Page 97 of Retribution

“It’s a surprise, that you can’t tell Indie about,” I whisper to her, making her pinky promise with me before I tell her.

Her tiny pinky finger wraps around mine as she looks like she’s about to explode out of her chair from anticipation.

I cup my hand around her ear and lean in.

“We’re having the wedding, today.” I smirk as she pulls away with her hand to her open mouth.

“You’re kidding!” she bites back, her eyes wide as she claps loudly.

I shush her and point to the hallway, unsure where Indie is in the house.

“Indie is really going to be our family.” She says in amazement, her cereal spoon dripping milk onto the counter as she forgets she’s in the middle of eating.

Nodding eagerly, I tell her about the plans, and how she needs to be in on it with me. She’s never been keener to help me out with something, even though I have offered her an unlimited budget shopping trip to the mall next week.

Willow isn’t aware of the court date tomorrow, I’ve told Indie not to say anything as it will cause her unnecessary worrying when she has nothing to be worried about. I’ve tried my best to keep some level of normality for her and Indie makes it so much better for her, it’s like she’s got a best friend who is living with her permanently. They are similar in so many ways it’s not hard to figure out why they love each other so much.

Footsteps can be heard coming towards the kitchen and I widen my eyes at Willow as she nods and I turn away, busying myself with rearranging the utensils in the pot next to the stove.

Really, Reed?

“Willow, why aren’t you dressed for school?” Indie asks, concern in her voice.

“Oh, gosh. Are you sick?” She raises the back of her hand to Willow’s forehead as Lo shakes her head.

“No, I’m not sick silly, we’re having a girls day of course!” She lies, I’m impressed so far.

Indie looks over to me, trying to gauge my opinion on the matter.

I shrug and grab my keys from the counter top.

“I’m heading off to work now, have a fun day girls.” I keep my words short and concise, grabbing my briefcase filled with all of our essential paperwork and identification for the marriage.

I place the briefcase in the trunk of the car, alongside the dresses for the girls and my new suit, a smile stretched across my face as I think about how the rest of the day is going to turn out.

* * *

Indie

Willow has insisted that we need a girl’s day, just me and her. I was surprised that Reed agreed to it if I’m honest, he’s been extremely strict about her education since I’ve been involved, but he has a soft spot for her.

So far, we’ve had manicures and pedicures, we’ve been pampered at a beauty salon, and we’ve got matching fishtail braids with daisies. It’s actually been a really sweet day as it’s been a long while since I’ve managed to do a bit of self-loving and it’s boosted my confidence massively.

My eyes are bronzed, and my lips are nude, the rest of my face smooth and polished with all of the right amounts of makeup, a lot better than I can usually do. Willow wanted us to have a trial run of services before our big show next weekend.

How could I turn her down?

We’ve eaten a huge tub of Nutella gelato between us, careful not to ruin our faces.

“Pretty please, can we visit the place where you and daddy are going to be married?” She begs, her hand tugging on mine.

She’s been ecstatic about the fact she’s going to get to be a bridesmaid, she has the date of the wedding marked down on her calendar and she crosses off each day as they finish, telling me each night that it’s one day closer to me joining her family forever. I feel incredibly guilty with the circumstances, but for now I allow myself to believe it, for her sake as well as my own.

I sigh, “Fine, but we can’t stay for long, we have the showing of The Secret Life of Pets 2 in an hour.”

“Yeah of course, that’s fine, can we go now?” Her eagerness makes me smile, as it warms my heart.

“Come on then.” I take her hand as we walk in the direction of the city hall.

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