Page 74 of Retribution

“So… You’re going to be a ballerina?” She looks at me puzzled.

I let out a laugh, “No, darling. I like Indie, more like a friend. But, a little bit more than a friend,” I explain.

“Like, a boyfriend?” She asks.

“Kind of, but like a girlfriend.” I reply.

“Wait! So you’ve been KISSING my teacher!” She shouts, her jaw drops.

“Shh, and yes, sometimes.” I cringe, unsure how to approach this now.

Supposedly, it would make things easier if she can come to terms with the physical connection between us.

“I see,” She says, glancing around the room with a skeptical look on her face.

“I’ll let you kiss Indie, if you take me to the beach, today.” Willow demands, the confidence radiates in her voice.

“The beach is pretty far, it’s a very long car journey.” I explain and she glares at me.

“I know.” Her voice doesn’t falter.

Well, I suppose she gets her stubbornness from me.

“Deal.”

I erupt into laughter as she breaks out into a grin, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing me tightly.

“Can Indie come too?” She asks.

“I’m sure she’d be more than happy to,” I chuckle.

***

After the fastest execution of a road trip I’ve ever experienced, we’re now twenty minutes away from Hilton Head.

If there is any way that I can make my little girl happy, I am willing to do it.

I shuffled around my workload, Indie cleared her schedule, and now we’re taking a spontaneous overnight vacation.

Our bags were packed within the hour and we were on the road.

“Daddy, I need the toilet.” Willow says from the backseat.

“Again?” I whine.

We only stopped half an hour ago for a toilet break. I’m blaming the XL Slurpee Indie got her from the gas station.

“We’ve only got twenty minutes left before we get to the hotel, can you hold it?” I ask, making eye contact with her through the dash mirror.

“Nope. I need to go, now.” She looks at me with pleading eyes, seeing her bounce a little in her seat.

“Okay, okay.” I roll my eyes and check the road signs for an upcoming gas station.

“That goddamn Slurpee,” I laugh and Indie’s head whips towards me.

“Hey! If she’s gotta go, she’s gotta go!” Indie replies, pushing my shoulder playfully.

***