When You Least Expect It

Chapter 9

Vanessa's pov:-

Lizzie and I woke up really early in the morning, we showered and got ready for the day. We checked on Lily and she was sound asleep. "When do you think we should take her to the police station?" I asked Lizzie while we were walking to the kitchen, "Afternoon is good." I nodded and we started breakfast.

   We were engaged in cooking when a knock on the front door got our attention, Lizzie glanced my way in confusion, "It's probably Adam." I said washing my hands and walking to open the door. "Good morning, Adam. How are you?" He looked miserable, "Not good, Boss." He said shaking his head. I stepped back to let him in.

   "Where is she?" He asked, looking around. "Still asleep." He sat on the living room sofa with a huff, "Would you like to have breakfast with us?" I asked, he shook his head and asked, "What happened yesterday?" "We don't know. She called us saying there were people in her apartment, then the line went off after a guy's voice was heard. When we got there the door was open and she was alone."

   Adam was looking at his hands with a haunted look. "She called me. She called me and I didn't answer," he said, choking over the words. Lizzie stepped out of the kitchen and came to sit beside me. "It's not your fault, Adam. You didn't know. Nobody did." Adam looked at us with a tight smile and nodded.

   We sat there for half an hour until Lily came out of the hallway. She scanned the room and when her eyes landed on Adam had demeanor changed, "Lily!" Adam jumped from his seat and wrapped his arms around her. He apologized over and over, and Lily started sobbing in his embrace.

   Lizzie and I were amazed by their friendship. They kept on talking and we heard what happened for the first time with Adam. I glanced at Lizzie in horror, she reached out and held my hands in hers. "She's okay. She's safe. We got her." She whispered assurances in my ear and I relaxed a bit.

   But then they started arguing about Lily moving out and she kept on refusing. "Lily. Adam is right. That place is not safe anymore," I said out of nowhere, Lizzie nudged me with her elbow and whispered with gritted teeth, "None of your business." I just nodded.

   She's right, it is none of my business, and by the way Lily totally ignored me, she agrees too. I leaned back in my seat, my ears tuned to their conversation, not missing a single word. Then it came to me. This is an opportunity. Adam can't always keep an eye on Lily, and Lizzie and I have been looking for a little before we even got married. Lily needs someone to care for her and love her as much as we need someone to care and love. This is an opportunity for all of us.

"You can stay here, Lily," I said and both she and Adam exchanged confused glances, while Lizzie's eyes widened as she looked at me. "I mean... you don't have to look for a place so soon. You can stay as long as you want." I said nervously, I didn't want to scare her away, I could tell she cherished her independence.

Lizzie intervened, "What Vee trying to say is, you're welcome to stay as long as you want. We would love to have you here." She said calmly, Lily looked between us and Adam hesitantly, "What about my stuff?" she asked glancing down at her fidgeting fingers, "We can call a moving company," she looked at Adam and he nodded with a smile. "Okay."

Lizzie got to her feet and clapped her hands together, "Breakfast everybody?" She asked and Adam shook his head, "I'm going to head home, I'll try to catch up some sleep. Thank you though." I got out of my seat as well, and I nodded to Adam. He glanced at Lily and hugged her.

Lily's pov:-

Ms.Cooper showed Adam the way out, as Ms.Gilmer and I went to the kitchen. I sat on a stool while Ms.Gilmer set breakfast on the counter. "Thank you." She nodded with a gentle smile. She was standing on the other side of the counter with her plate in front of her. Ms.Cooper then joined us, taking the seat beside me.