by Londyn Skye
“Welcome, Misses Adams,” Queen Victoria greeted.
“Your majesty,” Lily greeted with a graceful curtsy. “It was an honor to receive your invitation, and I am equally honored to be the first to present a show at the Royal Albert Hall.”
“After all I’ve heard about your life story, and the unique artistry of your show, the honor is most certainly all mine,” Queen Victoria replied.
“Your words are truly gracious, ma’am. Such an opportunity will be one of my grandest dreams realized.”
The queen nodded. “I certainly look forward to seeing your show in the coming days. Until then, I should hope that you, your friends, and your family will make yourselves comfortable here. I should also hope to see you all well-rested for the dinner affair this evening.”
“We look forward to it as well, ma’am,” Lily said, giving another graceful curtsy to the queen before being guided to her royal suite.
Resting was nowhere near possible with the level of enthusiasm bursting inside Lily, though. William’s excitement was on par with hers. He was as eager to take Lily on a tour of his hometown as she was to see it all. William’s boyhood home, fine restaurants, and the luxury shops in the town’s square, were among the many places he took his twins, James, Isabel, Lily and Maya. In normal William fashion, he had a plethora of well-told nostalgic stories that he excitedly shared during their trip around London. However, the last stop on their tour was one that William had no story attached to. But he most certainly looked forward to the grand memory it would soon imprint on his mind. When the carriage halted in front of the newly constructed Royal Albert Hall, William’s keen mind began to absorb every fine detail in complete silence. Its elegance had stolen far too much of his breath to utter a single word anyway.
James helped Lily out of the carriage. Her bewildered eyes were glued to the grandness of the building as she stepped down. Still having yet to blink, she slid her arm into the crook of William’s elbow. William gently patted her arm and, together, they entered the Royal Albert Hall. They walked into the sight of workers erecting the sets for what would be the first performance to ever take place on that stage. To get the best view, everyone went and stood in the center balcony seats. Quietly, they all looked around at every intricate detail infused into the exquisite architecture. In all the theaters that William had played around the world, nothing came close to the ingenuity of this state-of-the-art facility. Even a seasoned veteran, such as himself, was overwhelmed by its magnificence. The sniffling Lily suddenly heard proved that her mother was overwhelmed by its magnificence as well. Lily stepped over and wrapped her arms around her. James, Isabel, the twins, and William felt their emotions stirring as they watched the pair embrace. They completely understood why two former slaves were moved to tears to be among the first few people in the entire world to be invited by a queen to stand inside the luxurious theater named in honor of a prince.
The emotional day continued as Lily and her entire entourage came dressed in formal gowns and tailored suits to the queen’s dinner affair later in the evening. Lily entered the ballroom on James’s arm, looking as ravishing as an ethereal empress in her flowing custom-designed red ball gown. Light applause ensued immediately after Lily stepped into the room. Confusion was obvious on her face as everyone continued to look in her direction as they applauded. It was not until that moment that she was made aware of the surprise that she was the night’s honored guest. Such an honor granted her access to a seat near the head of the table.
As the night carried on, an emotional storm was brewing in James’s chest as he proudly gazed across the dining room table at his wife. Noblemen, royal family members, and other esteemed patrons of London sat around her, asking about the details of her life. The story-telling skills that Lily had adopted from William kept her audience completely engaged, as she elaborated on the intricacies of her remarkable life story. By night’s end, all attendees agreed that Lily’s triumphant journey was indeed worthy of being honored. She further earned everyone’s respect when she ended the evening with a sampling of her music on the grand piano. She exited the gala to a drawn-out ovation from an audience of well-to-do citizens, who were intrigued to see her show now more than ever.
After spending an entire evening celebrating with a royal court, James and Lily retired to their palace suite. Despite the exhausting day, they were still far too intoxicated with euphoria to sleep. Lily had put on her nightgown and went to stand on the balcony underneath the beautiful glow of a full moon. Overcome with gratefulness, she quietly thanked God as she stared out at the Royal Albert Hall in the distance.
