“A few more weeks and I’ll be back.” Clyde kissed Lily Ann’s forehead.
“And don’t you worry, Jared, I will be coming back, too. Miss Patty says she’ll care for Carter while I’m working. But I will need to work less overtime.”
“Deal. Enjoy the wedding planning. I will see both of you on the twenty-eighth.”
“Thanks again, Jared. Bye for now.” Lily Ann placed her cell on the couch. She gazed into Clyde’s eyes. “Only a few more weeks and we’ll be married.”
“It can’t come soon enough.” Clyde smiled.
“Clyde—” Lily Ann grinned.
“Anyway, unfortunately we will have to wait till the spring to move into our new home. A few setbacks arose with the heating, but they will be resolved in the spring.”
“I’m not worried. This cabin is quaint and cozy. While Carter is small, there is plenty of room for the three of us.” Carter cried from the bedroom.
Clyde stood and pulled Lily Ann to her feet. “How about I take Carter for a couple of hours and you go snuggle into bed and catch some needed rest?”
“Oh, that sounds lovely. I’ll warm his bottle first.” She pulled away from Clyde’s grip.
“No, you head to sleep. I’ll change and feed our son.” Clyde swung his strong arms around her waist. “Your mom will be arriving tomorrow. You need to be well rested.”
~
Lily Ann flopped her sleep-deprived body on the edge of the bed. Clyde was right. She needed to catch up on her sleep. After fluffing her pillow and kicking off her slippers, she placed her hand over her heart and tilted her head upwards. “Lord,” her voice quaked. “All these years I have denied your existence. I never gave you a chance or thought I needed you.” She paused and hung her head. “But you never gave up on me. Instead, you proved to me that you exist.” She wiped her eyes. “That woman at the café—you sent her to me. You knew my aching soul needed comforting. I felt your peace—a feeling I have never known possible—a peace that can only come from you.” Lily Ann took a breath. “Thank you for the extra reassurance. Thank you for being patient with me through my naiveté. You have blessed me beyond words, which I don’t deserve. You have given me a man who loves me unconditionally and a child that I thought I would never have.”
Lily Ann tucked her exhausted body under her covers. “God, forgive me. Please continue to keep Henry and my mom safe as they travel. Give Clyde and me wisdom on how to proceed with my mom and her health. And lastly, please be with the Kumar family. Give them peace.” Her muscles loosened and her eyes grew heavy. “Thank—” The words trailed off as she drifted into a sound sleep.
Chapter 12
Henry parked in front of their cabin. Lily Ann made a mad dash to the restroom. Her hands ran through her long silky hair, fine-tuning her appearance. She stared at her reflection in the mirror while her hands adjusted her two-tone purple blouse. The room swirled around her and she grabbed the vanity.
Clyde knocked on the door. “Lil, they’re getting out of the truck.”
“I…I’ll be right there,” she managed, her breathing labored.
“You don’t sound right.” Clyde barged in. He stood behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You’re beautiful. Don’t ever be ashamed of your burn scars. Your mother will be shocked to see you dressed this way.” Clyde tenderly ran his fingers down her neck. “I love you.”
Lily Ann’s left hand encompassed his hand. “I love you, too. My brain seems to be battling over how I perceive myself.”
He tucked several strands of loose hair behind her ears. “Self-esteem battles won’t go away overnight, but I’m here for you. Together, we can win the war.”
She turned her body around to face his. “So many years of wearing turtlenecks and long-sleeved shirts to hide my appearance. No one, I mean no one, could convince me to accept my own body until I met you.”
“You’re stunningly beautiful. Come on, I hear them at the door.”
Lily Ann held her arms wide open to embrace her mom. “I’ve missed you so much.” Tears trickled down her face. “I love you, mom.”
Lynne pushed Lily Ann back and held both hands over her shocked face. “Sweetie, my Lily Ann, I’ve never seen you dressed so elegantly.” She ran her hands down her daughter’s arms. “You’re wearing a blouse with no turtleneck and three-quarter sleeves.” Lynne paused and motioned for Clyde to come closer. “Clyde, you have given me a new daughter full of self-confidence. You’ve unveiled her inner and outer beauty. For years I’ve been trying to convince her of how breathtakingly gorgeous she is, but she just shrugs and continues to cover up.” Tears flooded down Lynne’s stunned face. “Henry was right. I thank you for loving my daughter and accepting her as she is.”
