(Disclaimer: I do not own The Bad Guys; just Lilith.)
(Authors Note: Hello dearest readers and fellow writers! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this latest chapter! Now, I want to inform you all that this chapter is a bit on the emotional side, but it's to be expected considering the previous one. Regardless, enjoy and feel free to leave a review :))
Chapter 16
Roughly an hour after her emotional breakdown, Lilith called her supervisor and informed them of a family emergency that required her to travel out of state for a few days. Thankfully, they were understanding and actually gave her the next two weeks off so she could spend time with her family. Of course, she avoided telling them the full extent of the situation as it wasn't their business to know.
Afterwards, she purchased a round-trip airline ticket to Buffalo, NY, and called her Mom back to let her know of her upcoming flight. While said flight wasn't until 4:30 pm, Lilith still needed to pack her bag and get herself ready to go to the airport. Of course, Snake, Wolf and Diane insisted on accompanying her back to her apartment and driving her to the airport when the time came. As much as Webs, Shark and Piranha wanted to join, they felt it was best not to overwhelm her at this time.
While Wolf drove them out of the base and onto the street, Diane sat up front while Lilith sat quietly in the back seat with Snake coiled beside her. He knew she wasn't up for conversation at this time, but he lovingly wrapped his tail around her forearm as a means of comfort.
Leaning against her serpentine boyfriend, Lilith blankly stared out the window and watched the scenery pass by as they drove. As they passed the park, she noticed several small children playing on and around the jungle gym, while their parents' sat on nearby benches. Seeing this brought fresh tears to her eyes as she began picturing what her son would've been like had he survived: Would he have been an outgoing and social butterfly, or would he have been shy and somewhat introverted?
Looking back, she realized that had her son survived, he would've been four years old by now. Four birthdays he never saw. Four years of missed holidays with family and friends. A lump formed in her throat as she choked back her sobs and focused on the calming scent of vanilla and shea, as well as the soothing beat of Snake's heart as she kept her head against his chest for the remainder of the drive.
Upon arriving at the apartment building and exiting Wolf's car, Lilith punched in the security code and led them all inside before they rode the elevator up to her floor before she then unlocked and led them inside her studio. As much as she would've enjoyed giving them a quick tour of her humble home, she wasn't in much of an entertaining sort of mood at the moment. Of course, neither of them expected her to be, given the current circumstances. That, and she still needed to shower and focus on packing for her upcoming flight to Buffalo.
XXXXX
-Twenty Minutes Later-
Emerging from the bathroom wearing a purple robe, Lilith greeted her guests with a remorseful expression and approached, "..I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting..and I'm sorry you had to see me like this," she gestured to her current attire and mood, to which Snake slithered over and lovingly placed his tail on her shoulder:
"You don't have to apologize for anything, sweet peach."
Emitting a sigh and rubbing her eyes, she gave a small nod before feeling his coils gently wrap around her, "..Thanks, Hubert."
"Of course." Placing a soft kiss upon her temple, he then set her atop the bed before Diane approached with a mug of freshly brewed coffee in her paws.
"Here. I wasn't sure how you took your coffee, but I saw that you had some caramel creamer in your fridge, so I used that."
"Thank you," she graciously replied as she accepted the offered drink.
"You're welcome. By the way, would you like some help in packing?"
"I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll be fine. I'm only going to pack two outfits as I've still got some clothes back at my parents house."
"Alright then. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
She nodded and took a sip of her coffee while Snake coiled up beside her, to which she lightly traced the patterns along his back before Wolf spoke up:
"So, how long do you plan to stay in Buffalo?"
"Just a week. My boss gave me two weeks off, but I don't want to spend too much time up there as I don't want to risk my ex learning of my return. Granted, he was transferred to a different county, but he still has several goons that'll notify him should they recognize me. Plus, there's some other people I'd rather not see."
"Understandable. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to stop by the base again once you get back. We'd all love to have you over for dinner again."
At his invitation, Lilith faintly smiled, "Thanks, Wolf."
"Of course."
At that moment, Diane's phone chimed, signaling that she received a text message. Upon reading it, she placed her paw on her boyfriend's arm and emitted a sigh as she looked over at the human woman, "I'm sorry, Lilith, but I need to be heading out. Something came up and I have to return to my office."
"No worries. Thanks for the coffee and thanks for escorting me home."
"You're welcome."
"So, I guess I'll see you both again in a couple hours," Wolf stated, to which both Lilith and Hubert gave a nod:
"Okay then. Thanks for driving us here and thanks for offering to take me to the airport."
"Sure thing." He gave a nod and a sympathetic smile before he and Diane then headed out of the small studio apartment, leaving Lilith and Snake alone with each other for the time being.
Once they were gone, she stood up from the bed and walked over to her door to lock it before placing her coffee mug on the counter. "..Hubert?"
"Yes, Lilith?"
"..I know this isn't the best time to ask such a thing, but..could you lay with me for a little while? Please? I just want to be close to you while we still have time."
At her request, he nodded, "Of course." He then turned down the bed covers and slid underneath them as she turned off the overhead light and removed her robe before joining him in the bed.