Loving Lily Lavender (24 page)

“Really?”

“Yes, of course. You guys have an amazing story. Remember I’ve
witnessed most of it. The kind of love you guys have doesn’t come along very
often.”

“Don’t you feel that for Cody?”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I adore Cody, but it’s nothing like what
you and Lucas have. I’ve never seen anything like it. I mean I can go a few
days and not see Cody and we’re both fine, but if you guys go one day then
you’re going crazy.  And it’s been that way from the very beginning.”

“You’re definitely right about that. By the way, thank you for
spending the nights over with me. It makes Lucas feel better too.”

“You’re welcome, but you would do it for me. Speaking of spending
the night, what do you say we pack the hay?”

“It’s called hit the hay,” I corrected, laughing.

“Oh, whatever. I’m exhausted.”

“Yeah, me too.”

I counted the minutes until Lucas would call and tell me the
funeral was over and he was on his way home. When the phone rang, I nearly
sprained my wrist pulling it out of my pocket.

“Lucas, please tell me you’re getting on the plane now. I miss
you so much. Tell me when your flight will arrive. I want to meet you at the
airport.” I paused. “Lucas, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here.” His voice was undeniably sullen.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling panic creeping in.

“I’m not sure how to tell you this but—I have to stay longer.”

My breath caught. “Please tell me you’re joking—please.”

“No, I wish I were. Dad’s really having a hard time and has asked
if we’ll stay with him longer. He needs his family around him right now.”

“How much longer?” I managed to get the question formed into
words.

“Another week,” he answered reluctantly.

“No, no, no! Lucas, I’ve barely survived this week. I can’t go
another week.”

“Baby, I know, it’s hard for me too, but what can I do? He’s
counting on me, Lily. If you could see him it would break your heart.”

“Yes, if it could be broken anymore than it already is.” I
sighed. “I’m sorry, Luke. I know I’m not making this any easier for you. I’ll
be okay. I’m just a little tired. You do what you have to do. Don’t worry about
me.”

“But I do worry about you. You’re not sleeping. I can hear the
exhaustion in your voice. Lily, please take care of yourself—for me.”

“I’m trying, really I am. It’s just so hard to function with part
of my soul missing.”

“I know. Believe me, I know, but we’ll be fine. We’ve survived
worse than this. Soon we’ll be together again and all the misery will be
forgotten. Can you hold on a little longer? I can if you can. Please, Lily—for
my father.”

“Yes of course, when you put it like that.”

“That’s my girl. I’ll call you again real soon. I love you, and
take care of my heart. I’ll be back soon to get it—I promise.”

“Okay. I love you too—so much.”

I spent the rest of the day in a daze. I know I finally found a
fountain for the wedding reception. And I know the bride’s maid’s dresses came
in and I went to the fitting, but I don’t remember any of it.

I couldn’t believe it when I woke up in the morning and realized
I had slept through the entire night without waking. I guess the exhaustion
became too much. Unfortunately it didn’t last.

When I woke the next morning, at a little after two a.m., I once
again began typing and by the middle of the week had completed our amazing
story right up to this very moment. So, from now on, everything is happening in
the present. Whatever happens next I guess we’ll find out together and whatever
it is it’s sure to be ridiculously unbelievable.

Meagan’s been following my progress, and after reading the end
said, “You can’t end it like that, you’ve got to write your reunion.”

“Well, we haven’t had it yet. Maybe I could make one up, you
know, maybe how I imagine it will be.”

“No way. Nothing you could imagine would be as good as how it
really happens for you guys.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“You know, I have a friend who’s a literary agent. Remember me
talking about Bella Washington from college? Why don’t I call her and see if
she has time to look at what you’ve written so far?”

“I don’t know where you get your delusions, lazer brain, but my
writing is nowhere good enough for publication.”

“Ha, ha. You know
Star Wars
quotes get old after a while.”

“Says who?”

“Says me, and I think your writing is great, but why don’t we let
her decide?  I’ll give her a call right now.”

