28. Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Lily
Tyson Robb, the fire inspector, stands in what's left of Clay Play Daycare , clipboard in hand, and addresses me, Sam, and Adam with a calm but serious demeanor.
"Miss Cruz, I know this is a difficult time for you, and I'm truly sorry for the loss. My wife and I had enrolled our two kids to start on the first day."
"I'm sorry," I say. "I hope you will consider enrolling them again when we're back up and running."
"Yes, ma'am. We definitely will," he smiles before clearing his throat. "After conducting a thorough investigation, we have determined that the fire was not set intentionally."
"Are you sure?" I ask, thinking of Marian's open threats.
"Absolutely," he replies. "It actually originated from an electrical issue, specifically a fault in this wiring right here." He's pointing at a charred section of the wall where the blackened remnants of exposed wires tell the story of what went wrong.
"Was the installation of the wiring incorrect?" asks Adam, carefully eyeing the damage.
"The installation of the wiring appears to be up to code," Tyson says, "and the materials used were appropriate. However, the electrical system may have been overloaded due to several devices being plugged in simultaneously."
"No," I say. "The only thing we had plugged in was the computer."
"Where did the computer sit?" Tyson asks.
I look around, trying to gauge where everything used to sit. "The counter would have been right here, with the computer on it, and connected exactly where the fire started."
"If that's the case," Tyson continues, "then it must have been an issue in the circuit."
"Could it have been prevented?" Adam asks. I can tell he feels responsible.
"It wasn't anything you or your contractor did wrong," Tyson says. "This was a perfect storm of circumstances—an unexpected electrical surge combined with a fault in a hidden circuit. The surge protectors did their job, but sometimes, things happen beyond our control. The wiring was safe, and the installation was solid; this is just one of those unfortunate events."
***
After Tyson leaves, I lean into Adam, and the tears I’ve been holding back finally spill over. “I blamed Marian,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “I really thought she had done this. Now I feel awful.”
Adam wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. “Lily,” he says gently, his tone soothing, “Marian made her own bed. No one can blame you for thinking the worst, especially after everything she’s done. Her behavior's been despicable. You had every reason to suspect her.”
I nod, burying my face in his chest, the guilt gnawing at me.
“Noah and Davey should be here with you,” he adds softly. “Noah would want to be by your side, helping you through this.”
"Especially now," Sam says, then suddenly freezes, realizing his slip. His eyes widen as he glances at me and back at Adam, mouthing, " Sorry," before looking away.
Adam’s brow furrows. “What?” His deep voice is edged with concern. “Especially now? Why, especially now?”
I swallow hard, avoiding Adam’s gaze, feeling the weight of the secret pressing on me. Sam shifts awkwardly, knowing the truth is about to come out.
"I'm pregnant," I say softly, twisting the ring around my finger, watching the words hit Adam like a freight train.
“Ah, hell!” Adam exclaims, running a hand through his hair. “When? How? Ah, hell, never mind.” He turns to Sam, eyes narrowing. “And how do you know about this?”
Sam shifts uneasily. “I found out by accident," he explains. "I went to the bathroom before leaving their house one night, and there were a bunch of pregnancy tests in the wastebasket. I knew they weren’t Laila’s because we found out a couple—” He suddenly freezes mid-sentence, realizing he said too much again.
“Her too?” Adam shouts, then bursts into a loud, contagious belly laugh. “Remind me never to share any secrets with you, man!”
Sam glances at me and winks before a broad smile spreads across his handsome face. "It's going to be okay, Lily," he says gently, his voice steady. "Everything's going to be fine."
"Does Noah know?" Adam asks, eyeing me closely.
"No," I respond, a tinge of guilt lacing my words. "I found out the day before everything happened. I wanted it to be special, and I was prepared to tell him that morning. But then everything changed. I had to make the choice not to tell him. Marian had taken Davey, and Noah's focus can't be split between two places. It’s already hard enough being apart; I can’t add the stress of my pregnancy to everything already on his plate."
"That's understandable," he nods thoughtfully. "But even if I see where you're coming from, if I were him, I'd want to know. This is big news, Lily. It changes everything."
"It changes nothing," I say, my voice trembling as tears well up in my eyes. "He's still there, and I'm here."
***
My phone calls with Noah are heart-wrenching. He calls me every night, and without fail, I end up crying myself to sleep. Laila says it’s my pregnancy hormones wreaking havoc on my emotions, but I know it’s more than that. I miss Noah and Davey so much that it physically hurts. There’s this ache inside me that won’t go away until they’re back.
