He chuckled and reached out, placing his open hand on my knee. He glanced down at it and nodded. Smiling, I placing my hand in his and shuffled against him, leaning my head on his shoulder. I know what the doctor said, Noah whispered, suprising me at how close his lips were to me. So much so that I shivered unexpectedly as his breath blew across my ear. But you know, I’m a fast healer. Maybe we should just give it a week, whaddya say ?
I laughed quietly. You really are one of a kind, college boy.
Right back at you, gorgeous.
After a minute of just sitting there with him, I sat up and turned to face him. He was staring straight ahead, seemingly lost in his own little world. Something he had been doing a lot recently. I knew the look, because I had been the same. Squeezing his hand gently, I smiled when he blinked a few times and turned to face me.
Sorry, he mumbled. I just zoned out for a second. I can’t stop thinking about it, Lily. Everytime I close my eyes, he’s there. He looked down at his lap and I could that he was trying to fight back the tears. Even when my eyes are open, he’s there. I want to be strong for you, but it’s hard to forget something like that. Is it even possible to forget it ? Because I’m not so sure it is.
You know, Jen told me something earlier. I said, tilting his chin up so he was looking at me. I didn’t know, she didn’t tell me at the time but she was a witness at the trial.
What happened ? Noah asked, his eyes wide as he stared at me.
He was convicted of stalking, attempted murder and bodily harm. The jury was unanimous. They didn’t even need me…With Jen’s testimony and all the photo’s and the receipts they found there was overwhelming evidence. He had a criminal record too, filled with stalking cases. It’s over Noah. I leant forward and kissed him lightly, stroking his hair as a single tear rolled down his cheek. It’s all over.
I smiled as he looked up at me and cupped my face in both of his hands. He kissed me on the mouth, but his lips barely grazed mine. I could feel the wetness of his tears as all of his fear, panic and relief just flowed away.
I love you, Lily, he whispered against my lips.
I love you too, college boy.
………………………………………………………………
Noah :
Standing on the sidewalk, Lily and I watched as everyone hugged eachother and laughed. There were a few tears around too, but it was more to do with happiness, not sadness. It was getting late and the sun was starting to go down. But there was no breeze, everything was still. As I watched Rich and my sister saying goodbye to Dean and Jen, my mother and father walked up with JJ in between them.
I smiled as he ran up and wrapped his arms around my leg. Leaning down as far as I could, trying my hardest to ignore the pain, I kissed him on the top of his head and ruffled his hair. You take care of the folks for me, won’t you little man ?
I promise, he nodded, walking over to Lily who scooped him up in to her ams and hugged him close.
So we’ll see you two at Christmas, right ? my mother asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.
Yeah, we’ll be coming home for Christmas. After all, Lily and I made a promise to JJ to stick stars up in his bedroom, didn’t we ?
We did, Lily smiled, placing JJ back on the ground. And we’re not one to break promises.
I’m glad you’re okay, son, my father said, and I could tell he was trying to keep his emotions in check.
Me too, my mother nodded beside him, tears pooling in her eyes. I don’t know what I would have done if
With a small smile, I grabbed hold of Lily’s hand and dragged her forward. I wrapped my arm around my mom, while Lily wrapped her arms around my father. And that was it. All five of us, with JJ in the middle, hugged on the sidewalk as people bustled past. I closed my eyes and rested my chin on my mother’s shoulder. The sun was on my face and although I was saying goodbye, I couldn’t help the smile that slowly changed in to a grin. I was happy.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped back and noticed Lily’s Aunt motioning to me. Kissing Lily on the cheek, I wandered over to her. She was standing alone but as soon as I stopped in front of her, she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me close. I hugged her back and after a brief moment, she pulled away, tears in her eyes.
I haven’t had the chance to say thank you yet Noah, she smiled, taking hold of my hand. For saving my daughter.
Your daughter ? I asked, confused. But I thought Lily was your niece.
By blood she’s my niece, she whispered, and I understood when she placed her hand over her heart. But in here, she’s my daughter. So thank you, Noah.
You don’t have to thank me, I smiled, as we walked over back to Lily. If I had to make the same choice again, I wouldn’t hesitate.
