Chapter Twenty-Five – Lilibeth
Lilibeth
“Hey, Vivianne. What are you doing here?”
She grinned. “I’m serving as your hostess this evening. Let me take you to your table.”
Confused, I looked at Caden. “Table?”
He simply shrugged, then put his hand on my lower back and prompted me to follow his mother. We walked into the small theater, and I drew in a sharp breath. I hadn’t been to this place since moving to River Falls. It was one of the town’s historic buildings, and I’d heard it was beautiful inside.
We walked into the auditorium, and I stopped so I could take it all in.
It was stunning, and something I wouldn’t have expected to see here in River Falls.
I looked up, in awe of the ornate and elegant touches throughout the space.
The detailed plasterwork looked like something you’d see in an older European country.
Murals were painted on the ceiling in the most beautiful and vibrant colors.
Chandeliers cast the perfect amount of light and gave the room a romantic ambience.
As we walked farther, we passed red velvet stadium chairs that heightened the room’s elegance.
“This is stunning. I can’t believe I’ve never been here.”
“When I was a kid, we’d beg my parents to sit in the opera boxes so we could feel important. I remember sitting up there watching Elf feeling like I was king of the world.”
I laughed. “Elf?”
Caden had laced his fingers with mine as we made our way to the stage. A table was set up with two chairs. A beautiful arrangement of flowers sat in the middle, with two equally stunning place settings.
“This is…it’s…it’s so beautiful,” I said, as Vivianne stood there with a huge smile on her face. It was in that moment that I saw so much of Vivianne in Caden. The only difference was that she had light-colored hair, while Caden’s was brown.
“Let me get your coat,” he said, helping me out of it and then handing it to his mother, who quickly rushed off. My shawl was tucked through my purse which Caden had set to the side.
“Your seat,” Caden said, as he pulled the chair out for me to slide onto.
“I didn’t trust anyone else to make sure this was the perfect evening, hence why I’m here,” Vivianne said, taking my napkin, opening it, and placing it on my lap.
I looked up at her, positive I still wore a stunned expression.
“I used to be a waitress, and this is bringing back so many memories!” she laughed.
Glancing down at the table, I got a better look at the beautiful china and silverware. “You did all of this today?” I asked, as I looked back at Caden.
“With help from my family. Once I got the idea, things moved quickly. Emeline handled the logistics of getting everything set up. My mother arranged for all the food, and my father took care of the movie.”
My mouth dropped open. “We’re watching a movie too?”
Caden nodded. “Don’t ask which one, it’s a surprise.”
I slowly shook my head and let out a disbelieving laugh. “Caden, this isn’t a typical first date. You know that, right?”
Vivianne appeared with a bottle I thought was wine, and for a moment, I wondered if she’d forgotten I was pregnant. But it turned out to be sparkling water.
As she poured, she said, “The Wilde men do not know how to do small.”
Smiling, I glanced across the table at Caden, who was beaming at his mother.
“Taking into account your…delicate condition…Nellie prepared the menu for this evening,” Vivianne said.
“Nellie’s in on this as well?”
Caden shrugged. “The whole family, like I said.”
Tears threatened to spill, so I blinked rapidly to contain them. I’d never felt so cherished.
“The first thing we’ve prepared for you is…” Vivianne announced.
Then Ensley suddenly appeared, with a tray and a smile so big, I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Deviled eggs.”
My eyes widened. “How did you know I’ve been craving deviled eggs now that my morning sickness has mostly gone?”
Vivianne laughed. “You mentioned it when you stopped by last week, and Nellie remembered.”
Ensley set the tray down. “This is so fun! I’ve always wanted to try waitressing when I was younger, but the thought of working for the Millers kept that from happening.”
I laughed.
“After your appetizer, we have butternut squash ravioli with sage butter. Nellie’s very own recipe. And a garden salad with a lemon and garlic dressing.”
My gaze snapped to Caden. “You remembered what dressing I liked?”
He winked, and my stomach fluttered.
Vivianne went on. “And for dessert, a chocolate mousse, with homemade whipped cream on top.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “Who’s actually making all of this, and where?”
“There’s actually a kitchen in the back of the theater, and Moreen’s making it. That’s the recipes she wanted to work on tonight.”
Sitting back in shock, I asked, “Moreen?”
“I called her earlier this morning,” Caden replied, the corner of his mouth lifting into a slight smirk. “Asked if she wanted to do some practical work on that dream of hers.”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “Wait, how did you even know?”
