Me And My Girl {Brendan/Stacey}

[libby]

10th June, 2009

Libby looked up at the guy from the Social Department with tears in her eyes. She didn't want to go to a person she didn't know. What if he didn't like her? What if he didn't want her? Where would she be then? Stuck in another house with another foster family? Ever since they had shipped her off to Las Vegas, she had been with three different foster families while they tracked down this 'father' of hers. A father she had never known, a father whom her mother had said didn't want to know about her, why would it be any different now?

"I don' wanna go. Ya ain't makin' me go." Libby said, as she wiped away at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You're right, I can't make you go, but you haven't settled with one foster family yet, do you constantly want that for your life, when you have relatives who could love, care and protect you?" Gareth asked Libby in a stern voice.

The tone of his voice didn't help Libby any, and she just felt the tears build in her eyes even more. She shook her head, looking up at him again, "But wha' if he doesn' want me?" She asked, as she wiped at her eyes again.

"Well, we'll just have to face that if it happens. Come on, if we go now, we might be lucky to get him in." Gareth said, putting his arm around Libby's shoulders gently and leading her out to the car.

Libby sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the side window the whole journey. Refusing to look at the man who was taking her to this strange house, to this strange man, this man who was supposed to be her father. Well if he was her father, then why hadn't he been in her life from when she was born? Why didn't she know him?

All too soon, the car stopped. "Well we're here Libby." Gareth said, and she turned and looked, and her eyes opened wide, she had never seen a house so big, or with so much ground. She swallowed, "He... he lives in there?" She asked, pointing to the big mansion type house she was looking at.

"He sure does. Which means he can more than afford to look after you. Come on." Gareth said, and stepped out of his car, waiting until Libby was out, before locking the door with his key fob and then held his hand out for her to take as he walked up through the grounds until he reached the door and rang the bell. He looked down at Libby and gave her a warm comforting smile, as if to say that everything would be fine.

Once the door was opened, Libby walked behind Gareth and kept her hands on the guys back as she peeked out from the side, so naturally Gareth did the talking.

"Mr Harris? Mr Brendan Harris?" Gareth asked, waiting for Brendan to answer before continuing, because he knew this was indeed Libby's father. "I'm Gareth and I'm from the Social Department, I'm here to introduce you to Elizabeth." He said, and then Libby stood out from behind the man with her arms folded across her chest, and a deep frown on her face.

"Ma name's Libby." She said, and Gareth smiled down at her.

"Very well, Brendan, I'd like you to meet your daughter Libby." He said, and then continued with, "May we come in?"

[brendan]

It had just been over three weeks since Brendan had met Stacey at that hotel casino bar while he had been doing a review on it and quite frankly he hadn't looked back since. She was beautiful, loving, caring and vivacious. He loved everything about her. In fact he was so in love with her now, that he was already planning on a romantic week away to Paris where he was going to propose to her. Well, he wasn't getting any younger, and he really would have to start thinking about a family before he got any older. He wanted to be young enough to enjoy them and play football with them, should they be a boy.

Brendan was lying on one of the loungers which lay beside the indoor swimming pool, reading a book. Stacey had gone to get herself a glass of water. It was at that moment he heard his door bell ring. He stood up, put the book on the lounger, threw on his shirt, but keeping it open, he headed to the door. "Am gettin' it Bambi." He shouted, just in case she should have gone to get the door himself.

He opened it, and was met with a guy he didn't know. He was about to ask if he could help, when the guy spoke first, asking if he was Mr Harris, Mr Brendan Harris. "Yeah tha's me." Brendan said with a quizzical expression on his face. The guy then went on to introduce himself, and Brendan's eyes opened wide at the words Social Department. He then went on to say about introducing him to someone by the name of Elizabeth.

"But I don' know anybody called Elizabeth." Brendan said in a confused voice. Then a young girl stepped out from behind the man who had called himself Gareth, and Brendan looked down at her thinking that she looked familiar but couldn't figure it out why. He also had to chuckle at the sternness in her voice and the frown, reminds me of maself he thought.

He hadn't expected what came out of the guy's mouth next however. 'I'd like you to meet your daughter Libby.' Daughter? What was the guy going on about. He didn't have a daughter. But as he looked at her, he could still see something very familiar about her and just couldn't think what it was, and then he got it. She looked a lot like Debbie did at that age, and he saw, that she also had dimples. Not as deep set as his own, and in fact, looked as if she really only had the one, but there was one there just the same.

Brendan put his hand up to his mouth in complete shock. "I honestly had no idea I had a daughter." He said, and when Gareth asked if they could come in, he nodded his head, he was in shock and feeling completely numb. "Yeah, sure, c'mon in." Brendan said as he stood back and allowed them both to come into the house, before he closed the door and made his way into the living room, gesturing for them to follow.

"Stacey, am in the livin' room, I think ya'd best come in." He said in a loud voice, still in complete shock, as he sat down on one of the three seater sofa's and gestured for Gareth and Libby to sit down on one of the others, and then he waited for Stacey to join them. He sure as hell didn't know what she'd make of this news, and more to the point, why was this guy bringing her here now?

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey couldn't believe that it had been just over three weeks since she had met this wonderful guy. She hadn't meant to meet someone that night, when she just went to Las Vegas for a good time. Though there he was, nonetheless. Of cause, Stacey's normal personality had come out and all, and she soon realised that she didn't need to have this turned on for this particular guy. Now she was still with Brendan, and it felt so right, what with him already protecting her from what had happened that first night of meeting. The first night he had already gotten two nicknames from her: Dimples and B. So now it just felt right to call him that now. Their relationship was comfortable to her now.

