General Pov.
Elizabeth was just waking up when the trio arrived. At first she thought that it was an unpleasant surprise but when she saw how much Leigh was excited to see her, she changed her mind. She only hoped nothing bad happened to the children on her watch. Derrick, on the other hand, was neutral. Liz invited them for breakfast which didn't take long before Thomas announced that they were leaving.
"You can go.Aunt will bring us home later." Leigh said with finality.Liz and Thomas looked at child, who had already made up her mind without leaving any room for negotiations, with conflicted expressions.Why was she making things hard for them.
Liz didn't have a problem with looking after the kids but she had an appointment later that morning with the doctor which she didn't not want to cancel.With that in mind, she decided to try her luck.
"Aunty is held up today baby.I'll..." She was interrupted with, "I'll be quiet, I promise.I won't disturb you," from Leigh and she was looking at her pleadingly. Liz nodded at Thomas. Her plan had flopped so decided to do the best thing by giving up.
Thomas confirmed with Laura before leaving.After all he couldn't make any decision regarding the kids without consulting with the boss.
The two females began doing some cosmetic makeover leaving Derrick bored.Usually they would have forcefully involved Derrick but not with all the rashes on his skin.
Eleven came by quickly.
She needed to at the hospital by 11:30.She stared at the kids who had refused to leave her side, confused. "I will just leave them inside the car for half an hour," She said to herself.
The drive to the hospital was lively with the continued fight between the kids.Amidst that fight, Liz could feel the love the two had for each other. She found herself making comparison with her childhood.If only her father had not left...maybe things would have been different.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she forgot the initial plans of leaving the kids in the car.
She was at the Lobby with them.
"I need to talk to the doctor about something.Wait for me here I'll be back."
"No."
This time it was Derrick who refused.These two were going to be the end of her.
"Why don't we go with you?"
Leigh suggested.
"The doctor hates being disturbed."
"We'll be quiet.We promise." Derrick said looking at Leigh who nodded in agreement.
Liz decided to tag along with them.
Maybe she'll have to just cancel her appointment. Dr.Phillips was going to understand upon seeing the kids.
As they were exiting the elevator, she almost crushed into someone.She murmured a quick 'sorry' before walking past him and walking into the office after knocking.
Doctor Phillips expression on seeing Elizabeth tag along with those kids was unreadable.She did not give away anything to show her displeasure.Generally she was nice to the kids.
"I'm sorry doctor, I'll have to cancel my appointment today."Liz said after some times.
"Why?"
Before she could answer, there was a knock at the door and the guy Liz had almost crushed into some minutes ago, got in.
"Sorry for the interruption. I came for my phone."
That was Blake who had accidentally left his phone back when he had finished his session with the doctor.
He was walking away after picking his phone when Dr.Phillips stopped him.
"Are you busy?"
Blake must have been confused as to why she asked him that question.He however politely shook his head.
"Do you mind staying with these kids downstairs for a thirty minutes?"
Blake looked at the kids whom he thought that somehow looked familiar. Then he looked at the little woman who was with them. The little woman needed help just as he needed help and staying with the kids for some times was going to give her the opportunity to be helped. With that in mind, he shook his head indicating that he did not mind at all.
"There is no need to cancel Liz.This young man can stay with them for a while."
Liz looked at the kids and then at the doctor before looking at Blake. She recognized Blake as the man who had been involved in the accident that left her best friend widowed. She had always wished for a chance to meet with him and tell him her opinion of him but had never gotten one. "Maybe today is the day." She thought inwardly.
"Okay.Thanks."
Leigh was reluctant at first but after being promised a visit to the beauty parlor afterwards, she agreed. Derrick, on the other hand had that 'i don't care' expression.
After the three had left, Dr.Phillips looked at Liz questionably.
"What?"
Liz asked looking down in guilt.
"You know him.Why did you agree that easily?"
Liz didn't answer. Dr.Phillips looked at her for a while before telling her to think twice about what she was planning to do or say. "That young boy is going through alot.Don't make things worse."
~~~
Blake's pov.
I didn't know the children. The two somehow looked familiar but i couldn't place where i had seen them. Surprisingly, i felt that there was a connection between the three of us...like we all lacked something. I don't know if that feeling is what pushed me to decide to take them to the mall to go have fun. Like i said, i don't know what pushed me to make that decision.
We were at the fourth floor, dealing mainly with entertainment, playing some video games with the boys when we realized that Leigh was missing. I know i shouldn't have allowed Derrick to convince me into playing. We were to only help him get the latest version of the video game and then proceed to buy something for Leigh. That was the initial plan before Derrick said that he missed playing video games.
"My dad used to bring me here to play games with me."
I looked at the ten year old kid who was trying to hide his expressions from the world. I could tell that he was sad.
"Where is your dad now?"
I asked curiously almost forgetting that curiosity killed the cat.
"He died."
He had answered without giving away any sad expression. It was as if he was trying to normalize death.It must have been hard on the two.
"Let's play one match then."
I knew i had made the right decision when i saw the glow on his face.
At that time i was feeling proudly satisfied until minutes later when Derrick informed me that Leigh was not in the room.
I did not want to panic. It was not the right time for that. We needed to find Leigh first.
We looked everywhere, asked everyone to no avail. The worse part was that i did not have Leigh's photo. I wanted to text Liz and ask for one when i realized that i didn't have her contact information.
I texted my therapist.
'Do you have the lady's number?'
I received a call immediately from her but the little woman was the one on the line.
"Where are the children?"
"We are at the mall," She seemed to have been relieved at first until I gave her the bad news, "but the girl is missing."
"What? I'm coming."
She hanged up. I just hoped that things didn't turn messy.
♥✨♥
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