Chapter 45

Uncle Nicky was taking me home, after spending the day with him and Aaron. But as we got close to my house, there was a large group of people standing there with all sorts of cameras.

"Who are they?" I asked, curiously.

"Reporters," Nick responded, somewhat angrily.

"Reporters?" I questioned. "What do they want?"

"I'm not sure," Nick said. "But why don't you put that sweatshirt on that's in the back?"

"Uh, okay," I said.

I unbuckled myself and climbed into the back, grabbing the sweatshirt. I put it on, just like Uncle Nicky had told me. Then I sat back up in the front.

As we got closer, Nick pulled out his cell phone. "Hey Kev."

"Hi Nick."

"Lily and I are pulling up to your driveway, but there's reporters."

"Damn it! They're still there?"

"Yeah."

Kevin sighed.

"Do you still want me to bring Lily home? Or maybe we should go somewhere else?"

"No, I'd rather have her here safe with me."

"Okay, well be prepared to help us, cause it doesn't look like these reporters are going to respect your privacy."

"They've been calling all damn day. Somehow they found out about Lily."

"Well I made her put on one of my sweatshirts."

"Okay good, I don't want her picture to be everywhere."

"Yeah."

"I'll be waiting."

"Okay, bye," Nick said, and then hung up.

"Am I going home?" I asked.

"Yeah, your dad is waiting for us," Nick said.

"Oh, okay," I said.

"But first I need you to put the hood on, and hide your face as much as possible," Nick said.

"Okay," I said.

"And go ahead and turn yourself so that you're facing me," Nick said. "They can't see in the side windows."

I did as he said, turning towards him.

We then pulled up to our front gate and soon it opened, allowing not only Nick's truck in, but also the rest of the reporters. Nick sped up his truck, trying to quickly get us in.

"Okay hold onto me and keep your head down," Nick said.

I shook my head okay.

Nick got out and then helped me out. As soon as I got out, I held on tightly to him with my face hidden.

Just as we were about to walk up to our front door, there were people surrounding us everywhere yelling all sorts of things at me and I could see all sorts of flashes going off. Nick kept his arm wrapped around me protectively as we slowly made it to our door. I could hear him yelling at the people to let us have our space. My heart began racing as everyone was pushing and shoving us. I began to get extremely claustrophobic.

Then all of a sudden someone picked me up and wrapped me in their arms. I buried my head into their chest as we quickly went inside, with someone shutting and locking the door behind us.

Kevin removed Lily's hood once they were safely inside.

I looked up to see my dad staring at me. He then bent down and kissed my forehead. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding onto him for dear life.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Uh huh," I said. "I'm okay."

"I'm so sorry about that," my dad said as he set me down. "Are you sure that you're okay?"

"Yeah," I said as we walked into the living room.

"Kev, I called the police," Kristin said. "So the reporters should be leaving soon."

"Thanks Kris," my dad said.

Then she came over to me. "Lily, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I was just a bit scared," I said.

Then she hugged me. "It's okay, your dad and Nick had you."

"Why were those reporters out there?" I asked.

"Well somehow they found out about you, and they were just curious," Nick said.

"About me?" I questioned.

"Yeah, because you're my daughter and I've never told anyone else before. So they all went to interview us," my dad explained.

"I don't want them to interview me," I said.

"Don't worry," my dad said. "They're not going to bother you. I don't want you in the spotlight just because of my job."

"Thank you Daddy," I said as I hugged him.

"Kev, you want me to do anything?" Nick asked.

"No, not right now," my dad said.

"All right, I'm going to go now," Nick said.

I got up and hugged Nick. "Be careful."

"Don't worry Lily, I'll be fine," Nick said. "They've left all ready."

He told Kristin good-bye and then we all watched him leave.

"What are you going to do now?" Kristin asked.

"I'm not sure," my dad said.

Then my dad's cell phone rang. He went over to the counter and answered it. "Hello?"