Now Stacey was getting up to get herself a drink. Brendan and herself were just having a lazy day near his indoor swimming pool. It felt nice to her to have a place where she could just stay now, not really having anywhere for her to call home these days. But hopefully, one day that might come to pass. So off Stacey went, leaving Brendan reading his book, and walked to the kitchen.

Once there, Stacey went to the fridge, and retrieved the water jug, and closed the fridge door. Placing the water on the bench, Stacey got a glass, and then began to pour herself a glass. Just then she heard the doorbell. Stacey wondered if she should get it, even if it was not her house. Well she had been staying there now. Her curiosity was answered, when Brendan called out that he was getting it. "Okay B." Then Stacey went to put the jug back in the fridge.

Taking a sip of the cool water felt nice. It was warm at the pool, even if it was inside. It didn't help with the sun beating down through the windows. Just then Stacey heard voices coming from the front entrance: firstly a male voice, Brendan's voice, and then a child's voice. Stacey wondered who it was. She heard Brendan's voice more prominant, sounding like he had no idea who these people were.

When Stacey waited to hear the conversation finish, she wondered if she should go out to see. She didn't want to interrupt if it was something she wasn't meant to be involved in. Then Brendan called out to say that he was in the living room, and that she had best come out. The tone of his voice did not sound good, so she left the kitchen, still with the glass in her hand, and headed out to the living area.

Stacey was met with a scene of Brendan sitting on one sofa, and a man and a girl sitting on another sofa. She slowly made her way over to Brendan, smiling and nodding at the man. She then sat down beside Brendan, and put her glass of water on the table nearby. Stacey turned to Brendan, with a frown, wondering who these people were. She then turned back to the man and girl sitting on the other sofa.

[libby]

As Gareth stood talking to 'her father', Libby kept behind him the whole time and kept peeking her head out to look at the guy Gareth was talking to. He was so tall she thought to herself. She tried to see if she could see any of herself in him, and she had to admit, that she thought she may have his smile at least, maybe even his eyes. Maybe he wouldn't be such a bad person to look after her.

When he spoke, he had the same accent as her own she noticed, and that made her feel a little more relaxed, but she still stood behind Gareth and only peeking out. For the most part, Libby was still very scared, what if he didn't want to know her. Of course he had said he didn't know anybody called Elizabeth. Well if her mom Faith had kept her from him, then of course he wouldn't know who she was. That was when she finally stepped out and said that her name was Libby.

She saw the man, 'her father' chuckle when she did that, so she took the frown off her face and smiled at him, a little smile, but one just the same. Then Gareth said the words. He wanted him to meet his daughter. She could tell from the look on his face that he had indeed knew nothing about her. Which made her feel a little better, all those years she had just assumed he hadn't wanted to know her.

Gareth had then asked if they come inside, and of course 'her father' said yes they could, and so she followed Gareth inside, looking around with eyes wide open in total awe at the size and decor of the house. She then sat down on the sofa opposite the one 'her father' was sitting on and sat with her hands in her lap twiddling her thumbs around one another, still looking around the living room with her eyes open wide.

Then 'her father' called for someone and Libby saw a lovely brunette woman walk in and sit beside 'her father' with a very quizzical look on her face. So when she looked over and smiled at her and Gareth, Libby just gave her a weak smile back and then she couldn't help herself.

"Ya mean I really get to live here? It's the biggest freakin' house I've seen in ma life." She then looked at 'her father' and blushed furiously, before leaning back on the sofa and hiding behind Gareth again.

Gareth then sat forward and decided he should start to explain why he was here. "Well, Brendan, I think I should let you know why we are here." He began, and then put his hand on Libby, to gently reassure her everything was alright. She decided to sit forward again at that point, but she was keeping her eyes away from looking at the man and woman across from her. She was still a little embarrassed about her outburst over living in this house.

"You see, her mother Faith Benson was killed, and as there were no surviving family members on Faith's side of the family, we had to track down Libby's birth father, and it brought us to yourself Brendan. Basically, you're Libby's father and her only hope of being able to belong to a family again." Gareth explained, as he sat with his hands together at the fingertips. He took in a deep breath before continuing any further.

"Although, from what I know, Faith never told you about your daughter, and from what Libby's told me, her mother said you didn't want to know about your daughter. So, Libby grew up thinking you abandoned her and her mother and didn't want to know her. But I see from your reaction that this is not the case." He finished as he then turned to Libby and smiled at her.

[brendan]

Brendan Harris was in shock. It had been a long time since he had been given such a shock. He still couldn't fully comprehend what the man calling himself Gareth had said to him. 'I'd like you to meet your daughter Libby.' It kept getting played over and over in his head. He, Brendan Harris had a daughter. He had just been thinking only the other day that he wasn't getting any younger, and that he would have to seriously consider thinking about starting a family and here he already had a daughter he knew nothing of. This was heavy deep shit. Why didn't he know about her. How old was she anyway? Eight? Nine? And whoever he got pregnant at the time, why didn't they tell him?

All these thoughts constantly ran through his mind as he sat on the sofa looking over at Gareth and this girl who liked to be called Libby. So, of course, after he had called through to Stacey and she had come through to sit beside him, he actually didn't even register right away that she was there. But he slowly turned around and looked at her and saw the quizzical expression on her face. How the hell was he going to tell his new girlfriend that he was already a father and he didn't even know it?

