Page 22 of Lily's Shadow

I’m so confused, this guy doesn’t seem like Erica’s type at all. Maybe he was just having a bad day, the last time I saw him. We talk a bit more but then Cordy needs to be changed and fed, so he takes off while I tend to my daughter.

“My daughter.” I say out loud, I will never get tired of saying that. I play with her, blowing raspberries on her belly and tickling her until she is ready for sleep.

After tucking her into the crib, in the room that Lily helped me create for her, I grab the other beer and settle on the couch. I notice the bottle cap is loose but don’t think anything of it as I open it and take a huge swig.

God, I’ve missed these. I think to myself looking at the label before taking another long swallow.

Lily

I was going to close the shop at ten, but it was slow so I called it at nine instead. I’m sure Arin appreciates the extra time. Thursday is her long day at school, and finals are coming up soon.

The extra hour gives me more time with my dad. He is planning on heading home after our court appearance in the morning. I still don’t know how Frances cleared his schedule, allowing him to stay for five whole days.

I called Dad when I closed the shop, letting him know I would be early. We were going to go into the city for dinner but he changed his mind. He is overprotective and doesn’t like the idea of me driving so far in the dark. So we are eating at his cabin instead.

As soon as we get out of the car, my dad opens the door and crouches down calling for Loki. “What am I? Chopped liver.” I ask. After giving Loki some love he stands up and opens his arms for me.

Having my Dad here has been bittersweet. “Baby Girl, you know you’re my favorite daughter.”

“Dad, I’m your only daughter.” I laugh at his old joke.

“That makes you my favorite.” he says before kissing my cheek.

After sending a text to Austin, I turn my phone off. I don’t want the last night with my only living parent to be interrupted. My dad and I spend the next few hours eating dinner that Frances had catered in from the city, while we talk and catch up.

I’m caught off guard when he mentions dating Frances, but not completely surprised. Her husband was killed in action, a couple of years before Mom died.

She was mom’s best friend and has been his rock the last few years. If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have functioned at all during mom’s illness, or after.

We continue to talk over dinner some more. All I can think is that it’s been amazing having him here these last few days. I’ll miss him like crazy when he leaves.

Chapter 10

Austin

I wake up slowly, noticing that I am having a really hard time opening my eyes. My body feels extremely sluggish and what little my eyes open, everything is blurry.

Fuck! Since when does beer make me feel like this? I think to myself before I remember that my daughter is here.

Opening my eyes as wide as I can, I stand up, almost falling over as I head towards the baby’s room. I stumble down the hall, only the walls keeping me up right as I make it to the door, turning on the light.

She’s not there though. I stop trying to clear the pounding in my head so that I can think straight.

Getting to the kitchen, I grab a glass of water, gulping it down completely. It helps to clear my vision a little. Walking through the rest of the house, I can’t find her anywhere. But I also realize that her diaper bag is gone as well.

“Fuck!” I scream out, going to grab my phone from the side table in the living room.

I try Lily’s number several times, not getting an answer. I find her dad’s number on a list of contacts she has on the fridge, quickly dialing him.

He picks the phone up after several rings.

“Mr. Harris? This is Austin. Is Lily still with you?” I ask frantically.

“She left here more than an hour ago. Is everything alright?” He asks quickly.

“No. I woke up and Cordelia was missing from her room. Plus Lily isn’t here nor answering her phone. I’m really worried.” I say in a rush.

“Stay there and don’t touch anything. I’m on my way. My security team is coming with me.” He quickly says into the phone before hanging up without waiting for a response from me.

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