Love At Last (Lily's Story, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

right now. I’m super excited to go on this cruise, especially since I’ll be able to see you and meet your fiancé.  
    I’ll be bringing a guest with me—but don’t worry, she won’t require anything from you—because she’s only six months old! Yes, I have a baby! Her name is Natalie and she is gorgeous. I have so much to tell you and I can hardly wait until I see you.
    Can’t wait!
    Lily and Natalie
    I pressed Send, and a few minutes later I received a reply from Alyssa.
    Lily,
    I can’t believe you’re a mother! Wow—you do have a lot to tell me and I’m super stoked that you’re coming on this cruise. The wedding is on the third day after we leave Seattle, so that should give us plenty of time to catch up before the wedding and honeymoon. Make sure to bring a pair of binoculars because I understand there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see whales from the ship.
    Anyway, I’ll see you in just a few weeks. Having you there will make my day that much more special!
    Alyssa
    We emailed back a forth a few more times, which just emphasized my desire to go on this trip. I was eager to catch up with her, but we decided we’d wait until we saw each other in person. Next, I went to the cruise website and booked the room that Natalie and I would stay in. As I selected my room and my other choices, I felt my excitement growing. The last year had been so difficult, I really needed this break.  
    As I considered the distance to Seattle, I decided I would rather fly than drive, so I booked a flight that would arrive the morning of the departure date. I could hardly believe how quickly I’d made the decision to go and then made the arrangements, but I was thrilled to have something so fun to look forward to.
    I looked at Natalie and Greta and realized I would have to ask Marcus if he’d be willing to take care of Greta for me again. He’d said he’d be willing to do it anytime and I hoped he’d meant it. I decided to invite him over for dinner and ask him then. Even though I was sure he’d be willing to do it without me giving him dinner, it made me feel better to do something for him in return.
    I called his cell phone and he answered on the second ring.
    “Hello?”
    I smiled when I heard his voice. “Hi, Marcus. This is Lily.”
    “Hey, how are you?”
    “Great. I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner tonight.”
    “I have another commitment tonight. Is there another night that would work?”
    “What about tomorrow night?”
    He paused, like he was checking his calendar. “Yeah, that would work.”
    “Great. I’ll see you then.”
    The next night before he arrived, I set the table with the remains of my mother’s china, and created a delicious meal. As I looked over my preparations, I flashed back to the night I had planned to tell Trevor I was pregnant with Natalie. He’d promised to come home by six o’clock for a special dinner, but he hadn’t shown up until nearly one o’clock in the morning, and he’d been drunk. That was the night he pushed me, making me fall over the coffee table and onto the floor. And that was the night I’d first left him.
    I shook my head, trying to dislodge the distressing memories, and instead focused on the happy news I was planning on sharing with Marcus. Right on time, he knocked on the door, and with Natalie in my arms and Greta by my side, I opened the door.  
    “Hi, Lily.” His green eyes seemed to sparkle as he smiled.
    “Thanks for coming over.”
    “As if I’d turn down a free meal. Especially when it’s cooked by such a beautiful woman.”
    I blushed at his words, but also felt myself glowing with the compliment. “Come in. Dinner’s just about ready.”
    He walked inside and I shut the door behind him. “Do you want me to take Natalie?” he asked.
    “That would be great.” I handed her over, smiling as I watched him look at my daughter. He was so good to her, and to us, and I felt my feelings of attraction grow as I