They ordered dinner via room service that evening. Natalie insisted on paying for the meal, despite Lily's offer to charge the bill on her tab. Charles, Natalie's generous doctor beau, could easily afford it - and she loved to spend his money. During the years they had been together, she had learned to do so with such expertise...... spend his money, that is.

Natalie had so much to say and even more to show by way of pictures and journal entries that she talked incessantly throughout supper. She also had a favor to ask of her cousin, but decided to wait until after dinner to ask. "Better to lure him in with interest and intrigue," she thought to herself. "That way, he won't be able to refuse me...."

She told Simon and Lily - his "friend," Lily, although Natalie was convinced that they were much more than that - about her great grandmother's chronicles of Beloved and Simon Sr.. In one of the journals, great grandmum Alexis had documented, in quite a bit of detail, how Simon Sr. and Lillian continued on with their lives after they had been so unjustly torn apart from one another. Simon Sr. fulfilled his family duty and married a rich heiress named Emily Ann Miller - a daughter of a well-respected businessman in Australia, who also happened to be a business colleague of Simon Sr.'s family. It was an arranged marriage, and one that proved to be less than disastrous since it produced two children - two sons, one of whom was Simon's grandfather - and because the couple managed to remain married their entire lives without scandal. None that the public was ever aware of, anyway.

According to Alexis, Simon Sr. was ambivalent towards his wife, although he grew to feel warmly towards her as the years progressed. He did, however, "take to the bottle" excessively so - as if attempting with every drop of liquor that he consumed to numb the pain that tormented him. He became a recluse. Simon Sr. was rarely seen in public, hardly involved himself with social functions, and simply fulfilled his family obligations as was expected of him. The remainder of the time, Natalie explained, he existed in a drunken stupor. He wasn't much of a father either, and left most of the parenting to his over-protective and possessive aristrocatic wife.

Alexis wrote much about how greatly Simon Sr. suffered because of his Beloved Lillian. The memory of her - of their love and of what their future together could've been - haunted him incessantly. He had confessed to Alexis during one of their family gatherings that he still heard Lillian's voice at night - her singing, her cries, her whispers - and that he often dreamt of her calling for him. In those dreams he wanted more than anything to go to her, to comfort her, and to assure her of his unending and steadfast love - but he was always prevented by one force or another. He awoke each morning broken-hearted, sick, and lost.

"I've been dying a very slow death, Alexis," Simon Sr. had once said to Natalie's great grandmother. "Each day I think of my beloved, and every memory of her pierces my heart. At night, I suffer from nightmares - dreams of being within arms reach of her, but she remains always unbearably inches away from my grasp....."

Being the confidante of both Simon Sr. and Lillian was heart-wrenching for Alexis. She relayed news to them as frequently as she could, sneaking letters behind her husband's back, stealing moments alone with Simon Sr. during rare family reunions to speak to him privately about Lillian. She and David had traveled to Australia only twice in their entire marriage, and Simon Sr. had been sent to England on family business but once. It was during that isolated visit to England that proved most memorable for Simon Sr. and Lillian. Alexis had written extensively about it in her journals.

She had managed, at the risk of jeopardizing her marriage to David, to arrange a rendezvous for Simon Sr. and Lillian. It was to be a brief encounter - no more than a few minutes - but one that allowed her dear friend Lillian and then cousin Simon Sr. to see each other again after years of separation. The plan was simple. Her husband David and Simon Sr. had been working late nights at their family's corporation headquarters in London. One of those nights, she arranged for Lillian to meet her in the back alley of the family office building. Alexis then paid her husband and cousin a visit, bringing supper to the office. As she prepared to leave, Simon Sr. excused himself as well, explaining that he needed to go to the restroom and wash up before partaking of the delicious supper that Alexis had delivered. David, already helping himself to the food that his wife had brought, didn't think twice of his cousin's departure from the room. In truth, though, Simon Sr. did not go to the lavatory but instead rushed to the back alley where his beloved Lillian awaited him. Alexis stood watch to make sure that no one spotted them and that they didn't take so much time that they aroused suspicion.

"They saw each other again...after all those years?" Lily asked, interrupting Natalie's storytelling. "It must've been wonderful and horrible at the same time...."

"Can you imagine," Simon interjected, "having to say good-bye AGAIN?" He wiped his mouth with the dinner napkin and then continued.... "I don't know if I would've been able to take it.....saying good-bye again...it would've killed me."

