Bamboo and Lace (46 page)

This little routine became hysterical as Lily leaned in close each time to see what “she” had purchased for each person. It didn't take long to see that her brother had shopped while he was away, and she knew he was giving up his own Christmas gifts for her.

“Lily” gave Celia a doll; Peter got a set of tiny cars. From Bailey and Evan, Lily received a thick book on Hawaii's history. She gave them a wooden cheese cutter. Ashton gave Lily a T-shirt from Deanne's university in California—one that Deanne had sent when she learned of the early Christmas party. In return, Ashton got a book on classical cars, a passion of his. Jeff gave his sister a thin gold bracelet, and he was more than happy with the hug she had for him.

When it was finally time for Gabe's gift to Lily, a gift bag was set in her lap. It was heavy.

“I wanted to wrap the gift we just bought together, but you'd already seen it. I had to settle for this.”

More curious than ever, Lily moved the tissue paper and laughed in delight when she saw the contents. It was gum, every conceivable type and flavor.

“Are you sure you want to feed the addiction?” Jeff teased Gabe as he took the last gift from his bag.

“I've decided not to fight it,” Gabe said dramatically, starting to open his gift from Lily.

“What is it?” Peter asked when Gabe only stared at the frame in his hand. At last he turned it and everyone looked at the five-by-seven close-up photo of Lily's face. It was in a silver etched frame, and the original picture had been taken at Carson and Gloria's. Lily was on the porch, and the photographer had captured her sweetness as she'd been looking down at the children.

For a long moment Lily and Gabe stared at each other, reminded once again that very soon, memories and pictures would be all they had.

The days and hours between Lily's surprise Christmas with the family and the time to say goodbye and go to the airport disappeared at a horrific pace. Lily was utterly silent in the backseat of Jeff's car, having just said goodbye to Evan, Bailey, the children, and Ashton. And she had not yet been required to say goodbye to Gabe or her brother. She was glad they were in the front seat. Not having to look at them just now was a mercy.

They had not given themselves tons of excess time, so the wait was not long. The three talked about general things, and when the first seating announcement was made, they began their goodbyes.

Jeff held his sister for a long time.

“Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?”

“I don't think so.”

“My mistake,” he said. “I should say it more often.”

Lily gave him a watery smile. “So I should tell Father that I didn't shame him?”

Jeff only laughed, hugged her again, told her he loved her, and did not attempt to hide the moisture in his eyes.

Lily then turned to Gabe.

“You need to understand that when you come back, I won't let you go again.”

Lily could only nod.

“I think it might be easier to get cancer again than to have to say goodbye to you.”

Lily put her hands on his face. “Please don't get cancer again, Gabe. Please be here waiting for me.”

“I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. I'll be here. I'll wait for you, Lily, no matter how long it takes.”

“Please hold me one more time.”

His arms brought out all the tears that had waited for this moment. She sobbed as he embraced her, feeling that she couldn't do what she had to do. As it was, most of the plane was boarded before she picked up her bag and left them, still crying.

Gabe watched her go, unable to believe she was leaving them.

“Bring her back, Jeff,” he said quietly.

“For both of your sakes, I wish I could.”

Both men hoped and prayed that Lily would be all right and even enjoy her flight. They would have laughed to know that once in her seat she berated herself for the baby she was, but her scolding did no good. Feeling as though she would never recover, Lily cried all the way through takeoff and for many minutes in the air. By the time she was able to control herself and doze off, she had a huge headache. There was only one consolation: The waiting was over. She was on her way home.

Capital City, Kashien

“Lily.”

She heard her father's voice as she came from the jet way, eyes down. Without having to look up, she saw that he was off to the side and went to him. She was so tired she could hardly think straight and was thankful she still remembered all the right things to do. It seemed to her that she had not been here for years.

“Are you well?” Owen asked.

“Only tired.”

“Then we will go home.”

Lily followed behind him, hoping she could keep ahold of her case. It was heavier this time than when she left, and to her weary arm it felt like lead. She wished her father would notice her and take it, but Lily followed him and remained quiet.

