Intertwined

Chapter 50: Conspiratorial Lily

Lily woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and turned to see a perfectly made latte in her favourite glass mug beside the bed. She sat up slowly, taking the mug in both hands and inhaled the sweet, nutty scent before taking a sip. The peace of the morning, the care of it, settling warm in her chest.

Lily placed her mug down and reached for a clip on the bedside table and twisted her hair up in knot. She could hear Antonio singing in the kitchen, his voice deep and strong, carrying the Italian melody back up the stairs.

Sipping coffee, soft light coming through the blinds, relaxed and warm, safe in a bed she did not have to run from any time soon, was not the way Lily had lived for most of her life.

With Roger everything had always been tense. There had always been danger looming, always the possibility of his anger finding her in a mistake, in a situation where she had done something less than perfect. Then it was her and Michael running, living as though life was always close to the end, and peace was in short supply.

Lily felt a sudden shift in the air of the room, a gentle cool current feathering against the back of her neck and down her arms. She smiled because this wasn't the first time it had happened since he had passed away. 'Hello, my love. Thank you for getting us back here,' she wiped tears slowly falling from her eyes. 'I love you forever, my beautiful friend'.

Just like that, the air changed back, and the warmth of the bedroom enveloped her again, as Antonio entered with a plate each of small breakfast pastries for them. 'Breakfast for you, my beautiful Lily,' he handed her a plate and kissed her cheek after he spoke her name with the reverence of reading an ancient scripture, that always made her blush.

'So, is everyone ready for the day?' Antonio asked with a big smile, settling in beside her on the bed. His eyes gleamed with a mischief that made her feel young and joyful. Lily Astor had somehow begun to be herself again after all these years. She smiled back, 'Everyone was all set when I checked last night. I cannot wait to take Leni and Penelope to the stables at Wimbledon. They have the perfect show jumping horse for Pen to ride while she is here and I think it will be healing for Leni as well, equine therapy, her doctors approve the horse moves at no more than a gentle canter. How about you? Excited for arcade entertainment?' Lily chuckled as she picked up her cornetto, filled with a light vanilla custard, that Antonio had made himself.

'You know, the last time I went to an arcade Bella was about ten years old, and it was pinball and air hockey. I'm not sure about all these new games,' the Italian chef sighed hesitantly but he would do anything for Lily.

'I hear that Winter is quite the champion at some dancing game,' she raised her eyebrow as an expectant challenge.

Antonio laughed and shook his head, 'Not a chance. I love you, but dancing to an arcade game is not happening. Unless I can do a waltz and you are there,' the grey-haired woman patted his chest and smiled, 'Just film it, film as much of the day as you can. I have told Winter to do that as well'.

'You've got more plans after plans, don't you?' He smiled at her like she was the most spectacular sight he had ever seen.

'You know me so well,' her hand on his cheek and pressed her lips to his gently.

'I love you,' he replied, awe and wonder in the whispered words.

'I love you too,' Lily settled her back against his chest, peaceful and calm, like this was just her life now.

***

Mia had a quiet Thursday ahead, just the plumbers coming in to lay the pipes for the gallery kitchen and amenities. She was hoping to go through and edit some of her own photographs. The redhead had decided to leave the weekend free from anything, just wanting to spend time with Char and the girls.