Page 61 of Lilly

"I just wanted to say goodnight. And goodbye. I have to fly to New York in the morning but it'll be early and I don't want to wake you up."

"Why are you going to New York?"

"To help William out. I'll be working at his company for a few days."

"He's still sick?"

"Yes. And the doctors aren't sure what's wrong with him."

"Do you think he'll be okay?"

"I really don't know."

She looks at me, her anger suddenly gone. She puts her arms around me and hugs me. "I'm sorry, Dad. I really hope he gets better."

She knows William is one of my closest friends, one of the few friends I have. If I lose him, I really don't have anyone else. And I know that saddens Lilly. She's always been very empathetic and put the feelings of others before her own. Just moments ago she was yelling at me but she set that aside to comfort me. I couldn't ask for a better daughter.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you," she says.

I smile. "I understand. Fathers can be frustrating sometimes."

"I'm still mad at you," she says quietly as she looks down at her bed.

"I know."

She looks up. "But you're still a good dad." She hugs me again. "I love you."

"I love you too, honey." I choke up hearing her tell me I'm a good father. Before I had children, I was so afraid I wouldn't be. And for many years, I wasn't. I failed miserably, with both Garret and Lilly, until I finally made an effort to do better. But even now, I question how good a job I do, so to hear Lilly compliment me that way is one of the greatest gifts she could give me.

Chapter Fourteen

Pearce

Early the next morning, Grace and I fly out on my private jet. With the long flight and the time difference, we don't arrive until late afternoon. I call Rachel and confirm that she and Lilly are at Garret's house, then go to William's estate to drop off Grace. William is asleep so I talk briefly to Meredith then head to Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. When I arrive, I go to the top floor, which is where William and the other executives have their offices.

William's assistant greets me as I get off the elevator. "Welcome, Mr. Kensington." She smiles. "I'm Sue. William said you wouldn't be here until tomorrow."

"I wanted to stop by and go through the files William left for me."

"His office is right this way." She leads me past her desk down a hall to a large corner office. I've been here before but it was years ago.

"Would you like me to show you around?"

"No, thank you." I go in the office and see the folders sitting on his desk.

"How about a beverage? We have coffee, tea, juice, soda."

"Water is fine."

She walks over to the water cooler in the corner of the room and fills up a glass, then comes over and hands it to me. "Would you like anything else?"

"No, thank you."

"I'll be just down the hall if you need me."

I wait for her to leave, then begin going through the files. After a couple hours, the long day starts to wear on me and I decide to head back to William's house, which is where I'll be staying until Friday. After that I'll stay at my mother's house since the meeting on Saturday is in Connecticut.

"Dinner is almost ready," Meredith says as she greets me at the door.

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