” He smiled as he took my hand and led me into
the bedroom.

“By the way, how do you feel about December twelfth?” I asked in
the car on the way to the set.

“Um, should I know what that means?”

“For our wedding, silly. Meagan and I settled on that date. Do
you think that will work for you? It doesn’t give me much time, but I’ve have a
lot of help.”

“Well, I’m not looking at my calendar, but I’m sure I can make it
happen. What ever you want, it’s your day.”

“No, it’s
our
day, and I want you to be happy too. After
all, it’s going to be for your friends and family as well.”

“Well, that’s true. A Christmas wedding, that sounds nice and
different.”

“Luke, lots of people get married at Christmas time, after all,
it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” I smiled.

He couldn’t resist laughing at my joke.

“Okay, it’s settled then. December twelfth it is. Did you know
that our wedding will be exactly six months, to the day, of our first meeting?”

“Wow, nice planning. That will be easy for me to remember,
considering we already celebrate the twelfth of every month now.”

“I thought you’d like that, although I didn’t plan it, it just
seemed to work out that way. Oh, I better e-mail Pastor Rob to make sure he’s
available for that day.”

“So, are we getting married in your church then?”

“No, we’re getting married in
our
church, if that’s not
too bold to say.”

“No, of course not. Do you think they’ll have me?”

“If they don’t have you, then they don’t have me. We’re a
packaged deal now, baby.” I smiled.

“Hmm, I like that.”

“You know, Lucas, I’m really sorry I scared you yesterday. I
shouldn’t have tried to leave like that. I was experiencing new emotions and
didn’t know quite how to deal with them. You must know, I wouldn’t have even
got to the airport before I turned around and came back to you.”

“Really?”

“Yes really. I can’t live without you. Don’t you know that by
now?”

“Yes, I guess I do. Speaking of apologies, I owe
you
one.
I shouldn’t have allowed you to sit in on our filming. I’ve read the script. I
knew how intense it would be. I should’ve known better. Also, I’m sorry for
throwing you on the bed and holding you down like that. That was uncalled for.
I was just so desperate for you to stay, and you were so determined to go. I
couldn’t have you leave over something like that.”

“Lucas, you have nothing to be sorry for. It was all me. I over-
reacted. You were just trying to help me see reason. Thank you for not letting
me go.”

“Well, it’s over now. Let’s just not let that happen to us again.
Let’s not let anything separate us. As long as we’re together we can get
through anything. Okay?”

“Yes, you’re right, as long as we’re together.”

The rest of the month was uneventful. No one tried to kill me at
least. Lucas and I spent as much time alone as we could. The gang still came
over three or four times a week, and I still cooked for us, but we just kicked
them out early so we could be alone.

Sometimes we would slip away to an empty, secluded space in
between shoots, a bathroom perhaps, or a walk-in closet in one of the bedrooms.
The truth is we had a hard time keeping our hands off of each other. New love
is funny that way.

I also noticed that Lucas was becoming more confident and even
bold at times. He was so adorable, reading his bible and asking me questions
about God. Simply put, he was changing. Even the gesture of running his hand
through his hair was gone. Honestly I found the gesture endearing and knew I’d
come to miss it. The changes were subtle, but there nonetheless.

We had a wonderful time at Landon and Stephanie’s anniversary
party. They hired a caterer and a D.J. Lucas and I danced all night until my
feet were so swollen I could barely walk. He even had the D.J. play some disco
for me. The Bee Gee’s song from
Saturday Night Fever
began and Lucas’s
jaw dropped as I parted the crowd and began to dance the moves from the movie,
winging it with the moves my dress wouldn’t allow. Then it was my jaw that
dropped as Lucas came up and danced along side me, meeting me move for move as
though we’d rehearsed it. I gasped in shock, and the crowd went wild as Lucas
did the floor moves, ending with a fancy jump in the air. He took my hand, put
it on his shoulder, and strutted me off through the crowd, thus ending our
dance in the most spectacular fashion. It was a strange thing for him to do,
dancing with me that way, but I was exhilarated. I guess I really was rubbing
off on him, but he was an actor after all.

During the course of the evening, Samantha came up to me and
apologized for upsetting me after the love scene. She said she didn’t mean it
the way it came out and was glad to see Lucas and I doing so well. She seemed
sincere, so of course I forgave her, although I wasn’t quite ready to become
her friend. Her and Rachel both had been less than nice to me from the moment I
arrived, whispering when I passed, scowling at me when no one was looking,
immature things like that. Oh well, I just made sure to stay away from them.
Normally I don’t let people like that get to me, but I’d be lying if I said it
didn’t bother me a little bit.

It was only five days later when Landon yelled, “Okay everybody,
that’s a wrap!”

Shouts went up as everyone rejoiced.

Lucas came over, picked me up, and spun me around, “Lily, we’re
done!”

“As in done, done?”

“Yes, we’ve finished shooting. We can go home. You don’t have to
leave without me now.”

“Oh, thank God.” I jumped back into his arms and then began to
cry at the realization of having to say goodbye to all the ones who had quickly
become my family.

“Hey, let’s all go out to eat tonight and celebrate, one last time,”
Lisa suggested as they gathered around us.

We all agreed and decided to meet at a nice restaurant called
Victoria’s, around seven.

Everyone showed up. Randall was there. Sylvia came and brought
her husband Hal. All of the people were there from hair, makeup, and wardrobe,
along with the stunt people and all of the camera crew. I think someone said
the entire restaurant was booked for the evening.

I was on my way to the restroom when Jordan approached me. “Lily,
can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure.”

“I just wanted to say that I know I’ve been busting your chops a
lot and all, but I really want to thank you for having such a strong affect on
my life. Before I came here, I was really miserable. After meeting you, and
after your accident, everything changed for me. I just wanted to say thank you
for being such a good person, and for making Lucas so happy. He deserves it.”