Page 15 of Willows and Waterlilies

“Ok,” he said, then paused, looking as though he was enjoying the fact he was keeping me waiting for his reaction. “Here’s where I’m at, Elijah, what you did was a shitty, awful thing to do, no doubt about it. I don’t care what your intentions were, you hurt my cousin, who is like a little sister to me. If you are going to try and make it up to her, now is not the time to do it. In fact, I would have to insist you let her be. Let her try to get over not only what you did, but also the piece of shit who you call a brother-in-law. My condolences for that one.”

“Thank you,” I reply with sincerity, for I’ve never been that much enamored with Jonathan.

“However, the fact that it is keeping you this agitated says a lot. I do not imagine for one moment that any of Ellie’s exes have lost sleep over their appalling treatment of her. But you not only braved it to come and see me, but you also ventured to speak with the other asshole in your life, Lucius Hastings. And believe me, I know how unpleasant that must have been for you.”

“Quite,” I reply as we share a knowing look. “Though, at least he is to the point.”

“Give her six months and I’ll help you set something up.”

“Six months?! That’s an awfully long time…”

“If you are truly interested, six months won’t be a problem, will it?” he argues, now getting to his feet.

“Believe me, I do not wish to rush anyone, but I am due in Paris for the summer,” I explain. “A long-awaited trip that I have had planned for my parents. It is where my stepfather proposed, we have family, you understand.”

“Even better,” he declares, “she has always wanted to go. Leave it to me; I will make sure Ellie gets to where you need her to be.”

“Thank you,” I tell him as I get up to shake his hand, “you are as they say you are, it’s a pleasure to have met you.”

“Jesus,” he chuckles, shaking his head as he does so, “where on earth did you learn to talk like that? You sound like a British lord or something.”

“I grew up in Surrey, England,” I explain. “I spent most of my childhood in a boarding school over there, where, frankly, we all spoke like this. My American ‘lazy drawl’ was soon teased out of me, by both my peers and teachers.”

“Oh,” he says sympathetically, but I merely shrug it off. I left England and its harsh lessons behind a long time ago, along with Amanda, the girl who crushed my heart to pieces over a text message.

“Thank you, I’ll be in touch.”

So, here I am trying to make up for what I did to this girl on Valentine’s Day. Looking at her now, with her smile and nervous giggling as she introduces herself to my parents, I am so very glad I am. Something is telling me she was worth the wait.

Ellie

This was far from what I was expecting to happen when I woke up on the other side of the world today. I thought after a croissant and a cup of coffee, I’d spend the rest of the day queuing, perhaps with the odd crepe thrown in. But here I am, gawping over the absolutely stunning beauty that is Monet’s Garden. The house is a little quirky in places, but I could absolutely live in the garden. It’s every child’s dream; you could spend hours making up stories amongst the flowers and foliage. In fact, I think this is exactly what Joseph is doing as he ambles around, poking at the odd plant, all the while rabbiting away to his wife. I have yet to see him draw breath.

Elijah has remained by my side, walking at a slow pace as we take in the sights and scents of this magnificent place. We fall into silence, but rather than feel the need to fill in the gaps like I always have with any other man, I feel strangely at peace. He has a calming presence; though I knew this when I first met him. It’s a shame he had to completely blow it with the Valentine’s Day stunt.

“Are you enjoying yourself, Ellie?” he asks as we cross over a rustic bridge. When I peek over the side, I realize we’re in the middle of one of the most famous pieces of art in the world.

“Definitely,” I reply, “it’s very beautiful and peaceful here. Is this…?” I ask, pointing to the pond, which is full of large lily pads; the water is almost perfectly still. You can see the few clouds that are in the sky, together with weeping willows reflected upon the surface.

“It is,” he replies with a smile over my excitement. “Monet once declared that he had become quite obsessed with the water and its reflection. Indeed, he designed this entire garden himself; he even planted the lilies which he painted. He said this garden was his greatest masterpiece.”

“Well, aren’t you a font of knowledge,” I reply with a giggle. I should have known he’d be able to reel off a host of facts about anything and everything. “But thank you, this has been such an experience. One I never would have considered were it not for Joseph and you.”

“I’m glad,” he says, smiling at me, “I’ve enjoyed being with you today.”

“Do you ever talk…casually?” I laugh at him, and he actually blushes. “You always sound like you’ve had to pre-plan everything you say. I mean, I think you were starting to relax when we went out, just before your sister came in and accused me of being a whore.”

“You’re not going to forget that any time soon, are you?” He laughs nervously.

“It was a memorable night,” I tease, “though, I will admit, I was having a good time up until then.”

“As was I,” he says with what looks like regret. “You were, indeed, very easy to talk to. I wish I could go back and change things.”

“Ok,” I let out with a sigh, stopping in the middle of the bridge to stare into the water below. “I’m going to forgive you.”

“You are?” he asks as he stops beside me to lean over the rail.

“It is one of my many flaws,” I admit, “to forgive easily. I’ve already forgiven Jonathan, and Blake, the guy I dated last year.”

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