Lily P.O.V
I wake up in my bed next morning, I have no idea how I got here, but still. I look in the mirror and wince, my eyes are still red an puffy and there are trails of mascara down my cheeks.
'Oh joy' I think to myself, turning to check on Sophie, who's wide awake and lying peacefully in her crib.
I walk over and lift her onto my hip "Please don't hate me for this" I whisper, bouncing her gently "I'm doing it for you, to give you a better life"
She simply gurgled back and I sigh, taking a deep breath as I steel myself for the onslaught of questions and 'are you okay's?' from the family.
...
"Morning kiddo, good sleep?" Ricky asked, flying round the living room looking for something.
I frown, sliding into a chair at the table and grabbing Sophie's bottle from her bag.
"Err yeah...thanks. Where is everybody?"
She came to a halt, triumphantly waving her keys in the air.
"Oh, Brax took Kyle to Angelo's to show him the ropes and Case went for a surf"
I nod, wiping dribbled milk from Sophie's chin "Are you leaving too?"
She smiled at me sympathetically "Yep, photography assignment in Mangrove River...you making the call today?"
"It's now or never" I tell her simply, waving goodbye as she headed out the door.
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After breakfast, I sit staring at the number in front of me. Eventually sighing and pushing it out of sight.
"How about a little walk before I call huh?" I coo, lifting Sophie into her buggy.
She gurgled, balling her fists, which I take as a good sign.
...
I stop outside the diner, poking my head in to see if Maddy's inside. I haven't seen her for ages 'man I must have missed a lot of school' I think to myself, inwardly cringing at the thought of trying to take exams without knowing the whole course.
Accepting she's not in there, I wheel the buggy round and take it down the path and onto the beach. I lift Sophie out, pulling her tiny hat further onto her head as I sit with her in my lap, looking across the bay.
"Is it worth me stopping to say hey?" a voice questioned behind me.
I turn to see Kyle watching us, leant against the wooden rail that led back up to the cliffs.
"You can try" I mutter, switching Soph to the other knee as she started to whimper.
Kyle wandered over, taking a seat beside us he lifted her from my lap and onto his. Instantly she stopped crying and snuggled into his chest.
"Oh wow, Soph you traitor" I sigh, stretching out my legs.
"She's cute" Kyle said simply, bouncing her as she clasped his fingers in her hands
"Aren't all babies?"
He laughed "Yeah I guess...unless they look like aliens, in which case" he trailed off with a shrug and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Last night...I'm sorry if I pushed you over the edge" he said quietly
I raise an eyebrow "What d'ya mean?"
He looked at me through narrowed eyes "Me showing up here? You didn't exactly welcome me with open arms"
I bristle immediately, remembering it was his fault that Leo had to leave. I take Sophie from him and put her back in the buggy.
"What did you expect?" I say coldly, turning round away from him "A nice cosy family reunion"
With that I left him there, probably feeling as confused as I was.
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On the way back, I bump into Bianca, nearly knocking her coffee over her.
"Sorry" I sigh, steadying her as she laughed
"Where are you off too kiddo?" she asked brightly
"To make a phone call"
We both fall silent, and she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Lily, I know you want this now, but you have to be dead set on it. You can't give Sophie up for adoption and then change your mind"
I nod "I know, I'm not gonna change my mind, she needs stability and I need GCSE's" I say lightly, hoping she'll see that I'm joking.
She smiled sympathetically, patting my arm as she took a sip of her drink.
"So where're doofus and Darcy?" I question, looking round for them.
Bianca chuckled "Daddy and daughter day, he took her surfing...though I'm pretty sure Case went along too"
"How nice for him" I drawl, pulling the buggy out the way of some couple walking along arm in arm.
"You know he didn't mean what he said last night Lil, he's your brother" Bianca said gently as we start heading back home.
"Funny, sounded like he meant it to me" I mutter, kicking at the dirt.
