TIGER LILY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter FIFTY FIVE

Frankie Xiao

I had spent the entire afternoon and into the evening laughing with Lexi while Amberley awkwardly entertained Lovey on the living room floor.. The time spent with the two women had been nice and I had even managed to convince Amby to hold her daughter for a few minutes.. After which she burst into tears and confided in me her feelings of failure and fear..

It will take small steps and patience, but there is still a future for her.. She is not as tough as she tries to pretend, underneath her snippy sarcasm and defensive spikes, she has a kind heart that has been hurt.. By who, I don't know, but it will not be me who gives up on her.. And I won't let it be River either..

I have no desire to see Amberley suffer any more than she already has and we are all in this family together.. It only seems right that I offer her my support and comfort in this time of need.. Who knows, maybe one day I will be sad and she will be the one to show me kindness..

After I had made dinner for everybody, with Lovey put to bed and Lexi waiting downstairs, Amberley now hugs me goodbye at the front door.. I know her pain and see the love that she hides, buried away down deep.. I feel the goodness in her and forgive her past mistakes, whatever they may be..

She is so afraid of her own feelings but there is still hope in her heart.. "Thank you, Lilly.. For making this happen.. I know it was you who convinced River to let me come here today.."

"I am happy I got to see you again.. And River wanted you here too.." I smile with a small, courteous bow..

She laughs, dry and unconvinced.. "No.. He didn't.. But I appreciate you trying to save me the humiliation.."

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about now.." I take her hand with a soft squeeze.. "Tomorrow will be even more beautiful than today.. I promise, Amberley.. You are trying and River can see that.."

She smiles back at me, becoming more sincere by the second as her guard drops.. "I'm glad you're here.. While I'm gone-- you'll look after her.. You'll take care of Lovey, won't you?"

"I will always look after her.. And you.. We are family now.."

"Huh.. Family never meant all that much where I come from.." Amberley shifts nervously in her staggeringly high heels that make me dizzy just looking at them.. "Do you really mean that?"

"Yes.. I really do.." I chew my lip, unsure if I should confide the truth to her.. "I think you should know-- um-- River and me-- We're going to get married.."

Her mouth falls open as she takes a step back to lean against the wall for support.. "You fucking what?!"

"I'm sorry.." I itch my arms anxiously.."I didn't mean to upset you.."

"I'm not upset.. I'm-- I'm-- Shit.. I'm just surprised.." She blows out a puff of air and the breeze it creates flings one of her blond curls back out of her eyes.. "I really didn't think River had it in him to settle down.."

I don't exactly love the way she says 'settle down' as if I were some kind of consolation, but I try not to take her jealousy personally and focus on the positive fact that she hasn't started screaming at me.. "He is more special than people see.. But he has so much kindness in him.. He is lovely.. You shouldn't underestimate his heart, Amberley.."

She frowns, a displeased crinkle forming at the bridge of her little nose.. "Yeah.. I guess he is forgiving.. But he wasn't always so kind before you.. I think he wanted to be but he didn't really know how.. Neither of us did.." Squinting at me as if I am a sort of puzzle that confuses her, she continues.. "You know-- I've never met anybody like you before, Lilly.. I don't think River has either.. I'm-- I'm happy for you both.. I mean-- it's fucking weird.. But-- you make him happy, and he deserves that.."