The Lily (The Flowering Series Book 1) (6 page)

Graduation weekend was planned and it seemed to look absolutely perfect. We were going to the ceremony, a graduation party at Carmine and Nancy’s, a brunch the following day, grabbing Jake’s motorcycle and heading to the shore then off to Maui for three weeks of exotic bliss.

The graduation ceremony was held at the football stadium and Mother Nature got the memo and it was a beautiful sunny day. My emotions were on a rollercoaster and the pregnancy hormones were definitely not helping matters.

Jake and I had graduated and would be on our way to Japan in no time. On the other hand Lily and our families would still be here. Everyone was sad to think of us leaving and I knew that once we told them about the baby it would be more upsetting to them, especially Jake’s parents. It would be hard to be so far away from your grandchild but Jake and I both decided that we would only be in Japan for two years than transfer back to the states.

We made it through the ceremony and headed over to Carmine and Nancy’s house for a graduation party. They had insisted on throwing the party loving to host and wanting to share the day with me. A graduation party was something your parents were supposed to throw you honoring your achievements.

As expected my parents did not show at the ceremony so it was all the more touching that Carmine and Nancy felt like it was their place to honor me.  I was so blessed to have two people who loved me like their own daughter.

The party was full of incredible food and all our friends came by, many to say goodbye as they left for summer jobs or new chapters in their lives. Both Jake and I mingled with all the guests but made it a point of reconnecting with each other every once with in while just for the support.

As the sun began to set I felt the full weight of the day and I knew that the best thing for me to do was rest. Jake and I decided to spend the night at Carmine and Nancy’s so that Jake’s parents and Lily could stay in our apartment. Although I was nervous because we had never officially told his parents we were living together. Jake gently reminded me that with the baby on the way there is a pretty good chance they figured it out.

I showered and washed the day away slipping into a light nightgown and crawled into bed next to Jake. As exhausted as my body was as soon as Jake began to kiss me I immediately found myself entangled with him. We made love until we literally could not keep our eyes open. Our relationship was built around many amazing qualities and our passion and intimacy was certainly one of the strongest. The love and respect we had for each other was reflected each time we came together as one.

When we finally crawled out of bed the next morning we realized that we still had a few hours before brunch. Jake ran us a bath and we lay in the tub for over an hour relaxing into one another. As with almost all our baths, neither of us wasted the opportunity to use our lips and hands to tell the story of our love for one another. Soon it became too much and Jake whispered his need to be inside of me. We made love one more time before finally leaving for the restaurant.

Again Carmine and Nancy insisted on hosting the day-after graduation brunch and once again the food was outstanding. I was starving and feeling much better than the day before so I dove right in sparing no pasta to my fork. Eating for two had its benefits although I tried to keep my second helpings to a minimum since the rest of the crowd still did not know about the baby.

When brunch was over Jake and I headed back to our apartment to pack for our trip. We were leaving in the morning and neither one of us had been able to give a second thought to packing before graduation. Although Jake assured me I only needed a bathing suit or nothing at all, I found myself filling two suitcases unsure what we would be doing and what sort of clothing I would need.

After I was happy with the luggage Jake pulled me into bed insisting we get a good night’s sleep. When I came back from brushing my teeth Jake was curled up under the blankets fast asleep. The last couple of weeks had caught up with him and out he went. Although my libido wanted to wake Jake up in a delicious way, the rest of my body knew an opportunity to rest when it saw one. I closed my eyes dreaming of Maui.

Chapter 7:

No expense had been spared for our trip. Funded in part by Jake’s awesome family and part by Carmine and Nancy they had made sure it would be a vacation to remember. They had booked us at the Grand Wailea for three full weeks.

It was a long flight to Hawaii and even with the first class seats I was worried about the baby. The doctor assured me that as long as I got up and moved around every couple of hours everything would be fine. It was a long flight for sure but I felt great and even got a few hours of sleep on the plane.

We were welcomed to Hawaii with white and purple leis that smelled like the island itself, tropical and sweet. The arranged car service whisked us off to the Grand Wailea Hotel and Spa a five-star open-air hotel with a refreshing breeze through the halls.

Check-in itself was a sight to be seen as we were both given glasses of champagne, that I promptly gave to Jake, and showed to an air-conditioned seating area. A personal concierge walked us through the resorts amenities and a bellboy grabbed our bags and showed us to our room.

Our corner suite room was on the ninth floor and had a living room and separate bedroom. The bathroom had a Jacuzzi tub and a stand up shower with heated floor tiles. All I could think about was how I could see myself living in that bathroom forever. The room’s furniture was rattan and the floor to ceiling windows were accented by two large sliding glass doors that opened onto two balconies.

I was in complete heaven opening the doors and letting the outside in. The huge king size bed was definitely tempting with its soft sheets and fluffy pillows. If there was ever a place for rest and relaxation this was it. It was going to be our last chance to be young and free of responsibilities. 

Jake’s goofy smile at the electric curtains told me I was not the only one impressed with our home for the next three weeks. There was a bouquet of native flowers and a basket with a card from Carmine and Nancy. There was fruit, chocolate, cheese and crackers along with pineapple in every way shape and form. The card simply said ‘Enjoy’.

