Twelve hours later, as the plane is about to land on the airport of J city. Air hostess is reminding
passengers to be ready for the landing.
Waken up, Lily opens her eyes and is greeted with darkness outside the window. It’s already deep night
in J City. She can vaguely see the glowing lights along the runway during landing.
Was she asleep along the whole way?
Amazed at her sleeping quality, Lily looks at the man beside. He probably didn’t sleep at all, yet still
looks fresh and vigorous.
“Mummy, the plane is going to land.” Adair sounds sleepy, too.
“Sit tight, baby.” Lily says softly.
After landing, Lily puts on coat and holds Adair’s hand. It is only until the plane door opens that she
feels like it is real.
She looks up at the sky, which is like a dark curtain dispersed with several stars. Pulling her coat tighter
and breathing in the air, she realizes she is really back.
Five years ago, she was forced to leave. Five years later, here she stands.
“Come on.” The man says, with his voice touched by coldness of the night.
Lily nods and lets out a breath before heading forward. Rex follows behind them. At this moment,
nothing else exists, and all he sees are the two lovely figures ahead.
He has the darkness to thank, which covers the vulnerability and sensitiveness in his eyes.
Walking out of the airport gate, they see a black baby-sitter car already waiting by the roadside. The
assistant immediately walks forward to takes their luggage and put them in the trunk.
Lily sees a familiar face from the driver’s seat. After five years, everything seems a bit different. She
greets, “Nice to see you again.”
Joe got Rex’ s notice before. Though Rex has left the legal firm, Joe always sees him as his boss and
colleague, so he offers to help this time.
Seeing Lily back safe and sound, Joe truly rejoices, “Nice to see you again, Ms. Lily.”
The car door is opened. Adair gets in first, followed by two adults.
“Mr. Rex, where should we go?”
Rex looks at Lily, “Where to?”
Lily thinks for a moment and speaks out Abby’s address, “Let’s go to Abby’s place first.”
It’s too late for her to stop at anyone’s place. If she went home, she would disturb Harry and Bree. Only
Abby is young and energetic enough to handle the surprise of her being back.
During the way, Lily makes a call to Abby. She didn’t changer her number in these five years. Abby
picks up and asks in confusion, “Hello?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Lily chokes, “Abby, it’s me.”
Then it is silence. Abby was asleep before, however, now she feels like she was struck by lightning,
“Li...Lily？”
Lily nods as if Abby could see her, “Yes, it’s me.”
She continues, “I am back.”
“It really is you!” Abby recognizes her voice and screams. Abby doesn’t need more proof. This “Abby”
that she calls out is the only thing Abby needs.
“Where are you now?” Abby asks in haste, fearing she will be gone again in next second.
Five years have passed, Abby still treats her the way she used to. Seconds ago, Lily was worried that
Abby would blame her for leaving without saying goodbye, but now all her misgivings evaporate.
“I am with Rex now. I was thinking if I could stay at your place for one night?”
“Of course!” Abby is thrilled, “I didn’t move. You still remember my address?”
Lily feels like something stung her again, “Yes, I do.”
Then it is silence again. Abby’s voice quivers, “I will wait for you.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up the phone, Lily can’t calm down, but she dares not to cry in front of the kid, so she
turns away and tries to hold down her emotions.
Rex only sees one third of Lily’s face from his position. Her chin is trembling and she is trying her best
to keep in control.
Adair sits in the back. Rex puts his coat on her legs, and under the coat, his big, warm hand holds her
small, cold hand.
A shiver goes through her spine. Lily tries to break away but is held tighter. With his coat above,
nothing can be seen.
Lily doesn’t look back and just watches the backing streetscape. However, her sadness is softened by
this warm, big hand. She sees from the window that the man is not looking at her but staring forward,
comforting her in silence.
Lily can’t help but clench her hands, reminding herself to stop thinking about other things.
Forty minutes later, the car stops at Abby’s apartment.
Adair is still sleeping. Lily wakes him up and holds his hand to get him out of the car, after which she
blocks in front of the door and says to Rex, “You don’t need to go up there. I am afraid Abby won’t feel
comfortable.”
He was not planning to follow behind, but hearing what she said, he still feels offended, “Go ahead.”
Hand in hand, they get in the elevator and the door closes. Watching the number mounting to 13, the
man looks back and turns to Joe, “Back to villa.”
...
With the elevator ascending, Lily’s mind is full of worry and anxiety. But moreover, she is excited. They
haven’t seen each other for five years, and she can’t hold down her agitation any longer.
“Ting Tong -”
The elevator stops at the 13rd floor and the door opens. With a nervously beating heart, Lily walks out
with Adair. She arrives at Abby’s door and raises her hand before putting it down, then she raises her
hand again. Repeating this action for several times, she still can’t pluck up her courage to press the
doorbell.
“Mummy?” Adair looks up at her in confusion.
Lily takes a deep breath and is ready to press the doorbell. However, at this moment, the door is
opened from the inside.
With the door opening, she holds her breath until the familiar figure heaves to sight. Lily thought she
could control herself, but now her tears are falling down like raindrops in a storm.
She covers her mouth with hand to stop the sobbing at the tip of her lips.
“Lily...” Abby stares at Lily and as if she were dreaming, “It really is you. You are alive...”
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