Here's another chapter...I'm rushing to put everything up before I go to HAWAII!!! :D:D i'm excited.

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Everyone's unique: You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous. Psalm 139: 13-14 (NLT)

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Now Lily was faced with a huge decision. Would she marry the man who looked out for her, cared for her, and was already like a father to her daughter? Or, would she opt for the riskier route and try to work things out with the biological father, who already has a shaky relationship with Emily?

Steven had been there for her, and he was probably the biggest reason why she was so well today. It would be awful to turn him down after all that he did. Plus, it would seem that she was just using him.

Seto was the real father and although they hadn't seen each other for such a long time, they still loved each other. Well, at least she thought she still loved him. That counted for something, right? And even though Emily claimed to hate him, there's a thin line behind love and hate...right? And would it make a difference if she told her that Seto was her father? Would it be the best thing to put her in a new environment and change everything? That would be too much...she's grown so attached to Steven, I mean, so have I, but I only love him as a friend. I just don't see myself being with him, but I have been living with him for so many years already, and it was going great.

She was trying to make the best decision for Emily, but she knew she couldn't ask her, since she was too young to make such a life altering decision, or was she? Did Emily have the perspective to see the consequences of each choice? Did Lily even have enough age and experience to make the right decision?

There was another question. Why did she get so jealous when she saw Michelle with Kaiba? Did it mean that she didn't want anyone to be with him except for her? But she couldn't help but feel guilty about Steven. He gave her everything when she needed it, but now that she doesn't, was it wrong to leave? She would probably be happy with him though, he was considerate, good mannered, well off, everything she could want. But then why was she so hesitant?

The answer lies in the fact that she had no closure in her relationship with Kaiba. After all, they didn't break up, but she was taken away and neither could do anything about the situation. She was helpless, and he was clueless. Neither wanted the relationship to end, and now, she didn't know what she wanted. So much for the advice of following your heart; it doesn't help if it's confused.

If only she had a best friend to discuss everything with.

The only person she thought would be the best to talk to was Yugi...but how would she get his number? No need. She'll just go to the shop, he probably didn't move.

"Emily, let's go, I have to see someone."

"Who?"

"My friend."

"Okay."

They took a cab and a few minutes later stopped at the game shop.

"Why are we here?"

"My friend, remember?"

"What about that mansion we visited earlier today?"

"Another friend. He wasn't there," she said and opened the door.

"Oooooh," Emily noticed all the interesting objects.

"Look, don't touch...Tea?"

"Uh...how did you know my name??"

"Er, I'm looking for Yugi."

"Yeah, just a sec," she smiled and disappeared into the back. Two minutes later, he came out.

"Hi, how may I help you?"

"Hey, uh...I'm Lily, uh, do you remember me?"

He gave her a perplexed look.

"We went to school...it was like 8 years ago..."

He wrinkled his eyebrows in thought.

"Uh, never mind, but nice to see you finally with Tea. At least my work wasn't done in vain."

"Oh, yeah! I remember now."

"Are you just saying that?"

"No, uh, you and Kaiba were at dinner with us, which you arranged, but then...you disappeared."

"Yeah. And uh, do you remember what happened at the hospital?"

"...er...yeah, I found you that morning and—"

"Good, okay, so you remember...uh, I need some advice."

"Uh, okay."

"Do you think we could talk somewhere private?"

"Yeah, let's go upstairs," he said and motioned to the stairs, "So, what did you need?"

"Okay, well I have a huge choice to make."

"Er, okay."

"So, I have to explain what happened...blahblahblah...so now I have to choose, and I have no idea."

"Wow..."

"I know."

"Who do you love more?"

"I think...Kaiba, but would that be selfish of me to choose him?"

"You need to discuss it with your daughter."

"I was hoping you wouldn't say that."

"Well, I hope that helps."

"Thanks. Bye, and uh, hope you're doing well with Tea," the two descended the staircase, "Emily, time to go."

When the two exited, Emily said to her mother, "Look what I snuck out," and revealed a toy figurine.

"You are truly my daughter, but, you're gonna have to return that."

"Awww...but I did it right under Tea's nose! She was right next to me, too!"

"And as much as I find that amusing, stealing is illegal," she dragged her back to the shop, "I believe my daughter has something of yours."

She reluctantly gave up the toy.

"So, where are we going now?"

"Back to the beach, we have to talk."

