I know I've been away too long, but here is the next chapter. It's a bit of a filler (sigh), but it's pages! Ok? I'm working. I really am. I felt quite a bit of inspiration today as I read The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants and watched about five episodes from season one of JOA. Twenty-eight is almost done, and the rest of the story is outlined. I thought about breaking it into two stories, but I think I can wrap it up neatly enough in one. Happy reading!

Chapter 27

Beth switched on the light the stand on her side of the bed. She turned to face her husband, bracing herself for what could possibly be coming. With Kevin, it could be anything.

"The summer before I came to live with you, when you were in Europe again, I, um, I was seeing someone here. It started off innocently enough. She was a friend of my mom's. I think I've told you about her before. When my mom was confirmed in the church, Lilly was her advisor."

"The nun lady? You went out with a nun? Oh Lord, we may as well call you Caligula."

"What?"

"You know, the Roman Emperor who defiled the vestal virgins."

"Oh come on, Beth, don't be ridiculous. No one defiled anything. We went out a few times. I liked her, and she liked me, but I loved you. So when things started to get complicated, I ended it. It was the end of the summer, I left with you, mom was confirmed, and I haven't seen her since. Mom said she's getting married this summer, but it was a good relationship for both of us, I think. It didn't end badly, and she saw me for who I am. It was different than with Rebecca because I didn't feel that I had anything to prove, and I knew that you and I would be together afterward. There wasn't any pressure for anything to happen, and nothing did. She was a good friend that I needed at that time. I never mentioned it to you because I felt like after spending time with her I was ready to commit to you. I didn't want her to think that our relationship was unimportant, because it was invaluable to me. I just thought that the important part was that I was finally ready to be with you."

Beth continued to look at Kevin as a smile spread across her face. "You know what? I'm gonna let you have this one. I love you, and I don't want to fight with you any more today or tonight or tomorrow. So I'll meet her and be very nice and then we'll go home."

Kevin kissed her and she turned off the light. One thing he had learned was to quit when he was ahead, and he was definitely ahead. She snuggled close to him and closed her eyes. He held her throughout the night until it was time for them to get read for church in the morning.

When the alarm rang, Kevin turned it off quickly, not wanting to wake Beth. He let her sleep while he showered and got ready. After that he went downstairs to put on the coffee. His mom was already downstairs reading when he entered the living room. She looked up from her book as he came toward her. The sun had risen not too long ago, and the morning light was streaming in through the windows. His mom spoke to him after a moment. "I think that God is like this," she said looking around the room. "He is streams of light that come and warm the dark and cold parts of our lives. Like when you're in the woods and you look up as the sun breaks through the clouds and trickles down through the tree branches to illuminate the clearing."

"Why did you tell me that?" Kevin asked.

"I don't know. I guess I just wanted to share it with someone. I know you don't believe in God, but it was just a thought I had."

"I don't not believe. I haven't decided what I believe. I don't need someone or something to blame or credit for the bad and good in my life. I like to believe that I've earned the things I've accomplished. No, let's not do this. It took you a while to make your decision about this, maybe it will take me a while, too."

"I'm sorry. You're absolutely right. This is a very personal matter and I shouldn't have tried to do whatever it is I was doing. Hey, we're the first ones up, let's get breakfast started. Coffee at least." She stood from her place on the couch and led him into the kitchen where she raided the fridge while she instructed Kevin to start on coffee and tea.

Joan, then Will, followed by Luke made their way to the kitchen, and the original Girardi Five had a moment together. It almost felt like a morning so many years ago when they first moved into the house, after they had first come to Arcadia and life held so many questions and mysteries for them. They still had questions, but now they were equipped with experience and companions who were helping solve some of those mysteries. Kevin glanced down the table at his siblings and parents. Other than the gray hair Joan had so conspicuously pointed out a few days earlier, he still felt like he could be twenty again. He hoped that most of who they had been back then was still visible despite the inevitable aging and growing up they had all experienced. His thoughts and the conversation at the end of the table were happily interrupted by Grace and Hadassah who had emerged from Luke's room and were looking for breakfast.

Kevin went back upstairs to wake Beth, who would need to start getting ready soon. She was already awake even though her eyes were closed. He could tell. Crawling back in bed with her was an idea that crossed his mind briefly, but instead he said her name quietly. She stretched, yawned, and opened her eyes. After a moment of staring at the ceiling, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. He reached for her hand and pulled her into a standing position. She picked up her robe as she exited the room, and in a few minutes Kevin heard the water running.

Beth finished her shower and carefully fixed her hair and makeup. She went back into the bedroom where Kevin was at his old desk looking through some papers and books that were sitting on top of it. He watched her sift through the remaining clothes in her suitcase in search of the perfect outfit. She finally decided on a black pencil skirt with a white collared shirt. She pulled on her lingerie and stockings. She stepped into the skirt and buttoned her blouse. She chose a strand of pearls and diamond and pearl earrings from her jewelry case and put them on. She stepped into her heels and glanced at herself in the full-length mirror on Kevin's wall. She fluffed her hair, smoothed her skirt, and adjusted her collar before turning to Kevin.

He smiled and shook his head. She was impeccably put together standing in front of him. He recognized her need to present herself in this way. She often did it when meeting with an important client for the first time. It was her own little defense mechanism, and the fact that she was going through the entire routine tipped him off to her nervousness about something. He wanted to reiterate to her that Lilly was absolutely not a threat to her, but he knew from experience that it was just easier to let her deal with this in her own way. She had to get a feel for the situation for herself, and he hoped she would immediately figure out that she had nothing to fear.

