Later on after getting back, Lilly threw down her keys waiting to lounge herself in a nice warm bath. She needed one after such a long day; there weren't many times that she could just indulge herself without worrying about the case. With an aching back, Lilly yawned slightly because ascending upstairs and into her bedroom.
Her hand turned the knob, allowed the warm water to flow freely into her whirlpool tub. While that was going on, Lilly lit some candles before undressing. Coming back into the bathroom, with a robe on; she then added some scents into the bath water. Fragrant yes, as she breathed in its aroma. Not long after, her now bare body lowered itself into the tub full of hot, relaxing water.
Moaning slightly, Lilly allowed herself to lie back while feeling the vibrations of her the water whirling around. Her eyes closed, while taking in long, deep breaths. Relaxing was something that she was in need for a very long time. As all her worries and thoughts drifted away; the candles continued to flicker softly.
Back in a hotel, across town, pictures from the past were scattered about all over the bed. A hand that belonged to only Paul Cooper gently touched a photo of his first wife. His eyes felt saddened, over losing her. She loved him dearly unlike Ellen Rush, whom probably didn't really love him. They did manage to conceive another daughter in their brief; six year relationship.
He barely remembered the baby that now had grown into a train wrecked named; Christina Rush. That wasn't the point; the reality has already set in. Lilly was hurting, he knew that she thought that he didn't love her enough to tell his family about her; but she was wrong. Paul did love her a lot, more than words could ever express; but now he knew she needed to come home and meet his family.
Besides she wasn't a love child, but a daughter he had before meeting his current wife. Then he came across a diary that he dared not to open. Paul couldn't face reality that he never had found out why Lillian had been killed, but she probably was appalled by the way he treated Lilly.
In fact right now, he wanted to go over to Lilly's apartment and tell her but felt that he wasn't emotionally ready to confine in his heartbroken, sad and angry daughter.
Across town, Lilly resided still in the warm tub; while her heart beat softly inside. For the first time, she was pampering herself. Her body needed this more than anything else, she was glad not to hear the sound of her cell ringing. That in itself was a relief, perhaps this good thing. Moments then flew by as the door opened, before Lilly now decked out in a silk gown came out.
Pulling back the sheets, she then got in and snuggled against the covers. Before long, Lilly was asleep while the spirit of her birth mother stood in the shadows. She too wanted her own justice, but continued to watch her daughter she loved so much; sleep. Slowly Lillian then disappeared leaving her grown child in dreamland.
At headquarters, while the cleaning crew was there; Stillman was still sitting in his office now reading over a box of the mother of one of his best detectives. Even the picture resembled of that of Lilly, but however it in the photos he caught something.
Keeping this private, he then sent it to Frankie so that she could take a look at it; before Frannie did as well. The last thing that John had wanted was to everyone to know that Lilly's biological mother had been murdered.
It was out of protection, when morning came he saw Lilly walking into as usual. He knew that she deserve to know, but it wasn't his place at all. Besides John didn't feel like upsetting her already, with that said he put the box away underneath his desk. It was a safe place, but his guilt about looking into this was bothering him.
Later on, Paul caught up with Lilly, "We need to talk, it's important", he said touching her arm, "I know that you're busy but I want to come clean about everything".
"Could have done that before instead of lying", she said, "I'm very busy, got a case to work on".
He wouldn't let go, before giving her a piece of paper with an address written on it, "This is a place that we can talk alone, you need to know. It is your business, but I don't want to lose you again. It's been 30 years since I've felt this happy to be back with my daughter again".
Lilly could see that he was genuine about his feelings, she did love him; but was afraid to get hurt. All her life she had been hurt, but she needed still to know why he had left and not returned.
Taking the piece of paper, she walked off as Paul hoped that she would give him at least a chance to explain himself. He knew that he wanted to continue to have a relationship with her; after all Lilly was part of his family too. Back in Homicide, Frankie closed the door to John's office noticing that all the blinds had been drawn.
"Something going on", she asked. John motioned for her to take a seat, "This is private, I'm reopening a murder of Rush's biological mother. She can't know as of yet, did you find anything in those photos".
Frankie shook her head, "Nothing, I'm sorry", as she then got up before allowed Frannie to enter into the room. Somehow her findings changed the investigation, "Her body appears to be in a post-partum stage. Typical swelling of the breasts, suggesting that she had recently given birth".
"Lil was born three days before", added John, "You find anything else"?
With a nod she then placed down two of the pictures, "See this little stab marks, it could just be a reaction from a needle. Poisoning could be an option, until I found this. Lillian's medical records; states here those three months before giving birth, she had been rushed to the hospital".
John looked up, "Any signs of physical abuse"?
"No, but one of the nurses was fired three weeks after her death. Could be a homicidal nurse"?
With a new lead, Stillman was ready to solve this murder. With a mystery nurse as the first suspect, he didn't have too much to go on.