After putting on his pajama pants, James exited the bathroom and gazed at Lily from behind, as she quietly took in the view of the city. The grand view meant nothing to him in comparison to the mesmerizing woman in his sights. He walked up behind her, slipped his arms around her waist, and pulled her close to him. “I guarantee there’s not a man on this planet as proud as me to be a woman’s husband,” he whispered, softly kissing her neck. “You were incredible tonight.”
“Thank you,” Lily smiled, his kiss and his words warming her. She got cozy in his arms, leaned her head back against his chest, and then looked over at the Royal Albert Hall again. “I still can’t believe I’ll be the first to perform in such a prestigious place.”
“Feels so surreal to be here at all, doesn’t it?”
“That’s puttin’ it mildly.”
“And this is only the beginnin’. I was surprised to hear Landon announce that he’s already got countless more grand places in otha’ countries booked for you to perform in.”
“I was so excited to hear that tonight too!” Lily suddenly turned around to face James. “But that suddenly made me wonda’ somethin’…”
“What’s that?”
She gently caressed her stomach. “Which country this little one will be born in,” she answered.
James glanced down at her belly. When he looked up at Lily again, his eyes were filled with tears. “You’re certain?” he asked, caressing her face.
Lily covered his hand with hers. “Absolutely certain.”
The words caused the waiting tears in James’s eyes to careen down his cheeks. Lily felt his joy in the way that he then gently caressed her lips with his. His tears blended with hers as he deepened the kiss that expressed the immense love he already felt for his future family.
A slight limp still remained in James’s permanently damaged leg, but he still easily managed to pick Lily up and carry her to their bed. He tore out of his pajama pants and striped Lily from her nightgown, refusing to take his eyes off her body as he unveiled it. Tenderly, his hands slid up her legs and onto her belly. Warmth radiated through every inch of Lily’s skin when he then let a gentle kiss linger where his baby was now growing. With his tears christening Lily’s skin, James slowly kissed his way up her body. The added plumpness of her breasts was now easily evident to his lips and tongue as he sucked her tender nipples into his mouth. Lily pressed his head down harder, begging for more forceful action. James rewarded her physical wanton pleas with powerful suction that gave her near orgasmic pleasure. That fact was evident in the drawn-out sensual moan that suddenly sang through Lily’s vocal cords. The pulsation of her insides fell in sync with the rhythm of James’s ravenous suckling, instantly heating her abyss to searing levels. The sudden intense throbbing between her thighs left Lily far too impatient to wait for what she was craving. As James feasted on her, she grappled his buttocks and forced his hardened flesh deep into the heat of her pleasure passageway. The slick molten sensation tore James’s lips from her breast as he growled like a beast. The euphoric pleasure ripping through Lily’s body caused a carnal moan to tear through her throat as well and flow directly into James’s ear canal. Her erotic singing turned on a sensual dance in his hips. Lily wrapped her legs around his waist as he began rhythmically stroking inside her. The slow tenderness of his thrusts matched the movement of his lips as he began passionately kissin
g her. The immense feeling of love emanating from James’s lips and hips had tears rolling in streams down the sides of Lily’s face. The warmth of his impassioned expressions quickly spiked the pleasureful fever invading her body and ignited an explosion of orgasmic heat. The erotic cries of her sensual eruption instantly set James’s anatomy on fire as well. He grunted loudly as his stones spasmed with force and unleashed a tidal wave of seed deep inside the womb of his beloved woman. Fireworks of pleasure, simultaneously launching their bodies into the heavens, was undoubtedly the perfect end to the celebration of their very first night on the international lands of the Old World.
*****
After a week of grueling rehearsals at the Royal Albert Hall, Lily was awakened the morning of the show by a loving kiss on the cheek. “Mornin’,” James whispered.
“Mornin’,” Lily replied, her voice still heavy with sleep. She wiped her eyes, sat up, and gave James a peck on the lips. He then handed her a cup of coffee. “Thank you,” she smiled.
