Lights (P.F.T Sequel)

Chapter Six

— Third person. —

The crowd of close friends and family stood in the spacious living room of the pop star's penthouse. They were all dressed smartly, digging out the most suitable attire to attend such a tense conference in less than an hour. All kept their mouths sealed shut, afraid to say something that may upset the young adults but mainly the young, newly announced mother. Both parents were taking it painfully, but the confident father was sure his now girlfriend – and mother of his daughter – was going to stay in his and the innocent child's life.

Whilst the timid female stood away from all sign of communication, busying herself with drink pouring, the knowing male stared across the room to the bar where his nervous girlfriend stood. Excusing himself from the conversation between his manager and best friend, Alfredo Flores, he scooted across the room and slipped a hand on her covered hip. As she jumped with fright at the sudden presence, the freshly squeezed orange juice spilled onto the marble counter top and Justin's lips fell into a deep frown.

"I–I'm sorry, I–I'll go get a cloth." She stammered. As she turned, preparing to rush away and find a cloth to clean up the spillage, Justin noticed her shaking hands and grasped them in his.

His brows furrowed, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, her lower lip disappear into her mouth. "I–I just need a minute." squirming herself out of his protective grip, she rushed down the hallway and left him confused. As he readied himself to run after her, he felt a hand lay on his shoulder.

"Let me go." Robert said, "She's just overwhelmed. I'll talk to her."

Justin's shoulders slumped in defeat as he nodded, reaching his hand up to scratch the back of his neck. "Um, just tell her that everything will be alright."

Nodding, he gave his grandchild's father a pat on his suit covered shoulder before following down the lengthy hallway to his runaway daughter. Tapping his rough knuckles against the wooden panel of the bedroom door, he peered his head inside and noticed the shared bedroom was untouched. His daughter nowhere to be seen. Stepping backwards and closing the door, he then approached the next white door with the adorable door accessory that had his grand-daughter's name carved in.

"Lux?" His rough voice spoke, opening the nursery door. Beside the crib, with one of many teddy bears in her hand, was the teary eyed mother. Stepping inside, Robert closed the door silently. "Honey?"

"I'm fine dad." She sniffled, "I'll be out in a minute."

Reaching out and touching her elbow, Robert turned his petite daughter around and felt his heart drop at her bloodshot eyes. Holding out his arms, Lux's bottom lip quivered as she caved into the comfort of her father's chest. The sob brewing in her throat escaped as the white dress shirt crumpled in her fist.

"Why is she doing this, daddy?" She cried, "Why? I'm her daughter, she's suppose to love me like you do. She's suppose to care for me, not hurt me by trying to take my child away. That's not what mom's do."

Robert could do nothing but blink back his tears and lock his jaw to restrain him from utter the string of cuss words against his ex-wife. Saying that he despised Maria was an understatement. He often referred to her as the devil in reincarnation. He was both the mother and father to Lux whilst she was growing up, working two jobs from he was a teenager to provide for his family only to get the mother of his child throwing it in his face. He wanted the best life for his child and future children, and being took to court over custody of his first grandchild was not apart of that vision.

"Listen to me." He sternly rasp, clearing his throat silently and getting rid of the rising lump. Holding her at arms length, he watched her heartbroken face through a glossy gaze. "That woman doesn't deserve you, she doesn't deserve a daughter so perfect as you and she doesn't deserve a granddaughter as perfect as Scarlett. She's doing this out of spite– spite because you are such everything she wasn't. Spite because you're one million times better than she is. Spite because you're have a happy life and she's living a miserable one and you're going to continue living such a wonderful life with Scarlett and with Justin."