Page 20 of Lily's Shadow

They are about to celebrate their thirty year anniversary so he wanted to have it brightened up for the occasion.

I’m just finishing up some laundry when there is a knock on the door. I briefly wonder who it is until I realize that Loki hasn’t even lifted his head which means he knows who it is already.

Swinging the door open, I smile at the man standing in front of me.

“Dad! What are you doing here?” I grab him into a hug.

“Can a man not just come visit his daughter?” He says back to me.

“You don’t live just next door dad. You live quite a few hours from here so I know you planned this without me knowing on purpose.” I look at him as we walk inside, shutting the door.

“Kind of like you not telling me that you have a fiance?” He asks with a raised brow.

I should have known he would find out eventually. He keeps close tabs on what is going on around me. I have no idea who he gets his information from though.

“I’m sorry dad. It’s… complicated.” We both sit down at the table in my kitchen.

“It’s time for you to tell me everything, don't you think?” He says patiently.

That’s the great thing about my dad. He’s willing to hear me out completely without going berserk like most parents. Always so patient with me.

I spend the next few hours talking to my dad about everything that has happened since the day Austin introduced me to Erica as his fiance. I also explain what little I know about Austin’s past with his ex-wife and how she wants money in exchange for their daughter.

My fathers eyes turn to slits at that last tidbit of information.

“I honestly can’t figure her out, Dad. She wears designer clothes, shoes, all of it. But poor Cordy is dressed like a baby living on the street. Her little sleepers are worn thin with holes.” Tears gather at the corner of my eyes just remembering it all.

My dad reaches over, wiping a tear from my cheek with a small smile.

“We’ll get to the bottom of it my sweet girl. Whatever this woman is up to, we’ll figure out a way to get that child out of the middle. One way or another.” He answers back.

“I will never understand how a mother could treat their child in such a way.” I shake my head.

“Some people should never be allowed the chance to have children because they, themselves, were born without that parental instinct that opens us up to love our offspring.” He replies quietly.

We talk for a little while longer until it is time for me to head to the shop. We make plans for him to come by the shop to see me since I am pretty booked up this week. Besides, he likes watching me work.

I briefly wonder what my dad plans to do with the information that I gave to him. Knowing him like I do, I am sure he is on the phone already calling in favors to find out more about Erica.

While I usually hate the connections that he has, this time they may actually come in handy.

I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get that sweet baby away from Erica and forever into the arms of her daddy.

There is a sense of foreboding within me when I think about what exactly Erica could really be up to.

The guy she is with, gives me an even bigger creep vibe than anyone else ever has before.

If they even try to hurt a single hair on that sweet little girl's head, I will make them pay dearly for it.

Grabbing my bag, Loki and I head out the door. I need to get my work space prepped ahead of my customer coming in so I can get straight to work on his piece.

Austin

I’m just finishing up adding new appointments at the front desk when Hayden walks up next to me.

“You look exhausted.” She comments, drawing my eyes her way.

“I am exhausted. Hopefully everything will be settled on Friday.” I smile at the thought of my daughter.

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