(Lincoln's POV)

I felt like I could finally breathe the second my feet hit the pavement. I felt free.

"Before we part ways, how about we all go for something to eat?" Mother suggested.

"I think that's a great idea." Priscilla said, latching herself onto my arm.

"I would rather jump off the office building." I said, roughly pushing her off me and walking away.

I grabbed my bags and hurried out to the pickup area where Tony was waiting. Once in the car, I sunk down in the seat and closed my eyes.

"Glad to have you back, sir."

"Tony, if I ever agree to something like this again please shoot me."

He chuckled. "Better or worse than Christmas of last year?"

"Worse. So much f*cking worse." I groaned.

"Where to, sir?"

I checked my watch.

I wanted to go see Amaryllis. I felt like I needed to see someone I didn't want to murder. However, I also wanted to go home, shower, and eat. I also wanted to go check on things at the office.

I rattled off the address to the flower shop.

"A flower shop, sir?"

I sighed and decided to tell him. I knew I could trust him.

"My....girlfriend's shop."

"Girlfriend?" He asked, a look of shock on his face.

"Yeah. We haven't been dating very long and if my mother found out....."

"I understand. Your secret is safe with me. Does Vick know?"

"Him and Julie know."

I gave him the basics and pretty soon we were there.

"Do I wait on you?"

"No, you can go home."

"Alright. Have a nice night."

"You too."

I walked inside with my bags in hand and flipped her open sign to closed. She was, like usual, working on something with her back towards me.

"Just a minute." She said.

Just hearing her voice was enough to wash every ounce of stress I had away.

"Take your time." I said, causing her to freeze.

She spun around and a big smile broke out on her face. She rounded the counter and rushed towards me, nearly knocking me down when she reached me.

"I missed you." She said, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face in my chest.

"Oh you have no idea how much I missed you." I said, hugging her back.

"Shop is open a few hours, but then we can get something to eat."

"You're closed now." I said, pointing to the sign I moved. "I'm.....officially renting your space for the remainder of the day."

She laughed. "Alright then. How about we-"

She didn't get to finish her sentence.

Why?

Because I kissed her.

She was surprised at first, but then started kissing me back. My hands tangled in her hair as I anchored her to me, not wanting to let any space get between us.

By the time we pulled apart we were both breathless. She gave me a smile and buried her face in my chest again.

"Hungry?" I asked softly after a minute or two.

"Take-out?"

"We have to take your car. Tony dropped me off."

We took the food upstairs and sat in the floor at her coffee table to eat it. I was taking the lids off the containers when she disappeared into her bedroom.

"Our treasure hunt." She said, coming out with a box in hand.

We decided not to open it while we were eating, afraid of getting food on something that may be important, so we settled for staring at it trying to think of what was in it.

"All I looked at were pictures and some keepsakes. Most of the papers are in their own envelopes." She explained.

"You could've opened them."

"I know, but it felt....wrong to me. There's one envelope with your name on it."

"Nothing suspicious looking?"

She laughed. "Another key."

"Really?" I groaned.

"Yep."

"I can't sacrifice myself again to look for whatever it goes to."

"Maybe you'll recognize it since he hid it in the box."

"Maybe. Where'd you find it?"

"Under one of the rose bushes in the garden. His text wasn't meant to be translated from Latin, it was meant to be read in English."

"Sub rosa as in under a rose bush?"

"Exactly."

I shook my head. "It's been there all this time under everyone's nose."

"Think whatever those papers are is what you're mom has been secretly looking for?"

"It's a good possibility."

We finished eating before opening the box. The pictures were those of me and my dad, but there were also some of places that looked unfamiliar. The keepsakes were things like his favorite gold lighter that he used to light the occasional cigar, a souvenir keychain I bought him that said #1 Dad, and a gold pendant.

I opened the envelope with my name on it first. It was a letter. Amaryllis went to the kitchen to put our leftovers away and to give me time to read the letter in private.

I took a deep breath before I started.

Dear Lincoln,

If you're reading this, that means you've met the girl that I met in the hospital and she gave you the key or told you about it. Let me tell you, she is something special. I knew you two would meet eventually. I knew because I planned it. I made her promise to keep bribing me flowers and I knew you'd visit me every week. Whether you start something romantic with her or just remain friends, I'm happy. You two will be good for each other.

I imagine you're wondering why I hid this box and the contents inside. I hid them because I didn't want your mother or anyone else to find them. I couldn't trust anyone besides you and Harvey, but even Harvey doesn't know. I knew I would pass before I saw you again and that is why I gave Amaryllis the key.

I imagine seeing another key in this box made you both grown, but, don't worry, I will tell you where to take this key. You must take it to our family lawyer. Show him the key and he will give you the box that it goes to. That box is more important than this one. You mustn't let anyone know you're going to retrieve it. If your mother found out.....well I'm not sure what she would do and I don't wish for you to find out.

Once you have the contents of that box, you'll understand why hiding them was so important. What I can tell you is that.......veritas numquam perit. Truth never dies. Amaryllis taught me that one too. She's quite fond of Latin quotes.

I must warn you about the contents of the other box. Those contents will make a lot of people mad. They will be mad at you and at me, but they can't reach me since I'm no longer with you. They can reach you though and they can reach Amaryllis. You have to protect her and prepare her for what may occur. People like Amaryllis don't always make it on our world, the world of cut-throat business tycoons. People like her and her parents are too good for people like us. That's why you must protect her. Protect her from your mother, brothers, and anyone else who you perceive as a threat.

Now, I want to tell you something and I want you to get it through that thick skull of yours.

I. Don't. Blame. You.
I'm. Not. Mad. At. You.

I know you had choice when your mother shipped you off. I know you wanted to be with me, but couldn't. I don't hold it against you. I blame your mother and your brothers, but not you. Never you. You were always my good boy. You were always my favorite. Never doubt my love for you. I know you were probably devastated thinking that I died alone surrounded by doctors, but I guarantee you that Amaryllis was by my side. She's not the kind of person to leave someone alone even if they want to be left alone. She is the kind of person who won't leave no matter how much you scream or curse. She is the kind to stick it out for you because she loves you. Take good care of her.

I love you.
I love Amaryllis.

Remember that no matter what happens, I'm proud of you and I will always be proud of you.

Love Always,

Dad.