Thursday, March 10, 2011

Chapter 21

Lily hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until , Heather smiled and responded in a friendly manner. So far so good, she thought to herself but what are they going to feel about the baby ? her stomach started to churn nervously at the mere thought and her hand slid to her still flat stomach, Please let them be okay with this, she silently prayed.

Richie squeezed Lily’s hand before turning to Heather. “Would you mind staying for dinner? Both Lily and I would like to speak with you, if that’s alright.”

Heather nodded slowly, her gaze shifting from her ex-husband to the woman next to him, wondering what in the world this could be about. “Sure, okay.”

Lily sucked in a deep breath, then glanced nervously at Richie while they all filed in to the dining room.  She walked towards the table , Richie slid out the chair beside him and waited for her to sit then scooted her in.  “Thank you . “ she replied while she gazed at the beautiful cherry wood table that was set with light blue china and crystal glasses.

He waited until Heather and Ava had also taken their seats before Richie took his place at the table. Rosa had prepared a lovely meal for them, and he thanked her as she brought it out to them.

Rosa appeared with a bottle of Bordeaux. “Miss Heather would you care for a glass ?”

Heather nodded and held out her glass with a small smile, “Yes, please Rosa. Thank you.”

Rosa poured the wine into Heather’s glass then walked towards Lily. “Miss Lily would you care for some wine as well ?”

Lily started to say yes then thought better of it , casting a quick glance to Richie. “No thank you Rosa . I will just have a glass of water if that's alright .”

Ava piped up , “Lily, did you give up alcohol like daddy? “

Lily started to panic, Ok Lil its not that hard of a question “Yes I did honey . “ she shot another nervous glance hoping that neither Heather or Ava caught the nervousness in her voice.

Heather crooked an eyebrow, worrying about her daughter’s safety more than anything. “Was there a problem? I know that’s blunt but I feel I should know since Ava will be spending time with the both of you.”

Richie looked around the table quickly, noting Heather’s stern and worried tone and the panic in Lily’s eyes. “Well, there’s the thing Heath. You see--”

Lily’s stomach churned, her face turning a ghostly pale , she quickly scooted her chair back “Excuse me where’s the bathroom ! “ as she fought back the bile that coated that back of her throat.

Richie jumped up and led her down a short hallway, and returned to find two pretty blondes staring at him worriedly. Well, Ava looked worried. Heather looked like a light bulb had just clicked on over her head.

“Oh God,” she said quietly, her eyes locking with Richie’s. “You’re kidding me.”

Lily flushed the toilet and debated whether she should just remain in the bathroom for the remainder of Heather’s visit “Good going now she knows for sure . Stupid Lily, really stupid.” she shook her head, reached for the glass to rinse out her mouth and washed her hands  then slowly walked down the hallway , She felt like she was heading to the gallows .

Sucking in a deep breath,  She stepped back into the dining room and quietly sat back down in her chair , her eyes fixated on her plateful of food.

Richie wrapped an arm around the back of her chair, “You alright, Darlin’?”

“Yes “ she quietly responded.

Ava watched her dad and Lily with concern, “Lily you got the flu that’s going around ? I had it last week and it sucked. “

Lily glanced at Richie with pleading eyes, begging for help. “ Um -- “

Richie squeezed Lily’s hand again under the table as he spoke to his daughter. “Actually Ava, Lily is gonna have a baby.” He figured he’d better just drop the bomb and stop beating around the bush.

Ava’s eyes grew wide and a smile spread across her face. “Really? I’m gonna have a brother or a sister. Did you hear that mom ? Oh wow ! this is so cool.”  she jumped up and hugged her dad and then Lily.

Lily wrapped her arms around the young girl and slightly smiled , her eyes refusing to meet with Heather's, she felt her eyes boring into her clearly stating she wasn't too happy with their news.

Heather met Richie’s gaze. “It is yours, right?”

Richie nodded, trying to hold in his excitement. Not a good time, Rich..“Yeah. It is.”