“You’re welcome,” he said, sitting down on the bed next to her. “I’ll definitely be framin’ this and addin’ it to our collection of memorabilia in William’s library,” he then said, handing her the morning newspaper. A massive picture of Lily seated at the grand piano on the Royal Albert Hall stage took up a majority of the front page. The rest of it was an article regarding her and her show.
Westminster Chronicle
Friday, June 15, 1866
The Royal Albert Hall is set to open its doors this evening with a presentation of the much-anticipated Dream Symphony. All 5,272 seats in the new state of-the-art facility were purchased weeks ago, by patrons eager to see the mystical shadowed show composed by Lily Adams, a former slave from the United States. She has been mentored by world renowned music composer, and London native, William Werthington. William will be at the helm of the show, conducting a symphony that drew instant critical acclaim in the United States. A four-year civil war-ravaged America and halted the progression of The Dream Symphony. The outcome of the war ultimately freed Mrs. Adams from the institution of slavery and finally gave her free rein to make the voyage here to London. Mrs. Adams was personally invited by Queen Victoria to officially resume her musical journey by presenting her spellbinding show as the first ever performance inside a theater that was built in honor of her late husband, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Lily looked at James when she was finished reading. “I’m gonna expend every bit ‘a strength in my body to honor Prince Albert and the legacy of his theater the way it deserves. I hope to make William, the queen, and all ‘a London proud.”
James smiled pridefully at his wife. “I have not one single doubt that you will, Miss Lily.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “Not one,” he whispered.
****
Several hours after reading that newspaper, Lily, Isabel, and Maya were in the dressing room of the Royal Albert Hall as those 5, 272 patrons began filling the seats. Overcome with emotion over her daughter’s success, Maya had been crying tears of joy on and off throughout the entire day. Lily, too, was overcome with tears earlier in the evening after seeing her mother dressed in elegant attire, looking very much like the Nubian goddess Levi had proclaimed her to be. Maya was appreciative of Lily’s compliments, but her focus was on wanting to help enhance her daughter’s natural beauty. She wanted to assist Lily with her hair and make-up, but the task was impossible with tears constantly blurring her vision. She finally had to step back and relinquish those honors to Isabel. With Isabel’s painstaking work now complete, she stepped aside and let Lily look into the mirror. Maya stood behind her beloved miracle child staring at her reflection. Seeing Levi so prevalent in Lily’s features instantly ignited Maya’s tears again.
Lily stood up and held her mother’s hands. “You gonna be okay, mama?”
Maya nodded as she dabbed her tears with a handkerchief. “Forgive me for not bein’ able to pull myself togetha’. I’m just so grateful to be here with you for this night. I’m so proud ‘a you.”
“That doesn’t need forgivin’, mama. But ya’ can’t be proud ‘a me yet, you haven’t even seen my show,” Lily teased.
“I don’t need to see you perform to be proud. You’re my miracle girl. I’ve been proud ‘a you since the day you came into my life … just as proud as your fatha’. I wish he could be here too, but I’m convinced he’s lookin’ down at you from heaven with his eyes just as full ‘a tears as the first day he held you.”
Lily hugged her mother tightly. “Me too,” she whispered, fighting hard to keep her tears from ruining her make-up.
Maya pulled back and smiled proudly at her daughter. “Well, I guess me and Isabel need to get to our seats.” She kissed Lily on the cheek. “Good luck, baby. I can’t wait to see you on that stage.”
“Thank you, mama,” Lily replied, kissing her mother on the cheek as well. She smiled as she watched her depart. For months, Lily had been adamant that her mother not see or hear any portions of her show rehearsals. She wanted her to see the full live production on opening night. It had caused Maya’s anticipation to manifest into an eagerness to see the show that her words could not remotely explain. But it was certainly obvious in the way she hurried to her seat, feeling as though the Dream Symphony could not start soon enough.
