Chapter 28 – A Happy Ending “Boris!” A short, bald man wearing a black suit came quickly into the room. “Nathan?” “Would you please summon my parents, there is someone I would like them to meet.” He looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled. Boris looked at me kindly. “And who is this lovely young lady?” Nathan grabbed my hand and pulled me over next to him. “Boris, this is Lily, my fiancé. Lily, this is our butler, Boris.” Boris smiled at me. “Nice to meet you.” I smiled back. “Likewise.” “She’s a pretty one, Nathan.” Nathan grinned. “I know.” Boris left the room to get Nathan’s parents, leaving us alone in the middle of the huge living room. “Boris seems nice.” “Yeah. He’s been here longer than I have, he practically raised me.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.” He smiled. “I can remember when I was a kid, whenever I got in trouble, I was never afraid of my parents finding out. I was afraid of him finding out.” A few minutes later, a short, blonde woman walked into the room. “Nathan darling, how are you?” She said, walking up to him and kissing both sides of his face. “I’m good mom.” “And Amy dear, still dying your hair black I see.” “Actually… It’s natural.” “Oh don’t give me that. You were born a redhead and always will be one.” “Uh… Mom? This is Lily... And Amy's a blonde.” “Oh really?” She looked at me again, more closely this time. “You know, you look just like my daughter Amy.” “No she doesn’t, mom.” Nathan replied, sounding slightly annoyed. “Well, she does to me. So Lily dear, how are you?” “Um… I’m good I suppose.” Boris looked into the living room. “Nathan, your father wants me to ask you if this is important.” “Boris, he’s meeting my fricken fiancé, of course it’s important!” He said, attempting to stay calm. At this, Nathan’s mom turned quickly and began staring at me. “I know, but he refused to leave until I came up and asked you if it was absolutely necessary for him to come.” “Yes! It is!” “Ok.” Boris said. He disappeared again. Nathan sat down on the couch with an exasperated sigh and covered his face with his hands. I could tell that things weren’t going the way he had planned. I sat down next to him and put my arm around him. His mom continued to stare at me. “F-Fiancé?!” “Yes mom, Lily and I are getting married.” “But… You can’t marry her!” Nathan’s head snapped up. “Why not?” he asked dangerously, as though daring her to come up with a reason. “Well, for one thing, you’re too young.” “Today is Lily’s 18th birthday.” “So? That doesn’t make you old enough.” “I turned 18 in December mom!” “What? No you didn’t.” “Yes I did mom! December 24th!” She gave Nathan a puzzled look. “I thought that was Amy’s birthday.” “No…” “Really? Well that explains why she sent back the present then…” “So why can’t I marry Lily?” “She looks just like Amy!” “No, she fuckin doesn’t! And even if she did, it wouldn’t matter!” “Fine, have people think you married your sister!” “I don’t care what people think… That’s you, remember?” “You barely know the girl Nathan!” “Mom, I met her last May! I’ve been living with her since fuckin August!” “What? No you haven’t.” “Yes, I have!” “How could you do something like moving out without me noticing?” “Well maybe if you actually paid attention, maybe you would’ve noticed!” “What’s with all the yelling?” a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and gray eyes walked into the room, followed by Boris. “Dad, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.” He pulled me off the couch and led me over to the man. “This is Lily… My fiancé.” He shot his mother a very nasty look. “Hello.” He said quickly to me. “Nathan, you brought me out here just to meet some girl? You know I have work to do son.” “Dad, she’s my fiancé. That means we’re engaged, which means we’re getting married.” He looked at Nathan blankly. “What’s your point?” Another servant came in, carrying a small dish of food. He walked over to Nathan’s father and held it out. “Your lunch, sir.” “Take it into the study, I’ll be there in a minute.” The servant turned to leave. “Wait a minute.” Nathan’s father said. He looked closely at the tray of food. “Is this chicken or beef?” “It’s chicken of the sea, sir.” “So it’s beef then?” Nathan’s mom interrupted. “Roland, your son wants to marry her. Now.” “What? Preposterous. They’re too young.” “That’s what I said.” “You know what?!” Nathan said loudly. They stopped talking and looked at him. “This was a mistake. I should’ve never brought Lily here, especially on her birthday. I’m sorry if I gave either of you the impression that you have a say in this, because you don’t.” He walked over next to me and wrapped his arm tightly around my shoulders. “I’m marrying Lily, because I love her and she loves me. Neither of you have a say in the matter, so you might as well accept it and move on, because that’s is the way it’s going to go.” He took his arm off my shoulder and grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.” We headed for the door, leaving his parents standing in a stunned silence. As we reached a door, Rocky ran up and began whining frantically. Nathan gave me a pleading look. “Lily, can we please bring him with us? He’s no trouble, I promise.” I smiled. “Of course.” “Boris, I’m taking Rocky.” Nathan said to the butler. “About time. He’s been whining non-stop since you left. But hang on a second.” He disappeared and returned with Rocky’s bed. “He’ll want this.” “Thanks Boris.” “You’re welcome Nathan, and good luck.” He turned to me. “Nice meeting you Lily.” I smiled at him. “You too, Boris.” We walked out to the car, Rocky following us. He jumped into the backseat eagerly, and we climbed into the front. “Sorry about that…” Nathan said, sounding slightly ashamed. I kissed him lightly. “It’s ok. Thanks for sticking up for me.” He smiled. "Why wouldn't I? I love you... I'll never be able to love them." I kissed him again. "Parents suck, don't they?" He smiled. "Yeah." He backed the car out of the driveway, and we headed for the lake, which turned out to be, if possible, even more beautiful when blanketed with snow. (no, the story is NOT over yet)