CBloom2: We'll soon see whether that's true :-)

Jynx999: I know you're not a Lily fan so I appreciate it that you're enjoying the story. Not many people like Lily, haha. She is slightly different in this story and there will be more of Ethan's illness.

HarryPotterHolbyAndHorses: Thank you and that will come out soon enough. I'm glad you like the story :-)

Chapter Fourteen

"So are you excited about being a big sister?" Alicia asked, as she and Ava sat on the floor playing a board game. Ava nodded and moved her counter four spaces, before holding her stuffed bear to her chest. "You'll have lots of responsibilities."

"What does that mean?" Ava asked, putting her head on one side.

"Well..." Alicia paused for a second. "Mummy and daddy are going to need your help when the new baby comes. A new baby can be a lot of work."

"How much work?" Ava frowned.

"Don't worry," Alicia giggled. "Mummy and daddy will do the main bits but you'll have some special big sister stuff to do."

"They'll still love me, right?" Ava asked quietly.

"Of course they will," Alicia said. "You're their special little girl." And she stroked her hair and gave her a kiss. "Good girl." There was a knock on the front door. "I'll be right back, Ethan must have forgot something." Alicia stood up from the floor and hurried over to the front door, opening it to see Cal and Matilda. "Oh, hey Cal. What can I do for you?"

"I um...I came to drop something off for Ethan," Cal said, walking his daughter inside. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm babysitting Ava," Alicia said and slammed the door shut. "Ethan and Lily have gone out for the evening." She looked down at Matilda and smiled sweetly. "Hello darling, you're Matilda right?" The young girl nodded shyly. "I'm Alicia, I work with your dad."

"Why didn't they ask me to babysit?" Cal asked. "No offence but I am Ethan's brother and the girls love playing together."

"I um...I don't know." Alicia shrugged her shoulders, and led them through to the living room.

"Matilda!" Ava squealed and Matilda sat down opposite her on the floor.

"Right," Cal sighed, hands in pockets. "How come they've gone out anyway? It isn't their anniversary or anything is it?"

"No, they're celebrating," Alicia said without thinking. "I mean..." She trailed off.

"Lily's pregnant, isn't she?" Cal sighed again. "Sorry, I saw her buying a pregnancy test though and I...I'm guessing it was positive." Alicia nodded faintly. "Did you know that?"

"Yes," she replied. "Robyn and I both know. I um...I don't think they're telling anyone yet though so please keep it to yourself."

"Will do." Cal nodded and walked over towards Ava. "How are you doing, little one? Have you been spending the evening with the lovely Alicia?" Ava nodded and smiled at Cal. "I bet you've been having a lovely time," he said and gave her a hug. "And now Matilda is here to play with you as well. You're like sisters, you two are."

"I'm going to be a big sister," Ava said.

"You are indeed," Cal chuckled. "And Matilda is your big sister."

"Except she isn't," Alicia giggled. "Don't confuse the poor girl, Cal. What was it that you needed to give Ethan anyway?"

"Oh, a DVD," he said, pulling it out of his coat pocket and handing it to Alicia. "Can you give it to him when they come back? He's been wanting to watch it for ages." Alicia nodded, promising that she would. "Thank you. Listen, how about I take Ava off your hands for a while?"

"I'm fine," Alicia said. "Besides, it's dark out and Ava will be going to bed soon."

"I'm not going to take her anywhere," Cal said. "I'll just sit in here with her and Matilda and you can go and watch some TV or get something to eat. I want to spend time with my dau...With my niece."

"Well, I...I might go and grab some dinner," Alicia said. "If that's okay."

"Of course." Cal nodded at her, his hands on Ava's shoulders. "Of course."

Alicia thanked him and headed into the kitchen, leaving Cal alone with Ava and Matilda. He sat on the floor and pulled Ava into his lap, causing her to giggle and lean up to kiss his cheek. Cal smiled and rested his chin on her head, wrapping his arms around her skinny, little waist. Finally, he had some quality time with the girl he knew was his daughter.


"Cal was here?" Lily shouted, when Alicia had told her the news. "Why on earth did you let him in the house, you stupid idiot?!" She hung her coat up and glared angrily at Alicia who was stood there looking terrified. "What did you think you were doing?"

"Lily, calm down," Ethan whispered, walking over and giving her shoulders a rub. "Cal just wanted to drop something off for me."

"And then he had the nerve to spend time with Ava!" Lily yelled.

"I don't get what the big deal is," Alicia said. "Cal is our friend, Ethan's brother and Ava's uncle."

"Things are just a bit tense at the moment with Lily and Cal," Ethan said. "Lily seems to think that he is after Ava."

"Because he is!" Lily shouted.

"I thought we'd stopped all of this nonsense," Ethan said. "Come on Lily, don't stress yourself out especially with the baby and...Everything."

"Let me get one thing straight," Lily said. "I don't want Cal to EVER step foot in this house again, I don't want you to speak of him and I certainly do not want Ava to be around him."

"Lily," Ethan whispered. "He's my brother."

"You don't understand," Lily cried. "He isn't who you think he is. He...He's a bad person, Ethan. I'm your wife and Ava is your daughter, we deserve to come first so please, please just do this for me."

"You're tired," Ethan said. "Maybe you should go to bed."

"I know what Cal is like," Lily kept crying. "I'm just scared that he's after Ava and I don't want to lose her."

"I know you don't, I know," Ethan comforted and pulled her in for a hug. "Come on, you're not going to lose her and you're not going to lose me. It's okay, I'm here now, I'm here. I promise Lily, you're not going to lose any of us."

Things are going to go a bit more downhill from here and Ethan will soon find out the truth x