Faith's Pov-

My sister called today.My mood was really really good at the moment.

I talked to my baby Lucas and my brother in law David aka Dave.

Grace said that she had been feeling miserable now that she was in her sixth month officially.The little dude wont stop kicking her.

Lucas had been disturbing her a lot more than usual,saying "I miss Faith.I got to fill for her too."

Thats just crazy.

Its just a month and one day since i moved here and missed them terribly.Its impossible for Grace or Dave to come here,pregancy issues.

I have decided to visit them for Christmas.No excuses.No conditions.

Dave ranted about coming and kicking anyone who disturbed me.He really does acts like an over protective dad sometimes.

My sister and brother in law took the place of my parents.She was just when mom and dad just left for their tours.I was 10.

Dave and her had just started dating during that time.He could have left us if he wanted.But no,Dave was always around.He really loved Grace and treated me just like his baby sister and daughter.

I respect and love my brother in law and sister too much.

I sighed.Our parents call us sometimes.Last time i talked to them was on my birthday and that was 3 months ago.Its sad.It really is,that even if i miss them..a part of me is somewhat comfortable that they are not around.They have been gone for such a long time that i had came to accept their absence in our life.

The only person i really miss was my brother.I wish he was here.He left our home when he was 14 and i was 9,one year before mom and dad left.It shattered the family.

I still dont know why he left.Grace knows,but she refuses to talk about it.I miss Jamie.He was funny and made me laugh all the time.I dont know what happened that he never turned back.

Seeing Chris and Tristan together made me think of my siblings today.

I sighed.Soon.

There was a knock at my door.

I looked at the clock.It was 9 at night.Who could be there now.

I peeped through the key hole.Well..umm you have to maintain precautions if you are living alone.

It was Raiya and she was sobbing.

I immediately opened the door.She hugged me and started crying loudly.I was too shocked to react.

Chris and Tristan came running too.I looked at them.What the hell happened.

I saw something in Raiya's hand.She was clutching it tightly and crying non-stop.

It looked like a frame.A photo frame.

I signalled Chris and Tristan to come inside while i carried Raiya inside.She held on to me tightly.

I could hear Moose barking somewhere in their house.Thank god Jack is asleep somewhere.

Tristan and Chris sat down on the couch while i strugged to put Raiya.She was exhausted now.No one said a single word.She seemed tired and half asleep.

I looked at Chris for permisson.He gave me a nod.

I carried Raiya to my bedroom and settled her on my bed.That beautiful little face was not matted with tears.I wiped them gently and kissed her forhead.I dont know why but i felt tears in my eyes too.

I lightly took the photo frame from her hand.It was the photo of a woman.A very beautiful woman.She had long blonde hair.Big eye lashes.A sweet smile.Her smile lit her up her whole face.Raiya looked just like her.Those eyes were the same.That smile was the same.

She was Raiya's mother.

I covered Raiya with blankets and shut the door to my room.When i reached downstairs,Chris and Tristan were in the middle of a conversation.They stopped as soon as they saw me.

I gave the photo frame to Chris who sighed and held in tighly in his palm.

I looked at him.Tristan muttered something under his breath and told me to sit down.What was happening here.

"The lady in the photo was my wife.Raiya's mother."

Chris finally said.

I gathered that Chris was a widower but the way he said it was too painful.The WAS was too painful.

He was not saying anything now.The house was also silent.Tristan seemed frustated now.

"Just tell her,dammit.She is bound to know it anyway.It is obvious Raiya has attached herself to her too much.She should know."

He shouted at Chris who just looked at me instensely.

Tristan groaned and just left the room with a frustated sigh.It was just Chris and I now.

"I am really sorry.This is all very complicated.We did not mean to impose..i mean we barely know each other but Raiya seems so attached to you.."

"I dont know what you are trying to say here,Christian.But,Raiya is very special.I dont know what is it that i should know but if it can bring some thing nice for her then i am all ears.I know it sounds strange but i really want to know.You are not imposing at all."

Chris sighed.

"Alright.Raiya is..She has PTSD.I had slight depression too.Raiya has been going through some serious counselling since she was 3.The reasons are very painful,Faith.It's to much to even talk."