My dad looked at me and then walked out of the room.

"Is it always like that when reporters want to talk to my dad?" I asked Kristin.

"Yeah, most of the time," Kristin said.

"I don't like those people," I said.

Kristin smiled. "Neither do I."

After a while my dad came back into the room.

"Who was that, Kev?" Kristin asked.

"Management," my dad answered.

"Oh," Kristin and I replied.

"Yeah, they wanted me to give them an explanation," my dad said.

"And did you?" Kristin asked.

"I told them what they needed to know, which didn't really make them happy," my dad said. "They wanted to know who, when, where, how and what."

"All the details?" I asked.

"Yeah, but that's none of their business," my dad said.

"So now what?" Kristin asked.

"Well they told me that I should release a statement. They feel that our fans have a right to know that I have a daughter," my dad said. "So they called a press conference."

"I don't have to go, do I?" I asked.

"No, you're not going," my dad said. "I want to keep you away from the media as much as possible."

"You're leaving right now?" Kristin asked.

"Yeah," my dad said annoyed. "They want this taken care of right away."

"They're probably right," Kristin said.

"I guess," my dad said.

Then he hugged both of us. "Be careful Dad."

"I'll be fine Lily, they'll have security waiting for me," my dad said.

"Okay, good," I said.

Then he walked out the door.

Press Conference

Kevin had all ready explained all that the media need to know about his daughter, but they continued to pry. All he told them was that he had a daughter and she was now living with him. He felt that was all the information they needed.

Afterwards, all the reporters shouted their questions at Kevin.

"What's her name?"

"Who's the mom?"

"How old is your daughter?"

"Does Kristin know about her?"

"Are you still engaged to Kristin?"

"Is Kristin the mom?"

"Where was your daughter before?"

"Why wasn't she living with you?"

"Do you love your daughter?"

Kevin began to get angry as the questions kept coming. Then he spoke into the microphone.

"I refuse to answer any of your questions. I've all ready told all that you need to know. And I'd appreciate it if you would not bother us anymore. Please just leave my family alone. And just to set you guys straight, yes I do love my daughter. She means the world to me."

Then he got up and walked out as the flashes went off.

"That's it, that's all your going to say?" questioned Steve, who was Kevin's manager, as Kevin walked down the hall.

"Yep, that's it," Kevin said. "You're the one who wanted the press conference, not me."

"You're not even going to give them her name though?" Steve asked.

"No. The less they know, the better," Kevin said.

"So who is the mom?" Steve inquired.

"If that was your business, I would tell you," Kevin said.

"All right, I get the point. Your daughter's life is none of our business," Steve said.

"That's correct," Kevin said.

"Well I guess I'll let you get back to your family then," Steve said.

"Thanks," Kevin said, and then he walked out with security right next to him.

A week later

Aaron and Angel were now living with Nick until the whole family could move down. But for now, their parents wanted them in school as soon as possible, so Nick volunteered to take care of them.

Since they were now going to school, my dad figured that now would be the best time for me to get back. So today was the first day of school.

"Lily, are you ready yet?" my dad called.

"No!" I yelled.

Kevin sighed. "We have to be leaving soon. Nick will be waiting for us."

"I'll go check on her," Kristin said as she went upstairs.

I grabbed another outfit and changed again for about the fifth time. As I tried to quickly fix my hair, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said.

I looked towards the door, watching as Kristin walked in and noticed all the clothes that were thrown all over my bed.

"Nervous?" Kristin asked.

"Um yeah, just a bit," I said. "I hate the first day of school! And I hate this outfit!"

Kristin laughed. "Does this have anything to do with a certain boy…named Aaron?"

"No," I said quickly. "Well yeah. I mean no. I don't know!"

She smiled at me. Then she got up and picked up an outfit from my bed, handing it to me. "Try this."

I took it from her and changed again.

"Better?" I asked as I walked out.

