However, I didn’t sleep much at all. Actually, I spent most of the day in bed on my laptop, working on my next wedding. I soon became distracted with thoughts of my own wedding and found myself texting Meagan with my ideas. We spent hours texting each other back and forth until we finally agreed on a December 12th wedding, six months to the day of mine and Lucas’s first meeting, giving me a little over three months to plan.
My next wedding was scheduled for October 24th, so I’d have to be home before then, even if it meant leaving Lucas behind. I prayed that filming was over by then because the thought of leaving without him was unbearable. According to Lucas, after five weeks of shooting, they were right on schedule. I was glad my accident hadn’t delayed production too badly.
I made the mistake of turning on the local news. It seemed that my accident and near death experience, along with my nuptials, were getting global attention. Yes, you heard me right, while I worked unknowingly on my ceremonial plans, the entire world had been informed of our union in our hospital room. Apparently, there was a hospital employee talking.
Every station I turned to was commenting on the news. It seemed the local response was mixed. While some were happy Lucas had found love, others were sad because it meant it wouldn’t be with them.
Reports had shown that some of Lucas’s fans had changed their attitudes towards me after my accident and hearing how crazed Lucas had been about my injury. I guess they decided if he loved me that much, they needed to support him.
After flicking channels for several minutes, I stopped on an entertainment show and was stunned. In fact, I was so angry that I did something I should’ve thought about beforehand. The announcer named Brian somebody, said that Lucas probably married me in the hospital so fast because he wanted sex. Apparently there was this rumor that I was a Christian and wouldn’t have sex with him until he married me.
So I called Jane, knowing full well she could and would help me. In a matter of minutes, I was calling that program. The only trouble was, I didn’t realize they would put me on the air. Here’s what I said:
“Yes, hello, my name is Lily Lavender, and I would like to speak to Brian now, please.” After a brief pause a gentleman’s voice spoke through the phone.
“Hello, this is Brian.”
“Brian, my name is Lily Lavender, and I would just like to say that you can shove your ridiculous opinion right up your nose! The nerve of you to say Lucas would marry me because he wanted sex! My husband is a good man! Do you even know who he is? He could have any woman he wants. The idea that he would marry me because he wants sex is idiotic. I’m sorry, but that’s just the truth. I am highly offended that you would even say such a thing. Doesn’t anybody believe in true love anymore, the kind of love worth dying for? Is it so hard to believe that two people so in love, who thought they lost each other forever, would marry as fast as they could so they never had to tell each other goodbye ever again? Well, you better start believing, Mister, because it’s real, and it’s staring you right in the face!”
There was a long pause.
“Um, Mrs. Lavender, I’m so sorry that I offended you. Please except my sincere apology, and thank you for calling to clear this matter up,” Brian said, clearly dazed.
“Well, thank you, and yes I do accept your apology. Have a nice day,” I said with as much sweetness as I could muster.
After I hung up the phone, I felt so good that I giggled and did a little jig right there in the bed. That lasted all of about ten seconds until the phone rang. “Uh-oh,” I murmured to myself. “Hello.” Then I held my breath—waiting.
“What have you done?” Lucas demanded in a reprimanding tone.
“Umm, what do you mean?”
“Lily, your voice is on every radio and T.V. station around.”
“What?” I gasped in horror. “How do you know that?”
“Because we had the radio on when, all of a sudden, I recognized your voice, although the tone was unfamiliar to me.” He almost sounded amused for a brief moment before turning serious again. “What were you thinking? I told you not to talk to any of those people. They’ll make you look bad, and they’ll be talking about us forever now. Why don’t you listen to me?”
“I’m sorry, Lucas, and I do listen to you, but he made me so angry. Besides, they’re talking about us anyway. At least now they can get their facts straight. I’m not going to let him talk about you that way.”
“Oh, Lily, why do you have to be so adorable, just when I’m trying to be angry with you?”
