Page 75 of Speechless

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Three days later—afterthorough approval from her doctors—we’re on our way. I’m not sure if this little trip I’ve planned is the best or worst idea I’ve ever had. I’ve felt so close to her lately, but I know she’s still keeping things from me. It just feels like I have so much to prove to her, and this seemed like the best way to do it.

“You’re not scared of flying are you? You seemed fine on our flight from Boston.”

“No, not at all, I don’t mind it.” She’s been fidgety and scattered all day, I can’t quite figure her out.

“Okay, Luce, why are you so jittery? Your leg hasn’t stopped bouncing since we took off.”

She looks down at her knee and the movement ceases instantly. “I guess it’s just been so long since I’ve left the house.” She raises her brows at me. “Are you gonna tell me where we’re going yet?”

I wanted to keep this a surprise until we arrived but it’s a long flight and I’m dying to talk to her about our plans.

“I’ll give you three clues, okay?” She leans toward me, eager, her eyes dancing with fizzy anticipation. “First clue: big clock.” I wait for a response but she just squints at me. “Second clue: fish and chips.” I see a smile forming but she still doesn’t say anything. “Third and final clue: the queen.”

“You’re taking me to London!? Are you serious?” I give her a satisfied nod. “When you said an adventure I thought maybe we’d be going to Santa Barbara or San Francisco. We’re seriously going all the way toEnglandright now?”

“Lucy, I did warn you it was a long flight.”

“Well, yeah, but you told me we were going on a road trip when we actually drove two miles away to go paddle boarding.”

“Can you really blame me for being a bit devious? You’re adorable when I surprise you. Look at yourself right now.”

She looks down and I wonder if she’s even realized how she’s contorted her body since we’ve been talking. She went from a normal sitting position to balancing on her knees, bracing her hands on the armrests and leaning so far off her seat I have a hand at the ready to catch her if she falls.

She frowns briefly before moving to sit next to me. And then her arms are wrapped around my shoulders, her face smashed into the crook of my neck.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. I’ve never been to Europe before. I’m so excited.” I can feel her mouth curve into a smile—it makes me shiver—and then we’re interrupted by the flight crew asking if we’re ready for dinner.

Our arrivalin London is a bit dreary. We land early in the morning but the sky is so full of clouds that the sun is a distant stranger. Well, this is England. Lucy and I both slept for most of the flight, so we decide to quickly drop off our luggage at the hotel and get to exploring before the rain comes down. It’s only a matter of time.

I let her lead the way for a bit of sightseeing. I know she has a list of places she wants to visit: bridges, towers, the usual. Honestly, I think she enjoys our trips on the tube as much as each destination.

“So, there’s really no circus? I was hoping for elephants.”

“Lucy, I warned you that you would not be impressed. I specifically said it’s just an intersection. You refused to listen to me!”

“But you’re always messing with me. I thought you just wanted me to be surprised.” The frown she’s sporting makes me want to kiss her with abandon, but I resist. The only reason I agreed to this stop on the tour was because it’s a few blocks from our planned destination and we’re already late for our reservation. Luckily I have an afternoon surprise that she’s going to love.

I’ve been thinking about taking Lucy to Sketch since she first told me her new book would be inspired byAlice in Wonderland. I’ve never actually been here before but my mum loves it, and her friends never shut up about it. Dining out isn’t exactly a favorite hobby of mine, but a restaurant with a Wonderland theme? Lucy’s going to go mad for it.

There are quite a few different rooms, but I made sure to reserve our lunch in The Glade, the one they describe as their garden party room. It’s captivating, extremely whimsical. The walls and ceiling are decorated so heavily you feel like you’re really outside in a garden, a magical one. But the only thing I can focus on as we enter is Lucy’s bright-eyed twinkling face, grinning like a damn Cheshire cat.

“This is unreal. I feel like a talking white rabbit is about to pop out at any moment. Whoa, I didn’t even notice the floor. Is that real moss?” We’ve finished our meal now but she’s still looking around the room in wonderment. I don’t think I’ve seen her smile like this since before her trip to the hospital.

“Do you feel inspired?”

“I do. But I doubt I’m going to get much writing done while I’m here. Will you take some pictures?”

“Of course, anything you want.” I notice Lucy starts to bite the inside of her cheek, like she’s trying to stop herself from saying something. But there’s a sparkle in her eye she can’t hide from me. “What is it, Luce?”

“You brought me into wonderland, and fed me lots of English tea

The crumpets were delightful, and the cakes were très petits”

She pauses, waiting for me to join her. Every meal with Lucy means another song.

I will never get tired of this.Thisis what I’ve been missing in my life:joy. I love my work. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and the life I’ve built for myself. But none of it compares to the feeling I get when Lucy grins and our gazes find each other.

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