As everyone piled in to the two cars that were taking them to the airport, Lily stepped up to me and took hold of my hand. I just watched as she hugged her Aunt goodbye and I could see the tears in both of their eyes. I could still remember the day Lily told me that she had lost her family, but even if she didn’t realise it, she still had one. She always had.
You two are still coming to visit on New Years, right ? Flo asked, her eyes hopeful.
We are, Lily smiled. And that will give Noah a chance to meet Hannah.
And I can’t wait. I nodded.
With one last glance, Lily’s Aunt walked over to the car so almost everyone was waiting. The only people left were Jackie and Rich. Lily and I stood there as they both stepped up to us. You look after him, won’t you ? my sister smiled, before wrapping her arms around Lily and pulling her close.
Lily sniffed and wiped her eyes. Don’t wory, I’ll always take care of him.
I know you will, Jackie whispered, before dropping her arms and stepping in front of me.
I grinned and held out my arms, wiggling my eyebrows at her goofily. Come and give your little brother a huge hug. You know you want to ! I laughed.
She smiled and pressed against me, burying her face in the crook of my neck. I could feel her shoulders shaking as she started to cry. Shh, I soothed, stroking her hair. Don’t cry sis. Everything’s okay. I’m okay.
I know, she mumbled in to my shirt quietly, before pulling away. It’s just that every time I think about it, I can’t help but cry.
I know the feeling, Lily said beside me, trying to discretely to wipe her eyes.
You two take care of yourselves. And be safe, Rich smiled, wrapping his arm around Jackie as they both walked to the car.
Glancing down at Lily, I took hold of her hand and squeezed it gently. She looked up at me and I could see the tears still in her eyes, but she was smiling. And it was a beautiful smile. One that I intended to see everyday. Life was too short to have anything less. We both waved as the two cars pulled away in to traffic and just like that, they were gone.
People still bustled through the street, going about their ordinary lives. But as I stood there with Lily beside me, the day was anything but ordinary. It was magical. But there was still something I needed to do. Come and sit with me, I smiled at Lily, leading her to steps that led in to the apartment building.
As we both sat down, I just took a minute to stare at her. Her hair was twisted in to a plait over her shoulder, just like it had been when we had spent the day at the beach. And her hair smelled of strawbery shampoo, just like it always used too. I knew so much about her, but I wanted to know everything. My eyes watched her as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked up at me, a small smile on her face.
Why are you staring at me ? She laughed. I thought you wanted
Move in with me, Lily I blurted, shuffling closer so our knees were touching. I want to live with you. I want to fall asleep with you. And I want to dream with you.
Are you serious ? She whispered, her eyes wide. I could see that I had caught her off guard, but I just smiled at her.
Letting go of her hand, I reached in to my pocket and took out my wallet. Unzipping the compartment, I took the photo out and I pulled Lily’s hand towards me so her palm was facing upwards. Taking a deep breath, I placed the photo in her hand and looked in to her eyes.
A look of wonder crossed her features as she stared at the photo, before glancing back up at me. You kept it ? She whispered, holding her hand over her mouth as the tears began to fall.
It’s never left my side, I smiled. That day at the beach, when we went in that photobooth. That was one of the happiest days of my life, just spending it with you. Maybe I didn’t even realise it, but I was already in love with you. She just stared at the photo as the tears continued to fall. I’m so in love with you Lily, so move in with me. Just stay with me.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I looked at her. My palms were getting sweaty but I knew as soon as she raised her head and my eyes met hers. I just knew before she even said it. Yes, she nodded, throwing her arms around me. I’ll move in with you, college boy.
I laughed out loud, hugging her close as my heart almost exploded with pure happiness. Leaning back, I placed my hand under her chin and forced her to look at me. But what about Dean and Jen ? she asked, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
I smiled. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.
She just looked at me and all I could do was look back at her. I was still mesmerised by her beautiful grey eyes. After all this time that hadn’t changed. Everyday, I just fell in love with her even more. Moving forward, I pressed my lips just below her eye, and I kissed her tears away.
And as the world passed us by, Lily and I just sat there as the sun shone above us. Everything else just faded away and it was like we were the only two people in the world.
Everything was as it should’ve been. And life was good.