Unbreakable 2, The Mystery of Lilly (Cypress Grove Series) (26 page)

             
"What don't I know?" I asked, even though I knew that she was not going to tell me.  I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice.

             
"We are bound, child, dings we just don't say."  Her answer was just what I expected.  She rocked, smoking her cigarette till it was gone.  We sat in silence not looking at each other, but stared out at the front yard.  "Ben long dime since I was here," she finally spoke, "Dis jus as beaudiful as when she was alive."  I saw a single tear roll down her round cheek.  I was about to ask why she came when I decided against it.  I think she came to check on me, because Celia meant a lot to her. I could just feel it. I could hear the love in her voice as she talked about the plantation.

             
"Dat woman was special, I know she is proud of you, child."  She finally glanced at me.  "I know she is proud."  She repeated, as if she really knew it to be true.

             
"Thank you."  Was all I could think to say.  Ava Kay Laveau got up without another word.  She walked down to the cab that had been waiting for her, driving away without a look back. I sat in the rocking chair for almost an hour by myself.  It wasn't until Luke came around the house and saw me did I move from my trance.

             
"You look so serious sitting here all by yourself," he said, climbing the steps to the front porch.  No one knew she was here.  I heard the buzzer to the gate and let her in.

             
I tell Luke about Ava Kay, as he sat with one leg up on the porch rail in front of me.  He just listened as I replayed the conversation. 

             
"How are you feeling?" He asked apprehensively as he watched me like a hawk. 

             
"Good, actually. I feel some peace, as if they are watching over me."  I told him.  Getting up, I moved to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

             
"I know they are, and I know they are proud of you, flower." He wrapped his hand around the nape of my neck and brought me to him, kissing the top of my head.  

Chapter 36

             
I notice on the clock that it is about 7:00 am.  I'm just about to get up to take a shower when there is a knock on the door. 

             
"Come in," I yell, sitting up in the bed and stretching my arms over my head.

             
Emma peeks her head in first before opening the door all the way.

             
"Do I get to go home today?"  I ask the very smiley Emma who looks as if she is going to burst with excitement. 

             
"Yes, but you have to put this on first."  She turns to the door and Lucy walks in holding the most beautiful white dress I have ever seen.  A long silk gown with the back longer than the front, the bodice is studded in white rhinestones, and it has halter top straps.  It's elegant, simple, and gorgeous. 

             
"Is that. . . ." I stutter as I realize what is going to happen today. 

             
"Yes, do you like it?" Emma asks beaming at me like a proud mother. 

             
"I love it, I love it so much."  I sprint from the bed over to Lucy to feel the dress, and slide my hands down the soft silk.  "Oh, Emma, it's so perfect." I turn to her with a huge smile.  With everything going on I hadn't given much thought to the wedding.  It was always in the back of my mind though. I couldn't wait to become Mrs. Luke Hansen.  The past two days being exiled from my house, I knew Luke had something special planned for me, but I didn't expect it to be a wedding. 

             
"Wait, I can't get married today."  Sudden sadness takes over me.

             
"Why?" Emma yells instantly annoyed.

             
"Miss Finnegan, I can't get married without her."  That was her cue. She steps around the doorjamb revealing herself to me.

             
"We know that, that is why she flew back," Emma says putting her arm around a very happy Miss Finnegan. 

             
"I've missed you, sweetheart," she says taking me into her arms giving me a huge bear hug.  I have spoken to her on the phone almost twice a week, but to have her here in front of me makes this day the best it could be. 

             
I'm rushed to take a shower. I'm told someone will be here to do my hair and makeup.  The girls talk in hushed voices about the day not wanting me to hear anything about the surprises in store.  

             
Two hours later, I'm looking in the mirror to see me in my wedding dress with hair curled in perfect ringlets, swept up on one side with the loose curls hanging to the other side.  My makeup was professionally done by a very flamboyant gay man named Curt, who went on and on about how lovely my skin was and that I was the most breathtaking bride he had ever seen. After the professionals had done their job, and I saw myself in the mirror, I had to admit I felt like a princess. The back of my dress swooped low showing most of my back, with a see through fabric that made my back look like it was covered in silver glitter. 

             
My bridesmaids didn't look half bad themselves.  Emma and Lucy had on pastel green dresses that were halter tops also and the skirts were floor length.  They looked similar my dress without the rhinestones and the train. 

             
Walking outside, it was now mid-afternoon. A limo was waiting for us.  I slid in with my girls. Miss Finnegan had already left to see to stuff at the house.  I'm sure she wanted to make sure everything was just in the right place.  I have no idea who all will be there.  I know Luke's family was small, but had some aunts and uncles I had yet to meet, along with a few cousins. I wonder if they will be there. 

             
"Turn around."  Emma orders holding a silk scarf in her hand.

             
"I know where my house is, why do I have to be blindfolded?" I protest.

             
"Just do it. Luke insisted," Emma says not giving an inch.  I do as I'm told as she loosely ties the silk around my eyes so not to mess up my hair or make up.

             
We drive for what seems like forever.  I fire questions at Emma and Lucy, but they avoid any questions that would give anything away. When we turn on
to an uneven surface, i
t is way bumpier than any road that we would encounter on the way from Emma's to my house. After a few minutes on the very uneven road I know exactly where we are going.  It is not half as bad as the day Luke drove me to it in his old beat up truck, but the memory of how I felt sitting next to him makes my cheeks flush.