After drooling over our room we decided to take a walk and check out the rest of the hotel grounds. I suppose I knew places like this existed I just never figured I would have the opportunity to be at one myself. It was charming, elegant and breathtaking.

When we finally made it to the beach and I had the feeling of sand beneath my toes I felt a calming feeling come over me. We had been so busy before graduation that I was absolutely ready to take this time for Jake and I to reconnect.

We decided to curl up together on a beach bed and watch the ocean. Maybe it was the jet lag but more than likely it was the surroundings but whatever caused it Jake and I had an amazing conversation about how blessed we were to have found one another. Both of us knew that God had brought us together and we both found a way to thank him everyday for that divine intersession.

We watched the sunset before heading back to the room for a long soak in the Jacuzzi tub and ordering room service. After slowly making love we fell asleep in each other’s arms breathing in the salty air.

Our first full day in Maui was spent on the beach soaking up rays, swimming and catching up with each other. I honestly wondered if we would ever get to a place where we had nothing to talk about. I knew that happened to old married couples but I could not see a time when I did not want to know every single thing Jake was thinking.

Believe it or not we had not even scratched the surface of what the hotel had to offer the day before. There were six pools, water slides, tubes for floating, restaurants, bars and even a small chapel with a well-kept garden out front. It was a whole world in and of itself.

The plan was after the beach to check out the Wailea Center, which was home to shops and restaurants, but as soon as we got back to the room to change Jake decided he would much rather feast on me for our afternoon snack. He wasted no time in stripping off my bathing suit and kneeling in front of me kissing my inner thighs tenderly while holding my legs up so I did not fall. I was thankful for the support because when he was finished teasing and his tongue finally found the bundle of nerves that desperately needed his attention my knees began to buckle. Needless to say we did not make it the shops until nightfall. We grabbed a quick dinner and some homemade ice cream and topped off our first night in Maui with tons of whipped cream.

My doctor had ordered me to gain some weight so my body would be better able to carry the baby. This order came with an eating plan, which involved eating every three hours when I was awake. So Jake made sure I had a healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and as many snacks as I could take. He was adorably cute when he fussed over me.

At the same time we were relaxing I learned after the fact that Jake was planning a surprise to end all surprises. He was planning our wedding at the hotel chapel and had schemed with all the regular players to make sure he had everything perfect.

Jake knew me and he knew what kind of a wedding I would like so he had been fairly confident I would like his plan. However, he still had three days to keep me occupied and out of the path of the early guests.

We explored the hotel a little and even ate at one of the specialty restaurants for dinner one night. Although the majority of the time was spent in our bed, shower, tub, etc.… making the most of our alone time. Jake was such an unselfish lover and he would wake me in the morning with his tongue and his fingers. He never expected reciprocation rather his arousal was based solely on mine so I never had any desire to refuse him.

The night before the wedding, when most of the guests came flew in; Jake faked a stomachache to make sure that I would not accidently run into anyone. In my mind I just figured he was looking for an excuse to keep me in bed for another night, something I was more than happy to do of course.

The next day Jake convinced me to go have our picture taken by the chapel and garden to send out with our engagement announcement. He said he had already made the arrangements as a surprise and he hoped that I liked it. Even though I am not a fan of having my picture taken I thought it might be a good idea to have something to send out to everyone. Plus I looked tan and the baby was making my skin glow.

The appointment was set for 2pm and after a few standard pictures the photographer suggested they head into the chapel for a few more. I thought that was odd considering we were only engaged but I went along with the suggestion since he obviously knows more about these things then we do.

As Jake opened the door I realized why he wanted us in the chapel. Everyone was there. Jake’s parents, Lily, Carmine and Nancy and Jake’s friend Mike. My mouth flew open in shock and I steadied myself on a pew. I was dizzy in a ‘hit my head fairy godmother’ kind of way and the realization that Jake did all of this for me.

I had no idea whatsoever that this was coming. Nothing about Jake’s recent behavior had led me to believe this was anything but a much-needed vacation. Everyone was smiling and I realized they were all waiting for me.

I turned my head slightly and saw a beautiful ivory dress decorated simply in pearls draped over the pew. All I could do was cry in shock and happiness.

Jake took my hands and asked me to marry him right then and there. I did not miss a beat before throwing my arms around him and shouting yes through tears of pure joy. This man knew me like no other and knew that I needed this surprise, love and support. I whispered my thanks in his ear as he finally set me down.

The ladies immediately pulled me into a back room to get dressed which is when I learned that Jake had picked out the dress himself, with Lily’s approval of course. The dress fit like a glove with just enough give in the stomach area to hide my growing baby bump.

Jake had thought of everything; comfortable but gorgeous shoes, a crown of island flowers adorned with lilies and of course sexy wedding night underwear. I should have been embarrassed by all the fuss the ladies were making over me but I could not do anything but allow them to play dress up with me. Everything felt exactly right.

There was a knock at the door thirty minutes later saying the minister was there and it was time to start the ceremony. The ladies filed out but as I turned to go Carmine entered the room. With tears in his eyes he asked if I would let him walk me down the aisle.