The journey home was made more difficult by her fatigue, but Lily was thankful that her father was not full of questions. They traveled by bus and then cart to their village. Lily did not even ask if she could be excused, but once home went directly to her room and lay down, thinking she would be sick if she did not get some sleep.

Had she but known it, her father had been more sensitive to her needs than he let on. He would not have stopped her from sleeping for anything, but he did go to her room and stand looking down on her sleeping form. His heart was overjoyed with praise to God that she had come safely home to him.

“Lily!” Ling-lei gasped at the sight of her friend and nearly pulled her inside her small home.

“How are you?” Lily asked, so glad to see her. “And how is that baby boy?”

“My baby is perfect,” Ling said with a smile, “but we will speak of him later. How are you, my friend?” Ling asked. “You look more beautiful than I have ever seen you. How are
you
?”

Lily smiled. “You will make me be selfish by talking about myself first?”

“Yes. Now, what is his name?”

Lily's mouth opened.

“How did you know?” Lily asked softly.

“I am a woman who still longs for my husband's touch, Lily Walsh. Of course I know. What is his name?”

“Gabriel.”

“Like the angel.”

Lily laughed. “He's wonderful.”

“He must be. You have a glow about you.”

“Ling.” Lily's face was suddenly worried. “My father does not know, and I must pick a time.”

Ling put her hand up.

“I will say nothing.”

“Thank you. Do you think me deceitful?”

“No. If he asks and you do not tell, that is wrong. But sometimes waiting is best.”

The women began to catch up. The girls were with their grandmother, and Daniel was sound asleep. Lily was sorry to miss the girls, but time alone with Ling was rare, and they had so much to share. Ling had loved all of Lily's letters but had written none of her own.

“I have something for you,” Lily said when the women had talked for nearly an hour. She brought out the water dome, smiling at her friend's reaction.

Ling had never seen anything like it, and Lily had a glimpse of herself as Ling asked more questions than Lily could answer. They ended up laughing at how many times Lily said, “I don't know.”

It didn't take much longer before Ling just threw her arms around her friend, telling her in no uncertain terms that it was wonderful to have her home.

Lily settled back into the village with amazing ease. Her heart was never far from thoughts of Gabe and her wonderful time in Hawaii, but she fit back into her old routine as though she'd never left.

The person who surprised her was her father. He was different, but not in the way she had anticipated. She'd been home two weeks, Christmas had come and gone, and he had yet to question her over what she had learned on her trip. Indeed, Lily thought him quiet in all respects. She prayed for opportunities to talk on a personal level with him, but when he did not invite conversation, even when they were alone in the evenings, Lily kept all thoughts to herself.

Letters arrived from Bailey, Jeff, and Gabe. Lily saved Gabe's until last, savoring the words and thinking about his dark head bent over the paper as he wrote. She thought he would type them on his computer and wouldn't have minded, but it was special getting a letter in his neat, bold writing style.

When she wrote back to Gabe, she told him how odd she found her father's behavior. She wrote Jeff about the same thing, but she had no more than mailed the letters when his behavior seemed more normal again. He was talkative about what was going on in the village and excited when Lily showed him her progress with the translating.

The bombshell didn't drop until one night on Lily's third week back. Lily and Owen were alone in their home and the two of them sat reading in the quietness.

“I was so afraid you would have changed,” Owen suddenly said.

Lily took a moment to respond, eyes down, before looking up without being told and saying, “I
have
changed, Father, and I've been hoping to talk to you about that.”

Hearing the difference in her voice, Owen looked up to see Lily's eyes on him. He frowned, but Lily did not drop her eyes.

“What are you doing?” Owen demanded, his own eyes growing angry.

“Just looking at you,” Lily said softly.

“Is this what you have learned from your trip away—to disrespect your father?”

“No, Father, but I was hoping we could discuss it.”

Lily would have said more, but Owen stood.

“My hopes were wrong.” His voice was flat and cold. “You are changed. I waited to see, but I did not wait long enough.”

Owen stalked from the room, leaving Lily feeling crushed and broken. His silence had all been a test. For one horrible moment Lily wished she'd never gone to Hawaii.

“I wanted to go, Lord,” she whispered in prayer, feeling breathless with pain. “I thought it would be wonderful, and it was. But now will I forever long for that life while I live in this one?”