"According to my great grandmum," Natalie commented, "it was a heartbreaking encounter...." She thumbed through one of the journals she had brought with her and handed it over to Lily. "Read this passage," Natalie instructed.

Lily, hands trembling a little, said, "The sight of them together in that alley was an experience I shall never forget. Many years had passed with so much pain inflicted and endured - yet the moment they were once again in each other's presence, all was forgotten and forgiven. It was as if they had never been apart and that no grievance or sin had ever been inflicted."

Lily took a deep breath then continued to read from Alexis' diary. "At first they stood a few feet away from each other, saying nothing and gazing at one another - speechless, breathless - as if both were uncertain of the reality of the moment. And then their silence was broken at last when Lillian whispered, 'Simon?' I thought my heart would break for my friend! For years I had suffered with her, consoled her, cried with her - and never had I heard so much agony in her voice as I did that night when she called out his name!"

Lily put the journal down on the table and looked at Simon. "I can't read anymore....it's too hard."

"It's okay," Simon whispered, squeezing her hand gently. "I'll read the rest." He took the journal and continued reading where Lily had left off. "My cousin Simon, having heard his name, took steps towards Lillian but halted within an arm's reach away from her. He appeared unsure of himself - struggling between 'propriety' and 'passion,' between 'respect' and 'desire,' between 'composure' and 'desperation' - as if waiting in dread for something or someone to stop him from taking her into his arms. But then, in an instant, she folded into his embrace - and in the shadows of that night - in that alley - they appeared to me to be as 'one.'"

Simon took a drink of water before continuing. Like Lily's, his hands were trembling as well. "For seconds I watched as they held each other in an innocent yet passionate embrace," Simon read. "I heard only quiet gentle sobs as they released all the emotions they had both bottled up and had hidden from the world for years. Then I heard him. I heard Simon mutter four simple tender words, 'Oh, my beloved Lillian....' - and they kissed - desperately, hungrily, greedily as if they knew in their souls that their lips would never meet again. Tears streamed from my eyes as I watched them together. I felt like a guardian angel as I stood in that alley with them - protecting them from the forces that had ripped them apart....protecting their love. But all too soon I transformed into the devil. I had no choice but to tell them that their time was up - that Simon needed to return to the office before David went looking for him. My words pierced my own heart as I am sure it did theirs. I heard Simon say with trembling voice, 'I will love you for as long as my heart continues beating....and longer.' And then he pulled away from her, and I saw the agony in Lillian's visage. I feared for a moment that she would faint, but she remained strong. She did not run after him nor did she call out to him. She muttered only, 'My love.... 'til the end of time.' Simon ran past me without as much as a glance, and I went to my friend and placed my hand in hers. She held on to me tightly as we left the alley and thanked me repeatedly for my part in their meeting. It was a sad night indeed, but a beautiful one as well. I have never regretted it, nor will I ever."

Natalie took the journal from Simon as soon as he finished reading the entry. She noticed that he seemed shaken by the passage, as was Lily, who had been crying softly at his side. Natalie didn't blame them. She had the same reaction the first time she read her great grandmother's diaries as well.

"Did anyone ever find out about that night?" Lily asked.

"Not according to my great grandmum Alexis," Natalie replied. "David didn't suspect a thing that night - nor did he ever. Simon Sr. never again visited London for business or anything else, and he never saw Lillian again. The last my great grandmum mentions them is in an entry a year later - when Lillian got married to some American who was visiting England."

"She married an American?" Simon asked. He seemed to have regained his composure.

"Yes, but I can't remember the gentleman's name at the moment. Carmichael? Carrington? Something like that. Can't remember at the moment."

"Did Simon Sr. know about the marriage?" Lily asked.

"Yes....Alexis wrote to him about it. She said he never replied to the letter and he never asked her about Lillian again."

Natalie gathered up all the pictures and journals that she had shared with Simon and Lily, and placed them neatly back into her briefcase. "I told you I had nothing cheery to share with you," she said. "Anyone inclined for some dessert? Sweets might cheer us up a bit - and God knows we need our spirits lifted after an evening of tragic storytelling!"

"No, thank you," Lily replied.

"Oh, come on honey," Natalie said. "Try not to let that story get to you too much. Look at this way.... Simon over here was born because Simon Sr. married Emily Ann.... not Lillian Goddard."