He looked at Stacey and sighed, and then with his face as straight as a poker, but eyes smiling as always, he took Stacey's hands in his own, then he glanced at Gareth, "Afore ya go any further, I hafta let ma girlfriend know wha's goin' on." He said, and then looked at Stacey again.

"Am real sorry to do this to ya, an' ya gotta know I knew nothin' abou' her. But it would seem this girl here, is ma daughter, Stacey." Keeping his hands in Stacey's own, he then turned back to face Gareth and his 'daughter' and waited to hear more about the situation. But before Gareth could say anything, Libby spoke in an excited voice about living here. Brendan couldn't help but chuckle again a little.

"It's a big house yeah, an' well it sure looks like ya get to live here, don' it?" Brendan said to his 'daughter' with a warm smile. She really did seem to have his eyes and smile, which was making Brendan accept her a little as his daughter already. He then put his attention on Gareth as he said he should explain why they were both there. The soon as the name Faith Benson was mentioned Brendan blanched at the memory. He put his hand up to his mouth again.

"Oh ma god, Faith Benson, ma high school girlfriend. Ya know, I always wondered why she never got in touch with me again after tha' nigh'." He began, and frowned slightly as he remembered that night back all those, what would it be? Nine, no ten years ago. "So tha' mus' make ya abou' ten years old then?" He said as he looked at the young girl.

Gareth then went on to say that Libby was under the impression Brendan didn't want to know about her, and that naturally Faith had never told Brendan about being pregnant. Brendan began nodding his head. "Yeah, she never told me abou' bein' pregnant, I swear if I'd known, I'd have stood by her. I'd never have abandoned ma daughter." Brendan said, as he felt tears stinging at his eyes and then he looked toward Stacey again.

"Although, I migh' never have met Stacey if tha' was the case." He said softly as he looked into her eyes, with an apologetic look, after all, she was just finding out that he was a father, and she was younger than him, and now on top of a new romance, she would have to contend with a young child as well. It was a bit much to expect from her.

But he then looked across at Gareth and his daughter again, and knew that he would have to bond with her. The girl couldn't be expected to stay here and feel like a stranger in a place which should be her own home. Her mother had been killed, how long ago had it been? It couldn't have been that long, Libby must be devastated.

"Why don' ya come over an' sit here then Libby?" He said, as he took his hands away from Stacey and opened his arms out to the young girl. "If yer ma daughter, I migh' as well get to know ya, wha' ya say?" He added, as he continued to smile at her through his tears.

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey's frown was met with Brendan telling the man that he had to talk to her about what was going on, then his hand on her own. Then Brendan turned to her, telling her of the situation. His hand was kept on hers the whole time. When he said that this girl was his daughter, Stacey didn't know what to do or say to that. But it did indeed seem that Brendan had no idea that he had a daughter at all.

All Stacey could do for now was nod blankly at him. She couldn't find any words to this new piece of information about him. But she had to keep remembering that it was also news to him as well, so it did make her feel a bit better, though still not sure of what words to say to him. Stacey looked down at their hands together. If she left him now, she would be heart broken, but it wasn't his fault in regards to this new situation.

Stacey then looked up at his 'daughter', who then had an outburst in regards to the house. Stacey had to hold back a giggle. That was her thoughts exactly, well not the living in bit, but back when she first stepped inside that night, she was overwhelmed with the sight. Looking at her, Stacey saw she had a dimple, similiar to Brendan. So maybe they were related after all.

When the birth mother was mentioned, Stacey heard Brendan instantly speak. He knew her, as being his girlfriend in high school, and had wondered why she never contacted him. Stacey didn't know the woman, but she might have been the same. She had had some close called over the last couple of years, what with sleeping around, but knew that she would probably have kept it a secret herself, if she had ever gotten pregnant. Though also would she have taken care of it instead? Thank goodness it never happened.

Then Brendan continued, about if he had known, he would have stood by the woman, and that he wouldn't have abandoned his daughter. As he said this, Stacey looked up at Brendan, and saw tears in his eyes. Stacey let got of his hand, and wrapped her arms around his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. She hated to see a guy cry, but this was an exception for him, as it was an emotion scene to be in right now.

Then Brendan mentioned that he would never have met Stacey. With that, Stacey smiled up at him. That felt nice for him to say that. The look he gave her was an apologetic one, which Stacey slowly shook her head to, and placed her head on his shoulder, still holding his arm. Stacey was sure that they would talk in private later on, in regards to this new situation that they would both be a part of now.

Stacey wondered what life would be with Brendan, and a child. They had a ready made family already, but Stacey couldn't wait for a child that was their own together. That would just be the topping ontop of a nice cake already being built between them. She hoped that she would be able to love this child as her own, and would never rescent her as being Brendan's daughter. Just then Brendan turned to his 'daughter', and invited her to come over to him. Stacey let go of Brendan's arm as he did this gesture.

Stacey hoped for his sake that she did come over into his welcoming, warm arms. Just looking at Brendan, all upset, and happy, made her wish real bad.

[libby]

Gareth just smiled when Brendan said he had to tell his girlfriend what was going on. "Sure, of course." He replied back and then looked down toward Libby who seemed to still be very quiet and unsure about everything. Gareth couldn't expect anything else, after everything the young girl had been through, it was really only to be expected. So he just sat quietly while Brendan explained to his girlfriend, Stacey what was going on. Or at least, as much as he knew at that time anyway.

