Page 42 of Justice

Chapter 8

Elle

The restof the party went along without a hitch and now we are at the guest house. Tomorrow is moving-in day with the prospects.

We’re staying at my parents’ house for the evening and then we are staying the night at Lane and Amelia’s.

My mom is sitting on the couch next to me, drinking a glass of wine, and my dad is on the other side of me, while I have my head on his shoulder.

“Daddy, I’m sorry for all of the pain I’ve caused you and Mom.” I still see the pain on his face when he looks at me.

One thing that I never wanted to do is hurt my parents, but I know it was out of my control.

“The pain will go away the second we catch the fucker who assaulted you, my angel.” He kisses the top of my head, and my mom holds my hand, giving it a squeeze.

“I wanted to ask you something,” he asks.

I nod. “Yeah?”

“Are you happy? Is this what you truly want, because I don’t think I could bear you not being happy.” I can hear the emotion in his voice, and I look from him to my mom.

“I really am happy. Christopher is so good to me, Dad. He treats me the way you’ve treated Mom. This baby might not have happened in the most conventional way, but I love her.”

Dad smiles and for the first time in forever, it seems like it reaches his eyes, the same as my mother’s.

“I want you to let it go, to push it to the back of your mind. It happened, and there’s nothing we can do about it, but I’m so happy and honestly happier than before it even happened.”

My dad sighs deeply, the weight of his worry and concern evident in the lines of his face. He takes a long sip of his whiskey, savoring the burn as it slides down his throat.

"I just want to protect you, Elle. That's all I've ever wanted," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "But I know I can't shield you from everything, no matter how much I wish I could, and that kills me.”

Mom reaches over, placing her hand on his knee in a comforting gesture. “We raised a strong and brave girl.”

I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, overwhelmed by the love they offer me.

They've been my rock through everything, never wavering in their devotion.

"I know it hasn't been easy for you—for either of you," I say softly, looking between them.

My parents exchange a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, my father nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"If you're happy, then that's all that matters to us," he says, pulling me into a tight hug. "We just want what's best for you, always."

Mom joins in the hug, and for a moment, we stay like that, taking a deep breath. The changes have been so crazy over the last several months.

When we finally pull away, Mom wipes a stray tear from her cheek. "You're going to be an amazing mother, Elle. That baby is lucky to have you.”

The tears fall at that, and they are tears of happiness. “I love you guys, so much.” I give them one last hug and settle back in the couch, yawning.

A little while later, the doorbell goes off and my dad gets up off the couch to open the door.

At the door is Joanne’s dad. “I wanted to see if you’ve seen my daughter. She was supposed to come to Elle’s party and I can’t get ahold of her.”

My mind wanders to what could have happened to her.

Then I remember that Christopher went outside behind Joanne and her friends with Mason, Reid, Leah, Tiffany, and Meadow.

I walk over to the door, standing behind Dad. He is almost covering the door with his huge frame.

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