How To Build A Flower Shop

Chapter THREE

The next day Bobbi comes home from school to find her father waiting on her with a cup of hot chocolate. Hands it to her as she settles her bag down.

It's a thing they both do for each other: when one of them senses the other is tired or stressed or could do with their favourite hot drink, they would make it for them. Bobbi's favourite is hot chocolate with cream and Lucas enjoys the standard coffee.

He knew she would need her hot beverage when she came through the door as she met up with Nicholas after school. She wanted to know if he was okay and if he saw Roberto. With a shocked reaction to the news, Nicholas told her he didn't see Roberto. Said he wasn't near the shop after he locked up and apologised profusely for the incident. Held her in his arms as she cried for the flower shop, like it was another part of her mom dying. Gone.

Lucas sees her red and puffy eyes but doesn't ask about it. Wouldn't want to set her off again. It pains to see her upset. She smiles thankfully and blows on her drink, taking a quick sip after.

'Roberto's parents came by while you were in school. We talked and agreed on how much the damages will be. His parents thought it was a good idea to have him re-decorate Gracious Gardens because they think it would really discipline him. They apologized and thanked me for not doing anything too harsh. They also hoped that the money is enough to cover everything, which it is, so... yeah, doll. That's the "411",' he air quotes.

She smiles at this. 'Speaking of, daddy can I please work with him? Don't you see that if I re-do the shop with him, I can show you and mom I can be hard working and responsible? That I can prove to you that I can take good care of it? This will make me happy. It's like, this will make me feel close to mom and I want her to be proud to see I adore the shop dearly-'

'Okay, okay, doll. If it's something you really think you can handle.' Lucas caves in, remembering one of his promises to her: supporting everything she wanted. Sees the passion, love, and dedication in her eyes as she speaks.

Her head cocks to the side. 'Really? I had a whole speech planned on my walk home,' she says with disbelief in her voice.

He laughs. 'Well, by all means continue.' Gestures his hand out for her to go on.

She cracks another smile. 'Oh, I was just going to finish with how I could keep an eye on Roberto, you know, watch the progress, watch him.' Sips on her hot chocolate and licks the cream off her lips.

Lucas takes her in for another hug. 'I can't stop you from doing something like this. I think it's wonderful, but we have to wait until the contractors are done their part first.'

He tells her the carpenters estimate their work to be done around mid-October. The time Nick's big football game and Homecoming will be. Jamelia and Bobbi are too excited for Homecoming they already bought their dresses. Jamelia bought a peach dress that ruffles around at the end, stopping at the knees. It's sleeveless with a plain bust, while the rest is lace and there is very few diamonds.

Bobbi found a simple coral pink dress that compliments her feminine shape. The dress ends past her knees and the bottom of it fans out when she twirls. It also has a deep V on the back. A statement necklace is all that's needed to accessorise the dress, and she has nude heels to go with it.

When she puts away her new dress, she sneaks into her father's room and to his wardrobe. On her toes, she pulls out a box and sits cross legged on the floor. The golden box has a light pink ribbon tied around it. She traces the edges of the box before opening it, and reveals a baby blue sparkling dress her mother wore to her Prom. She holds the dress up, the sunlight bounces off it and makes it sparkle, as she admires the dress' beauty.

Tears sting her eyes as she whispers, 'I miss you, mom.' Presses the dress to her chest and a tear falls. Stays on her father's bedroom floor and hugs the dress for a moment, before she neatly puts it back into the pretty box and atop the wardrobe.