Chapter 13

Kevin rolled over at looked at the clock, 5:30 am. He couldn't lay in a bed any longer, he had to get up now.

He tossed and turned all through out the night. It seemed to be the longest night ever. Kevin thought that the day would never come.

Kevin got up and took a shower. Then he watched t.v. for a while. At about 6:30 he walked downstairs to eat breakfast. They had a large buffet set up, so Kevin grabbed a plate walked around getting what he wanted. Then he sat down at a table and quietly ate his food.

Once he was through, it was already 7:15. He quickly went up to his room and got his cell phone and keys. Then he went downstairs and got into his rental car.

Kevin knocked on the door that read: Kate Johnson, Social Worker.

"Come in!" a female voice called.

Kevin opened the door and walk in.

Kate stood up and took off her glasses. She stepped forward extending her hand.

Kevin took her hand gently shaking it.

"You must be Mr. Richardson," she said.

"Yeah, but call me Kevin," he said.

"Okay, and you can call me Kate," she said. "Go ahead and sit down."

"Thanks," Kevin said as they both sat down.

Then he took his hat and sunglasses off.

"So it is The Kevin Richardson," she said as she looked at him.

"I need your word that this is strictly confidential, just between me and you. I don't want the media involved in this, especially for Lily's sake," Kevin said.

"I understand completely Kevin. This will remain between us, and only us," she said.

"Thank you," he said.

"Okay, so Mike tells me that you want custody of Lily?" Kate questioned.

"Yeah, that's right," Kevin said.

"Are you positive? Because being a parent is a huge responsibility and I don't want to give you custody of her unless you are sure that you can handle it. I need to know for sure, because right now I have a couple of families that may want to adopt her. So I either need to continue talking with them or concentrate on getting you custody," Kate said.

"There's nothing more that I want than to be Lily's dad," Kevin said.

"Okay Kevin," Kate said as she shook her head. "Are you married?"

"No, but I'm engaged to my long time girlfriend," he replied.

"Do you plan on getting married soon?" she asked.

"Yeah. Once she's done touring," Kevin said.

"And what does she do?" Kate asked.

"She's a dancer on tour with Cher," Kevin replied.

"Oh, all right," she said.

"Look, I know that I don't have the normal everyday job from nine to five and I won't always be home. But I promise to take care of Lily and love her no matter what. And I will take her where ever I happen to go," Kevin said.

"As long as you take care of this little girl. Cause if you don't, I'll be at your door along with Mike," Kate said.

"I understand," Kevin said.

"Okay, now let's see if we can get these custody papers filed," Kate said.

"All right, let's do it," Kevin said.

I laid around the house all day watching sports with the guys. Every time the phone would ring my stomach would be in a knot thinking it was Mike. But it was always for the guys, one of their girlfriends calling. It was killing me that Mike hadn't called. I wanted to know what was going on and whether or not I was going to be able to see my dad.

"Okay Kevin, just sign your name here and that's it," Kate said.

Kevin signed the piece of paper and then handed it to Kate.

"All right, I'll let you know when you will be seeing the judge," she said.

"Okay," he said. "When do I get to see Lily?"

"How about tomorrow morning?" she suggested.

Kevin sighed.

"I know you really want to see her. Just give it one more day. I want to get this paperwork filed and things started," she said.

"All right," Kevin said reluctantly.

"Here's the address of the foster home. I'll meet you there tomorrow at 9 o'clock," she said.

"Okay," Kevin said as he took the piece of paper from her.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Kate said as she shook Kevin's hand.

"Tomorrow," Kevin said as he left.

Kevin got in the rental car disappointed that he couldn't see Lily.

Kate called Mike right away and told him what had happened.

"Ryan, is it all right if I use the phone?" I asked.

"Sure, go ahead," he said as he handed it to me.

"Thanks," I said as I took it from him.

I dialed Mr. Countrymen's number and then waited for him to answer.

"Hello."

"Hi, Mr. Countrymen."

"Oh hi Lily. I was just going to call you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, to talk to you about your dad."

"Am I going to see him today?"

"No, not today. But he will be over there tomorrow morning at nine."

"Here?"

"Yeah, along with Kate."

"Is he. . .you know. . .going to be my dad or not?"

"Kate talked to him today and he filed for custody. But are you sure this is want you want?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, because I want you to be happy with whomever we place you with. Don't feel pressured just because he is your biological dad, okay?"

"Okay. But can I ask you a question."

"Sure sweetie."

"Is he mean?"

"No, not at all. He seems like a really nice guy. And he really wants to see you."

I smiled. "I want to see him too. I want him to be my dad."

"Okay, as long as that's what you want."

"It is."

"Okay, well you'll finally be able to meet him tomorrow."

"Thanks Mr. C."

"You're welcome. And I hope you have a wonderful evening."

"I will," I said as I hung up the phone.

I gave the phone back to Ryan.

"Was that Mr. Countrymen?" asked Jaime.

"Yeah. He said that Kate and my dad are coming over tomorrow at nine," I said. "Is that okay?"

"Sure, that's fine," she said happily.

"Thank you," I said.

Then I walked into my room. Samantha was painting her fingernails and Jaclyn was reading a magazine.

"Hey Lily," Samantha said.

"Hi," I said. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?" Jaclyn said as she put her book down.

"Tomorrow I'm going to see my dad and I was wondering if you could do my hair?" I asked shyly.

"Sure," Samantha said.

"Do you have anything to wear?" asked Jaclyn.

"No, not really," I said.

"Oh okay," Jaclyn said excitedly as she got up and went to their closet.

"Here come sit down," Samantha said as she moved over on her bed. "Let me paint your fingernails."

"All right," I said.

Jaclyn pulled out an out fit from her closet.

"You'll look cute in this. Or at least I'm sure this is something your dad would think you look cute in," Jaclyn said. "Do you like it?"

I studied what she was holding. It was a pair of khaki capris and a light yellow tank top with Old Navy written on it.

I smiled. "Yeah, I like it."

"Okay good, then you can wear it tomorrow," she said.

"How about we paint your fingernails this pretty yellow?" Samantha suggested.

"Sure," I said.

"Okay now sit right here, so I can paint them," she said.

I turned and faced her.

Then Jaclyn sat behind me and just played around with my hair.

"You have such beautiful hair," she said.

"Thank you," I said.

"So are you excited about seeing your dad?" Samantha asked.

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous," I said.

"Why?" Jaclyn asked.

"I don't know. I guess I'm worried that he won't like me," I said.

"Don't say that. He wouldn't be coming to see you if he didn't love you," Jaclyn said.

"I guess," I said.

"Don't worry. You'll be just fine," Jaclyn said.

The girls and I continued to talk as Samantha painted my nails. Once she was through Jaclyn decided that she wanted to see what she could do with my hair. So we spent the rest of the night doing girl things.