Home Again

 

Pouting, Lily packed her clothes into her large black suitcase.

“I don't want to leave tomorrow.” She said furrowing her brow and pushing out her bottom lip.

“I know sweetheart, but we can't stay forever...right now anyways.” Gabe hugged her from behind, trying to console her.

“Can we come back again soon?” Lily asked, her face brightening.

“As soon as we can...maybe for our honeymoon.” Gabe suggested playfully.

That did it. She spun around and threw her arms around his shoulders.

“Oh Gabe! I'm so happy right now! I can't wait to get back and tell our parents!” She continued nattering for hours about details of the wedding. From what her hair would look like to the dresses she wanted Quinn and Sheridan to wear.

Gabe smiled and nodded eagerly to each of her ideas. A sensation overcame his heart that was warm and full of joy as he pictured every detail of their wedding day.

Lily--his wife--nothing could make him happier.

 

~

 

“Are you okay sweetie?” Gabe asked Lily as he held her long hair away from the toilet.

“Ughhh...” She moaned pitifully, “I hate flying.”

Both were cramped into the airplane's tiny washroom.

“What was I thinking, eating all that spaghetti before we left...this is disgusting!” She said as she gagged.

Laughing lightly and stroking her head, Gabe wished he could take this discomfort away for her.

After landing in Brussels, Lily walked around the airport, clutched her ginger ale and muttered obscenities at the airplane.

Gabe purchased more anti-nausea medication for her, as well as a special bracelet that was designed to push on the pressure points inside her wrist. Thankfully, Lily fell asleep shortly after take-off and remained asleep for the duration of the flight.

Gabe was reading a novel when he first heard Lily mumbling in her sleep.

“Please...no...I can't...” Lily murmured, her eyebrows pulling together. “No, no...I'm not evil...please...no.”

Gabe was stunned to hear Lily talking so negatively within her dream. He continued to listen and heard her utter words like 'slut' and 'whore'. Worried, he decided he would ask her about it after she woke up.

She awoke just as the pilot was announcing their descent into familiar territory. Gabe was so excited to tell his family of his and Lily's engagement and wedding plans, he forgot to ask her about her dream.

For the moment, Lily was clutching the seat ahead of her, breathing heavily, trying to settle her queasy stomach. Gabe rubbed her back, but felt quite helpless.

“I'm okay...I'm okay...” She repeated as though trying to convince herself.

By the time the wheels touched the ground; Lily had already taken off her seat belt, gathered her things and was pushing her way toward the main exit. Gabe frantically grabbed his backpack from the overhead compartment and followed her.

“Oh yah, fresh air.” Lily exclaimed as she ran off the airplane into the crisp open air. Breathing deeply, she dropped her things, lifted her arms and hugged the airspace of home.

“Let's go home!” She said loudly to Gabe, a grin from ear to ear.

Gabe went inside the airport and retrieved their luggage as Lily frolicked happily outside in the fresh air. He practically had to force her to get into the car when it was time to leave.

“I just don't want to be cooped up anymore today.” she said, adamant.

“Will you get in for...some fast food?” Gabe taunted.

Nodding enthusiastically, she jumped into the car. After a healthy dose of hamburgers and fries, She chattered on and on about all the possible reactions of their families.

“My mother might faint and Quinn will be mad.” She predicted.

“My mom will cry, Anna will be thrilled and Dimitris...not sure, he doesn't express emotion well.” Gabe added.

Pulling into the driveway at Lily's parents’ house, Gabe suddenly felt a little nervous. He hoped all would go smoothly and they could focus on their future without any setbacks.

Lily bounded out of the car as soon as it stopped and ran toward the house, leaving Gabe running to catch up to her. Thankfully, she stopped to greet Chi Chi, the family St. Bernard on the way by, giving Gabe a chance to catch his breath.

“Lily, let's try to do this calmly, okay sweetie?” Gabe pleaded.

“Oh honey, no worries, this is the fun part.” She grinned, dragging him inside.

“Mama! Papa! Where are you?” Lily yelled when she got into the house.

“Goodness child! You don't have to yell!” Her mother complained as she hurriedly descended the staircase.

“Mama! Guess what!” Lily exclaimed. “We're engaged!”

With her hand on her heart, Maggie's eyes welled up with tears. “Oh my, well, that's just wonderful!”

“Papa!” Lily shouted excitedly.

“Land sakes Lily! What's all this racket?” Her father asked coming out of the washroom.

“Look!” She extended her left hand, showing them her ring.

“Well, I'll be...” Her father said quietly, tears glistening in his eyes.

Quinn and Sheridan peeked sheepishly around the kitchen corner. As soon as Lily saw them, she ran up to them.

“Look Quinny! Look Sheri! Isn't it beautiful?”

“Congratulations Lily!” Sheridan said with her shy voice. “Gabe.” she added, nodding to him.

Quinn examined the ring, a look of disdain on her face.

“Whatever.” she started, “Don't expect me to help with anything.”

“Quinn!” Maggie glared at her daughter.

With a smug glance, Quinn stomped out of the room.

“I'll be happy to help with anything you need.” Sheridan offered.

Completely unaffected by Quinn's behavior, Lily prattled on for an hour about their trip and how Gabe proposed.

Gabe's family reacted exactly as predicted. His mother cried, Anna rejoiced and Dimitris, always the quiet one, nodded his approval.

Lily was beside herself with joy and spent the majority of the evening searching the internet for ideas for the wedding. They decided they wanted it to be a simple, fun outdoor wedding.

Setting the date for the biggest day of their lives--three weeks from today.