             
That day was so good and so bad. I had feelings I thought I would never get to experience, also a horrible sense of dread and loss.  Not today, I will be marrying that man today.  There will be no feelings of loss.  

             
When the car comes to a stop my heart
beat s
peeds up.  I hear the door open and I go to remove the blindfold when I hear Jacob.  "Stop right there, not yet, Lilly," he orders. I drop my hands in frustration as I hear the girls being helped out of the car.  I hear Jimmy whistle through his teeth and tell Emma that she looks smoking hot.  Jacob tells Lucy she is beautiful and then I feel a hand grab my arm.  It is not Luke, I would know if it was. 

             
The hand helps me out of the limo and then unties my blindfold.  It's Jeffrey standing next to me. 

             
"May I do the honors of giving you away my dear?"  He says looking very handsome in a tux. 

             
"Yes, you may."  I give him a hug before I glance around at the spot.  It looks just how I remembered it, except the gazebo in the middle of the water is covered in white lily flowers.  There are water lilies floating in the water and vines of lilies hanging from the trees.  There are white chairs set up with an aisle down the middle.  I see Roger Thibeau sitting with a beautiful woman and a baby in his arms.  Elliott, Mrs. Williams, and Maria are seated on the other side. 

             
Sam is sitting with his wife in front of the Williams's.  There are a few rows of people I don't know, which I am assuming are cousins and such of Luke's.  There is also Sarah, Lee, and Carley. Miss Finnegan is sitting next to a man I don't recognize, but I see he has his arm around her shoulder. 

             
I am put in place behind Jimmy and Emma, and Jacob and Lucy.  Jeffery offers me his arm. I hook my hand into the crook of his elbow.  Light music is playing and I watch as Jimmy and Emma walk down the little aisle stopping on one side before the dock that goes out to the Gazebo. I still haven't seen Luke because of all the heads in my way.  I'm assuming he is waiting in the gazebo. 

             
Jacob and Lucy walk down next stopping on the other side of the dock.  When the music changes, I see now there is a minister on the gazebo, but no Luke. 

             
"Are you ready dear?"  Jeffrey says to me and I nod, not sure where my groom is.  As we start to walk though, I see him.  He is walking around the pond in his very sexy tux.  On either side of him are Gus and Oscar in black bow ties.  They both have satin pillows hanging from their necks.  They are so cute I can't help but start laughing. 

             
Luke has one of his half smiles on his face, and I feel my knees grow weak.  As he reaches us, I can tell he is very satisfied with himself.  Jeffrey gives me a hug and shakes Luke's hand before he places my hand on Luke's arm.  With a sexy as hell wink, Luke starts walking me toward the minister, Gus and Oscar right behind. 

             
The minister does the usual wedding spiel and all is like a dream.  Then Luke talks, his words bring tears to my eyes.  "My sweet flower, my Lilly girl.  From the very day I set eyes on you, I knew I was going to make you my wife.  We have been through so much heartache and loss.  We have made it through things that most will never experience in their lifetime.  All the while, my love for you only grew stronger.  You are my heart, my soul, and my best friend.  I will spend every breath up until my last loving you as much as one man can ever love anyone.  I cannot even describe the feelings I have for you, my love, just know that they are true."  I see his eyes water as he speaks the words, tears flowing down my cheeks freely now. 

             
I am speechless. I hate it because there is so much I want to say to him that I can't seem to find the right words, and before I know it I hear the minister say, "I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Luke Hansen.  You may kiss your bride."

             
With that, Luke wraps his strong arms around my waist lifting me so I am eye level with him.  His lips touch mine as if we are the only two people in the world and he kisses me.  His kiss is one that will go down in history for being one of the best kisses, soft lips moving on mine, owning me, taking me.  It's not until we hear the applause from the crowd that he breaks the kiss.  Touching his forehead to mine, he whispers, "Mrs. Hansen, I love you," with a huge smile. 

             
"I love you, too, Mr. Hansen."  With smiles on our lips, we kiss again. 

Epilogue

             
Luke

              "Samantha, don't go too far baby girl."  My sweet little brown eyed, brown haired five year old is running in the back yard.  Her hair is curly just like her momma's.  Running barefoot in her little blue sundress with Oscar and Gus in tow watching her every move, she circles around back toward me giggling in her sweet little voice.  "Daddy, watch me!" She yells twirling around and around getting closer to me.  I sweep my little munchkin up in my arms and she places her tiny hands on my face. 

             
Turning back toward the house, my gorgeous wife is carrying our one year old son, James.  He is a very handsome little man, if I do say so myself.  "Sammy, don't get all dirty!"  Lilly yells toward us.  She puts down James and he runs toward me.  He's still not quite steady on his little feet, but makes it almost to me before he falls on his bottom.  I bend down scooping him up so I have both my children in my arms.  Walking toward my wife, smiling at us with such pride and love, I lean down to kiss her. 

             
"Get a room."  I hear with a laugh.  Coming out the back door is a very pregnant Emma, who looks like she could slay a dragon right now.  Jimmy is behind her.