"It's actually getting late," Lily answered, "and I need to get back to my children. My baby-sitter can't stay all night." Lily stood and prepared to leave.

"Let me see you home," Simon said to Lily.

"In what?" Natalie teased. "Your hot sports car? Or maybe you have a horse and carriage tucked away somewhere...."

Simon cast an annoyed glance her way. Natalie chuckled but was undeterred. "Oh, don't be a bad sport," Natalie continued. "I meant it all in jest...."

"It's okay, Simon," Lily said. "I'll be okay. It was nice meeting you, Natalie. How long are you staying in Oakdale?"

"Oh, a few days...." Natalie replied. "I want to check out some leads I have here in the States ...... some of Lillian's family-line ..... and then I'm going on to Australia."

"Australia?" Simon interrupted. "Why are you going there?"

"I'm glad you asked, cousin dear..... because I have a favor to ask of you." "A favor..."

"Yes," Natalie said. "I was wondering if you would accompany me to Australia. It won't cost you anything - I'll take care of all our travel and research expenses."

"You mean Charles will...."

"Well, yes....but he is my sweetheart and it's just a matter of time before we're married.....and marriage...all for one and one for all...you know...."

"What for, Natalie?" Simon asked.

"What for? Because we love each other, and that's what people in love do - they get married....."

"No, I mean, why do we have to go to Australia?" Simon moved towards Lily and wrapped her coat around her shoulders.

"Because I need you...."

"Keep talking...."

"I need for you to acquire something that is of interest to both of us...."

"Go on...." Simon said curiously. Natalie took that as her cue.....

"Great grandmum said that Simon Sr. left something for Lillian that was supposed to be given to her when he died but no one did because his entire family swept the entire Lillian-thing under the carpet and forgot all about her, so she never got it nor did any of her descendants and so whatever it is it's still being kept in some safety-box by the law firm that took care of Simon Sr.'s will and they won't release the contents of that box to anyone but...

"Breathe, Natalie," Simon reminded. Natalie stopped, took a breath and noticed that Lily was staring at her - eyes wide, mouth hanging open. She obviously had not yet adjusted to Natalie's loquacious tendencies.

"As I was saying," Natalie continued, "the law firm that has been holding whatever it is that Simon Sr. left for Beloved insists that the only way they'd hand over the contents of the box is if someone from his family came and claimed it. Someone from his family, or someone from Lillian's family. But since I donšt know anyone who's legitimately from Lillian's family..... not yet, anyway....that's why I'm here in the States....to see if I can trace her blood-line.... but I doubt I can accomplish much in a few days.....but I do have a job to return to in London, and they won't wait forever for me, those stuffy old boobies...."

"Natalie...." Simon interrupted.

"Oh, sorry," she muttered. "I went off on a tangent for a second, didn't I?"

"Yes, yes...but go on.... so you need me to claim this item - whatever it is my great grandfather intended to go to Miss Goddard?"

"Exactly. So....will you accompany me and do this?"

"When would we leave?"

"I can make arrangements for us to take a flight out to Sydney in say, two days? I have to be back at work next week - that's why I'm in such a rush."

"Okay, let's do it," Simon replied. "Maybe I'll get lucky and find another diamond....."

"What?" Natalie asked.

"Nevermind.....long story...." He looked at Lily then said, "Just kidding..."

"Yeah, very long story.... and I hope you're kidding," Lily added. "How long will you be gone?" She looked at Simon and seemed worried.

"No more than a few days," Natalie answered. "But depending on what this item is, he may have to stay longer - who knows. This whole investigation has been one incredible adventure, and if you ask me, I think it's far from over. I think we've yet to discover the best parts of our family secrets."

"Can I help?" Lily asked. Natalie thought that she still looked a little worried.

"Yes, by sharing with me your own family roots," Natalie answered. "I doubt that your resemblance to Lillian is purely coincidental. You must be related somehow, and if you are, whatever Simon Sr. willed to Lillian might very well belong to you and your children. But until we can prove it, I'll need cousin Simon here to retrieve that safe-deposit box in Australia. We can prove he's Simon Sr.'s great grandson easily...."

"Are you sure that it'll be that easy?" Simon asked.

