"We will take good care of her." Sonia and Daniel along with their grandchildren, Suzette and Drake agreed to take little Lily under their care.
Liam promised Simon that he will take Lily with him, however, knowing the danger he might be facing, he talked to the Nahshon family to watch over the kid for the time being until he completed his mission. However, Sonia said she'll make her a part of their family for good.
"Your adopting her?" Diana made sure she heard the old woman right.
"Ehm." She nodded in response. "If that would be okay for Liam."
Diana stared at Liam waiting for his decision. He was seemingly thinking about the old woman's proposition.
"I think it is for the best." Diana voiced her thoughts.
"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Sonia. But if it's alright, can you give me a day to think over it?" Then Liam stood up and left the two women at the garden porch.
Diana wanted to follow Liam but Sonia held her arm and shook her head. "Give him time to be alone for the meantime." Knowing what she meant, Diana nodded understandingly.
Yeah, after all the things that happened the past few days, he definitely needs some time for himself.
He never rested at all since the last incident at Tubal.
Flashback:
The other night, when Diana went to Liam's room, she told him about Simon's situation.
"Diana!" Liam became restless upon hearing Simon's name. "What about Simon?"
"I think you should visit him tomorrow morning." She looked away but her eyes held a sorrowful glow. "The physician said he might not last another day."
Liam widened his eyes in disbelief. He staggered backwards. The last sentence seemed to clogged his ears. 'He won't last a day…'
"H-he won't last a day?" He mumbled unbelievingly before he dashed outside. He hastily went out and mounted his horse and was about to leave.
"Liam! where are you going? You won't be able to see him this time!" He heard the woman as she stood in front of him trying to block his way. "Get a hold of yourself, will you?" However, Liam didn't listen to him and set off.
"Diana, what happened? Where is he going?" Cole came out when he saw Liam on the rush. Seeing the commotion outside, Asher came out as well.
"Diana, what happened?" Asher was worried.
"He'll be back soon." She forced a smile.
"What is it? Lover's quarrel?" Asher tried to be funny but Cole elbowed the man as soon as they saw the woman's anxiousness.
"We'll be waiting inside." Cole voiced before pulling Asher back to the house.
The woman stayed outside while waiting for Liam. It was almost midnight and the others were already sleeping but Diana had been worriedly pacing back and forth waiting for the man. After a few more minutes, she saw a dejected shadow entering the gates.
Liam!
Liam descended shadows' and pulled it to the ranch where the other horses was.
"Liam…" The man heard a familiar voice as he was walking back to the house. He lifted his gaze and saw the woman at the doorway.
"Why aren't you sleeping yet?" He asked before sitting at the doorsteps. Diana walked towards him and sat beside the man looking at the starless sky.
"I've been waiting for you." She muttered. "Did you…" She was hesitating for a minute.
"I couldn't see him." He lowered his head disappointed. "I went to see Beverly."
"Y-you met Beverly?" She suddenly felt disturbed. Why did he go to her? He could have asked her if he wanted to know more about Simon. "Y-you were with her the whole time?"
"I went to check on Lily. I wanted to know how she was holding up."
"She was pretty strong." Diana replied. "I thought she didn't understand her grandfather's situation but she was smart enough to know."
He chortled. "Seemed like she was acting more matured than I am."
"I know it's hard but you need to be strong." Diana tapped the man's shoulder then smiled. "For Lily and for yourself as well."
Liam looked at the smiling woman. He didn't know when and how it started but he seemed to yearn to see her sweet smile every time. The joy he feels whenever he sees the woman's radiant smile and the solace that her presence brings… It's kinda addictive.
"Thank you." He unknowingly uttered. "And I'm sorry."
Her heart skipped a beat… again. Seeing his wistful eyes and the curved on his lips plus the dejected glow he was emitting… Diana had been wanting to kiss his thin rosy lips.
'Dang it, Diana! you are such a pervert! You could have thought of comforting him instead of kissing him! tsk!' She raised her brow while scolding her own self within.
"Are you alright?" Liam asked when he saw the woman's uneasiness.
"Y-yeah…? Of course! I'm not thinking about anything!" The woman suddenly stood up. "I-I'm going inside… you should rest as well." She forced a smile before running inside the house.
Liam raised his brow confused. What's with her statement and why was she in a rush? He thought before standing up. Tsk, women! He hissed.
*** Early morning, Liam and Diana went on their way to the infirmary. They can't waste more time knowing that anytime soon, they could lose Simon for good.
"Wait, you mean Liam has a father?" Leon was trying to understand what Asher was trying to tell the team.
"But not his biological father." Asher replied. "I don't know anything about his biological father but Simon became a father to him while he was serving as a slave for a well-of family."
"And that well-off family that left a big scary scar in him was in the city, right?" Cole was thinking. "Then by all means, we must make sure that Liam won't encounter any of that family member."
"Too late for that. The young miss told me about their recent encounter before the abduction happened. He was also actively in contact with the daughter since she's been taking care of Lily, Simon's granddaughter."
"That doesn't make sense at all." Cole voiced. "If that's the case then we have to watch Liam's back. Be prepared, we will go after them. We never know what will happen next."
***Meanwhile, Liam and Diana entered the infirmary and found Simon lying down unconscious.
"Father, wake up." He muttered while holding his hand.
Seeing Liam's emotional status, Diana chose to leave the two alone and went out and sat at one of the bench near the infirmary and waited for Beverly and Lily.
The physician said he might not wake up at all. His organs were failing and his heart was having a hard time beating. It was a miracle that he was alive until now. However, knowing his status, he could die any minute now.
"Father… please, I still have a lot of stories to tell you. I also want to introduce you with my friends." He teared up a little. "Yes, father… I found some good and faithful friends and I'm sure you will love them too. So please, don't leave me and Lily alone. We need you."
He was sobbing and was praying silently as well. If God can only give him a chance to see his old man smile for the last time.
"Father…."
Simon cannot open his eyes but he could hear the man's sobbing. He wanted to see him and touch him badly but his body remained unresponsive.
He shed a tear and Liam was quick to notice it.
"Father! Can you hear me?" Hope suddenly rose from his heart.
Simon tried so hard to move his hand but to no avail. His body seemed dead for he couldn't even feel it.
He wanted to talk but couldn't. He could only speak in his mind.
'Son… I am so proud of you.' He wanted to caressed Liam's hair but looked like he needed to gain more strength.
"Father…" Liam tightly held his old man's hand. He was about to say more when he heard a woman shouting in haste.
"Liam! Liam!" He turned his head and saw a panting woman rushing to his side.
Beverly! Worry was painted all over her face.
"Liam! Please… help my brothers!" Tears fell from her eyes! "A group came dragging them out of the house saying they will kill them. Please… have mercy upon them!" She cried.
Mercy upon them? He hissed mockingly. They don't even deserve it! They don't deserve mercy!