Jynx999: Thanks. I'll admit that it's been one of my favourites to write :-)
sweeet-as-honey: It can be, I'm twenty one and I still struggle to talk to my mum and dad lol. I love Alicia in this story especially the cute relationship between her and Ava. She is like an aunt to that little girl. I also love protective Ethan, it's so adorable to write as well.
Chapter Twenty Four
Connie had an admin day scheduled, her paperwork had been piling up so much lately and she'd finally found the time to sort through it. She very rarely had time for paperwork, she was often called into resus to help with a patient because of the staff shortages they'd had. She was halfway through when someone knocked at the door before opening it. It was Lily so she wasn't too fussed about being disturbed.
"Lily, what are you doing in work?" Connie asked. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I'm not staying," Lily whispered and shut the door behind her. "I wanted to ask you about the results of Ava's test. It's been ages and...I...I'd just like to know whether it's positive already."
"Well I didn't want to stress you out," Connie said.
"So you know?" Lily asked. "You've got the result already."
"I don't know the result because I haven't opened it," Connie sighed and opened her drawer. She took out the envelope and handed it over to Lily. "But you've been under a lot of stress lately, I didn't want to go and make things worst for you."
"I don't know if I can do it," Lily said but Connie gave her an encouraging nod. Lily took a deep breath and opened up the envelope. She placed the envelope on Connie's desk and opened up the piece of paper.
"Well?" Connie asked, unable to read Lily's expression.
"Negative," Lily whispered, as she kept her eyes on the paper. "She doesn't have the gene."
"Well that's good, isn't it?" Connie said.
"I don't know," Lily said and gulped, before making eye contact with Connie. "I'm pleased that she doesn't have it but...Well, it also means that she could be Cal's daughter."
"Not necessarily," Connie said. "She could still belong to Ethan. Why don't you get a paternity test done, Lily? At least then you'll know for sure."
"I can't," Lily whispered. "Besides, Ethan doesn't want one done. I...I think he prefers not knowing, maybe things are better that way."
"Well, only you can make that decision," Connie said. "How's the sickness?"
"Still there," Lily sighed and managed a small smile. "I may have to go ahead with that pill you mentioned. It's not been fun and Ava's been getting upset when I don't play with her."
"How's she been lately?" Connie asked. "Is her behaviour any better?"
"A little actually," Lily said. "I don't know what she said to her but Alicia talked to her and since then Ava has been a lot happier and a lot more well behaved. She's like Nanny McPhee."
"Who?" Connie frowned.
"Nanny McPhee," Lily repeated. "It's a film about this magical nanny, have you never seen it?"
"Have you been drinking?" Connie joked. "Sounds like a whole load of rubbish to me."
"It's okay," Lily laughed. "I wouldn't say it's the best film in the world. I wanted to ask you something by the way."
"Go ahead," Connie said.
"Well when I have the baby, obviously Ethan is going to be there but I was wondering if you would as well if that's okay?" Lily asked. "You've been a great help with everything and I'd really appreciate that."
"Are you sure about that?" Connie asked and Lily nodded. "Of course I will, I'll be more than happy to be there."
"Thank you," Lily thanked her shyly and smiled. "Anyway, am I okay to go home? Sorry but I did throw up again this morning, I wanted to come and ask you about Ava's results though."
"It is absolutely fine, Lily," Connie said. "I know you haven't been well. Maybe you should go on early Maternity Leave."
"No," Lily immediately answered and shook her head. "Not happening. I'll be bored stiff, I'll have the rest of the week off to help ease the sickness but then I will continue to work. I'll be working when the baby is halfway down the birth canal, okay?" And she snapped Connie a smile before heading out of the office.
"Suit yourself," Connie muttered under her breath and got on with her paperwork.
"Dad," Matilda said as she sat in the living room and did her homework that evening. "Our teacher wants us to draw a picture of our family tree but I don't know what to draw." Cal sighed and sat down next to her to see what she had done so far. "Can I draw mum?"
"Well, she's your family isn't she?" Cal said and stroked her hair. "You have to draw her."
"And you as well," Matilda said. "What about Uncle Ethan and Aunty Lily and Ava?"
"Them as well," Cal said. "They're all your family, aren't they?"
"I guess so," Matilda said. "I don't see Ava that much anymore, I wasn't even allowed to go to her birthday party. Did I do something wrong?"
"No princess," Cal said. "You didn't do anything wrong. It...It was daddy's fault. You saw Ava the other day though, didn't you? That was a nice treat." Ava gave a small shrug. "I'll see what I can do princess," Cal said. "I'll see if I can get you to see Ava a bit more. I know you two became good friends."
"Yeah she isn't that bad," Matilda said, as she continued with her homework. "Can we go to Disneyland this year?"
"That's all the way in Paris, Matilda," Cal laughed. "And we just don't have the money for that sort of holiday I'm afraid."
"I meant the one in America," Matilda said and looked up at her dad. "Everyone at school has been. I'm like the only one who hasn't and I feel really left out, you don't want me to feel left out do you dad?"
"No of course not," Cal said and rubbed at the back of his neck. "But the one in America is even more expensive and we...We just can't afford it. I'm sorry."
"But you're a doctor," Matilda said. "McKenzie in my class said that doctor's get paid loads and loads of money."
"But you need to understand that I...I look after you on my own," Cal said. "I have to pay the bills and...I'm sorry Matilda but we cannot afford a holiday to Disneyland, Florida or Paris."
"That isn't fair," Matilda complained.
"Matilda!" Cal snapped at her. "You are my daughter and I've said no, you can't always have everything you want!"
"Mum would have said yes," Matilda said, scowling angrily at her father. "She always said yes when I asked for something. I miss Bournemouth."
"Matilda..."
"I want to go back," Matilda said. "I hate it here, no one at school likes me and I miss my mum."
"But sweetheart, this is our home now," Cal said. "This is where daddy's job is, where your uncle and aunty are. I thought you had friends at school."
"No," Matilda whispered and shook her head. "They all think I'm weird. Ava's my only friend and I don't even see her that much anymore, I want to go back to Bournemouth. I was happy there."
"But you're not happy here?" Cal whispered back and Matilda shook her head. "Look, as your dad it's my job to make sure you're happy but...We can't go back to Bournemouth, I'm needed here. Ethan is very sick and he and Lily are expecting a new baby, they need me."
"But I need you too," Matilda whined. "And it's like you don't even care about me anymore, dad!"
"Of course I care," Cal said and pulled her in for a hug. "Look Matilda, I am going to make sure you're happy but we don't necessarily have to move back home for that. I'll save up and then one day we'll be able to go to Disneyland, I'll make sure that you have more contact with Ava and I'll have a word with your teachers at school. I promise that everything is going to be fine and say in a few weeks time you're still not happy, we'll move back to Bournemouth. How does that sound?"
"Okay daddy," Matilda whispered and wiped at her eyes whilst leaning against Cal. "That sounds good. Sorry I shouted at you."
"And I'm sorry I shouted at you," Cal said and kissed her on the head. "But you're my little girl and I love you. Now, how about I go and cut us two big slices of that chocolate cake that's sitting in the fridge and then we can work on your family tree project together?"
"Yes," Matilda agreed with a huge smile. "Okay."
Hope you enjoyed the chapter x
