are you watching me?

“Thank you,” Beckett said with a nod of acknowledgement. He knew he hadn’t always been the most responsible person but that didn’t mean he couldn’t change and he hoped that this would show Sofia that. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to get her back but hat didn’t mean he couldn’t be in her life and Harper’s, “Burgers, okay let’s do burgers. I wonder if the diner is still any good,” He said, “Have you taken her there yet?” They’d had many a date in the diner or at least spent a lot of time there. It was reasonably priced and easy to get to and casual and had fast food. What more could teenagers ask for?

“Because I checked the books and came up with a business plan and an whole year’s worth of advertising campaigns all before I even applied for a loan that I used to pay for half of it. Now are you gonna take this decision seriously or are you going to continue to act like my mother?” Beckett asked with a smile and a raised brow. He saw a pout on Harper’s face and crouched down to her level again, “How about if you’re an extra good girl and have a nice healthy lunch, I’ll get you a small ice cream afterward?” He said, poking his daughter’s cheeks gently and playfully, “Huh, okay, come on,” He said, continuing to poke until she giggled, “That’s my girl,” He said, taking her hand and standing up to smile at his ex, “Alright, where should we go?”

“Wait, wait,” Beckett said, holding up his hands, “You didn’t know?” He paused, “Wes, man, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she hadn’t told you. She tells you more than she tells me so I just assumed you knew.”

“Sure about which bit? The experience being good for me or doubling the profits?” Beckett asked but he could guess the answer based on her tone. He hated that she had so little faith in him that she thought he wasn’t taking things seriously. It was all that he wanted to prove to her since he found out about Harper, “That depends on what mommy says,” He replied to his daughter with a warm smile but then he shook his head. He wasn’t surprised to hear Wes’ name, they had already run into each other since arriving back in town, “No. I wouldn’t want to intrude on you guys. But maybe we could do something before? Ice cream, lunch, whatever. As a family.”

“Well I’m the new own er so I guess not,” Beckett said, laughing a little. He observed the injuries on the other’s face but didn’t question them. It was none of his business, “No, no, I’m just recently back in town so some people might want to talk to me for other reasons,” He shrugged and opened the door, gesturing for the other to go before him, “After you.”

“Well if I complained it would be bad for business wouldn’t it?” Beckett asked rhetorically, “I’m afraid none of the other employees are in yet so you’re stuck with me. I don’t have a whole lot of experience actually scooping ice cream but how hard can it be right?” He had observed his employees working in the parlour to know the ropes. He knew he couldn’t run a place without knowing anything about it. He put on an apron and gloves and grinned, “What can I get you?” 

Beckett smiled. Sure, they weren’t exactly the closest but Wesley was important to Sofia and he didn’t want to fight, “Hey Wesley. What’s up man?”

“Yeah, I bought it. I wanted to run a business myself before my dad retires from Rhodes Industries. Thought the experience would be good for me,” Beckett said, knowing the look on her face as thinking this was some reckless, irresponsible move, “This one was up for sale. It already has good sales but I plan on doubling profit by the end of next year,” He paused, “Plus there’ll be a friends and family discount for anyone who wants ice cream,” He said, tapping there daughter on the nose, “Anyway, I was just opening up and waiting for the employees to arrive but I was going to the campfire to help set up. You know I always loved it and it’ll be Harper’s first one. Maybe you’d like to accompany me?”

“There she is,” Beckett said, grinning widely as his daughter came running up to him. He lifted her up into a hug, holding her tightly. It had been a week or two as he had been sorting out his affairs to get this place and a phone call couldn’t replace the real thing, “I’m back,” He said to Sofia after putting her town, “Permanently,” He paused, “And as for why I didn’t tell Harper, it’s because I wanted it to be a surprise. I bought this place,” He pointed to the ice cream shop’s sign, “What do you think of that, Blueberry?” He asked, looking down at their daughter affectionately.

“Are you gonna learn the script in ten minutes?” Beckett asked, “Because last time I checked, that’s how long your break is.”

“I didn’t realise people wanted ice cream at this time,” Beckett said to the person approaching the store as he was opening it at 11am, “Or was there something else you were after?” He asked, turning to the other with a charming smile.