Lilly just lied to me.

I don’t do lies. I grew up around enough bullshit. I don’t need it now. Especially from the woman who is wearing my ring, carrying my babies and claiming that she loves me.

I go to work like normal so I don’t raise her suspicions, but I keep an eye on my phone to track where she is. I’m relieved when she arrives at the coffee shop like she said she would. I almost close the app and put the whole weird encounter down to her pregnancy this morning. Lilly has been pretty easy to live with so far. She hasn’t complained as much as some of the people I’ve read about online. She seems to be taking all the symptoms in her stride.

Something in me stops me from forgetting about it though, so I finish up what I’m doing and head out. I walk the short trip to where I know Lilly currently is and stand what I hope is out of sight, and look through the window.

The second I see her sat opposite another man I feel a wave of anger wash through me, just like when I found Jake with his hands on her. I knew my paranoia this morning was for a reason. I continue to stand and watch them as they talk and laugh together.

After a couple of minutes, I can’t stand unnoticed any longer, and I walk around to the doors and start to head towards them. I’m barely inside the coffee shop when I’m able to get a better look at the guy Lilly is sat with. Suddenly, it feels like someone’s taken a baseball bat to my chest because my breath catches and my hands shake a little.

Marcus.

I stand just inside the doorway in everyone’s way, staring at him, taking in all his features that are still so similar to my own. Just like when we were kids. He always was a miniature version of me.

Marcus must feel my stare because after a minute or two he looks my way. It takes a few seconds for him to focus on me and I see the same shock that must be on my face reflected back at me.

A flash of blonde catches my eye as Lilly’s hair whips around to see where Marcus’ attention is. Her eyes widen when she sees me. I’m not sure if it’s horror or just shock. She looks back and forth between us a few times before her mouth opens to say something, but nothing happens.

Deciding we’ve stared at each other across the room for long enough, I move forward until I’m stood at their table.

“Lilly?” I ask.

“I…uh…I was going to tell you, Luc. But Marcus wanted to meet me first, find out a little more about you. I swear I was going to tell you,” Lilly rambles on, thinking I’m mad. I guess I am mad that she lied to me, but I can sort of see why. What I’m currently feeling is a long way from anger, though. Lilly has gone out of her way to hunt down my brother. I’ve looked a couple of times but was never successful, and I always convinced myself he wouldn’t want to hear from me anyway after I left him in that hell hole.

“It’s okay,” I say, giving her shoulder a squeeze before turning to my brother. “Marcus, you look good,” I say awkwardly. I have no idea what the right thing to say right now is, but I have a huge desire to apologise. “I’m so sorr—”

“Don’t, Lucas. None of that was your fault. You got lucky after a fuck load of bad luck. You don’t need to apologise,” he says, surprising the shit out of me.

“But I abandoned you,” I say in shock.

“Yeah, and I was utterly devastated, but I got over it. Being devastated made me weak, and I don’t need to explain to you what that meant.” No, he doesn’t need to explain. I know all too well.

“Grab a chair, Luc,” Lilly says, still looking between the two of us as if we’re aliens. I’m not sure if it’s the similarity between us or the fact Marcus hasn’t tried to kill me yet for what I did to him.

Reluctantly, I ask the question that I’m not sure I want the answer to. “What happened to her?”

“Dead,” Marcus says coldly. “Overdose a few years back. She lasted longer than I ever thought she would.” I can’t help but agree with him. If she kept up the life she had while I was there, I’d have put money on her dying much younger. “And him?”

“Left for a new bottle of vodka one morning and never reappeared. No idea if he’s alive or dead, but at least he’s gone.” I hate the feelings that talking about those two wastes of space drag up in me, so I quickly change the subject.

“So, what are you up to now?”

I forget all about work and spend the next few hours sat chatting to someone I never thought I’d get the chance to see ever again. It’s the oddest feeling, because we chat like fifteen years haven’t passed by. Marcus tells me all about his business and I feel so much pride for what he’s achieved despite everything that I’m worried my chest is going to explode.

* * *

“I can’t believe you did that, Lilly,” I say the second we both walk through the front door later that day. “I never thought I’d see him again,” I admit.

“I looked for him after you told me about your past. I didn’t honestly think I would find him or that he’s still be local, but after a couple of wrong hits I found him. I can’t imagine not being close to Dec, so I thought it was worth a shot. I could tell how much he meant to you as a child and how much leaving him must have hurt you.”

“You’re incredible,” I say as I grab her wrist and pull her to me for a kiss.

I slide my tongue against hers as I try to show her what she means to me. I kiss her until we are both panting for breath. Eventually, I pull back and run kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

“Luc,” she moans when I suck on the sensitive skin behind her ear.

