Chapter 18: Family

Things had become tense between Cameron and Lilly over the past three months.  Lilly did not get rid of the baby and Cameron agreed. However, they still had not addressed the real issue at hand. Why exactly did Cameron think this was a bad time? They always talked about having a house full of kids. Whatever the reason, he wasn't saying. The girls had just left for school and Lilly was busy cleaning the kitchen while Cameron was doing his morning workout on the back deck. As Lilly glanced at her husband and he paced himself on the treadmill, she wondered what was going through his mind. They had never been this distant and it hurt. She let out a trembling sigh as she continued with the housework.

Cameron increased his pace on the treadmill as he slipped into his deep thoughts, “I hate this.” He hated being this distant from his wife and he hated himself for the things that he said. He didn’t want her to get rid of the baby; he couldn't believe those words even blurted out of his mouth. How do you take words like that back? How do you smooth this over? He ran even faster as the questions raced through his mind. Cameron didn’t want her to hate him and even more important he didn’t want the twins or the unborn child to hate him. That was a huge weight he would have to carry on his shoulders, he had to tell Lillibeth everything. The truth was: he was just worried.

Lilly finished her housework and figured she would catch up on her TV shows she had recorded. Just as she sat down on the couch and started to become slightly comfortable, the doorbell rang. "Damn it! Really?" she complained. She got up reluctantly and answered the door, it was Zoe. They hadn't seen each other in a while since Zoe's business started doing well. "Hey! Look who's glowing!" Zoe exclaimed with a smile. "Yup…" Lilly said with a frown. She could care less if she was "glowing" it didn't really matter. "Oh someone's a bit moody or bitchy, whichever floats your boat." Lilly and Zoe made their way to the dining room and sat in silence for a minute as Lilly just glared at her husband through the window. "You two haven't said much to each other have you?" Lilly looked at her, "No we haven't." She looked down at her feet. "We've just avoided the subject. Talked when we needed to talk." Zoe frowned, "Now I'm no expert at relationships. I've dated two guys in the past six months and they've both gone to hell." "The relationships or the guys?" Lilly asked with a slight smile. 

"The relationships but don't think I didn't tell the guys to take a one way trip there." Zoe giggled. She realized how much she missed her friends since they all were so busy. Eric had a family of his own, Emma was busy, Summer was gone and Zoe was living her dream. Lilly loved the comfort that Zoe brought the atmosphere and she really needed that. She felt like she was neglecting her motherly duties, though the girls spent most of their time together and were pretty self sufficient. Lilly missed spending time with their little faces. Cameron and her had to fix this, she just wasn't sure of what to say or when to say it. She was going to say something else to Zoe when the doorbell rang yet again, "Who is it this time? Eric?" "No. Him and Noah were busy, I called them before I came." Zoe responded. Lilly grunted as she lifted herself from her seat and headed to the door. She opened it to find two people that she didn't expect to see together, at all. Constance and James.

 ***

"Constance? James? What...what are you two doing here?" she squealed. Out of all the people, Constance and James together would be the very last that she thought would show-up.  James slowly paced the living room looking around. "Is everything okay James? Can I get you something?" she asked him. He didn't reply right away, "I'm okay Lillibeth. Thank you for asking sweetheart." Honestly, that had to be the nicest thing he has ever said to her. She respected him to a certain extent, it was just odd to have him in her living room and she wondered why he was here. "How are you Constance?" Lilly focused her attention on her mother-in-law. "I'm well sweetheart but more importantly how are you and the kids?" she asked with a gentle smile. "We're good actually." Lilly replied. There was an awkward silence. No one seemed to want to address the giant elephant in the room.

Cameron hopped off the treadmill and tried to catch his breath. He heard voices coming from the living and wondered who had come to visit. As he entered the house he saw Zoe sitting at the table and farther over he spotted James and his mother. "Mom, what are you doing here?" he wanted to ask what James was doing there but he figured he better not. They hadn't spoken much to each other since the divorce. "We're here to visit but also to see what the hell is going on between you two!" she didn't want to waste anymore time. The atmosphere went from awkward to tense in a matter of seconds. "Let's all have seat." Constance directed. "Mom, we're fine we -" "I. Said. Sit!" she yelled. Everyone scrambled to find a seat. Even Zoe feared of being put in time out for the remainder of the conversation. "Now what's going on with you two?" James asked. "Do you really think you have the right to know?" Cameron shot back. "Quit it Cameron!" Lilly snapped back at him. "No Lillibeth. He's right. I haven't exactly been there for him the last 15 years but I'm here now…" James trailed off.

