“When Ava is asleep, we need to talk.” She said firmly finding the courage within her to take charge of her heart. She watched him, waiting for him to say something, but he didn’t. He merely nodded after a moment and she turned, leaving him at the bottom of the stairs and went to tuck in Ava, and make things right with the little girl who obviously had felt her absence the last few weeks. She shook her head, disgusted with herself, that she had even let it get this far.
Cara reached the doorway of Ava’s bedroom, pausing slightly to listen to Ava talk sweetly to Benny.
“I missed you and Cara so much. Now that you both are, here I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you both stay. If I have to call Uncle Nick for back up I will. He owes me one.” She said as she rubbed the soft fur between Benny’s floppy ears.
Cara knocked softly on the door before poking her head inside. Ava lifted her head and smiled at Cara. “Am I interrupting quality Benny time?” She asked with a wink before walking into the room.
“I was just telling Benny how much I missed him.” Ava said, holding up her nightgown. “I’ve got my pajamas ready.”
“Okay.” Cara took a seat on the edge of her bed. “How about we have a talk before we put it on?”
“Am I in trouble?”
“No, sweetie, of course not.” Cara ran her hand over Ava’s blonde locks. “I just wanted to tell you I was sorry that I haven’t been around that much.”
Ava looked into Cara’s eyes. “I missed you.” She admitted.
“I missed you too.” She said hoarsely. “I missed you and your dad so much.” Her voice catching as she spoke.
“Uncle Nick told me it wasn’t my fault. He said adults sometimes need to be pushed in the right direction. He also said you and daddy weren’t the brightest crayons in the box.”
Cara tilted Ava’s chin upward, forcing her to meet her gaze. “Uncle Nick is a hundred percent right. You did nothing at all to cause me to stay away. If we’re being completely honest, I never wanted to stay away in the first place, but like Uncle Nick said, sometimes adults need a push in the right direction. I needed a push to go after what I love. I love you, Ava. I love you so much and I don’t ever want you to think you did anything wrong when it comes to me and daddy. If anything you’ve given me more reasons to love your dad.”
Ava smiled widely. “I knew you loved him.” She said almost as triumphantly. “He loves you too you know? I can tell.”
Cara laughed slightly. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you’ve been hoping your dad and I were together.” She winked.
Ava shrugged her shoulders. “Why not? He smiles a lot when he’s with you. More than I can ever remember seeing him smile. And in case you were wondering, you smile a lot more too.” She nodded to emphasize her point. “Yep, you totally smile more around my dad.”
Cara leaned closer to her. “Is that so?” She asked, it was amazing what a child’s eyes had the ability to see.
“Uh huh… So does this mean you are going to be…?” She scratched her head as if to look for the right words. “If you’re my dad’s girlfriend what does that make you to me?”
“Well, how about you just call me Cara for now? We’ll be the best of friends.” She said with a soft smile.
“Do you think one day you’ll marry my dad? Because then you can be like my mommy. I don’t have a mommy, so it would be okay if I called you mom wouldn’t it?”
“Let me tell you something, Ava. I’d be the luckiest girl in the world if one day you called me mom. It would be my biggest honor. Do you know what that means?”
“It means you’re proud to do something. So you’d be proud to be my mom.”
“Exactly,” Cara leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “But for now, your dad and I need some time to get used to all of our feelings for one another and when that time comes that’s something you and your dad would have to talk about.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You and your dad are a team.”
“Always, but I’m sure we could make you part of the team too.” She said hopefully. “I’m being too pushy, aren’t I? Dad says I get that from Aunt Sam, but I don’t see it.”
Cara laughed. “I think you’ve had a really big day and need your rest.” She said taking the nightgown from the bed. “Let’s get you tucked in and I promise we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
“Okay, but can you pinky promise me you won’t disappear again? I really like it when you’re here.”
Cara held out her pinky, watching as Ava’s pinky wound around hers. “I pinky promise.”
