Page 101 of Lilly
I let Lilly tell them their names and the reasons behind them. Nicole bursts into tears when she hears what we’ve called our littlelady.
“I hate to distract you from these two, but I’m kind of stranded here now and it occurred to me that you two have two cars. Any chance of me taking one back?” Dec asks to my horror. Lilly’s car has all the baby paraphernalia in it, so we need that one. That means I’m going to have to give him the keys to my Jag. The huge smile on Declan’s face tells me he knows that, aswell.
“Stay in the slow lane and do not go over seventy. Actually, on second thoughts, don’t go on the motorway atall.”
“Yeah right, whatever,” he says, still smiling. I swear he looks way more excited about the prospect of driving my car than meeting his niece andnephew.
“I’m serious. If you damage her, I’ll damage you.” My threat is laughed at by everyone in the room but me. “Just be careful,” I say, reluctantly handing Declan thekeys.
“Can I come and see you again tomorrow?” Nicole asksLilly.
“Of course you can. I’m sorry for ruiningtoday.”
“Are you kidding? It’s been amazing. Being able to be there for you and these two has been incredible. Thank you for allowing me tohelp.”
“I wouldn’t have had it any other way—well, unless he was here on time,” she says, nodding to me. I just shrug. What’s done is done. She rolls her eyes at me before turning towards Declan. “Thank you,” she says, giving him a hug. “You were amazing. A little frantic, but amazing. I hope you’re calmer when it’s your kids being born.” I can’t help but laugh at the look on his face when she saysthat.
“I used to think that too, Declan, but look at me now. Your time will come whether you want it or not. You mark my words,” I warn as I look at Lilly. No, she wasn’t what I wanted, but now I couldn’t imagine my life without her. The same will happen to Declan one day. I really hope I get to watch it happen; it should be entertaining, watching him getwhipped.
We all say our goodbyes before Lilly and I take up our previous positions of staring at ourbabies.
“What time isit?”
“Just gone 3am. You should get somesleep.”