“Actually, Meg, I really don’t have time to do this right now.
This wedding is in three days.”

“How about this, if she says she has time to look at it, I’ll
send it in for you, okay?”

“That sounds okay. Thank you.”

“I still can’t believe you finished it so quickly.”

“Me either. Well for one, I didn’t have to create anything; the
memories were already there. And thanks to my journaling, I could recall every
detail and had all the dates logged. Secondly, I’ve been writing all night,
every night. And last, I truly believe it was inspired by God.”

“You’ve got a good point there. I never question God unless I
want big, fat trouble.”

With every fiber of my body I was wishing for this week to end.
This wedding is extremely stressful, but at least it’s starting to finally come
together. The waiting for Lucas to come home, that’s what’s killing me. I
honestly don’t think I can take it much longer.

I always know when it’s the day before a wedding because I wake
up with anxiety. Not just because of all there is to do, but because this close
to the end you never know if something bad is going to happen to test your
sanity. And with this wedding my anxiety was in overdrive.

I received a call from Bella Washington explaining that she had a
small window of time and wanted to meet with me. Of course I agreed. I couldn’t
believe it, hadn’t Meagan just sent in my manuscript? After I explained my time
dilemma, she agreed to meet me in the hotel ballroom.

Since the wedding was at eleven o’clock in the morning, the decorating
for the reception had to be completed by tonight and that meant I was here for
the long haul. Am I complaining? No, that’s what I get paid for.

It was a little after one when Bella arrived.

“Well first, Lilianna, let me start by saying it is a great
pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, well it’s nice to meet you too, but please call me Lily. I’m
surprised to hear from you this soon. You must be a fast reader.”

“Actually, it’s my job to be a fast reader, and I
am
very
busy right now, but I did this as a favor for Meagan. After reading your work,
however, I really think we have something special here, and I’d like to
represent you to the publishers. We’ll need to clean it up a bit before sending
it in, but I’ve got a couple of big publishers I believe will be interested in
your story. I also think we need to change the title.
Loving Lucas
doesn’t
seem to fit. I was thinking more about
Loving Lily Lavender.
That seems
to fit the content of what you’ve written, but we can discuss that at the
appropriate time. It’s so hard to believe that it all really happened. If I
hadn’t seen it played out before my eyes in the media I would be inclined to
believe it to be a work of fiction.”

“Well, thank you, and I’m truly flattered. But to be honest, I
really have to consult with my husband first before I can give you an answer.
He’s not even aware I’ve written it yet. He’s in London right now on family
business, but I can talk to him as soon as he returns.”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t dream of going any further with this
unless he’s in full agreement.” She smiled. “And of course it needs an ending.”

“Actually I’m kind of anxious for that part myself. And a happy
one at that.”

“Well, here’s my number. Please call me as soon as you’ve had a
chance to speak with him about this, and we’ll go over all the other details
then.”

“Yes, thank you so much for taking the time. I’m very grateful,
as is Meagan, I’m sure.”

Once she was gone I called Meagan to tell her the news. She
squealed so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. After I finished jumping up
and down, I knew her well enough to know she was doing the same, I rattled off
a quick goodbye and got back to work.

As a result of Bella’s visit, I had a little spring in my step as
I finished up my work, something I’d been missing for almost two weeks now.

When I got home, I was exhausted. I let Chewy out and fed him
before crashing on the sofa, where I woke up at seven o’clock in the morning.

Lucas called just as I was leaving for the wedding. He said he
had a flight booked to come home first thing Monday morning. This was good
news, only two more days until he’s in my arms again.

I received an alarming call on my way to the church notifying me
that the father of the bride had a kidney stone attack just hours earlier, and
with just two and a half hours left before the wedding.

The wedding, however, despite all the problems, turned out
beautifully, although I felt aged as a result. The father, with heavy
painkillers in his system, practically floated the bride down the aisle.

