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Before The Lily Falls
Chapter Twenty Two - The Eve

Chapter Twenty Two - The Eve

That September night before the wedding, the Beckinghams, the Dales, and the Stalkers all went to Lily Fisher's house for a big feat. It was a night that celebrated her and Jacob's love for each other. The aroma of stew filled the house, it was Tammy's specialty and she insisted on making it. The house was lively and filled with people, Lily was surprised it even held so many guests. She was confident too, that this new life wouldn't have pain in it. When they made enough money, they agreed that they'll move to a place down by the riverside and away from the coast. Jodi was happy for Lily, she was a daughter to her. It did burn the woman, every time she saw Isobel chasing behind her son. If she didn't know better, she would have thought there was something going on between them. She knew she'd dread the day they got married. Johnathan and Tammy were telling stories of how they were mischievous children when they were little and that Lily should look out for triplets in her future. Lily seemed to recall inviting Taylor but she didn't ponder on it too much. She figured it would have been a bit awkward and tense with her around. William was more polite than usual, he enjoyed talking with Johnathan and Mr. Stalker, he also appreciated the little things Jacob had to say or at least he pretended to. William couldn't help but stare at Lily every now and again and when she saw him looking, she just glanced the other way... He wondered if she was thinking the same thing he did, how this was too fast, and if she was sure she loved Jacob. But Lily did love him and she wasn't going to back down, she did it twice already and she was afraid she'd lose him this time. She wasn't going to let that happen, she knew the stars aligned in her favor and tomorrow she was going to be Mrs. Dale whether anyone else liked it or not.

He got this far, he didn't see this coming but he knew it had to be stopped. He had a meeting with Taylor earlier and he didn't give her what she wanted because she didn't get the job done the first time, so he opted to give her one last chance. They agreed she was going to make Jacob Dale perish in the flames along with anything connected to him. It couldn't be that hard.

Taylor went to the church, she watched how beautiful it was laid out, and she watched the candles wave hello to her happily, she dropped the bottle of gasoline on the floor and went to greet the flames to which she lit a cigarette. She watched the angel on the painted glass just above, the moon made it visible and magical. The painter must've wanted her to look like she was walking through a rose garden. She went back to her objective and carefully opened the bottle, holding the cigarette between her lips. She reached into her coat and pulled out a lighter, flicking it as she watched the man on the alter tied to a stalk. "If I light this now, then it would be a waste, wouldn't it?" Taylor closed it and then stuffed it back into her pocket. That's when she heard someone clap, lurking in the shadows was a woman. She had the longest hair dropping down below her waist and she wore a big trench coat. When she walked it sounded like a horse galloping slowly towards the girl.

Taylor screwed her face. "You must be looking for trouble. " She marched up to the woman but was quickly stopped.

"I love the way you say that. I'm looking for trouble yet here you are planning to burn down a beautiful sanctuary like this." She looked around with folded arms.

"Whoever you are, you better leave. And if you tell a soul about this I-ll~"

"You'll what, burn me at the stake?" She chuckled. "Please, I've had worse. I'm sure Samson Daniels can tell you."

She swung her hand to slap this stranger but the woman gripped it and twisted behind her back, she leaned forward almost whispering in her ear. "I must implore you, never make that mistake again0." She braced her face against a column, putting so much pressure that if Taylor were to lift her head, there would be an indented mark across the left side of her face.

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Taylor strained her eyes, turning to see the woman. "Who are you?" She said, trying to get some air.

"I'm the reason you get to live another day." She smirked, holding her by the hair then slamming her face into the post. She dropped her to the floor, leaving her with a bloody nose and lip. "Or I could be the reason you don't."

Taylor lay there holding her nose up as she watched the women stoop down beside her. She slipped off her gloves one by one then smiled. "I'm Juniper Stalker but you can call me June." She stretched her hand out for a shake but Taylor looked at her like she was the most defiled person on the earth, she felt threatened by her presence. "Fine." Dusted her hands off as she got up. "You know what they say, If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And if you can't join 'em" She laughed. "Kill 'em. Your loss, Taylor Daniels."

"How do you know me?" She choked out as she sat up, bracing the post for support.

"Please." June Stalker walked to the front of the dimly light church, lighting one candle after another. "You're pathetic. Your whole family's pathetic really. Chasing after Beckingham's, it's all the Daniels are good for."

She gulped.

"What?" She gave a slight chuckle. "You think I don't know? I know everything. Your father chased after a Beckingham, didn't he? That is why he is where he is. I mean your mother did too but that's another story for another day."

"I'll kill you." She flinched trying to get up.

June let out a long hysterical laugh. "Please, Taylor Daniels, stop with the jokes." She blew out the stick and then took a seat within the congregation. "You setting this place on fire just before Jacob Dale and Lily Fisher's wedding? Now tell me, how much of a coincidence does it have to be if I assumed this has something to do with the Beckingham boy."

Taylor looked away. She got up and walked, disoriented towards the exit.

"Aha." She kicked her feet up. "So I was right. Payback maybe? The Beckinghams are going to be at the Wedding, maybe you're doing this to get rid of them. They did put your father in jail. Why do you want to burn down a church? I just can't put my finger on it." June sang. "Oh, Taylor."

Taylor pulled the door open, she turned her head to the side waiting for the woman's words.

"I came here to confess but now I leave with a whole new perspective on life." She sighed, and got up, walking towards Taylor. She stopped and slipped her gloves back on, he hair whipped from the violent winds that blew in that night. "If you try anything like that again, I'll kill you and make it look like an accident... and don't worry, I'll show you how to make a proper explosion, if you're there to see it, of course." She walked passed Taylor and out to the door, she watched as June made her way along the damaged road, thinking it wasn't half as bad as that woman was. She looked like a detective, the way her black coat blew from God's natural works.

It was the Eve of the wedding, nerves were flying high, and Jacob watched Lily stare at the stars. He couldn't help but tell her. "Sometimes I wish I talked to you before all of this happened. I wish I had just run up to you and ask you something... anything. Instead of being a coward."

Lily slowly turned her head to him, she didn't answer at first but then she said. "You saw in me what I couldn't see in myself. Potential."

"Only? Lily Fisher, I see everything in your eyes. You're going to be my wife tomorrow. and the mother of my children. If I could give my heart up for you I would. I would fade away if that's the price for you to live forever."

"Living forever sounds like a bore." Lily chuckled before resting her head on his chest. "Especially if you're just going to be dust will I do so. No, I'd rather be dead. I don't ever want to lose you. I can't lose you."