JUNE’S POV
"No!" My voice rang out, cutting through the tranquility of the moment, startling us both.
"No?" Miguel's voice held a tinge of hurt. Swiftly, he retrieved the ring and concealed it in his pocket, but my focus had shifted. Across from us, Lily struggled in the water, a sense of dread seizing me as I watched her plight.
"What's the matter?" Miguel's concerned query reached me as I felt a tightness in my chest, rendering me immobile, fixated on Lily's struggle. I wanted to shout but it felt like my voice had disappeared and there was nothing I could do.
"June?" Miguel's voice called out, and as he followed my gaze, realization dawned on him.
"Lily!" I finally managed to vocalize, panic lacing my words. Miguel sprang into action, diving into the pool where Lily seemed trapped. With urgency, he worked to free her, her desperate cries for help echoing around us. Her struggle lapped against the water as she struggled to free herself from its grasp. Panic stricken, I couldn’t control the tears that followed.
"Mom!" Lily's distress pierced the air as I rushed to her side.
“It’s gonna be okay my darling,” I called out to her in a whisper. With Miguel's help, we managed to bring her to safety, wrapping her in a towel as she recovered from the ordeal. Tears welled in my eyes as I watched over her pale form. I carried her and together we both entered the house.
"She's trembling, I'll prepare some soup," Miguel asserted after touching her, taking charge as I nodded in agreement. I carried Lily to the room and tended to her, guiding her to a warm bath to soothe her.
"Here's her clothes," Miguel announced as he made his entrance into the room was accompanied by the bag of essentials, ensuring Lily's comfort and care. I gazed at him appreciatively, still reeling from the shock and too afraid to utter anything.
I almost lost her! That was the thought that kept replaying in my head on repeat.
"Lily, are you okay?" I murmured softly, but she remained too weak to respond. Swiftly, I swathed her in cozy layers, adjusting the room temperature to banish the chill. Nestling her in a snug blanket, I cradled her close, my fingers tenderly combing through her hair as I gently swayed.
In a matter of moments, Miguel appeared , offering a steaming bowl of soup into my hands. Despite my attempts to coax Lily to eat, she obstinately refused, her only desire being to rest.
"I want to sleep," she murmured faintly, prompting a flicker of concern in my gaze, mirrored by Miguel's own worry.
"You will, my angel. Just sip this to ward off the cold," Miguel's soothing words finally persuaded her, and with a heavy heart, I wiped away my tears and fed her the nourishing broth.
As Lily drifted into slumber, I quietly slipped out onto the balcony, seeking solace in the evening air. Miguel's voice, laced with apprehension, interrupted my thoughts.
"Are you okay?" his query hung in the air, laden with unspoken concern. I turned to him, enveloping him in a tight embrace.
"Jesus, June! You're trembling," he observed, drawing me closer. Tears cascaded down my cheeks, my emotions raw and unfiltered.
"Do you need some soup too?" Miguel's offer was met with a shake of my head, my focus consumed by the day's events.
"Lily... she could have been lost today. I froze in fear, unable to act. If anything had happened to her..." my voice faltered, tears choking my words.
"June, your reaction was natural. Come here," Miguel's voice was a lifeline, pulling me into a comforting embrace. His kiss on my temple and the steady beat of his heart against mine gradually calmed the storm within me, offering a semblance of peace in the aftermath of chaos.
“It’s my fault too you know. I forgot I left the finish net," Miguel pondered, his words dripping with guilt.
"I'm sorry, June," he apologized, causing me to shake my head and hold back tears.
"It wasn't your fault. It was a freak accident," I muttered as he pulled me close. With a gentle touch, he wiped away a solitary tear that had escaped my eyes.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, leaning his head against mine. The sun began its descent, casting a mesmerizing orange glow over the surroundings.
"Oh, yes," I affirmed, meeting his gaze with a playful smile.
"I wasn't asking if you were beautiful, June. I was merely stating a fact," Miguel corrected, drawing a soft chuckle from me.
"Not about that, Miguel," I insisted, wrapping my arm around his neck. His hand securely encircled my waist as he raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"What are you saying yes to then?" he inquired.
"Yes, I will marry you," I declared, and he gasped, joyously spinning me around. The birds' songs grew clearer, and a gentle evening breeze added a magical touch to our moment.
"Really?" he questioned, seeking confirmation as he searched my eyes.
"Yes, Miguel. I want to be your wife," I reassured him, prompting him to reveal the ring from his pocket. As I extended my hand, he delicately placed the ring on my finger. The cold diamond sparkled against my skin, casting a radiant glow in the distance.
Miguel gazed at me, beaming excitedly and I could not help but mirror his excitement. I was really getting married to Miguel Lyon- I was finally going to be addressed as Mrs June Miguel Lyon! I mused to myself and we locked gazes, sharing a silent moment of love and understanding.
In a swift moment, his lips crashed on mine, a silent promise that I was now his. The kiss held a magnetic pull, sealing an unspoken agreement between us. Neither of us wanting to pull away but when we eventually did, we were still locked in each other’s embrace, basking in the peacefulness of the moment.
A few days later, as an actual fiancée and after the near drowning incident, I drove Lily to school. The fresh academic year brought a renewed energy to Lily's steps. She anticipated this day and was looking forward to it, her energy contagious.
