Part 2

Lucas and Riley talked to each other, emailed, skyped, and wrote hand written letters during their freshman year of college and they got to see each other during Christmas and spring break. It was during their sophomore year that things started to change. They got busier with school and working part time that their phone calls and letters became less frequent.

Lucas had stayed in Texas during the summer after sophomore year to work at a veterinarian office and took some more classes. He really wanted to get his medical degree sooner rather than later. After almost two years of not being with Riley he knew that if he saw her in person, he would again be in the same turmoil as he was his freshman year and he did not have time for that right now. He tried to stay busy and to concentrate on school. Then one afternoon, the unexpected happened. He was running late from class and headed to work and he was basically running down the sidewalk, coffee in hand, when he crashed into something. He opened his eyes to see the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen. He apologetically helped this young girl, who looked to be around twenty, grabbed her hand to help her steady herself.

"I am so sorry mam; I cannot believe I just did that, are you ok?" Lucas asked with concern.

"Yes I am ok, thanks for helping me, not many people would stop and help, they would keep running." The lady joked.

"Well not me mam, I have more sense than most people, or at least I like to think so" he laughed. "My name is Lucas, by the way."

"My name is Lily, nice to meet you Lucas, even if it was in such an unordinary way." Lily couldn't help but giggle. She was obviously smitten and trying to flirt a little.

"Well mam, I do want to apologize again for running into you, but I am running late for work. So I really have to go." And Lucas did something; he'd never thought he would do. "Can I have your number first, I really want to make it up to you by taking you for coffee or lunch one day?" asked Lucas.

Lucas never thought in a million years he would actually have the nerve to ask for someone's phone number. He and Riley had been broken up for almost two years now and he hadn't spoken to her in months. He was sure that she had already moved on. I guess he felt it was time to see if anything comes of this.

"Well Lucas, I actually would love that. My number is 640-243-8598. You can reach me anytime. I expect a proper phone call from the ever so gentleman you are, to ask me out properly." Lily beamed.

"Well Miss Lily, I can promise you, that I will call you tomorrow. But for now, I have to run to work, I do hope you answer my call tomorrow." Lucas said with a huge grin.

"You can bet on it!" Lily stood staring at this beautiful specimen that whisk his way into her life so unexpectedly. "So don't run into anyone else today!" she screamed as she watched him leave.

Lucas called up Lily the very next day. He only had one class that morning and he was off of work that day too.

"Why am I so nervous?" Lucas spoke to himself in a mirror. He didn't know it would be this hard to move on from Riley. He leaned on the counter with his head in his hands struggling to decide if he should call Lily or not. I know he promised her he would but is he truly ready?

"Come on you big doofus, you got this, just call her and see if it goes anywhere." Still talking to himself in the mirror.

So Lucas picks up his cell phone and dials Lily's number.

"Hello?" said Lily.

"Hi, Lily, this is Lucas, remember me from yesterday. We kind of had a run in on the sidewalk." Lucas said, while also quietly reminding himself to not be a dork.

"Of course I remember Lucas, I've been waiting for your call." Lily said trying to contain her happiness.

"How are you today?" asked Lily.

"I am doing just fine Lily and yourself?" Lucas lied. He was still a nervous wreck and had broken about 10 pencils while he paced through his apartment.

"I am doing better now that you called Lucas." Lily said flirtatiously.

"Well I am glad to hear it mam." Lucas said while hitting his head with his palm. Why did I just call her mam, she is not 60 years old.

"Please don't call me mam ever again, Lucas, what am I an old lady." Lily joked.

"I am sorry, mmm…Lily, I guess I am just too much of a gentleman." Lucas said feeling relieved that Lily had a sense of humor.

"It is quite alright darlin, so what can I do for you today?" Lily asked.

"Well I was actually hoping that you would do me a huge favor, and uh maybe go out to lunch with me today" Lucas said trying to hide his smile. He finally got the words out. Maybe this won't be so bad.

"Well Lucas, I would love to go out to lunch with you, now is this like a real date or is it an apology for running into me yesterday?"

"Lily, I would actually love for this to be a real date, if that is ok with you, and as long as you don't have a boyfriend already." Lucas said, almost immediately regretting the question because he should have asked her this yesterday.

"Lucas, well I would love for this to be a real date too, and no I do not currently have a boyfriend or romantically involved with anyone, unless you count yourself."

"Well it's a date then Lily, can I pick you up around 1 o clock, would that be a sufficient amount of time for you to get ready? There is this quaint little café, just around the corner from where we collided. They have great sandwiches, soups and salads and desserts as well. Would that be ok with you?"

"Sounds great Lucas, see you shortly!" Lily was beaming from ear to ear, and could not wait to go on a date with Lucas.

So Lucas and Lily go on their date at that little café not far from where they first met. They talked for hours. They talked about their families and their dreams of what they wanted to be. Lucas learned that Lily wanted to be a kindergarten teacher and of course Lucas told her of his veterinary dream. They really enjoyed their date that day. They arranged for another date that weekend so they could go to dinner and a movie. So obviously Lily learned of his popcorn and chocolate secret .Her favorite movie snack was jelly beans. Go figure. Not something he wanted to remember at a time like this. So they start dating and go on several dates over the next few weeks and then months. They went horseback riding, drove out of town for weekends on the lake, and drove down to Galveston for some weekends. They started to really fall in love with each other. They only had about 2 years of school left, and then he had 4 more years of veterinary school. They fell in love so hard and fast. They spent every waking moment together when they did not have classes or working their part time jobs. On their one year anniversary, Lucas planned a romantic date in a nearby park at sunset. He ordered food from the café from their first date. He had all sorts of special mementos from their time together. He had a bouquet of red roses and was dressed in his finest attire. He was planning on asking Lily to marry him, even though they had only been together a year. It seemed like an eternity to him. And he was sure that she felt the same way. He had the ring in his pocket when arrived in a limo to pick her up for their date. They drove to the park around 6 o clock and ate their dinner and watched the sunset. As the sun was going down he looked at this beautiful blue eyed beauty before him and got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. She started crying happy tears while trying to get the word YES out. They hugged each other and kissed and he slipped the gorgeous diamond and sapphire princess cut ring on her finger and enjoyed the last leg of the sunset going down. It was the most beautiful and perfect proposal and everything turned out perfect. Except for a small moment he thought of Riley and how this was supposed to be them and he was supposed to be marrying his high school love. But then looked at Lily and thought that no, this perfect girl right here in my arms is the one for me.