Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 211

*Shelby*

The house was quiet, save for the faint sound of the twins’ gentle breathing as they peacefully slumbered in their cribs. I couldn’t help but smile down at them. Michael had lunch with Lauren earlier that day, and now we stood side by side in the kitchen, working together to tidy up the remnants of my own meal.

As we cleared the dishes–and bottles and teethers–Michael’s voice broke the tranquility.

“Shelby,” he began cautiously, “I had something I wanted to talk to you about, something Lauren brought up today.”

The sudsy water had grown cool in my hands as I slowly spun to face him. His eyes were wide, almost fearful, and I could feel apprehension radiating off him like heat waves from a hot summer road. My muscles tensed and I braced myself, preparing for whatever news he was about to share.

No matter how much Lauren had grown since Blaine and Marmie’s plan to steal her father’s fortune, I didn’t think I would ever quite shake that fear that she would revert back to her old ways. I knew she had put in the work to better herself and be a more honest person, but not having seen it myself I was still a bit skeptical.

The Lauren I knew could never be the woman Michael had been describing. But, I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. No matter what happened, she was still family, Michael’s, and mine.

“Lauren,” his voice wavered with emotion, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension as he spoke her name. “She expressed a desire to meet the kids,” he continued, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and caution. “And… I was hoping that maybe we could bring her by to meet them soon.”

Meeting his gaze, I felt a range of emotions swirl within me. The wariness I saw in them was mirrored in my own, both of us recognizing that this conversation could trigger a flood of memories from our painful past. But when I looked into his face, I also saw a subtle glimmer of hope and understanding, and it stirred something familiar inside of me—the desire to look beyond what had been done to us and move forward with compassion.

I took a deep breath, allowing the warmth of the soapy water to ground me. I opened my eyes and looked up at Michael. His gaze was pleading as he waited for me to answer his question. With a newfound sense of resolve. “Yes, Michael,” I replied softly, surprising even myself. “I think it would be great for Lauren to meet the twins.”

A wave of emotion flooded his face—relief mingled with surprise. He stepped closer to me, tentatively reaching out and brushing his hand against my arm. He stood close enough for me to feel his breath on my face as he asked softly, “Are you sure, Shelby? I want to be mindful of your feelings in all of this. I don’t ever want to make you uncomfortable, not with this. She may be my daughter, but I know moving past what she did has been hard for you.”

I nodded, my heart aching for Lauren and the loss she had experienced. “I understand that she’s been through a lot, especially with the passing of Marmie,” I said, my voice filled with empathy. “She needs family. She needs us. Besides, I can relate to that pain all too well. If she needs someone to lean on, I want to be there for her.”

Michael’s eyes softened, and he pulled me into a tender embrace. “You’re incredible, Shelby,” he whispered, his voice laced with gratitude and love.

As we stood there, holding each other, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. Our journey had been far from easy, but it was in moments like these that I realized the depth of our connection and the strength of our love. Together, we were navigating the delicate balance of forgiveness and understanding.

When we finally released each other, Michael’s hand found mine, and we continued our task of tidying the kitchen. The weight of our past seemed to lighten with every dish we washed, replaced by the anticipation of what the future held.

As we worked side by side, Michael turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “I love you, Shelby,” he said softly.

“I love you too, Michael.”

My phone buzzed from somewhere behind the couch cushions, its unfamiliar ringtone echoing through the living room. I hurried toward the couch, frantically digging around and overturning cushions until my fingers found the slippery surface of the device.

The ringtone wasn’t one of my usual presets so I knew it had to be an unknown potential client on the other line.

“Oh, I’ve got to take this, Michael. I’ll be right back,” I said hurriedly as I stood up, leaving a pile of pillows behind me.

“Take your time, Shelby,” Michael nodded with a small smile.

I stepped into the hallway, heading toward the office to get a bit of privacy. I paused at the threshold of the door and took a deep breath, “Hello, this is Shelby.”

“Hi, Shelby,” came a gruff voice on the other end. “This is John from Johnson Environmental Consulting.”

“Hi, John. How can I help you today?”

“We have a potential case regarding the violation of environmental standards in a local manufacturing company. The company, Henderson Chemical, has been knowingly discharging toxic waste into a nearby river, causing significant harm to the ecosystem and endangering public health.”

“I see. That’s a serious matter. Have there been any reports or investigations conducted by environmental agencies?”

