A Lily For Joshua

Chapter 17: The Reality

Chapter 17: The Reality

I chased after Lily. I don't know what she was thinking, but I am definitely not interested in her friend Marianne. For one, my heart is already taken by Lily, and for two, Marianne is slightly weird. I mean, yes, she's gorgeous, but Lily is beautiful. And I have to tell her that, which is why I have to find her.

"Lily!!" I yelled. I ran down the hallway to the music room. "Aunt Josie, where's Lily? Have you seen her?" She pointed to the corner of the room where Lily was crying.

"Oh, Lily," I said softly. I walked over and knelt down beside her. "Lily, look at me." She stubbornly refused. Good ol' Lils. I placed my finger under her chin and tilted it upwards toward my face. She refused to look me in the eye.

"Lily, your friend is a nice girl who has a handsome prince waiting for her somewhere. But I am not her prince. In fact, I've already found my beautiful princess. I've just got to make her see that," I said quietly. Lily looked at me, her face wet with tears.

"Well, go find your princess, then. What are you waiting for?" I leaned forward slowly.

"I already did," I whispered gently as I kissed her. She kissed me back hesitantly. I pulled away.

"What?"

"Why did you say 'Hello, gorgeous' when you approached Marianne?"

"I was talking to you, but then Marianne interrupted me. And you weren't looking at me. And then you ran away when I tried to tell you how great Marianne was. Why?"

"I thought you were interested in her, and not me," Lily hiccuped. I could see Aunt Josie trying to move away, but I shook my head at both her and Lily.

"Never," I said softly. "You're the one for me, Lily Palmer. However long it takes to show you how much you mean to me, I'll spend it." I kissed her softly again and then stood up. "Come on," I said. I pulled her up and wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her tight.

"Yay!" Aunt Josie squealed. I sighed at her reaction but smiled. She ran to hug us. Lily giggled.

"I love your aunt," she whispered to me.

"I know," I said. "I love yours, too," I added. She winked at me.

"I know," she said.

"Still here," Aunt Josie said loudly with a smile.

Lily blushed and murmured "Sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Aunt Josie scolded.

"Okay, okay," Lily said with a laugh. Well, that was fun. Marianne didn't know, and never would know, the drama she caused, nor would she ever know that she brought Lily and I together. However, Avie, James, Jacob, and, unfortunately, Eli would. And maybe Aunt Jenn and Aunt Josie. And it turns out that Avie isn't moving after all. Her father's new promotion changed and they get to stay here. You know, I've taken life a lot more seriously since I died. I've been nicer to strangers on the street, and to my friends and family, and it's been a better experience. Life was okay before I died, but now life is fantastic!