Family Ties

“Lily, hold still,” Susan Doran said. Lily was standing on a small stool in her mother's living room, trying to get her bridesmaid dress fitted properly before the photo shoot they had planned in 2 days.

“Mom, I am trying to hold still, but you've poked me three times already and it's making me nervous.” Lily said, holding the hem of the peachy pink dress up.  She had to admit, she liked the colour, but wasn’t sure about the cut.  It was off the shoulder and plunged a little low on the breast bone, tastefully, Loretta had pointed out.  It was long in the back, but asymmetrical in the front, showing quite a lot of thigh on one leg.  Lily wouldn’t brag about it, but she had pretty good legs from her jogging and kickboxing.

“Oh hush,” mama Sue said. “What you should really be nervous about is not having a date for the wedding yet.”

“Thanks for bringing that up, again, mom. The needle would have been gentler.”

“I just don't understand honey, you're lovely and nice.”

“You have to say that, you're my mom. And let's be honest, it's not like this town is just crawling with eligible bachelors you know?" 

Lily loved her hometown. It was small, comforting, and had all of the people she loved in the world living there: her friends, parents, even her siblings had moved back here after school. It was a welcoming and warm community. The problem was, even though Lily loved the small town vibe, deep in her heart, she still longed for the excitement she had living as a student in the big city.

Sure, it was colder, larger, had hard edges, and could be cruel sometimes. It was also creative and exciting, even on her worst days the energy that suffused it invigorated her and informed the art she was trying to create. Art was her life. She never felt more like an artist than she did in the galleries, shows, and workshops that were normal in the city.  Her town had none of the things she loved.

“What about Jacob,” her mom tried. “He was always a nice boy.”

“Mom, we dated in grade 9. I think he's been married for the last 3 years and has at least one baby, so probably not up for a romantic wedding. I'm sorry Mom, I've just, you know, been settling in with my job and re-establishing my friendships.  Dating just hasn't been a priority.”  It was true, Lily had only been back a few months, after accepting the teaching position here in Stars Hollow.  

“I haven't connected with anyone I'm even remotely interested in,” Lily finished.

“Jeepers Lily, you make it sound like we're living at the end of the Earth. There are plenty of great men right here in town. You just need to be more open,” her mom said, moving the needle around a little angrily.  “I know what's-his-name in the big city seemed amazing, but look how bad he hurt you. What do you expect from arrogant rich men like that?”

“Mom! I'm not having this conversation right now,” Lily said with more force than she usually did with her mom.  “Ouch,” Lily said, after getting jabbed by the needle another time. “I think that one was on purpose mom.”

“You're too sensitive sweetie. There, I think I'm finished! I should have this ready for you tomorrow.”

“I do appreciate this Mom, I didn't want Loretta to pay for all the alterations the dress needed since they didn't have my size.  I just had no idea how expensive it would be to alter the dress at the tailor shop. So thank you.”

“That's what moms are for honey, don't worry about it. I know money is tight when you're starting out as a teacher. Imagine how much worse off you'd be if you were still pursuing art!” 

Then Sue Doran laughed. It wasn't a mean laugh, per se, but it was the kind of laugh that someone made when they thought they knew better than you, and it cut Lily deeply. She knew her mother wasn't trying to hurt her, and yet, every chance she and her father had, they pointed out that pursuing art was foolish. You should be happy to have a stable job, they both said, all the time. 

Her parents were proud they had convinced her to abandon her dreams!  These gentle reminders and jabs were to remind her that they had saved her from making a huge mistake. It was like someone tearing your heart out, then throwing salt on the wound every chance they got and saying ‘imagine how much worse it would hurt if your heart was there’.

“Uh, Right Mom. Well thanks again I should go or I'll be late for first class.”  Lily beat a hasty retreat; she didn't want to start a fight over decisions that had already been made.  It wasn’t worth the headache so early in the morning.

“Ms. Doran , Ms. Doran, a word please.”  Lily had just tried to sneak past the vice principal of Stars Hollow High, unsuccessfully.

