A Summer of Discovery

Chapter Eleven

Lilly unlocked the door so fast I fell backwards, looking up from the floor, the flowers in my hair slipped onto the vinyl.

"Thanks for the heads up there Lil" I said sarcastically.

I got back up onto my feet and reached out to her, for the first time this trip I held her close. I felt the familiar spark as my arms pulled her into me further deepening the embrace. It was immediate and there was no denying that the thing we had between us had not died over time.

"Let's promise to let this go now okay, no more drama. I can't take anymore" I said feeling her hands close around my waist, her fingers digging into the pink material at my hips. I closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet smell of her shampoo. It hadn't changed.

"Okay" She mustered her fingers lingering at my waist like she didn't want the moment to end or my arms to fall away, letting my body slip away from her.

I held her at arm's length and wiped the last tear stains from her cheeks. "Now go and get cleaned up, we need to go. Jane's going to pee her pants if we don't get to the service on time"

Lilly nodded, gave a snotty bunged up giggle and made her way across the landing back to her bedroom. I felt the stairs creaking and rounded the top of the staircase. It was Sam and Lucy making their way up.

"Oh for god's sake what is this a convention?" I asked.

"What?" Lucy said seemingly unaware of the drama going on behind the scenes. Sam behind her tried to smile but failed.

"Come on you two" I said waving them back down the stairs. "Let's get this wedding over and done with"

As Lucy turned I caught Sam's eye and mouthed "I'm sorry" for the slap I drunkenly placed on his cheek the night before. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly with a smile before turning and following Lucy down the stairs. I took a deep breath and wished I could forgive myself for it.

***

We all formed into a crowd outside as Jane and the babies got into the wedding car. I leant down and waved at them through the little windows. Tegan poked out her tongue. I mirrored her and laughed.

"Will you not teach my baby bad manners" Lilly said coming up behind me. I moved aside and let her pass. She got in beside her mom.

"Emery get in your coming with us" Jane said bending to look out from inside.

"Oh Jane bless your heart I would love to but I really don't think this car is built for more than one rah-rah skirt at a time."

Jane looked at the space beside her next to Lilly realizing it indeed was about five inches too small. "Well I don't want you going without the wedding party, will you ride at the back with Lilly. Plenty of room for the two of you back there"

I looked at the back of the cab in horror. Sam came up beside me "Looks cosy don't spat will you and ruin your pretty hair" He laughed. Lucy pushed me forward. "Go on Honey be a sport"

Lilly got out of the main car and entered the door to the rear. I followed her as she pushed herself into the seats minding her dress. I slid in beside her. The crowd waved us off from the house as the driver took us the five minutes to the church. I could see Sam had his claws into Lucy. I was pretty sure by the time we all got to church he would have found out everything about my secret little life in New York.

It was silent in the cab. We couldn't hear the girls and Jane in the other compartment. This was the longest we had been alone in eight years.

"You look beautiful Em" Lilly finally said breaking the silence.