“Do have a good day, my love,” I called out, planting a soft kiss on her cheek, a kiss that she reciprocated. She seemed to be doing better after the incident and I was glad.
“Bye, mom!” Lily's joyful voice echoed as she hurried off.
“Miss Ryan!” The school’s principal's urgent call interrupted my departure. I paused, turning off the engine as I faced Mrs. Jenkins.
“Mrs. Jenkins,” I greeted, stepping out of the car.
“Nice to see you, Miss Ryan,” Mrs. Jenkins reciprocated, extending her hand for a handshake.
“Is there any problem?” Concern etched my features as I inquired.
“Not at all. We need a new birth certificate from Lily for the new academic year. We'll send a letter with the kids today,” the principal explained.
“Okay, I'll bring it in tomorrow,” I assured her, receiving a grateful smile in return.
“Alright. It was nice seeing you. Have a good day,” Mrs. Jenkins bid farewell as I waved and drove off, the school bell marking the passing time.
Instead of returning home, I drove to Miguel's office.
“Can I help you?” The receptionist's warm voice welcomed me.
“Yes, I'm here to see Mr. Lyon,” I announced, anticipation building in my chest.
"Which one?" She inquired, gazing up at me with a curious glint in her eyes. The middle-aged woman exuded warmth, her kind eyes a stark contrast to the formal setting.
“Miguel,” I responded calmly, feeling a surge of anticipation building within me.
“Do you have an appointment?” She questioned once more, her tone slightly skeptical. I shook my head in response, a slight smile playing on my lips.
“I’m his fiancée,” I stated confidently, but her light chuckle filled the room.
“Ma’am, you'd need to book an appointment to see him, not try to play on my intelligence,” she retorted sharply, her demeanor unwavering.
“Let her in!” Miguel's commanding voice echoed through the halls, causing a swift change in her expression. She nodded briskly, gesturing for me to proceed to his office.
“Hello sweetheart,” Miguel greeted as I entered, his affectionate kiss sending a thrill down my spine. I settled into the chair he motioned towards, the air thick with unspoken words.
“Are you busy?” I inquired, meeting his curious gaze with determination.
“Do you need something?” His question cut through the silence, prompting me to voice my purpose.
“Lily’s principal needs her birth certificate, and I have to retrieve it from my childhood home,” I explained, a mix of emotions swirling within me.
“So, you want me to come with you?” Miguel's sly smile hinted at his willingness for an adventure, to which I eagerly nodded.
“Alright, let’s go. You driving?” His straightforward question brought a sense of relief, knowing he would be by my side.
An hour later, we arrived at the house, its eerie presence still capable of sending shivers down my spine, a place filled with memories I had long tried to bury. Miguel was like a tall body guard watching over me.
"We have arrived," I remarked as we stepped out of the car, the house looming ahead of us like a forgotten relic. With a creak, I unlocked the door, revealing a scene frozen in time. Dust danced in the air, triggering a chorus of sneezes and coughs from us. We swatted the air to get rid of the cobwebs that tried to ensnare us.
Clicking on the lightbulb, the room flickered to life, preserving the past within its walls. Miguel's fingers grazed a framed photograph, sparking a hint of nostalgia. "Is this you?" he inquired, drawing my gaze to the image.
"Indeed, a younger version of myself," I acknowledged, a faint smile playing on my lips. His compliment brought warmth to my heart as he kissed my forehead gently.
“You are so pretty,” he complimented which elicited a small smile from me, causing my heart to flutter excitedly. I didn’t think I would get used to how randomly he complimented my features, serving as a source of confidence boost.
Navigating through the house, memories intertwined with the frames hanging on the walls. "This way," I guided, leading us down to the basement, eager to unearth the needed documents. With determination, we began sifting through the box of files, each item a piece of the puzzle.
“Is this Lily?” Miguel queried, showing me a picture of a baby in a stroller with her hair packed in a ponytail.
Miguel's discovery of a baby picture of Lily brought a chuckle to my lips. "That's her alright," I confirmed, a mix of emotions swirling within me. Memories of May's absence resurfaced, igniting a flame of anger within me. I was angry that she took the easy way out and left me to pick up the pieces alone.
"Let's stay focused," I declared firmly, pushing aside the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Miguel nodded in understanding, and together we delved deeper into the task at hand, united in our search for the elusive birth certificate. We rummaged through numerous documents tirelessly.
"Got it!" he exclaimed triumphantly after hours of ransacking.
"Finally!" I muttered, snatching the document from him. It was indeed Lily's birth certificate.
"Ready to go!" I said as we both stood up, accidentally knocking over a box of files. As I stooped to gather the scattered papers, a glint caught my eye.
"Adoption papers?" I pondered, picking up the document. Miguel watched me closely as I scanned through it, my eyes widening in disbelief.
"What's written there?" Miguel asked, his gaze fixed on me.
"It states that Verity Leigh was adopted on the 22nd of June, 1998, and will now be known as June Ryan," I revealed to him.
The revelation sent my mind spinning with a whirlwind of questions.
"So, this means..." Miguel started, and I finished his sentence,
"That I'm adopted!"