A Library Romance

Chapter 15: The Dinner

By the time that we arrive at Olive Garden, her mother is already there. When she sees us, her face lights up and she rushes over to Lily and hugs her. "I'm glad you're here," she says, "I was worried that you wouldn't come."

"Why would I reach out and make plans with you if I didn't plan on coming?" Lily asks.

"I was just worried that you might have changed your mind. I know that this is hard for you. It's hard for me as well," Natalie says.

"If I needed more time before I was ready, I would have let you know," Lily says. Natalie gives her a weak smile.

"You're right. I shouldn't assume that you would stand me up. Us Montgomery's do not stand people up, we all have better manners than that."

"Miss, your table is ready," a server says before Lily can respond. We follow her to our table, which is a nice booth in a secluded corner. "My name is Leila. I'll be your server today. What can I get you all to drink?" Leila asks.

"I'll just have a water dear," Natalie says.

"A Sprite for me," Lily says, her voice loud and full of confidence.

"I'll have a Coke please," I say, smiling over at Lily.

"Sounds good! I'll have that and your bread sticks out shortly," Leila says before leaving. The table is silent for a while until Natalie clears her throat.

"So, any new happenings to report?" she asks.

"No, not really," Lily responds, but Milo is taking me to a Skillet concert. I don't know if you remember how much I love that band, but he got us VIP tickets."

"I remember, it was your uncle that introduced you. It is Christian rock, after all. But that's great. When is it?" Natalie asks.

"Not until after Thanksgiving, but I'm really excited," Lily says. Her mother smiles.

"I bet you are. Since we're sharing news, I suppose I should start by saying that me and Adam are divorced."

"Really? But I thought you said you didn't believe in divorce," Lily says.

"I thought so too, but after you were gone I realized he was too controlling. I agree with some of what he was saying, but there were parts of me that felt that what we did was wrong. I know now that I was right, but I let him brainwash me into thinking that what we did was best for you. It's hard for me to admit that I'm wrong. But this is one instance in which I know I made a mistake. I'm still hoping that you and God can forgive me."

"Well, I can't vouch for God, but I am forgiving you. Milo made me realize I shouldn't hold a grudge, no matter how hard it was. That was in the past. What happened is over with. I'm in a new stage of life now, one where I am happy, have a stable job, and just recently found a home. I know you won't approve, considering that me and Milo aren't married. But I'm happy, so I hope you can at least accept that I am living with him simply because it is the best thing for me to do."

"I can't say that I'm happy about the situation. I hoped you would have a home of your own. But I know the times are hard, and that staying with Milo is the best thing. And just because you aren't married now doesn't mean that you won't get married in the future. As long as what you're with a respectful and caring man, that's all that I care about," Natalie says. Her words make me blush and embarrass me a bit, but I stay silent.

"Milo is everything that I could have hoped for. He was the one that got me out of my shell. When I found myself homeless, I locked my voice away. I was selectively mute for a very long time, and only talked when it was absolutely necessary. But he started volunteering upstairs, and talked to me even though I wouldn't respond too much, and that made me realize I didn't have to hide anymore. He was accepting me as I was," Lily says.

"That's wonderful honey. I'm glad that he's had such a great impact on you."

Natalie turns to me, taking my hands. "I can never thank you enough for helping my daughter. I didn't think that I would ever see her again. Some days, I wondered if she was dead, and her body was not yet found. On those days, I couldn't sleep. I wanted to reach out, but I didn't know how. If it wasn't for you taking her shopping that day, I would still wonder what I was doing with my life. Now that I have Lily back, I can finally become a mother again. Even though she no longer lives with me, and I don't have to care for her, I can still be there for her with these new milestones she will set in her life."

"I truly care for Lily, so you have nothing to worry about. And she's perfectly safe in my home. I still live with my parents, but having Lily around has made them really happy. They always wanted a girl, so getting to watch her decorate her room or dress up for a date has given them so much more than I ever could have wanted. Lily is special, and I don't know what the future holds for us, but I don't think I ever want to let her go," I say.

"Really?" Lily asks. I smile and kiss her forehead.

"Yes, really. You mean a lot to me silly, there's not much that you could do that could ever change that," I say. Leila comes back with our bread sticks and drinks and we all get to order.

"So since you and Adam have divorced, does that mean that you live alone?" Lily asks.

"Not completely. I have two cats named Mack and Maddie. Little twin kittens of the same litter from Miss Preston's cats next door," Natalie says.

"Aw what, no fair! You never let me have cats," Lily says. Natalie laughs.

"I know, I know. But I knew I wouldn't survive if it was just me and that house. I needed some company. You're welcome to come and visit them anytime you like. I'm sure they would like someone to play with," Natalie says.

"That would be fun. I'll have to stop by sometime," Lily says.

"This might be a lot to ask, but I was wondering if you had plans for Christmas?" Natalie asks.

"No, not yet. It's far away, so I haven't really been thinking about it. Why?" Lily asks.

"I was wondering if you would like to spend Christmas with me. You don't have to stay the night or anything like that, but I'd really like if you were there Christmas morning, and spent the day with me. We could make cookies and watch Christmas movies. It's been so long since we've had a holiday together, and I know that you're staying with Milo's family for Thanksgiving, so I thought I would ask. But don't be afraid to say no. If it's too much for you, I understand."

"As long as I can stop by Milo's parents for a little while, I don't see why I can't spend Christmas with you. Can Milo come as well?" Lily asks. Natalie's face lights up, and I think she was close to crying as she attempted to respond.

"Of course he can, dear. Thank you, now I've got something to look forward to,"

"And hey, just because I'm spending Thanksgiving with Milo's family doesn't mean that I can't come and visit you," Lily says.

"You mean it?" Natalie asks.

"Yeah, sure. Maybe I'll stop by after his family has left," Lily says.

"That really means the world to me. I don't know how I got so lucky to have such a forgiving daughter," Natalie says. Natalie wasn't the only one surprised. I didn't expect Lily to be this open with her mother. I expected her to still have a bit of coldness in her voice, and never in a million years did I think she would agree to spend Christmas with her. But I'm happy. This is what Lily needed. All this time she has been holding this grudge against her mother that was hurting her. Now she's moved on, and the outcome has healed her more than I ever could.

"Are you okay Milo? You've been quiet," Lily asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just happy to see you two getting along so well. I didn't think that this dinner would go so smoothly," I say. Natalie laughs.

"Me either, but it really has been a pleasant surprise," Natalie says.

At the end of the night, Natalie offers to pay the bill, which is a bit of relief. After spending so much money on Lily's room, I don't have too much left. Payday can not come soon enough. I still haven't done much Christmas shopping. Lily is silent on the way back, but I can tell from the smile on her face she is at peace. She and her mother have turned a new leaf. I don't think there's anything that could pull her back down. Before she met me, she had hit rock bottom. But once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up.