“So you’re not mad at me anymore?”
“I wish I were, but all I want to do is take you in my arms and kiss you. But do me a favor and take your own advice.”
“Huh?”
“I think there was a beautiful woman who once told me that reading the tabloids was a bad idea. I think watching gossip on news programs, in this case, would fall under that same category.”
“Okay, okay, no more T.V. But just so you know, he had it coming.” I pouted.
“And you sure gave it to him. You should’ve seen Jordan, he couldn’t stop laughing. In fact, he’s still laughing.”
“Oh no, I’ll never here the end of it.”
“Well, you know what they say, it’s your bed.”
“Yeah, yeah, so I have to lie in it. Do you want to lie in it with me?”
“Baby, more than you know. We’ll be leaving here shortly. I’ll see you soon. I love you and take care of my heart.”
“I love you too, and I will.”
Ever since Lucas wrote me that note and left it on my pillow, we no longer say goodbye, we say, “take care of my heart”. It’s kind of our thing. You know, new lovers always have a thing.
When he got home, he had a look of great anticipation on his handsome face and a beautiful bouquet of lavender roses in his hand.
“Wow, I should make you angry more often, but you shouldn’t have.” I reached up and kissed him.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t have,” he said, stunned, as he looked around, noting all the flower arrangements spread about the room. “Who are all these from?”
“Well, one’s from Meagan, and the cast and crew sent one. Sylvia sent one. That guy, Brian, from the station sent one. The guys from Blume’s Shipping sent one. I don’t know who sent these. Oh and these are from an anonymous fan.”
“Really.”
“But thank you. Yours are the most beautiful of them all.”
“Well, thank you. I know how much you love roses, and I couldn’t believe my luck when I spotted the lavender ones, since I know they’re your favorite. Now, what was that you were saying earlier, something about a bed?” He laid the flowers on the table and pulled me into his arms, capturing my lips with his. They were eager as they moved in sync with mine, and a moan escaped his lips as the kiss deepened.
There was a knock on the door. We both sighed as we pulled away. “Maybe it’s more flowers,” I teased as he opened the door.
“Hey guys,” Jordan said. “I hope we’re not interrupting anything, but seeing as how you’re still dressed, I guess not,” he teased as the gang came through the door, each one stopping to kiss me on the cheek as they passed.
“We brought supper. Hope you guys are hungry,” Lisa said.
“Yes, but not for food,” Lucas mumbled under his breath.
I peered up at him and shrugged apologetically.
“So, Lily—called any T.V. stations lately?” Jordan laughed.
“There’s one born every minute.”
“You know if you wanted to hurt the guy you could’ve just shot him. I’m sure he would’ve preferred that.” He laughed again.
“Was it that bad?”
“Well, put it this way, he’ll never forget it.”
“Good. Maybe he’ll think twice next time he tries to discredit my husband’s character.”
“Gee, I wish I had someone like you on my side.”
“Oh, Jordan, I am on your side, but the only one in danger of
hurting your character is yourself.” Everyone laughed, including him.
As much as I tried to go without it, I finally had to take some pain medicine—my head was throbbing, so I don’t remember the gang leaving. I vaguely remember Lucas picking me up and carrying me to bed, but I clearly remember the sensation of him cuddling up behind me. We’ve cuddled before, but safely. This was different, more intimate. Too bad I didn’t remember it for long.
I woke to a note on his pillow and smiled as I read . . .
Good morning my beautiful bride. I hated leaving your arms this morning. I’m counting the minutes until I return to them tonight. I love you. Oh, and no T.V. please.
Take care of my heart,
Your Lucas forever
I sighed. What a wonderful man. If only he knew how wonderful he truly was. I strolled into the kitchen and grabbed a yogurt and a cup of coffee. I took a moment to take a quick sniff of the beautiful flower arrangements before heading into the bathroom. I showered, dressed, and put on a little makeup. I was planning to go to the set and surprise Lucas, when suddenly I began to feel strange, becoming dizzy as my head began to throb painfully. I stumbled my way to my nightstand and managed to reach my phone. I hit Lucas on speed dial, and as I was waiting for him to answer, everything intensified, the room began to spin and I could feel my consciousness slipping away.
