Lilly woke up upon hearing her name being whispered in unison. She opened her eyes to see three kids standing before her bed.
The tallest one was a blonde girl in a blue dress that was up to her knees. Beside her stood a black-haired boy who looked to be about six and he was dressed in dirty rags. The third one was another girl with short black hair, who wore a long black dress that had the spider's web application sewn on all over it and she was holding a jack-o-lantern shaped bucket that had a super 8 film in it.
-What are you guys doing here?- Lilly sat up in her bed.
-Your dad's away with the new boy since he'd just finished filming so we thought we could come by and wish you a happy birthday.- the blonde girl said.
-That's sweet of you guys, but I don't want you getting caught here with me, you know he doesn't like it when I spend time with you.
-We know.- the black-haired girl said- We'll be out of here soon, we just wanted to give you this.- she took the film out of her bucket and handed it to Lilly.
-I appreciate this, but you know that I don't like to watch those kind of films.
-We know, but this may be something that you'll like after all.-the boy said.
-Bye Lil.- the children spoke in unison again and vanished into thin air moments later.
-Bye…- Lilly uttered quietly as she stared the unlabeled film in her hands.
Knowing that her father would be away for hours since he'd have to show the new boy how to properly edit his film, Lilly set up the projector so she could watch the one she was given.
The first image was a writing that read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLY'. It was written in capital letters on a pavement with chalk which summoned a smile on her face. The next frame made her eyes widen in surprise as she now saw her mom, looking slightly younger than she remembered her, holding hands with her dad. She was wearing a big white dress, with hints of black here and there. Even her dad was dressed in more formal clothing. It didn't take long for her to realize that this was their wedding ceremony. In the close-ups on her mom's face, Lilly was able to see just how happy she was in that moment.
Having this footage made it possible for Lilly to witness it directly and it didn't take her long to jump into the frame which enabled her to hear what they were speaking as well.
It was the moment her parents were bound to each other for all eternity and it was a sweet and touching moment for her. There was so much love in her mother's eyes as well as her father's voice as he spoke his vows and it summoned a warm smile on her face as well as a few tears.
The next scene seemed to take place possibly hours after Lilly's birth. Her mom was sitting on the bed and singing softly to her. Looking around, Lilly couldn't recognize the bedroom so she figured they must've lived someplace else around that time. A few moments later, her dad came into the picture.
-You should put her in the crib, I can see that she's asleep.- he said gently.
-I can't. I've been waiting for her for so long, I don't want to part from her, ever.
-You do realize you'll only be putting her in the crib next to our bed?
Her mom looked up at her dad.
-Don't tease me.- she said, sounding a bit tired.
-I'm not teasing you.- her dad touched her mom's face- I can see that you're tired, which is understandable after the long hours you spent in labor.
-You're just saying that because you want to hold her.
-That's not the reason.- her dad didn't sound all that convincing- Although, I wouldn't mind it.- he admitted.
-I knew it!
-Just give her to me, you need to rest. She'll still be here when you wake up.
Lilly saw her mom give in a few moments later and hand her over to her dad.
She suddenly found herself in the living room of their old house, by the piano. In the scene she was observing, her younger self was already able to sit on her dad's lap and couldn't help it but tap on the piano.
-Let's try this – I'll play something and you repeat it.
-Okay daddy!- baby Lilly exclaimed and smiled.
Lilly watched as her dad played a few notes and saw younger self clumsily try to repeat the melody and then giggle.
-I did it!- baby Lilly turned to face her dad but since he wasn't responding her smile faded away quickly- I did it wrong… I'm stupid…
-No sweetheart, you did it well.- he caressed baby Lilly's hair- I just… I love you so much.
-I love you too daddy!- baby Lilly excitedly wrapped her arms around her dad's neck, gave him a peck on the cheek and then looked at him again- So, I was good?
-You were great and I'll help you get even better. Play something on your own again sweetheart, I'd love to hear it.
-Okay.
Not long after baby Lilly finished playing her own song her mom soon entered the scene and clapped.
-You must be very proud since she's got clearly got your musical talent.
-Don't tell me that you're jealous...- her dad laughed.
-I'm not, I think it's cute.- her mom placed her hands on her dad's shoulders- It won't be long before I'm treated to piano concerts from you two.
Only moments later the happy image Lilly saw vanished and she left the frame, only to see that the projector was off.
-Why are you out of bed?
Lilly flinched upon hearing her dad's voice and turned to see him sitting on her bed.
-I'm sorry…- Lilly nervously played with her nightgown.
Bughuul took the film into his hand.
-And what's this?
-That's…
-I'm not mad, I just want to know how you got this.
-The other kids just wanted to give me a birthday present, please don't scold them.
Bughuul sighed.
-I told you that they'd get punished if I caught you with them again.
-Please don't hurt them. As another birthday gift to me.
-Alright, I won't. I actually have some good news, we're going to visit Lora and Morgan.
Lilly's eyes lit up and she took a few steps towards the bed.
-How long will we be staying with them?- she asked excitedly.
-I don't know yet. We'll see what their living situation is like and we'll figure out what to do from there.- Bughuul gently pulled Lilly closer and placed her on his lap.
-When will we be leaving?- she laid her head on his chest.
-As soon as I'm done getting the film ready with the Lanchester boy.
Lilly couldn't help it but think of the twelve year-old boy she'd only watched from the distance occasionally. Her mind filled with dread again as she thought what he could've possibly done to his family and what they were like in their final moments.
Bughuul began to sense Lilly drifting away, regretting that he'd even mentioned the boy.
-Don't worry about them sweetheart, they're not worth it.
-They were good people.
-They weren't, they just hid their problems better than most families. They had secrets that they tried very hard to conceal. Secrets that that boy knew about.
-Only because you had the other kids tell him.
-He would've found out soon enough anyway. Besides, he's not important…- Bughuul caressed Lilly's hair- Tell me, did you enjoy the gift the kids brought you?
-It was nice. I'd never seen anything similar before except maybe some photos…
-They used to visit until you grew a little older and I told them to stop since I didn't want any of them interacting with you.
-Because of what they did?
Bughuul nodded.
-Were they the ones filming what I saw?
-Yes. I allowed them to do it mostly because your mom didn't mind it, but even then I didn't let them do it for long.
-Why didn't you take the footage with you? The films were well shot.
-I know. I just didn't want you seeing the films and then getting lost in them. I was afraid you may want to spend too much time watching them and that I'd lose you eventually, that you wouldn't want to spend time with me anymore because you'd yearn for the times when your mother was alive.
Lilly looked at Bughuul.
-I love you daddy.- she touched his cheek and smiled- I'd never leave you for the chance to observe the past on a loop. I want to believe we can be happy again with Morgan and Lora and make new happy memories.
Bughuul hugged Lilly.
-Hopefully things will be better for us soon…- he said.
