The Greatest Showman #689 - Daughter Arrives

After Paul hung up the phone, he sat quietly in the front passenger seat, staring ahead. Renly, unsure of what to do, broke the silence. "Paul, are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Paul muttered, his words disjointed. Every muscle in his body seemed to scream that something was wrong. "Uh... the car keys. Give them to me, I need to go to the airport." He blinked slowly, his gaze vacant, a mix of excitement and apprehension on his face. He was lost in thought, neither happy nor nervous, just frozen in place.

"Paul?" Renly shook his friend's shoulder gently. "What's going on?"

"Uh, Meadow's here," Paul murmured, his voice soft. He looked at Renly, suddenly more aware. "I mean, Meadow is in Los Angeles now. She was supposed to be here next week, but she changed her schedule and came early to participate in a volunteer activity. She's at the airport right now."

Paul spoke mechanically, as if processing the information in real time. But as the words left his mouth, he snapped back to reality, his voice shaking with a mixture of excitement and panic. "Jesus Christ, Renly, she's here! But… what do I do? What should I do?"

Renly smiled knowingly. "Paul, since Meadow's in Los Angeles, it's only right to give her a warm welcome. First thing's first—let's go pick her up from the airport."

"Pick her up! Yes, yes, of course!" Paul began to fumble around, searching for the keys. "Where are they? Where are the keys?"

Renly glanced at Paul, who had completely forgotten they were sitting in the car. "I'll drive," Renly said, a grin tugging at his lips. "I'm worried if you drive, you might end up in Venice Beach. You've had a bit to drink."

Paul laughed sheepishly, settling into the passenger seat. "Right, right... didn't realize I'd had so much. Should I change clothes? Does Meadow like me in this? Does my breath smell like alcohol?" He fidgeted nervously, barely able to form coherent thoughts. "She's probably been waiting at the airport for a while... she came alone, her first time on the mainland. She must be so confused. Rebecca didn't even tell me she was coming early..."

Renly couldn't help but chuckle at Paul's anxious ramblings. This side of him was endearing—the father, not the actor, was so clearly overwhelmed with love and concern for his daughter.

Despite smooth traffic, it only took about twenty-five minutes to reach the airport. Paul quickly called to confirm Meadow's flight details, and they made their way to the terminal. Renly parked the car and dropped Paul off, then slowly made his way to a nearby parking area to wait.

Renly had expected that after so long apart, Paul and Meadow might need some space to reconnect. However, it wasn't long before he spotted them walking toward the terminal—Paul leading the way with a suitcase in one hand and a mountaineering bag on his shoulder, his steps heavy and uncertain. Meadow followed a few paces behind, holding a sports bag and walking with an air of detachment. The space between them was more than physical—it was an unspoken distance, one that spoke volumes.

Renly paused for a moment, then realized: Meadow must be around thirteen or fourteen. It was a time of change for any teenager, especially in terms of relationships with parents. It wasn't unusual for teens to struggle with their connection to their parents as they grew older and sought their own independence.

Growing up in Hawaii and Los Angeles, Paul and Meadow's interactions had been limited, and now they barely knew each other. The awkwardness between them was understandable.

Paul noticed Renly standing by the car and scratched his head awkwardly. "Meadow, this is Renly," he said haltingly, his voice lacking the usual confidence.

Renly offered a friendly wave. "Renly Hall," he introduced himself with a warm smile.

Meadow, a shy smile tugging at her lips, nodded. She looked like a typical teen—slender, dressed in a casual vest and denim shorts, her long brown hair blowing gently in the breeze. "I've seen Fast & Furious 5," she said softly. "You were in that, right?"

"Ah, yes," Renly replied with a grin, "But I'd recommend Crazy, Stupid Love if you want to see my charm at its best."

Meadow's lips curved upward at that. "Thanks," she said quietly, glancing between Paul and Renly. "I hope I'm not causing too much trouble."

Paul laughed awkwardly, a mix of embarrassment and pride in his expression. "It's nothing," he said, then quickly added, "Renly's a great guy, very... helpful."

Meadow looked at her dad skeptically. "Is there anything to do in New York?"

Renly gave a dramatic shrug. "It depends on what you're looking for. If you're an outdoor type, then Los Angeles is perfect. New York's more of an urban jungle—it can be pretty boring if you're not into city life."

Meadow raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What about New York?"

"I love it—and I hate it," Renly said, his tone playful but thoughtful. "It's a city you love or hate. It's all about intensity."

Meadow blinked, not entirely understanding the complexity of his answer, but intrigued nonetheless. Paul, sensing the conversation might be getting a little too deep for Meadow, quickly added, "Don't worry, New York is awesome. If you ever want to go, I'll take you."

"Really?" Meadow asked, her tone skeptical.

Paul nodded enthusiastically. "Of course. Anytime you want."

Renly smiled, sensing that Meadow was slowly warming up to him. "But if you really want to experience something special, you should visit Shanghai or Bangkok. Now those are cities where the nightlife really comes alive."

Meadow's eyes widened with interest, and Paul shot Renly a warning look. "Don't encourage her," Paul mumbled, but his gaze softened when he saw the light in Meadow's eyes.

With a soft laugh, Renly continued, "Here in Los Angeles, the nightlife is a bit tame by comparison. But if you like surfing, sunbathing, or just hanging out in the sun, then LA's the place for you."

Meadow laughed, and for the first time, the tension between her and Paul seemed to ease.