Authors: Vivienne Harris-Scott
The laugh emerging from his throat was
almost hysterical with relief.
He just handed her the bag containing the
velvet box.
((~~!~~))
Lily and Vi
“
Hola
chica
!
”
she said waltzing into the room, and
dropping off some bags.
“
I
’
m in the bathroom Lil!
”
came the muffled response.
“
We seem to meet in a lot of these
…”
said Lily, coming behind her and embracing
her.
“
Well, you know it
’
s always been my favorite room because
…”
“…
It
’
s the only place a woman can really be
herself.
”
Lily finished with a smile.
“
How are you
bella
?
”
I asked , turning around, kissing her
back.
“
I
’
m good! I
’
m great! Happy birthday!
”
she said with a mischievous grin, as she
grabbed my left hand and started examining the rock that had taken new
residence there.
She whistled.
“
Well, can
’
t call him cheap after this! I assume it
’
s real?
”
she exclaimed.
I burst out laughing,
“
Seriously, Lil?
”
“
Just want to make sure.
”
she retorted, shrugging.
“
So, I take it you said yes, and we are now
in wedding planning mode then?
”
she asked, playing with the ring.
“
Well, actually Lil, I
’
m really in no hurry to get married again
…
even to Julian
…”
I slowly replied.
“
What are you saying?
”
she asked curiously, as I could watch her
expression change from surprised to master plotter within seconds.
“
The truth Lil. I
’
m in no hurry. I told Julian, I
’
d wear the ring, get used to it, but we are
not discussing any dates, at least no until the baby is born
…”
“
I see,
”
she said, adding,
“
Are you moving in with him?
”
“
No. I
’
m quite happy where I am.
”
I replied, taking my hand back.
She laughed, and asked,
“
Is this the reason he isn
’
t here? He didn
’
t take it too well?
”
”
No, he told me he had some plans with
Marcus and Todd? That
’
s why he left. But you are right, let
’
s just say, me saying yes to his proposal,
eclipsed, me saying no to moving out of here
…”
“
That
’
s my girl! Never put your eggs in one
basket!
”
she said with pride.
I shook my head. One can always count on Lil to be the
mother hen when I
’
m concerned.
“
Where is Kev?
”
she asked suddenly.
“
I don
’
t know. He brought me breakfast and then
vanished!
”
I sighed,
“
I thought he wanted to give Julian space
you know,
…
but it
’
s been hours, and his cell is on voicemail.
I have no idea where that man is!
”
As we entered my bedroom as sat on my bed, she asked,
“
So, how are things on that front?
”
“
I don
’
t know what you mean.
”
I replied, an innocent mask on my face.
“
Sure you don
’
t!
”
she grinned.
“
I
’
ll
just ask him, when he deigns return
…”
she pursued, as my expression shifted.
“
Babe, you should see your face! Let me get my
phone to take a picture!
”
she said, her hand fumbling into her
handbag.
“
Don
’
t!
“
I said as threateningly as I could,
lurching forward to grab her bag.
She was bent over it and couldn
’
t stop laughing. I felt my own smile creep
up, as I said,
“
Fine. Nothing to report. Everything is
normal between us. He hasn
’
t raised it.
”
She stopped laughing, and said softly,
“
Yet.
”
“
Maybe, he never will, maybe this is just
one of your infamous concoctions that will never come to fruition.
”
I said, hopeful, it actually wouldn
’
t.
“
Right. Delude yourself all you want! I
’
ve
seen you two for years, and trust me that boy loves you
more than he ever said!
”
she said, knowingly.
“
Lil!
”
I gulped, shocked she would actually
proclaim her assumptions out loud once more.
“
What? Look, I love him, like a brother, I
always will. We are the three musketeers,
…
But do not fool yourself into thinking Kev
is just your best friend. There
’
s more and we all know it. We all have for years
…”
she adamantly declared.
“
Remember the fits he used to have when you
would get
‘
distracted
’
with other men?
”
she asked, her eyes in mine.
“
Lil, this was years ago! I really don
’
t think
…
-
”
I started, trying to placate her.
“
Yes, it was. How about his visceral dislike
of E?
”
she countered.
“
Well, it was because of the rape. I can
’
t fault him for that really
…”
I tried to soothe her, even if we both
knew Kev had issues with E. well before that event.
“
He must be so pissed things are better
between you two and he
’
s back into your life
…”
she continued, resolute.
“
First off, E is not back into my life! He
’
s on the other side of the world! Second,
if Kev is pissed, he hasn
’
t said anything! Actually I think E. was
only mentioned one time in passing since I
’
ve
been back! Lil, please, don
’
t
…”
I insisted, trying to quell her
argumentation once and for all.
“
Fine.
”
she relented, and as she took my left
hand, looking at the ring, she just said,
“
I just don
’
t want you to be surprised if Julian isn
’
t the only one starting to make moves
…”
I cleared my throat and volunteered with a small voice,
”
Well, hmm
…”
she looked up at me with a question mark
on her face, as I admitted,
“
Ethan
’
s gift was delivered last night, almost on the stroke of
midnight
…”
Her eyebrow raised as she declared,
“
Let me guess
…
a car
…
yes, it had to be a car, that
’
s what he always does on your birthday
…”
I assented,
“
A 4x4
…”
while she pursued,
“…
until he shows up in person.
”
“
I
’
m not expecting him!
”
I retorted, as I started to feel my stomach
tighten at the idea of a confrontation on my birthday.
But just as she was about to respond, my bedroom door
opened, and we were faced with a giant black and white panda, obscuring the
head of the carrier, until his voice said,
“
How are my two favorite girls in the world?
”
“
Hey Kev
…”
Lily said, as she walked toward him and
kissed him as he set the giant stuffed animal on the floor.
“
Hey Kev
…”
I chimed in, relieved, I didn
’
t need to discuss further with Lily how
this relationship was going. Obviously, it was going famously. I had nothing to
worry about.
“
So, what this?
”
I asked pointing at gigantic panda.
“
That
’
s a gift for my god child.
”
he smiled.
“
Thank you.
”
I said sincerely, taking his hand in mine,
“
I
’
m sure she
’
ll
love it!
”
“
She?
”
Lily asked, facing me.
“
Yes, she. It
’
s a girl. Kevin was with me at the
ob
when
…
-
”
I volunteered.
I couldn
’
t finish, Lily was smothering me, repeating excitedly,
“
it
’
s a girl, it
’
s a girl!
”
I let her calm herself, to finally say,
“
But Julian doesn
’
t know. He wants to be surprised, so I
haven
’
t told him, and neither has the doctor when
he came with me on the last appointment, so Lil, keep your lips sealed on this
…”
She mimicked a zip over a lips.
Kevin and I burst out laughing.
((~~!~~))
I
’
m 39 years old today. In a year, I
’
ll be 40.
And if the past six months are anything to
go by, I can safely say my life took a major turning point at 38.
From the minute, Julian bumped into my
luggage cart.
It hasn
’
t been smooth sailing, but then again, when
has it ever been with me?
I
’
m looking at myself in my full-length
mirror, and the image it
’
s returning is reassuring.
I see a pregnant, confident, and smiling
woman. Add to that a wonderful golden strapless baby doll Marchesa dress, and
sparkling jewellery and honestly, I don
’
t think it can
’
t get any better than this.
Julian is picking me up in a few minutes
to take me to a celebratory dinner in a secret location he refused to divulge.
Apparently, everyone is already there,
waiting for me, waiting for us.
((~~!~~))
“
Happy birthday beautiful,
“
he whispers against my ear.