Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen - Adian's Pain

Emmy left for school after reconnecting with Hailey, this morning.

From the moment she stood hovering outside our bedroom door, Hailey's countenance lifted, brightening her dull facial expression.

Hailey escorted Emmy downstairs for breakfast after some coaxing, when I promised to join them after I'm done in the bathroom. I'm confident, Mrs. Har already started breakfast, leaving Hailey with extra bonding time with Emmy, while I did my morning routine before joining my wife and daughter for breakfast.

I listen in vaguely to the conversation between Emmy and Hailey or mostly Emmy's conversation with Hailey as she describes her potential day.

Hailey's responses to Emmy's comments are genuine but I can see how difficult it is to hide the pain she still feels, especially since our conversation last night concerning her father, was fruitless.

The court would need to hear Hailey's testimony and Gussippie will be calling to speak to her today but I have yet to inform her about it.

I just don't know how, yet!

Suddenly Hailey doesn't trust her father and I need all the help I can get, before my mother stops the trial.

Once Hailey takes the stand, my mother will be condemned and by her rants on the phone yesterday, she is running scared and when she is running scared, she's dangerous.

The poking of an elbow against my sides, jerked me out of my thoughts,

Confused I turned to Hailey, who nods to Emmy sitting opposite us.

"Did you fall asleep da.." Emmy was saying but stopped, her eyes flew to Hailey. "I mean Adian?" Emmy asks innocently, causing an uproar in the kitchen, as Basil starts laughing out loud.

Realizing I'm the brunt of their joke, I shrugged, because I've got more pressing things and clowning around with Bas is not an option.

I was thankful for the quiet when Bas left with the girls, but I would have to pick Emmy up, earlier because it's Friday.

I sat brooding after Mrs. Har left Hailey to clean up after the breakfast rush, to do other chores around the house.

"What's bothering you?" Hailey asks, observing me sitting with my elbows on the table while I considered how to speak to Hailey about her father's court appearance.

Propping my chin, I smiled. "You look simply amazing in your shorts, you know that?" Getting up, I walked towards the sink where she was leaning, smiling shyly at me.

Standing between her legs, I moved closer, my hands gripping her waist.

Sensing her tensed up, I stopped myself from leaning further down.

Realizing I had stopped, Hailey herself took the initative, reaching out, she entwined her fingers around my neck, tiptoeing and drawing me downwards at the same time.

Cautious of her pulling away, I wait for Hailey to take control of our first intimate moment in weeks, anxious for her lips to meet mines.

Hailey finally presses her soft lips against mines, but I feel her tenseness and opened my mouth, allowing her to deepened the kiss.

"Uh Um," the sound of a throat clearing behind us, instantly separated us.

Shielding Hailey, I spun around, surprise to see my father standing at the open doorway observing us with small smirk, but his eyes was deep, dark and troubled.

Hailey pushes her head over my shoulder, "Ryan," she greets him softly.

Drawing her from behind me, "you want to go and organize before Caleb gets here?" I suggested softly, aware that my father's here for one reason and one reason only.

The resurrection of David Sullivan!

Hailey looks up at me nervously, but my father spoke before her.

"Caleb's at the office today," he informed Hailey and I.

Nodding, Hailey moved to leave the kitchen, while I followed behind.

At the foot of the stairs she turned around touching my face, "I'll be fine." She assures me, "can I join you when I am done?" She asks softly, her eyes on dad.

"Always! You're always welcome wherever I am." I promised her, leaning down to give her a quick kiss on the lips.

Turning once to smile at dad, she ran up the stairs, my eyes never leaving her until she reached the top of the stairs. Turning, she smiles, before heading towards our bedroom to shower and change for the day ahead.

"How is she doing?" Dad asks from over my shoulder, while I remain standing staring up the stairs.

Finally I turned to dad and ushered him into the living room.

"Today for the first time since.." I paused to take a deep breath. "Losing the baby, that she has gone to our bedroom without me and I am worried." I admitted, turning to dad, giving him a weary smile.

Nodding, dad comes closer and wraps his arms around my shoulder, "and how are you doing?" He asks, while I still fought to keep my emotions in check.

Wrapping my arms around dad, I hug him tight as tears silently start rolling down my cheeks. I sobbed in my father's arms for the first time in fifteen years.

Dad pat my back, allowing me to cry on his shoulders.

Having had to be strong for Hailey, my feelings about the loss of a child I was already planning for broke me but I couldn't break down in front of her, because her pain was so much more than mines and I know she blames herself and if she sees me hurting, she'll blame herself for that to.

When I was done crying on my father's shoulder, he told me why he was here and it's just as I suspected. Mom's antics are taking a toll on him, especially with my sister supporting mom, dad has nowhere to turn except me because Jerry's recuperating at home.

I relayed my conversation with David's lawyer and what's expected of Hailey, but I refuse to pressure her into going to court to face my mother.

"Her father's expected to be released next week, so, you have too."