“I listen. I heard her talking to Emeline about it, and you mentioned it as well, when you stayed with me during the storm.”
I just stared at him. For a hot second, I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Talk about green flags.
“Don’t look so surprised. I pay attention when you tell me things.”
“I don’t know if I should pinch myself or splash cold water on my face.”
Caden let out a bark of laughter. “Eat those deviled eggs you’ve been craving.”
I picked one up and took a bite. Closing my eyes, I moaned. “Ohhh…these are heavenly. Mmm, so good.”
“Lilibeth.”
My eyes snapped open, and I looked at Caden. “Yes?”
He looked around and lowered his voice. “If you keep moaning like that, we’re going to have to skip the movie.”
My face instantly heated, and I reached for my water, drinking nearly all of it. I set it down, wiped my mouth, and whispered, “Sorry.” Then I glanced around. “Where did everyone go?” I asked.
“It’s a date. Do you really want my mother and sister hanging over us the entire time?”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, I guess not.”
Once the eggs were gone—which I ate most of—Ensley appeared again, along with Vivianne. They set the pasta down in front of us, and Ensley leaned in and whispered, “I had some. It’s so damn good, I think I had an orgasm.”
I snorted, then quickly covered it up by clearing my throat. “Thank you, Ensley.”
She stepped back and bowed. “I’m at your service.”
I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing.
Once they’d walked behind the stage and off to what I guessed was the kitchen, I smiled at Caden. “I’ve never had anyone do anything like this for me, ever. Thank you.”
He reached across the table and took my hand in his. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get my head out of my ass.”
I looked around, grinning. “I think the wait was worth it.”
We fell into an easy conversation, and before I knew it, we’d finished our dessert. Moreen came out to quickly ask how everything was. I stood to hug her, thanking her for the amazing food.
“Moreen, everything was so good. I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me! You’re an incredible chef. You could put Anna’s right out of business!”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down. “Oh, stop it.”
“I’m serious.”
Caden added, “It was amazing, Moreen. I really think you should talk to Mitch about opening up a café or bakery. He owns so many buildings, and I bet he would have something for you. River Falls needs something new in town.”
I clapped excitedly. “Oh yes! Moreen, you should!”
She chewed on her lower lip. “I don’t know. It’s…it’s such a big move.”
Taking her hands in mine, I said, “If I can do it, so can you.”
Vivianne appeared next to me, lacing her arm in mine. “Let’s take a potty break.”
“Potty break?” Caden asked. “Mom, she’s not five.”
Ignoring her son, Vivianne guided me back through the theater and out into the main lobby. We turned to the right and headed to the bathrooms, which were just as beautiful as the rest of the place.
“Vivianne, this is all so amazing. I don’t know how to thank you all.”
She smiled. “Don’t thank us. It was all Caden’s idea.”
I nodded and attempted a smile. Vivianne took my hands in hers. “Stop doubting how he feels for you.”
Surprised, I asked, “How did you know that’s what I was thinking?”
“Because I’m a woman, first and foremost. And I’m Caden’s mother, so I know how stubborn he is, and I know how scared he was to open his heart again.
Caden has always been my one child who wore his heart on his sleeve.
He’s very much like his father in the sense that when he falls, he falls hard.
He’s all in. Ladd’s grandmother once told me that when a Wilde man loves you, he loves you with everything he has.
And a love like that can sometimes be too much. ”
“Too much?” I asked.
She laughed. “I said the same thing, if I remember right. How can a man who loves you that deeply ever be too much?”
“I’ve never been loved like that,” I said softly.
Her hands squeezed mine. “I see the way Caden looks at you, Lilibeth. And I never once saw him look at Rachel like he looks at you.”
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. “I want to believe that. But he was destroyed when she left him.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “Destroyed? No. Hurt, yes. Very much so. I think, if I’m being honest, he was more angry than anything.
Angry that he gave her so many of his years.
But I look at it this way—every road we travel teaches us something new in life.
The road Caden took led him to you, Lilibeth. ”
Tears swam in my eyes. “Vivianne…I have to tell someone before I burst. I love your son more than I’ve ever loved anyone.
I think I fell in love with him the moment he first scowled at me and called me Flower Child.
I know I was in love with him before I found out I was pregnant.
I’m terrified it’s my heart that’s going to get broken. ”