The Smell of Lilies

Epilogue

Kel waited anxiously to hear the familiar footsteps come up the stairs outside of the door to their apartment. She'd gotten home about an hour ago and Brandon wasn't supposed to be home until after six. 

Kel started getting dinner ready. After her appointment, she had made it clear to herself that she was going to make a lovely meal. Partly for Brandon, and partly for her, so she started marinating the chicken and chopping lettuce for salad.

While she chopped, she twiddled the sparkling diamond ring on her left hand. 

It had been four years since they got married, one year after she decided to move back to Chicago with him. Their marriage was small but intimate. Brandon's family including his cousins, aunts, and uncles were sweet enough to fly out for their wedding. Even his colleges friends and his old roommate attended. Brandon made Joseph his best man. Kel's sister and Drew came along with some of their friends from high school and college. They even got some of their host parents to come. Kel and Leila cried tears of joy when they saw Charles and Marcy, their last foster parents. They hadn't visited in a while and were the closest thing to actual parents. 

The reception was beautiful. It was everything Kel had ever dreamed of as a young girl. Her colors were simple but elegant: deep red with off white. Her dress was fitting as well. A beaded bodice with a sweetheart line, and wispy white chiffon flowing over her legs. Instead of a veil, which she thought was tacky, she wore a simple tiara. Her makeup was light but stunning. Brandon thought she was frankly the most beautiful vision he had ever seen.

Brandon was now a writer and editor for Chicago Tribune. He kept his part time job at the Book Baron as a stress reliever. Kel also enjoyed going with him to read the books and sometimes help him put new ones on the shelf. At first, Kel was free-lancing. She started off writing a short fiction tale for kids and after about five months, it got picked up by a publisher. The initial effect was small, but public, and soon it took off. She started writing more, and more people bought her work.

"I told you," Brandon said to her one day after getting a big fat check in the mail.

They had moved into a slightly bigger apartment a couple years into their marriage. It was closer to the heart of Chicago, not far from the lake. After a while longer, Kel became very familiar with the city's atmosphere and direction. Despite the cold winter (which she got used to), it was a beautiful city. Brandon didn't let her near the lower southeast side, though. At least not by herself. He said that it was too sketchy, especially at night. 

It was also going to be a wonderful place to raise a child.

Kel rubbed her baby bump smoothly in circles. Twenty-one weeks into her pregnancy, and the most important appointment so far had been earlier this afternoon. Normally, Brandon would go with her for her ultra-sounds and tests. But she decided not to let him know about it. Hence, the fancy meal.

She started to rush when she heard his footsteps coming up the stairs from outside. Just as he walked in, she finished putting the last fork in place.

Brandon shut the door and looked over at what she had prepared. It was obvious that she was a good cook; the chicken smelled like garlic and spice. It was neatly presented on a white plate with assorted greens. Kel had even put wine glasses and their favorite drink on the table.

"Hey," Brandon said as he walked over and kissed her. He knelt down and pressed his lips to her stomach as well. He did this every time he greeted her. "Were you inspired by Iron Chef again?"

Kel laughed. "No. I wanted to make something nice."

"Everything you make is nice." He started taking off his jacket and set some files on down.

"Thanks, but I have a real reason tonight."

Brandon stopped in mid step and peered at her. "And the reason is...?"

Kel knotted her fingers and looked down, suddenly very excited but anxious at the same time.

"I had an appointment today. I'm twenty-one weeks." she started.

Brandon blinked. "Oh. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise for you," she said smiling.

He stepped closer to her, putting his hands gently on the sides of her stomach, rubbing up and down as gently as possible. "What surprise?"

Kel smiled, biting her lip. It was fun to keep him waiting. He hates surprises. But this one, she knew would be worth waiting for. "We're having a girl."

It was as if he froze in his spot. As if the words went straight over his head and he didn't catch them. His hands stopped rubbing and his jaw relaxed a little bit. 

"A girl?" he finally asked. 

Kel nodded and smiled. "Didn't you tell me that you've always wanted a little girl?"

A steady smile spread across his face. "A girl." It wasn't a question this time. Words couldn't describe the joy that leaked through those two words. He was walking on air.

Brandon leaned down to kiss her lips softly. "I thought I was the luckiest man alive when I married you. I was right. But you just helped me prove that even more."

And to think, where would they be if she hadn't been so broken, sitting in that bar five years ago? And how would he have found her, if it weren't for his frustration? 

"I love you," Kel said, as a matter of factly.

He grinned. "I love you," he said quickly pecking her on the lips and then dipped down, another quick peck on her stomach. "And I will always love our little girl."