“I love your daughter. She has also changed my life for the better, too.”
Lily Ann embraced her mom again. “I hear Carter cooing to himself in his crib. Go ahead and have a seat by the fire. That way you don’t need to place extra strain on your hip. I’ll bring Carter to you.”
Lynne raised her brows. “Oh, I can’t wait to meet him.”
Clyde winked at Lily Ann as she left the room and motioned to Henry and Lynne to have a seat on the couch.
Henry passed Lynne a box of tissues. “You may need more once you meet your grandson.”
Lynne shook her head. “Clyde, your dad sure enjoys teasing.” She dabbed her eyes some more.
Clyde sat on the couch. “Like father like son, I guess. It’s what keeps us smiling.”
Henry stoked the fire and threw the used tissues into the flames. “Life is too short to be serious all the time.” He sat next to Lynne. “By the time we were halfway through our trip home, I had Lynne laughing so hard she couldn’t even talk straight.”
Lynne pushed back her medium-length, salt-and-pepper hair behind her ears. “True, I never laughed so hard before.” Her hands trembled as she held a new tissue. “He was a pleasure to travel with.”
Clyde broke in. “When I was a boy, he used to have my mom laughing so hard her face would turn beet red and she’d be gasping for air. It’s his humor that kept us in good spirits.”
Henry nodded his head. “Those were real good times, son.” He stared at Lynne. “You know, Lynne, it wasn’t me cracking all the jokes. You’re a chipper lady if I do say so.”
Lily Ann entered the room cradling Carter.
Henry held out his hand to assist Lynne up from the couch.
Lynne’s hands covered her mouth. “My, would you look at him.” She touched Carter’s cheeks and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “You’re adorable. Look at those chubby cheeks and long eye lashes. Come to Grandma.” She held out her arms to receive the infant. “It’s been many years since I’ve held a newborn.”
Lily Ann stood still witnessing the heartwarming moment. Her mother cradled Carter while she mumbled baby chatter to him. It always amazed her how babies change the behavior of adults. Seeing her mom’s glowing face meant everything to her. Lily Ann sat on the couch. “Mom, come sit down with him.”
Lynne shuffled towards the couch. Henry automatically helped her sit down.
“Thanks, Henry. So kind of you.” Lynne gently placed Carter on her knees and continued to baby talk with him.
Lily Ann noticed how attentive Henry was to her mom’s needs. She couldn’t get over how he was acting towards her. And her mother seemed to soak it all in.
Henry sat back down. “Lynne, would you like to spill the beans?”
Clyde glanced from Lily Ann to Lynne, then back to Henry. “What’s this about?”
Lily Ann shrugged. “Mom? Henry? What’s going on?”
Lynne kissed Carter. “No, Henry, you’d better inform them. I’m having too much fun with my grandson.”
Lily Ann fidgeted in her seat.
Henry crossed his arms. “I hope this doesn’t make both of you feel awkward, but I convinced your mom to move to Alaska for good.”
Lily Ann spun towards her mother. “That’s wonderfu
l news. Why would this make us feel awkward? This is great.” She stared at her mom with a furrowed brow.
Clyde stroked his goatee. “Dad, I know that look. There’s more to this, isn’t there?”
“Yeah, there is.” Henry stood and stoked the fire. “It all began while I was hauling Lynne’s suitcases into the truck. As I tossed the last suitcase onto the back seat, I knew she had to move to Alaska. From the brief conversation over lunch, deep down I could tell she was lonely and in need of more assistance than she would have me believe.” Henry rubbed his balding head. “In order for her to move, she could only take what would fit into the truck box and cab.”
Lynne interrupted, “Henry basically put my life into perspective. I can’t continue to live alone. I’m lonely. Since Lily Ann lives thousands of miles away, I needed to come to her. I asked him to pack only my sentimental items. Everything else could be replaced. The arrangement was for me to find an apartment in Anchorage.” She kissed Carter’s cheek.
