Chapter 75 - I will be there for you

Lily put the phone back to her ear. Adrien sat curiously in her lap and watched her keenly.

"Lil!" The firm voice of her friends rang through the loudspeaker.

"Hmm?"

"I trust you will look after the little one. But how are you?" Her voice seemed almost relieved.

"Me?" She asked baffled. How did she feel? This question caught her by surprise. As did her feelings. Right now, she felt like she was in a state of constant overwhelming. She had not yet thought about this situation herself. After all, she had to function. Adrien needed her. And her feelings... her feelings, she wouldn't let them get to her. She was hiding them. Stored them in a dark place. Out of reach. She refused to deal with any of them.

She sensed her hesitation. "l... I'm not sure." She confessed somehow lost. The trembling in her voice could hardly be suppressed, as could the sprouting uncertainty. A somewhat queasy feeling spread through her.

Lionelle gasped for breath. "You don't understand?! Ha!" Something in her voice became more heated. Stunned. Then a deep breath. "Lil! Whatever! You guys are all right? Are you?"

She squeezed her lids together, hesitated and then opened them again. "Yes, we're fine. Under the given circumstances... You know... I think I'd be really screwed without his help. I mean... all this just took me by surprise. Before that, I couldn't even handle my own life. And now? Now I have to take care of a toddler." Lily laughed bitterly and felt Adrien pressed himself closer against her. She knew the boy was very attentive. She felt unease. Automatically, she bent down to kiss him on the forehead, to ease his discomfort. She had to be strong for him. "You know..." she began hesitantly.

"It's all one big mess. I feel like everything would fall apart at once." Her voice grew quieter. "You were right. Pascal is dangerous." Her voice faltered as she remembered that awful night.

"All right." She were interrupted by the firm voice of Lionelle. "You need a shoulder to cry on. "I'm coming over now! Tell the staff that I´ll come or I won't get in. You live in a fortress. I mean it." She heard a click and then just the stady beeping sound. Nelli had hung up. Perplexed Lily stared at the phone, heard the beeping of the empty line.

Adrien reached for her hand and looked at her questioningly. His little head tilted to the side in this innocent way. "What's wrong?" He asked her.

"Um... i think your aunt Nelli is coming to visit us now..."

"Really?"

She nodded reluctantly. Every movement was as slow as in slow motion. Her friend managed to surprise her again and again. But that was Lionelle. Like a kamikaze pilot. Fast and unstoppable when she set her mind to something. "Yup! We are going to get a visitor now!" She confirmed again. More for herself than for Adrien. But he jumped up enthusiastically and squealed loudly. His face shone with happiness.

Lionelle was also an important person for the toddler. After all, he had known his aunt since birth. Lionelle was as important to Elodie as Lily was to her.

Lily got up and went into the living room. ... Where she informed the staff of the coming visit.

Then she remembered... How would Nelli know her new address. She was sure Alexandre was careful with his personal information. But...Nelli. Nelli knew more than most, as usual. She decided to simply ask her later.