Lillian's P.O.V.

Peacefully we walked down the long road to my house the only sound to be heard was the crunching of dead leaves below our feet. Occasionally I would look at him out of the corner of my eyes. I knew he was bothered by the fact that Ash wasn't speaking to him yet.

"So, tell me." I finally broke the silence between us. He looked over at me, the wind blew dirty blonde locks of hair in his face. "What happened? Why are you living here?" There had to be a reason but every time I mentioned his family he never seemed too happy. I didn't want to pry but I was curious.

"I was raised here." He shrugged, ignoring the topic yet again. I pulled my key out of my pocket. He adjusted the grey hound's-tooth scarf he was wearing, making sure it wouldn't fall off.

"I meant why. Why with Howard and Laney, why not with your parents?" A lot of his life was a mystery to me. I didn't get a response, he just bit his lower lip. "I of all people should know." I pointed out. He knew about Will and Phillip, it just seemed right. "I'll tell you everything too. Complete honesty from both parties." I tried making it a little more fair. "I can even go first." We stood at my front door. I waited patiently for an answer. After a moment I got a nod. "Inside though." I turned the key, listening for the click. I pushed the heavy oak door open, we started to shed layers of coats and scarves, hanging them up on my coat rack.

"So." I looked at him for a second before realizing I offered to go first.

"Right." I took a seat on my couch, he took a seat right beside me. "As you've probably noticed there are some photos laying around of Phil and I with our parents. I was raised by them for most of my childhood. Until, um," My voice started to get caught. I coughed a little before speaking again. "One year, I was twelve, my parents went on a vacation. Sort of a second honeymoon thing." I could feel my eyes starting to sting. "They took a boat there and back, and on the way home it became really stormy. It wasn't that big of a boat so it wasn't difficult for it to get tossed around. Apparently it hit a bunch of rocks, making it sink or blow up or something." I could feel the tears flowing, but I tried to stay as calm as possible. "After that it was just me and Phil, he raised me and took care of the farm." He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, squeezing tightly. I rested my head against his shoulder, I felt him inhale deeply.

"Well I guess in a way, I'm luckier. My mother and father just left. She fell in love with him, he was with her, Jessica was an affair. I was born and shortly after Ash came along. He didn't truly love my mother, so he left her for Jessica. She couldn't take care of me alone so now I live with my uncle and cousin." He paused. "I honestly consider them my father and sister though." I looked up at him, his face was turned away from me so I couldn't see it. I could tell that this wasn't easy for him. No matter how placid he tried to keep his voice there was an unevenness that betrayed him.

"And your mom?" I asked, worried I was prodding a bit too much.

"I'm not entirely sure." Another deep breath. "Every birthday and Starry Night Festival I'd get a call. Occasionally I'd get a card or a gift. She always made sure that I knew she never forgot me. But one day," He clenched my upper arm a little tighter. "Everything just stopped." Tears welled up in my eyes. I was lucky enough to have both my parents around, but he never knew either. I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed with all my strength. I felt his fingers start stroking my hair, gently twisting it around. "It's okay. I don't like it but after twenty three years I've come to terms with it." I shook my head. "I promise, I'm the best I'm going to be."

"I'm sorry I asked." I said earnestly.

"Don't apologize. I've never really known anything else, I love what I have now." He stopped twirling my hair. "Besides, you were going to find out sooner or later." I looked up at his kind eyes and couldn't help but smile slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't want you to go to the islands alone." He now understood why I was so adamant about going.

"There's no way you would have known."

"Still." He started playing with my hair again.

"I'm sorry you'll never get the chance to meet them." A curious look spread across his features. "They would've loved you." I thought for a second. "Although," I paused, trying to sort out my thoughts. "I don't think I would've known you if they were here." He didn't speak right away.

"I guess I could say the same." A warm smile played at his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and wrapped his other arm around me. "It's worth it."

Slowly my eyes closed, relaxed. With each deep breath I took the floral scent emanating from him became more noticeable. Over time I was growing more attuned to the different scents. I noticed the goldenrod and chrysanthemums he was working with, but underneath that was the hint of cloves. I could tell he had my tea this morning. I couldn't help but think about how different everything would be right now if my parents were around, or if Phillip wasn't so against me leaving, or even if Will wasn't so crazy. I wouldn't be here right now, happy as ever with the man who made everything okay.