Lily Ann squinted her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t understand how this should make Clyde and me feel awkward. It’s a complete relief for me knowing that you are near, and I can check in on you.” Lily Ann paused for a moment. “Wait a minute. Mom, what do you mean when you said, the arrangement was for me to find an apartment?”
“Come on, dad, say it. You never sidestep what you want say.”
Henry continued to rub his head. Lynne nodded at him. “I traveled forty-three hours with Lynne. In those forty-three hours, we chatted about everything you can think of. We had so much time to get to know each other that by the end of the trip she was no longer a stranger to me.” He reached for a tissue and wiped his head. “This is the awkward part. Lily Ann, I…I fell in love with your mom.”
The room went silent.
Lily Ann shot Clyde a flabbergasted look and then proceeded to giggle. Clyde couldn’t keep it in either and joined her. “This is hilarious.” She paused to catch her breath. “My father-in-law is in love with my mom.”
“See, Lil, God has a sense of humor.”
“Shucks. What was I so nervous about?” Henry sat near Lynne.
“Ah, dad, you’re out of practice. Mom would be looking down on you laughing so hard.”
“I see her face now.” Henry joined them in laughter.
Lynne interjected, “Really, you both are okay with us together? I thought you would find it awkward or even repulsive?”
Clyde placed Lily Ann’s hand into his. “When I met Lily Ann, my entire life turned around. She woke me up from my past and opened my eyes to move on.” He kissed her hand. “Dad, we both lost our wives. Let’s face it, we both have been lonely, and deep down we would like to take the next step but have always pushed it aside.”
Henry sighed. “You’re dead right, son.”
“I know.” Clyde grinned. “It so happens that I fell in love with Lil, and without knowing it, God set you up to travel thousands of miles to find true love again.”
Lily Ann pulled Clyde up to stand with her. “Henry, I’m actually thrilled you and my mom are together. Both of you need to be loved.”
Lynne reached for another tissue. “I can’t believe my ears. Henry—”
He wrapped his arms around her. “See, miracles do happen. Do you believe now?”
Lynne sniffled. “I do. There has to be a God.”
Clyde reached for Carter and placed him on his chest.
Lily Ann rested her arm on Henry’s shoulder.
“Okay, everyone.” Clyde announced. “Enough sobbing. We need to celebrate. I’ve got a bottle of wine in the fridge.”
“Perfect.” Lily Ann headed to the kitchen, opened the cupboard, and reached for four wine glasses. Placing them on the table, she watched Clyde pass Carter to Henry.
Clyde reached for the wine bottle and popped the cork. He poured the wine, then raised his glass. “A toast to new beginnings.”
They raised their glasses high.
Henry embraced Lynne and gently kissed her forehead.
Clyde placed his wine glass on the table. He reached for Lily Ann’s glass and gestured for her to set it down. Within seconds, Clyde swooped Lily Ann up in his strong arms. “You mean the world to me. I love you with all my heart.”
Epilogue
December 28th
Megan Miller reached for a few more bobby pins to secure Lily Ann’s veil to her hair. On the side table next to her lay fresh baby’s breath and Emily’s handmade beaded necklace. Megan nestled the baby’s breath around the veil, adjusting each ringlet as she went. Her fast fingers worked with precision to make sure every strand of hair was in the exact spot.
Emily’s face glowed with excitement. “Lily Ann, you are absolutely stunning.” She secured the necklace around Lily Ann’s neck.
“Thank you. You have an artistic gift.” She touched the shimmering silver necklace with her left hand. “Megan and Emily, come and sit in front of me for a moment.”
Both girls wore puzzled faces and followed her instructions.
Lily Ann reached out and embraced both of them. “Girls, you have become part of my family.” She kissed each girl’s forehead. “I love you both dearly.”
Megan stood and met Lily Ann’s eyes. “I love you, too. You have changed my family’s life.” Megan reached for Emily’s hand. “Because of you, my sister’s grades at school have improved. She has a fresh start in life. Emily hums around the house again. I find her painting and writing poetry. She has Miss Patty involved in jewelry making with her.”
