The Ignored Princess Meets the Tortured Prince

Chapter 33 - Final

Some Time later

Lucas

I smiled, finishing up my painting for the art project as Kirsten and I sat near my old house, the one just outside of town. Bandit and Ally were running around and playing in the field to our right while Kirsten and I talked.

Kirsten smiled up at me. “You’re almost all healed.”

“And not brain damaged,” I said with fake enthusiasm.

She put her hands on the ground behind her and leaned back. “And now that daddy agreed that you’re not the bad influence they thought you were, he said you can actually come over to our house now.”

“Oh, just in time for us to finish your project, now we don’t have to jump through hoops to find somewhere to meet and work on it,” I said in a sarcastic tone. “Oh wait, we already finished your project. Cuz you know, that would have been just too convenient.”

She laughed then tossed a pebble at me. “Shut up. Oh! And did you hear? Dawn convinced her mom to send Angel back to live with their father.”

I stopped painting for a minute and looked up at her. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” she smiled wide. “She told her all the crap Angel did and how crazy she was, and her mom believed her.”

“Sweet.” I went back to painting. “Now that’s something to celebrate. Think Josh will disappear too?”

She grinned. “Yeah, no, but he’d officially dating Ashley now so he might leave me alone.”

“For a week at least,” I smirked.

“Yeah . . .”

“And the whole school is buzzing about your social plummet.”

She sighed. “Yeah I know, unfortunately. But,” she turned and smiled to me, “you’re worth social suicide. Besides, who cares what they think anyway.” She shook her head. “But stop being so negative, we’re supposed to be celebrating because you won the case against Roger! The law is all over his butt now and there’s no way he can get you. Plus! You officially won custody of Ally, no one can try to take her away. She’s with you where she belongs and that’s where she’s going to stay. Life is great!”

“Yeah.” I stared at the painting then quickly made a few last brush strokes. “and I finally got the official deed to my house.” I nodded to the side, toward the old farm house. “Over the summer I figure I’ll fix it up then Ally and I can move in.”

“Oh!” Kirsten sat up. “Can I move in too!?”

I smirked as I stopped to look at her. “We just got your dad to like me, let’s not make him hate me all over again, alright?” She gave me a sad puppy dog face and I rolled my eyes, going back to my work. “When you turn 18 we’ll talk about it.”

She sighed. “Fine.”

“Aaaaand done.” I stepped back and looked at the finished painting.

Her face lit up as she hurried over to take a look. I watched her carefully as her eyes moved from the dark forest that was the background to her and Ally standing in the middle, surrounded by light.

“Aww, me and Ally are the light in the dark forest?”

“Uh,” I turned and looked at it, tilting my head. “Yep, that’s pretty much it.”

“It’s amazing!” she squealed as she leapt into my arms, hugging me tight.

I chuckled, holding her close. “Thanks, I had great inspirations.”

She sighed contentedly. “I don’t think our life is ever going to be easy, but I’m glad that I have you to make me smile along the way.”

“Hey, as long as I have you, life is perfect.”

“Bubbu!” Ally yelled from the yard. “My shirt is ripped at the bottom!”

I sighed and turned to face her then froze, my eyes growing wide, and dropped my brush. Both Ally and Bandit were completely covered, from head to toe, in mud.

“How could something so small get so dirty?” I asked Kirsten, still staring wide eyed at Ally and Bandit.

Kirsten started laughing, turning to look at me. “Life still perfect?”

“There’s a working water hose around back.” I grinned. “You get her and I’ll get the dog.”

Kirsten started slowly walking toward them. “Who wants a bath?” She yelled to them.

Ally looked down at Bandit then took off running as Kirsten and I chased after them, laughing as we stumbled around, wrestling to get the two back to the water hose and getting muddy our selves.

Well, I thought to myself, at least our lives are never boring.

THE END