Bitter Love

Chapter 13

Luke's POV
I stuck my hand out to shake his,"Luke."

He glanced over at Lauren before shaking my hand,"Steven."

I stepped aside,"Why don't you come in? Lauren will make us some coffee."

I took a sleeping Juniper into my arms so that she could start the pot,"I'll take her and you can start the coffee."

She nodded before walking into the kitchen and I could hear her digging into the cupboards. I walked to the couch and sat noticing that Steven was still at the door,"You can come in, we don't bite. Well, she packs a powerful punch." I gestured to my sleeping daughter.

He chuckled and walked in after closing the door. He sat at the other end of the couch and kept looking over at Juniper,"You okay?"

It took him a moment to speak seeing how nervous he was,"I was watching her for Lauren while she was at work because she was acting funny with Emma. But I put her down for a nap and when I woke up to check on her, she was gone. Scared me half to death but I'm happy that she's safe."

I looked at the strange man that I've never even met that had been babysitting my daughter. I didn't answer him for a moment and just sat in silence until I heard the coffee machine beeped,"She's safe and sound, no need to worry 'bout her now."

I was waiting for her to hurry up with  my coffee when she appeared and handed them to us. I took it from her and drank the bitter liquid.

"Thanks Lauren this is good." I looked over at Steven to see that he was smiling at her and she smiled back.

I shook my head and focused on Juniper who had started fussing and opened her eyes and was searching for her Mama,"Lauren she's looking for you."

She dusted her hands on her PJ's before coming over to pick her up with a smile on her face,"Come here baby girl."

I watched as she swayed back and forth with her in the kitchen humming and how Juniper was no longer crying. She came into the living room with Juniper sitting on her hip,"I'm just going to feed her and put her down for the night but you stay here Steven, I won't be long."

I stood and walked over to where she stood and gave Juniper's head a small kiss,"Daddy loves you baby girl, goodnight."

She rubbed her eyes before looking up at me and smiling, exposing her gums. I smiled and chuckled,"Oh you're a pretty little lady. Yes you are."

Lauren turned and started walking away causing Juniper to cry. I shrugged and watched them disappear into her pink room.

I went and sat down on the single seat and picked up my magazine reading until that guy spoke,"Hey you wouldn't know by any chance where Emma is?"

I turned the page and kept my eyes locked on the lettering,"She went back home before I got here."

He thought about it for a moment before asking,"Was Lauren upset?"

I shrugged and put the magazine down on my lap,"Now how is that any of my concern let-a-lone yours?"

"Luke back off." Lauren spoke sternly at the hallway and walked into the living room. I smiled and patted the armrest beside me but it soon disappeared as she sat beside Steven and crossed her arms and legs.

We sat up for quite a while and I was starting to fall asleep before I felt Lauren's hands shaking my arms,"Luke get up."

I opened my eyes and looked around the room to see that the guy left. I tried to stand up straight ignoring the pounding in my head and slowly walked down the hall to where our room was,"Now don't be too long Lauren. I'll try to stay up but you better get in here soon."