"So Lilly, there's an empty apartment area beside ours and Faith and I was wondering if you would be interested in moving closer," Daniel explained as they moved into the parking lot.

With lips slightly agape, a surprised Lily glanced at Daniel, then at Faith, silent words leaving her mouth.

Daniel explained further. "I mean, it would be a lot better in terms of traveling an-"

"You don't have to give us an answer right now," Faith interjected softly.

She shook her head. "Er no, it's fine," she laughed. "I was just surprised because I was initially thinking of moving closer anyway."

"You were?" Faith mused.

"Yeah," Lilly clarified enthusiastically.

"Great!" Daniel pronounced. "Well if there's anything we can do to help, just let us know."

Lilly smiled appreciatively. "You guys are the sweetest. Thank you."

Faith was about to reply when her phone began to ring. Judging my the specialized ringtone, she knew it was her mother.

"Excuse me, guys," she said, stepping away from Daniel and Lilly who nodded before continuing with their conversation.

"Mom, what's up?"

"How are you?"

Faith scratched the nape of her neck and turned to glance at Daniel and Lilly. "I'm great actually," she smiled. "I'm about to leave the clinic. Today was Lilly's procedure," she explained excitedly.

Something indecipherable was muttered at Mary's end. "Already?"

"Yes mom, already. What's wrong?" Faith inquired.

Mary sighed. "It's just that, a friend of mine at the agency told me about a new born that was brought in this morning..."

Faith knew where the conversation was heading. "Mom..."

"Just hear me out, honey," Mary intervened desperately. "I could make this happen for you, you'll just have to come by an -"

"Mom!" Faith snapped. "Did you not hear me say I was at the clinic? The procedure is done, the whole thing is underway; this is happening mom so please just be happy for me," her voice slightly fell, a sigh leaving her lips.

Mary was momentarily silent. "Honey, I am happy for you but I'm just searching for what's best. Sometimes you can't tell what people have up their sleeves, not everyone has your heart Faith. The goodness in you will sometimes blindside you to the evil in others," Mary explained softly.

Faith rubbed her temples and briefly closed her eyes, understanding her mother's logic perfectly, but she was going to assure her that she needn't worry.

"I love you for caring so much mom, but with everything there are risks. I know what I'm doing so please just let me handle this. I will be fine," she grated in convincingly.

Mary sighed. "Alright, but know I'm here if you ever need anything."

"Of course. I love you mom, bye."

"I love you more," Mary replied before she disconnected the call.

Faith sighed heavily, returning her gaze to Daniel and Lilly who were still engaged in constant chatter. She stood there hoping that all would go well because she didn't know how she would handle it if it didn't.

______________

Kaylyn and Jason agreed to meet at their most favored café in town. They both ordered something to drink before they delved into the conversation.

"So what's up, Kay?" Jason asked, clasping the mug of steaming hot coffee in his hands.

Kaylyn meekly glanced around to survey her surroundings before her gaze met Jason's. "There's something up with Daniel," she blurted, licking her lips as she assessed Jason's expression.

His brows knitted. "What do you mean?" he asked.

She inhaled deeply. "He- He's not the 'what you see is what you get', kinda guy. He is deceptive and I think he might hurt Faith - if not physically, then emotionally," she explained, feeling her heart flutter at the very thought.

Jason's jaw clenched. "What makes you think so?"

Kaylyn moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue before she began telling Jason about the things that transpired earlier, making sure to include their little conversation at the clinic.

"I'm telling you man, he is clearly up to something," she concluded firmly.

Jason raked a hand through his hair and pushed the cup further away from him while he appeared to be in deep thought.

"I don't know Kaylyn. What if you're getting the wrong signals? It could just be a case of mutual dislike," he shrugged.

Kaylyn scoffed in disbelief, easing back in her chair and glaring at Jason as if he'd lost his mind.

"Did you not hear what I just told you?" she hissed angrily. "He is a no good son of a bitch who's out to hurt our best friend," she emphasized sternly.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Do a background check on the guy for Pete's sake -"

"Don't you think I did that ...months ago?" he asked flatly. "The man has a spotless record."

Kaylyn tapped her fingers against the table, thinking. "Well you need to convince Faith that Daniel is no good. If I try to do it again, she won't speak to me..."

"I can't -"

"You can, damnit!" she snapped, glaring at him angrily, taken aback by his reaction to the entire situation. "What the hell is wrong with you? You love her, don't you?"

Jason froze at the last bit, his eyes wide as he wondered how Kaylyn came to know of his feelings for Faith. Was it that obvious?

"I know you do, and I think Faith feels the same way too. Heck, if the two of you weren't this stubborn in admitting how you really feel, none of this would be happening," Kaylyn stated, maintaining eye contact with Jason, hoping she was getting through to him.

"She loves Daniel," Jason pointed out forcefully.

"She might think she does, because at this stage in her life when all she wants is a family, Daniel is her boyfriend so he's all she sees to get what she wants. She loves the idea of him and she loves the fact that he is willing to do this with her. Faith is conflicted and confused by this whole thing Jase, she needs someone to stare her straight and that person is you," Kaylyn explained thoroughly, reaching for his hands to give it a gentle squeeze.

Jason stared down at the now cold mug of coffee before he said, "the last time I decided to tread on another man's property, proved to be a big mistake," he glanced up at Kaylyn. "Look at the way you and Matthew started out and today, look at where you are. If I had not backed out when I did, it would have cost me my friendship with you guys; maybe it's just fair to let bygones be bygones and see how this plays out."

"So you're just gonna sit back and watch as this man digs a hole for Faith?" she asked, pulling away her hands, staring at Jason in disbelief.

Jason sighed lengthily. "Fine, I'll pay them a visit, try to see what you see and then we can have another discussion about this, but Kaylyn, even if you're right, we might be a bit too late."

Kaylyn twisted her mouth and cocked a brow, staring blankly at the table. "I know."

As much as Kaylyn wanted her friend to be happy, wanted her to have a child, she secretly hoped Lilly's procedure wouldn't take the first time around. If Lilly became pregnant, convincing Faith about Daniel's behavior would be a lot harder than she could possibly think about. She just hoped she wasn't too late.

_____________

"So honey, what do you want for dinner?" Faith asked, moving around the kitchen and checking the cupboards.

Daniel was typing away on his phone, brows knitted in concentration. "Ah," he speared her a glance. "How about Chinese? We can order," he shrugged.

"OK, do you have the number for the restaurant?" she asked, moving closer to him.

"Yeah, um... I think it's in my folder in the bedroom," he provided then his phone buzzed, his attention diverting from Faith.

Daniel's phone shrilled as soon as Faith disappeared into the bedroom. Quickly glancing around, he looked to see if he was at risk of being overheard and then he swiped the screen.

"I thought I told you not to call," he hissed between tightly clenched teeth.

"You asked me a favor I couldn't quite fathom so excuse me for wanting to hear your voice in order to know it's real," the person on the other end firmly replied, voice a raspy, deep timbre.

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Will you do it or not?" he asked in an agitated tone.

"And my plane ticket?" the man queried from the other end.

"Will be taken care of. I just need an answer," he ground his teeth.

There was a small silence. "Good, I'll be looking forward to seeing you."

Daniel smiled wryly as he disconnected the call, tapping his phone thoughtfully against his chin. He then turned in the direction of the bedroom.

"Babe, have you found it?"

__________________________

Author's note:

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