He pulled me close. “Oh, Lily. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” I said against his shoulder.
He pulled back and looked at me, his hands on my arms. “We need to tell my parents.” He laughed. “Then my mother will stop pushing Chelsea at me.”
My smile faded a bit. “I need to tell you something.”
Wariness replaced the look of joy on his face, and he released me. “What?”
At that moment I decided I needed to be honest with him. He was going to be my husband. It wasn’t right for me to keep anything from him. “I invited your mom over for lunch tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Marcus, a week ago your mother had me over for lunch, and she told me not to tell you that I wasn’t seeing Cameron anymore.”
His head jerked back. “What? Why would she do that?”
“She told me you were dating Chelsea and that I should discourage you from spending time with me because the time you spent with me was becoming an issue in your relationship with Chelsea.” It felt great to get that out into the open. I didn’t want to keep any secrets from him.
He looked from side to side, obviously upset by the lies his mother had told me, then he looked at me. “I’m going to go over there right now and set her straight.”
I grabbed his arm. “No, Marcus. This is why I didn’t tell you before. I don’t want you to be angry with your mother.”
“Lily, how can you be so forgiving?” His eyes softened, and he reached out and stroked my face. “That’s one thing I love about you. One of many.”
I pressed my cheek against his hand, loving his touch.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this,” he said, moving his hand to my arm and rubbing it with his thumb. “This is between my mother and me.”
“I know, but please try to understand. I don’t have a mother, and I like your mother.” My eyes filled with tears as I spoke. “I want her to be like a mother to me.” I took a deep breath, getting myself under control. “Let me talk to her tomorrow first.”
He gazed at me. “Okay. But don’t let her push you around. She doesn’t like it when things don’t go her way.” He paused. “Are you going to tell her we’re getting married?”
I shook my head. “I’ll just tell her we’re dating. If I tell her we’re getting married, I think that might be too much, don’t you?”
He laughed. “We’ll have to tell her sooner or later.”
“I know.” I smiled. “Baby steps.”
He drew me into his arms, and as I tilted my face to his, his lips sank toward mine. Our kiss became more passionate and I felt myself getting lost in the sensations swirling through my body. Gently, I pushed away from him, and gazed into his eyes.
“I think we need to get married soon,” he said, his voice husky.
It was the same thing Trevor had told me, but this time I nodded, wanting nothing more than to make him my husband.
“I think I’d better go now,” he said. “I’ll come over after work tomorrow and you can give me a full report on your meeting with my mother.”
“Yes.” I smiled. “And then we can grout the backsplash.”
He laughed. “Yes, that too.”
I walked him to the door, and after he gave me a quick kiss on the lips, he left.
The next day I worked all morning to make a lunch that rivaled the meals Trish had served, and when she arrived, I felt a mixture of pride in the lunch I’d prepared, and nervousness about the conversation I was about to have with her.
“Hello, Trish,” I said, inviting her in.
“Your house looks great, Lily.”
“Thanks. Come see the tile that Marcus and I put in.”
She followed me into the kitchen. “It looks wonderful.”
“We put the backsplash in yesterday, and this evening we’ll grout it.”
“I like the colors you picked.”
“Thanks.”
“Is Natalie sleeping?”
“Yes.” I paused. “Do you want to sit down?”
“Sure.”
We sat on the couch in the family room. “Dinner was delicious last night,” I said. “You’re a really good cook.”
She smiled under the compliment. “Thank you.”
We sat down to lunch and we talked about random things, but in the back of my mind, I wondered how to bring up the real reason for inviting her over. The opportunity presented itself at the end of the meal when Trish said, “I hope it wasn’t awkward for you when Marcus insisted on sitting next to you at dinner last night. I know you want to help him get to know Chelsea.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
I chewed the inside of my lip, and my heart raced. This is it. “That’s actually one reason I invited you over. To talk about Chelsea.”
Her eyebrows rose in question.
“You see,” I began, “Marcus told me he isn’t interested in Chelsea.”
“He just needs to get to know her better,” she said, interrupting me.
I shook my head. “It’s more than that. He’s seeing someone else.”
Her forehead creased. “No. I don’t think that’s true. Did he tell you that?”
I couldn’t hold back a smile. “He didn’t have to.”
“Then you’re imagining things, Lily.” She picked a piece of lint off of her slacks, then looked at me. “I hope you’re not pining after something that’s out of your reach.”
My mouth fell open at the bold insult.
“I’m sorry to be so blunt,” she said. “But you need to know the truth. I know you’ve had a hard time of it, but I don’t think you’re the best fit for Marcus. He has a great future ahead of him, and you, well, you’re a single mother and you’re only, what, twenty-one? You’ve already been married, for heaven’s sake.”
The things she said about me were true—except about not being a good fit for Marcus. Or was she right about that too? Flustered now, I said the only thing that came to mind. “We’re getting married.” My hand flew to my mouth as I realized what I’d said, and I wished I could suck the words back in.