“Lily, I was just thinking about you.”
“Luke—I—I,” I dropped the phone and collapsed to the floor.
I woke reluctantly to the beeping noises of an all-too-familiar hospital room. “Luke,” I called as I forced my heavy eyelids to open.
“I’m right here, baby.” He reached and took my hand, and I immediately noticed his was warm and clammy. He’d been worrying. Did I expect any differently?
“What happened?” I asked.
“You passed out. They’re not sure why yet. They’re running some tests. The CAT scan was clear though, a precaution due to the bump on your head. How do you feel now?”
“I feel fine now, just a little groggy.
Doctor Peterman opened the door and stepped inside. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Lavender?”
“Better, thank you.”
“Well, I’m sorry I have to do this, but I have to ask you some questions, and it’s very important that you answer them honestly.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you do drugs of any kind?”
“Absolutely not,” I answered, offended.
“What about you, Mr. Lavender?”
“Well, I have done things in the past, but nothing in three months, not since meeting Lily. Why are you asking us this, Doctor?”
“Well, we found traces of a drug of some kind in Lily’s bloodstream. We’re not sure what it is yet. We’ve sent it to the lab.”
“How can that be possible?”
“Try to think, is there anything out of the ordinary that has happened? Maybe something you wouldn’t ordinarily touch or smell perhaps.”
“Well, I received a lot of flowers arrangements yesterday, and I smelled all of them, but they were from people I love.”
“No, Lily,” Lucas interrupted, “remember, one was from someone you didn’t know, an anonymous fan it said.”
“Doctor, do you think someone put some kind of drug in the flowers for me to smell?”
“Well, it certainly makes more sense than anything else. I mean, from what I understand, you’re still getting some negative responses from Lucas’s fans, especially now that you’re married.”
“But why would she be reacting to it now if she smelled them last night?” Lucas asked curiously.
“All people react differently to drugs. Was she acting at all strange last night?”
“Um, she fell asleep when our guests were still visiting, but we figured it was the pain medicine she took.”
“Hmm.”
I interrupted. “Actually, I just remembered, I smelled the flowers this morning too.”
Doc spoke again. “I think we need to get the police involved in this. I have a friend I’ll call. We need to get those flowers out of your home and get them tested. All of the affects of the drug seem to be fading, so take her home, watch over her, but she should be completely fine in a little while. These kinds of drug affects don’t usually last too long. Don’t touch the flowers until the detective gets there, and I’ll be in touch as soon as we have results for you. Don’t hesitate to call me if you have any questions.”
Noting my concerned expression, Luke took my hand and squeezed. “I’ll take care of you, Lily. Don’t worry about this. Okay? Don’t worry.”
I would’ve felt reassured if his expression wasn’t more troublesome than my own.
Detective Santiago arrived at our home shortly after we did. He took the two flower arrangements in question and said he would get back to us as soon as he had information. He also asked Lucas to keep someone with me at all times. As if Lucas needed another reason to worry. He was already wound tight enough to hang himself, not literally of course.
By the time evening came, I was completely back to normal, just like the doctor had said. Lucas was a little guarded as I began to snuggle up to him on the sofa. “So, do you want to pick up where we left off last night before our guests arrived?” I asked in a sexy voice. At least it sounded sexy to me.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea after what you’ve been through?”
“Oh, I’m sure. I think it’s a great idea.” I began to kiss along his neck all the way up to his ear. “In fact, it’s the best idea I’ve ever had,” I whispered in his ear.
He began to relax and, without warning, turned and crushed his lips eagerly to mine. “God, I love you,” he murmured into my lips.