After Isabel and Maya were out of sight, Lily sat back down alone at her dressing room table. She was lost in thought, staring at the printed music in her hands, until a hint of tears caused the notes to blur. She exhaled to settle herself and looked into the mirror. Her eyes immediately homed in on the star-shaped alexandrite pendant on her necklace. Again, it was difficult to make out its elegance with tears distorting the reflection. A knock on her dressing room door forced her to pull herself together. She exhaled again before summoning her visitor to come in. There was more than one visitor, however. Lily lit up in a smile as her brothers, Austin, Harrison, Ryla, the twins, and Griff all filed in behind Austin’s energetic daughter, Georgia.
“Hi, Miss Lily!” Georgia exclaimed, running over to give her godmother a hug. “I can’t wait to see you perform! I know you’re gonna be incredible!” She then handed her godmother a long-stemmed flower. “It’s a lily! Because your name is Lily!”
“Just like your middle name too!”
“Yup! That’s the best name ever!”
Lily laughed along with everyone else. “Thank you, Georgia!” she said, smiling at her childlike enthusiasm.
“You’re welcome!”
“Her excitement rivals mine!” Austin smiled. “And she stole the words right outta my mouth … well, not the part about Lily bein’ the best name eva’,” he laughed. “The fact that you’re gonna be incredible.”
“Thank you, Austin,” Lily smiled.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, giving her a hug. He then handed her another long-stemmed lily and stepped aside for the next man in line.
“We all wanted to stop by and wish you good luck tonight,” Colt explained.
“You look really beautiful, Lily,” Wyatt then complimented.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Thank you,” Lily blushed.
One by one, everyone then gave her a hug, whispered good luck, and handed her a lily.
Dallas was the last of her brothers to hug her. “Knock ’em dead, sis,” he said. The way he referred to her nearly ignited Lily’s tears again.
With wine glass in hand, Ryla stepped to Lily next. “I knew you had one hell of a story to tell. Sho’ glad you neva’ told me when I asked, though…” She looked around the fancy dressing room and shook her head. “’Cause I neva’ would ‘a believed any ‘a this shit anyway!”
Lily let out a genuine laugh. “Sometimes, I can hardly believe it myself, Ryla.”
Ryla handed her a lily. “I can’t wait to see you shine up there. Much luck to you.”
“Thank you, Ryla,” Lily replied, hugging her.
“I’d wish you luck too, Little Flowa’, but I know f
rom experience that you don’t need it. I’m confident you’ll show these goddamn Brits what American’s can do,” Griff said, handing her a lily as well.
“Thank you, Griff,” Lily replied, hugging her favorite security bandit. She then stepped back and looked at everyone in the room. “Thank you all for the flowa’s … and for comin’ all this way to support me. It means more to me than my words could eva’ express.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Harrison replied. “We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Everyone nodded in agreement and then filed out to head to their seats.
Lily inhaled the sweet scent of her bouquet before she arranged it neatly in the vase full of water that Wyatt had sat on her vanity. A seductive smile then suddenly emerged on her face when she saw the reflection of the man who had quietly tiptoed in and appeared over her right shoulder. “It’s about time you showed up.”
“I’ve missed you all day too,” James replied, brushing her hair aside and kissing her neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He had been extremely busy handling the madness of the press and managing the itinerary for their family and friends. He was happy to finally have a moment alone with his lovely wife. “You look heavenly,” he said, as he gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
Lily closed her eyes and exhaled, his words and his touch immediately warming her as always. “Thank you,” she whispered. “And thank you for all the flowa’s,” she smiled, confident that he was behind the beautiful gesture.
James shook his head. “I can’t steal the credit for that. That was all your brotha’s idea. They wanted a way of showin’ their sista’ how happy they are for you … and how much they love you.” He kissed Lily’s cheek. “I preferred to express that with a different gift.” He briefly stepped out into the hallway and returned with a large wooden box that had a bow wrapped around it.
“What’ve you gone and done,” Lily teased, smiling as he handed the box to her.