“Bedroom,” I whisper back. Once upon a time I would have had her right here up against the wall, but she needs a little more comfort these days. I’m seriously looking forward to when I’m able to do that again though.

“I need to eat first,” she admits and I can’t help but smile at her.

I grab her hand and lead her in a different direction than I was picturing a few seconds ago.

“Okay, we’re good to go now,” Lilly announces an hour later once she’s eaten a sandwich.

“Ah, you’re so romantic,” I comment with a laugh. She just shrugs at me.

I grab both of her hands and pull her up from the chair. “Have I told you how beautiful you look?” She shakes her head with a shy smile on her lips. “So beautiful. I love this look on you,” I say as I run my hands over her belly. There’s a sudden bump against the palm of my hand and I don’t think I could smile any wider if I tried, knowing that was one of my babies.

“They love hearing your voice. It always sends them crazy.”

For the second time in one day, I pull Lilly along behind me, but not towards the bedroom. Instead, I get her to sit on the sofa. I lower myself to my knees next to her, place my hands back on her belly and talk to my babies.

Lilly looks down at me with tears in her eyes and a soppy look on her face.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. Just you.”

“What have I done?”

“You’re just you. You’re going to be an incredible dad, you know that?”

I pray that’s true. Although I feel a little better about the whole parenting thing since opening up to Lilly, I still worry. I only want the best for my babies and I really hope that I will be that. Lilly seems to think I am, so I have to trust her judgement.

I look back up at her as I feel my babies move beneath my hands and I can’t believe how lucky I am. Not only have I got Lilly and soon to be two babies, but she’s brought my brother back to me after all these years. And he doesn’t hate me—that’s a massive fucking bonus.

“I can’t wait to make you mine,” I admit, thinking about all the planning I’ve been doing. Lilly doesn’t know it because I got her to sign the change of date paperwork when she was half asleep, but we’re going to be saying our vows very soon.

“LILLY?”

I roll over in bed as I try to find another comfortable position to lie in.

“LILLY,” I hear shouted and my eyes fly open. Maybe it wasn’t my back and hips that woke me then.

“Lilly, why are you still in bed? Get the hell up, woman,” Molly demands as she comes marching into my room with Lois propped on her hip.

Molly is followed by my mum, Connie, and then a waddling Emma. Mum goes straight to the window and pulls the curtains back to allow the sun in while Molly pulls the covers back off me. Thankfully, I’m wearing pyjamas.

“What are you guys doing?” I ask, still half asleep and completely confused.

“Guess what today is?”

“I’ve no ide… Oh my God, it’s today, isn’t it? I’m getting married?”

“Yes, Lilly. It’s today. Three o’clock to be precise, so you need to shift your arse.”

I glance over at the clock. “Em, it’s only ten. What’s the rush?”

“Um…it’s your wedding day. Firstly, you need to be awake to enjoy it, and secondly, we need to make you perfect, ready to say ‘I do’ to your man,” Molly says with her hands on her hips.

Her words run through my brain and a huge ball of nerves and excitement explodes in my belly. I’m marrying Lucas today.

As much as I want to launch myself out of bed, I have to settle for slowly swinging my legs over the side before trying to haul myself up with one arm. I never pictured me being thirty-two weeks pregnant and huge when I wore my wedding dress.

I get taken downstairs where I discover the kitchen-diner looking like wedding fair has exploded in it. There are balloons, banners and confetti everywhere. Sylvie is going to hate us for this.

I look over to the table and my stomach grumbles on cue as I take in the amazing breakfast spread over the table. It’s the prefect continental breakfast with everything I could want. I continue towards it with Emma, who also seems to be eyeing up the food greedily.

“Em, you only ate in the car on the way over,” Connie says with a laugh.

“And, I’m growing two kids over here. It’s hungry work.”

“Agreed,” I mutter before showing a croissant in my mouth. “You only grew one, you have no idea,” I add with a wink, because I know it will wind her up. In reality, it doesn’t matter Connie only had one, because she had a hell of a time being pregnant with Noah.

“Where is the munchkin, anyway?” I ask when I’ve swallowed a gorgeous buttery mouthful.

“With the guys. You should see his little suit, it’s too cute for words.”

Emma and I are still making our way through the buffet when the doorbell goes.

“Oh, that must be hair and make-up,” Mum says excitedly, clapping her hands in front of her before hightailing it from the room.

We all stop our conversations and look up towards the doorway when we hear an excited squeal from Mum. We only have to wait a few seconds because she comes bouncing back into the kitchen with a very suave suited and booted Taylor behind her.

“Tay,” I shout as I slowly get up. He takes pity on my pathetic state and in seconds is in front of me and pulling me to my feet for a hug. “I’ve missed you,” I say as the first tears hit.