“Prove it.”
He picked me up swiftly into his arms and began to carry me into the bedroom. As we passed the kitchen, there was a knock on the door. “No!” we both said in unison right before the door burst open and our gang spilled into the room, arguing amongst themselves.
“We’re so glad you’re okay, Lily.” Vicky’s expression was curious as she studied me in Lucas’s arms.
“We’re not interrupting anything, are we?”
“As a matter of fact,” Lucas started to say until Jordan interrupted.
“Of course not. They never do anything even though they’re married now. Why do you think we come here all the time?”
Lucas put me down gently, clearly disappointed. I rubbed his arm reassuringly.
“We brought supper again. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Actually, I feel sick,” Lucas whispered for only me to hear. I stifled a laugh though Lucas didn’t think it was funny at all.
It was midnight before everyone left and I was struggling to stay awake. “Come on, lover, let’s go to bed,” he whispered.
I knew he was hoping that the time was right, but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was sound asleep.
I woke to the sound of the phone ringing. I heard Lucas answer it from the den.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t come right now. I can’t leave Lily here alone. Wait, I hear her getting up. I’ll call you right back.” He hung up the phone and greeted me cheerfully as I entered the room. “Good morning, baby,” he said, putting a steaming cup of coffee in my hands. Thank God for observant husbands.
“Luke, why are you still here? You need to go to work. I don’t want anyone mad at me for keeping you here.”
“Lily, you’re my top priority now, and I won’t leave you here alone.”
“Okay, well let me get ready, and I’ll come with you.” I walked quickly back into the bedroom. “And call Landon back and let him know we’ll be there in thirty minutes!”
Chapter Thirteen
When we arrived on set, Lucas went straight into hair and makeup, while I went to find the others. It was exciting to find out we were filming on the set of the Hamilton home for the week, but to my dismay, it was the day to film in Heath’s bedroom, which meant the unavoidable love scen
e.
I knew the day would come, but once it did I wasn’t quite sure I was ready for it.
Lisa, who plays Heath’s love interest, Rose St. Clair, is like a sister to me, and I love her, but the idea of her in bed kissing my Lucas was a little unnerving, to say the least.
In the first movie, their love scenes were just a little kissing, but in this film their relationship intensifies.
“Lily, are you going to be okay with this?” Lisa asked me with genuine concern.
“You know, Lisa, I’m not sure. I’ve never experienced watching the man that I love kissing and touching someone else, but I think I’ll be okay. It’s only acting, right?”
“Right. If it makes you feel any better, I always picture that I’m with Will. He was on the set a lot during the filming of the first movie. At first it was hard for him to watch, but then he got used to it. Lucas will be thinking about you too. You don’t have to stay and watch if it’s too hard. Just promise me it won’t affect how you feel about me.”
“Lisa, I love you like a sister. Of course it won’t change anything, but I believe I can handle it.”
“Good.” She smiled and then hugged me.
Lucas entered the room wearing blue jeans with his white shirt unbuttoned halfway. I couldn’t help but notice how nervous he looked as Landon described the scene to them both.
“Okay, Lucas, you’ll start off kissing very slowly then it’ll gradually become heated. As the passion intensifies, I want you to pull Lisa’s shirt off over her head, and Lisa, I want you to rip his shirt open before pulling it off. Then I want you to fall together onto the bed, Lucas on top. Continue kissing until I say cut, got it?” They both nodded in agreement.
My mind raced. “Oh, this is so bad,” I mumbled. “Sooo bad.”
“Lily, are you going to be okay with this?” Lucas asked with heavy concern shadowing his face.
“Don’t be silly, of course. I know you’re just acting.” At that moment, I hoped it was true.
“You don’t have to stay.”
“I know, but I want to stay with you. I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me, just do your best. On second thought, don’t do your best,” I teased, though my heart was thumping in my ears.
Loving Lily Lavender Page 11
