by C L Bauer
She’d wait until after the holidays and talk to Tom. She’d give it some time and hope Mrs. Notte didn’t have an accident in the meantime. Surely, they wouldn’t do away with her over the holidays? Lily’s mind began to spin. Maybe they needed that house for cover, their positions in the society? Maybe they needed her money to cover their little industry? Maybe Mrs. Notte was completely stark raving mad and Barrett was just nice to a delusional woman who paid his salary? The woman was a kleptomaniac on occasion, and she did think Harry Truman was still president just a few years ago. She wanted President Bush to drop the atomic bomb on the Taliban, and she was thrilled last year when Google Fiber was coming to their neighborhood. Mrs. Notte just knew they’d all be so much healthier with that fiber. She wouldn’t need to eat her shredded wheat every morning. Lily sighed. She’d wait until after the holidays before she mentioned Mrs. Notte’s admissions.
Chapter Twenty-One
The shop’s door opened and alerted Lily and Abby to the customer entering.
“Lily Schmidt, I have a special delivery for your birthday!” It wasn’t a customer, it was Dev’s Aunt Patricia.
You couldn’t help but smile when you saw the woman. She was alive, always a smile on her face and bright eyes that reflected a beautiful soul. Lily hadn’t spent too much time with her, but she felt like the woman had always been in her life.
They greeted each other with a warm, long hug. “Happy birthday, kiddo.”
“Thanks,” Lily answered grudgingly. Abby and she were working on funeral sprays for a delivery later that day. She was working on her birthday, again. So it didn’t really feel very birthdayish, and no, that wasn’t a real word but it described how she felt. So did the word “blah”. The dark, grey, snow heavy clouds outside didn’t help her little bit of depression. Neither did the absence of a certain man who was probably in a very warm place, leaving her in the dark and in the cold.
Patricia took off her coat and sat down at the table. “Do you have a second?”
Abby said she’d go back to work and to take her time. God bless Abby, Lily thought. She really didn’t know what she’d do without her. She feared the day that the young woman came in and quit, running off with Jeremy to some island complete with pizza houses and cheese puff cars.
“We have work, but I need a break. It’s so nice of you to drop by today.”
Patricia eyed her from head to toe. Lily was lounging on the chair, holding her head with her arm perched on the table. Her eyes were swollen from either allergies, crying, or lack of sleep. She wasn’t wearing any makeup. She was wearing some awful purple socks accented with green frogs and her sneakers were a bright pink color.
“It looks like you could use a little pick-me-up. Here. This is from me.” She presented Lily a small gold box tied with an elegant red bow.
Lily opened it carefully to find a gift card for a very posh spa.
“I thought we could go together and make a day of it after the first of the year.”
Lily smiled, finally. “That would be lovely.” She sat up in the chair and in that movement, her chain with Dev’s academy ring pulled away from the top of her apron.
His aunt noticed it immediately and sat forward to hold it as it swung in the air. “Well, well. Now this is something.” She held it in her hand as though it was a precious gem. “This is a first.”
The two women were only inches away as Lily whispered. “That’s what I’ve heard from his dad.”
“Oh, yes. In fact, my sister thought he’d never find someone. Yet, here you are. Lily, in many ways you are so much like her.”
“Now, you’re going to make me cry.” She pushed away a tear as Patricia allowed the ring to fall against Lily’s chest. “I should be happier.”
“But, he’s not here, you are. You haven’t heard from him; you only get his aunt. I can hug you but it just won’t be the same. The boy does give good hugs.”
Lily reached for a tissue from her pocket. “The best.”
“Kisses aren’t bad, I bet?”
“Nope. They are amazing.”
“And, he didn’t forget your birthday.”
She pulled another small box from her purse and handed it to Lily. It was black velvet with a small gold bow on top. “Really? He didn’t forget?”
“Of course not. Thanks to you the boy now makes lists!”
“Oh that’s so nice.” She opened it slowly. It revealed a white gold chain. Two eternity circles were attached. The diamonds and rubies sparkled in the light. “Oh my.”
“He bought those rubies in Afghanistan. He had that made for you months ago. Dev brought back some sapphires a few years back and my husband had a beautiful ring styled for me. “This one.” She held out her hand for Lily to see the large five carat sapphire set within a nest of diamonds.
“That’s beautiful. You think he has any more sapphires? I mean, should I hold on until I get something like that?” Lily was laughing as she tenderly unearthed her necklace from the velvet bed.
Pat laughed with her. “I’m not sure what you’d have to do.”
Lily didn’t answer. An awkward silence followed. Aunt Pat had definitely overstepped.
Pat tapped her leg. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I bet you are getting another ring with more symbolism than mine.”
“Don’t toy with me.”
“Don’t doubt him, Lily. He loves you,” Pat whispered softly. “Oh, I almost forgot the card.” She removed a small folded note from her purse and handed it to her.
Lily dabbed at her eyes. “ Sweetheart, I’m so sorry I’m not there for this birthday. Just know I love you and I miss you. Those circles represent you and me. We will be together soon. Dev”
“Wow, this is a nice birthday. No flowers this year though.”
