Arthur's note: heeeya there, sorry if i took longer than I shoudve life for in the way, i had my son's birthday a couple days ago and the whole arrangement and stuff etc had me beat.

I hope to keep up with this story as best I can.

Ulrick Vega age back in 1992, 25. Now 50.

Hair color: brown

Height: 5.9

Occupation: Doctor

Relative: Claire Vega

Ulrick's POV

(Redlands hospital)

He sat on his comfy chair in his office. Just thinking to himself.

.

.

.

25 years past since the tragic death of my closest friend Arhellia, and her daughter (Claire's older twin sister), whom she would NEVER know, for if she did, she would break, and never forgive me. One thing is certain, these passed years of raising Claire, she's become the daughter I've longed to have.

Claire has been a consolement for my pain. Loosing her mother was heart breaking for me, she was an amazing woman. Oh how Claire would have loved her mother. Sadly life had a different plan for her and daughters. I felt awful for not being able to help cure Arhellia's severe illness. Soon after her death, I fell into depression. Having Claire by my side, kept me from closing in.

Being a doctor, and father figure was pretty challenging. During the first couple of years being Claire's adoptive father - "wait no scratch that, what am I saying? I am her father, I've been there's since day 1!"

My colleagues all thought it was weird that I would take in my deceased friend's child as my own they feel like it was unprofessional of me but I didn't care it was a sentimental thing that I felt for the child of not having anyone to be there for her not even her real biological father was there. Her biological father don't even get me started was an ass.

I can't help but feel like he made my friend unhappy during their marriage he was always gone while she stayed at home and waited and waited for him like she told me whenever she and I got to hang out. I feel like I wanted to say something to her husband but it was not my place it was up to her to either stay with him which she did or leave him but she chose to stay in an unhappy marriage. Which I couldn't understand why she would stay with someone like that, deep down I had actual feelings for her but I couldn't tell her I don't want to make things awkward between Arhellia and I instead I just kept my silent and just stayed close to her as best I could until the last of her days.

It didn't surprise me at all when the asshole never showed up to claim his daughter his (only daughter) that survived. It frustrated me that he could have a family and not cherish it, if it were me I would have valued it to the fullest. However I'm happy that Claire is my daughter and not that lousy good-for-nothing excuse for a father.

A big part of me is happy that he didn't claim her who knows what kind of life she would have had beside him, he would have no doubt made her unhappy just like her mother which I have course will not have allowed because Claire is the only thing that's left of her Mother, and I'll make sure to protect her with all my might.

I won't let anything, or anyone hurt my daughter. He thought. While he sat and looked at a small picture in his hand of Arhellia and him as children. A warm smile formed in his middle aged face. Remembering how much adventure they both had at those times.

A soft knock came to his door. He quickly put down photo frame down on his desk where he always keeps it at and sat up straight.

"Yes?" He answered

"Doctor Ulrick, i just wanted to let you know, your daughter is on line 1." A young secretary announced.

"Thank you, Sabina!" He replied back. With happiness in his voice. He loved getting calls from his daughter.

Sabina nodded her head with a small smile, and dismissed herself.

He picked up the phone, pushed a bottom, than answered.

"Hello". He said

"Hi daddy, I was calling because I wanted to let you know, I'm came in town, and wanted to see if you were free for lunch today? Claire said through the phone.

"Yes, I free sweetheart, where at though?" He said. While double

checking his calendar his to make sure he wasn't busy. Which gladly he wasn't at all today, like he normally would be. Inside he was excited he was going to see his daughter after she spent 4 years out of the city because she attended college at a whole different state in Ohio.

"Hmmm, let me see, oooh how about Bakers!?" Claire said with excitement on the other line.

Which caused her father to sorta jump a little. Almost forgetting how hyper clear can get when she's happy.

"Mmm, sounds great to me honey. He replied.

"Yaaaayyyaaahh!" Claire shouted on through the phone. Not realizing she's almost give her father have to death on the other line.