After Libby had excitedly shouted out about living in this house and blushed and went to hide behind Gareth, just before he managed to bring her back out again, 'her father' replied saying that it sure looked like she got to live there. When she saw his smile, she actually felt something inside melt, and suddenly thoughts of realising she had a dad, a daddy, when all this time she thought he didn't want to know her, but rather because he hadn't known about her, made Libby want to get to know him more than anything. She still had a family, and how much of one she wasn't sure. But she at least had a dad, someone she never thought wanted her.

She just smiled back at him, but didn't say anything. Not at that point, she couldn't. Memories of finding out about her mom were coming back and she could feel the sadness looming and tears were beginning to form in her eyes. Then she realised her mom hadn't told her dad about her, why would she do that? So, for a split second she started to hate her mom and that made her feel even more upset. Before she knew it, a fountain of tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Gareth decided to answer Brendan's questions, when he heard Libby crying. He put his hand on her back, as if to try and calm her. "Yes Brendan, it would indeed make her ten years old, she's actually eleven at the end of the year. I'm really sorry Faith kept the knowledge of your daughter away from you, but as you can see, she needs to have a stable family environment, and looking around, I dare say you can give her that." Gareth said, and smiled at Brendan and his woman friend Stacey.

Libby was so upset now, listening to her dad say if he'd known about her, he would have stood by her mom, but that if he'd done that he wouldn't be with the woman he was with now. It was beginning to get too much for Libby to take in. The tears from earlier, got heavier, and soon she was sobbing her heart out. She couldn't look at her dad, she couldn't look at the woman, Stacey either, instead she just put her head in her hands.

"Well, Brendan, you have your time now to do what you can for your daughter. I'm sure that we leave her in very capable hands. And now, I think it might be best, if I leave you all alone to get acquainted." Gareth said, as he stood up, and held his hand out for Brendan to shake. Just after that, Brendan had then asked for Libby to go over to him. With his arms opened and a warm smile on his face. Libby wasn't sure what to do, he was still, more or less a stranger to her, but he was her father, and she wanted to get to know him. She wanted to have a dad in her life.

So, she slowly stood up, looked up at Gareth with a smile through her tears, and then looking back at Brendan, seeing how welcoming he was being, and ran toward his open arms and threw herself into them. Sobbing, but not enough to be able to say, "I've got a daddy. I've got a daddy."

Gareth looked upon the scene and didn't want to disturb them, with a smile he said, "I'll see myself out, don't worry." And with that, he left the three alone.

[brendan]

The whole time Brendan was telling Stacey about Libby and that he had a daughter, she didn't say anything to him. He was finding her lack of conversation a little worrying, not sure what she was making of all of this. If he lost her now, he didn't know what he would do. But, looking over at his daughter, he knew he couldn't abandon her over love. What kind of man would that make him? Although, Stacey's looks and the fact she lay her head on his shoulder, and having her arms round his, her shaking head when he gave her the apologetic look, were all signs that made him think she was okay with it, and just didn't see it as her place to get involved, maybe? He wasn't sure, but she hadn't got up and walked out on him, so maybe that was all the sign he needed to know, that they would work through this, in their own time.

Just after Brendan had asked the question about Libby's age, he noticed she began to cry and that made Brendan's heart lurch, he just wanted to scoop her up into his arms there and then. He had a daughter for god's sakes, one he hadn't known anything about, and he was damn well going to make up for that now. However, just grabbing her, might scare her, and so he remained where he was, for now and listened to Gareth say that she was indeed ten, and she would be eleven at the end of the year. That was something he would have to remember, so he could throw her the biggest party ever, or take her somewhere really, really special. Like Florida Disney World or something.

"Well, it wasn' yer fault, was it now Gareth?" Brendan asked, as he apologised about Faith keeping the news of his daughter away from him. Then when Gareth said it looked like he could give her the stable family environment she needed, Brendan gave Gareth a warm smile. "Well, I'd sure like to think I could, thanks fer bein' so kind." He said to the man, glancing over at Libby again, and really feeling for the young girl. Learning of her mother's death, that her father would have very much wanted her in her life, it must have been a lot for her to take in.

When Brendan had said he would never have abandoned his daughter had he known Faith was pregnant, Gareth said that he now had his time to do what he could for his daughter. And like he thought only moments before, he would definitely make up for his lost time, that he was sure of. "I'll be makin' sure I make up fer lost time, ya can be sure of tha'." Brendan said with a smile to Gareth, and then Gareth said that he felt it was time to leave them alone to get to know one another and came toward him with his hand held out. Brendan shook the guy's hand, "Thanks fer everythin'." He replied, but that was just after he had asked Libby to come over to him, and she hadn't responded, and he was beginning to think he might have a tough time on his hands bonding with his daughter.

But the minute he had shook Gareth's hand, she came running into his open arms, sobbing her heart out. He immediately wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up onto his lap and hugged into her, with his chin resting on the top of her head. And when she said twice, 'I've got a daddy, I've got a daddy', Brendan kissed the top of her of head, "Yeah, tha' ya do sweetheart, tha' ya do, an' I ain't ever gonna abandon ya, ya hear me? We'll get to know one another, and' I'll love ya and treasure ya, an' maybe one day ya'll have brothers and sisters." He said softly into her ear, and then Gareth said he would make his own way out. So, Brendan looked up at him and smiled acknowledging and watched as he made his way out the door.

