“Yes you did. I could see it in your eyes. Your beautiful green eyes. You thought I didn’t know what color they were. But I did. I do.” Taking me in his arms, Jay wiped the tears from my face and continued to sweep me off my feet with his words.
“I love the way your eyes see the world. How they see beauty in a wheat field or how they light up when you talk about Ruth. I love how they sparkle when you look at Dutch and Tulip.”
He kissed my cheeks. First one, then the other, “I love how your eyes look at me.”
“I guess you have a thing for my eyes then?”
“For more than that, but yeah. I love your not-blue eyes.” His own baby blues watched me intently.
“Why though? People will be expecting her to be the same. Don’t you think it will look silly? A blonde hair, blue-eyed boy with a blonde hair, green-eyed girl?” I didn’t want people to be mad, because this was over the top.
Jay kissed me again, before answering, “We thought it would be a nice tribute to you, for all your hard work. And no, I don’t think they look silly. Blue-eyed boys fall in love all the time with green-eyed girls.”
Chapter 26
“Oh Dutch! I’m so excited!” Tulip could hear people talking outside, but couldn’t see them. But she knew this was their big moment.
“This is it, flower. Any minute now, they’re going to show us off to the world. It’ll be perfect.” Dutch just knew that this was his day.
“It would be even better if Lily was the one getting married. Brock and Molly aren’t right. They’re just not right for us.”
“I agree, but there’s not much we can do about it now.” Or was there?
“How do I look?” Tulip suddenly had a case of stage fright. She wanted to tell Dutch to break a leg, but didn’t think he’d appreciate the sentiment.
“You look perfect as always.” Although her eyes were no longer blue, Dutch realized that green was his favorite color. “Fifty years, Tulip. I’ve waited 50 years for my kiss.” He didn’t want to plead for a kiss. Lord knows he’d tried. “Will you please let me kiss you? Pretty please?”
“We’ll see.” Tulip stated and then shocked Dutch by winking.
~~~~~
“We’re thrilled.” A reporter had just asked me the most ridiculous question. How did Holland feel now that Dutch and Tulip were restored? What kind of question is that? Ugh! Couldn’t they come up with something better than that? Of course, we were thrilled. Who comes up with these questions anyway? Don’t you have to go to college to be a reporter?
Sorry. I’m tired, hot, cranky and the day’s just starting.
Last night, after the reveal, which by the way was AMAZING! Seriously, it was one of the happiest days of my life. I’ll never, as long as I live, forget how Dutch and Tulip looked when the sheets were pulled down.
A gasp had gone through the crowd as everyone got their first look at our newly restored kissing couple. Honest to God kissing! All the couples in the crowd took a moment to do some kissing of their own. And I got another myself.
One big group Holland Kiss and no one commented negatively about Tulip’s new eye color. In fact, the committee surprised me further by having a plaque placed at the base of Tulip, explaining the change and reason why. Better than any old brick, I’d be forever connected to Dutch and Tulip.
After the reveal, the renewal couples, along with Brock and Molly, had rehearsed for today’s ceremonies. Brock and Molly hadn’t been cooperative. They’d obviously fought earlier and I knew Dutch and Tulip had their work cut out for them with this couple.
Mrs. Furst was thrilled that Anthony was here. She was still hoping he’d decide to move, but after Kelly made fun of the way he was dressed and how he talked, I doubt Anthony will be making Holland his new home.
Jay didn’t warm up to Anthony either, but that’s okay. I’m pretty sure at this point that Jay and I are an item. His jealousy was flattering. He must not like other men appreciating my green eyes.
Anthony took it in stride and he, Kelly, Jonas, Jay, myself and the rest of the committee had stayed late to ensure everything was ready for today’s activities.
I was beat tired, but having stayed up late kissing Jay on my back porch was worth any grogginess and bloodshot eyes now. I was dressed in a tank top and shorts; my Tulip costume would have to wait. It was simply too hot to wear it now. I did have the braids though and Dutch’s costume was in my car. Just in case Brock and Molly changed their minds about the costumes.
Molly wanted to run through their portion one more time, even though we’d gone through it dozens of times last night. Cold feet or general crabbiness. I had to give her what she wanted. This was her day.
I wished it could be mine, but in a way it was. Dutch and Tulip were as they should be. All was right in the world now.
Dad, who was staying at a motel in Huntingburg, was by my side. Looking around, I knew he was uncomfortable with Mom on my other side. They were both being very nice to each other. And to me. I needed their support if I was going to deal with bridezilla.
“What time is it?” I asked Dad.
“Little after one.”
Where the heck were they? If Molly wanted to practice so dang bad, she should be here. There wasn’t time for this today. I had to judge the beard contest in an hour.
Jay and Jonas joined us. “What seems to be the hold-up?” Jay asked, shaking hands with my Dad and greeting Mom.
Jonas didn’t bother with hello, “Who’s bright idea was it to have a beard growing contest in the middle of summer anyway?” Jonas was scratching his scruffy face, just as irritable as I.
I ignored that, because it had been mine. Whoops. I guess I didn’t take the heat into consideration when I’d gotten the idea. Jonas couldn’t wait to shave it off, which in itself turned out to be another contest. Again, my idea. Women entered this time, though. Whoever got the man’s beard shaved first, won.
Ruth was judging that and she couldn’t wait. She was so excited to be the Grand Duchess that you’d have thought we named her Miss Tulip, complete with crown and sash. Jonas had demanded Ruth be the judge or else she was demanding to shave his beard. I think that scared him.
