Page 32 of Lorenzo & Lily

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Lily had spentan inordinate amount of time trying to decide what to wear. This decision, of course, occurred mentally, as Liliana would hardly allow her a moment to herself. Now, however, standing in front of her bathroom mirror, she wondered if she’d made the right decision.

She’d been trying for that I’m-a-wonderful-mother-and-still-beautiful-and-don’t-need-you-look that said she didn’t need him or his money. Though, truthfully, she could use both. How she could use both.

Their doorbell – which never worked well – rang then clanged. “I’ll get it, Mama!”

“No, you won’t! Remember what Mama said.”

Lily heard Liliana stomp her little feet as she rounded the corner into the hall and made her way towards her. “I can so get it!”

“Not until you can see through the peephole. You never answer a door without first checking to see who it is.”

“Mama–”

She bent down and scooped her up, then started towards the front door. “Honey, I know you don’t like that rule, but it’s a rule that can help protect you and keep you safe. Mama wants the best for you, doesn’t she?”

“Yes.”

Lily stopped behind the front door. “Then sometimes, even if you don’t like the rule, you need to follow it. Now, the prince is probably on the other side of the door.”

Liliana’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really. Why don’t you look and see if it’s him?”

Lily lifted her a little more until she could look through the peephole. “It’s him! It’s him! Put me down, Mama.”

Fighting the urge to hold her tight, Lily put her down and straightened the skirt of the glittering pink, frothy-skirted ‘princess’ dress Liliana had insisted on wearing. “Step back for a minute so I can let him in, okay?”

“Okay, Mama.”

She took a deep breath, her hand suddenly cool and damp on the doorknob, and opened the door.

God, Lorenzo. He’d showered recently, as his wavy black hair gleamed, the tips still wet. She caught the scent of his cologne, musky and male, just the lightest touch of it to bring out everything dark and dashing about him. He was taller than her, even when she wore heels, making him seem larger than life.

Her voice was unintentionally soft and breathy. “Lorenzo.”

His voice was low and gruff, his eyes suddenly stormy with anger. “Lily.”

Liliana jumped forward, her voice bright and excited. “That’s me!” She picked up the edge of her puffy, pink tulle skirt with dainty fingers and did an exaggerated and wobbly curtsy. “Your Highness.”

Anger faded as a smile split his lips. “My Lady.” He bowed to her in return, and Liliana jumped up again, this time clapping her hands.

“These are for you.” He handed her a small bouquet of pink lilies, then turned to Lily and handed her a second bouquet of purple lilies. “And these are for you.”

“Thank you,” she said breathily. “Say thank you, honey.”

“Thank you.” Then Liliana rushed forward, gave her mother her flowers, and took hold of his hand. “Come and play with me!”

Lily watched her daughter chatter away, Lorenzo engaging easily with her, then caught sight of her small hand inside his long, lean one. Her daughter had no idea what was coming – their daughter, she reminded herself; it was hard to come to terms with the fact she wasn’t alone as a parent anymore.

Lily slipped into the kitchen and arranged the flowers in vases, then pulled the fresh pot of Vallerian roast coffee from its maker and set it on a tray. She added two mugs – inexpensive ones at that, since she’d sold all her expensive china long ago – and added a small, plastic cup for Liliana. She poured some cooled hot chocolate inside and added some whipped cream. She placed a plate of cookies on the tray, took a deep breath, and then carried everything into the living room.

Lorenzo sat cross-legged on the floor while Liliana danced around him, pretending to throw fairy dust over him. The only thing Liliana loved more than being a pretend princess was being a pretend magical fairy.

Lily poured them both a cup of coffee, adding cream and sugar to hers. “Lily, honey, do you want your hot chocolate?”

The magical fairy disappeared and the little girl came back. “Yummy!” She ran towards her.

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