Brendan then turned to Stacey, and looked at her, still holding onto his daughter, who was still crying her out and hugging him like there was no tomorrow. "Well, Bambi, sweetheart, think ya can cope with an extra person to love?" He asked her, as he removed one of his arms from around Libby and pulled Stacey into him, hugging them both in a sort of group hug.

Finding out he had a daughter he never knew about, was a shock, but he realised it was a damn good shock, and thinking, that for the moment he was the happiest man alive. All he needed now, was to whisk Stacey away somewhere, propose, hopefully she'd say yes, and then maybe one day, they could add to their already growing family. One thing was for sure, he would love his kids with Stacey, just as much as he'd love the one who technically wasn't her own, but hopefully, they could accept each other, in time.

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey's heart began to break as Libby began to cry. It was just as bad for a child to cry, as it was for a guy. So maybe she would be the strong one for now between them. Knowing how Libby was, she was sure that she would want Brendan to be there for her instead of herself. Even though Brendan was a complete stranger to her, at least there would be a connection eventually. Stacey was just someone who was dating and seeing Brendan. That connection would take time.

Stacey listened as Brendan spoke to Gareth some more. Hearing him say that he was sure to look after her, and would make up for lost time with her, Stacey smiled. She sensed that Brendan would do anything for this new found daughter of his. Well, he had done wonders for her, being a complete stranger that night, taking care of her like she was his girlfriend already. She admired him for that. He really did make time for anyone he knew. Stacey hoped that she would do the same for him.

Soon Gareth said that it was time for him to leave them alone. Stacey felt that it was a good a time as any for the father/daughter time to start. She wondered if she should leave them alone, and just make herself scarce for a few hours. Stacey knew that they would want to some alone time soon, and this was a good a time as any. Brendan shook Gareth's hand, thanking him. Then Libby ran right into Brendan's outstretched arms. It was a perfect image. A father and daughter reunion at its best.

Stacey heard what Libby said to Brendan, and she had to smile. She was happy for them. This whole scene was getting a bit too much, and soon Stacey felt tears in her eyes. Why was she crying? But of cause it was an emotional scenes, like any movie would be, but this was real life, and the scene was bringing the waterworks Stacey's way. Then she saw Brendan kiss the top of Libby's head. That was just another trademark of his. He did it to everyone, but maybe it was just to the ones he loved. Stacey couldn't quite here what he was saying to Libby, but she didn't care. He was just probably telling her all the things he was feelilng right there and then.

Stacey then noticed Brendan turn to her, and talk to her. What could she say to that. When Brendan put his arm around her, Stacey looked up at him, and then at Libby. "Why not!" Smiling at both of them, Stacey laughed a little, still with tears in her eyes. Why wouldn't she love someone whom Brendan was going to love also. Stacey hoped that Libby would accept her as who she was to Brendan, and Stacey hoped that she would also accept Libby. At this point in time, she saw a sweet little girl, who just needed love, and that was what Stacey could give her.

After a few moments, Stacey got up from Brendan's embrace, and looked at them both. "So. Who would like something to drink. I think I could whip up something for us, while you guys sit there and chat for a while." Without waiting for a reply, Stacey got up, and headed out to the kitchen. This would be the perfect time for Brendan and Libby to bond for the first time.

[libby]

After Libby had said the words that she had a daddy, she felt him kiss the top of the her head. It felt nice she thought, she had never been kissed on the top of the head like that before. Her mom used to kiss her on the cheek, but never on the top of the head. And as he spoke softly into her ear, she began to smile through her tears. He was saying such nice things, things she had always wanted to hear from a father, but didn't think she had one.

She then heard her dad ask his girlfriend if she could love the both of them. That was the answer Libby was fearing the most. What if she said no, would her dad give up on her, because he didn't want to lose the woman in his life? But her fears were soon quelled when she heard the woman say 'why not'. She then turned her head around to face her, and Libby could then see why her dad loved the woman so much, she was real pretty and no doubt she was a real nice person too. She smiled at her, and then when her dad pulled Stacey, as she remembered her name, to him, Libby took one of her arms away from around her dad and put it around Stacey and hugged her as well as her dad.

She wanted Stacey to know that she was happy with her being in her dad's life, that she would be happy to share him with her, after all, Libby had been in this world for ten years without having had a dad, and now, not only did she get a dad, she was getting a new mom too, really. Well if that's what she wanted. So, maybe it would take time for Libby to bond with Stacey completely, but she knew she liked her already, if her dad did, and Libby could already tell she was going to love him, then she knew that she would be able to love Stacey too. She then leaned across and gave Stacey a kiss on the cheek, before returning to hugging her dad again and she kissed him on the cheek too.

Stacey then stood up and asked them if they wanted something to drink, although Libby had a feeling she was trying to discreetly leave the both of them alone. She pulled out of the embrace slightly and sat up and looked at Stacey, her tears seemed to have gone now, and she could tell Stacey had been crying a little too.

Libby swallowed and then smiled again, "Could I maybe have some lemonade please?" She didn't feel like eating, not right away, but all the crying had made her thirsty, and then she watched as Stacey made her way into the kitchen, and so keeping one arm around her dad's neck, and using her free hand to play with his longish hair, she looked at him. "I was really scared to come here ya know, but, ya seem quite happy to have me, an' am so glad to have ya in ma life. I never thought I was ever gonna have a dad, an' now look at me." She said, as the tears had finally gone and she gave him a bright smile.

