Chapter 34: Leave temporarily

Ryan and Scott usually meet in the boardroom before discussing the day's work. Scott often gave Ryan advice on the leadership role he would take on before he left his position.

In the middle of their conversation, Scott's cell phone suddenly rang. Scott glanced at the caller's name, and it was Lily.

"Hello, Lily, how are you?" Scott greeted.

Lily replied, "Good news, Scott. I just wanted to say that I'm going back home with Steve for a while. He always takes me to Greenville. Regarding the contents of the flash drive you gave me yesterday, is there any chance I could meet the Stewart family?"

Scott glanced at Ryan, who was silently staring at him. His forehead wrinkled, trying to understand what the caller was talking about.

"You think about it; I never forced him." Scott glanced back at Ryan. He wanted to say more, but Ryan seemed to be waiting for him to speak.

"I've thought it through. When I get back from Greenville, I'll call you back."

The call was switched off.

Ryan knew the call was from Lily. He still remembered her melodious voice until now. He even remembers her smile. The smile when she took him to work or when he came home In fact, Ryan missed that.

"Scott, is that Lily?" asked Ryan, to which Scott nodded. "She has a nice voice."

"Do you remember her voice?" Scott turned his head. Ryan only smiled slightly to answer him. "She's getting prettier."

"Can I have a picture of her?"

Scott widened his eyes. "You want to get your wife beat up?"

"I mean, her wedding pictures." Ryan corrected.

"I'll email them to you."

"What about pictures of my two kids? I want to see them too. What are their names?" Ryan asked again. Actually, Lily was hiding her two children from Ryan. However, she had the right to know because Ryan was her biological father after all.

Scott opened his phone again and showed the photo of the twins that had been sent to him. Ryan smiled happily as he saw his two children growing healthy in Lily's hands.

"Your children are gender-unidentical twins. Their names are Eric and Erin. If your parents ask, please don't tell them. Because Lily doesn't want anyone to know," Scott said.

"Why? Why doesn't she want anyone to know?" asked an astonished Ryan.

"Well, because she's still traumatized. She's afraid that her child will be taken away by your family."

"She hates me and my extended family." Ryan looked down sadly. Scott patted his shoulder before he stood up to leave the room.

"You have to let go. Doesn't it matter that he's with his mom? The most important thing is that he's healthy." Scott actually couldn't bear to see his cousin grieving over the loss of her child. It wasn't Lily's fault if she didn't want to give the child to Ryan. Lily might have been traumatized by the Stewart family, even though Ryan wouldn't have kidnapped his own child.

"Scott, I want to send a gift to them. Can you tell them?" Scott nodded.

"I can. I'll tell them first."

***

The morning after the wedding, Lily and Steve got into a minor argument. This time, it was about where to live for Lily and her two children. Steve did not want Lily to live in Bridgestown, while Lily felt sorry for Sandy, who was left behind by him.

In the end, Lily couldn't help but comply with her husband's wishes. Of course, Sandy's persuasion was the reason.

"I have no problem living alone. I'll invite my nephew to live here. You just calm down," Sandy said, calming Lily, who was still confused about her choice.

"Seriously?" Sandy nodded. "You can live alone, right?"

Sandy laughed at Lily's babbling.

"Sandy doesn't mind you going; you're the one with the drama." Steve chimed in on their conversation. Steve's accusation was a bit harsh, and it made Lily dislike him.

"It doesn't really matter, but your words hurt me." Lily left them and went to her room.

Sandy glanced at Steve and told him to apologize.

"Apologize there."

"Ok, I apologize."

Steve entered the room and sat down beside Lily, who was putting her clothes away. Lily didn't say much but implied that she didn't want to be disturbed.

Taking a deep breath, Steve began to make his point. He took Lily's hand and held it firmly.

"Sorry. I was rude to you earlier. I'm sorry again, Lily. I didn't mean to upset you." Steve continued to hold Lily's hand until she turned her head. He used his other hand to wipe away the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

Lily nodded. "Yes."

Steve moved to hug Lily and kiss her many times on the cheek. He really felt guilty for making his beloved sad.

"Sorry, sorry, dear. I worried so much that I forgot your rights as my wife. I'm scared; I'm scared that he'll come back and take everything from me." Steve cried in Lily's arms. He looked really sorry for what he did.

"I understand what you mean. I know your worries. I'm sorry if I can't understand everything either."

The two embraced each other. One witness at the door smiled so happily that she cried when she saw her best friends sharing their affection.

"You should have gotten that a long time ago, Lily."

***

Ryan smiled at the various toys and baby clothes spread out before his eyes. One by one, he took them and imagined how happy his two daughters would be holding them.

Finally, he picked up a set of food along with baby clothes and supplies.

"I'll take one set." Ryan handed two boxes of toys and baby equipment to the store clerk. "If possible, gift-wrapped."

Ryan looked around the store again; there were some interesting items that all babies would love. He picked them up and handed them to the clerk to be wrapped. After finishing, Ryan paid.

"I hope Lily will accept it."