* * * * *
Luke sat on his couch in the dark nursing a beer. He stopped himself at least half a dozen times from going upstairs. He told himself he’d have his turn. He needed to let Ava have her moment with Cara, knowing how much she had been affected by her absence. Cara wasn’t just some woman he was bedding. She had been a part of Ava’s life for years now and when Luke opened his heart to her, it was only natural that Ava followed suit. Some things were just inevitable and Luke was certain that Cara worming her way into their hearts was just one of those things.
He brought the long neck bottle up to his lips taking a slow pull as he lifted his eyes and found Cara descending the stairs. He slowly brought the beer down from his mouth as she stepped off the bottom step. Her eyes bore into his, causing him almost to forget to breathe. He leaned forward and placed the beer on the coffee table before leaning back against the cushions of the couch.
Cara crossed the living room, slipping her phone from her back pocket. He watched her quietly as she plugged her phone into the docking station on top of the cable box. He wasn’t sure what she was up to, nor did he care, he was just happy to have her in front of him. His eyes wandered the length of her body while she played with her phone. He cocked his head to the side, drawing his eyebrows together, trying to figure her out. He probably should say something, he thought, yet couldn’t find his voice.
She set the phone onto the docking station, turning around to face him as music sounded softly from his speakers. She moved to stand before him and remained silent for a moment. He stared up at her, wishing he had turned on a light, so that he could see all her beautiful features perfectly. She slowly held out a hand towards him.
“Dance with me?” She whispered.
Luke took a moment to process her request and listen to the song she had chosen for them to dance to. The beat was slow as the singer belted out profound words, professing that the person she was singing to was, her world, her home, her dreams and her heart. He leaned forward and placed his hand in hers. She took a step back, allowing him room to stand.
He rose to his full height and looked down at her as she led him to the center of the living room. She reached up and wrapped one hand around his neck, still holding onto his other, lacing their fingers together and bringing it to rest over her chest. Luke closed his eyes, breathing in her scent as he laid his free hand on the small of her back. Slowly they began to sway in sync with one another. Cara leaned her head against his chest, relishing in the closeness of him.
You’re my savior. You’re my center. My beginning and my end…
“Who sings this?” He whispered into her ear, his voice barely recognizable to his own ears.
“Carrie Underwood. It’s called Who Are You.” She spoke softly, lifting her head to search his eyes. “I figured we needed a song.”
“Why?” He asked, careful not to read too much into her actions or her words.
“Well,” She stopped swaying and untangled their hands so both of hers could slip around his neck. She looked up at him. “Every couple needs a song. This is my song to you, this is our song.”
Luke froze as he stared at her warily. “Are you trying to telling me something, Spunky?”
She nodded slowly before letting the hands that hung loosely around his neck cup his face, her thumbs caressing the stubble that lined his jaw.
“I love you, Luke.” She smiled up at him as she spoke the words of he
r heart.
He swallowed hard, just staring at her for a moment as the song began to taper off. He felt as if he had been waiting an eternity for her to say those words. He imagined what it would feel like to hear them come from her sweet mouth.
“Luke? Say something…” She whispered, breaking his train of thought. “Tell me I’m not too late. I’ve made a lot of promises tonight. Promises to myself, promises to your mother, baby, I made promises to Ava. I probably should’ve talked to you first, but I figured since you’re so good at keeping promises you’d help me keep mine.” She rambled on until he brought his finger to her lips to silence her.
“You love me?” He asked roughly.
“I love you with everything I am.” She said against his fingertip. “The pieces of me that are whole and the pieces of me that are broken, they all belong to you, that’s if you still want them…”Her voice trailing off, uncertain of his response to her declaration. “You’re the missing the piece, you and Ava. It may have taken me a while to figure it all out, but I know for certain that I want to move on with my life. I want to dream again, and I want my dreams to be with you. I want my future to be with you.”
Luke cupped her face in his hands. “Tell me your dreams.” He requested.
