Hello. Goodbye - Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen.

"They're so beautiful," she whispered, when she managed to control her sobs.

He held her close and kissed her temple.

"I was hoping you'd come in here."
"I'm glad I didn't when there were many people around that first day."
"You're all that matters.."
"Try not to say that when your siblings are around," she whispered.
"Why not? They all know how I feel about you."
"Exactly. Aside from Libby, I don't think the other two feel that happy about us."
"They'll never be happy; no matter who I'm with. They just have to get to know you."

She sat in silence, not responding. Instead she stared at the paintings one at a time, just as she had before he walked in.

Her eyes landed on the one that caught her breath the moment she walked in.

It was a painting of a knight keeled over in agony as an angel with Lily's serene face watched over his shoulder from behind.

"I finished that the night you told me to go..."

She slowly turned her face to look at him. True enough, the sadness that was in his voice reflected in his eyes. She shook her head in misery.

"Did I do the right thing? I don't know anymore," she said aloud in despair.

His hand soothed her back as she leaned into his arms once more.

"You did, Sweetheart." She shook her head.
"I'm not worth this! How could you possibly have waited for me this long?"
"I honestly, wouldn't have waited around for any girl who I crushed on. You're different. There's something about you that makes me wish..."
"Maybe it's just the chase that reeled you in. The challenge of not getting the girl?" She whined.
"No. I assure you, it's not that. I love you because you're you."

They fell silent again.

Suddenly, she stood up to go. He caught her hands and maneuvered her to sit on his lap.
"Don't leave me anymore."
Looking into his eyes, she believed the longing in his voice.

She kissed him full on the lips. And ran a finger over the creases in his brows to soothe away his uncertainty.

Hooking her wrists behind his neck, she promised, "Just a few more weeks, and I can promise you that I won't leave you again."
"I can't wait..."

Just as they parted for air from their passionate kiss, a cough was heard at the door.

"Guys," Libby whispered.
"Yes, Libby?"
"Someone wants to buy a painting outside," she mouthed as she pointed to the direction of the next room.
"Sorry," he apologized, "I've been getting offers all week."
Full of pleasant surprise, Lily hugged him and squealed, "that's great news!"
"Guys!"
"Sorry, Lib. I'm coming."
A quick kiss on Lily's cheek for good luck and he was off.

Libby stepped foot in the room where Lily sat.
"Whoa..." Was all she said as she walked around the room with careful examination.
"Yeah..." Lily sighed lost in the great sense of happiness.

"Mom said she set the guest room up for you."
"Aww, thanks Lib!"
"No, thanks to you my brother is no longer 'brooding'."
Lily laughed.
"Is he really that too good to be true?"
"Yeah. He's a rare find."
Lily scoffed, "Why? Have you've been on the prowl, young lady?!"

Libby shrugged, "I'm a good observer."

Lily nudged the youngen.
"If you believe in good things, they come to you."
Libby smiled.
"I like that."
"Good. Now let's go see your brother use his sales skills..."
"Let's!"

In the foyer, Lily came across a professional portfolio of card size replicas of each painting showcased in Jamie's exhibit.

As she flipped through the pages, she noted that almost two-thirds of the binder had the word "SOLD" splashed over the cards.

Libby must have seen what she saw because she was just as flabbergasted.

They looked incredulously at each other.
Libby was the first to speak, "Man, I'm in the wrong Art! No offense"
"None taken. I'm actually agreeing with you!"

They laughed as they made up scenarios of what and who they would and wouldn't paint.