Chapter 4

(Author's Note: The story is finished and she's back with Luca in the lounge)

"I named her Lily, because she was just as delicate as the flower. It's strange, but her middle name is Matthew, after her father. I know it's a boy's name, but I didn't care."

Kate finished her story and turned to face Luca. Tears were in his eyes, and wordlessly, he embraced her in a tight hug.

"Hey, we have patients backing up out here…What's going on?" Ray had burst into the door and was glaring angrily at the scene.

Kate jumped up and brushed the tears from her face with her sleeves. Luca stood up and walked over to Ray and began speaking to him. Kate couldn't hear the words, but they seemed heated.

"How could you Luca? I told you I was interested in her." Ray glared at his attending with fire in his eyes.

"Easy Ray, we were just talking. She was upset and I tried to comfort her, that's all."

"Yeah right. You warn me to be nice and here you are getting her all emotional and taking advantage of the situation. How can you do this to Abby? Doesn't she mean anything to you? I'm outta here." Ray pushed open the door and stormed down the hall.

Luca turned to Kate and tried to force a smile.

"I should go explain stuff to him," Kate managed, "I didn't realize he cared so much. We've haven't known eachother long, and we aren't that serious."

"Kate, I've never seen him this upset about a girl. Something is wrong."

Kate nodded at Luca and walked into the bustling hallway. She spotted Ray down the hall and called to him. He ignored her and kept walking. He walked into the elevator, and she raced to it and managed to jump in before he could close the door on her face. She used all of the strength in her 5 foot 2 inch frame to push him up against the side of the elevator.

"Listen up, I'm not interested in Luca. What you walked in on was nothing. I was telling him about my past and he was trying to comfort me."

Ray pushed against her and pinned her against the opposite side of the elevator. "We've been together over a month and you won't tell me anything about your past but you open up to him. Why can't you share that with me? Why don't you trust me?"

The elevator doors opened and Ray stormed out. When he was changing by his locker later that day, he saw a not from Kate.

Ray

You're right, I haven't let you in. I'm sorry for that and I hope we can put this all behind us. If you still care, come to my house at eight tonight for supper and I'll tell you whatever you need to know. If you don't come, I won't bother you again. Please give me this chance to explain.

Love,

Kate

He started to crumple the note, but then folded it up and put it back in his locker. He glanced at his watch. He had just enough time to run home, shower and get changed before he had to meet her. He kicked his locker shut, grabbed his bag, and headed toward the L train.

Kate double checked the table setting. She walked through the living room and adjusted the pictures on the coffee table. She sat on the couch and stared at the photographs. One was from her and Matt's wedding day. We were so happy, so optimistic. Her gaze wandered to the second picture. Lily. Immortalized forever on film. She still had some color when the photo was taken, and even though she didn't look completely alive, by looking at the photo nobody would be able to easily place what was odd about the picture. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

Ray stood sheepishly in the doorway. He brought a bouquet of lilies out from behind his back. She managed a smile and stepped back so he could come in. He sat on the couch as she went to the kitchen for a vase.

As she walked back in, she quickly noticed the look of shock on his face. He was clutching her wedding photo in his hands. He brought his eyes up to look at her.

"You were married? That's your secret? What, are you still in love with him or something?" he asked, accusingly.

She crossed the living room and sat down beside him.

"I'll tell you everything." She took a deep breath and recounted her story.

When she finished, she forced herself to look him in the eyes.

"Don't hate me for not telling you before. I didn't talk about it for the longest time. I didn't know how people would react, and I didn't want pity."