The very touch of her lips makes me shake.
She’s everything to me.
Pray this doesn’t sound silly.
But—I live—for loving Lily
(Verse 2)
I felt such fear when I thought she was gone.
She’s the beauty that haunts my very dreams.
She taught me how to live.
She taught me how to be.
She taught me to forgive.
She taught me to be free.
She uncovered my eyes and now I can see.
Too bad if this sounds silly.
But the truth is—I live—for loving Lily.
When I finished reading the words, tears swelled in my eyes. “Luke, it’s beautiful.”
“Lily.” He took my hand and peered intently into my eyes. “These are the lyrics to a song I wrote for you. This is the song that’s been chosen to play on radio stations all around the world, starting next week.” He smiled a brilliant smile.
I gasped. “Lucas, are you serious?”
“Absolutely.” He got up, went into the den, and came back with his guitar. Within seconds he was strumming the most beautiful melody I’d ever heard. My heart melted as he sang the words to me, every word having some cherished meaning to him. As the song came to an end, I was so overcome with emotion that I burst into tears.
“Lily, honey, are you okay?” He put down his guitar and rushed to my side.
“Yes,” I managed to say. “It’s just so beautiful. Thank you.”
He drew me to him, and I rested my head on his shoulder as he comforted me.
“I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“No.” I lifted my face to meet his gaze. “You’ve made me incredibly happy. I will always cherish this moment. I love you so much, Luke, always remember that.” I reached up to stroke his face gently, mesmerized again by his sharp, handsome features.
“I love you too—so much. You’re the reason I get up every morning. In fact, you’re the reason for everything I do.” Then he pressed his lips to mine. “Now,” he smiled, “let’s see if what’s in your envelope can top what was in mine,” he teased as he headed back to his chair and sat down.
He opened the envelope, pulled out the two small photos, and studied them as I watched with hopeful anticipation.
“Umm, thanks, honey, but what am I looking at exactly?”
“Well, use your imagination.”
He turned the photo all around trying to make sense of the image. Then his eyes focused in on the tiny word “baby” next to the small, oblong-shaped object in the center of the photo. He froze, and his face turned pale white. I kept silent as he processed this new information.
As the look of shock began to fade, he looked at me wide-eyed. A smile slowly crept up on his face and I sighed in relief.
“I guess what was in my envelope topped what was in yours.” I reached over and hugged him tightly. “Congratulations—Daddy.”
A Note from the Author
Loving Lily Lavender was the first book I wrote, and I’m thrilled to finally see it published. The story came to me in a full-sequence dream. It was the sweetest dream of love surviving despite the challenges that threatened it. I couldn’t seem to shake the dream, and for three days it was all I could think about. Finally, I sat down to write my thoughts down on paper so I wouldn’t forget it. Six weeks, and three notebooks later, a full length novel was formed. I did my best to do the dream justice. I hope you have enjoyed it.
Acknowledgements
The flashback scene with the little girl with Alopecia was in honor of my dear friend Laura Hudson, who continues to inspire me with her beauty and larger-than-life personality. Thank you, Laura, for all your help in getting this book in the hands of readers, for believing in my work, but more importantly, for being my friend.
Thank you to all of my family and friends, you know who you are, because I used all of your names in this book. I wasn’t creative enough to think of that many on my own….hope it’s okay. Too late. And if I forgot you then I don’t love you. Kidding.
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