Chapter Text
Sitting alone in the maternity waiting room, Lyla ‘Lizzie’ Novak, fidgets with her watch, a gift from her older sister. Waiting was never Lizzie’s strong suit, everytime footsteps sounded outside the room her head would fly up. Finally a doctor moves into the waiting room.
“Family of Cora Novak?” The doctor asks, waiting for Lizzie to stand. “The delivery went well. Your sister gave birth to a 6 pound baby girl. She has asked me to collect her family.” Lizzie grins at the news of a niece but feels her heart break for her sister. Their own mother hadn’t turned up for the birth
“I’m all she’s got.” Lizzie mutters, following the doctor down to her sister’s room.
Arriving at room 302, Lizzie raises her hand to knock, before pushing the door open. Her eyes instantly land on her older sister, who looks dishevelled but happy. “Hey Cora.” Lizzie greets, moving over to hug her sister. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a truck.” Cora teases, squeezing her sister tightly. “Mom didn’t show?” She asks, already knowing the answer.
“No, she didn’t. I rang her when you went into labour, but she never called back.” Lizzie’s voice takes on a tone of apology. “But I’m here, and ready to meet my niece.”
Her sister chuckles before lifting her newborn out of the bassinet by the bed. Handing her over to Lizzie, Cora tucks the blanket around her daughter. “This is Amelia Jayde. Millie, this is your Aunt Lizzie. If anything ever happens to mommy, it’s up to Aunt Lizzie to take care of you.” Cora explains, her eyes meeting Lizzie’s.
“Why me?” Lizzie questions, cuddling her niece close, running her fingers over soft skin.
“You will make sure she grows up loved, respected and cared for. You’ll teach her everything she needs to know. You’ll make sure that she knows both of her parents.” Cora starts. “You will love her like she’s your own and you’ll do what’s best for her. Unlike mom, you will put her first. I know you will.” Cora finishes, reaching out to squeeze Lizzie’s hand.
“If anything ever happens to you, I promise to do what is right for Millie.” Lizzie agrees, moving to sit next to her sister, cuddling into her side, her niece secure in her arms.
Sitting in the front of the church, Lizzie holds a now two month old Amelia in her arms. The flowers; a mix of violets, lilies and daisies, the casket; white. She couldn’t believe her sister had taken her own life. Her mind flashes back to the day it happened.
She had agreed to take Millie for the day to give her sister a day off. It was getting late and her sister wasn’t back yet and her phone kept going to voicemail. She had just put Millie down for bed, when the knock sounded at the door. She knew that knock; it was a first responder knock.
Pulling open the door, Lizzie felt her heart stop. “Are you Lizzie Novak?” The officer had asked. The officer had waited until Lizzie had handed over I.D. “Can we come in?” Lizzie stepped back to allow the officers in. “We regret to inform you that Cora Novak was found dead in her apartment today.” Lizzie felt her heart break; for herself and the baby in the other room.
“What happened?” She had asked, even though deep down she knew. Her sister had killed herself.
“Cora had commited suicide.” The officer had told her. “We believe that Cora had a child.”
Lizzie froze. “Amelia, she’s two months old. She’s asleep in my spare room.” Lizzie had said.
“Had you two ever talked about what would happen if Cora died?” Another officer asked.
“In Cora’s will, it states that I would take custody in the event of death.” Lizzie had responded.
“Once everything is sorted; Child Services will do a check to determine if the child would be a good fit here.” The officer had stated, before offering to call anyone for her. She had declined before heading into the spare room and lifting the baby from her cot.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Lizzie jumps. “Sorry Liz, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Her younger brother apologised.
“It’s okay, Beau. I was just thinking about how everything seemed normal the day she dropped Millie off and never came back.” Lizzie explains, smiling as her brother tickles the baby’s feet.
“It was a shock for all of us. But you should know that mom wants to take Millie from you.” Beau informs.
“It’s written into Cora’s will. I’m to take Millie, no one else.” Lizzie states.
Sitting next to her lawyer, and across from her mother and her lawyer, Lizzie cuddles Millie. The five month old, holding onto her t-shirt.
“It’s as clear as day.” Casey starts. “In the event of death, custody of Amelia Jayde Novak is to be awarded to Lyla Grace Novak.”
“Lyla isn’t fit to be a parent, she’s single and training to be a paramedic. Maybe if she had gotten married to Scott, I wouldn’t have an issue.” Her mother, Ester states.
“I am fit to be her parent. Child services deemed me fit to raise Millie. It’s what Cora wanted for Millie. I’ve raised her for the last three months.” Lizzie starts, making eye contact with her mother. "How can you say you are the right fit for Amelia, when you didn't even bother to show up at the hospital the day she was born. You didn't even call me back."
“It was also written into Cora Novak’s will that Ester Novak is not allowed to be left alone with Amelia.” Casey finishes.
“It is in the best interests of Amelia Jayde Novak, that she remains in the custody of Lyla Grace Novak.” The judge states, banging the gavel. “Miss Novak, you are welcome to take your daughter home.”
Leaving the courtroom, Lizzie bounces Millie on her hip. “That’s it, Baby. No one can take you from me now. Let’s go home.”