Page 121 of Loyally, Luke
Penelope:What? But it has Julie Andrews in it!
Luke:It also has Chris Pine in it, and after suffering through listening to you girls talk about him ALL THE TIME when we were younger, I refuse to watch him.
Luke:Except in Star Trek. But also on principle.
Izzy:You may act like it’s not a big deal, but you can’t really be as nonchalant about the whole media thing as you’re pretending to be.
Luke:Nope. I’m not. But after chopping a load of wood at daybreak, I’m feeling a little less like threatening people’s lives.
Izzy:And Brodie’s mom will be so grateful for your hard work to stock her wood supply while curbing your inner Braveheart.
Penelope:Speaking of movie references, I would try to predict your future again, but Hallmark movies don’t usually include lifesaving moments followed by nasty paparazzi. Thus the reason I sent Princess Diaries 2. I know what I WANT to happen next for your life, but my confidence level in my accuracy has dropped.
Luke:I know what I’d prefer to happen too, Penny-girl, but it would be selfish and not what Ellie wants or what Skymar needs.
Penelope:For her to give up the crown and move to the States?
Luke:But then I think of what she loves and how great she’s going to be at making a difference in Skymar and it doesn’t hurt as bad. I’m so proud to know her.
Luke’s phone buzzed to life in his hand and Penelope’s name flashed on the screen. He pinched his eyes closed and raised the phone to his ear.
“You know you’re totally worthy of a princess, right? This is nothing at all like Clara.”
Her voice shook, likely from trying to keep her tears in check. “I know she’s not Clara, Penny-girl.”
“But you have to know, Luke, that she can’t do better than you. Ever. I’m being serious right now. Not only are you the best guy I know, only equal to Matt—”
The highest praise.
“—but you’re a perfect match for a princess. You’ve shown that my whole life. You don’t mind urging other people out in the spotlight to see them shine. You actually love it. It’s a gift of yours too.” She sniffled. “I can’t tell you how many times your presence behind the scenes in my life made me brave because I knew you were there. Cheering me on in your gruff, sometimes needlessly sarcastic way.” She sniffled again. “Everyone needs a safe set of arms to find strength and comfort and courage. You may not even know it, but youarethat person. You always have been for me.”
He lowered his head and released a long breath to steady himself. His baby sister tended toward the dramatic, but her words hit home in her attempt to cheer his heart and ground him.
“Thanks, sis.”
“Don’t lose heart, Luke. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Ellie, but I just can’t believe the story is over yet. She’s too smart to let someone like you out of her life.”
“I appreciate your unending optimism, but sometimes stories don’t have a perfect ending and we learn to live with that anyway. I’ll be okay, sis.”
Though his heart didn’t seem to agree. At all.
They talked for a little longer, with Penelope finally sobbing into the phone how much she loved him and then saying her goodbyes.
He leaned his head back against the couch and tried to quell the ache in his chest.
Text from Matt to Luke:Thanks for having Penelope in tears when I came to collect her from the theater.
Luke:I’m sure it wasn’t the first time.
Matt:True. But she’s less consolable than usual.
Luke:I had to tell her a hard truth about not getting what I want but hoping that a certain princess gets exactly what she needs.
Matt:Definitely not the ending Penelope prefers, but you’re a good man, Luke. I feel certain, even if you never know it, you’ve made a good difference in Princess Elliana’s life.
Luke:Thanks, Matt. I’m sure that will make me feel better in the long run.
Matt:Yeah, right now everything just sucks.
