Chapter 10

6 weeks later

"Lilly, please hurry up we need to leave," Rachel yelled through the apartment while she stuffed her cellphone and keys into her bag. Lilly had been tardy all morning.

"Mommy, I don't wanna go." She whimpered as she walked out of her room, dragging Mr. Bear behind her. She was dressed in a red shirt and black skirt topped with a black and red checkered pantyhose. Rachel smiled at how adorable she looked, while putting down her black Mary Janes, motioning for Lilly to put them on.

"I know baby, but you know what Sarah said. You need to go to preschool like every big girl does," Rachel explained and knelt down, grabbing Lilly's hand to pull her closer. The little girl sighed and lifted one foot, slipping into her shoe.

"What if the other kids don't like me?" She pouted and put on her other shoe as well, raising her arms to put on her red coat.

"I am sure everyone will love you." Rachel smiled and buttoned up her coat, placing a kiss on her nose.

"But whaaaaaattt ifff theyyy don't," She started to whine and tugged at Rachel's purse, which she put around her shoulders.

"Lilly, please. We'll figure it out then," Rachel said a little annoyed and grabbed her lunch box, leading the girl outside to their car. She opened the door and Lilly climbed into her car seat, waiting for Rachel to buckle her up while she got into the front.

"I don't wannaaaaa...I wanna stay with you and daddy." She pouted and bit her lip, spinning Mr. Bear through the air while Rachel caught him.

"Baby, we talked this over, you need to go to preschool. Daddy has to work and so do I. I promise you, by the time preschool is over, Daddy will pick you up and if anyone was mean, he'll talk to the teacher," Rachel started the car and Lilly kept pouting, looking out of the window.

"You know, Lil, I wasn't liked in preschool or any kind of school," Rachel said as she drove down the street. Lilly snorted and looked up.

"Everyone loves you, Mommy. You sing awesome," Lilly replied and started to play with the button of her coat.

"I know that, but that's why the kids hated me. When Daddy picks you up later, he can tell you about all the stuff that they did to me," Rachel replied and leaned back in her seat while driving.

"Like what?" Lilly asked curiously and leaned forward.

"People threw food in my face and they called me really bad names all the time, but I never gave up. I always held my head up and I kept going and then I met your daddy. He was teased a lot, too, and called names, but the two of us pulled through and look where we are now," Rachel smiled warmly and Lilly nodded her head.

"I hope people tease me then, so I can be like you and daddy," Lilly said and grinned, causing Rachel to laugh a little.

"You'll be amazing no matter what, baby girl," Rachel said as she pulled up into the parking lot. Lilly smiled brightly at her and nodded, unbuckling herself when Rachel parks the car.

"Can you come inside with me?" Lilly asked and Rachel got out of the car, opening the door.

"Of course. I want to see what handsome little guys are there." She winked and Lilly made a face.

"Ew, boys have cooties." She shook and giggled when Rachel took her out of the car, grabbing her hand to walk her into the building. She looked for her room number, where a tall, young lady with red hair was already waiting.

"You must be Lilly." The teacher smiled and leaned down, extending her hand.

"Mommy she knows my NAME," Lilly said and shook her hand. Rachel laughed and nodded her head.

"I'm Mrs. Adam. I'll be your teacher. The other kids are really excited to meet you," Mrs Adam spoke and stood up to greet Rachel, whom she had met a few days prior.

"Okay. Can I say goodbye to my Mommy?" Lilly asked and took off her coat, hanging it up. Her teacher nodded and walked back inside, while Rachel leaned down to Lilly's eye level.

"Have a fun day, baby girl. Daddy will pick you up and drop you by Ms. Angela's office afterwards so you can talk to her." Rachel smiled and hugged Lilly, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Okay, Mommy. Thank you. I love you," Lilly said and placed a big kiss on her lips, grabbing Mr. Bear and her lunchbox, waving goodbye as she walked into the classroom. Rachel sighed a little and turned on her heels, leaving the school. She hated to let her baby girl go already.

Lilly slowly walked into the room and looked around. Most of the seats were filled, so she strut through the class, looking where she could sit.

"You wanna sit here?" a little girl asked her. She had dark skin and black hair, her eyes pure green. Lilly nodded and sat down on the chair, putting her lunchbox on the table.

"I am Mariska," the girl said and smiled. "And this is Fred, my unicorn."

