Finding Lilibeth

Dj and Zac were in Dj's room packing up the rest of Dj's things. He would be going with Lilibeth no matter where she went. He knew the story of his mother and there Gramps as he had spent a lot of time with Gramps after his mum passed away and then when his father had kicked him out. Lilibeth needed him more then ever and he was determined to show Lilibeth what family meant. "Dj did you know about Gramps?" Zac asked his brother. "Yeh mate I did. He is mums dad no matter what and loves us. Remember that" Dj told Zac. His Gramps had drilled that into him when he first learnt the truth about his mum.

Zac was quiet as he watched his brother packing up the last of his things. "Dj, would you turn your back on me at all?" Zac cautiously asked his eldest brother. Dj swung around facing Zac to see the conflict written all over his face. "Never Zac, you are my brother and I will always love you. I don't like what you did to Lilibeth but I will never stop loving you" Dj replied. He was pretty sure he knew where this was going and wanted to assure Zac that he would always be there for him. "Dj, Beau said none of you would accept me, I tried to come out to him when he caught me kissing my boyfriend" Zac whispered ashamed of himself. "He threatened me that if I didn't treat Lilibeth like they did he would tell dad and I would be thrown out" Zac continued with tears in his eyes.

Dj was furious and wanted to knock Beau out again. "Zac I love you and I'm glad you found someone you want to be with. Beau is a dickhead. Never and I mean never listen to him. If dad doesn't accept you because you are gay that's his loss. You Zac, are my younger brother and I'm so proud of you" Dj told Zac before pulling him into a hug. Dj knew how fucked up his family was and that's why he went overseas to study, but he realised he let his brothers down because they had no one there for them. Darren was always working and clearly Beau was a dickhead. No wonder Leo and Lex had turned out the way they had.

Julian had held Lilibeth while she cried. The little girl was tiny compared to him. Julian was 6ft 5 and weighed close to 100kgs. He was a big boy and always had been, but he was also fit and still lifted weights even though he was in his 60s. He held Lilibeth like she was the most precious jewel he had ever seen. He use to hold Tarni the same way when she was little.

Julian had managed to calm Lilibeth down and she was now sitting on his lap. "Right my little Beth. We are going to call your social worker and then we will be leaving" Julian told his granddaughter. Lilibeth still hadn't spoken to Julian but she nodded which Julian knew was a huge thing for her to do as she didn't trust anyone in this house besides Dj. He could see that as it was written all over her face.

Dj and Zac entered the room with there bags seeing Lilibeth sitting on Gramps lap. "Right you two, I have to get the details of Lilibeth's social worker and make a call, then we will leave. I am trusting you both to care for my Little Beth while I make the call" Julian told his grandsons. Dj smiled at his Gramps knowing full well he just declared that Lilibeth was his granddaughter and now under his care. "I have Mr Little's card" Lilibeth whispered. Gramps smiled at the girl, she had finally spoken to him and had the most beautiful voice he had heard in years. Well since he last heard Tarni's voice. Lilibeth got the card out of the bag and handed it to Gramps smiling at the man. She felt safe with him just like with Dj.

Zac looked at his Gramps and wondered if he should tell him about his boyfriend before he moved in with him. "Zac, I want to meet your boyfriend soon" Gramps said while winking at the boy. "But for now, I have a call to make. Invite the boy to dinner this week" Julian said before excusing himself from the room to speak with Mr Little. He was going to have a go at the man for not doing his job before telling him he was taking custody of his little Beth. There was no way he would be leaving that girl in the care of his son in law. Not after seeing how scared she was of her own father.

Julian headed to the guest bedroom he used when visiting his grandchildren. He dialled the number on the card and waited for Mr Little to answer his phone. "Mark Little speaking" Mark answered on the 6th ring. "Yes Mr Little, my name is Julian O'Sullivan. I am ringing in regards to Miss Lilibeth Staples" Julian began. "Yes Mr O'Sullivan? I will be visiting Lilibeth tomorrow" Mark replied. "Well Mr Little, there is a change of plans. Lilibeth will no longer be living with her sperm donor. I will be taking custody of the little girl along with Zac Staples. You have not done your job properly at all and put Lilibeth at risk leaving her in this home" Julian bit out. "I'm sorry you don't get to decide that" Mark responded. Mark was furious that some man had said he hadn't done his job properly.

"Mr Little, I can guarantee you if you call your boss, he will know exactly who I am. I can also assure you if you stop me from taking custody of my granddaughter, you will lose your job for incompetence. That little girl has been harmed in the care of her father and you returned her to the home. Shall I call your boss now?" Julian fumed out. "What?" Mark replied. "If you had bothered to interview Lilibeth after she was assaulted you would know she had run away from her father's residence as she had been threaten and assaulted by some of her brothers. Darren had left her in the care of Beau while he was overseas and she was locked in her room the entire time. Now shall I get your boss involved or will you handle the paper work?" Julian asked. "I'll have the paperwork done tomorrow. I would like to see Lilibeth in your home still if that is alright Mr O'Sullivan?" Mark questioned. "I'll text you my address and thank you Mr Little, you have been most helpful" Julian replied before hanging up the phone.

Darren had heard the entire conversation and rushed towards Lilibeth's room. There is no way in hell he was losing his son. "You walk out that door Zac and you won't be welcome back here" Darren yelled while slamming the door open. Lilibeth jumped at the noise earning a glared from Darren. Everything had been fine until she came along. "Dad, this house is fucked up. You are never here and what we did to Lilibeth is wrong besides Beau told me you won't accept me for me anyway" Zac spoke up. "Everything was fine until she turned up" Darren spat out.

Julian walked towards Lilibeth's room hearing Darren. He shook his head at the man. He really was clueless when it came to what was happening in his own house. "Now listen here Darren. Your house is toxic. You have two 16 year old boys drinking and using drugs and a 19 year old threatening his siblings. Nothing in this house has been fine since my Tarni passed. You are a poor excuse of a father" Julian stated looking down at his son in law. "Now I am taking these three and we are leaving. If you make a scene you will lose Darren, remember who owns this place" Julian added quietly before going in and picking up a shaking Lilibeth along with her bag of clothes. "Let's go" Julian said before walking out of the room and heading downstairs.

Julian stopped at the dining room where Leo and Lex were still sitting. "If you two need anything I will always be there for you. If you would like to be better people my door is open but you will accept Lilibeth. I'm sorry I didn't step in sooner but remember I love each of you" Julian said before walking out to his car.