As soon as he landed in London, Noah immediately filed a report at the police station, citing Marian's abduction of their son.
"Abduction," he mutters over the phone. "The word tastes foreign and bitter. I never imagined using it in the same sentence as my son's name."
"Are you getting enough rest?" I ask, worry creeping into my voice as I pick up on the weariness in his tone.
"I'm trying, but sleep is hard to come by," he says, his voice heavy. "The local police have been helpful—they walked me through the process of filing an application with the Central Authority. I'm working with them and Bethany. There have been several meetings with the authorities already, and they need detailed information for the investigation. It literally keeps me up at night, making sure I have all my ducks in a row."
The line goes silent as we both remember the day we met. "Ducks in a row," he whispers, nostalgia lacing his voice. "Do you remember that day?"
"I think about it every night, Noah. That day changed everything. You and Davey transformed my life."
"I miss you, Sweetheart," he says, his tone heavy with longing. "I need you like I need breathing. I don’t know how much longer I can bear being away from you."
"I feel the same way," I whisper, gently caressing the life growing inside me.
***
The last few weeks have been more difficult than I expected. The morning sickness has been relentless, leaving me feeling weak and unable to keep anything down. I've lost weight, and Laila calls me every day to check in, ensuring I’m eating and staying hydrated. She’s even threatened to move in with me if I don’t follow her instructions to a tee.
Following Dr. Larsen's recommendation, I've had my second ultrasound. I'm eleven weeks along, and I find myself wondering how much longer I can hide my pregnancy. So I've decided that tonight, at Sunday dinner, I'll share my news.
"I spoke to Noah this morning," Jon says as we gather around the table. "He'll probably reiterate everything to you, Lily, when you talk to him later."
I nod, feeling… how did Laila put it? Peaked .
"The Central Authority is trying to arrange a meeting between Noah and Marian to discuss the custody situation," Jon continues. "But Marian wants no part of it."
"If and when they do meet," Sharon says, her tone laced with worry, "I just hope they can avoid a confrontation. Noah has to keep his temper in check."
"Isn't the court hearing coming up?" I ask, feeling suddenly more nauseated by the second.
"Wednesday," Jon replies. "He's compiling whatever evidence he has to present."
"Could the court rule against him?" I ask, my heart twisting at the thought.
"I don't see how," Adam chimes in. "She left them and then had the nerve to take Davey."
Aaron is sitting next to Loren, listening intently, but his gaze is focused on me. "Lily, are you feeling okay?"
I shake my head before putting my hand over my mouth and quickly leaving my chair, running down the hallway. I barely make it to the bathroom before getting sick as soon as I shut the door.
"Are you okay?" comes Laila's voice from the other side.
"I'm okay," I say. "I'll be right out."
When I walk back into the kitchen, all eyes are on me while Laila, Sam, and Adam avert their gazes. They know what's coming.
I look around the table. Jon looks concerned. Aaron looks suspicious. Sharon, Loren, and Katherine… they know.
My heart races as I take a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly as I grip the edge of my chair for support. “I have something to tell you all,” I say, my voice wavering.
Laila’s eyes widen, encouraging me to continue. Sam shifts in the chair beside her, ready to lend support if needed. Adam maintains a poker face, pretending not to know anything. Smart move, Adam.
“I’m pregnant,” I finally blurt out, and the room falls into complete silence.
I focus on Jon's reaction; it hardens at first but then softens with understanding.
Aaron shakes his head, his expression unreadable until he glances at Loren. She gives him a look that prompts him to shift his approach. Locking eyes with me, he offers a slight smile that conveys he may not be thrilled about the news, but he understands and will support me every step of the way.
"And before you all ask," I begin, "Noah doesn't know. I never had the chance to tell him before all hell broke loose."
"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Sharon asks. "You shouldn't have to deal with this alone."
I glance at my accomplices sitting across the table, their eyes pleading with me not to throw them under the bus. Sharon follows my gaze and instantly reads the room.
The chagrin on their faces is unmistakable. "With a show of hands," Sharon begins, "Who here knew about this?"
Laila and Sam raise their hands. Adam looks away, avoiding eye contact until Laila elbows him in the ribs. "Ouch!" he exclaims, rubbing his side.
"Adam?" Sharon murmurs. When his hand goes up, laughter erupts at the table, instantly putting my mind at ease. Not one of these people is judging me.
"You've got to tell Noah," Jon's deep, fatherly voice fills the room.
