Miss Independent (Random Updates)

Chapter 35

"It's true?" She asked as Luke walked back into the swimming area.

Luke nodded, "I had no idea, I promise."

"How could you?" She asked. "You switched your number and only gave it to certain people and it wasn't to any of them." She wrapped her towel around her then walked until she was standing in front of him. "I trust you, Daddy."

Luke let out a sigh of relief that he didn't realize he was holding. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled as she hugged him back.

He chuckled at her attempt to be sneaky and tickle him as they walked through the door. "You're going to have to be sneakier than that at paintball, Cupcake," he smirked.

"I'm a ninja at paintball, Daddy," she giggled as she swung their intertwined fingers back and forth. "I'm going to get you a whole bunch. I'm a pro."

"Are you now?" Luke chuckled. "Guess we'll see about that since it's a location we both haven't been to before."

Her eyes lit up, "It's new?"

"Yep," he nodded.

"Luke," Lewis mumbled as he elbowed him.

"Shit," Luke sighed as he moved to stand in front of Elizabeth. "What are you doing? I told you to leave and give me time."

"We just wanted to give you this," Owen said as he held out a manilla envelope. "We wanted to respect your privacy and not look to see where your rooms were. But we would really appreciate it if you would look at this."

"Fine," Luke said as he took the envelope from him. "Anything else?"

Owen shook his head, "Just that every single one of us is truly sorry to the both of you."

Luke nodded, "I'll speak with my girl later but right now I promised her dinner and paintball."

"Your girl?" Gabe asked after he picked his mouth up from the floor.

"Will she shoot us?" Brandon asked. "I'll gladly let her if she wants or if she wants to play normally or however?"

Luke froze for a second before shrugging, "I'll speak with her but right now I need to take care of my girl. I know how to reach out."

"Okay," Owen said as he took a step to the side. The rest of the group followed suit and watched in silence as Luke led Elizabeth to the elevator with Lewis following behind them.

"Luke?" she asked once the elevator doors shut.

"I'm okay, Cupcake," he shook his head. "It just startled me that they are actually here."

"Are you really surprised though?" She asked.

"Truthfully?" He asked and she nodded. "No, it makes perfect sense that they would do something like this now that they know where we are. At the same time," he shrugged, "I'm surprised it took this long. I honestly don't know how to feel, Cupcake."

"You miss them," she replied. It wasn't a question, it was a simple statement and yet it weighed heavily on Luke's chest. "You're hurt but they are your family. It's simple as to why you are torn. It makes sense. The question is what are you going to do about it."

"It's not that simple," he shook his head as they stepped out onto their floor and began walking to their rooms.

"Yeah it is," Lewis shrugged as he unlocked the door. "Yeah they hurt Lizzie but they aren't Lizzie's family. They are your family so you are feeling torn about forgiving them and it being disrespectful to your woman but at the same time you know they are actually true good people and they deserve a second chance. Especially since they showed up here out of the blue asking for a chance to talk. They are trying to show actions instead of words and while you want to hear them out, you also want to stay in the little bubble we have created for us. You're liking this private time of just you but you also want to know what they have to say because your heart is telling you they belong too despite your mind telling you it's going to offend and hurt and throw away all this progress you've made with Lizzie."

"Alright Obi Wan Kenobi," Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Look, Luke," she sighed as she took both his hands in hers, "what they did was disrespectful and yeah it hurt my feelings but I let it go a long time ago." She shrugged, "their opinion no longer matters to me because I refuse to let what they think affect me. If I did, I never would do the things I do. They are arrogant assholes and they aren't in my life. But they are in yours," she sighed, "they are your family, Lucien and they always will be. I told you, you walked away for yourself. I'm not involved in this situation, you chose to walk away from them for a completely different reason that I did. I can't be a part of your decision." She giggled and winked, "although if you do want my opinion on shooting them with some paintballs as part of releasing some pent up feelings, I'm willingly to help you out, Daddy."

Luke chuckled as he pulled her in for a hug, "You're the best."

She giggled, "I know."