“Isn’t it great mom, I finally get a brother or sister. I don’t care - well okay rather it be a girl but oh well take what we get right? “ Ava paused then frowned. “Mom , Dad has a right to be happy. “

Heather’s eyebrows raised as she regarded her daughter, who she had to admit was growing up much too fast. “I know that, Ava. I’m glad you are. Congratulations, you two.” She forced a smile. “So what’s next? Marriage?” she chuckled sarcastically. “I’m kidding. Richie I know you always wanted more, so it’s good you’re getting what you wanted.”

Ava shook her head, knowing her mom like she did she wasn’t going to make it easy for them. She leaned in to Lily’s ear and whispered. “Don’t worry about mom, okay? “

Lily smiled then whispered back “Thank you . “

“So are you going to move out here with daddy? “ Ava asked while she sat back down in her seat.

“I well- my business is in South Carolina so I don’t know what our plans are yet” Lily admitted honestly.

Richie smiled, “We have lots of time to figure it all out,” he added.

Heather chuckled darkly, “Richie, you should move down south with Miss Lily.”

“I don’t appreciate the sarcasm, Heath..” Richie replied quietly before returning his attention to Lily, who was listening to Ava chat excitedly.

Lily shot Heather a dark look, her temper barely contained . “ Now that’s an idea Richie baby, we southerners are very friendly and we know our manners too. “

“Very friendly. Cousins, siblings, everyone’s very friendly with each other,” Heather snorted, “And manners, yes I can see that, too. Like don’t play your music too loud so the whole trailerhood can hear it,” she chuckled.

“Heather! Holy shit are you kidding me?!” Richie exploded, standing up. “Ava, babygirl you wanna go unpack your bedroom or something while this gets straightened out? I’m sorry, honey..”

Ava shot her mom a glare, “Yes daddy “ she mouthed “I’m sorry to Lily “ before taking off upstairs.

Lily gripped her fork tightly , fighting the urge to rip out the bleached blond mop of hers. “ Well at least I don’t send my flunkies to do my dirty work. “ Lily spat back.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!” Heather shot across the table, her voice rising.

“ Oh I didn’t know my assistant was going to leak out about me filing divorce papers, she’s fired. What kind of woman are you? Oh yea that's right an aging actress that can’t get a good part now if she slept with all of Hollywood. “ Lily shot back.

“Oh what did you do, Google me?! God how the hell do you know what goes on in my life?” Heather replied, rolling her eyes, “Go back to the boondocks, you redneck bitch!”

“HEATHER!” Richie yelled, unable to take it any longer. “I invited you to stay thinking you could be civil! Have I ever said a single negative thing about Jack? Don’t think so! Why the fuck do you have to do this?!” He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. “I think it’s time for you to go.”

Lily grew silent for a moment then spoke. “Look Heather I’m sorry,  my hormones are crazy right now . “ she replied apologetically, though she knew Heather wouldn’t accept it , Ava didn’t need all this drama and not act like a school girl fighting over a football player.

“You don’t need to apologise,” Richie said quietly, still fuming.

Heather snorted, “Stay out of my life.” to Richie she directed, “I’ll be back for Ava in a few days. I’m gonna go say goodbye to her then I’m leaving.”

“Good.”

Lily watched her leave then turned to face Richie, “Yes I did I should have never said that . I took what you told me in private and threw it against her. “ she paused “ Though it did feel good when I said it because it still pisses me off for how she treated you. But it was still wrong and I have to think about how what I say will effect your daughter , that is her mother after all. “

Richie shook his head, taking a seat again though he’d lost his appetite. “I know, baby. And I appreciate that. But Heather has a problem with change.. especially when it involves things she doesn’t have anymore. I’m sorry she attacked you. Don’t take it to heart, okay?” He reached for her hand, watching her face.

“I was hoping for a happy ending , guess that was too much to ask for ? At least Ava was happy.” Lily answered with a slight smile.

“I’m pretty happy too,” Richie winked, leaning in for a sweet kiss.