"Cool. I am Lilly and this is Mr. Bear," Lilly answered and put Mr Bear on her lap. The two girls shared a smile.

"Do you like ham? My mom packed me a ham sandwich and I don't want it," Mariska said and scrunched up her nose. Lilly giggled a little.

"I love ham. My mommy packed me apple slices and a peanut butter sandwich. Wanna trade?" Lilly asked and opened her lunchbox. Mariska nodded and grabbed her sandwich, handing it to Lilly while she took her peanut butter sandwich.

"You're cool," Mariska said and grinned at her.

"You're cool, too," Lilly answered and swung her legs back and forth. Maybe preschool wasn't as bed as she thought it would be.

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"Hey, Lilly," Finn said as she walked out of the classroom. Lilly smiled when she saw Finn and ran towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck when he crouched down.

"Hi, Daddy." She smiled and placed a big kiss on his cheek.

"How was your day?" he asked and grabbed her coat to help her put it on. Lilly beamed brightly and took his hand while walking outside.

"It was sooooooo cool. Mrs. Adam is super nice. We colored today and we sang. We went outside to play catch and Mariska and I swapped sandwiches, but don't tell Mommy!" Lilly said excitedly and smiled up to him.

"That's great. Who is Mariska?" Finn asked and got Lilly into her car seat, putting Mr. Bear next to her.

"She is the girl sitting next to me. She's really cool and really nice," Lilly said and smiled while Finn got into the car. "She has a unicorn called Fred. It's so cool."

"I am glad you liked it baby." Finn smiled and pulled out of the parking lot.

"I am gonna tell Ms. Angela everything today," Lilly said and smiled. "Maybe I can draw a picture of Mariska today."

"I am sure if you ask nicely, that's okay," Finn replied and kept driving, looking at the rear mirror to look at his baby girl.

"I am sure. She always makes me draw what I liked the most that day and today I liked Mariska the most." Lilly beamed and Finn smiled brightly back at her.

"That sounds like an awesome plan. By the way, Mommy will pick you up from Ms. Angela's today, if that's okay? I have to go back to work until tomorrow." Finn sighed. Lilly nodded her head.

"It's fine, Daddy. Will you be there tomorrow for breakfast?" she asked and wiggled in her car seat. Finn nodded his head yes and pulled up to Ms Angela's office.

"I'm sure I will. Mommy asked me what you want to eat for dinner." He parked the car and got outside, getting Lilly out as well, who grabbed Mr. Bear.

"I want mac and cheese, but the real one. Not the yucky one Mommy always makes," she replied and made a face. Finn chuckled.

"I will tell her that, but I cannot promise anything. You know Mommy likes to eat healthy." He led her into the office building and let her push the button for the elevator.

"I know. It's yucky. Can't we go to McDonald's?" Finn laughed at that and stepped into the elevator when it arrived, looking down at Lilly.

"Maybe," he answered. It was Lilly and Finn's little secret, their little excursions to McDonald's. He knew Rachel would have a fit if she found out, but even craved a burger every now and then. The two of them heard a ding and they got out of the elevator, where Ms. Hannah was already sitting.

"Hello, Lilly. Ms. Angela is waiting inside. You can just go in," the receptionist said. Lilly nodded and leaned up while Finn lowered himself, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Be a good girl, baby. I will see you tomorrow." Finn smiled and Lilly waved, nodding her head. She quickly walked into the office and shut the door.

"My wife will pick her up in an hour," Finn said to Hannah and left, who took a note and smiled. Finn left and went back to the station, grabbing something to eat on the way.

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"Mommy?" Lilly asked quietly as she walked into the living room, where Rachel was laying on the couch, watching TV.

"Shouldn't you be asleep right now?" Rachel asked as she sat up. Lilly had tears in her eyes and nodded her head.

"I know, but...I...uh...had a bad dream...and...I...wet my bed." She mumbled, ashamed, and looked down. Rachel looked at her and got up, taking her hand.

"It's okay, baby girl. Let's clean you up and change your sheets." Rachel smiled warmly. Lilly nodded her head and followed, stripping off her pajama pants, while Rachel wet a washcloth and handed it to her.

"What was the dream about this time?" Rachel asked as she sat down on the toilet seat, helping Lilly clean herself up properly and grabbing a towel to dry her off.

"It was the big shadow eating you and Daddy again," she whispered and wrapped her arms around Rachel while she picked her up, carrying her into her room.