“Oh, they are coming. He instructed me that they had to be hydrangeas!”
“It is our flower of choice and of danger.”
“With all the drug stuff you two get involved in it should be a darn poppy.”
“Too hard to get.”
Pat chuckled. “Are we talking about the flower or you?”
Lily placed the necklace around her neck. It was shorter than the one she had his ring on. “Both.”
“He deserves a good chase,” Pat lamented. “The boy is just too good looking. He needs some disappointment.”
The two women hugged as they giggled. For one brief moment, Lily felt something different. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she thought it was an extra set of arms, maybe it was Dev’s mom giving her that extra assurance that her son was indeed coming back to Lily, and only to Lily.
The clouds broke a little, and the sun shined through the shop’s window. Each year, her birthdays were getting better since that handsome very special agent had walked through her door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
For Lily, Christmas had been uneventful. Abby and she had closed down early on Christmas Eve, and Lily had made it to the early Mass. She’d slept in on Christmas Day and watched the Disney Christmas Day Parade with Mort. Mort was fitting in very well, especially when the dog served as her own personal space heater. But the canine also loved spending time with Abby and Jeremy. The three of them looked like a family. A very weird little family, but they were kindred spirits. She checked in with her siblings and their families. Everyone loved her gifts. They Skyped as she opened hers from them. She stayed in her pajamas until the afternoon, eventually showering and dressing. Aunt Patricia was taking her to a fancy restaurant on the Country Club Plaza. Lily was letting her. It was funny how you used the full name, Country Club Plaza, when you were going to a really nice dinner and you used the term, Plaza, when you were just going for drinks or shopping.
Lily had just finished dressing when the phone rang. It was Dev’s father.
“Merry Christmas, Lily.”
“Merry Christmas to you too.”
“I was just heading out to Arlene’s for dinner and I know you and Pat are meeting. Have you heard fr
om Dev?”
Lily breathed out slowly. So, he hadn’t either. “No. Arlene?”
“She’s my friend,” he responded uncomfortably. “Her boys went to school with ours. Her husband died when the kids were in college. We go out. We give each other company.”
“That’s wonderful. So, you haven’t heard from him either?”
She could hear the disappointment in his answer. “No, but that has happened many times before. It’s his job. Thanks for that muffler. How did you know I had lost my grey one?”
Lily laughed. “I listened. You mentioned it when I was up there in December.”
“So my son isn’t the only one who listens and watches everything. Good job. Did you get my gift card?”
“Yes, thanks so much. Aunt Pat and I are going to that spa in January, so I’ll use the card then.”
“Wonderful. I better get going. You enjoy your night. And don’t worry about Pat picking up the bill. She’s well off.”
“I’ll remember that. We have a table right by the window so when the Christmas lights come on, we’ll be there. Actually, I’ve never done this so I’m excited.” Lily really was. Her family never had the money to reserve a table like that on Christmas night. Besides, they were always going to that relative or another before they finally landed in bed around ten in the evening. Christmas was for family but when family all began to die off, Christmas was for quiet and rest. And more quiet. It was good to have something to do tonight.
“Well enjoy, and Lily, I am so happy that you are in all of our lives.”
“Me too, Jack. Merry Christmas and thank you again.”
Six nights later, Lily and Mort sat on the sofa. Lily had changed into her pajamas, robe and Elmo slippers as soon as she had returned from Mass on New Year’s Eve. Mort was already snoring. Occasionally, the dog would wake herself up and look up at the television. Lily was watching a marathon of MGM musicals. She’d eaten popcorn, boiled shrimp, cheesecake and mint chip ice cream, not necessarily in that order. She was sleeping in New Year’s Day. She’d finally get up when she had to, or when Mort had to go out. She’d watch football and hockey and eat some more. She had crab legs for tomorrow with red potatoes and corn on the cob. She was treating herself. Who else was going to do it?
Abby and Jeremy had invited her out but she didn’t feel like celebrating. She didn’t want to celebrate alone. Although she was alone she didn’t feel lonely this year. Here she was on another New Year’s Eve, alone. But somewhere in this hemisphere or in another, there was a man who loved her and that had to be enough for now. Just one year, one New Year’s Eve in her lifetime, she wanted to be taken in an embrace at the stroke of midnight and have the stuffing kissed out of her. She wanted to be breathless, dizzy from the smell of his cologne, the closeness of his skin. Oh crap, she was going to have to take a walk outside if she kept thinking about him. It was in the teens tonight, and a light snow had begun. She convinced herself she was happy to be inside, alone on her couch with a dog. Just keep telling yourself that Lily! Where the heck was Dev? Was he as miserable as she?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Devlin Pierce pulled up to the apartment complex and noticed the small bike dumped by the door. It was lavender with the prettiest purple bows tied to the handles. He could hear other children playing down the block. This was a safe place for them. A good place. They deserved that. It was almost sunset, a beautiful one in Pompano Beach, Florida.
As he walked up the sidewalk, the door opened and the smallest resident ran to him, jumping up in his arms. She removed his sunglasses immediately to look into his eyes.
“Hello Dev. Have you been a good boy?”
He smiled slightly. “Of course, I have, Angel. Have you been?”