"When you were whisperin' in ma ear afore, did ya really mean wha' ya said?" She asked, and then blushed a little, she sort of thought he did mean it, but she still couldn't help but ask the question. "An' is it only ya an' yer girlfriend? Or do I have any other family member I don' know abou' yet?" She asked, and then wrapped her arms around his neck again, as she cuddled into him once more.

[brendan]

After Gareth had finally left them alone, and Libby had come running into his open arms, Brendan felt a complete rush of love wash over him for the girl. It was almost as if he had known her all his life and yet he knew that was ridiculous because she had only just come into his life now. He knew he was going to spoil the girl like crazy. She wondered how good a life of it she had with Faith, not that he meant for it to sound bad in anyway, but he was just wondering if Faith had been able to afford to take her anywhere special. Of course, there was plenty of time to find out about all of that. He was just glad that Libby had come to him, and when he had asked Stacey if she could love an extra person, she had said why not. It made his heart melt.

"Ya've no idea wha' tha' means to me Stacey." He said, using her proper name this time, like he always did when he wanted her to know he was being completely serious about something. What happened next though, was nothing short of a miracle in his eyes, he thought he was going to have it tough bonding with Libby, and then she'd come running into his arms, but when he had pulled Stacey to him, Libby had removed one of her arms from around his neck to wrap around Stacey, and then, he saw her kiss her cheek, before she kissed his own. It was just magical to Brendan. He couldn't believe that Libby was coming round to the both of them so fast. Although, he figured that she might still take a bit of time to completely bond with Stacey, in fact, she might still take a bit of time to completely bond with himself.

"Well, wha' d'ya know." Brendan said, "Tha' was real nice of ya sweetheart." He said to Libby after she had hugged and kissed Stacey. He was going to have to think of a nickname for his baby girl now. He would have called her Princess, but that was Debbie's nickname, so what could he call her? She had beautiful bright eyes, but he couldn't call her Bambi, because that was Stacey's name. So he would either have to call her Little Princess, Baby Girl or Bright Eyes. He really wasn't sure which one suited her best yet, so for now he thought he might just settle on Baby Girl, because to Brendan, it wouldn't matter how old she was, he would always see her as his baby girl.

Then he took a good look at her features, as most of his nicknames usually came from their features and looks or personality, and he thought apart from having bright eyes, which seemed a little daft, she had a cute button nose, and that's when he thought Button might do it. Just then, Stacey stood up and asked if she could get them something to drink. Again, Libby took him by surprise when she asked if she could have lemonade. "Sure ya can Libby, an' I don' mind Bambi, wha'ever ya can make fer me will be jus' fine." He said, and then smiled at her, as she mentioned they could chat for a while.

He just sat there continually grinning, showing off his dimples as he looked at Libby, and then when she began playing with his hair with one of her hands, he began to laugh a little. "Like ma long hair do ya?" He asked her, and kissed the top of her head again. "Well I sure like yer hair, yer gonna hafta teach me how to do all tha' fancy plaitin' an' stuff." He said and laughed a little, as he used one of his hands to run through her hair.

She then asked if he had really meant what he said when he had been whispering into her ear. "Course I meant it Libby, yer ma daughter, I ain't ever gonna abandon ya, we'll get along jus' fine, ya wait an' see." He replied and winked at her, and then she began asking more questions about whether it was just him and Stacey in the family or did she have more to get to know and meet. He grinned again, nodding his head as he felt her arms go round his neck again.

"Ya sure do. Ya got grandparents, ya got an aunt, an' ya got loads of cousins an' uncles. Lots of family fer ya to meet yet, lots." He said and laughed, and cuddled into her again. He couldn't believe he finally had a child. All this time of wanting to start a family and he had a ready made one just sitting waiting for him. It was like a dream come true. He had Stacey, he had a wonderful family, and now he had Libby. He couldn't wait to tell his parents about Libby, they'd be over the moon.

[Anastacia Potter]

While in that embrace with Brendan and Libby, Stacey felt a hand on her arm, and soon saw that it was Libby's hand. All Stacey could do was look at her, with tears in her eyes still, and smiled. Seemed to Stacey that Libby was accepting her, Stacey, as part of the family, and it felt nice. She already felt like part of Brendan's life, just over the last few weeks. And now this little girl, who had to start getting to know her dad, and also later on get to know Stacey. She couldn't wait.

Then Libby kissed Stacey's cheek. Well that just brought on more of the waterworks for her. Without looking at anyone, Stacey nuzzled her head into Brendan more. It felt nice right where she was, but she knew that they needed to bond on their own. That was when she got up and offered drinks. Libby smiled at her, and asked for a lemonade. And then Brendan said that he didn't care, whatever she made was fine. "Okay," and off Stacey went.

She didn't want to eaves drop, so she went in and poured a glass of lemonade for Libby, and then looked in the fridge for Brendan and herself. Stacey finally spied a bottle of orange juice, and poured out two glasses. She wondered what sort of scene she would walk in on when she went back, but decided to wait for a few more moments. Thinking that they might be hungry, as it was getting onto midday, Stacey found some biscuits, and also a tray to balance all this on.

Heading back towards the living room again, Stacey was soon met with a scene of Libby and Brendan quietly talking and smiling. It was a nice sight to see, especially one of both of them just getting to know each other. As she got closer, Stacey heard that he was telling her of the other relatives she had to yet meet. "I hope for Libby's sake she doesn't get bombarded with all of them at once." Stacey laughed slightly, and put down the tray. "I don't know about Libby, but if it was me, I would be lost in it all. Maybe just bring 'em on through to the house in groups of two or more. But unless you were looking at a huge family reunion, then you have the place for it."

