I have to admit that I was a bit nervous as I drove with Jerry to pick up Lily from the airport. We haven't seen each other in ages due to our schedules, but today I could finally meet her, and she'll stay for a bit longer here, in France. I missed her horribly and just the thought of seeing her face made me happy.

Though except our little reunion, I also wanted her to meet Elektra. We spoke about it on the phone as soon as the news blew up, and Lily wasn't very excited that I'm dating someone so soon after we all know what happened. I understood her, she was worried something might happen to me again, but on the other hand it pained to think that she could never trust El and the atmosphere will be unpleasant.

I cared about them both equally, and I really hoped they'll get along. But that's in few hours, first I want to get Lily home safely and then maybe take my two girls out to grab something to eat.

I opened the door for Lily, letting her go into the house first, then entering after her and closing the front door. I already heard the music El's playing in the living room.

I mentally crossed my fingers everything will go like I want it to, which means in a more friendly than a bad way. Maybe I was somehow overreacting, but the connection between Lily and El was hella important to me.

I entered the kitchen, spotting El just sitting by the little island in the middle of it, and scrolling on her phone. She looked up as soon as I got into her sight, and the next thing I knew was that the music stopped.

"Hi," I approached her, kissing her forehead. She smiled but her attention was quickly drawn to something else. I looked in the same direction as she did, seeing Lily standing in the kitchen's door frame and glancing at us curiously. Thankfully she didn't carry an expression of disgust or any other negative emotion.

"Lily," I started and she made a few steps towards me. "This is El, shortcut for Elektra. El, this is Lily, shortcut for Lily-Rose."

They both smiled, but thank god they weren't fake smiles. Believe me, I've seen a lot of them, and these ones were actually very friendly, almost like girls have liked each other already. Gosh, I'm definitely over-analyzing it too much, but at least it made me breath out an internal sigh of relief.

"That's a dope name." Lily said, making El chuckle a little.

"Thanks. Yours is very french, that's dope, too." she replied.

"Do you want something to drink?" I asked Lily.

"Yes, do we have some apple juice?"

"No way," El interrupted. "You like it, too?"

"Like it?" Lily frowned. "I love it. It could be my last meal, or any meal, in that case."

Elektra laughed, "Right? How can people even drink orange juice?"

"I have no idea, I'm convinced they aren't actual people. Paid reptilians."

They chuckled as I watched them with a small smile. Then they both sat at the table while I made some drinks with ungodly amounts of ice, since it's boiling hot today. Though I could still hear their conversation.

"So, what do you do for a living?" Lily asked, to which El stayed silent for a moment before speaking up.

"I used to design and paint stuff and then sell them, but now I'm focusing more on writing. I'm actually soon to be writing my own book."

"Oh, shit, that's so cool!" Lily answered excitedly.

"Language," I warned.

I knew she wasn't a little girl anymore to be taught how to speak, but it's one of the things dads just have to do, and also I liked messing with her.

I placed the drinks on the table and saw with the corner of my eye that Lily rolled her eyes.

"Expression." I said with the same tone as before.

El chuckled, glancing between me and Lily.

"And what do you do?" she asked her.

"I'm doing movies, here and in America, and modeling. I really like it."

"Oh, that's great. I think I even saw you on few Chanel campaigns, right?" Lily nodded. "Your dad must be really proud of you."

"I am." I smiled. "By the way, Lily, how was the flight?"

We kept talking and talking and catching up for quite a bit of time, and some kind of weight has really been lifted off my shoulders. I noticed that the girls had much in common and many topics they agreed on, and despite the fact that sometimes I had no clue what they were on about, it was nice to hear them laugh and act like best friends. Even when they made fun of me trying my best to get into the conversation, though I felt lowkey offended.

Finally Lily stated that she'd love to keep chatting, but she's really tired and she literally dreams of her bed. We decided that we can go and get breakfast somewhere tomorrow, and after that we said goodnight and she left me and El alone in the kitchen.

"Wow, she's so much like you. The eccentrically hilarious humor is in genes, I suppose?" El asked, making me laugh a little.

"I suppose. I'm glad you two get along." I said, placing my hands on her waist and bringing her closer. "It means a lot."

"I know, but I feel like she had to do more in order to trust me. She's really wise. Got that from someone, huh?" I nodded, smiling. I can't help but be endlessly proud of my daughter.

El sighed. "I really hope she doesn't think of me as another toxic gold digger."

"Are you kidding?" I frowned. "She adores you. I could see it in her eyes."

"Really?" She looked up at me.

"Yes." I leaned down just enough to kiss her. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Johnny."

Little did we know Lily was secretly eavesdropping on our conversation.

the next day

(POV switch)

"When you were little, all you ever wanted for breakfast were chocolate croissants and strawberries. Like, obsessively. It was almost like a nightmare, and all that was missing was if you started repeating 'chocolate croissant' in your goddamn sleep. But me and your mom decided to love you either way."

I laughed, throwing my head back as Lily pretended to be offended and confused at the same time. I swear, Johnny's storytelling is on another level, he's so random and he can make anything hilarious. I think that's one of the reasons why people like him so much.

We were currently on our way to Lily's favorite café, where they serve breakfasts. I totally relied on my boyfriend's and Lily's opinions, since they're the ones who live here.

By the way, me and Lily haven't spoken about my relationship with her dad at all. I don't know, I guess there wasn't that much time or occasion, but I really hope that in this matter Lily doesn't see me as a villain.

Couple minutes later we were already ordering our food.

"No, I swear, Lana is, like, such a queen!" Lily commented as I told her about my Lana Del Rey obsession that's been going on for a while.

"Oh my god, definitely, I could listen to her for hours."

I popped another piece of my waffle with Nutella and wiped cream into my mouth, side glancing at Johnny who was listening to us with raised brows. I giggled soundlessly.

Lily suddenly yawned, hiding it behind her hand.

"Bad sleep?" I asked.

"Actually, no, but I feel like it wasn't enough. I have to sleep for, like, one more day."

I grinned, shaking my head and looking over at Johnny. "She's a literal copy of you!"

He smiled, shrugging his shoulders, "What can I say?"

But I had to admit that even I felt sleepy after eating that breakfast, though maybe it was because today the rain was literally pouring down and the whole world seemed sleepy and gloomy.

"Should we get going?" I asked.

"Yes, but I gotta go to the bathroom real quick. I'll be back in a sec." Johnny answered, standing up from the table.

At first me and Lily didn't speak at all, and I could feel that awkward tension kicking in. Just when I was tryna figure out what to talk about, Lily spoke up.

"Listen," she started. "I know you love my dad and he definitely loves you, just.. It's just, you're a really nice person, but I don't want him to get hurt again. He didn't deserve that kind of treatment in the first place."

"I'm not gonna hurt him. I do not plan on hurting him, I don't think I'd be even capable of doing it." I replied sincerely.

"I know." she ran a hand through her hair, breathing in deeply. "I'm sorry if I get too suspicious or anything, but it's hard to trust someone now."

"I totally understand. Though I'm not some sick sadist or gold digger, you can check that out of the list of potential disadvantages I could have."

She laughed, nodding.

"I promise you he'll be safe with me." I added.

She smiled the happiest and most relief-filled smile ever, just when Johnny came back to us. "What were you girls talking about?"

Lily and I looked knowingly at each other.

"Oh, you know." Lily started. "Girl stuff."

🌺