“Yes, there have been multiple reports filed by concerned citizens and environmental organizations. The local regulatory body initiated an investigation, which uncovered clear evidence of Henderson Chemical’s deliberate actions to bypass environmental regulations and avoid costly waste treatment processes.”

“That’s alarming. Have any legal actions been taken against them so far?” I asked, leaning back against Michael’s desk and looking for a pad and pen to take notes.

“Not yet. The regulatory body has issued warnings and fines, but they haven’t pursued a lawsuit. At least not yet. But, we believe it’s necessary to hold Henderson Chemical accountable. So, we are preparing a civil lawsuit to bring this issue to the public’s attention and ensure they rectify their actions and prevent further harm.”

“I completely understand the urgency in addressing this issue promptly–and legally. Environmental violations of this magnitude can have long-lasting consequences that impact entire communities even long after the pollution has stopped. I imagine the goal will be to seek justice for the affected community and advocate for sustainable practices?” I inquired, scribbling down notes as he spoke.

“Precisely. We need someone experienced in environmental law to help us build a strong case against them. We believe your expertise and dedication make you the ideal candidate for this task. We were hoping you would be willing to consult on this to ensure we have the evidence and legal backing we need to proceed. “

“Thank you for your confidence in my abilities. I’m committed to protecting the environment. Fighting for the rights of those affected by such negligence is something I am very passionate about–this isn’t just a job to me.”

“That is exactly what we’re looking for,” John assured me.

“Let’s proceed with a meeting,” I suggested. “That way, we can discuss the specifics and assess the potential legal avenues we can pursue more in-depth before moving forward.”

“Excellent. I’ll gather all the relevant documentation, including reports, evidence, and witness statements. Thank you, Shelby. Let’s hope we can make a significant impact and ensure a safer environment for future generations.”

“I look forward to working with you to achieve our shared goal. Let’s put a stop to their neglect. I’ll talk to you soon, John.”

“Thank you, Shelby.”

“My pleasure.”

I hung up the phone and overlooked my notes, pulling the page out and putting it near my computer. I returned to the kitchen, a sense of purpose lingering in my steps, as I rejoined Michael.

His gaze met mine, concern etched on his face. “Another case? So soon?” he asked, his voice gentle yet laced with a touch of worry.

I nodded, my mind still partly occupied by the details of the potential lawsuit. “Yes. It was just a small consult, regarding a case involving environmental standards being knowingly violated,” I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of exhaustion.

Understanding flickered in Michael’s eyes as he reached out to place a comforting hand on my arm. “Shelby, you don’t have to dive back into work so soon,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of support and concern. “We have the twins, and I’ll be going back to work soon too. It might be overwhelming for you to juggle everything right now.”

I appreciated his concern and the love behind his words, but a flicker of doubt nagged at the back of my mind. Would he expect me to stay home now that we had the kids? Throughout our relationship, he had always encouraged me to pursue my career, assuring me that he would support me every step of the way. But now that our lives were intricately woven with the responsibilities of parenthood, would his perspective change?

I smiled weakly, attempting to reassure him. “I appreciate your concern, Michael,” I replied, my voice soft. “But this was just a small consultation. I promise to be mindful of my workload and to prioritize our family. You don’t need to worry.”

He nodded, his gaze searching mine as if trying to read my thoughts. “I trust you, Shelby,” he said, his voice filled with unwavering faith. “I’m not worried about your work being prioritized over the twins, not at all. Just remember that it’s okay to ask for help if things ever become too much.”

“Thank you, Michael,” I said, gratitude lacing my voice though the nagging worry was still there at the back of my mind. “I promise I’ll tell you if I need help and lean on you when needed.”

Michael leaned in and pressed a gentle k**s on my forehead, his arms enveloping me in a comforting hug. “That’s all I can ask for,” he whispered, his voice warm and soothing. “You’re a powerhouse, Shelby. I have no doubt that you’ll do great things, both in your career and as a mother.”

I held onto him tightly, taking comfort in his embrace, feeling the weight of his words wash over me. Maybe I could have it all: a successful career and a happy family. Maybe it wasn’t an either-or situation.

The twins began to stir, their cooing and soft murmurs breaking the stillness of the room.

“I’ll take care of them for a bit,” Michael said, a smile playing on his lips. “You go get some rest or work on that consultation, whatever you need to do.”

I hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to join in and the need to tackle the work that lay ahead. “Tomorrow,” I said. “Tell Lauren she can come by for lunch tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Shelby.”