When we get to the doors, she stopped and turned to face me "You might think that, but you didn't see his face once you burst into tears...he looked shocked Lil, we all were"
I nod, watching her disappear inside, before turning and walking in myself.
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I grab the landline and piece of paper with the number on it, and lock my bedroom door.
"Do you trust me?" I whisper to Sophie from her spot back in her crib
She waved her arms in the air, so sighing, I dial and wait for someone to answer.
"Hello?"
"Oh hi, my name's Lily Braxton, my boyfriend Leo said he spoke with you?"
"Yes, yes he did, about possibly adopting your daughter?"
"That's right...I was wondering if maybe you wanted to meet with me?"
"Of course that'd be great! Shall we come to you?"
"Yeah, that's fine, Summer Bay..."
I give our address and say goodbye, falling back against my pillows and closing my eyes.
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Leaving Soph next door with Bianca, I jog down to the gym looking for Benny. Sure enough he's there – on a treadmill, sweating as he gulped down water.
"It's done" I tell him, standing in front of the equipment with my arms crossed
"What're you on about Braxton?" he scowled, wiping a hand across his forehead
"The couple, I rang them, they're coming to meet me, you can tell Leo"
Benny hit the emergency stop button, immediately coming to a halt
"Knew you'd come to your senses" he smirked, grabbing his towel
"No you didn't" I retort "Just tell your brother he can come home"
With that I turn round and storm out, ignoring Casey who'd been watching from the doorway.
...
"Lil wait!"
"Shove off Casey!"
"I need to talk to you!"
"Well I'm busy thinking the world revolves around me" I reply dryly "Try again later"
The sound of his footsteps subside, and sighing in relief I break into a run back home.
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When I get in, a message is flashing on the machine. Collapsing onto the couch I press the button and wait.
"Hi again. Sorry you must've gone out. I've checked our diary and we could come down tomorrow to see you if it's convenient? We'll be in the area anyway. If you can meet us we'll be in the diner at around 2? Hope you can make it, we can't wait to meet Sophie!"
A long beep indicates the end of the message, and I sit back stunned. Tomorrow.
...
The door opened and Bianca stood balancing Soph on her hip
"Thought I heard you come back" she smiled "Everything okay kiddo?"
I nod hurriedly, clambering to my feet to take the baby "How's she been?"
"Absolute angel, actually slept and let me get on with some paperwork"
I laugh "At least she sleeps for someone"
Bianca looked at me seriously "You're exhausted aren't you?" she asked softly
"I'm..." I trail off because in all honesty no words can describe just how tired I am
She nodded in understanding as I transfer Sophie to my other side
"So...did you make your phone call?"
"Yeah, the couple are in the area tomorrow, want to meet up"
Bianca's eyes widened slightly though she tried to hide it "That's-"
"-Soon?"
She smiled "Are you sure you're ready?"
"If I don't do it now, I never will" I whisper, looking down at where Soph was dozing off in my arms.
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That night I take a walk over to Roo's to track down Maddy. On the way I bump into Heath and Darcy, both soaking wet from the ocean and carrying their surfboards.
"Aunt Lily!" Darcy cried, charging at me
I quickly press a finger to my lips, gesturing to a sleeping Sophie in her buggy
"Good day?" I ask quietly, as Heath came up behind her
Both nodded "I'm getting the hang of it now!" Darcy told me proudly
Heath ruffled her hair "Well you're gonna have to, River Boy's daughter and all" he teased.
Darcy rolled her eyes as I laughed. She gently leant over and stroked Sophie's cheek while she slept
"It's my birthday soon, you can help me open my presents"
"What makes you think you're getting any?" Heath said with a wink.
I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach 'Don't get your hopes up Darce. Soph might be gone by then'
I said goodnight to them so Heath could get Darcy home for dinner, the sinking feeling staying with me all the way to Maddy's front door.
I know that over the past couple of chapters Lily's turned a bit depressed. But don't worry, her feisty Braxton nature is on the rise again ;)