Page 14 of Lily, Unwritten

“What are you doing in there, birthday girl? If you’ve got drugs, I want in on that.” Cassie opened the door slowly, then burst inside, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Why are you up here when it’s your party?”

“It’s not my birthday party.”

“It is… I’m pretty sure. How much drink have you had? I was only joking about the drugs.”

I held my left hand out to her, unable to stop the smile that blossomed on my face.

She screamed in my face, causing me to wince.

“Oh my god! That’s incredible, mine looks like plastic next to it.” She held my hands and did her little excited jig up and down. “Are you happy?”

“Ecstatic, it just hasn’t quite sunk in. I’ll tell you later about today, it’s been the best day, that man excels at birthdays. It just struck me that when everyone finds out… you know, everyone finds out.”

Cassie smiled, that kindness I knew so well flowing over me as she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Listen, you’re doing great, he’s doing great. It’s all fine. Jesus, Lily, there’s a ridiculously hot man who just got an obscene pay rise and buys you mahoosive diamonds waiting to show you off downstairs. Just enjoy it. Or… do one right now, and I’ll have him.”

We headed downstairs together with our arms linked, Zack pulled me into the kitchen, pressing his lips to mine in a deep kiss. His mouth was cold and tasted like beer. “You good?”

I nodded and wrapped my arms around Zack’s middle.

“We don’t have to tell people if you don’t want to yet?”

“Erm… of course I want to. Not hiding this baby!” I grinned as I waved my hand in front of him.

“I did already ask your dad’s permission.” Zack blushed.

“Aww, you! That’s sweet. How do you do cute and devastatingly sexy at the same time?”

Zack pulled me towards the dining table, which, I noticed, was full of presents and cards. He tapped a knife against a champagne flute to get everyone’s attention before he passed the drink to me. I gladly gulped at it as Cassie turned the music down.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate Lily’s birthday.” There were cheers, and I knew I was as red as a beetroot. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention. “There is more than one celebration today, however.” Zack sounded authoritative and confident when he spoke; I didn’t like public speaking at all. “You all know I’ve been besotted with this amazing girl since the day I met her…”

“You’re welcome!” sang Cassie, in full on Disney mode. Everyone laughed, and I saw Guy roll his eyes at her, fondly.

“Cheers, Cass,” Zack chuckled and raised his own champagne glass towards her. “So, today, I asked Lily to marry me.” His beautiful eyes were on me now, and I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m thrilled to say that she said yes. The future Mrs. Beaumont.” He pulled me into a beautiful kiss, which I was glad hid my burning hot cheeks.

Then everyone was hugging and kissing us, taking pictures, looking at the ring. I took deep breaths to try and ground myself as I felt Zack squeeze my fingers in reassurance. Cassie asked for my phone and took more beautiful pictures of us. As she handed the phone back, she topped my glass up with more champagne.

“You want some fresh air for a minute? You look hot.”

I fanned myself with a magazine from the bookshelf. “Yep, I’ll just be a minute. Zack’s gone off with Adam. I won’t be long.”

I sat on the bench in the back garden and rubbed my arms in the cold November evening. Some stray fireworks fizzled into life down the street, Bonfire Night seemed to spread further and further out each year.

I swiped through the pictures that Cassie had just taken and smiled, they were gorgeous. I sent the best one to my mum and dad with a message.

I have a sneaky suspicion you knew anyway! Will come and show the ring off xx

It could easily have all been different. Yet, if it had have been, I might have been perched on a wall somewhere else, thinking about Zack. I held my hand up in front of my face again, the ring sparkled even out here in the dark. It was beyond beautiful.

I heard Zack’s laughter from inside and as I looked through the kitchen window, I could see so many happy faces, there to celebrate with us. I wanted nothing more than to be in his arms again.

I shivered one last time in the cold air before I headed inside, back to my fiancé.

Five

I leaned forwards in the tough plastic of the airport seat as Zack kissed me for approximately the hundredth time. “Are you sure you’re going to be OK?” he asked.

“I’m not the one off to Iceland to start a big new job. I’ll be fine. Just you wait, I’ll have found us a perfect house before you get back.” Zack rubbed his nose against mine. “Call me every night?”

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