“Seriously Lily! Couldn’t you have picked a different couple? This one sucks!” Kelly was hot and cranky too. Sweat was running down her face. It was so hot that she’d broken down and bought a plastic bottle of water and was using it to wipe across her forehead.
She’s probably also worried that she’s going to environmental hell over her purchase.
Clearing his throat, while wiping sweat from his own brow, Rev. Koeln responded, “Thank you Kelly. We’ll wait a few more minutes. I’m sure they’re just running behind.”
Brock and Molly were so sure of their love that they weren’t concerned with breaking the tradition by seeing one another today. To my way of thinking, they needed all the help they could get. Hopefully, Dutch and Tulip’s magic would be enough to save their future.
“Hey! I think that’s their car,” Kelly was pointing toward Highway 161 and we all turned to look.
I saw Brock’s car just before I saw it. My next thought was, “No! Don’t swerve!” Everyone knows you should never swerve for an animal.
~~~~~
The ambulance was leaving, sirens blaring, lights on, as it took Brock and Molly to Memorial Hospital in Jasper. Molly was shaken, but otherwise fine. Brock, however, hadn’t come out unscathed.
He wasn’t dying, but his left leg was likely broken. He’d carried on as if he’d taken a bullet the entire time Rev. Koeln was praying over him. When he’d swerved to avoid the chipmunk, Brock had overcorrected and driven into the Welcome to Holland sign. Not a good match for a head on with a car.
Bad as I felt for Brock, I found myself more worried about the fact that we didn’t have a couple now. Bill, who was escorting Tootsie to their car, wouldn’t be renewing their vows either.
“It’s okay, Lily. You don’t have to have a couple get married. The renewals are good
enough.” Kelly was probably right, but still. Having a real wedding was going to kick start the tradition and be the perfect end to all our hard work.
Argh! Why can’t things just go as planned for once?!
“I know, but …I don’t know. I just wanted it to be perfect. Dutch and Tulip deserve as much. Jonas?” Still scratching his beard, he looked like a mountain man. “What would you say to marrying Kelly?” I suggested, jokingly. Even though Kelly and Jonas would make a great couple. Jonas paled and Kelly looked hotter, if that was possible.
“Will you marry me?” Jay asked, surprising everyone, his blue eyes twinkling in the afternoon sun.
Huh? Was he talking to me? “I’m sorry? What?” I was having an out-of-body experience. I think.
“You heard me.” Getting down on bended knee, Jay took my left hand in his. “This was my great-grandmother’s.” Placing the ring on my finger, Jay continued, “I was going to ask you tonight during the fireworks, but now is as good a time as any. Come on, Lily. It’s perfect. Dutch and Tulip need a couple and I need you.”
Holding my hand to his chest, Jay continued, “Besides we’ve already got the costumes.” He smiled. The one I loved so much.
I looked around. Kelly smiled and Jonas winked. Mom started crying and Dad looked uncomfortable.
I looked up to Dutch and Tulip and felt their magic in the air.
“Yes, Jay. I will marry you.”
And I knew our marriage would be a blessed one.
~~~~~
Sitting under Dutch and Tulip, in the arms of my husband. Yep, my husband, I watched the explosion of fireworks.
Lillian Kay Heimerschmitt. That’s me.
I’d waited my whole life for this. I’d done it. I’d married under Dutch and Tulip. We’d get our very own brick. Even better, Jay and I had been dressed like them.
A blonde hair, blue-eyed boy had married a blonde hair, green-eyed girl. The crowd had loved it. Cheering as we shared our first kiss as man and wife.
“Well, Mrs. Heimerschmitt, what do you think?” My husband looked so handsome. Don’t tell Tulip, but I think I got the better Dutch boy.
Still holding my bouquet of yellow tulips, I couldn’t bear to throw them, “I think I couldn’t be happier than I am at this very moment. I got everything I ever wanted.” And it had been here all along.
Right here in Holland.
“Lily mine,” Jay breathed against my neck. The evening had cooled after sunset; it was now a balmy 94 degrees.
“Excuse me?” No hyphenated name for this gal. My new name was enough of a tongue twister.
“Not that Mein. Mine. Lily mine,” Jay said, as he gave me another Holland Kiss.
~~~~~
“We did it, Dutch! We really did it. Did you see the look on Lily’s face when Jay gave here that ring?” Tulip had nearly swooned when Jay had proposed, not that she knew what that meant. “I can’t wait to see what their children look like.” Watching Jay and Lily’s children playing at the park would be yet another dream come true.
“Yes, we did,” Dutch said, proudly. “Jay got his Lily. Now do I get my flower?” Bringing his large hands from behind his back, Dutch presented Tulip with her long awaited flowers.
“These are for the girl I love. You Tulip,” Dutch smiled, as he handed Tulip her bouquet.
“They’re beautiful, Dutch. I love them.” Tulip had wondered all these years what her flowers looked like. Now she knew. Yellow tulips. How sweet that he’d chosen her favorite flower. “And I love you,” Tulip said, suddenly shy around the boy she’d loved since forever.
“I know, sweetheart. Now how about that kiss?” Dutch said anxiously.
Leaning in, finally bridging the distance that for years had separated him from his love, Dutch touched his lips to Tulips.
Finally getting his own Holland Kiss.
~~~~~
A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR
Praise to God. Thanks and much love to my husband, children and sister, Kelly; Kara, Dana, Angie and many, many thanks to Mary Jeanne.
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There are more adventures on the way for Dutch and Tulip. Look for their next story,
A HOLLAND FURST..
A Holland Kiss Page 21