"Okay."

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"So, what's up, mommy?" Emily questioned and wriggled her toes in the sand.

"Okay, I have a huge decision to make."

"Uh..."

"Just hear me out...so you know Seto Kaiba—"

"You mean that stuck up guy?"

"Yeah. Well, I used to date him when I lived here before."

"Eeeewww..."

"Kinda like the relationship I have with Steven right now."

"Oh."

"And, so, uh...what do you think of Steven?"

"He's cool, but sometimes he's too nice."

"Have you ever wanted a father?"

"Yeah, like the other kids, but it doesn't really matter."

"Oh. Well, what would you think if I stopped living with Steven?"

"I'll still be with you, right?"

"Yes."

"Oh, that's fine."

"Really."

"Yeah."

"What if we never see him again?"

She thought a bit before responding, "Well, why?"

"I don't know if I should even tell you, but Seto Kaiba is your real father."

"Hahahaha, good one, mom!"

"I wish I were joking, hun, but it's true, and he's asked me to stay with him."

"But...he's so weird! And what about ice-cream lady?"

"She's out of the picture."

Her eyes bulged out, "She's dead?"

"No no, he broke up with her."

"Ahh, so what are you gonna do?"

"I have no idea."

"Huh. Well, I'm not sure either way, so choose the one you like best."

"Do you mind if we move here? You won't see your friends anymore."

"Oh..." she looked sad but then lightened up again, "but you said Japan was fun!"

"It is. How about we spend some time with Seto and his brother? We'll see how it works, okay? And then tomorrow, we can go visit the amusement parks."

"Okay," she said and her stomach grumbled.

"Let's go eat."

The two picked up some McDonald's, Emily's request of course, and they arrived at the Kaiba mansion. They were greeted by a butler. Emily was in awe of the size of the house, and Mokuba walked to the entrance to see who arrived. "Oh, you again."

"That's not the way to treat a guest, Mokuba. So, Lily, have you made a decision?" Mokuba shrugged and left for his room.

"Actually, not yet, but I think Emily should see her environment before I stick her in it."

"That's fine," he said and handed them two pins, "Put these on, so that if you get lost, we can communicate and find you."

"I think I still remember my way around this house," she replied and gave back one, "But you, dear, definitely need this."

"Emily, feel free to wander around the house. Your mother and I shall talk in my office. Ask Ben if you need anything, that would be him. He'll show you your room; you guys are staying right?"

"Yes. And make sure you keep that pin on, okay? We don't need to be searching the house for you," she kissed her forehead and Emily ran off.

"So, how have you been?"

"Good, you?"

"Not bad."

Silence.

"Look, about Michelle. After you were gone, I finished high school more into my work than ever. I enveloped myself into work to get my mind off of you, but I didn't work. The more I thought about things, I realized the value of having someone, and so I decided to maybe date or something, but nobody could replace you, and then I thought of how you always say the one and only whenever someone says your name. And then I accepted the fact that I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, you know. My brother dragged me to Canada, and abandoned me. I had no money, nothing. I was carrying Emily, and I happened to come across this wonderful woman who took me in. Her grandson took care of me, but I never wanted to pursue a relationship with him. The four of us lived together, and it seemed like everything was going to be okay. When he proposed, I was scared. I thought about you all the time, but I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't want Emily to go on the plane so young, and then I was so caught up in my work that I never really thought of coming back."

"Work?"

"Steven gave me enough money to start up a restaurant."

"Oh."

"And then when Emily was five, I figured that you might have moved on, and your brother didn't even recognize me. So when I saw you with Bar—I mean, uh...what's-her-face, Michelle, yeah, I knew you moved on. I tried to leave, but then...yeah."

"I can't help but be selfish; I want you Lily, and now that I've seen you again, it's going to be hard to let go."

"I want to be with you, too, but I'm not sure if it's the best thing."

The two were sitting on the couch, and Kaiba moved in to kiss her. This time she didn't avoid it, and it lasted for about five seconds. "I...uhm, er...I have to...tuck in Emily. It's her bedtime," she finally managed to sputter out and exited the room. Kaiba just sighed.

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ah...no decision yet. :D :D well, i still didn't address the calling issue. i think i'll just avoid it all together, although that would be a bit immature for me. BUT THAT'S OKAY! hehehe...i'm way too lazy, plus, i've got all this VBS stuff going on...so just review!