Stacey handed Libby her drink, and then Brendan his. As Stacey sat down, she looked at them again, and then looked down at her own drink. The thought of the ready made family kept playing in her head. She had a wonderful boyfriend, who would do anything for her, and this little girl was so sweet, well that is what Stacey got from the first impressions anyway. Stacey, deep down, couldn't wait to see what the next few months held for them all. Stacey hoped that she was part of this little family for a while yet.

[libby]

Libby could only smile through her tears when she heard her dad say to Stacey that it meant a lot to him to have her love this new person who had entered his life. Herself. It meant a lot to Libby as well, and that's when she had put her arm around Stacey as well. A starting point to letting her know that she was alright with her, and that maybe in time, Stacey could be a mom to her, she was still young enough yet to need a mother figure in her life.

When her dad said that it was real nice of her to have hugged and kissed Stacey, she smiled at him, tears beginning to subside, "Well she's real nice, I can tell tha' already ya know." Libby said and smiled again, "I migh' only be ten, but I ain't daft, I know a nice person when I see them." She said, wrinkling up her nose, and then laughing a little. Then she realised she had laughed, and thought it was wrong so soon after her mom had died, and she got all sad again. Then she got angry again when she wondered why her mom didn't tell her about her dad. She was so confused right now.

When her dad said that she could have a lemonade, she smiled, and looked up at Stacey, "Thanks." And then she looked at her dad, "Thanks, dad." She thought it might be strange to call him that name, when she hadn't thought she had one, but she actually found it quite easy to say the word. As she had begun to play with his hair, he laughed a little, asking her if she liked his long hair. "Yeah, I used to play with mom's hair when she was readin' me a bedtime story." She said, and then bit down on her bottom lip. It was going to be so difficult to talk about her mom without getting either sad or angry at her.

When Brendan said that he had meant it and he would never abandon her, Libby began to cry again, happy tears though, well a mixture of emotions really, but she clung to Brendan again. "I think am gonna love havin' ya as a dad." Libby said through her tears while clinging to him, with her arms wrapped around his neck.

Then he said that he liked her hair too and she'd have to teach him all the fancy plaiting and stuff. She laughed herself a little again, then. "Don' worry, am sure Stacey will do it, if ya can't get to grips with it." She replied, being a little cheeky, but in a teasing way, and she smiled at him. But she liked the feel of his hand running through her hair, and she looked up at him, "I like tha', mom used to do that to me an' all." Getting sad and angry again at her. Why did she have to die? But then she wouldn't be here now. Why did she had to keep her dad a secret from her? Why did she keep her a secret from him?

When he said that she had lots of family to meet yet, she smiled at him with big bright eyes. "Really?" She said in excitement, "I can't wait to meet them all." She added, and that was when Stacey came back into the room with their drinks. She had suggested that he bring his family to meet her one or two at a time. Unless he wanted a massive family reunion. "Stacey migh' be righ' dad, maybe them all at once migh' be a bit overwhelmin' fer me." She said, sounding like she really was a grown up herself, instead of just being ten years old. As much as she wanted to meet all her new family, she didn't want to feel lost in it all.

"Thanks fer the drink Stacey." Libby said giving her a big smile as she was handed the glass of lemonade. She took a sip of it, and placed the glass on the coffee table, before turning her attention back to Brendan. "Dad, can I ask a question?" But she didn't wait for him to say yes or no. "Why did mom keep me a secret from ya? Am, so confused righ' now. Am sad cause she died, an' am angry cause she kept me away from ya. It hurts so much, cause I don' wanna be angry at her, cause I miss her, but I wished ya'd been in ma life from the beginnin'." And with that Libby began to cry again as she snuggled into Brendan once more.

[brendan]

Brendan couldn't help but grin when Libby said that Stacey was real nice, and that's why she had hugged and kissed her on the cheek. But when she followed that through with the fact she might only be ten, but she knew a nice person when she saw one, he really couldn't help but laugh. She reminded him so much of himself when he was that age. Very grown up, and quite possibly a little stubborn, remembering the name incident from earlier. "Ya know somethin'? Yer ma daughter alrigh', yer actin' a lot like I did when I was yer age." Brendan said grinning at Libby and kissing her on the cheek this time, hugging her close to him at the same time and then nuzzled his nose into hers too in an affectionate way.

When Libby said that she used to play with Faith's hair when she was reading her a story, Brendan's heart ached for his little girl. He couldn't begin to imagine what it must have felt like for her, to think she had nobody left in the world to love her and care about her, but she did. She had so many. Already, Brendan was falling in love with daughter. She was so pretty, and so like him in many ways, and she was just like Debbie as a child as well. Yeah, Brendan Harris had already bonded with this new addition to his life and family.

"Well, ya can play with ma hair anytime ya wan' alrigh'? An' if ya wan' I'll read ya bedtime stories, have ya got all yer stuff with ya? Like books an' clothes an' everythin'? Or is daddy gonna hafta take ya shoppin?" He asked her with a grin, and then thought, what the hell, he'd take her shopping anyway. "Ya know wha'? Who cares, I'll take ya shoppin' anyway, an' ya can get wha'ever ya wan', alrigh'?" He said grinning at her, and he would too. He had the money to do it, and no doubt Debbie and his parents would spoil her too.

