Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 143

Brunch Part I

Lucky Draw

Phineas watched Juniper throughout brunch and couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. She was behaving uncharacteristically brat–like and while he wasn’t opposed to playfulness and even role–play if she wanted, this, whatever it was, seemed so far outside of what he knew of her.

When she pushed her food around her plate listlessly and kept looking to the door of the restaurant as if wishing she could leave, he shot Beni and Adil glances of concern. Like the best friends they were, both men read him like an open book. They too were noticing she was not her normal effervescent self.

“Juni,” Maeve spoke after sharing a laugh with Fermín and his parents, “everything okay?”

“Just tired, Mama. I think the jet lag from the flight and then lack of sleep and all this excitement,” she waved around the table, “has been a lot and I’m overtired.”

“We have a full day planned,” Anna spoke up. “We were going to take you and your mother to tour some of our favorite places and then –”

“Does this need to happen today?” Phineas spoke up aware he was being rude in cutting the woman off but with each word this family spoke, the further he could see Juniper retreating.

“Well, no, but it’s an exciting day.”

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12:49

Brunch Part I

Lucky Draw

“Juniper just finished telling you she was exhausted. She didn’t stutter or stammer. She was clear and concise. Despite English being your second language, you have a very firm grasp on it. I’m failing to see why her words and feelings are discounted and given less weight than your excitement.”

“Phineas.” Maeve blinked at the rude tone.

“Maeve, if we were anywhere else with anyone else, you’d be saying this too. You’re caught up. You’re missing the fact she is not comfortable. Last night at dinner, she was content enough to sit and let Inigo hold her hand the entire meal while she pretty much sat on my lap while I fed her. The fact that this morning she’s withdrawn, quiet, snappy, and edgy should tell you all she’s feeling out of sorts. She told us the reason for this is exhaustion. Why is this not being heard around the table?” He extended his hand to her where she sat between Beni and

Adil and motioned for her to go to him. He felt an immeasurable amount of pride when she didn’t even hesitate to go to him and crawl onto his lap when he pushed his chair back from the table to give her room. He kissed her forehead gently. “We’re going to finish our meal and then we’ll be heading back to the villa.”

“About that,” Fermín spoke cautiously, “I’d like for Juniper to stay with us at my villa. We’ve just met Juniper, and I want to take the time to get to know you better.”

“No.”

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Brunch Part I

Lucky Draw

Juniper looked at Phineas wide–eyed, and he adjusted her on his lap as he spoke bluntly, shutting Fermín down hard. He felt her curl into him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

“I wasn’t asking you, Phineas.” Fermín shot back.

“I don’t give a fuck.” Phineas didn’t back down. “You’ve been her father a day.”

“Which is why I want to spend more time with her.”

“She’s a grown woman not a five–year–old looking for a daddy to play house with mommy.”

“You don’t get to make her decisions.”

“I’m not making her decisions. I’m reading the cues of my partner. If she wanted to stay with you at your home, she would have already voiced this. Juniper isn’t a shy, reluctant woman, Fermín. She is bold, brave, and decisive. If your home were where she wanted to stay, her bags would already be there.”

“Juniper, I’d prefer to hear your answer.”

“I want to stay with my partners,” she spoke up.

“Forgive me for worrying when he is dominatingly holding you on his lap like a child. You don’t need to be afraid here, Juniper. I can keep you safe.”

Juniper spoke before he could, “I’m not in danger. I’m legitimately where I want to be.” She rolled her eyes.

Maeve spoke earnestly, “Fermín, Phineas is good to her. She is where she wants to be. I didn’t raise my daughter to be a doormat. She’s strong and independent. She allows Phineas to take care of her like this because it’s what she wants, not because he’s forcing the situation. I’ve witnessed their relationship from the onset. You’re off base.”

“Did you know he fired her?”

“You fired her?” Maeve looked at Phineas in confusion.

“I did. She was voicing concerns about being my employee and,” he looked at Fermín with irritation now, “we talked about this last night at dinner, and we were very clear. I don’t want my wife feeling she is being controlled by me. She has her own money, her own home and is free to pursue whatever she wants, including if she wanted to return to school or if she wants to go work elsewhere.”

“But why fire her? Juniper you liked your job.”

“I did. I do. I just,” she shook her head, “it feels weird to know my boss is also my partner. I was voicing my concerns and Phineas eliminated the concern,”

Brunch Part I

Lucky Draw

“You need a prenup,” Fermín spoke again. “You’ll receive a large amount of money.”

“Stop!” Juniper snapped at him. “Look, I get you and Mama share this love to defy the ages from one night decades ago and it’s romantic and cool but I don’t feel it,” she looked upwards, “I meant what I said last night. I never asked for or needed a father in my life. I’m happy and I’m thrilled to have one now, but Phineas is right. I’m not a little girl who needs coddling. We can develop a relationship but it’s not going to be the same as if we’d met when I was a small child, Fermín. I don’t want to come stay in your house the day after I met you when I’m supposed to be on vacation with my partners, solidifying our relationship and preparing for our lives when we go back to Toronto.”

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