“Vice principal Kendrick, sorry I'm just rushing to class, I don't want to be late.”  Then Lily laughed, hoping to avoid any weird conversation about her inconsistent punctuality. However a vice principal Kendrick looked pointedly at his wrist watch and Lily's hopes sank.

“I think the on-time ship has already passed for today Ms. Doran. Your class will be fine for a few more moments without your guidance. Come this way.”

In the office, the vice principal sat behind his desk, a very standard institutional desk. Everything was neat, with a few pictures of school events on one side and his family on the other. She knew that he was an orderly man who liked things done a certain way and, aside from her punctuality, they got along just fine.

“Ms. Doran, I hoped you would have made it a little earlier today,” he said, but then smiled widely.  “Not that I was expecting it, which is why I told the new part-time teacher, Mr. Lamar, to settle in during the first period.  After class, I’d like you to show him the ropes of the school, please.”

“I'm sorry sir, you want me to show a new teacher around? I'm the newest teacher here.”

“Exactly, the rest of us have been here so long we forget what it's like to be new. You already know everything you need to get by here, except being on time, so I think your fresh perspective will help him adjust more quickly.” he said, leaning back and smiling. “Plus, you're both young new teachers, so you might want to establish that connection and help each other out.”

“That makes sense Sir.  I'll look for him in the break room after the first period to introduce myself.” Lily smiled too, it would be nice not being the newest and youngest teacher at Stars Hollow High. She was looking forward to meeting Mr. Lamar. “Okay sir I better run to class.”

“Indeed Ms Doran, and thank you.”

Lily was basically sprinting down the hallway at this point. 'Easy for Vice Principal Kendrick to say a few more minutes won't bother them, he doesn't have to look into their self-satisfied little teenage eyes, does he,’ she thought distracted by the image of their smug smiles. This was why, as she rounded the corner, she slammed into someone quite a bit taller than her. 

Her portfolio, her purse, the book she was carrying, and her coffee all went flying and she landed painfully on her rear end.

“Damn I am so sorry I was just trying to get to class and the vice principal delaye me, and anyways, I'm sorry.”  Lily looked up and saw, maybe, the handsomest man she had ever seen in real life.  He was tall, wearing an understated gray suit that he made look casual with the button undone, with a creamy white collared shirt beneath.   Several of the top buttons were undone, and she thought there was a wisp of curly dark hair there. 

His dark hair was longish in the front and it fell across his sharp green eyes as he leaned down and offered a hand to help her up.  

“No worries, it could happen to anyone,'' he said. “I probably should have anticipated someone coming around the corner quickly, after all I think everyone could hear you coming.”   The words were a bit teasing, and his smile was sharp, but nice. 

Lily blushed from the tips of her ears right down to her collarbone. “Well, again, I'm sorry.”

The young man helped pick up her dropped items.  “Oh thank you, that is so kind,” she said, still a little frazzled by the sudden introduction of this gorgeous man, and how embarrassing it was to run right into someone. 

“Oh where are my manners? I'm Lily Doran, an art teacher here at Stars Hollow high.  You must be the new teacher, Mr Lamar.”  She reached out quickly and shook his hand, “welcome to the school”.  She smiled quite broadly, hoping he didn't notice that she was still blushing. He looked at her with a slight smile now, lifting his lip up on one side. It managed to be a little cheeky and, somehow, sexy.

“You are actually the reason I am late this morning. The vice principal asked me to show you around after the first period,” she said. 

“Lily, I’d love you to show me around the school after the first period,” he said, in a warm, low tone.  

Lily was opening the door to her class, mindful of how late she was.  She cut in, “Great, I’ll see you here?” she said, now inside the class.

“Sure, it's just that --” he said, following her into the classroom filled with students.

“Ms. Doran, you managed to arrive before the new student, Axle.  Does this count as being on time?  Hi Axle!” Aly said with a wave.  

Lily turned, for some reason hoping that she would see anyone else behind her.

“Hi Ms. Doran, I’m your new student, Axle Thomas,” the handsome young man said.

“Of course you are.”