He loved that she was in a happy mood and how she acted so childish reminds him of the small child he held in his arms all those years ago.

"I'll meet you there in 15 minutes. He said.

"Yeah, sounds great faather!" Claire sang sorta on the last word.

"Hahaha, alright see you there sweetheart." He said, before hanging up the phone gently. He got up from his chair grab his coat from the coat hanger and left ready to meet his daughter at the restaurant.

Claire's POV

After ending the call with my father, I put locked my ( whatever phone you have ), and putting in my pants pocket, grabbed my hoodie from my hanger, wallet off the coffee table, and started headed for the door, open it then shut the door behind me, and locked it. Heading for the elevator, since I headed taking the stairs due to an accident I had when I was a kid, and fell. Once in the elevator I pushed the 1st floor button. Doors open and walked out as quickly as possible, fearing the elevator doors might close while I walk out and crush me, damn those horror films I used to watch, maybe it would have been better off if I didn't watch them...sametime I can't help myself but oh well yeah... I made my was out of two double doors to the apartment building opened by a security guard next to it. Who's name is Luis. He's a very nice fellow, always has a smile on his face, like no care in the world.

"Hey there Claire, I see someone's in a hurry to meet somone." He said with a small chuckle. Always have that sense of humor.

"Hi Luis, yeah, I'm gonna go meet up with my pops for lunch." I replied back to him with a warm smile.

"Oh nice, have fun, be safe while walking out there." He said.

"I always am, thanks!" I said back.

Once out of the building I started walking a little fast, fearing i would be late with my father. My speed walking turning to a little bit of jogging. Bakers wasn't that far maybe about 17 minutes by car, but on foot for me it took 10 minutes. If course depending on the speed your going, but I'm a fast running, since I used to be on the running team back in high school.

I could see the bakers sign coming up, and my stomach began to make a small growling sound that I hoped no one else heard it. Yeah I'm a very shy person, but vicious when I had to be. I stopped jogging once I was closer but didn't see my father's car past by yet, or parked in the parking lot...my mind began to panick, fearing i might have made him wait too damn long, feeling bad too.

That's in till a sudden honking can to my left side, my attention turned to the person making that sound. My eyes widened realizing the person in the car was non other than my father. Who was waving at me all happy.

"Claire, meet me inside, let me go ahead and find a parking spot." My father said out through his open window.

I went unside the restaurant and waited for my dad to come inside for us to order.

Once he came in. First thing he did was greet me with his usual warm hugs like he would always do. I hugged him back. I loved him so much, he's all I have in this world. It would kill me if anything took him away from me. My father was very protective of me, my whole life. Yes, especially at my age. I'm 24 going on 25 in a couple of months. November is my birthday.

"Hey, hun, how you been?" I heard him say.

"I'm good, happy to see you pop." I said with a big smile on my face. I missed him so much. It's been 4 years since I last seen him, since i became a college student. Now being a college graduate.

"So, ready to order?" My father said.

"Heck yeah, that's why were here!" I said excitedly.

We ordered our good and drinks. Then sat down to eat.

As we ate, we talked about of what's been going on the past 4 years we haven't seen each other, since i left to college.

"Sooo, besides school, have you met anyone special yet, that I might not know of?" My father said

The question catching me off guard. Making me choke on my drink sorta. I heard my pops busting out laughing his head off. Causing some people in the restaurant to stare at us like a were a bunch of weirdos. I left my face feel warm with embarrassment...

"Whao, kiddo you okay?" My pops asked. Trying to hold on some of his laughs.

Now where did that question come from, was he seriously expecting for me to have a love life out there while I was in college ? Just weird if you ask me.

"No pops, there isn't a special somebody." I said with a flustered face. Still embarrassed .

"Yet!" He said with a low chuckle.

"Yeah, no not happening." I said. Like I need a man to complete me. Smh.

"Aww, hun, I was just playing!" He said.

"Yeah, sure." I said. Not sounding so convinced.

We continued eating quietly after that.