Finding Lilibeth

It was a two hour drive to Julian's place. Julian drove while Dj took his own car and Zac went with Dj. Julian wanted to speak with Lilibeth to assure her she wasn't at fault for anything. He didn't want Lilibeth going back into her shell after she had spoken to him. Yes it was only one sentence but it was everything to Julian.

"My little Beth, you are so special. You are my granddaughter and you were never at fault. That man has no idea how to parent and I am guessing your mother was the same. Some people do not deserve children at all" Julian told Lilibeth. Lilibeth looked to the man who had shown her more kindness in the last few hours then her mother had shown in her life. "How am I special?" Lilibeth asked in a small voice. "Because you are my granddaughter. Because you have learnt to take care of yourself and have survived. It means you will do great things my Little Beth" Julian replied smiling at the girl. Lilibeth thought over the words that Julian had told her before nodding once and smiling. She had survived, yes some of her bones and her heart was broken, but she did survive.

When Julian pulled up at his house he noticed Lilibeth looking at the place in wonder. She noticed this just wasn't a house, it was an actual home. It was as big as Darren's place but it didn't look as cold. Lilibeth was smiling which caused Julian to smile. "Come on my little Beth" Julian said opening the door for Lilibeth.

Lilibeth climbed out of the car just as Dj and Zac were pulling into the drive way. "Thank you Gramps" Lilibeth whispered before throwing her arms around Julian's legs. She barely reached his waist due to her size but she wanted to show Julian how grateful she was for taking her away from Darren and being kind to her.

Julian was shocked, but had a huge smile on his face. Dj and Zac were just as shocked, Lilibeth was never open to affection unless someone else, usually Dj, initiated the contact. Julian bent down scooping up the little girl and pulled her towards his chest. "Anything for you my little Beth" Julian told his granddaughter and he meant every word of it. "Now let's get you settled inside. We will have to get some things for your room another day. You get Tarni's old room which connects to my room. If you need anything you come straight in" Julian told his granddaughter while walking into the house and up to what was now Lilibeth's room.

Dj and Zac followed Gramps and Lilibeth into the house. They left the bags in the car knowing one of the staff would get them later. Dj and Zac had rooms already as they had been here every school holidays when they were younger. Dj had also lived with Gramps for a while when he first started at uni as it was closer to where he was studying until he moved abroad.

"My little Beth this is your room" Julian told Lilibeth and put her down so she could explore. "This door leads straight to my room" Julian pointed out so Lilibeth knew she could use it any time she needed him. Lilibeth smiled at her Gramps. "I won't bother you" Lilibeth whispered. "You will never bother me. My little Beth, if you just need a hug or to make sure I am here, you come into my room no matter what time it is" Julian told Lilibeth. Lilibeth was unsure but nodded her head although she was unsure. "I mean it Beth" Julian stated sorry her how serious he was.

"Now let's meet the staff, I hear Miss Emma use to bring you your food?" Julian questioned. Lilibeth looked to her Gramps and nodded her head. "Well how would you feel if Miss Emma worked here and helped care for you?" Julian asked. "Don't you want to care for me?" Lilibeth questioned getting upset. Lilibeth thought that she was wanted but now Gramps was going to make Miss Emma care for her just like at Darren's house. "My little Beth, that's not what I meant" Julian rushed out. "What I meant was you are a little girl, you need help bathing at the moment with your arm still in a cast. You will also need a female as you get older to help with girl things. You seem to trust Miss Emma and I want you comfortable. You are very much wanted my dear" Julian stated not once disconnecting his eyes from Lilibeth's so she knew he was speaking the truth.

"Lili, Miss Emma use to help mum when she was little and also help us when we were younger" Dj added. Lilibeth looked to her big brother still unsure of what they meant. "Miss Emma makes the best butterfly cakes. She use to sneak them to me when I was your age and dad would yell at me" Zac added causing Lilibeth to smile. Lilibeth didn't know what a butterfly cake was but she was happy that Zac had some good memories as a child because she didn't have any. "What they are saying my Little Beth is that, Miss Emma had been helping our family for years and we were wondering if it would be ok if she worked here now?" Julian spoke up. Lilibeth nodded her head yes, she wanted to have butterfly cakes snuck to her if she was in trouble too. "Then it is settled Miss Emma will be our housekeeper and cook" Julian stated before he exited Lilibeth's room carrying her in his arms.

Julian carried Lilibeth around the house giving her a tour of the place. Dj and Zac had gone to there rooms to unpack there bags and get settled. They spent a few hours outside playing in the garden with Julian chasing his granddaughter. She hadn't laughed so much in her life and had a lot of fun.

At dinner time Julian discussed with Zac and Lilibeth about the school they would be starting. Zac would transfer to the school closer to the house and Lilibeth would be joining too. Julian would call Monday and have them both enrolled. Lilibeth didn't stop smiling at all and both Dj and Zac hadn' seen her this happy ever. Zac was glad Lilibeth was happy finally. Dj was happy his younger brother and Lilibeth were now somewhere stable because he knew that with there father it was anything but stable.