You And I: Sequel

Chapter Twenty Two

"Where did that come from?" I ask, already knowing.

"We got it when we went shopping, Mackenzie picked it out." As much as I want to tell her to change out of the white dress that was bought for her, I know I can't.

"Well you look beautiful Libbs." I smile at her. I reach over onto the end table and grab the flower I bought for her, handing them over and she smells them. She grabs her winter coat a puts her shoes on. I link my arm with hers and we bid everyone a goodbye and head out.

We take the long drive to the restaurant talking about a lot of different things but avoiding Mackenzie. She talks about her friends and I am able to get it out of her who she has a crush on. I know she wants to date but she is way too young and I don't want her to have pointless relationships. In fact I should probably extend the age limit to 17 because I'm just not ready for her to date.

Boys are nothing but trouble.

We get to the restaurant and I tell them I have reservations for Mellark, table of two. She leads us to a table in the really fancy dining area. We don't ever take the kids to expensive places, we usually save that for ourselves. We are seated and handed menus, looking them over and deciding on what we would like to eat.

We get to talk about some other things, I find out that she has taken a sudden interest in painting and she would like me to teach her. I of course agree because it will give us time to do something together.

Our food comes and we begin eating, enjoying our pastas and salads. We continue to talk, finishing our dinner and waiting on dessert.

"Listen Libbie, I want to talk to you." I say.

"Am I in trouble?" She asks. I look at her earrings, I don't mean to but I do.

"It's about Mackenzie."

"Okay?"

"Listen, you will have to go there every other weekend until March. And on March 1 we are going to go to court because she wants custody of you." I'm not really sure how to say it so I just tell her straight up. Confusion covers her face.

"But she is practically a stranger to me, why would I live with her?" She asks.

"That's why you have every other weekend there so you can get to know her. At least that's why the court ordered it anyway."

"What if I decide to be with her and you?" She asks. That's not something I considered even though the worse case scenario is that's what will happen. It's just not something I like to think about.

"Then I will make each time you are with me the best I can. Because my special girl deserves that, okay?"

"Okay dad." She says with a smile. Our waiter comes back and gives us our desserts, which we finish with very small conversation. She decides she wants to dance so we go to the floor with a few other people, and we dance to the music playing overhead.

"Hey dad, you are really good at this." She says.

"Oh yeah?" I smile at her. "I have had a lot of practice with your mother. Don't tell her but I hate dancing."

"You hate it?" She asks.

"Yes, I always feel like I am going to fall." I laugh. She smiles at me and she hugs me. I hug her back because I don't know how many more hugs I will get. Or how often I should say.

When we finish dancing we pack up to leave, walking to the parking lot with all the snow covering the ground. We are in the car, the heat on high, and driving down the expressway as fast as I am comfortable.

Libbie falls asleep in the passenger seat which leaves me with time to think. And I hate that, it is the worse torture to be alone with your thoughts. But how can I not wonder if in only three months my princess will be taken from me? It's hard to not think about.

So I drive home with the dim sound of the radio playing. I hum along to the song that is on and absentmindedly get back to our house. I wake up Libbie who looks like she wants me to just carry her in.

"I forgot to give you something." I tell her. I reach into my pocket and pull out the necklace I bought her. We don't typically let her wear jewelry at all but since Mackenzie took it upon herself to get Libbie's ears pierced, we figured there would be no harm.

"What is it?" She asks sleepily. I open it and reveal the heart shaped necklace. The diamonds that make up the heart aren't real, but one day they will be.

"When you go to Mackenzie's I don't want you to forget about me okay?" I know she will only go for three days but it makes me nervous that I will slip her mind for even that short of time.

"Dad, it's so pretty." She says admiring it. She takes it out of the box and hands it to me. She turns so I can put it around her neck. "I'm never taking it off."

"Good." I kiss her forehead.

"Thank you, tonight was so much fun. I hope you do this with Cassie too."

"Oh don't you worry, I will." I promise her.

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Hey everyone!! So I'm about to get super busy again and I'm not sure when I will update....
Thursday, friday, and saturday I work, saturday evening I babysit, sunday morning is church so I might be able to start a chapter sunday afternoon. But then Monday I work again....
All I have to say is I better have a freaking awesome check!!
So I love you and I can't wait to update again, don't you just love the bond between Peeta and Libbie?? Major daddy's girl?? Peeta may spoil her some though ;)
Alrighty, peace out! <3

Acts 1:14!! See you