"Yes. I spoke to one of the attorneys at that law firm. He assured me that any direct descendant of Simon Frasier Sr. had rights to retrieve the item ..... or items.... they've been holding for years. Now I assume that you can prove you're his great grandson, right?"

"No problem...."

"Wonderful," Natalie sighed. "I'll contact that attorney I spoke with and tell him that we'll be on our way. I can't remember his name, though. I swear, I'm just dreadful with names. I think it was Richard, or Rick....something that rhymed with pri...."

"Okay, Natalie," Simon interrupted. "I'm sure you'll remember his name eventually." Simon and Lily left her hotel room together after they had made arrangements to meet with her the next afternoon. Natalie was going to interview Lily over lunch while Simon went to the library and to City Hall to do some research for her. Thank goodness Lily had an automobile, Natalie thought to herself as she made an overseas call to London.

"Hi, honey, it's me." Natalie said happily. "Yes, love, I made it safely. Wait until I tell you about my cousin and his friend......"

The snooping he and Natalie did at the library and at City Hall turned up nothing. Nil. Natalie's "leads" got them nowhere, and her two hour interview-conversation with Lily uncovered very little except for a possible connection with Lillian's American husband whose name Natalie was yet to remember. She had it written in her notebook, but left the notebook in England.

And poor Lily. She got dragged into this entire goose-hunt because of his greediness and selfishness. He wished he could take it all back, turn back the hands of time and spare her the chaos he had introduced into her life. But there was no turning back, no looking back - and he hoped only that they had a future together. And in that vision or fantasy of a future, he saw himself spending the rest of his life making it up to her - every trouble, tear, and moment of heartache - he would erase all of it by loving her the rest of his life....

"Earth to Simon?" Natalie asked as she sat next to him in the airport terminal. "Where were you?"

"I was thinking about Lily," he replied.

"Your 'buddy' Lily..."

"Yeah, I tried calling her last night to let her know we were leaving," Simon began, "but her husband picked up the phone so I hung up. I wouldn't have called had I known Holden was going to be there..."

"He's her husband. Where else would he be?" Natalie asked, hoping to fish for juicy gossip tidbits.

"They're separated..... been that way for awhile."

"Let me guess.....since you and she became 'friends'?"

Ignoring Natalie's prying, Simon continued, "I called her again this morning, but no one was home. She's not picking up her cell phone either."

"You're worried?"

"A little," he replied. "I wanted to make sure she was okay before we left.... and I wanted to say good-bye......" He flashed for a moment on their time together at the park near his home.

"Well, here's your chance," Natalie muttered.

Simon looked up and saw Lily approaching them. He went to her and immediately cupped her face in both his hands. "Hey.... I was just thinking about you...."

"Good thoughts, I hope," she said smiling. "Hi, Natalie..."

"Greetings and salutations," Natalie said. "Are you here to see us off and to wish us a bon voyage?"

"Actually, I'm here to catch my flight..."

"What?" Simon asked. He still had his hands on her face, one of which was stroking her hair.

"I'm going with you...."

"What?" Natalie and Simon asked in unison.

"I left the kids with Emma out at the farm," Lily began, "and I told her I'd be back in a few days."

"Are you sure about this, Lily?" Simon asked. He was smiling and didn't know it.

"Yes, I've got my ticket, checked in my bag already, have my seat...." she smiled back and leaned closer to him.

"What about Holden?"

"Yeah...what about your husband?" Natalie added.

"I told him," Lily answered. "I told him what I .... we .... were investigating." she looked intently into Simon's eyes. "And it doesn't matter. He doesn't matter."

"Are you sure.... are you sure this time?" Simon asked, his eyes beginning to well up with tears.

"Yes," she whispered. "Yes."

Unable to hold back, Simon leaned forward and brought his lips down to hers. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too...."

"Ahem," Natalie interrupted. "You 'pals' are making a scene here. Need I remind you that we're in public?" She was teasing, so Simon waved her off. "Okay, then...I'll just sit over here and wait for our boarding call.... don't mind me...." She walked off and took a seat near their gate.

"We're in this together," Lily started, "and we're going to see it through together...."

"I don't know what we'll find or discover at the end of all of this, Lily," Simon muttered. "And I don't know where it will all lead...."

"We'll learn about our families, where we came from," she replied. "We'll discover ourselves.....and find each other.....again...."

"'Til the end of time...." he alluded, but he knew she understood.

"And longer....."