Somehow a new piece of evidence, came to light, "Dug through the records at the hospital, Lillian was a nurse there", Jefferies stated showing him a photo of all the nurses, and "Any of them could have harmed her, but took a look into the hospital where Lil had been born. Turns out she was born in a different hospital".
While both Stillman and Jefferies were putting the case in order, Lilly took a chance and went over to the hotel after work. She remained on guard though, but shortly after taking a seat Paul slowly informed her of the news.
However Lilly remembered something, about Christina being Ellen's favorite. This all was making logical sense, "Why didn't you tell me, Dad"?
"You were too young back then, and now I didn't want to hurt you. Moving in with Ellen was the worst mistake of my life, your mother was different", feeling the sadness returning, "I still miss her Lilly, I made poor judgment. I didn't do what was best for you when I left, you are right".
Lilly was curious about her real mother, "You left me with some woman that wasn't really my real mother, and let me be abused by her. Then why don't I have your last name"?
The storm was already brewing harder, as Paul felt another wave hitting him fast, "You did when you were born, I was duped into one of Ellen's wraths. She didn't love me; she just thought that I could give her happiness".
The look on Lilly's face was scorning with anger, "How could you"??
Paul touched her hand, "Look I screwed up Lilly, losing your mother broke me completely. She was murdered three days after you were born; I was 25 and a father of a newborn. My mind wasn't exactly thinking straight. You and I can't change the past, but I never stopped loving you Lilly. I have always loved you".
With now crossing her arms, Lilly frowned, "You left me with a drunk, I'm going to ask you again why did you didn't take me with you"?
"I had no money, what was I going to do with a six year old all by myself. I couldn't support you, the best thing to do at the time was to leave you in Philly", he said, "I should have came back for you Lilly, you needed me".
She then let him have it, "I was abused even was attacked, sent me out to get her a drink and I land up with my jaw being broken and five broken teeth", which made Paul look up, "What, how old were you"?
"Ten couldn't just get it herself. No she had to get me out of bed, but didn't disturb my sister".
The look in Paul's eyes grew serious, "I'm sorry, I wish I could have stopped it. Your real mother probably is looking down on me, she loved you Lilly. I'm not just saying this, I heard her say it".
"You're probably just making stuff up now", as Paul then handed her a photo, "Here's your proof, this was taken a day before she had you".
Looking at the photo, Lilly saw that her mother looked just like her; she was beautiful. Then her eyes caught sight her father's hand resting on her stomach. They seemed happy, "You two were married", noticing their wedding rings on each of their fingers, "How was she killed"?
Paul sighed solemnly, "I don't know, someone found her dead the next morning. I went into shock but the doctors informed me that you were alright. Got to hold you, must have cried for hours. We didn't know what to name you, but I gave you hers in honor of her".
"Do I remind you of her", asked Lilly? Paul nodded, "Got her stubborn streak, but she never got a chance to be mother. She knew that she was going have a daughter, said that she dreamt about it".
Taking her hand into his, he then looked into her blue eyes, "Your boss just informed me that they'll reopen the case due to a new lead. I want you to know something that I am not embarrassed to have daughter like you. Yes I abused Ellen, but she abused me far worse. There are some things that aren't meant to be discussed. Just know that I love you".
With that said, Lilly then let out a breath, "Why would you tell Stillman about my mother"?
"I want this thing solved, for your mother's sake. I know that she's proud of you; and so am I", which made her feel a bit better. She then decided not to get angry; perhaps this was a way to also bring closure to her father as well.
As Lilly glanced at her original birth certificate, she saw that her full name was actually; Lilly Kathryn Cooper, born to both Lillian and Paul Cooper. There was a longing to know the mother she never had known.
She was part of his family, but couldn't help to think about Ellen; her so called pretend mother, "The last words my "Mom" had said to be was" Bye Baby".
"Ellen loved you in her own mind, but your entire mother was so happy", a smile now broke onto his face, "She told me that the doctors placed your head on her chest, she felt this wave of happiness. When I saw you, I never forgot those first few moments. Never experienced those types again, not even with my other kids", which was the truth.
Glancing at a photo of her mother, Lilly knew she also needed her own justice as well. Also for her mother that never got a chance fully to be one. Paul was determined to patch things up between him and Lilly, "It's been 30 years since I've felt that happiness. Seeing you again gave that back to me, I worried about how'd you turn out, but you've turned into a beautiful, smart young woman".
Her eyes dimmed, "What about Christina your other daughter", she asked, "Don't you care about her"?
Paul thought for a moment, "I do but I don't think that she's mine. Ellen cheated on me regularly, something that I never had done. We were broke, even with my job nothing helped. She stole from me, couldn't feed you".
"I understand", but her anger was now subsided. Perhaps he wasn't the one to blame anymore, besides he was the only parent that she had left.
With this new story shining to light, Lilly wanted to solve this case. It would prove to be difficult one for her, at headquarters everyone knew now. Scotty was the most compassionate one, knowing that his partner and friend hadn't had a great childhood. He promised himself to be there if she wanted to talk.