"Oh, baby girl. No one will take us away again," Rachel said and squeezed her in her arms tightly. Lilly put her head on her shoulder and nodded.

"I'm still scared..." she murmured and Rachel put her down, grabbing a fresh pair of undies and pajama shorts, handing them to Lilly. She quickly turned to the bed to change the sheets. Once done, Lilly climbed in and scooted over.

"Lay with me Mommy?" she asked and Rachel nodded. She laid down next to her girl and wrapped her arms around her. Lilly put her head on her chest and snuggled into her, listening to her heartbeat.

"I hope you know, Lilly, that your Daddy and I will never, ever give you away again. We love you waaaay too much to do that," she whispered into the half dark room, rubbing her arms over her back.

"I know, but you also said if the judge says no, they could take me away." Her voice sounded so fragile and scared. It broke Rachel's heart.

"I know, baby, but Sarah will do everything so you can stay here. You're mine and Finn's little girl now and nothing will ever change that." Lilly nodded into her chest and took a deep breath.

"Can you leave the doors open when I sleep, Mommy?" was the last thing she said before sleep overtook her. Rachel nodded and kissed her head, quietly humming to the little girl in arms. As soon she was in a deep sleep, Rachel got up carefully and left the room. She turned off the TV in the living room and made her way into the bedroom, starting her nightly routine. Once she slipped under the covers, she heard the door open and keys that were hung, quiet steps making their way towards the bedroom.

"Hey, baby," Rachel greeted Finn. He smiled at his wife and bend over to kiss her lips.

"You smell like ashes," she said and Finn chuckled.

"Yes. I am sorry. I didn't make it into the showers at the station. I wanted to come home as soon as possible. I'll jump into the shower now. Care to wait for me?" He asked and gave her another kiss, slipping into the bathroom. He jumped into the shower quickly and in a blink of an eye he was back in bed with his wife, spooning her from behind.

"How was your day?" he asked and placed a kiss on her shoulder. Rachel sighed a little and intertwined their fingers together, kissing his hand.

"It was okay. I'm not sure if I nailed the three auditions." She sighed and turned in his arms, looking up at him.

"I'm sure you did." He smiled and moved closer to kiss her, his arms pressing her tightly against his body.

"It's not that. I think I don't want to go back. I'd rather devote myself to Lilly more and...and I want to start to figure out what the hell is going with us," she murmured and Finn's face scrunched up in confusion.

"What do you mean?" he asked carefully, not knowing whether she was mad at him or not.

"The whole baby thing. Finn, I love Lilly as if she was our own already, but today when I dropped her off at preschool, I realized just how much we missed out. I want a baby. I want a baby so badly," she whispered, her voice quivering, tears filling her eyes.

"I know baby, I know you do." He pressed his lips to her forehead and cupped her cheek. "How about we take up that offer and both get checked out physically? See if we can even conceive children of our own. If not, we can always think of adopting a little baby?"

"That sounds good. I am not opposed to adopting, but I really hope we'll be able to have kids. I want something we created. A baby of you and me." Rachel craned her neck up and pressed his lips against Finn in a soft kiss. He kissed her back passionately and smiled.

"I do too baby, but let's not worry about that now." He hugged her tightly and she buried her face in his chest, placing a kiss on it.

"I love you. Good night," she mumbled, her eyes tightly shut.

"I love you more."

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"Ms McChagall?" A woman with dark blonde hair and green eyes said as she knocked on Sarah's door.

"Yes?" she said and leaned back in her chair. The woman walked inside and closed the door, extending her hand to her. Sarah shook it and smiled at the slightly elderly woman.

"I am Ellen Smith-Henderson. I need to talk to you," the strange lady said. Sarah motioned her to sit down.

"How can I help you?" Sarah asked politely and leaned over her desk.

"I am here, because...because of Lilly McAdams?" Ellen said, which caused Sarah to look at her confused. Immediately she grabbed her file and flicked through it, her blood freezing in her veins.

"I am Henry's aunt, Lilly's great aunt." Sarah stared at the woman and took a deep breath, closing the file of Lilly.

"And this is relevant how?" she asked, knowing exactly what it meant.

"The police contacted me in Oklahoma. I am the only blood relative that is still alive of my nephew, Henry Smith," Ellen said and took a breath. "And I am here to take my great niece home to Oklahoma with me."