"What's going on with you Cameron?" his mother interjected before Cameron could give a smart reply. He glanced down at his shoes, "I just didn't think it was the right time to be having a baby. I didn't exactly handle things well, I know." he said. "You bet you didn't jackass." Zoe chimed in. She couldn't help it but it pissed her off that this was happening. She didn't want to see this tear them apart when all they could do is communicate with each other.  Cameron sort of rolled his eyes and continued, "The team is offering me the chance to be a sports agent. In order to do that I have take college classes."

"That's it?" scoffed Zoe. "Zoe hush, let him finish." Constance snipped. Cameron stood up, "If I did this it would mean I would be away from Lilly, the girls and the baby. Of course it would also mean more money." he paused, "the last time she collapsed and could have died. Her and the babies could have died. I can't leave them again, this scares the shit out of me." The room got quiet. Lilly walked over to her husband. "Cameron is that what this is all about." She smiled. All of her fears subsided at that moment. "Willow, Amelia, the baby and I will be fine. The last time was scary, I won't deny that, but I don't think this should stop you from doing what you have to do. Doing what you want to do, you might not get another chance." she said with a smile. "I told them I'd think about it. They're pressuring me for an answer." Cameron told her."Well think about it. Whatever you decide I'll support you." Lilly said. That's why he loved her: She was always there for him and supported him. He forgot that's one of the reasons he fell in love with her. He loved her, he loved their family. He had to make a decision of what to do. He apologized to her, to everyone for the things that he had said. Now another matter at hand: Why exactly was James really here?

***

Constance and James settled into the house for their visit after they spent some time catching up with Lilly and Cameron. Zoe left but not before giving Lilly a big hug, her belly a rub and not before punching Cameron in the arm though she really wanted to punch him in the face. Willow and Amelia came home and were excited to see their grandmother. James kept his distance from them for a bit while the girls caught up and chatted about the new baby and what the twins were up to. 

Cameron was out back on the grill preparing hotdogs for dinner. James figured he would take the opportunity to talk to him. Let's hope this goes well. He wasn't sure exactly what to say to him at first. James kept picturing the little boy he used to cradle and make laugh. He was certain bouncing him on his knee wouldn't work this time, it would just be awkward. "Is there something I can help you with?" James asked him. "Nope." was all that Cameron uttered. James took a deep breath, "Look Cameron. I know we haven't said much of anything since our fight and the divorce." Cameron gave no response. "I just want to be able to put this behind us and move on. Someone has to be the

bigger person in all of this." Again Cameron said nothing. James took a long pause, "I'm sorry Cam." Cameron stopped what he was doing. He hadn't been called that in a long time, not even by his mother or his wife. Cameron turned around to look at the man that raised him. James wasn't always an ass. He was the one that taught him to throw a baseball when he was a little. The one that made him love sports to begin with. How could he have forgotten that?

"You may not be my son by blood but you're still my son. I vowed to raise you despite how you were conceived. Nonetheless  you were conceived out of love. Your kids love you, your mother loves you, your father loves you, and I love you too. More importantly, your wife loves you. I loved your mother, I still do and that's something that I will have to live with. Letting her go but deep down it was for the best. I don't want you to live with any regrets." James told him. 

That's the exact same thing Bryce told him before he left, "What are you saying then James?" he asked. James sat down at the table, "Do you want to be a sports agent? No, don't answer that. I can tell that you do. This is something you've worked hard for. You've fought tooth and nail to get where you are." Cameron knew he was right he wanted to do this, he really did. He was being very transparent; everyone could see right through his bullshit. He also knew if he didn't he'd may never get another chance. He glanced over at his family sitting at the dining table laughing and having fun. "You're right." he mumbled. "You have a whole support system here that you've forgotten. You have your wife, your kids and your friends. While your parents and I don't live here, we support you as well. You should do this Cameron, you really should." James told him, "I may not be your real father but I still hope you consider me to be a father. I'll stay here with the girls if that would make you feel better." Cameron couldn't believe that they were having this conversation. That the man he spent so much time hating was offering to care for his family while he was away. "You'd do that?" Cameron asked. "Well, we're family aren't we?" James said with a smile.

They were family despite the disagreements. All that they've been through together, they were in fact a family. Cameron let his worry cloud his mind. For the first time in a long time, all the Palmer's were gathered and enjoyed a meal together. Cameron and James let the family know what the plan was and they were happy to hear that the men were slowly going to patch things up. Though she would miss him, Lilly was glad that Cameron was taking this opportunity. When he came back they would have a brand new baby in the family. There was just one thing left: If James was going to move in, they needed a bigger house.


