The Color of Love

Chapter 11

After decades of separation, Alice and William saw each other again for the first time. It was never really goodbye for her since she separated from him a long time ago. In her heart, she hoped that they would meet again someday when they were both mature and everything was better. It seems like destiny has heard her wish-- but not in the way she expected it to be. 

"Mom?... Y-you know each other?" Liam asked, quite surprised.

Alice was jolted out of her shock. "Uh... I'm sorry... Uh... Yes. Yes I know Will. He's uh... He's a high school friend."

"Oh, really? Wow, what a small world."

Mr. Dupont didn't know what to say, too so he just nodded in agreement.

"C'mon, let's have a seat." Liam said. Lilly and her dad took seats across Liam and Alice.

The waiter approached their table and gave them the menus. While waiting for their dinner to be served, Alice initiated the conversation.

"So, let's talk about your plans. Are you two planning to get married?"

"Yes. But we just want it simple and intimate. Not  a church wedding, though. Just a civil ceremony. We're only inviting immediate family and close friends," Liam answered. "Would that be fine with you, sir?" Liam believed it was necessary to ask about Mr. Dupont's opinion.

"..."

"Sir?..."

William appeared anxious and a little bit fidgety. "Uh... Sorry. I'm sorry. Yes, it's fine."

A few minutes later, dinner arrived. The four ate quietly. William stole glances across the table. First to Alice and then to Liam. After dinner, Liam and Lilly asked to be excused. They took a short walk around the parking lot leaving Alice and William at the table.

"Ally---"

"Not now, Will."

"We need to talk."

"Please, Will. This night is for our children. Let's just do this some other time."

William took out a business card from his wallet and handed it to Alice. "Promise me you'd keep in touch..."

Alice slowly took the card from him without saying anything.

"You need to promise me, Ally." Alice was quite reluctant. Reopening the communication lines between them was like digging up memories that have been buried a long time ago. Even though she had wished for this day to come, she didn't know it would be this complicated.

"I promise..." Alice bound herself to him once again. She remembered Vince. He needed to know about this.

By this time, Liam and Lilly were on their way back inside. They had wide smiles on their faces -- a reflection of the happiness they both were feeling. Alice paid the bill with her credit card as Liam and Lilly took their seats.

"So, were you guys able to reminisce about high school?" Liam asked, oblivious of what really transpired in their absence.

"Uh-huh. I just reminded your mom about the time she stepped on a flyer that was lying on the corridor which made her fall flat on her butt." Mr. Dupont tried to be casual and it seemed to work because Liam and Lilly giggled at his joke which is apparently just made up. Alice felt a little bit awkward, not knowing whether to laugh or not.

The receipt has finally arrived and it was time to wrap up the night. Both parties said their goodnights and goodbyes to each other. Liam brought Lilly and her father to their car while Alice waited in theirs. He kissed Lilly goodbye on the forehead before heading back to his mom.

Alice was not quite herself on the way home. She was always so cheerful in the car but now she was suddenly so quiet and it was too obvious not to be noticed.

"Mom, are you okay?" Liam asked.

"... I'm fine..."

"Why are you so quiet?"

"Just a little tired, I guess."

"Anyway... thanks, Mom."

"For what?"

"For everything. For accepting Lilly. For always making me happy."

This time, Alice was not sure how she would answer him. For the first time in her life, she felt so afraid. He's back. Liam's father was back. 

******

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