Forevermore

11

"Daddy!" I jerk awake and rub my face standing up. I climb the stairs and turn into the Lilith's room.

"Hey Lilith."

"Oh, hi um Sele- Selena." She says and I smile walking over.

"Your daddy had to go into work really quick and left me to watch you. How you feeling?"

"Better. My tummy hurts a little, but not lots." She says and I help her out of bed.

"Well, that's good." I say and she smiles.

"Can you do my hair pretty like yours?" She asks and I smile.

"I sure can. Come on, sit." I say and she happily hops up in front of me. I grab her brush and a hair band.

"How long have you and daddy known each other?"

"Um, since high school."

"Oh, that is a long time." She says as I put her hair into a ponytail. 

"Yes it is." I say as I part her hair behind the ponyo and tuck her hair over and pull it through.

"Are you and daddy going to get married?"

"Oh gosh, I don't think so." I say with a slight laugh.

"Why not?"

"Me and your daddy are just getting to know each other again. I don't think either of us are thinking about marriage." I say and she shrugs.

"Well, I think you should." She says and I smile slightly braiding the ponytail then tucking it back in.

"Do you have any little clips?"

"Like booby pins?"

"Bobby pins, yes." I say and she giggles then hops off the bed. She grabs them then comes back and hands them to me.

"Thank you." I say as she sits back down. I slip the pins in to keep it steady then smile.

"Beautiful." I say 

"Yay!" She exclaims and I snap a quick photo then show it to her.

"It's so pretty! Thank you!" She exclaims giving me a big hug and I smile.

"You're welcome, now, how about some soup from daddy's shop?" I ask and she grins.

"Alright, we gotta walk to my house to get my car."

"You live close?"

"I do." I say and she smiles nodding. I put her coat on her and zip it up and she pulls on the cutest little pink sparkly boots. 

"Ready?" I ask and she nods. I smile taking her down the stairs and grabbing my own jacket. Pulling it on, I grab my purse then take her hand as we walk out the door. I lock it with the key Hayden had mentioned was hidden then smile starting to walk.

~~

"Did you have a baby?" She asks as I uncover the baby seat and bring it over.

"No ha, just a younger brother."

"Where is he?"

"Um, I don't really know. We haven't seen each other in so long."

"Why not?"

"Something happened a long time ago, and he went one place and I went another." I say 

"How old would he be now?" She asks as I sit her down in the seat.

"Nineteen." I say with a sad smile as I climb into the driver's side.

"Alright, let's go get some soup and hot cocoa."

~~

"Daddy!"

"Lilith! What are you doing here? Hi baby." He says lifting her into his arms.

"Selena said we could get soup and hot cocoa."

"You sure can. You feeling better?" He asks and she nods.

"Oh and your hair."

"Selena did it. Isn't it pretty!" She exclaims and I laugh stepping forward.

"I had the perfect canvas." I say and she giggles.

"Come on, go find a seat." I say and Hayden puts her down and she runs over to a booth.

"It is a little crowded." I say and he nods wiping his face.

"It's cleared up a lot since earlier." He says.

"Do you want some soup too?" He asks.

"No, I'm fine with just hot cocoa." I say and he nods.

"I'll come sit with you guys in a minute." He says kissing me on the forehead then turning around. I walk over to Lilith and smile sitting beside her.

"Your daddy's going to come sit with us for a little." I say and she grins continuing to color.

"That's beautiful, is it a puppy?"

"Christmas puppy." She says and I smile slightly. 

A few minutes later Hayden comes over with three peppermint hot cocoas and one soup for Lilith. He sits across from us and I smile and he smiles back.

"How's your tummy?"

"Better." She says and he smiles. My phone starts to ring and I look down.

"I'll be right back." I say then stand up and walk from the cafe.

"Hello?"

"Is this Selena?"

"This is her. Who is this?" I ask.

"Hey Selena, it's Justin."

"I don't know a Justin except-

I cut my own self off unable to believe what's going on.

"Except your brother." He finishes for me and a tear falls down my cheek.

"Justin." I breathe out

"Hey sis."

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