The Promise

Jack's p.o.v.

I was taking Lily out when we saw them. Alex and Katy, looking inside this shop that had nice dresses, and they were holding hands, smiling at each other lovingly. I wasn't going to intrude on their day, but Lily broke out my grip screaming 'Alex' and 'Katy'.

"Lily!" I called, quickly chasing after her, afraid that she was going to cause chaos. She was hugging Alex's leg by the time I got up to her. He picked her up, spinning her around as she giggled and screamed. I smiled, amused by the chemistry they already had by one visit. Lily really liked Alex. He placed her down and she giggled a bit more.

"Hey Lily." Katy smiled, waving at her. She waved back, shyly. Ah, I see. She probably felt more comfortable with Alex as he was a boy and like me, whereas Katy was the opposite.

"Hey, Jack." Alex greeted me, giving me an excited smile.

"Hey." I said, but addressed it to both of them as I didn't want to seem rude. Katy smiled and greeted me.

"So what you doing in town?" Alex asked me, seeming interested. I was about to speak up when Lily interrupted me.

"We're gonna buy me a new dress!" She shouted excitedly, a big smile on her face. I laughed quietly at her enthusiasm, and so did Alex and Katy.

"Well we were about to go into this shop for some new clothes and there is some really nice dresses that would fit you." Alex explained, talking to her like she was his own. I admired the way he spoke and looked at Lily. He was definitely the father type, and I found it really cute the way he was bonding with her.

"Jacky, can we go in, can we go in?! Please!" She begged, and I rolled my eyes and nodded my head.

"Yay! Come on, Lexy." She squealed, dragging him by the hand into the shop. Me and Katy laughed, following after them.

The shop looked really nice and not too expensive. It was full of dresses, sandals, shorts and vests, obviously going with the season.

It took a couple of seconds to find Alex and Lily as they were in the childrens' section where the dresses were. Lily was holding up two dresses, seeming to have a debate about which one looked better.

"They have more dresses over there if you can't choose." Alex informed, pointing to the other side of the room. Lily pushed the dresses into my legs and they dropped to floor as she sprint to the other side of the room.

"Lily!" I shouted after her in a stern voice. She instantly slowed down, but speed walked the rest of the way. I looked down to pick up the dresses but then I saw a head of a figure already picking them up from my toes. I bit my lip as Alex looked up with his gorgeous eyes and he straightened his back, handing me the dresses.

"Uh, thanks." I thanked, my teeth releasing my dry lips. He smiled at me which made my belly do flips, which I obviously tried to ignore, putting my cool back on. I need to ignore the feelings for him. There shouldn't be any feelings for him. I should be over him.

I started walking away from him over to Lily. Katy was already by her side, pulling a dress to her body which I assumed she was measuring what size she was.

"She fits 6-7." I stated, smiling at how happy Lily looked. Katy thanked me and went to get the right size of the dress Lily picked.

Once Lily had agreed on the dress, I went to go pay for it. It was quite cheap, which was great for such a good looking dress.

We all left the shop and stood outside it.

"It was nice to see you both again." Alex grinned at Lily and then me, his smile widening when his eyes met mine.

"Yeah, you too." I looked at them both. It was good to see Alex again, that was for sure.

"If you want, and if it is okay, you can join dinner with us tonight. You and Lily." Alex invited, looking at Katy for a second before looking back at us. I looked down at Lily and she looked more than excited. I shrugged at Alex.

"Sure, but it's up to Cass, so I can't promise anything."

"That's fine. Just give me a text or call letting me know." We said goodbye and me and Lily headed back to the care home.

~~~

"Hey Cass." I greeted as I walked through her office. I had just put Lily's new dress in her closet so it was new for Alex's dinner, if we were allowed to go. Cass was a laid back women, and we got on like brother and sister, so I'm sure she'll let us.

"Hey, Jack, how are you?" She asked politely, placing her papers down. I moved more into the room and sat on one of the seats in front of her desk.

"I'm fine, thanks. You?" I replied.

"I'm great, but what do you really want?" She rolled her eyes and chuckled softly. She always knew when I wanted something.

"Well, you know Alex and Katy? The people who are interested in Lily?"

"Ah, yes, the engaged couple." Engaged. I hated how Alex was engaged to someone who isn't me. I'm sure I'd be Katy right now if it wasn't for my stupid dad. Well, probably not as me and Alex were constantly snapping at each other over stupid things, but that would've passed, right? Why am I even thinking about this? I have no chance, I should just deal with it.

"Well, they invited us and Lily to join them for dinner and I was just asking for-"

"Yes, you can both go." She interrupted, not like I was bothered about it as she gave me the answer I was hoping for. I grinned, getting up to hug her.

"Thank you! I'm sure Lily will love spending dinner with them. She really likes them, you know? Especially Alex." I smiled as I remembered how happy Lily was. She's always been a happy child, but I haven't seen her this happy. I haven't seen her have a panic attack in a week, which is a good sign of improvement.

"That's really good, Jack. I'm glad they get on." She smiled, her lightly foundation covered dimples showing.

"So am I. Uh, I better go tell Lily." I said, and Cass nodded. I said goodbye and exited the room, a smile on my face as I made my way to Lily's room at the end of the corridor. I always remember walking, more like barely moving, down these corridors, a smile no where to be seen and my face red from previously crying, but as I reached Lily's room, I'd act happy just for her. Now I don't have to act.

As I knocked gently on the door and stepped in, I saw Lily at her 'art' table, a red crayon in her hand while other different coloured crayons were scattered across the table and one or two on the floor.

"Hey, Lil'" I said softly, moving over to see what she was doing. As I got a clear view of what she was doing, I could see she was drawing stick figures with crazy hair. The first stick man had brown hair mixed with a bit of yellow that made it lighter and he was holding hands with a very small stick girl, a pink triangle as a dress on the body area with long flowing brown hair. Holding her hand was a stick women wearing a red dress, holding her hand. She had longer brown hair. Beside the stick man was another stick man, darker brown hair, holding onto his hand.

"That's a really pretty drawing, Lily. Who are three people?" I asked, being all oblivious to who the stick people are although I know who they are.

"This is Katy," She pointed to the stick figure that had a red dress, "this is me," she pointed to the stick figure with a pink dress, "and this is Alex and you. We're a family." She grinned at the paper and then me.

"Yeah," I breathed out, smiling back at her. "Hey, Cass has allowed us to go to Alex and Katy's house for dinner, so you better get ready, missie." I chuckled as Lily shot out her chair to the wardrobe to receive her new dress.

I helped her get changed into her new dress and Lily decided she wanted to give the picture to Alex and Katy, which I found super cute.

To: Alex
We're on our way. :)

We exited the building and got into my car, singing along to whatever was playing on the radio.

From: Alex
Great (:

Notes

Aw, Lily!