“Hey, don’t cry,” he says as he holds me.

“Sorry, it’s the hormones and the fact I’m getting married today. Can you believe it?”

“No, not really,” he says, half serious and half joking. I know Taylor’s opinion of Lucas is similar to Dec’s. I’m hopeful Lucas will win them around though.

“Why aren’t you with the boys?” Molly asks.

“You really need to ask that?”

“I guess not.”

“Hair and make-up is way more my thing than whatever boring shit they’re doing. Plus, I’m the official photographer and Lilly is a much prettier subject. Although saying that, Lucas is a fine specimen of a man,” Taylor admits, reminding me of the first time he saw Lucas.

Much to my horror, I see my mum nodding her head in agreement. Thankfully, the doorbell rings again, presumably with the hair and make-up team this time.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I say, turning back to Taylor.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Lilly,” he says, kissing my cheek. “You look really…well.”

“You mean huge, right?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Everything still going okay?”

“Yes, perfect.”

“Who wants tea or coffee?” Connie calls out as she heads towards the coffee machine I moved here from my flat.

“I’ll help,” Taylor offers. “It’s all I seem to do these days anyway,” he mutters to himself as he walks off. I feel bad for him because he went off to London thinking he had his dream job, but his fears were confirmed on his first day. He’s basically the gofer who gets the coffee for the real photographers. His time will come; he just needs to suck it up for now.

When Mum reappears this time, it’s still not with who we’re expecting. This time she’s hiding behind a huge bunch of flowers. She puts them down in front of me after Molly clears some space.

I briefly appreciate their beauty before grabbing the card.

More tears fill my eyes as I think about her up there dealing with everything still. When I spoke to her the other day, things were still the same, and she sounded more defeated than ever.

Thankfully, I’m distracted from my thoughts when the hair and make-up team do show their faces. They set up camp in the formal dining room where the light is the best and set to work.

“Do I get to see my dress?” I ask Mum when the others have disappeared.

“When you’re ready you can see it.”

“Have you seen it?”

“Of course. I helped pick it.”

“Really? You went shopping with Lucas for it?”

“Yes. Did you really think I’d let him do something that important alone?”

I never thought Lucas would have asked for any help with all this, so I’m a little surprised.

A couple of hours later, I’m stood in front of a full-length mirror that has a sheet over it. I haven’t seen myself at all yet.

“Ready?” Mum asks.

I take a deep breath and nod. She pulls the fabric away and I stare at myself. My hair is down with the ends curled and a diamante slide, holding one side away from my face. My make-up is so soft it’s almost like I’m not wearing any. The only way I can really tell is that the bags under my eyes from lack of sleep are magically gone. I run my eyes down my dress. It’s simple and stunning, a satin sleeveless gown with a cowl neck that skims over my belly and pools on the floor. It has a diamante sash around the middle that catches the light as I turn to the side to look at the back.

It may not have been what I would have chosen if I wasn’t pregnant, but it’s utterly perfect. I look up at Mum, who has a huge smile on her face and tears in her eyes.

“You look stunning, Lilly.”

“Thank you. Can we leave now?” I ask, getting impatient.

“The cars will be here any minute.”

In no time at all, I’m stood outside the small function room at the hotel with my dad by my side. I was kind of expecting to be going to the registry office. I don’t know why I didn’t think he’d use the hotel.

Every surface of reception is covered is flowers that match my bouquet—simple cream flowers with just a few sparkles thrown in to catch the light.

I caught a fleeting glimpse of Catherine as I walked into reception, but one look at me had her marching out with a scowl on her face.

“Are you ready, baby?” Dad asks when the music starts.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Two members of staff open the double doors for us. I keep my eyes down for a few seconds, trying to prepare myself for what will be ahead of me.

I take a deep breath and raise my eyes. The first and only thing I see is Lucas. He’s stood at the opposite end of the room to me in a grey suit with a cream tie. He isn’t rocking his usual slick look though, because his hair isn’t pulled back. It’s falling over his face, exactly as I like it. It’s a little hint of the bad boy beneath the expensive suit.

I feel a tug on my arm as Dad starts to move and my legs must start to work without any instruction from my brain, because in no time at all I’m stood in front of Lucas.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey, handsome.”

“Happy wedding day. Do you like it?”

“I love it, Luc. Thank you.”

We get distracted when the registrar welcomes everyone and gets the ceremony started.

The whole thing is a total blur. I try to focus and remember every second, but it’s so hard when I’m standing there looking at Lucas. It’s not until an applause sounds out from behind me that I realise it’s over.

We’ve done it.

We’re married.

In little over only six months, I have everything I have ever wanted but a year ago never thought I’d get.