Lily and the Pea #OnceUponNow

Chapter Five

Max must have had the same idea. His lips descended towards hers. Lily held her breath, anticipating the contact...

"I see you found our guest, Maxwell."

Eveyln's voice rang out from the doorway. Max jumped back. Lily bit back a groan, eyes still closed tight. So close.

Taking a deep breath, she faced the older woman. "Evelyn, I appreciate the hospitality. You've been a gracious hostess. But you should know that I heard you talking with Max about me. And this pea in the bed thing. I think it's a nice idea. I can see you mean well and want the best for your son. But I hope you'll let us make the decisions about our own futures, no matter what the pea says."

Evelyn smiled, transforming her somewhat stern face with a more youthful glow. She should smile more often. "Thank you for your honesty. I knew you'd be the sort of woman who would take our family history in stride. I know you and Maxwell hardly know each other, but I hope you'll allow me the privilege of introducing you to our family. I already had a little soiree planned for tonight."

Lily's heart dropped. Facing a room full of rich strangers was not her idea of fun. She was sure to offend more than one of them. Or break something important. Or spill food all over an expensive designer outfit. No. She wasn't cut out for this.

Evelyn and Max both watched her, waiting for a response. Her breath started coming in short bursts. She tried to relax, hoping she wouldn't pass out. Then Max was at her side. "What's wrong? Lily? Are you alright?"

She shook her head. "I can't...I'm not right for this. Max...I'm not the one for you. I'm sorry." The words came on gasps as she tried to catch her breath. She had to get out of the room. Now. Lily pushed past Max and ran blindly. She found an alcove down a quiet hallway and dropped to the floor, covering her face with her hands.

Why was this happening? She had been perfectly content with her life. Sure, she longed to have her parents back. Or at least to know what happened to them after they disappeared on her fourth birthday. But otherwise, life was great. She loved the dogs she walked and she had a decent place to live. She even had a good few friends.

But then she ended up here, in a mansion of all places. With a gorgeous man who seemed to like her and want to get to know her. But she was still just Lily. Orphan, dog walker, awkward offender of rich people. No matter what a pea under a mattress said, she would never be the sort of person who would be suitable for Max.

The sound of high heels clicking on the tile floor reached her ears, but Lily didn't look up. Evelyn stopped next to her. Then she lowered herself stiffly to the floor, curling her legs underneath her. That made Lily look up. Women like Evelyn rarely just sat on the floor.

Even more than that, Evelyn's words shocked Lily to her core. "You know, I knew your parents."

Lily stared at the older woman. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She closed it again. Cleared her throat. Tried again. "What are you saying? My parents disappeared years ago. I lived with my elderly aunt until she died when I was sixteen, but I remember living with Mom and Dad. I'm pretty sure they didn't run in the same circles you do."

Evelyn offered a sad smile. "Oh, you're wrong about that. Your grandparents had a lovely home right down the street. Your father was the only one of his siblings to survive into adulthood. He was the heir to a family fortune. Then he met your mother and fell in love. His parents didn't approve, forbid them to marry. But he married her anyway and they left. Your parents were happy, especially when you came." Evelyn patted her cheek, a soft look in her eyes. "Your grandparents died before your parents' disappearance, never letting go of their selfish pride. But I happen to know of a lawyer who has access to their fortune, held for you until you reached adulthood."

Could this wild tale be true? Her dear, normal dad had come from a family like this? Grew up in a house like this? "Could I talk to this lawyer?"

"Of course. I'll look up his number and you can call him now." They talked about her parents as they walked to Evelyn's study. The aunt she had lived with as a child hadn't ever wanted to talk about Mom and Dad, so Lily hung on every detail Evelyn shared about them.

When Evelyn handed her the lawyer's card, Lily was suddenly sure she couldn't do it. She couldn't bear to call the man and hear that this was all some cruel joke. Just as she was getting ready to throw the card down and leave, she felt Max's strong hand on her shoulder.

"I'm right here with you. You can do this."

His support was just what she needed. Hands shaking, Lily dialed the number. The conversation with the lawyer left her speechless. The sum her grandparents had left for her was much more than she could have imagined. She could buy herself a house in Emerald Hill, with money to spare.

Max walked her back to her room after the call. She needed some time alone to take in all that had changed in a day. She was an heiress. And she knew Evelyn, her parents' friend. That connection meant the world to her. She curled up on the couch, drifting off into a restful nap filled with dreams of her parents, Max, and one very special pea.