Goodbyes and Fresh Starts
Chapter Nine
"Are you sure you want to do this, Ray?" Robbie asked as he followed Ray around the jewelry store.
"For the last time, Robbie, YES!" Ray said.
"This is big, Ray," Travis started, "This could be your whole future."
"I know, Travis, but you guys have to believe me when I say, this is it, she's the one I want to spend my life with. It's always been her." Ray said.
"But what if she says no?" Robbie asked.
"She won't." Travis said.
Both guys looked at him. "What do you know, Swami?" Ray asked.
"I talked to Audrey last night and from the sounds of it, Lily has plans of her own to win you back." Travis said.
"What? Audrey actually said that?" Ray asked.
"Not exactly, she hinted at it; so I think you have a pretty good chance at this, Ray," he told him.
"This is awesome!" Robbie said.
"You're telling me!" Ray smiled.
They scoured the store for an hour until Ray came upon the most beautiful ring he ever laid his eyes on. It was a simple 1/4 carat marquis cut ring set in white gold. He would have liked platinum but he couldn't afford that at the time, so he settled on the white gold. It was perfect; Lily would love it.
"What do you guys think of this one?" Ray asked Travis and Robbie.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" Robbie said.
"That's definitely the one Ray!" Travis said.
"I think so, too, I'm getting it." He replied.
He pointed the ring out to the salesman who wrapped the ring up in a box and handed it to Ray. "She's one very lucky woman."
"No, I'm the lucky one," Ray replied smiling.
The concert was the next night; Ray was so excited. Lily was just as excited. She was in her room with Audrey rehearsing what she was going to do the next night.
"Like that?" Lily asked holding her guitar.
"Almost, try not to smile so much. Be more serious like this, And this song goes out to someone in the audience who means the world to me; you know who you are." Audrey said, all serious and with a lot of heart in the words she spoke.
"Ok so like this? And this song goes out to someone in the audience who means the world to me; you know who you are." Lily said, with more seriousness and feeling.
"Perfect!" Audrey said, "I think you're ready!"
"Thanks so much for your help," Lily began, "I can't believe I have been here since Monday and haven't seen Ray yet. Yet he hasn't attempted to see me either; maybe he doesn't want to."
"He does; trust me, Lil. I've talked to Travis everyday this week and he wants to see you. He wanted to come over on Tuesday but Travis and Robbie restrained him. They refuse to let him see you till Friday, and from what I hear, he has a surprise for you!" Audrey said.
"He does?" Lily shouted, "What is it?"
"I don't know; all I know is that it's great and you're going to love it." Audrey replied.
Lily sighed and smiled. "Ray always knows what to do; I just hope he likes my gift as much as I will like his."
"He will." Audrey said, "It comes from your heart, who could not love that?"
"So," Lily began, "Travis?"
"I don't know." Audrey sighed, "I never stopped caring about him; I mean I kinda just left, without saying as much as a goodbye. I'm surprised he talked to me."
"He still cares Aud. He never stopped. He compared every girl he dated to you, you meant the world to him." Lily replied.
"And you mean the world to Ray; his eyes light up at the name Lily." Audrey said.
Lily sighed again and thought of Ray. They were made for each other; she felt like he was the reason she was put on this earth. She could never love anyone the way she loves Ray. The past few years had been rough on both of them but this time she knew that she was going to do everything possible to make this work. She wasn't going to let him go ever again. She wanted to grow old and grey with him.
"So I'm gonna jet, Lil." Audrey said, "I'll see you tomorrow!"
Wait, I have one back stage pass and I want you to have it." Lily said.
"Really? Are you sure?" Audrey asked.
"Yes! I want you there for me, for reassurance." Lily replied.
"Thanks, Lil," Audrey said hugging her. "If everything goes as planned, you and Ray will be a couple again and if things go my way, Travis and I will be a couple again."
"They will, Aud!" Lily said, "I'll see to it that you are together again."
"Don't worry about me," Audrey began, "Just think about what lies ahead for you and Ray. After that's settled, we can work on me and Travis!"
"Bye!" Lily said as Audrey disappeared out her bedroom door.
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