Brendan felt his heart melt when Libby said she thought she was going to love having him as a dad. He had to bite back the tears, because he really didn't cry that often, he was a grown man after all. "Well, I'll let ya into a secret..." He began and then whispered into her ear, "I think, no, I know I love ya already." He then pulled her even closer to him, he still couldn't believe he had a daughter.

He had to laugh out loud, he really couldn't help it, when she said that it didn't matter if he didn't grasp the hair thing, she was sure Stacey would do it. He shook his head, "Well am stubborn, so am gonna give it a god damned good try, ya wai' an' see." How difficult could it be to put plaits into hair anyway? His own hair was long enough at times to put into a pineapple on the top of his head, which he had done numerous times during the hot summer weather. He didn't care how stupid he looked.

When Libby said that she liked him running his hand through her hair, and that her mom used to do that to her as well, again Brendan felt his heart ache for her. "Well, I'll run ma hand through yer hair whenever ya wan', ya jus' gotta ask, an' sometimes ya won' even hafta ask." He said softly, as he hugged her again, and kissed the top of her head again. He really was going to have a tough time of it with her for a while, until she got over Faith's death, and he knew that wasn't going to be a very easy thing for her to do.

Brendan grinned again, when Libby said in an excited voice, that she couldn't wait to meet them all, and then Stacey had come back into the room with the drinks. "Thanks sweetheart." He said to her, as he took the drink from her, and sipped on it, before putting it back on the table. When Stacey said about having her meet his family a little at a time, he thought it might be a good idea, and was just about to say as much, when Libby got in first, saying that she might feel it overwhelming otherwise, he had to stifle a laugh, as his eyes twinkled with a hidden laugh, as he turned to Stacey and grinned at her.

"Yer such a little lady, ain't ya? Alrigh', we'll take our time with it, ya got plenty of time to meet them all anyway." He then looked at Stacey, and winked at her, "Good suggestion Bambi. I was gonna say as much, but this one got in first." He said laughing, and shaking his head.

When Libby said could she ask him a question he smiled at her, "Sure ya can." And then he listened to her question and his heart just ached, because it was a question he really couldn't answer, not truthfully and then she began to cry again. He looked over at Stacey with a pained expression on his face, as if to say, 'help me, wha' do I say.' He started rocking with her, and soothing her hair down with his hand. "I don' know sweetheart, I don' know why she never told me abou' ya, or why she never told ya abou' me either. She may have had her reasons an' ya jus' gotta accept tha', but yer in ma life now, an' I ain't goin' nowhere, an' ya'll get all the love ya need righ' here." He said softly as he hugged her again tightly, and kissed the top of her head again, a few times in a row.

"Daddy loves ya Button, ma baby girl." He said, and then pulled Stacey into the hug with him. "Daddy loves his family so much, an' it ain't ever gonna be any other way."

{OMG 1031 words for that post - sorry Mel}

[Anastacia Potter]

Stacey knew she was right about Libby being overwhelmed with all the relatives coming over at one time, and had to smile when she agreed with her. Stacey looked at Brendan, and all she did was raise an eye brow, mainly saying to that in that look 'see!' But then Brendan grinned at her because of Libby's statement and agreement to what Stacey said. Good. Then Stacey sat down with her drink. The sarcastic side had come out at that moment, and maybe it was because she was trying to make light of the current situation.

Brendan commented to Libby about having time to meet them all, and the looked at Stacey, and winked, and then commented to her. "Thank you B. I am glad you liked my suggestion." Stacey was always good, most of the time, at giving advise. Though in her crazy days they were not always good. Bad mostly. But Brendan was bringing out the good in her still, and that was what she wanted to continue.

Stacey waited to hear what Libby wanted to ask Brendan. Then she came out with quite a few questions. Stacey bit the inside of her cheek as she heard them all come out of Libby's mouth. Oh boy. Just looking at Brendan, she could see his face change, probably trying to listen intently at Libby. Poor kid, what would he say to her? Then Brendan looked at Stacey, giving her that look that said 'what do I say?' Stacey bit her bottom, giving him a sad look, and then she mouthed "I don't know." Shaking her head, she saw Brendan turn back to Libby. He tried to answer her questions, and Stacey listened to see if she could add anything as well. Hell, she was going to be part of this family, she should put her input in.

Stacey then though of something. She waited for Brendan to finish, and then she added in. Putting her hand on Libby's arm, Stacey said, "Libby. As your dad said, your mum might have had her reasons for not telling him about you, and vise versa. Maybe she was unsure of how your dad would have taken the news, even though now we know that he would have been over the moon about it. The circumstances might not have been right for her to tell him at the time, and maybe over time, she felt that it wasn't necessary. Don't hate her for doing this Libby. Just remember her for what she was to you in your life, your mum. No one can change that, or replace her." Stacey slowly moved her hand over Libby's arm, trying to reassure her.

Then Brendan spoke to Libby, and Stacey heard the nickname he gave her. Button. Stacey smiled, thinking about the name that he had given her, and how many times he had used it. She loved that about him. Well really, she loved everything about him, and had to tell him something. As Stacey sat in his arms, she heard him say that he loved his family. Then she looked up at him, and smiled. "And I am sure that you are going to be a great father Dimples. I can just feel it. I have already seen it, especially how you have been with Libby after this short time." Stacey meant it, and she then snuggled back into his embrace.

What felt like quite some time, Stacey looked at her watch. Moving her hand slightly along Brendan's chest, Stacey asked. "B, did you want me to organise something for lunch? It is getting on in time, and I for one am starving."