Chapter 32

Normally when I would meet someone for the first time, I would usually be timid and end up feeling inferior to him or her. But not this time, as my dad and I rode in the 4-Runner on our way to pick up Kristin. I didn't have to be worried about what she'd think of me or that she wouldn't even notice me, because I all ready knew that she hated me. Which was fine with me, because I felt the same animosity towards her.

"Lily, are you okay?" my dad asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine," I replied.

"You've been kind of quiet," my dad said.

"Oh yeah, just thinking, that's all," I said.

"Oh okay," he said. "Lily…"

"Yeah?" I asked.

"When we pick up Kristin, I want you to be nice to her," my dad said.

I sighed. "But Dad…"

"Lily, please do this as a favor to me," he said. "All right?"

"All right, I guess," I said reluctantly.

"Thank you," my dad said.

"Umm…so how old are Nick's brother and sister?" I asked, quietly.

Although I wasn't nervous about meeting Kristin, I was extremely nervous about meeting Nick's brother and sister, Aaron and Angel.

"They're 14, just like you," my dad said.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Don't worry though, you'll be fine. They'll like you and you'll like them."

I turned and smiled at my dad. "How did you know I was worried about meeting them?"

"Because, believe it or not, I also get nervous when I'm meeting with new people, but I don't show it," my dad said.

"How?" I asked.

"Because I walk in the room confident that they'll like me," he said. "It's just self confidence, Lily."

"Oh," I replied. "I could use some of that."

"You've gotten better though since you first came to live with me," my dad said.

"Have I?" I asked.

"Yeah," my dad replied. "Especially since I've introduced you to so many people."

"Except management," I said.

"Yeah well, we'll deal with them later," my dad said.

"Will they be mad?" I asked.

"Let's not worry about them right now, okay?" he asked.

"Okay," I said.

The rest of the ride to the airport was silent. As we got closer I watched the planes taking off and the ones coming in. I had never been on a plane before so I enjoyed watching them.

My dad paid for the parking and then we got out. I held his hand as we made our way to the gate that we would be waiting at.

"Is it scary being up in the air so high?" I asked.

"You've never been on an airplane?" my dad asked, surprised.

"No," I replied.

"Really, well I'm sure within the next month or so you'll be on one," my dad said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because your grandmothers' want to meet you," my dad said.

"So when will we go?" I asked.

"In a couple of weeks, we have a family reunion," my dad said.

"Then I get to meet all the family?" I questioned.

"Yep, and I'll get to show off my beautiful daughter to everyone," my dad said as we sat down on the small chairs.

Then we watched as people made their way to the gate with their carry on bag and children in tow.

"Flight 464 has now landed," the intercom announced.

I watched as my dad smiled in anticipation of seeing Kristin.

The flight attendant soon opened the door, letting the passengers walk off.

My dad stood up trying to see if Kristin had walked off the plane. I stood right next to him, taking his hand in mine.

Kristin smiled as she could see Kevin's head. She tired to nicely push her way through the crowd of people, but she still ended up hitting a few people. As soon as she had a clear view of Kevin, she ran straight into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.

My dad dropped my hand as he wrapped his arms around Kristin. She took his face into her hands, passionately kissing him.

I stood there glaring at her. Did she really need to do that?

My dad set her down, while she continued to hug him.

"I've missed you so much Kev," she said.

"I missed you too," my dad said.

"I love you Kevy," Kristin said.

"I love you too Kris," my dad said.

Then he took my hand and pulled me close.

She glared at me. "You didn't tell me she would be coming."

"I told you that we would be picking you up," my dad said quietly.

"Oh," she said. "So this is her?"

"Yeah, this is…" my dad began.

"Yes. I'm Lily. His daughter," I stated.

She bent forward, making herself eye level with me. Then she patted me on the head.

"She's adorable," Kristin said, as though I were a little child.

"I'm daddy's little angel," I said, glaring at her.

"How sweet she is," Kristin said to my dad as she forced herself to smile.

"Let's go get your luggage," my dad said.

I quickly grabbed his arm, wrapping my arm around his, just as she was about to do the same.

"Ugh!" she said, annoyed.

My dad reached out his other hand for her.

"I thought you said she was staying at Nick's," Kristin whispered.

My dad opened his mouth to answer her, but I beat him to it.

"Not yet. Uncle Nicky has to wait for Aaron and Angel because they'll be coming in a cab. Dad thought it would be best if I went with him. He said it would be easier," I explained.

"Oh," replied Kristin. "Uncle Nicky?"

"Yes. He said that I could call him that," I replied.

