Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 210

*Michael*

The sun peeked above the skyline, and its rays twinkled off the cobblestone streets, showing through the gaps in the towering buildings, its light highlighting every window and reflecting off the storefronts.

I squinted against its brightness with a smile on my face, making my way toward the little café at the end of Main Street where Lauren and I had arranged to meet. It felt like it had been months since our last lunch together, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and relief at the thought of seeing her again.

I pushed the café door open, and my eyes quickly searched the interior for Lauren. I found her at a corner table, her eyes bright and her expression one of contentment. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and she wore a light blue blouse that hugged her slim frame.

She had put on a little weight, but it suited her well, and honestly, she looked healthier than she had in years.

I walked toward her, my heart brimming with pride as I noticed how far she’d come since our last visit. When I reached her side, she stood up to greet me and embraced me in a hug.

“Dad,” she said, her voice soft and gentle. “It’s so good to see you.” A genuine smile illuminated her face.

I smiled, my eyes meeting hers as I replied. “It’s great to see you too, Lauren.”

We embraced for a few seconds longer than usual, the awkwardness of old times melting away in the warmth of our hug. The atmosphere between us felt lighter and more relaxed, the heaviness of our past being replaced with hope and forgiveness.

As I watched Lauren stand tall to face her fears, my heart swelled with pride. Our journey had been filled with painful miscommunications and hurt feelings, but standing in this moment, forgiveness and peace seemed within reach.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your mother’s funeral,” I said softly. “I wanted to be there for you, but–”

“It’s okay, Dad,” she said, her eyes soft with understanding. “You might not have been there on the day, but you’ve been incredibly supportive since everything happened. You were there for me leading up to the day and after,” she paused, her gaze sincere as she added, “And I swear to you, I will repay you for every penny you put toward her funeral costs.”

I shook my head firmly. “Not a chance, Lauren. Your well-being and happiness are more important than any amount of money I could give you. No matter how much I disagreed with your mother’s choices, she was still your mother. Seeing you here today, growing and fighting—that’s enough for me.”

Tears welled in her eyes as she understood the emotion behind my words. Her soft hand wrapped around my arm as our gazes connected.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “That means a lot to me.”

The air was thick with the smell of freshly brewed coffee. The clinking of forks against plates and conversations had created a low hum, but as our conversation deepened, it felt like the outside world was fading away.

As we settled into our conversation, the past became a topic that we approached delicately but with a newfound openness. We spoke of Marmie, the memories that still lingered, and the healing journey we’d both started. We spoke with an openness and understanding that neither of us expected, not a hint of judgment or blame in our words.

Lauren shifted in her seat, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. A slight quiver entered her voice as she shared intimate details of her struggles, the pain she had endured, and how she was taking steps toward self-improvement.

Every word she uttered filled the room with a raw vulnerability that made my heart ache. She talked about the darkness inside and how it consumed her for years until she finally found the courage to seek therapy. And now, here she was, baring her soul to me, eyes glistening with tears.

I sat there, silent and awestruck by her bravery and determination to become a better version of herself. It was an honor to witness her evolution and the changes that had taken hold of her personality. I knew then that nothing could stop her from healing completely. I would do everything in my power to ensure she found her way to the other side of this.

As the conversation deepened, Lauren leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. She chewed her l*p, avoiding my eyes before finally meeting my gaze.

She wrung her hands together, interweaving her fingers nervously as she spoke. “Dad, I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a while now, and I hope that it’s okay. I know we haven’t talked about it before, but do you think I could meet the rest of your family?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but hopeful. “Is that something you think you would be open to?”

I paused for a moment. My chest tightened as I hesitated, considering Lauren’s request. Meeting the kids would be a huge step, and I knew it would require a conversation with Shelby. While I had a feeling she would understand, I also wanted to respect her feelings and seek her input. I had to be mindful of her feelings and opinions in this matter–especially given their past.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned my gaze toward Lauren and saw a hopeful glimmer in her eyes. “I appreciate your interest in meeting the kids, Lauren,” I replied, a note of caution in my voice. “And I want that, I do. But, I think it’s something I need to discuss with Shelby first. Given the circumstances, it’s important that we navigate this situation carefully.”