She swallowed, drawing in a deep breath. “I have one dream, and I’ve had it since I was a little girl. It’s my wedding day. It’s been the same dream since I can remember. The dress is always the same, so is the chapel. I walk down the aisle by myself, to my groom, only I never can see who it is, that waits for me at the altar. Until the other night… I was able to see who was waiting for me. It was you, Luke. You and Ava were at the other end of the aisle.”
“You want to get married?”
“Well, not tomorrow, but one day.” She said with a shrug. “I mean, if you want to, otherwise…”
“Tell me more.” He interrupted.
“I’d like to have a baby.” She shook her head. “That’s a lie. I’d like more than one.”
“Babies, got it.” He said. “What else?”
“I want you to kiss me… like right now and every night after.”
“Where do I sign?” He asked gruffly as he leaned closer, his breath lingering over her lips.
“Sign?” She asked in a trance her eyes focused on his lips. All she had to do was lean in the slightest bit and she’d feel them against hers.
“I want to sign up to be the one who makes all those dreams come true.” He whispered huskily.
“You sign right here, right across my mouth…” She said barely getting the last word out before Luke’s mouth crashed over hers. She heard the moan that escaped her, felt him swallow it, as his lips worked hers. She threaded her fingers through his hair, cupping the back of his head, as his tongue traced over the seam of her lips. She parted her lips, her tongue meeting his half way, familiarizing each other with their tastes. She felt his teeth scrape along her lower lip before his mouth began to trail blazing kisses along her jaw, dipping down to her neck.
Cara groaned, feeling the loss of his mouth on her, but welcomed his hot tongue on her neck. Luke bent his knees so he could be level with her neck. He slid his hands along the sides of her body wrapping them around her waist before he cupped her ass cheeks in the palm of his hands and hoisted her up. Instantly her legs wrapped around his waist, anchoring herself to him, she found his eyes with her own.
“Tell me you’re sure this time… that it’s for real.” He said with that gruff tone she’d come to find sexy and endearing all at the same time. “That you worked it out and you don’t care who knows about us, because Cara, as God as my witness, I’m not hiding what I feel for you anymore. We’ll work all the other shit out as it comes, but you’re mine. Say your mine.”
“I’m yours.” She said, sounding breathless and flustered. She traced her thumb along his lower lip. “I love you Luke Lanza.” She grinned slightly, leaning her head against his. “I think you should take me upstairs and have your way with me.”
“Oh, do you”? He asked lightly giving her ass a slight squeeze as he started for the stairs.
“Yeah, I do. It’s another one of my dreams… it’s a recurring one too.” Her eyes lit with mischief.
“You’re killing me Spunky.” He groaned as he felt his pants get tighter. She nuzzled his neck as he carried her up the stairs. When they reached the top of the landing, paused, he leaned back just enough to be able to look into her eyes.
“I love you, Cara.” He whispered as his lips curved into a smile. He may never have expected Cara to be the woman he wanted to share his life with, but then again, the best things in life were unexpected, this Luke knew better than anyone. He paused outside his bedroom door, taking a moment to look up. He silently thanked his brother for leading him to his destiny.
The End
Epilogue
“Family: Where life begins and love never ends.” ~ Unknown
“One more push, Samantha. Let’s bring this little girl into the world.” The doctor lifted his head as he spoke in an encouraging tone, looking between Nick and Sam. “On three?”
Nick brushed the sweaty blonde hair clinging to his wife’s forehead. She was exhausted, as expected after 26 hours of labor. “Look at me baby.”
She whimpered, her blue eyes meeting his eyes. “I can’t do it.” She looked at the doctor frantically. “Just keep her inside. I’ll stay pregnant forever…” She knew she wasn’t making any sense, but it felt as if her body was being torn into two.
Nick took her face gently in his, forcing her to look at him. “I love you so goddamn much.” He shook his head, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ve done such an incredible job so far. I know you can do it. One more push, and she’ll be here.” He took her hands in his and squeezed them.
She sniffled clutching his hand, she faced the doctor, giving him a slight nod as she took a deep breath.