She recoiled. “What?” After only a second, her expression smoothed out, and her smile held pity. “I know he’s a wonderful man, but you need to accept that he is just not the man for you.” She frowned, but the look held compassion. “I know it’s hard to be alone, but that’s just the way things are for you. It’s not fair to Marcus to drag him into your drama.” Her voice softened. “Let your fantasy go, Lily. You’ll be happier in the end if you just accept reality.”
I shook my head. The conversation wasn’t going the way I’d planned at all. “Trish, it’s you who doesn’t understand. Marcus proposed to me.” I smiled. “And I accepted.”
She shook her head, obviously in complete denial. “I don’t believe it. He would have talked to Jeff and me about it first.” She laughed, but it sounded forced. “I mean, he’s never even told us that he’s interested in you.”
“Well, we love each other. And we’re going to be married.”
“I don’t believe this,” she murmured, almost to herself.
I frowned as I watched her.
She looked at me, plainly upset. “Thank you for lunch, Lily.” Then she stood, grabbed her purse from the couch, and rushed out the front door.
“Great,” I said out loud. I called Marcus’s cell phone, but got his voice mail. “Your mother just left,” I said. “I’m sorry, but I let it slip that we’re getting married.” I paused. “She didn’t take it well. Call me when you can.”
I put the phone in my back pocket and began cleaning up the kitchen, wondering what Trish was going to do now.
I didn’t hear back from Marcus until late that afternoon, and when he called, it was obvious that he was feeling stressed.
“I hate to say it, but I wish you hadn’t told my mother that we’re getting married.”
“I’m really sorry, Marcus, but it just slipped out.” I didn’t want to tell him the rude things his mother had s
aid to me, so I left it at that.
He sighed. “She came to see me here at the office, and she was all worked up. Went on and on about me not rushing into anything. I finally got her to calm down, and I had to call my dad to have him come and get her.” He paused. “It’s kind of a mess right now.”
Alarm bells rang in my mind. “What do you mean?”
“I just got off the phone with my dad. After he brought her home he went back to work, and apparently he came home to check on her, and when she saw him she started getting worked up again. Then she fainted and hit her head and he brought her to the hospital to have her head looked at. I’m on my way over there now.” He laughed. “I guess we won’t be grouting tonight.”
“Oh, Marcus. I’m so sorry. If I’d had any idea she would react like this, I never would have told her.”
“It’s not your fault. My mother can be a little . . . high strung.” He paused. “I’m just pulling into the parking lot now. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay.”
I set the phone on the counter, then sat on the floor in front of Natalie. She was playing with some toys I’d set out, and I looked at her sadly. “No Marcus tonight, baby girl.”
She smiled up at me, her blue eyes shining.
I spent the rest of the evening going back and forth between playing with Natalie and worrying about Trish. After I put Natalie to bed, I sat on the couch and thought about Trish and her reaction. Did she really think I was so beneath him that the news of us marrying would make her faint? Was she right? Did all the mistakes I’d made and the things I’d been through make me a poor choice of wife for Marcus?
Was I not good enough for him? My heart sank at the thought. I loved him so much, how could I even consider pushing him away? But if I truly loved him, shouldn’t I do what was best for him, regardless of what I wanted, and make sure he was with a woman who was worthy of him?
The thought of letting him go made me breathless, and as I imagined telling him good-bye for the last time, a wave of dizziness swept over me and I had to lie down. Greta pressed her nose against my hand, urging me to come and play, but I pushed her away. Insistently, she licked my hand, then moved up to my face.
“Stop it,” I said listlessly, my heart already breaking as I contemplated what it would be like if Marcus was no longer in my life. I contrasted the way I felt then with the way I’d felt only the day before. Then, life had held so much promise—Marcus and I wanted to get married as soon as we could. Now, it all seemed in jeopardy. Not because of Trish, exactly, but because of the doubts she now placed in my mind.
I stayed up later than normal, waiting to hear from Marcus, but he never called. Dejected, I finally went to bed.
He called during his lunch break the next day.
“How’s your mom?” I immediately asked.
“She needed some stitches, but that’s not the problem.”
I tensed, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“When we got her home, she became hysterical again. She went on and on, trying to make me promise to wait at least six months before I made any final decisions, and trying to get me to commit to dating other women for a while.” He sighed. “Lily, I don’t know what her problem is, but she is really upset.”
I know what it is, I thought. It’s me. I’m not good enough for you. Out loud, I said, “What now?”
“I think I need to spend time with her. Calm her down.” He sighed again. “I don’t think I’ll be stopping by for a few days.”
My shoulders slumped with disappointment. “Okay.” I paused, then in a small voice, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Lily.”
I wandered around the house, not knowing what to do about this. “I need some advice,” I said to the walls of my bedroom. At first I thought of calling Alyssa, but she would most likely just advise me to forget about Marcus and go back to Cameron.
Then I thought of Marcy. I needed someone with a more mature outlook. But then I shook my head. She had dissolved into tears at the mere idea of me being friends with Marcus. She couldn’t be objective about him.