"If I tell him, he'll want to come home," I counter. "He needs to focus on getting Davey back."
"Where do things stand with the daycare?" Aaron asks.
"The insurance company accepted the claim," Adam replies. "We're going to start rebuilding as soon as I have a crew available."
"Lily," Aaron says, locking eyes with me. "Get on the first plane to London and go be with Noah."
I glance around the table, making eye contact with all the people who love me, and they all agree. I should be with Noah.
***
I fight to keep my nerves and morning sickness at bay as I ride the elevator up to Noah's room. During our conversation last night, it was nearly impossible to hold back the news, but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
I knock on the door and smooth down my dress, aware that the airplane ride hasn’t left me looking my best, but I push that thought aside. I knock again, and this time, I hear Noah's voice from the other side. "I'm coming!"
"Sweetheart," he whispers when he opens the door and our eyes meet.
"Noah," I reply, fighting back tears.
He pulls me into his arms, wrapping me in a warm, familiar embrace that feels like home. "You're here," he murmurs into my hair. "You're here."
"I missed you so much, Noah," I say, kissing him, touching him, holding him close.
He lifts me and twirls me around before setting me down and kissing me in the way only he knows how—slowly and deeply, pouring all his love and passion into this moment.
"God, how I missed you," he whispers against my lips, kissing me again and again. "I can't believe you're here."
With his arm wrapped around me, we sink into the couch together. I glance around the comfortable, spacious room, realizing this is where Noah has been living for the past month.
"I'm so glad you're here, Sweetheart," he says, his eyes locked onto mine. "I missed your eyes, your lips, your dimple, your scent. Just having you here means everything to me."
"It means everything to me, too," I reply. "I couldn't bear to be without you for even one more day."
He kisses me again, his hand gliding up my arm to cradle my face. I lean into his hand, enjoying the warmth of his touch and savoring the sweetness of his lips, teasing and exploring until we're both left breathless.
"You're such a good kisser," I say, feeling the heat rise up my neck and settle on my cheeks.
"You're blushing," he teases, brushing his lips lightly against mine. "I love that you're shy. You’re so beautiful when you blush."
"I love that you know exactly what I need. You make me so happy, Noah."
"What made you decide to come?" he asks, lifting my hand to kiss it. "What about the daycare? There must be so much to do."
"There is," I admit. "But Adam and Aaron are taking care of everything. Everyone in the family agreed that my place right now is here with you."
"Really?" He says, gazing into my eyes, expressing so much longing that it makes my heart sing. "My family is absolutely right. Having you here gives me so much strength. It gives me the energy to keep fighting and the hope that things will work out."
He gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his hand lingering on my neck. "You're so soft, so incredibly beautiful. How did I get so lucky to find someone like you?"
His eyes are so expressive, so beautiful. In his gaze is where I find love, kindness, passion, longing, my future. "Noah," I whisper nervously, "I have something to tell you."
"Okay," he murmurs, nuzzling my neck. "What is it?"
"You're tickling me," I giggle as his five o'clock shadow grazes my skin.
"I love your laugh," he whispers into my ear.
"Stop distracting me," I laugh. "It's important."
"Okay," he grins, holding up his hands in surrender. "What is it?"
"Can I show you something?" I ask, standing and pulling the two ultrasound photos from my bag. When I sit beside him again, he steals a quick kiss before I hand them over.
He studies them, turning them sideways, then tilting his head to the left while angling the frames to the right. "Am I supposed to know what Loren’s babies are by looking at these? They don’t help me, Sweetheart. I’m still clueless. Two boys, two girls, one of each?"
"You really want to know what they're having?" I ask softly. When he nods, curiosity gleaming in his eyes, I lean in and whisper the answer in his ear.
"Really?!" he grins, the joy lighting up his face. "Well, I'll be. Good for them."
I take a breath, my heart racing as I begin, "But actually... this is only one baby. Two ultrasounds of the same baby. Four weeks apart."
His brow furrows in confusion as he studies the pictures again. "Oh, okay. So, whose kid is this? Laila and Sam's?"
"They're expecting too," I say, my smile widening as I remember. "I found out the night they came over for dinner. You remember that night?"
"Yeah, of course I remember," he says, still processing. "Wow, another baby. Davey's going to have plenty of kids to play with."
"He will," I reply. "That was the night I wasn't feeling well..."
He pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thinks. "Yeah, you had an upset stomach."
"Noah... it wasn’t an upset stomach," I whisper.