Hello my lovelies! How is everyone doing? I'm just Peachy! So peachy that I decided to update again. Trust me, this is difficult cause I started writing SotF in a notebook and got all the way to chapter 28, when I decided that I didn't like the way it was turning out. So I scrapped the notebook, but kept some of the better ideas. It may take a while, but I promise it will make for a better read. Anyone else notice that this story is taking on a life of its own? Frightening really… Anyway, be sure to review and let me know what you think. I live off of these reviews, so go crazy. luvr

Chapter 21: Deceptions

He hated this. Lying to her, and making her think that he's just some bartender rather than telling her what he really was. He was a liar and a cheater, and it was only a matter of time before she figured that out.

None of that mattered now as her lips were pressed against his and her hands were tangled in his hair pulling him closer; drinking him in like she never would be able to again. He loved her. It was a startling realization. It was even more startling to realize he did want to marry her. He wanted to marry her and lock her away in a tower to protect her from his own demons. She was his Princess after all, and she deserved to be safe. He would never be able to give that to her. He would always be in some kind of danger whether it be from real problems or imaginary ones. He pulled Lila harder against his body, committing everything about her to his memory. The way she felt against him, her scent, and most of all the way she made him feel because soon it would be revealed.

He was a liar and a cheater, and it was only a matter of time before she figured that out.

!#$&()

There they were. His family. The only family that he had left since his mother had died. The little brunette girl pumping her legs as she swung, trying to go higher, and her mother stood beaming until she caught sight of him. Her smile slipped away and he could see the sadness in her eyes. His own eyes mirrored hers. Filled with sadness, loneliness, and regret. He regretted ever walking away, ever backing down, but most of all he regretted not saying 'to hell with it' and bringing his girls home. Kristina said something to Sarah and then started towards him. The late afternoon sun made her dark curls glisten red and gold. She had never been more beautiful; except when she was pregnant with his child.

"Cam," she said in greeting. "What are you doing here?"

"I just- she's so beautiful Kris," he said the words in awe.

She beamed and looked back at her daughter still swinging, "She really is. You don't know what you're missing."

Cam's heart broke the instant she said those words because he did know. He knew it everyday when he woke up and didn't hear his daughter laughing. When he would look in the window of the toy store and wonder if she liked Barbie's or Hot Wheels cars. He knew it when he came home to his empty apartment, no wife and no daughter waiting eagerly to hear about his day.

Kristina reached out and touched his arm hesitantly. "It's not too late. I mean even if you and me never- that little girl deserves her father Cameron."

Oh I don't want a thing from you

Bet you're tired of me waiting for

The scraps to fall off of your table to the ground

La da da da…

Cause I just wanna be here now

She only called him Cameron when she was trying to hammer in a point. She was trying to convince him to throw out reason. Funny, he used to be the one convincing her to do something crazy. Like run off to Mexico in the middle of the night when they were 17. He'd almost had her convinced when Alexis showed up in a rant about corrupting her daughter. He'd seen it in her eyes, the need to escape this town and create a life for them outside of everyone. He should have dragged her away that night and never brought her back. Maybe then they would still be together.

Cause I am hanging on every word you're saying

Even if you don't wanna speak tonight

That's alright, alright with me

Cause I want nothing more than to sit outside heaven's door

And listen to you breathing

It's where I wanna be, yeah

Where I wanna be

"Mommy!" Sarah called. "Look at me!" They both looked towards the swingset just in time to see Sarah jump off the swing while it was in mid-air. Kristina heard Cam gasp and saw their daughter land triumphantly on her feet. "Ta-Da!" She threw her arms out and took a bow. Kristina tightened her grip on Cam's arm and he remembered what they had been discussing.

Kristina looked into his eyes, "Sometimes you have to just take the risk and jump."

!#$&()

He was by no means a patient man; especially when it came to his daughter. Michael hadn't checked in since he'd made his little "announcement". His trust in the boy was beginning to waver. He'd been hired to do a job, and so far he'd been fairly incompetent. It was bad enough that he'd let Lila discover the truth about her mother, but to become involved with her. He wouldn't allow it. His daughter deserved better than some bartender who freelanced as a guard for hire.

"Why so broody?" the brunette asked him.

"I'm worried about Lila." He didn't elaborate as to why, it wasn't her business. At least not until he told her that she had another daughter, which would be as soon as he worked the nerve up.

Brenda waved her hand, "She's a grown woman, let her live her life without someone looking over her shoulder."

He knew she was right, and that was all the confidence he needed to tell her about Lila. "Bren, we have to talk."

She sat forward fear showing in her eyes. "What is it Jase?"

Muw-ha-ha!!! Review or I'll leave you hanging for an entire year. (And Happy Thanksgiving)

Breathing-Lifehouse