New Life: Sequel to Back Home

Chapter 1

Lydia

It was like a dream. White lilies were in vases covering the house and it was magical. True, it was also a sign that Delia was going absolutely batty over the small wedding ceremony. But it was still beautiful regardless. I snapped photos of the flowers around the house and enjoyed the fragrance they brought to every room. The day is fast approaching where me and Betelgeuse will be married, at least in the eyes of the Netherworld. The house is buzzing with energy that keeps climbing as the days pass. Now, at only one day to the wedding ceremony, the house was alive with the energy of everyone trying their best to make everything perfect.

And everyone really was trying their best to make tomorrow perfect, if not for Betelgeuse, for me. It was obvious from Dad's body language and how uncomfortable he seemed that he was still hesitant about all of this. I understand why he was upset. But his understanding and willingness to cooperate means the world to me. At the end of the day, I'm still the little girl that he would do anything for.

And the white lilies were certainly spectacular. I set my camera down on the dining room table next to the vase of flowers and gently rub the soft petals. They're velvety and I can't help but smile. This whole ordeal has been made so over the top that I don't know how I could have expected anything else. Between Delia and Barbara, the day was doomed to be as dramatic as possible.

"Oh, Lydia! Good," Delia says as she catches me admiring the flowers. "What do you think of the flowers? Too much?"

"Just enough," I say. "As in, seriously enough. Don't add anything else. If you or Barbara add anything else, I'm going to go and take it all down behind you."

"Message received," Delia shakes her head. "I'm glad you like the flowers. I know you said not to make a big deal about any of this. But it's the first time you're going to marry him that it's actually serious." She takes a deep breath and mumbles, "or as serious as I can comprehend it being."

"Delia," I begin before she cuts me off.

"I know, I know. He has depth and he, deep down, is a sweet guy. I've seen a little bit of it myself. I just am still having a little struggle with comprehending that you would get married so young. But, if it's right, it's right," Delia says with the knowledge only someone who has plenty of romantic experience would have. I can't help the urge to argue, not wanting to give Dad a heart attack thinking anything might be going on between me and Betelgeuse.

"There's nothing like that going on," I insist.

Delia rolls her eyes and shakes her head, putting a hand up to shush me. "Sweetie, anyone with eyes can see that there's something going on between you two. Charles chooses to be blind to that though, so I wouldn't worry too much."

"One day he's going to see that I'm not a little girl anymore and he's going to have a stroke," I mutter, which causes Delia to laugh.

"Now, we have to discuss dinner for tomorrow. Betelgeuse is insistent on Indian food, but I can't stand Indian food and I may just have to kill him again over that."

"Delia, it's his day too. If he wants Indian food we should have Indian food. You can make yourself something separate for dinner." She cringes slightly. "Please, for me?" I ask, using just the slightest guilt trip that is more of a joke than anything else.

"Lydia, you have no idea how much I hate Indian food. That's asking a lot from me," Delia jokes back. "But, I suppose I can add the ingredients to the grocery list. Lord knows we can't order any up here. Only Asain food here is Cantonese." She rolls her eyes and goes back to the kitchen, no doubt to add to the grocery list.

"You should make sure you have a sheet cake on the list," I shout after her. Delia shouts back an enthusiastic response that she already has and I smile. I pick my camera back up and snap some more photos of the flowers. Tomorrow is going to be perfect.