But I couldn’t go on like this. I needed to get away.
I can go to Marcy’s house for a visit, I decided. I don’t have to tell her what’s going on, but maybe putting a little space between myself and my situation will give me perspective.
Feeling better now that I had a concrete idea, I called her right away.
“I’d love for you to come for a visit,” she said after I made the suggestion. “When did you want to come?”
“Today,” I said without hesitation.
“Oh.” She paused. “Okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. You know you’re welcome anytime.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll be there this evening.”
“Wonderful.”
As soon as I hung up, I packed the things Natalie and I would need, then loaded them into the car, then I changed Natalie, gave her a snack, and headed out. I took Greta to a local kennel that had space—Marcus had too much going on for me to ask him to care for her. And as I put more distance between myself and Marcus, I felt bereft, but I also felt the weight of Trish’s disappointment lifting.
Late that evening I pulled up to Marcy and John’s house. As I carried Natalie to the front door, I smiled, remembering the last visit. It had been emotional in a lot of ways, but I felt the air was slowly clearing between me and Trevor’s family.
“Hello,” Marcy said, pulling me into a warm hug, and I burst into tears. She pulled back and looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
I just shook my head and sniffled.
She took a sleepy Natalie from me and we went inside. “Go sit down, Lily. I’ll put Natalie on a blanket on the floor of your room.” She smiled. “I don’t want her rolling off of your bed.”
I just nodded, grateful to have her take care of Natalie for me. She left the room and I sat on the couch, then pulled out a packet of tissues from my purse. I blew my nose and dabbed at my eyes until I’d gotten myself under control.
A few moments later Marcy was back and she sat next to me on the couch and put her arm around me. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “Not right now,” I managed to say between sniffles.
“Okay.” She smiled in a motherly way. “You’re probably exhausted from your long drive. Why don’t you go to bed and I’ll see you in the morning?”
I nodded and let her lead me to my room, where I found Natalie sleeping soundly on a thick blanket. She seemed fine, so I left her there and got myself ready for bed, then crawled under the covers and closed my eyes.
The next morning when I went into the kitchen, Marcy had a nice breakfast waiting for me. She and John were retired, so they didn’t have to go to work. John smiled at me as I walked in carrying Natalie.
“Good morning,” he said.
“Hi. Thanks for letting me come for a visit at the last minute.”
“You’re family,” he said. “And you’re welcome anytime.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me.” And I realized that’s why I’d burst into tears the moment Marcy had hugged me the night before. In her own way, she had become the closest thing to a mother that I had, and feeling the warmth of her welcome had made me lose it.
“Have something to eat,” he said, motioning to the food set out.
“I hope you like pancakes,” Marcy said, sliding some hot ones onto the platter on the table.
“Yes.” I slid into the seat and held Natalie on my lap, then I took a slice of bacon, and two pancakes. Natalie reached for my plate and I pushed it out of her reach.
“I’m done,” John said. “Let me take her.” He walked over to me and held out his arms. Natalie let him pick her up and he smiled at her. “You sure are a beauty,” he said. He smiled at me. “Just like her mother.”
I blushed, but felt myself relaxing under their loving care. “Thank you.”
“My landlady needed her family to move into the house I was living in,” I said. “So I decided to buy a place for me and Natalie.”
“I’m disappointed you didn’t buy a place here, but I’m excited for you that you were able to buy your first place.”
“It needed a little work, but it’s shaping up nicely now.” I thought of the work Marcus had put in to the place, was still planning on putting into it, and melancholy settled over me.
“I’d love to come see it sometime,” Marcy said.
“Oh, that would be nice. I’d like to have you and John come for a visit.”
We both watched Natalie as she played with some toys I’d set on the floor.
“Lily,” Marcy said, and I looked at her. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on? Why were you so upset?”
I sighed. “Honestly, I could use some advice, but I don’t want you to become upset.”
She looked puzzled. “Why would I become upset?”
“It has to do with my . . . friend . . . Marcus.”
She nodded. “I see.” She leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees. “I’ve thought a lot about you and . . . other men . . . since your last visit. You’re so young, and I . . . well, it’s not fair for me to expect you to be alone.” She smiled. “Please, tell me what’s happened.”
Feeling better about sharing my problems, I tucked my feet underneath me and began talking, telling her how much I’d grown to love Marcus, how much he loved Natalie, and how, after waiting a long time, he finally admitted that he loved me too. “He proposed to me, Marcy.”
She smiled, and her happiness seemed genuine. “Well, that’s wonderful.” Then her brow creased. “Then why the upset?”
“His mother,” I said simply.
“What about her?”
I explained all that had been going on. “Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m not right for her son.” Tears pricked my eyes and I couldn’t stop my voice from shaking as I looked at Natalie. “Why should I saddle him with a child that’s not even his?”
“But you said he loves her.”
I nodded. “He does, but . . .”
Love At Last (Lily's Story, Book 3) Page 26