*End of Chapter 18*

Chapter 17: The New Girl

It was a beautiful late afternoon; a young Cameron spent the most of the day trying to think of something to do. “I hate this town. I really do.” He grunted as he sat on the swing. “Dad’s busy with work all the time and mom’s parked in front of the TV.” He let out a large sigh, “And I’d play video games, if I had someone to play with.” Cameron did not have many friends in town and he wasn’t completely sure why. He would keep to himself just to keep from being noticed, but when he was, he always ended up with his face in dirt and his hands scrapped up. “I hate this town.” He muttered again. Cameron decided to go to the park, something he rarely did for fear of bumping into his tormentors. “Mom, I’m heading to the park for a bit!” he yelled, “Mom? Great she is probably napping again. Whatever.” He hopped on his bike and left anyway. As he made his way there he daydreamed about being an athlete, he loved sports and always had. He enjoyed anything to do with sports. He looked at his scrawny arms, “yea right buddy. A flea could kick your butt.” He scoffed.  Cameron made it to the park and spotted some kids on the other side, “Oh great DJ’s here.” DJ Harlow was the main kid that picked on Cameron in school. He made sure to avoid him whenever he could. Cameron still had bruises from that kid that were at least a month and a half old. 

He decided to sit by the pond to avoid any attention. “Maybe I’ll just wait it out. They’ll have to go home eventually.” He sighed yet again, “Yea then you’ll have to go home too or face the wrath from dad for being out late.” Cameron tossed a rock into the pond and before he knew it he heard laughing coming in his direction. “Alright I see you guys later!” a voice yelled. “Oh god, DJ’s heading this way.” He whispered. Cameron literally held his breath hoping DJ would just walk right past him. Nope. “Hey loser, hiding out are you? Missed you in school today, wimped out?” he mocked. “Listen DJ I don’t want any trouble today. I just came to the park to play.” 

“Who’d want to play with a loser like you?” DJ replied. “What’s your problem DJ? Is there something drastically missing from your life that you have to make mine a living hell?” Cameron started to walk away when he was shoved from behind. “Listen you little punk! You have no idea who you're messing with!” DJ yelled. Before Cameron knew it, the kid was wailing on him. “HEY! GET OFF OF HIM!” yelled this delicate little voice. DJ looked up to see a little girl with ginger hair. She looked like she meant business, “I mean it Donald!” she continued to yell. “How do you know my real name?” 

The little girl smirked, “I know a lot about you. I know your name. I know you’re smarter than you like to admit. I even know the nickname your grandmother calls you!”  DJ stood up while Cameron tried to regain his own bearings. “Who do you think you are? He took a step towards the little girl.” She called his bluff and stepped towards him, “Your WORSE nightmare punk.” The bully scoffed and gave Cameron one last push before leaving.

The little girl smiled at Cameron while he tried not to blush. “You didn't have to do that; I can take care of myself.” He rubbed the dirt off his face and tried to wipe a bit of the blood away from his cheek. “You’re that new girl that moved in with Mr. Weber aren't you?” “Yea that’s me. The name’s Lillibeth by the way but most people call me Lilly. You’re Cameron Palmer aren't you?” “Yea how’d you know?” he looked at her puzzled. “DJ and his friends tripped you in the hallway the other day, whose feet do you think landed at?” she smiled. “Oh yea that was you.” He blushed even more. Just great, he fails at avoiding DJ and his thugs while managing to embarrass himself in front of the cutest girl in school.  

“You should get that scrape looked at.” She suggested. Cameron mumbled something under his breath. He looked at her and couldn't help but blush. “She is pretty when you really look at her.” He thought. “Thanks for the suggested. I better head home to get it taken care of. It was nice meeting you Lillibeth.” “Please call me Lilly. Hey, maybe we could hang out sometime. Maybe tomorrow?” she asked and glanced down at her feet, “if you’re not doing anything that is.” “You're asking to play with me? On purpose?” he was actually shocked. Again he didn't have many friends and he wasn’t really sure why, but someone actually wanted to play with him. “Um sure. I could come to you house if you want or you can come to mine.”

“I’ll come to yours. My grandpa has a somewhere to go tomorrow.” “Oh so he’s her grandfather.” He should have figured that out earlier. “Sure let’s say around 11 am?”  “Can't wait.” She smiled at him and not the usual smile that he usually received, The Smile of Pity. “Bye Lilly. It was nice meeting you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He actually managed to force a smile and a decent one at that.

