LillyAs I sat behind my desk, I nervously waited for an open window to catch Chance. I’d been at work for two hours, but he’d sent a message to Kimberly and I not to be disturbed.The message I sent him last night showed he’d seen it, but no response came. Only one missed call. From my boss. God, I hoped Chance would take the news well. He was good with my daughters, but we never talked about children. It was a moot point since I couldn’t have any more. Or at least I thought so.“How are you feeling?” Kimberly startled me out of my thoughts. “You’re still pale.”It’ll be my complexion for a while.“Much better today.”I glanced toward the door where the man who stole my heart sat behind his executive desk. Still no word and lunchtime approached rapidly.I stood up and smoothed down my skirt. Black pencil skirt and white blouse. I couldn’t handle green today. My fingers trembled and I interlocked them together. I knocked on the door, determination settled deep in the pit of my stomach

LillyFriday. Departure day. Putting the past behind me.It was a little past noon when Rick came through my door.“Hey beautiful girls,” he greeted. Everyone screeched and ran to give him a hug.“Are we going now?” Saoirse asked, ready to get her adventure started.“We have a few hours,” he kneeled down as he responded. “Go through your room and double check you haven’t forgotten anything.”She nodded and sprinted up the stairs. Rick sauntered to me, pecking me on the cheek. His eye was still bruised.“Hey there, Rocky.”“I wish I could say you should see the other guy, but I never punched him back,” he mused.“I know,” I patted his cheek gently. “You took the high road.”“So, what are you and Noona up to, taking off to Croatia?”“Kind of spur of the moment, you know,” I answered blushingly, uncomfortable with my lies. “Thanks for letting her join me in a few weeks.”“Ahmmm,” he added pensively. “I don’t buy it. Why don’t you try again?”I glanced at him exasperatedly. “You are such

LillyThe little village of Brsečine on the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia was where I found myself.The old stone dwelling gave off dreamy vibes and the dwelling held so much history.A decade ago, I fell in love with the 16th century old stone villa, which was a summer residence to a celebrated local Renaissance artist, situated in a valley-like spot on the way to Dubrovnik. The house had thirteen bedrooms, some inhabitable currently. Eventually it’d be ridiculously too large for our family, but I clung to this dream of one day having a large family and having reunions with all the people I cared about and loved.And then there was the dream of turning it into a small beach rental with an exit right to the beach and a magnificent terrace with a view of the sea. The beautiful courtyard reminded me of the story about Romeo and Juliet. The whole place just had so much character. From almost any point in the house or the yard, you could see the Adriatic Sea stretched for miles and a protect

Chance“You can do it.” Sophie’s voice traveled through the closed door of the hospital room, mixing with whimpers, cries and the shuffling of efficient nurses as they prepared for the delivery of a newborn.I’ve never witnessed the delivery of a newborn. Never imagined I’d have a chance. Yet now, fatherhood was within my reach, but the fear that inched itself into my chest the moment I read that message refused to subside. What if I had lost her?The weeks following Lilly’s last text were hell. I’d called her so many times that I’d be easily labeled a stalker. I thought about her every second of the day and night. I swore I could smell her perfume - on me, in my home, in my car. I lost my shit with the driver when he had the vehicle cleaned. Because her perfume faded.She left me.I fucking blew it but I refused to accept defeat. I would find her. I’d make it right and show her how much I fucking loved her. Our babies. Her girls and the twins - they were all ours.I pulled out my pho

LillyI returned from the beach to find my patio, terrace and first floor of my home filled with a boatload of flowers.Standing in the middle of an indoor jungle, I stared at it all. The air smelled of flowers and the salty sea breeze. It was a Mediterranean climate in turbo mode.“What the hell happened here?” I muttered under my breath, then glanced around again. But there was nobody around. I stood on the upper terrace and my eyes drifted to the sea. The large yacht, reminding me of the devil’s transport, still floated, waves crashing against it.Shaking my head, I returned my attention to the problem at hand. Getting rid of this mess. Whoever had the bright idea of doing this took every single empty space with these plants. Someone must hate me because now, instead of taking a nap, I’d have to clean this jungle.“Murder in the near future,” I grumbled under my breath as I started gathering the plants and moving them around. Some I put outside the courtyard to welcome people as th