Haunted - AGGGTM sequel

Five

It all was just like the way she remembered it. Nothing seemed to have changed, yet a lot had. Pip and her cousin went to the Amobis' door and Pip knocked it. Cara would stay with Lilly.

"Hello?" Leanne said and opened the door. "Oh my gosh, Pip!" She screamed and hugged her. "Victor, Josh, she's here!!!" She was so excited she overlooked Violet. But Violet didn't mind. She hoped her mom's reaction would be the same when she found her. Violet was sure that she wouldn't be noticed until Josh's little voice asked "Who's the girl behind you, Pippo?"

"Mom, Dad, Josh, this is my cousin, Violet."

"She looks like... She can't be..." her mom said.

"I'm Lillianna's daughter."

"Who's Lillianna?" Josh asked again.

" One of Pip's aunts, honey." his mom replied.

"I'm sorry to cause any trouble to you..." Violet said

"Oh, don't be silly, come in," Victor replied.

"How's your mom, sweetheart? I'd love to see her, we were good friends." Leanne asked

"Well, I don't know. She..."

"Mom, can I ask you some lady questions?" Pip said, trying to signal Victor to take Josh somewhere else

"Josh, why don't we go outside and play some football?" Victor said, because he got the memo.

After they went out, Pip got straight to the point

"She was investigating Dad's death and went MIA"

"Is it okay if we ask some questions about Michael? I'll completely understand if you don't want to and I promise not to put any pressure on you."

"You're so sweet. I'm sure a few questions won't hurt."

"Do you know why your daughter was kidnapped by that stranger?"

Leanne's face froze. She was expecting a lot of questions from that girl, but certainly not that one. How was it possible for her to know? She hadn't even told Pip.

"H-How do you know about that?"

"My mom found out, I found it on her investigation."

"It really was some random stranger. His wife gave birth to twins and she was in the room that was next to mine. Unfortunately, after giving birth, she fell into a coma. I don't know if she ever woke up."

"What about the twins?"

"One of the girls died after a couple of hours."

"I assume he swapped me with the dead baby?"

"That's right. But I knew my child. I told your dad and he filed an accusation of kidnapping. We didn't want to cause him trouble or pain, we knew he was devastated because of his double loss. We just wanted our little girl back." she said and her eyes filled with tears.

Violet tried to hold back hers, but after seeing Leanne, she just couldn't. She felt responsible for making her aunt go through all that again.

"I'm sorry," she said, sobbing. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I was trying to help."

Pip went next to her and hugged her. "Hey, my mom and I both know you meant no harm." she then whispered "I know how you're feeling and I can assure you that it's not your fault. I promise."

She said it, but how could she know Violet believed her? It was a full circle, but this time with Violet. She just realised how similar they were. Her cousin reminded her so much of her old self. Innocent, sensitive and kind-hearted. Oh, how much she missed that Pip.

"I apologise once again. And a last question. How did you prove that Pip was Pip?"

"DNA tests."

"Thank you so so much for answering my questions," Violet said and hugged her.

"No problem. You and Pip can stay here for as long as you'd like."

"I'm afraid I can't stay with you. I have a daughter and I don't want us to be a problem."

"Are you raising her by yourself?"

"Yes. Her name is Lilly and she's honestly the sweetest human being to ever exist."

"You and Lilly can stay here for as long as you need. I could also stay with her if you need any time to investigate."

"Thank you! Pip, I need a favour."

"What is it?"

"I heard that Becca Bell is out of jail now. Can I see her? And if possible I would also like to see Nat Da Silva. I need to talk to them."

"Do you know them too?"

"No, but I need to talk to them. Please. You can stay here, with your family. I can go on my own. Can you call them? Please."

Pip didn't know why she needed to talk to them, but it seemed like a big deal, so she agreed to help.

"I'm driving Viv to Nat's and I'll be back."

"Okay, miss you already!"

They spent most of their time in the car talking about books. They were both into crime fiction and they also had similar musical tastes.

Pip knocked on the door and Nat opened it. After she did, she gave Pip a big warm hug. Pip had forgotten how warm her hugs were and how valuable they were. Some seconds later, Becca went outside and hugged her too. She felt the same thing. She had finally reunited with all of her sisters except Naomi. She promised herself she would see her as well.

"Becca, Nat, this is my cousin Violet. She wants to talk to you two about something very important. But I have to go to my parents'."

"Come in. I'm sure whatever it is, we'll figure it out together." Nat said.

"Is it true that you were sent to jail for beating someone up?"

"Yeah..but.."

"Can you teach me? You know, to defend myself."

Becca and Pip giggled.