She asked him if he was ready to go downstairs. He said that he was. She asked him to bring her black purse as she turned on her heel and nearly marched out of the room. He hated when she went "Type A" on him, but he grabbed her purse and followed her out of the room, down the stairs and into the kitchen. She had accepted a glass of orange juice and was toasting a bagel when Kevin made it into the room. Looking over, she asked him if he had already eaten. He said that he had, but that he would like another glass of juice. She poured it for him and placed it on the table in front of him. Her bagel popped up and she spread cream cheese on one side and butter on the other. She sat beside him at the table before asking where everyone else was. Kevin told her that all the rest of the family ate earlier and had gone upstairs as she was getting ready. She was finishing her breakfast when she heard them descending the front stairs. She jumped up, glancing at the clock, and took her dishes as well as Kevin's to the sink. He wasn't finished, but he didn't say a word. She brushed a crumb from her front, smoothed Kevin's hair, picked up her purse and joined the family.

They were all ready to go and they worked out the car situation quickly so they could be on their way. Helen had successfully persuaded Will into joining them, so they formed quite a troupe entering the sanctuary once they arrived. They chose their seats right away in the same pew they had utilized two nights before on Christmas Eve. The service started before they had a chance to meet with other members of the congregation, but Kevin spotted Lilly seated at the front of the church. The children presented their Christmas passages and even sang some songs, following which the choir offered a selection. Father Ken praised the efforts of the parishioners before he began his sermon. Kevin enjoyed the message thoroughly. The delivery and the message were both extremely engaging, and Kevin found himself completely drawn into the story. Before he knew it, the service ended and the congregation exited the pews. Kevin was waiting for the way to clear so Beth could bring his chair when heard someone call his name. He turned to see Lilly standing behind his seat with a rather handsome man beside her.

She looked very much like he had remembered, except she looked a little more demure, if that word could possibly describe Lilly. Her hair was all one color, no blonde streaks, but she still had the long bangs. Her shirt was long sleeved, so he couldn't tell the tattoo situation, but somehow he assumed they were all still intact.

"How have you been?" she asked, aware of his gawking. He snapped back pretty quickly and was able to answer her.

"I'm doing really well. How about you? You look great."

She started to introduce her fiancé when Beth returned with his chair. He suggested that they all go into the fellowship hall with the rest of the worshipers since it would be a little more comfortable for everyone and they could make their introductions there. Lilly knew that he wanted to be in the chair and in control. She told him that she would see him in the reception hall and left, giving him some privacy. Beth positioned the chair so he could reach it and transfer. Then, they went in the direction Lilly had just gone.

She had saved them a table in the corner and waved them toward her when they came through the door. She and the man with her stood as Beth and Kevin approached. She reached out her hand to Beth and introduced herself. "Hi, you must be Beth. I'm Lilly Waters and this is my fiancé Josef Singer." Beth shook her hand as Kevin and Josef exchanged pleasantries. They all sat and the conversation began quite easily. Kevin spoke first.

"So, how did the two of you meet? I'm sure that has to be an interesting story."

Lilly laughed. "It's a lot less interesting than it may seem. Josef came to the parish last year, and he pursued me relentlessly until he finally persuaded me to go on a date with him that didn't include the church's singles group. We went to Baltimore to the Aquarium, and this little girl had gotten separated from her parents. Josef took care of her and took her to the information desk and waited until her folks found her. He was so kind and patient with her. I decided he must be at least somewhat of a decent person, so I gave him a chance and he grew on me."

"I really had been asking her out for weeks, and I was so pleased when she finally said yes. I used to teach elementary school, so when I saw that little girl all alone and upset, I guess that instinct just kicked in. Lucky for me that worked out to my benefit. Lilly's pretty great herself, though. I knew right away when I met her that she was different and that I wanted to get to know her. Thankfully, she eventually felt the same way about me," Josef added.

"You said that you used to teach, Josef, what is it that you do now?" Beth asked.

"I still teach, just not the little kids. I'm at the community college. It's different, but still very rewarding. I have a lot of non-traditional students who are working full-time while getting their degrees. They're very hard-working, and it's great to see them succeed."

Lilly addressed Beth next. "Beth, I've heard so many things about you from the various Girardis that I feel like I know you already. It really is great to finally meet you. Helen tells me you work in advertising. I love the long-distance phone commercials. They always make me cry. Do you make those?"

Beth laughed in agreement but was sorry to report that she had never worked on such a spot. She explained a little bit about her job to Lilly and Josef, making it quick in hopes of not boring them too badly.

The foursome continued their conversation for nearly an hour before they noticed that the fellowship hall had almost cleared. Kevin's family was nearly all that remained. Joan was anxious to get to Adam's house, and Beth and Kevin were set to leave after lunch. They realized that they would have to break up their meeting. Kevin reminded Beth of the time, and turned to say goodbye to Lilly. The two couples parted with kind words and waves as Kevin and Beth joined the rest of the family heading to the car.

When they returned to the Girardi house, Kevin and Beth began preparing for their departure and were soon on their way. They covered the miles to their home quietly at first until Beth voiced an observation she had made.

"Kevin, she's beautiful. And smart and funny and so passionate."

"Yeah, she is," Kevin answered, keeping his eyes on the road.

"You never once considered her instead of me?"

"No."

"I find that extremely hard to believe."

Finally Kevin turned toward Beth. "I loved you then, I love you now, and you are who I want to be with. Lilly is great. But I'm more than happy with my choice."

"So am I."