"Yes, you look cute," Kristin said. "Now come with me."

I followed Kristin into her and my dad's room.

"Have a seat," she said as she pulled out a chair.

"Okay," I said.

Then she took out her brushes. "I'm just gong to pull your hair half way back up into a barrette. And then pull out a few pieces, so they frame your face. Is that okay?"

"Yeah," I said happily.

Then she went to work, fixing my hair. After she had finished, she then applied a small amount of make-up.

"There, you're all done," she said.

I smiled as I saw myself in the mirror. Then I turned to Kristin and hugged her. "Thanks Kristin."

"You're welcome," she said.

"I just need to get my bag and then we can go," I said.

"Okay," she said.

I quickly went into my room, grabbed my bag, and then rushed downstairs.

"K Dad, we can leave," I said as I walked passed him and out the door.

Kevin watched as his daughter walked out. "Is she…?"

"Yes Kev, she's wearing make-up," Kristin said. "But don't worry, it's not a lot. You can hardly notice it."

"Well I noticed it," Kevin said as they walked out.

"Of course you did, you're the dad," Kristin said.

"So that means boys are going to notice too," Kevin said.

Kristin swatted Kevin's arm. "Be nice."

"What? I'm just watching out for her," Kevin said.

"She'll be fine," Kristin said. "Besides, she needs her self-esteem lifted up a bit. Especially now that she's going to school."

"Yeah, I know," Kevin said.

Once Kristin and my dad got in, I asked, "Do I really have to go to school? Can't you guys just home school me?"

My dad smiled at me. "Lily, sweetheart, you'll be fine."

I shook my head no. "I don't want to go back. None of the kids are going to like me. They won't even take notice of me…they never do."

"The kids will love you," Kristin said. "You're a wonderful girl."

"And don't worry, they'll take notice of you now that you're a Richardson. Just walk in there with confidence, remember," my dad said. "Plus, Angel and Aaron will be there with you."

"Yeah, I know," I said.

"You'll be fine," my dad said as he smiled at me and we backed out of the driveway.

"I guess," I said reluctantly.

After about 15 minutes, we arrived at Uncle Nicky's house. All 3 of us got down and stood at the door. Soon it flew open, revealing Aaron.

"Hey guys!" he said happily.

"Hi," we said.

"Come on in," he said. "We're just waiting on Angel. She always takes forever to get ready."

Kristin laughed. "Sounds like someone I know."

I began blushing.

"By the way, you look really cute," Aaron said, smiling at me.

I didn't think it was possible for my face to become any redder, but somehow it did. I thought I would die right there of embarrassment.

"Thanks," I said quietly.

My dad opened his mouth to say something, but Kristin just placed her finger on his lips. "Ssh."

Then my Uncle Nick came downstairs.

"Hey Lily!" he said.

"Hi Uncle Nick," I said.

"Are you…blushing? You seem a bit red," Nick said.

My dad and Kristin began laughing as Aaron smiled at me.

"Umm…I'm just going to go see Angel," I said as I walked away, avoiding everyone's stare.

"What? What happened?" Nick asked curiously.

"Nothing," Aaron said.

I stood outside Angel's doorway as I watched her search for something.

"Hey girl," I said.

She turned to me and smiled as she ran to me and gave me a hug.

"Hi Lily," she said happily.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Searching for my folder. I forgot where I placed it," she said as I sat down on her bed.

"So are you nervous?" I asked as she continued searching.

"Umm…no not really," she replied.

"Oh," I said.

"Why are you?" she asked.

"Yeah, a little bit," I said.

"Why?" she asked.

"Let's just say that the first day of school has never been the best for me," I said.

She sat down next to me. "Don't worry about it. Aaron and I will be there for you."

"Thanks," I said as I hugged her.

"You're welcome," she said.

"Lily! Angel! Time to leave!" yelled Nick.

"Okay!" we yelled.

Angel quickly grabbed her things and we went racing downstairs.