Finding Lilibeth

Lilibeth was woken in the morning by the nurse so she could shower. She hadn't spoken since she was told that her mother had signed her away. She didn't smile or even acknowledge the nurses who were in and out of the room. She wasn't eating either, which was a worry as the girl was already malnourished and couldn't afford not to eat. Her doctors were worried and contacted the social worker to explain how Lilibeth had shut down. They had also sent the files and notes to Mr Darren Staples explaining what had happened and what they had done. They also outlines the food plan she would need to follow to get her healthy.

Paul had collated the medical reports and also got the police reports of what Lilibeth had endured and left it for Darren to read. Paul himself was distraught reading the police statements. He was unsure of whether or not it was a good idea for Darren to take on Lilibeth when he knew that he would never be home to look after her.

Darren and his housekeeper Miss Emma were preparing the house for Mark Little to visit. They had set up a guest room for Lilibeth and Darren had woken his children to make sure they were ready for the visit. Lex and Zac were clearly hung over. Leo was not talking and Beau hadn't come home. Darren had no time to dwell on that at all.

Right on 11am Mark Little knocked on the door of the Staples residence. He wasn't impressed by the size of the house. It was large at least three stories. It was gated as well which was a shame for him as it meant it was a secure home and that was in Darren's favour.

Miss Emma welcomed Mark into the home offering him a drink and something to eat which he declined. Mark had a job to do and that was to find something that would keep Lilibeth from being placed in this house. Yes it was a house and not a home, as soon as Mark walked in he could feel how cold the place was. This wasn't family at all and not what Lilibeth needed.

Darren met Mark at the bottom of the stairs offering to show him around the place. Anyone could see the hostility between the two and Darren knew that if one thing was wrong, Mark wouldn't hesitate to recommend that Lilibeth were placed elsewhere. He plastered on a fake smile, one that he used in business all the time and began to answer all of the questions Mark threw at him while on the tour of the house.

Once the tour was done, Darren was thankful they hadn't run into any of his boys as he knew things would likely to pear shape. "Mr Staples, where are your sons? I need to check they are suitable to be around Lilibeth" Mark questioned. "My eldest is abroad studing, the second eldest is currently out but will be home shortly if you would like to wait. The others are around the house. Would you like me to get them for you?" Darren gritted out. He knew certain sons, well all his sons, could cause trouble but he assumed that they would come around eventually. Mark nodded his head confirming he wanted to meet Darren's sons.

Darren excused himself and left to retrieve his boys and warn them once again to be on there what behaviour. As Darren returned with four of his sons Beau returned home slamming the door. He saw his father and brothers coming down the stairs all with a fake smile plastered on there face and knew it was time to play pretend until the social worker left. Beau joined the rest of them and headed into the dining room where the social worker was waiting.

"Ah Mr Little, Beau my second eldest just got home so here are all my sons bar my eldest Dj who as I have told you is abroad. Boys introduce yourself to Mr Little" Darren chirped out. After the introductions were done with all the boys telling Mark there names and ages, Mark's phone rang interrupting the questions he was going to ask the boys. Mark excused himself to answer the call as it was the hospital in which Lilibeth was a patient.

When Mark returned every one was waiting for him. "Sorry about that. That was Lilibeth's doctor" Mark started. "Oh yes I have a copy of her medical reports that I will be going over" Darren stated. Mark just wanted to roll his eyes at how fake this entire thing was. "It seems Lilibeth is not doing well in hospital so they have advised she should be placed in a home environment sooner" Mark began to be cut off by Darren "great I will pick her up now and bring her home" Darren rushed out.

Mark gritted his teeth, he knew this was all fake but it ticked the boxes so there was nothing much he could do. "Mr Staples, you and I both know this is staged. Do the girl a favour and sign the paper work so she is able to find a home" Mark gritted out. "Mr Little, I assure you, myself and my sons are looking forward to Lilibeth being here with us" Darren replied. "Fine, but I will be doing monthly checks and if there is so much as a hair missing on that little girls head, I will be removing her from your care along with the youngest boys. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?" Mark boomed out. "Crystal Mr Little" Darren gritted out. "She is being released within the hour. I will go and inform Lilibeth of what is happening and then you can pick her up from the hospital along with all the necessary medication and doctor's reports" Mark stated before leaving the Staples house knowing full well he would be removing Lilibeth sooner or later.

Mark headed to the hospital greeting Lilibeth's doctors. He was annoyed about having to leave Lilibeth in the care of the Staples man. Mark headed into Lilibeth's room seeing the little girl looking lost. "Lilibeth" Mark called but he got no response which is what the doctor had been worried about. "Lilibeth, your dad will be here soon. You will be living with him and your brothers. I saw the place this morning and you will love it" he chirped out. Even though he didn't think the placement was right he couldn't tell that to the girl. He just hoped he was wrong about it all and she would be ok. She deserved to be happy.