Chapter 75
A month later **
Lily walked out to the garden, her hand placed gently on her tummy as she cross–checked the seating arrangements and decorations. Once she was satisfied, she smiled and walked away to check out the altar.
Her smile instantly deepened when she stood and looked at the altar, imagining her parents standing there and exchanging their vows, and she ended up flickingvaway the tiny teardrops that were trying to escape at her imagination.
“It’s going to be beautiful,” she turned and came face to face with a smiling Asher, and she tried to suck in her belly.
A lot has happened the past month, discovering the truth about what Nicolas did and his trial which ended as soon as it began because the evidence, against him was too real and too much to be refuted. Charlotte ran off to God knows where despite their mother’s plea for her to stay back. Preparing for this wedding, as small as it is going to be, and the most persistent happening of the past month was Asher’s efforts to get her to give him a chance to earn Lily’s forgiveness.
She deliberately closed her eyes to all his efforts, but it was practically impossible, especially since he was everywhere breathing down her neck. He followed her around like a puppy, doing anything and everything she asked for, and sometimes she wondered if he had given up on his company. But despite all that, and how much it has been getting to her, it was still the first phase, he has only managed to earn an opportunity to earn her actual forgiveness, and it was killing her.
She wanted to forget everything to tell him that he was forgiven, and announce the pregnancy she has had difficulty hiding the past month, but she knew better.
“You’re here early, the wedding doesn’t start till like an hour.”
He sneaked an arm around her waist, and pulled her to him. Usually she’d fight him and slip out of his hold, but today was a happy day, a day of love, so she let herself be held for the first in God knows how long.
Asher’s brows darted up when he noticed she wasn’t pushing him away as always, and for a few seconds, he waited for the shove, and when it never came, his lips tugged up in a smile.
It has been a long ass journey getting to this point. After he explained everything that happened at the wedding, for a week straight, she completely went off the radar on him, and it was the worst period of his entire existence. He remember begging everyone in her life to talk to her, and have her just breath on the phone when he calls, and they all thought he had gone mad, and quite frankly, he thought so too.
After that, he did every single thing she asked for, no matter how impossible or painful it was, as long as she still looked. And finally, after all that, she has agreed to be held by him.
“I came to help, I know how stressed you have been about this.”
She breathed out a laugh, and nodded. “I want her to have the wedding she always deserved.”
Asher looked around, then turned back to her, smiling proudly,” and you are about to give it to her, Lily. I’ve watched you plan and execute the idea your mother expressed of a garden wedding, she is going to be so happy and I know it.”
She exhaled loudly and bobbed her head, tears pooling in her eyes. Her mother pushed back the wedding another two weeks because of the case with Nicolas, and she saw the distraught and annoyance her mother felt that even though they weren’t together, he still managed to ruin her plans, and she swore to give her the best wedding of her life no matter what it takes, and from the looks of it, she’s about to.
“You know,” she gently held his tie and adjusted it with a smile, “I didn’t put all this together, myself. You were a big help. How many times did you skip work, and how many days did you have to overwork just to catch up?”
He smiled, and tucked a strand of her hair that fell across her face behind her ear. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll do it again and again if that means a smile is always on your face.”
Lily’s smile instantly widened, and she slapped his chest playfully. “I didn’t know you were so corny.”
He winked and pulled her closer. “Just for you.”
“I have something for you,” Asher’s brows shot up, and Lily smiled teasingly, “I think, I’m finally ready to let you earn my forgiveness.”
Asher’s eyes widened, “what did you say?”
“You can earn my forgiveness now, Asher. I’m willing to give you a shot at it.”
“Do you mean that?”
She nodded, giggling, and he instantly swept her off her feet, the biggest grin ever on his face, as he twirled her around. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” He chanted, and Lily giggled.
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Chapter 75
Thank you so much, Lily Larkin. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Her eyes softened, “I know.”
Lily tucked her bottom lip in between her teeth as she deliberated on telling him the other truths. For two months now, she has kept the fact that she was pregnant from him, and has kept him from being involved in the pregnancy journey, but now… She felt obligated to tell him now, quite frankly, she wanted to tell him, so that if he was going to bail out, he would on time and she would nurse her wounds.
“I have something else to tell you. Two things actually.”
“I’m all cars,”
She rubbed her lips together, trying to think of the right words to say. “Asher…”
“Lily!” Cleo called out, and she immediately jumped out of Asher’s hold, “we need you up here!”
“Coming!” She turned to Asher, “After the wedding. I’ll let you know,” she rushed off before he could hold her back, grateful for the extra time to plan her words.
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