Chapter 12 Phipps # 2

 

Beginning this chapter there is a big storm going on in the Phipps family neighborhood. Be careful of that lightening Lillie!

One of Lillie's coworkers has just arrived at her home. Her name is Belle Holden. She asked Lillie out to unwind and possibly have a drink and a nice chat. It sounded like a great time to Lillie.

Once at the lounge they chatted a bit and had a drink. The music sounded great, and the ambiance was nice. Lillie was having a great time. She was a bit surprised when Belle began to flirt with her.

The evening ended with the two of them going back to Lillie's home. Belle ended up staying over that night. That must have been a strong drink!

Things were a little bit awkward between Lillie and Belle after that night when they happened to run into one another at work. Lillie told her good friend Alice Rosen about what happened and her one-night stand with Belle. "You mean that older woman you introduced me to a few months back?" asked Alice.  "Yeah. That's the one" said Lillie, nodding her head and looking at Alice. 

It was awkward because Lillie really liked Belle, but she didn't have romantic feelings towards her. She thought of her as a very sweet and good friend. 

As time passed Lillie made a very surprising discovery. She was pregnant! When Lillie first made this discovery, she wasn't sure what to do. The more she got used to the idea, however, the happier she became. She wasn't a young adult anymore and realized this may very well be her only chance to have a child of her own. 

She also realized there was no way she could keep this a secret from Belle. They worked together and often were together at the same restaurant or catering together for the company they worked for. She wouldn't have felt right to keep such a thing from Belle anyway. She asked her over so they could talk about this development before it became noticeable.

As the months passed, Lillie and Belle's friendship grew closer than ever. Both agreed that to remain friends was the best for both of them. Belle was set in her ways and had no interest in having babies at her age. They agreed that Lillie would keep the child at her home, but that Belle was welcome to stay any time she wanted. It wasn't a traditional arrangement, but it worked for the two of them.

Belle occasionally spent the night at Lillie's home. Lillie had an extra bedroom built onto the house and made sure Belle had a comfortable bed to sleep in. She wanted her to feel at home. She wanted her to feel as much a part of the baby's life once it was born as Lillie did.

One night Belle stayed over. Lillie had insisted she do so because Belle had not been feeling well. There was a virus going around at work and Lillie was certain Belle had contacted it. She wanted to be sure Belle was close should she need anything.

Lillie was sleeping and hadn't heard Belle get up to go to the bathroom. She didn't hear her collapse on the floor, and she didn't see when the Grim Reaper came for Belle's soul. 

Belle found a nice spot out in her yard beneath a shady tree to place Belle's tombstone. 

Belle's death was very hard on Lillie. Though she knew she shouldn't, she occasionally had a small glass of wine to help calm her nerves. She felt so guilty because she hadn't been able to help Belle.

In the next months, Lillie found that working helped her to cope with Belle's death. 

There were still many hard days for her. Lillie knew she had to continue to take care of herself and her baby. She wanted this baby more than ever.

Her good friend Archie continued to come around and show support to her. He saw the struggle it was becoming for Lillie to go through this on her own.

Archie began to stop by daily and was spending a lot of time at Lillie's home. He wanted her to know he would be there for her in any way she needed him to be. 

Archie and Lillie have decided to have Archie move in with her. Even if it is temporary. He can sleep in what will be the baby's room soon.  (Archie is Alice Rosen's son, Lillie's friend. He is a young adult so younger than Lillie.)

So, for now Archie has moved in with Lillie. They are good friends. Will they remain friends? Or will deeper feelings begin to grow between them?  How will Lillie's friend and Archie's mother, Alice Rosen, feel about that should such a thing happen?