Emily eye’s sparkled. “She’s right. You’ve saved our lives and given us hope. Our mom is laughing again. I’ve never seen her so happy.” Emily turned and winked at Megan. “I even see Megan studying harder than ever to pull in the best grades, so she can become a doctor like you.”
“My sweet girls, when the heart is joyful, our mental and physical state replicates that emotion.” Lily Ann called for Four to sit beside her. “Emily, please remove Four’s collar and place it with roses around his neck.”
Emily swung her arms around Four’s hefty body. “You’re going to be so handsome walking down the aisle. Please, don’t eat the rings.” She snapped the white and red rose collar around his neck. “Are you sure the roses won’t wilt?”
Megan shook her head. “No, the florist treated the roses with something to extend their life for tonight.”
Lily Ann relaxed her hand on Four’s head. “I’ve grown to love you, boy, so be good out there tonight. No showering your slobber on the guests.”
Emily reached for the silver lace and wedding bands on the adjacent side table. “Are you sure he isn’t going to eat them or bite them off his collar?” She passed them to Lily Ann.
“I hope not.” Lily Ann commanded Four to sit again. “All I need to do is securely tie the rings with the lace onto his collar.”
Alana entered the living room. “We start in fifteen minutes.” She motioned for the girls to come. “Look how gorgeous you two are.” Her shaking hands embraced her daughters.
Lily Ann stood and adjusted her white satin wedding gown. “Alana, I would like to thank you for spending so much extra time decorating for the wedding with your girls. It’s truly astounding.”
“It’s the least I can do for you.” Alana smoothed out Lily Ann’s ballet-length lace veil. “Let me make some minor adjustments to your hair.” Alana motioned to Megan to assist her with a few tweaks. “There, your hair is perfect.”
Lily Ann held out her hands allowing Megan to help her on with her gloves. “These are stunning. The way the beaded flowers wrap around my finger, then travel up my arm in a vining display is breathtaking. You chose the perfect gloves for me.”
Megan rested her hand on Lily Ann’s arm. “It was meant to be.” She turned around to face the mirror. She fiddled with Lily Ann’s hair and double-checked her makeup. “I’m ready.”
Emily reached for Four’s cream-colored leash on the couch and clamped it to his collar. “We’re ready.”
The instrumental music started playing. The realization that the wedding was about to begin made Lily Ann’s heart thump faster, and her stomach twisted and turned. Excitement mixed with nervousness flooded her body. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. This is everything I ever dreamed of and more. Alana cracked open the frosted French doors allowing Emily and Four to parade down the marble staircase to the centre of the foyer where the guests were waiting.
Lily Ann held her breath and crossed her fingers that Four would behave himself. She relaxed her stiff body when she heard no barking or hollering of his name.
Megan winked at Lily Ann as she held a large woven basket full of pink, red, and white rose peddles. “My turn,” she whispered, “I don’t think anyone is prepared for this.”
Lily Ann grinned and raised her eyebrows in agreement.
Alana opened the doors again, allowing Megan to take centre stage. She flicked back her dusty pink dress. To the crowd’s surprise, she leaped unto the stair railing. Straddling the railing with her legs, she smoothly slid down while flinging rose petals over the stairs. As Megan reached the end of the rail, she elegantly hopped off and curtsied. She continued to toss more petals onto the floor until she stood next to her sister and Four.
Alana swung open both French doors. Lily Ann stepped forward and paused to regain confidence and strength. She peered down the marble stairs and spied the gathering of guests on their feet and Aditya Kumar patiently waiting for her at the bottom step. Her hands clenched a red and white bouquet of roses. She strode forward. With every step she made, her breathing steadied and her stomach relaxed.
Lily Ann embraced Aditya at the bottom of the stairs. She was delighted that he was willing to be the father figure for her. She wrapped her arm around his as they both made their way down the flower-petaled runway.
Lily Ann scanned the guests and saw many hospital staff faces mixed with many new friends she met through the Kangaroo Babies-n-Teens program. She spied Miss Patty cradling Carter and her mom and Henry standing next to them. Her eyes darted ahead and met Clyde’s.
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