"Well I can't wait until you're with your Uncle Nicky," Kristin said.

"Kris," my dad said, shocked.

"It's not like I want to be with you either," I said. "I can't wait until you go home."

"Lily," my dad scolded.

"What?" I asked.

"Stop please," my dad said, looking at me.

Kristin smiled and then stuck out her tongue. I then did the same to her.

"Lily!" my dad exclaimed.

"What? She did it to me first," I said, pointing my finger at her.

"I doubt that Kristin would do that," my dad said. "And I want you stop this right now."

"Whatever," I said as I rolled my eyes at him.

We continued our walk to pick up Kristin's luggage. Then we stopped and waited for all of her luggage to come around. As it did, my dad took it off of the conveyer belt and then set it down by us. Once we had all of her luggage my dad picked up as many as he could, then Kristin picked up the rest.

"Here Lily, carry this for me," Kristin said.

"Why?" I asked. "You've got two hands, why not use them both?"

"Never mind," she said angrily as she stormed off, while struggling to carry her bags.

I smiled as my dad started off after her. Then I began to walk faster to catch up with them.

Once we reached the 4-Runner my dad opened the back, putting the luggage in. I grabbed his keys and opened the front door and climbed in.

Kevin and Kristin walked up to the front of the 4-Runner, only to find Lily already sitting in the passengers seat.

My dad opened his door and I handed him his keys. Then Kristin opened my door.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Sitting," I said.

"Thanks for stating the obvious," she said.

"Well you asked what I was doing," I replied.

"Well you should be sitting in the back because I belong up here next to Kevin," Kristin said.

"Sorry Kristin, but I was here first," I said.

"Tell someone who cares," she said as he reached over and tried to unbuckle me.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I took her hand off of my seat belt.

"This is my seat," she said.

"Point being," I said.

Kevin watched in amazement as the two of them fought over the front passenger's seat. He didn't really think they would begin to argue so quickly. He had hoped that they would at least meet each other and maybe be nice to one another. Perhaps that was too much to ask right now.

"Dad, I was here first," I said.

Kevin was brought back to reality as he heard Lily's voice.

"Kris, why don't you just sit in the back for now," my dad suggested.

"Yeah Kris," I said rudely.

"Lily," my dad said.

"Sorry," I said.

"And by the way, it's Kristin not Kris," she said. Then she slammed my door shut and got into the back.

I smiled to myself as I watched her in the rearview mirror.

"You're taking her to Nick's right now, aren't you?" Kristin asked.

"Yes," my dad said. "I all ready told you that."

"Just making sure she's not coming home with us," Kristin said.

"It's my home too!" I said.

Kevin just sighed as he turned on the radio.

Not for much longer, thought Kristin. She planned on getting Lily out as soon as possible. As far as she knew, Kevin only had temporary custody. Meaning that he could just give Lily back to Social Services and they could take care of her.

I folded my arms across my chest, and stared out the window. I wasn't going to let her get rid of me. I realized now that I should have put up a bigger fight to go to Nick's than I did. I knew that any time she could get alone with my dad she would try to get rid of me or make him forget about me. Either way she would try to get me out of his life.

Soon we arrived in Nick's driveway.

"You coming with us?" my dad asked as he turned to Kristin.

"No. I'll wait here," she said.

Then my dad and I got out. He opened the back door and got out my bag.

"Dad," I said as we walked up towards Nick's house.

"Yeah?" my dad asked.

"I don't want to stay here. I want to stay with you," I said.

"Lily, we all ready talked about this," he said.

"I know. But I'm scared. I don't want to stay here by myself," I said.

"You'll be fine. And you won't be by yourself, Nick and his brother and sister will be here," my dad said.

"I know. But I want you to be with me," I said.

My dad knocked on the door.

"It's just for this one night," my dad said.

"Please, please don't make me stay here," I said.

"Lily, Kristin and I need some time alone," my dad said.

"Why? Because you want to be with her more than you do me?" I asked.

"I…" my dad began, when Nick opened the door.

"Hey guys, come on in," Nick said happily, as he moved out of the way so we could walk in.

My dad and I walked while Nick closed the door behind us. Then we went into the living room.

"Where's Aaron and Angel?" my dad asked.

"Upstairs, unpacking some of their stuff," Nick said.

"Oh okay," my dad said. "Thanks again Nick for letting Lily stay here."

"It's no problem," Nick said. "Lily can stay here anytime she'd like."

"Okay, well I have to go now," my dad said.

"You never answered my question," I said quietly.

My dad bent down and kissed my forehead. "I love you."

Then he began to walk away.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning. Sleep tight my girl," he said as he walked out.