***

Lilly strolled into the house just before 6 p.m. “Hey grandpa I’m back!” he yelled. “Lilly…what did I say?” “Sorry papa, there’s no yelling in the house.” She smiled as she mocked his rule. Ben Weber was a gentle old man that took into her home after her parents died. Lilly never really knew much about him but even at the young age she was, she could see her father in him and that brought so much comfort to her. “Have fun at the park Lillybug?” he asked. “As much fun as I could have, most of the kids around here either stare at me or are nothing but a bunch of bullies.” “Who’s bullying you?!” he asked. “Nobody Grandpa, you know I can take care of myself. Just another kid was being bullied, Cameron Palmer.” “Oh yeah I’ve seen that kid around. Sweet kid, I’ve bumped into him a few times at the book store while he picked up stuff for his mom. It’s a shame that he’s being bullied.” Ben looked upset. “Why do they pick on Cameron? Do you know Grandpa? Why do they pick on him?”  Lilly asked. She desperately wanted to know why they would choose him as a target. “I’m not really sure honey actually. I think to them he’s just an easy target.” She sighed and her grandfather could see she was upset. “How about we have spaghetti for dinner? Looks like you’ve made a new friend today; I hope you two become fast friends.”

She smiled, “I hope so too grandpa.”

***

“Mom, I’m back.” Cameron heard snoring from the couch and looked like his father still was not back yet. He sighed and went to the kitchen to get some leftovers. “She didn’t have to help me. I could have handled it myself.” He mumbled. However, he couldn’t help but think about how pretty she was. An image of her face flashed into his mind again. “She really was pretty but why would she talk to me?” he finished his dinner and decided to play some computer games before bed, all the while, Lilly’s face kept flashing into his mind. Yup, Cameron was starting to fall hard for the little redhead girl that saved him from a beating, well, a brutal beating. Perhaps he had finally made a real friend? 

***

Cameron and Lilly became inseparable. They spent a lot of their time together even in school. Yea they would get weird stares and everything but none of that mattered, at least not to Lilly. “Lilly does it bother you that no one really talks to you anymore?” Cameron asked as they tossed a ball back and forth. “Why would it? You and I have fun together and that’s all that really matters. I like playing with you.” She smiled. He was having fun with her too, it was nice to have a true friend. “I don't know. I just keep thinking that you’ll get bullied too if you keep hanging out with me.” He hated saying it but he felt like it was true. They had been so close and if she kept spending time with him, it probably wouldn't be good for her. That thought, that possibility, depressed him. He didn't want to be the reason she got hurt.  “Cameron, you're worrying too much.” She paused for a second, “Do you just not want to hang out with me or something?” Cameron looked down at the dirt, “It’s not that Lilly. I just don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt.”

Lilly just glared at him, “If you don’t want to hang out with me Cameron fine then. I think you’re worrying for nothing but if that’s what you want then fine. We can stop playing and hanging out together.” She started to walk away but stopped and said, “My grandpa is very important to me. He took me in after I lost my parents and I love him for that. You’re the first kid in town that wanted to be friends with me because of me, not because you wanted something in return. So what I’m trying to say is, you’re important to me too Cameron. Remember that.” She gave a weak smile and left. Cameron stood there as the sun started to set. “I’m sorry Lilly.” 

Cameron sat down to play with his toys until dinner was ready, he couldn’t help the feelings he had. He like Lilly a lot but he was just too afraid of her being dragged into his bullying, which he had to admit had tapered off since they started hanging out together. “Cameron? I thought Lilly was staying for dinner.” Constance asked. “She went home.” that was all he said. “Maybe she’s right. I was overthinking things.” Cameron figured he would tell her he was sorry the next day at school. After all he didn’t want to lose his best friend. “My best friend?” he smiled, “yeah that’s exactly what she was.” With a mom that spent most of her day watching TV or napping if she wasn’t at her part-time job, and a father that seemed to be a work-a-holic, it was nice to have a friend to cure the loneliness that he inevitably felt. 

***  

Lilly was not at school the next day and Cameron started to worry. Since she wasn't around he couldn't avoid his tormentors and ended up with yet another black eye. “I really do need her around.” He mumbled as he peddled his way to her house after school. “I don’t care if it’s just me and her. I like it that way. She’s my best friend.” He was smiling ear to ear by the time he pulled up to her house. “I have to tell her. I have to tell her.” He kept

thinking. He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. There was a long silence before the door finally opened. “Hey Cameron. What’s up?” her smile instantly turned into a frown when she saw his eye, “Not again. Was it DJ?Sorry I wasn't there I had to go to the dentist.” “Nevermind about that, I have to tell you something.” He took another deep breathe, “You’re important to me too. You’ve always been there for me even if it's just to talk. You’re funny, smart and pretty. And you don’t mind getting dirty when I want to go hiking and you like me for me. You’re my friend, Lilly you’re my best friend.”  

“Really Cameron?” She couldn't stop the smile on her face. Cameron was going to say more but was interrupted by Lilly’s lips against his cheek.  “That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.” He turned bright red and lost his

train of thought. “You’re my best friend too Cameron. Even if it’s just us I’ll be happy with that." 

Little did these two know that their friendship would blossom into much more.