Accepting You

Chapter 74 - What Could Have Been

Lizzie returned straight home after leaving Lily at the bottom of the hill to the observatory.

She entered through the door and found red rose petals on the ground that she knew she didn't leave around. She knew Lily wouldn't have had the time to do this either so her mind went into overload.

Who was in my house? Are they still here? What is with the rose petals?

The questions wouldn't stop coming and her first instinct was to call Lily. She froze.

She couldn't call Lily. She couldn't seek comfort from her anymore. She couldn't go to her with any of her concerns or issues anymore. Not anymore.

The house is quiet and there weren't any signs of a break in. 'Someone came into my house to leave rose petals?' Lizzie wondered in her head.

Taking slow and quiet steps, she follows the petals into the kitchen. A little note sits atop a little white box with her spare house key.

To Mrs. Elizabeth Rowan for Lily Olsen

~ Hailee

The note slips out of her fingers and she slowly picks up the little box with shaking hands.

'It can't be,' Lizzie thought. She refused to believe what her first thought came to.

She chokes on a gasp as she flips the top open to reveal a beautiful black and gold wedding ring. It's smooth all around without a stone, but it works. It's perfect and completely fitting for Lily.

Lizzie's knees shake and become weak and she has to lower herself onto the floor so she doesn't fall over. Tears escape her as they run down her face. She clutches the white box to her chest as sobs bubble in her chest and leave her lips.

Realization hits. Hailee had fulfilled the promise and favor that Lizzie had asked her to do. But that meant it had its implications and it hurt her so much. It hurt because she ruined her opportunity for eternal happiness, but even more so, she had broken Lily's heart and robbed her of her forever happiness too.

Lizzie realized that Lily had planned the day to lead her to the observatory. There, at the top between the stars and the world below, Lily would have asked her to be her forever. She didn't know if she could have said no. Even worse, she didn't know if she could have said yes.

As tears streamed endlessly down her face, Lizzie could only imagine what could have been.

. . .

9:37am

We're leaving now. Don't forget to pick up Pickle.

Good luck, lovely!

Go get your girl!

Thanks, Hailee! <3

11:36pm

All the single ladies put your ends up!

🙌

It ain't you because you definitely put a ring on it 💍

Oh wait, I guess you weren't single to begin with...

12:07am

Anyway...are you like having the best sex of your life?

Because that's the only acceptable reason why you're not answering your texts.