Lily and Rufus: With all of my heart

Chapter 7 - New home

She was sleeping in my arms. She had cried a bit on the way in the car, but I had started to sing one of my songs, and she slowly fell asleep. It was so weird holding a child again. Isabella was 1 year old and very beautiful. She had blue eyes and light blond hair like Serena, Jenny and Lily. She was so tiny and vulnerable and at first, I didn't know how to hold her. But it all came naturally back again. I stepped out of the car and walked up the stairs to the loft. I was being very careful as I walked. When I opened the door, I was greeted by a whole committee of people, who wanted to say hello to the little girl. 

Serena, Nate, Dan, Vanessa, Jenny, Eric, Oliver, Blair, Chuck and Henry. They were all here. But not the one I had hoped for. I couldn't get in touch with Lily and decided to take care of Isabella myself. With or without Lily. I didn't care. Everyone wanted to say hello to Isabella, so I passed her on. Serena came up and hugged me: "Thank you, Rufus. This is what Scott would've wanted. I'm so proud of you." She smiled and let go. I smiled back and thanked. 

"I'm sorry for my mom, Rufus." Eric came walking towards me. "She will be here. Don't worry." I gave him a hug. Eric was practically my son and I really appreciated our relationship. When everyone had left, I put Isabella in her crib. I made a nice room for her in Jenny's old one. There was a lot of toys and childish ornaments and I had painted everything pink. I went to the kitchen to make some coffee, when I heard a knock on the door. I quickly went over and pulled the door handle. I was greeted by a Lily, who was smiling nervously, standing with a big bear in one hand and a doll in the other. I smiled and her and let her in. 

"I'm sorry for being such a fool." She said and looked at me directly into the eyes. I didn't say anything but lead her into the baby's room, where Isabella was still sleeping. Lily gasped when she saw the little child and immediately started crying. 

"She is so beautiful." Lily said and I put and arm around her. Lily sobbed for a bit, before saying: "I'm going to be here, Rufus." She looked at me and I couldn't help myself but kiss her on the cheeks. 

"I'm glad you changed your mind, Lil. This is all so weird, but we are doing the right thing by doing what Scott would've wanted. And besides, look at her. She is perfect. She is going to be the most gorgeous girl." I smiled and my heart fell all warm and nice. It felt so good standing their with Lily. We were going to be great parents again. And this time with experience on what to do and what not to do. 

"Rufus. I know we haven't spoken in a week, but I broke things with William. He was sleeping with other women and as you might have realized, very violent against me. Lucky for me they jury decided that he had to leave the country due to his behavior. That means, I'm all alone at the apartment. And I was thinking that maybe we could make room for Isabella their as well?" She sounded nervous.

"Of course, Lil. That would be perfect." I said but sighed. "Though it would be better if we would live just one place. All the traveling back and forth might drive her crazy, when she gets older." I said with a little tease in my voice. 

Lily looked at me and I looked at her. I don't know what came over me, but it grabbed her around the waist and kissed her passionately. Lily kissed me back, whilst touching my hair. We were kissing for a while before breaking it up. 

"We are going to make it this time, Lil. I'm sure." I held her tight into my body. She felt warm and I could feel her heart beat. 

"I know we will. This time no screwing up. No fighting. I love you, Rufus. Always has, always will." She kissed me again and I could feel the sparkles inside of my body. This time was going to be different. Lily and I would take care of a child. This time it would be better. 

3 years later

The sun was barely up before I heard noises from the living room downstairs. I turned around and looked at Rufus, who was still sleeping. I closed my eyes again, but I knew that I wouldn't get much sleep now. I heard small footsteps up the stairs and the door swung open. 

"Mommy, mommy, mommy! Wake up." She whispered. I opened my eyes and looked at her little smile and bright, blue eyes. She was very beautiful. Not just sweet, like children normally are, she was also gorgeous. She was wearing her red pyjamas-pants with white dots and a pink shirt with Santa on. Her blonde hair almost reached the middle of her back and like Serena's hair, it was a bit messy and curly. She was standing their with a big smile on her face and I knew that I had to get up. I swung my legs out of the bed and pocked Rufus in the side to wake him up. 

"He is sleeping very heavily, you see honey?" I asked while grabbing her little body. I kissed her on the cheek and she swung her arms around my neck. I could feel her little heartbeat and I felt complete. I carried Isabella downstairs again and turned on the lights. 

"Wauw! Mommy look at that! Santa has been here, while I was asleep!" She said excitedly and I put her down. She ran over to the Christmas tree, we'd put up. Underneath it was plenty of gifts, wrapped in different colors and sizes. Isabella started looking for hers. She saw a doll house, when we were out for a walk some weeks ago. Rufus and I had made a deal to take Isabella out with us at least once a week to do something together as a family. Often we ended up walking in Central Park and just enjoying our time together. 

Isabella was 4 years old now and she was already very lively and always in a good mood, which was so heartwarming to see. But we'd walked to the park, when we passed a window with children toys, and Isabella fell in love with a doll and a matching house. It was quiet big and she was smart. I looked at her with so much joy in my eyes and heart. She was one of the best things that had ever happened to me. Rufus and I had discussed wether to tell her or not. We were actually not her parents, we were actually her grandparents, but she wouldn't understand it. Instead we wanted to wait until she was old enough to get it. 

I almost screamed, when someone touched me from the behind. I turned around to see Rufus with a big smile. He pulled me closer to him and gave me a long and passionately kiss. 

"Merry Christmas, Lil." He said in a soft voice. 

"Merry Christmas, my love." I smiled back. 

Rufus then turned to Isabella, who was still looking for her present. He ran over to her and grabbed her from the behind and she screamed and laughed, when he started tickling her. I smiled and suddenly everything felt perfect. I heard the elevator door open and in came Eric and his husband with breakfast. Serena and Nate and their adorable little girl, Anna. Dan and Vanessa with presents in every hand. And lastly Jenny, who had brought her boyfriend, Marc, who was so sweet and down to earth. They all greeted me and Rufus let Isabella down, so she could run over to Anna. They didn't see each other everyday, but they were still best friends. We all hugged and Rufus came and grabbed me around the waist. Everyone was smiling and talking and suddenly my life felt complete.