Seal of Love

It's Not the Kid!

    Leo's Point of View:

     I've learned everything I know from Caroline. Starlet was only 16 when she had her baby with the star quarterback, Daniel Wheeler. When he found out about Lilith's birth, he dumped Starlet and started dating a cheerleader instead. The cruel news soon spread throughout the school and Starlet decided to keep the baby despite there terrible gossip.

    I took a deep breath and smiled at Rose, taking a step towards her. "I understand that the child's mother just recently died," I said in a soft, calming voice, dropping my eyes on Lilith. "And may God bless her good soul. But that's why I'm here. I'm here on Starlet's behalf. I am the father of this beautiful, lovely child."

    Lilith giggled and a slight grin started forming on my face. 'I'm almost there,' I thought. 'All I have to do is continue sweet talking these foolish humans before I get the child. And the ring.' My heart raced heavily in my chest as I took another step.

    "I was there at her birth," I said slowly, changing my tone of voice. "I wanted to see my daughter one last time but..." I paused dramatically for a second before shaking my head. "Starlet wouldn't let me see her. She didn't want me in her life. That is, not until recently." I glanced up to see that Mrs. Stein's eyes were wide, leaning in and eager to hear more, so I continued.

    "Starlet knew that she was being hunted down,' I explained. "And that's when she decided to finally get back in contact with me again. She said, that if anything were to happen to her... that I should take the child." 

    "How old is she?" Rose asked. My eyes broke away from Mrs. Stein over to Rose, who was looking at me with her arms crossed over her chest. My smile fell from my face. "Excuse me?"

    "I said how old is she now?" she repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You said you were her father, so how old is she?" Mrs. Stein shot her a look of disbelief. Rose ignored it, still staring at me. "Also, what day was she born?" she continued.

    "She..." I stuttered,  fumbling and trying to find an answer. "...Was born May 5th..." 

    "Try December 20th," Rose snapped, eyes narrowed. "Five days 'til Christmas, one of Starlet's favorite gift of all."  I cringed at her cold, suspicious stare on me.

     Crap. Was she one of Starlet's friends that I didn't know about? But I've done all of the research! Rose turned back to Mrs. Stein. 

    "I don't trust this guy," she said. "He's clearly lying about this."

    "I AM her father!" I argued. "I might not have actually been at the hospital, but I'm still the girl's father." Rose turned to me, irritated.

    "Who lies about something like that?" she asks, grabbing Lilith's hand. "If you're going to lie about something as simple as that, I don't trust you for caring for Lilith. I'm going to have to ask you to leave now."

    I grit my teeth. 'Dang it! I was so close! SO close!' Just as Rose spun around, I saw something on her hand that completely changed those thoughts. 

    A small ring glimmered in the light on her fingers. SHE was the one who wore the Seal of Solomon, not the kid...