Page 5 of Lily

4

Devin

Amonth later, Lily and I are official and exclusive, and I am completely and utterly in love. We spend nearly every day together, and I never tire of her. I’m just finishing up breakfast when my phone rings; I see my mother’s name on the caller ID.

“Hey mum,” I say when I pick up and smile at her cheerful voice coming down the line.

“Hello, darling! How are you?”

“I’m fantastic! Mum, I’ve met someone, and I think she’s the one.”

“That’s wonderful news, love! Tell me all about her.”

I spend the next hour telling my mother all about Lily and how we met, and my soul warms at how supportive and wonderful a woman my mother is.

“She sounds charming, darling. I can’t wait to meet her! You should bring her along the next time you’re able to visit home.”

“That’s a great idea, mum. She really wants to see London, and I’m coming home for the holidays. I’m going to see if she’d like to come with me. Is that alright?”

“Of course, Devin! Keep me updated.”

“I will, mum. Look, I’m meeting Lily for lunch in a little, so I need to go. I’ll call you in a few days, though. I love you.”

“Love you, too, sweetheart. Keep care.”

“Bye, mum.”

A feeling of excitement bubbles in my chest, and I can’t wait to meet up with Lily and ask her to come home with me. I run through the shower after washing the breakfast dishes and then sit down to finish some reading for class before shooting Lily a text that I’m on my way.

We meet up for lunch at a little ramen shop down the street from Paws and Claws, and when I spring the idea on her, she’s thrilled that my family is excited to meet her.

“I’d love to, babe. If I can come up with the money for the plane ticket, I’m totally in!”

We slurp our miso ramen, both with extra fish cake, and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the noodle shop. Usually, the place is packed, but we lucked out and hit a slow time.

“Hey, Dev? Would you like to come to my sister’s shop with me after lunch and meet some of my family?” I feel my stomach drop a bit at the thought of meeting her family, and while I’m incredibly nervous, I’m also happy.

“I’d love to meet your family, darling.”

We head over to Paws and Claws after lunch. Shay, Riley, and Abby are there, and they are all nice, though Riley is a little less friendly than the others. She pulls Lily aside and chats with her in the corner, throwing suspicious looks my way every so often. I get the feeling she doesn’t like me much. Or maybe she just doesn’t like the idea of her little sister in a relationship. Regardless, Shay and Abby are delightful and an absolute riot. Shay is obsessed with this little load of a pug and refuses to put him down the entire time. On the other hand, Abby decides to bring out a veritable parade of Welsh Corgi puppies they’ve just acquired.

“They’re the same as the dogs your Queen has, right?” Abby laughs as the little loaves tumble about with their short legs, their big bottoms bouncing with every step.

“Ah, yes. Her majesty does have quite a liking for the breed. I personally think they’re hilarious.” I chuckle as one rushes over to me and nearly falls on its face when one of its siblings tackles it from the side. They really are cute.

Lily comes up behind me and tugs on my arm.

“Hey, it’s getting late. Are you ready to go?”

“Sure, darling.” I turn to her sisters. “It was lovely to meet you all.” They reply in much the same fashion, though Riley’s was more of a grumble, and Lily and I go back to the restaurant where I left my car.

“I hope I made a good first impression. I don’t think Riley likes me much.”

“Don’t worry about Riley. She’s just overprotective.” She slips her hand into mine. “It went very well, babe. My family will love you as much as I do.” She freezes, and I snap my gaze to her. She’s bright red, and I feel a growing flush on my face.

“I, uh…” she begins, but then pauses and takes a deep breath. She turns to look at me fully. “I was going to wait a while, but… Yeah, I–I love you, Dev.”

I can’t contain the grin that splits my face as I sweep her up into my arms and twirl her around before pulling her in for a passionate kiss.

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