A/N at the end.
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−Mom, I'm really tired, I am going to sleep, okay? Good night.
After receiveing a delicate kiss on the cheek, Kate watched her daughter climbing the stairs, and stayed there, still thinking about their conversation. Without knowing how to react to this quick-scape of Lily. And assuming that for sure she has made the exact same move in the past. And that her daughter was now hiding something.
She knew that her mom would have guessed that something was off. But still didn't think it would be this quickly. She doesn't feel ready to explain what happened with Mark. It is hard for her to open up to people and reveal anything that comes to her mind or that takes place in her life. It just doesn't come out when asked, don't want to give it more importance that it has, so she just doesn't. It was simple like that, whenever something occurred she underwent it on her own. But this…, this time she didn't think she could go on with her life without explaining it to her mother.
Thinking about it, lost in thought, at last, sleep reclaimed her.
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The next morning while preparing herself for the day ahead, she tried to listen to any sounds coming from downstairs of whom she may encounter there.
Only the keys of a laptop could be heard. Content and relaxed, thinking that it was her dad, Lily padded softly and descended the stairs.
Kate was working in her computer, last minute arrangements, while Castle and the boys had gone to a boy-day out around the city.
−Oh, hi mom−said Lily surprised, on top of the bottom step on the stairs.
−Hi Lil! It's good you're here, −said Kate turning her face toward her daughter−I'm almost finished with these last-minute details, so I thought we could go for a walk and have some hot chocolate. We are alone until at least dinner time, and I don't have anything more to do. That's if you haven't made any plans to meet your friends alredy. –She knew she was rambling, but with her not-so-subtle, sudden question last night she scared her off and the last thing she wanted is to make her feel uncomfortable again.
Lily was smiling on the inside on her mom's scattered offer to spend the day together, but she sensed she was nervous and fidgety about it. Worried about her. So she cracked a smile and answered:
−Don't worry mom, I still haven't told anyone I'm back, I wanted to take some days on my own−she looked away for a moment and then returned her sight to Kate− and that hot chocolate sounds great with this cold, misty day.
Her mom broke to a smile instantly and it gleamed as if it was the best news ever.
−Okay, perfect! Let me just grab my shoes and coat. – she said at the same time she saved the doc and closed the laptop.
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−Do you know what happened to your sister while abroad? Any of you talked to her, I know you did Skypes without us. – Castle arched his eyebrow, directing the words to his boys.
Reece and Jack were surprised when their dad abruptly change the topic of conversation and asked that. Stopping mid-munch, swallowing and leaving the rest of his chocolate muffin in the plate, Reece gave a pointed look to his brother in front of him, giving himself time to think if they really should explain what they knew about it or just pass it off and change the subject again.
A frown arose in Jack's forehead and with a slight look to his brother knew, that both of them, were wondering the same question: was it their place to explain?
−We know something, but we don't really think it's our situation to tell. − Jack said finally.
Reece interjected −We thought it wouldn't be such a big deal, she explained it to us on the first weeks of her stay, and didn't mention it anymore so we didn't really even think it would cause problems. Well, maybe it's not that at all, but we can have a sparse idea considering the little she explained.
Castle frowned, the same way Jack before. Now he really wanted to know what happened with her daughter.
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The steam of the hot chocolate went upwards and into her nostrils, carrying with it the delicious smell of chocolate.
Pretty coloured and comfortable, padded cushions decorating these agreeable armchairs, made of this coffee shop one of Lily's favourite.
Cosy, warm ambient surrounded them. The rich smell of coffee. The low, melodious voices of unknown people, secluding them in their little area formed by a large shelf with different books and vintage kitchen utensils, three little wooden tables, each one in between two of this cushy, comfy armchairs.
Going along the weather, two hot chocolates -whipped cream on top- and two Christmassy gingerbread cookies occupied the little table separating their chairs.
After reaching a little of the whipped cream with the broken arm of the cookie and savouring the united flavours on her tongue, Lily said:
−I talked about him with Jack and Reece. It was one of the first weeks I was there. In fact, it was just a silly comment and didn't really give much importance so I told them. –
She sighs and drinks a little of her cup.
Kate is watching her. This is exactly what she wanted, a calm, relaxed atmosphere, where she could feel comfortable enough to explain a little further and keep talking about it as they were doing last night, but it really wasn't her intention when she asked Lily to spend time with her.
−Lil, you don't have to explain now if you don't want to, I am not pressuring you. We came here to have a good time together, if it saddens you to talk about it, just don't tell me, I want you to enjoy this time with me, especially after these three months without seeing each other. –
She offered a tight smile, intending to reassure her.
−No, mom, I really need to explain this. It's been burdening me since it happened… and I just don't know if I'm being an idiot for giving it so much importance then and now or if the combination of this with everything else has changed me in some way, made me choose to come back, I just know that I am really confused about every little thing and have to talk to someone− answered Lily in a rush to then look away again, unable to meet Kate's eyes.
She noticed the expectation, the questions and anticipation in her moms' eyes, so she figured a good way to start, and took a deep breath.
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A/N: hi! I am sorry for the delay on posting this, I went away 1 week to Edinburgh and HighIslands (gorgeous, by the way) and didn't really have time to write and make corrections, etc. The next part is already started, promise it won't be long until posted. I am happy that a bunch of you followed the story, thank you. I am still unsure of this (always the insecurity when showing something I write), but I post it anyway, it's really good to feel that someone is interested in more of this, and it encourages me to keep posting. I am excited to tell you that I now have a plan for this story, know what I want to say and that I am writing a one-shot of something completely different!
Hope you like this and that it makes you stick to the story. Thank you very much for your support.
PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE next chapter soon!
Anna.