Authors: Grace Warren
Olivia and Galen
lay in Olivia’s bed dressed in their pajamas. Lucy closed the cover of “Green
Eggs and Ham” and placed the book on the shelf alongside a dozen other
children’s books.
“Lucy,” said
Olivia “will you sing us a song before we go to bed?”
She sat down and
pulled Galen on to her lap. “Do you want to sing Come Follow Me?”
Olivia shook her
head. “Can we learn a new one?”
Lucy sat for a
minute and thought of some lyrics. She started off with a soft hum trying to
remember the tune correctly. “Once there was a way to get back homeward, once
there was a way to get back home, sleep pretty darling do not cry and I will
sing a lullaby.”
Lucy continued
the classic Beatles song and tucked in Olivia, kissing her sweet forehead. She
hummed and carried Galen off to his own room, repeating the lyrics once more
before tucking him in beneath his blankets and kissing his cheek. “Sleep tight,
love.” She said and walked out the door. As she turned to head to her own room
she saw Nash’s door click shut.
Her bed felt warm
and welcoming. Her body was weary but it was a good feeling. She reached for
the bedside lamp and switched it off moments after there was a soft knock on
her door. One of the children must still be awake. Without thinking she called
for them to come in. Nash opened her door.
“Are you awake?”
Lucy sat up in
bed. “Nash, is everything okay?”
“May I come in?”
“Of course.” She
reached for the light.
“No, don’t turn
it on.” he said. Her fingers dropped back to her side. Nash sat on the edge of
the bed beside her. “I came in to apologize and to thank you.”
“I don’t
understand, Nash.” Lucy tried to see his eyes in the darkness of the room.
“I was wrong to
treat you the way I have. I invited you to be a part of this family and I
haven’t treated you like you are. I know you’re not…” his words cut off with a
quick intake of breath. “You are Lucy and I don’t want you to be anyone else.”
She opened her
mouth to tell him this wasn’t necessary, but he stopped her.
“Please let me
finish.”
Lucy closed her
mouth and listened, laying her hand on his instead.
“You have been
wonderful. Olivia and Galen adore you and you are so good with them. I didn’t
think I’d see that again.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Van is great, but
she has her own family and friends. People she has set aside for three years
now to take care of us.” He paused again. “Lilly would not have wanted that.”
Lucy pulled her
hand away. Nash entangled his fingers in hers drawing her back. “She’d want us
all happy.” There was silence in the darkness and when Nash brought her hand to
his cheek and kissed her palm she felt the tears that had been shed.
“Nash?”
He kissed her
palm again. “I want you to stay.”
Nash and Lucy
were married on the front porch. Olivia sang and Galen stood proud holding the
rings. Vanessa made a lovely meal and they all celebrated with family and
friends. Lucy had never felt so sure about any decision in her lifetime more
than she did when she uttered those two words “I do.” When the minister
pronounced them man and wife and gave them permission to kiss, Nash took her in
his arms and kissed her soft and full on the mouth. She was breathless.
A year later Nash
stood in the bedroom at the end of the hallway, a picture frame in his hand,
“Lilly, I’d like you to meet someone.” He placed the new photograph by the
silver frame. A picture of him standing in front of the house, Olivia and Galen
at his left and Lucy at his right, a pink bundle in his arms, was added to the
shelf. “This is Lacey Lillian McCain.”
Lucy joined her
husband, a smile on her face. “Lunch is ready.”
“Are you coming?”
he asked as she lingered.
Lucy nodded and
kissed his cheek as he left the room. She looked at the two pictures, her heart
full. “Thank you, Lilly”