Page 27 of Silver Linings

“I do.”

“Wonderful!” Gia cheered. “By the power vested in me by a very sketchy and somewhat suspect online church, I now pronounce you husband and wife for the second time today. Gunner, you may now kiss your bride.”

Gunner’s face paled, somewhat hilariously matching his sexy-as-Hell uniform.

“It’s okay, we don’t have to?—”

Gunner placed his thumb under her chin, lifting his face towards hers. Oh, Lord. Was he actually about to kiss her? Would this change things between them? The baby rolled, almost as if she was expecting the rush of butterflies that filled Lily’s belly.

Just as quickly as hope had bloomed in her heart, it sank away as he turned her head and pressed his lips to her cheek. The gesture was sweet, and filled with kindness, but Lily couldn’t help the pain that lanced through her chest.

“Thank you both so much for allowing me to be a part of this,” Juliette said, her face filled with tears, as Lily walked over and embraced her new mother-in-law. “I’m so happy to have another beautiful daughter. And a granddaughter I can’t wait to meet.”

They both knew it was a stretch to think that Juliette would make it a few more weeks, and with Lily’s due date that far out, it felt like an impossible feat. The thought of her daughter never knowing the beautiful soul she was hugging was enough to push Lily over the edge. Her tears were relentless as she held on to the woman who had loved her more than her own mother over the years.

“Oh, dear. I think I broke Lily.”

“No,” she sobbed. “I just love you so much, Jules. And it’s been quite the day.”

“Well, I love you too, honey. Gunner, why don’t you make your meatballs for us tonight? I had Gia get all the ingredients.”

“You cook?” Lily couldn’t picture it. All she’d ever seen him do in the kitchen was make the occasional sandwich and sneak barbecue chips from the spot where Gia hid them.

“I have a few recipes up my sleeve, but I’d definitely say my meatballs and sauce are the best. Does that sound okay to you?”

“It sounds amazing.”

“I’m thinking I’d like to come sit out on the couch for a bit,” Juliette said, surprising Lily.

“I can help—” Lily was cut off by a chorus of voices all protesting her offer.

“No, Lil. Why don’t you help Gunner and I’ll get Mom out there?”

“Oh, um, sure. Do you need any help?”

“It’s a pretty easy recipe, but I guess if there’s anyone who I should share my secret ingredients with, it’s my wife.”

“The perks are already rolling in,” Lily teased.

Ten

“She had such a good day today, didn’t she?” Gia asked as she closed the door to her mother’s room.

“She really did. I’m so glad she had enough energy for everything.” Lily ran her hand over Sprout, who was busy kicking her ribs.

“Do you think something’s changed? Will she be like this for a while?”

Lily looked at Gia, immediately recognizing the hope in her best friend’s eyes. For one day, they’d had their mom back. Laughing, joking, making a few more sweet memories. But Lily had seen the very same thing before, and more than once it had been a sign that someone was close to passing.

“I’m sorry, you guys. I hope it is, but a lot of times, before someone passes, they experience this sort of surge in their energy. They’re talking and laughing, maybe even asking to eat their favorite things again, like their son’s homemade meatballs. With how tired Jules has been, and how often she’s been skipping her meals, I would say she was giving us her all today, one last time, before she says goodbye.”

Silence filled the hallway.

“It’s been a long day for everyone. We should probably all go to sleep now that mom is settled.” Gunner turned to walk away from them when Gia stopped him.

“Aren’t you going to take your wife to bed?”

“Gia, no.” Heat flooded Lily’s body. “I’m still staying in your room, unless you want it back. I can take the couch.”