Bitter Love

Chapter 29

Luke's POV
"Juniper let's go or we're gonna be late!" I shouted up the stairs knowing that my mom hates being late for church.

I buttoned up my dress shirt and tucked it into my dress pants,"Do you need help?"

Just as I was getting ready to walk up the stairs someone honked the horn.

"Coming Daddy!" I watched as she came flying down the stairs in her Sunday dress,"Can you do my hair?"

"I'll do it on our way, Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for us in the truck. We only have 20 minutes to get there in time." I picked her up and grabbed her shoes and rushed out the door to where my parents have been waiting for close to 10 minutes.

I buckled her in and hopped in,"Sorry about that, it never takes me that long to get her ready usually Lauren helps."

"Don't worry about it son. We can still make it in time and it'll all be okay." My mom turned in her seat and smiled at the both of us.

"You are this late and she doesn't look presentable?" My father glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

I sighed and smiled at Juniper,"Okay let's do your hair?"

I quickly threw it into two pigtails and tied them with her pink bows that match her pink polka dot dress and white flats,"Daddy?"

"Yes baby girl." I replied trying to focus on not hacking up her hair.

"Why do we dress nice for church?" She softly asked while playing with the ribbon I got her to hold onto.

I took it from her and started her other pig tail,"I don't know baby. You know how we have to dress nice when we go to an important event?"

"Like Mommas premiers? Or when we say goodbye?" She questioned and I nodded.

"Yeah just like those. We have to dress nice because this is special to be able to show our gratitude for the sacrafices our father gave for us to live safe and free. You excited to see your friends after?"

She nodded as we pulled into the crowded parking lot,"After service? But I want to call Momma, I miss her."

"I do to baby. We are going home soon okay?" I gave her a hug and slipped her shoes on before taking her out of her seat and setting her down to walk beside me.

Our pastor was greeting everyone at the door and when he saw us he smiled and gave Juniper a hug,"You've gotten so big my dear! Your dress is beautiful."

She smiled,"Thank you father. My Momma gave it to me before we left for church."

He greeted my parents and when he saw me he smiled and shook my hand,"No Lauren this time?"

"Not this time. She wanted to come but she had to stay back and film she wanted me to say hi."

"She looks just like her mom and she's a happy child. You two did well." He complimented as he watched her interact with my parents.

"Oh I almost forgot to show you something." I pulled my wallet out and grabbed the latest ultrasound picture and showed him.

He smiled and gave me a hug,"Two that's amazing Luke! How far along?"

"She's about six months now. She knows what we are having but is waiting to tell me until we get home in a couple days." I took the picture and put it back in its place beside the picture I have of Lauren and Juniper.

"I'll see you in there Father." I waved goodbye and caught up to Juniper,"Ready baby?"

She nodded so I took her hand in mine and walked into the small building and saw all the families that watched me grow up, all my buddies and their families. It was nice being home and I'm just realising how much I've missed it.