I held my breath.I knew whatever i was going to hear was going to be really really bad.

"My wife..she commited suicide when Raiya was three."

I tried to not to fall down.This was..

"We..Rayaana,we got married young.I was just in my college back then.It was all 10 years ago.She was from a very rich family.Both her parents were Russian.They were very particular about race too..they are racists.They always wanted her to get married to some one from their community.I worked in their house as a driver for my part time job.We met and fell in love."

He looked at me and continued.

"She left everything for me.Her family,her luxurious life style.Everything was perfect.Three years later,she got pregnant and i was the happiest man ever.We had Raiya.Things went smooth for a while but after that i started noticing changes in Rayaana.On the day of her suicide,i found that she was on drugs.Severe drugs.You know Faith,Rayaana commited suicide infront of Raiya.My daughter was just 3 years old when my wife died infront her.Her mother.She was locked in with her dead body for 12 hours when i found her there.

Covered in blood of her own mother,crying,afraid.Traumatised.My wife dead.Long gone."

He was crying now.I sat there in shock.They had gone through so much.

"Rayaana's parents want Raiya's custody now.They blame me for their daughters death.They framed me for giving her drugs and i had no proof.They found drugs in my bag and i still have no clue from where they appeared.In the eyes of law,i am not fit enough to take care of a child.That day,Katya,my mother in law came.You must have heard shouting.I have one month left,for the hearing.Today,Tristan and I were discussing about the case when Raiya heard everything.And,this happened.Raiya is afraid to even look or hear of her mother but i dont know,today something snapped.For the first time in 4 years,she clutched her photo and cried.She came to you,Faith."

I did not know what to say.The fact that a 3 year old saw her mother killing herself,the little girl trusted me enough to run to me when she was so shaken up.

It has just been a month since we met but it feels like it has been years.

"I..I dont know what to say.She is so little and this is so..i cant imagine what you guys had to go through.I promise i am there for her whenever she wants.I also have a diploma in counselling.I really want to help Raiya as much as i can.."

Chris looked at me.His eyes were now blood-shot.

Raiya is not the only one who needs help..

"The custody thing shook her up.She has known it for a while.But today,hearing about the time limit just broke her.She is just 7 year old,i feel like my daughter.."

He could not complete it.There was just so much anguish in his life.His face said it all.

"No one should go through that.I dont know but can i meet your lawyer?I am sorry that must be very personal but i just..i am her teacher and i am also a counsellor.I want to meet her lawyer to know the case."

Chris sighed.

"You are not intruding.I told you everything anyway.My daughter has attached herself to you.It is evident that one way or the other this would have came out.Its not like people dont know.Everyone in your school does.Everyone in this locality does.It was all very public,as i said my wife had rich parents.They are public figures."

I raised my eye brows at him.

"My wife's full name was Rayanna Ivanovna Petrov.Ever heard of Katya and Ivan Petrov?"

I tried to run my memory.Then i almost gasped.

"Oh my god.They are journalists?They worked for Newyork Times.Right?"

"Yes.They are big hotshot smart brainiacs.Sharp brains and totally heartless."

That was why the case was difficult.They had already duped Chris.They had more money,power and obviously media support.They also must have had a rich bigshot lawyer.

"Now you know,why am i afraid right?"

I looked down.This was going to be difficult.More difficult.

"Christian,i really want to meet your lawyer.I want to help as much as i can."

He nodded.

"I have a meeting with him tomorrow.You can come with me.."

"Of course.But Raiya?"

"Tris will stay here.Anyway our parents and sister are coming tomorrow too.So,Raiya will have company.Dont Worry."

I nodded.

"Faith?"

I looked at him.

"Thank you so much.You dont even know us well yet you are ready to help us.You listened to me..took care of my daughter.I cant thank you enough for that."

He wishpered.

"Its nothing.I think its not just Raiya who is attached."

He gave me a small smile.

I smiled back.

What i didnot know at that time was..these smiles were the beginning of something..

Hehe the next chapter is also up:)
Now you guys know the whole story..Chris and Raiya really suffered.

Vote and comment..pleaseeee.
WimpieKid:)