Eight year old Lily Warner sat on her bed. She looked at the picture of her and her mother, Melinda. She knew that her mother loved Odafin, Fin, Tutuola, but she didn't ever think that Melinda loved him more then her. A knock at her door made her jump. The door opened and Fin was on the other side.
"Hey mind if I come in?"
"Sure why not." Fin came in and closed the door. He made his way to the bed and sat down leaning against the pillows next to Lily.
"Your mom told me that you got a little upset today." Lily nodded and pulled her knees to her chest hugging her legs. "Do you want to talk." Lily shook her head. "Lily, she told me why you were so upset. Can I please hear it from you?"
"Mommy loves you more than me." A few tears escaped her eyes. Fin sighed and sat up. He scooted closer to Lily and brought the youngster to him.
"Lily, that's impossible. She could never love anyone more than she loves you. No one could."
"But Daddy told me he loves his girlfriend more than me. I thought Mommy feels the same way. Daddy left cause of me." Lily now was crying into Fin's chest. Fin's veins burned with anger. How could Sean be do heartless? First he cheats on Melinda, then demands joint custody of Lily, and now he tells Lily she's the reason he left! Fin rubbed circles on Lily's back.
"Well than your father's an idiot. Don't tell your mother I said that. I don't know why he said that but I assure you, your mother loves you with everything she has. I know for a fact that she loves you a whole lot more. Whenever I see her at work, she always talks about you. Don't ever worry that your mom loves someone more than you. She could never do that, especially not me. You're her daughter, it's possible that I'm only in her heart for a little bit, however much I don't want that, but you're in her heart forever."
"Thanks Fin." Fin gently placed a kiss ontop of her head. "I hope you don't leave Mommy's heart, I'd miss you."
"I'd miss you too. You know your mom and I have been dating for about two years and I was wondering if it would be okay with you if I ask her to marry me."
"So you would be like my new daddy?"
"If that's okay with your mom, I'd love to be your new daddy."
"You won't leave will you?"
"Not unless Mommy throws me out of the house." Lily's eye lit up and she hugged him tight.
"Then yes, you may marry my mommy. One more thing," she leaned up and kissed his cheek, "I love you... Daddy." Fin's heart melted. He had never been called Daddy. Even Ken had called him either Fin or Dad but never Daddy. He hugged Lily back and gave her another kiss on the head.
"I love too Lily." Melinda, who had been listening since after Fin's question, wiped her tears of joy. She was glad that Lily liked Fin, hopefully she liked what Melinda had to say at dinner. Her hands slid down to where Baby Tutuola lived, at least for now, and smiled.