She patted his chin. “Of course not. I’m not a boy, but I have been a good girl.”
“Smarty.”
“That’s what momma says all the time. You and momma are going to work tonight?” She pushed against him to be placed down on the sidewalk. She took his hand and led him into the apartment.
“Yes, Angel. We have to go to work. You’ll just have to play with all those great toys you received from Santa.”
“I will have that nice woman, Becky again?”
“Yes. She is willing to spend her New Year’s Eve with you.”
Agent Becky Nash was one of the nicest people Dev had ever met in the DEA. She’d just finished six months undercover and welcomed the opportunity to take care of Angelica. Everytime Dev and Alise went out, Becky volunteered to care for their smallest protectee.
“Dev, do you think Carlos will marry my mommy? He’s over here without you, and he makes her face soft. I like him.”
Dev had to think carefully about this one. He didn’t want to offer false hope, but it did seem like Carlos was with Alise quite a bit. “I really don’t know, honey. I’m happy you like him.”
“You don’t know anything? Fine. Come on,” Angelica pulled him in. “Momma made chili again for you and it’s real good. You need some before you go.”
He saw Alise’s back. She was staring at a computer screen. She was barefoot, but that was the only thing casual about her. Her hair was styled up with rhinestones pinning the back; one curl hung down the side onto her bare back. She was wearing a red dress with appliqued crystals here and there. The back of the dress dipped down to her waist.
Up until two years ago when he walked into a flower shop in Kansas City, Alise would’ve been his type. It was highly likely that her legs were longer than Lily was tall. Their pretend relationship had been going on for weeks as they made sure they were seen at clubs, poolside parties, and social cocktail gatherings. Any sexual tension collapsed as soon as he heard Carlos in his ear.
“You two are pretending, remember?” he’d admonish. Dev noticed and understood Carlos and his frustration. The chemistry between Carlos and Alise was taking a backseat to the operation. Actually, he was grateful for that voice in his head. His other voices at night wondered if he could wait much longer for Lily. Their timing, or lack thereof, had to be one for the record books.
“She’s right, Dev. There’s a bowl on the counter. Make sure you eat.” She continued to work, waving Dev over to the kitchen island. “I need to finish this one entry and then I’ll be done until next week.”
Angelica crawled up on the bar stool and sat across from Dev as he served himself the chili. “What have you been doing?”
“Not much. This and that.”
She cradled her head in her hands, her elbows supporting her arms. “That means spy stuff. You can’t talk about it.”
“This chili sure smells good.”
She sighed. “And that means you want to change the subject.”
“Angelica Marie, that’s enough. Let the poor man eat, baby,” Alise reprimanded from the other side of the room.
“How’s Lily?”
Dev looked up at the inquisitor as he took his first bite. “Fine.”
“And that means you haven’t talked to her, and you don’t know because you’ve been doing this and that.”
“Angelica. That is enough.” Her mother’s tone was different this time, deliberate and cool. Alise powered down the computer and stood up with her hands on her hips. “I swear, child. What am I going to do with you?”
Angelica grinned, all her teeth showing. “Love me like I love you.”
Dev attempted to remain stoic, but it was nearly impossible. The spunky nymph was unstoppable. She was one of his favorite people in the entire world, and she wasn’t old enough to go to the restroom by herself. She’d just been tested at school. She was bored in kindergarten. It was no wonder, she tested at a fourth grade level.
“I love this job, Dev. The company is very considerate and allows me to work at my own pace. If this continues, I’m going back for my master’s degree in business, and they said they’d pay for it. How’s the chili?”
“Amazing as usual. Let me know when you make red beans and rice again. It’s the best.”<
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“It’s Mom’s recipe.” Alise looked up and shut her eyes. She missed her mother. Alise firmly believed that her mother’s broken heart had been cracked by her own behavior. She would never forgive herself for that tragedy. The only way to help mend that anguish was to assist the good guys to take down the bad guys.
“Momma, I just want to know how Lily is. Really.” Angelica’s eyes melted her heart.
“Well, Dev, how is Lily?” Alise was adding long drop earrings to her ensemble. The jewelry the DEA had given her to wear was probably more than her annual salary; the designer dress could put Angelica through a year of private school.
“I hope fine. I haven’t been able to contact her or talk to her, but I made sure her birthday gift arrived and her gift for Christmas.”
Angelica focused on him again. “What did you get her?”
Alise softly grabbed her child’s shoulders. “You have to stop being so nosy.”
“But I love Lily. I just want to make sure she is happy, and I know Dev makes her happy. So, what did you get her?”
Dev finished his chili and placed the bowl in the sink. He turned around and leaned on the counter to come head to head with his inquisitor. “For her birthday I had a necklace made and for Christmas I sent a frame with a photo of us in it.”
“That’s it?” Angelica asked. Alise shrugged at her impudent child.
“Well, I also sent earrings to match the necklace. My aunt gave her the gifts from me. Does that meet with your approval, Angel?”
“Wow, that was nice of you. You must really like her, maybe even love her?” She cocked her head to the side to add to her cuteness.
“I must, I do.”
“Are you going to get married? Can I be your flower girl?”