Lauren dropped her gaze to the floor, swallowing hard before nodding understandingly. Her lips trembled and tears glazed her eyes. “Of course, I understand. What I did was unforgivable. I want you to know that even though things are strained between us now, I still care for Shelby. She’s your family, they’re your family, and I just want to be part of it in some small way.”

“Honey,” I said gently, reaching out and placing a hand over hers, “you always have and always will be a part of this family. You’re my daughter regardless of whether or not you have a relationship with Shelby. I love you.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” she said, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. She quickly wiped them away before they could fall. I felt my chest constrict in response—a mixture of emotions that I couldn’t hide.

“I hope Shelby is doing okay after everything. How is she?”

A range of emotions flashed across my face as I considered how to answer Lauren’s question. “She’s doing alright,” I began slowly. “She takes great care of the twins, and she’s an amazing mother.” I paused, the frustration I was hiding mounting and bubbling to the surface. “But she refuses to get a paternity test, and it’s created a lot of stress for us both.”

Lauren’s brow furrowed, and she leaned back in her chair, clearly absorbing the gravity of the situation. She shook her head, her lips tight in a thin line.

“I can understand why Shelby would be hesitant,” she finally said. “Even if it does turn out to be Katie’s child, Shelby has been through so much already. She shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences of Katie’s actions.”

Lauren paused to take a deep breath before continuing. “Katie didn’t just abandon this child–she used it as a pawn in her schemes–I mean, she basically sold the child to my mother. No court of law would ever side with her on this.”

As Lauren spoke, my heart raced. Her words were lightning bolts of clarity, and I felt my chest swell with understanding. They seemed to sink deep into me, like an arrow piercing my soul. It was true that Shelby had been subjected to a great deal of pain and manipulation in the past, much like what Lauren had experienced with Marmie.

“You’re right, Lauren,” I acknowledged a newfound determination resonating in my voice. “Shelby didn’t deserve to be treated as a pawn in your mother’s schemes–none of us did. She has been through so much, and I won’t let the same happen to another one of my family members–another one of my children. They deserve a safe and loving environment.”

Lauren’s eyes softened, her gaze filled with understanding and appreciation. “I know exactly what it’s like to be my mother’s puppet and the pain it can cause,” she said. “I’ve experienced the damage firsthand, even caused some of it thanks to her manipulations. It isn’t right, and I’m glad you understand the importance of protecting those you love.”

Her words struck a deep chord within me, resonating with my own desire to shield my babies from harm.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “Your advice is much appreciated.”

Lauren smiled, a small glimmer of hope returning to her eyes. “I just want to make things right, Daddy. I want to be a part of this family in a way that doesn’t cause any further harm.”

I nodded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “I believe you, Lauren. And I think we can work together to make that happen.” I reached over and squeezed her hand, feeling a sense of closeness and comfort in her touch. “Let’s take things one step at a time, okay?”

“Okay,” she agreed, a tentative smile crossing her lips. “And, thank you for even being willing to consider it after everything.”

I smiled warmly at Lauren, a mixture of gratitude and affection filling my heart. “You don’t have to thank me, Lauren. We’re family, and family looks out for one another. We’ll take it one step at a time, but know that you have my support, now and always.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the bustling café fading into the background as our connection deepened. The sun cast its warm glow through the window.

At that moment, I realized how far we had come. The wounds of the past were healing, and the bridge between us was being rebuilt, one conversation at a time. It was a testament to the resilience of our relationship and the power of forgiveness.

As we finished our lunch, we made plans to meet again soon. I was glad that we were able to put the past behind us, and I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of hope for our future together.

We parted ways outside, promising to keep in touch and to be there for each other. As I watched Lauren walk away, her steps filled with newfound confidence, I knew that we were on the right path—a path of healing, understanding, and a renewed bond.

Having left one child, I was more than ready to see my newest additions. I settled into my car, happy to be heading back home to the rest of my family.