Older || Sequel To SOS

Forty-One

"You know you don't have to do this right?" Luke frowns as he watches Elodie change her necklace for the fifth time in an hour.

"No, Luke. I have to do this. For me. No matter how terrified I am. I need these answers." She sighs, letting her hands fall away from her neck as the delicate crescent moon Luke had given her so many years ago falls between her collarbones.

"I hate seeing you so worked up, pretty girl." Luke climbs off the bed, wandering to Elodie and wrapping her gently in his arms.

"Not having these answers will make me more anxious. I need a read on these people, Lu. A member of my family who I didn't even know was family tried to end my life, and Atlas' too. I can't turn a blind eye to the family I know of but don't know knowing that, I have to know if they are good people or not. And I have to know as soon as possible."

"I hope they are good people, El. I want you to have this so badly." Luke whispers, burying his head into her neck. "But I'm scared for you, scared you're going to be hurt again. You don't deserve that."

"I'm scared of that too, but knowing no matter what happens today, I have you and our baby girl to come home to, makes me feel strong enough to do this." She smiles softly at him in the mirror. "And what if it is everything I ever dreamed it could be? That would be something wouldn't it?"

"Ya, it would. You should go though, so you're not late to lunch."

"I love you, Luke, thank you for caring so much and for trusting me too."

"If you need me, call."

"I will." She nods, spinning out of his arms to grab her bag off the end of the bed.

"Be safe, El. I hope it's everything you've been dreaming of for your whole life."

"Me too. Enjoy a few hours with our girl, I'll be home to cuddle you both in a bit." She toes up softly to kiss his lips before exiting the room and heading for her car.

Nervous is definitely an understatement for the way Elodie feels as she arrives at the agreed upon restaurant. One of her favorites actually, an Italian place in the valley with Alfredo that tastes like heaven. She'd been pleasantly surprised when her dad —can she call him that yet? suggested it.

"Can I help you today, miss?" A host is waiting just inside the door.

"I'm meeting Bill Rasmussen for lunch." She nods quickly, hoping he is already here but hasn't been for too long.

"Right this way, I just seated him." The girl smiles, stepping from behind her podium to show El to the table.

El knows it's him before the host directs her specifically. As soon as the enter the main dining room she picks him out, sitting in a booth along the far wall with the same worry lines in his forehead as she gets and a familiarity in his face that feels far too internal to ignore.

"Here we are, your server will be with you shortly." The host smiles softly before leaving, completely unaware of the bile seeming to rise in Elodie's throat as big green eyes she knows better than almost any other pair meet her own.

"Elodie?" He stands, his voice is much softer than she assumed, though not weak.

"Hi." She nods, squeaking out the word and immediately cringing at herself.

"It's okay if you're nervous, I am too." He chuckles, "I'm Bill Rasmussen, your biological father." He reaches out halfway as if he's going to touch her shoulder but second guessed it and pulls back.

"Elodie Stewart." She tries again.

"Shall we sit?" He offers motioning to the booth where she gladly takes her seat across from him, hoping to avoid drawing attention to them. Their server arriving at that moment to take their drink orders.