I said the wedding was beautiful but not without it’s problems
right up till the very end. As a last ditched effort to ruin everything, the
cake table toppled over, spilling the cake onto the floor. I was, however,
miraculously able to save the top layer, making a mad, and embarrassing, dash
and catching it before it smashed to the floor. I stood and held my prize in
the air as the applause broke out. Suddenly, and without any warning, two kids
ran past, bumping me, causing the cake layer to fly from my hands and land dead
center into the punch bowl, splattering red punch down the front of my pale
pink dress.
Like I said earlier, wedding from Hades
.

As the wedding came to a close, I watched all the couples dancing
and couldn’t help but think of Lucas. All of a sudden, I had a beautiful
thought. I grabbed my phone and called Meagan.

“Meg, I’ve had the most fantastical idea in the history of ideas.
I’m going to book a flight to London for first thing in the morning and
surprise Lucas. I mean, my joy’s not meant to be suppressed, so I’m going to go
get it. Why should he have to leave his father now when I can go to him? My nightmare
wedding is over now, and I’m free. All I need from you is if you would please
take Chewy to your house while I’m gone.”

“Of course I will. I think that’s a great idea. Boy won’t Lucas
be surprised?”

When I got on the plane, I was so excited I could barely sit
still. In only eight hours or so I’d see him. He’ll be so surprised when I call
and tell him I’m at the airport. But those eight hours were grueling, as if
time stood still.

I finally arrived and it was seven o’clock p.m. London time. I
picked up my luggage then proceeded to call Lucas.

“Hey lover. Guess where I am right now.” I was so happy I could
barely contain myself. “I’m at the airport.”

“Really, lover, because I’m at the airport too.”

“Oh, Lucas—really?” I practically screamed with delight. “Where
are you? I can’t wait to see you. By the way, how did you know I was here?”

“Actually, I didn’t. That’s pretty amazing that we’re both here
at the same time. Let’s meet in front of the gift shop in five minutes.”

“Okay, five minutes.”

I shut my phone closed and practically bounced my way to the gift
shop. I glanced at my watch and counted down the minutes, just two more minutes
until I see that beautiful face, that amazing smile, and that tall, lean
physique. Only one more minute until he takes me in his arms and hugs me
senseless. Only thirty more seconds until his delicious lips crush mine and
make me forget my mother’s name.

I started scanning the crowd anxiously looking for my fabulous
lover, but I couldn’t see him anywhere. Three minutes passed and I was so
impatient I could’ve thrown my luggage through the gift shop window. Then my
phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Lily, where are you?”

“I’m right here in front of the gift shop, where are you?”

“I’m right here in front of the gift shop too. What are you
wearing?”

“I’m wearing blue jeans and my red blouse you love.”

“Okay. Well, I’m looking—but I don’t see you.”

“That’s weird. I’m right here in front of the “Welcome to London”
sign.”

“Wait—what did you say?”

“I said, I’m standing in front of the “Welcome to London” sign.”

“Oh no.” His voice was full of disappointment.

"What, Luke? Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Lily, what airport are you in?”

“I’m in Heathrow, silly. Why? What airport are you in?” As I
finished the question I instantly felt nauseous as the realization was
beginning to dawn.

“I’m in Douglas International.” He said the words very slowly.

“No, no, no! One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand.”
I shook my head, trying not to consider what was happening. “What are you doing
there?! You’re supposed to be here!”

“I wanted to surprise you by coming home early. What are you
doing there?”

“I wanted to surprise you by joining you here so you could stay
with your dad longer.” I began to cry.

“Lily, honey, don’t cry. We’ll work this out.”

“How? We’re still almost 4000 miles apart.” As I said the words
my tears increased.

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to call my
parents and have them pick you up. You’re going to go home with them and wait
for me. I’ll get the first flight out and come right back. It’ll be in the
middle of the night, but I’ll call you to come and get me, okay? Just a little
longer, can you wait just a little longer?”

“I guess so,” I said, trying to reign in my tears.