Hopelessly Devoted To You

Chapter 23

New York, July 4, 2024.

While I was helping my mother and Paige prepare some things in the kitchen, we looked at each other confused when we heard the front door open.

"Honey, I'm home" We heard my father shout "And I have a surprise"

We both stopped what we were doing and ran towards the entrance.

I stopped dead when I saw who was coming with my dad.

"Surprise" Said the woman next to him.

"LIA!" I shouted excitedly running towards her.

We both wrapped ourselves in a huge hug.

"I've missed you a lot" I said without separating from her.

"Me too, Thomas" Lia answered with a soft voice.

"And you haven't missed me?" My dad asked, pouting.

"Of course, dad" I answered laughing as I separated from Lia to go hug him "I'm glad you made it"

"Lia, honey, I'm glad you came" My mother said, hugging my friend.

"Thank you for receiving me and being my accomplice" Lia said and I looked at her confused "Your mom helped me so that you didn't find out that I was coming"

I looked at my mother and she was giving me a small smile.

"You can't survive being without Lia for so long" My mother said, leaving me in complete shock.

"Mother!" I said surprised.

"It's true" I heard Paige say, making those present laugh.

"Okay, I didn't know that the 4th of July was also the day to annoy Andy" I said, giving up "Give me your bag"

Lia handed me her suitcase and then hugged me tightly.

We both started laughing out of nowhere when we went up to my room.

"I can't believe you're here" I said, sitting on the edge of my bed while she did the same.

"I missed you a lot and I was very bored in London" She said, resting her head on my shoulder.

"How long will you stay?" I asked curious.

"A week" She replied, giving me a smile "So you'll just have to put up with me"

"You know I have no problems with that" I said, laughing "The one who will have to put up with me is you, Wälti"

"I hope I don't take away your time with your girlfriend" Lia said, moving her eyebrows up and down.

"I don't have a girlfriend" I answered, narrowing my eyes.

"For now" She said, getting up from bed "Come on, I want to see my little butterfly"

When we got down, Lia greeted my brothers and when she saw Lili she ran towards her.

I couldn't help but smile when I saw how my little girl laughed in her arms.

"I feel betrayed" I heard Charlie say while pouting "Lia arrived and Lili forgot me, she threw me in the trash"

"Don't be dramatic" I said, laughing "She adores you and the thing is that Lili is used to having Lia around her"

"She is my favorite niece" He said, letting out a sigh.

"She's the only one you have, Charles" I said, letting out a mocking laugh.

"Don't ruin the moment" He answered, looking at me seriously.

"Have you thought about having children?" I asked looking at Paige and then at him.