(sorry it took so long guys... writers blocks a bitch) Chapter 23 - Not Everyone's Like You, Daddy I got into my car and left. I called Jake to let him know that Haley was awake, and went home. But I couldn't go inside. There were way too many reminders of Nathan in there. So I sat on the front porch and cried. I'm not sure how long I was there. All I know is, the next time I looked up, the sun was gone, and the stars were twinkling brightly. I stood up and started towards the door. "Are you ok, Lily?" someone behind me asked. The person had a deep voice. I froze. I knew that voice. I knew it all too well. "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked without turning around. "I was driving by, and I saw you sitting on the porch, crying. I wanted to make sure you were ok." I whirled around. "Oh, so suddenly you care?" "I always cared, Lily." "Funny, I missed the part where you cared while you were beating the shit out of me and Damien." I said icily. "I didn't come here to have you throw that in my face, Lily." "Well then why are you here? Coming back for more? Because I'm telling you right now, you won't get away with it this time." "Lily…" "What? You expect to be able to show up whenever you feel like it and have me forgive you, just like that? After everything you did?" "It wasn't my fa-" I exploded. "YOU KILLED MY FUCKIN BROTHER! HE WAS THE BEST FRIEND I EVER HAD, AND YOU KILLED HIM! JUST BECAUSE HE STOOD UP FOR ME!" I could feel tears running down my cheeks. I wiped them away angrily. My father looked at me seriously. "Lily, you know I didn't-" "Oh don't even try denying it!" I interrupted. My voice was oddly high pitched. "It's your fault he's dead! You killed your son! Your own flesh and blood! So tell me, how does that feel?" "Why you…" He grabbed my arm and jerked me over to him. I shut my eyes tightly, bracing myself for whatever he was about to do. I heard a car door slam, and someone running across the lawn towards us. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Let go of her!" He turned to Nathan. "I don't believe this is any of your business, kid." "Whatever concerns Lily concerns me." He said angrily, his blue eyes blazing. "Now take your hands off her." He let go of my arm, and I ran over to Nathan. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him, still glaring at my father. He laughed. "Aww, now isn't that sweet? Little Lily's got herself a boyfriend now. He must be the one I see here almost every night. Well, don't forget to pay him when he leaves." He turned to go. "Hey!" Nathan said angrily. He ran over to my father and blocked his path. "I don't appreciate you talking to my fiancé that way. Apologize to her." "Nathan, it's ok…" I said softly. My father laughed. "Fiancé? Now that's the best one I've heard yet." He looked at Nathan. "You wouldn't last a week. She's impossible to live with, trust me on that one. My advice is, get out while you still can." "I'll die before I leave Lily." Nathan said through clenched teeth. "Will you now?" My father asked him sarcastically. "Not everyone's like you, daddy." I spoke up. Nathan walked over and wrapped his arms around me again. "No, only the fuckin idiots are like him." He said to me quietly, though loudly enough for my father to hear. My father looked at me coldly. "This isn't over Lily. I'll be back… You can't have your little guard dog with you all the time." "It's called a restraining order, Dad." Maybe you should talk to your mother more, Lily. That restraining order of yours expired 3 weeks ago. Nice try though." Nathan glared at my father again. "If I ever catch you anywhere near Lily again…" He left the threat hanging. My father walked down to his car, got in, and drove away. I buried my face in Nathan's shirt and cried. This hasn't been a very good day for me. Nathan stroked my hair lightly. "It's ok, Lily. Don't worry, I won't let him get to you." "Don't let him hurt me again, Nathan." I said, my voice shaking. He held me closer to him. "I'd die before I let that happen." "But… Like he said, you can't be with me all the time, I mean, you have Haley now, and-" He put his hand underneath my chin and raised my head until I was looking into his eyes. "It that what you think? Do you honestly believe that I would leave you for Haley?" "Well… She is having your kid… That's kind of a big deal, you know." "Yeah, well… You're kind of a big deal too." He kissed me. "Assuming we don't put this kid up for adoption, and Haley does keep it, then sure, I am going to be around her more. But I will be there for my son, not for her." He looked at me, with a hint of fear in his eyes. "But I can't do this alone Lily. If you're with me in this, then you're gonna have to trust me. Can you do that?" "Of course I can." I said softly. "I told you I'd be there for you, no matter what happens." I leaned up and kissed him. "But that still doesn't change the fact that you can't be with me all the time." "Well, whenever I can't be there, I'll make sure that someone is." "What happens when I want some 'alone time'?" He laughed. "Too damn bad, you can be alone with me." Then he grew serious. "I promise it won't be forever; just until I know you're safe… Because if anything ever happened to you, I don't know what I'd do... Which is exactly why I'm marrying you." He smiled. "Yeah… When is that, anyway?" I asked playfully. "As soon as we can." He promised. "I want this just as much as you do, trust me." "I'm sure you do." I kissed him again. "You know, I'll be legal in February." I hinted. February what?" He asked with a smile. "Seventh."