Chapter 14 - LILY'S NEW FLOWER BASKET
Six months after the canceled wedding, Lily had another flower basket.
This one wasn't for a wedding.
Her school was holding a spring garden ceremony.
Each child planted something in memory of someone.
Lily chose daisies.
Ethan didn't ask why.
He already knew.
Her cheek had healed long ago.
The fear took longer.
For several months, Lily became nervous whenever adults raised their voices.
She stopped closing bedroom doors.
She wanted Ethan within sight in unfamiliar places.
They worked through it carefully.
No rushing.
No pretending.
No telling her to “forget what happened.”
Eventually she began sleeping normally again.
One evening she asked:
“Do you still want to get married someday?”
Ethan nearly choked on his coffee.
“Where did that come from?”
“Emma's dad got married.”
“Oh.”
“Do you?”
He considered it.
“Maybe someday.”
Lily nodded seriously.
“Can I check her room first?”
Ethan stared.
Then Lily smiled.
It took him half a second to realize she was joking.
He laughed so hard she began laughing too.
That sound mattered.
During the school ceremony, Lily carried her basket across the garden.
She knelt beside a small patch of soil and planted daisies.
Her teacher asked who they were for.
“A woman named Claire.”
“Was she family?”
Lily thought about it.
“No.”
Then she looked toward Ethan.
“Kind of.”
After the ceremony, Ruth joined them for ice cream.
She had become an unexpected presence in their lives.
Not a replacement for anyone.
Just another person who cared about Lily.
Before leaving, Ruth handed Lily a small box.
Inside was not Claire's pendant.
That remained with the family archive.
Instead it was a simple silver flower charm.
Lily looked worried.
“Is there a picture inside?”
Ruth laughed.
“No secrets.”
Lily turned it over.
Nothing engraved on the back.
Nothing hidden.
Just a flower.
She smiled.
May you like
“I like this one better.”
Ethan did too.