“One, two, three… push!” The doctor said.
Nick watched Sam’s face contort in agony as she pushed their daughter into the world. It was like a flash of lightning. He was afraid to blink, afraid he’d miss the most important moment in their lives. He clutched her hand and turned to face the doctor. Suddenly he held up the most beautiful person Nick had ever laid eyes on, his little girl. Her cries echoed around them as the doctor smiled through his mask.
“It’s a girl!” He declared to the room. Nick blinked through his tears and stared at his daughter in awe, watching as the doctor handed her off to the nurse.
“Daddy, would you like to cut the cord?”
Nick swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded before bending down and kissing Sam’s lips softly. “I’m so proud of you.” He cupped her face and she opened her exhausted eyes to look at him. “I love you, Samantha.” He whispered.
“I love you too.” She said softly.
Nick released his wife for a moment to take the scissors the doctor offered him. He snipped the cord in a daze. He was a father. His heart was full. The nurses cleaned their baby and wrapped her in a blanket. Nick moved to stand beside Sam, helping her sit up as the nurse placed her into the loving arms of her mother for the first time.
“Oh my God…” Sam said as the bundle of joy filled her arms. She didn’t know the meaning of unconditional love until that moment when she looked into her daughter’s eyes, the eyes of an angel. “Hi sweet girl, I’m your mommy.” She said against her forehead. She looked up at her husband. “She’s perfect.”
“Just like her mommy.” He said with a wink.
* * * * *
"Sons are the anchors of a mother's life." - Sophocles
Deb fastened the clasp of her necklace, taking one final look at herself in the mirror. It was the one Sunday of the year when her family insisted she didn’t cook. It was Mother’s day and Joe had pulled out all the stops, making reservations at the finest restaurant in Riverdale. It wasn’t everyday your daughter celebrated her first Mother’s day. She heard the bell sound downstairs and figured it w
as Luke and Cara there to pick them up. She grabbed her purse and headed out of her bedroom and down the stairs. She stopped midway when she noticed her husband carrying a huge bouquet of her favorite flowers.
A grin spread across her face. “Wow, I must’ve done something right as a mother, to deserve these.” She said kiddingly, making her way down the rest of the steps. “Which one of the kids sent them?” She said looking over the arrangement trying to find the card that was tucked away. She lifted her eyes and looked at her husband skeptically. “Or is it from the love of my life?”
“I should probably take credit for this, shouldn’t I?” Joe said, placing the glass vase on the foyer table. He smiled at his wife, handing her the card he already plucked from the bouquet. “Well, go on, let’s see who it’s from.”
She took one more sniff of the beautiful flowers before pulling the tiny card from the envelope. Her breath caught as she read the card.
Joe looked at his wife nervously, watching as she stared at the flowers in amazement, tears falling from her eyes. He took the card from her hands and looked down at the typed message…
Happy Mother’s Day!
Always with You, Always Loving You
All My Love,
Jake
“Help your brother’s boat across, and your own will reach shore.” ~Hindu Proverb
“My brother Jake had a profound love for motorcycles. He may have lost his battle with cancer, but his dream to deliver custom designed bikes to people who shared that love with him, can live on, today.” Luke said to the mass of people that crowded the parking lot in front of Jake’s Custom Bike Shop. Mostly familiar faces, old friends of Jake’s, some clients, all gathered around for the grand opening of Jake’s dream. “It is with a humble heart that I present to you, Jake’s Custom Bike Shop.” He glanced back at the building that started as just an empty lot of land, now standing before him was the vision his brother had left this earth with. His lime green custom bike displayed in the front window of the shop, a symbol of his fight and of the man he was. The mayor of Riverdale, presented Luke with a pair of oversized scissors, Luke took them in his hand, turning around to face his family. His parents stood proudly, Joe gave his son a thumb’s up, for extra measure. He glanced over at Sam, who was leaning over Nick’s shoulder cooing at their baby daughter Juliana. Nick lifted his head and met his friend’s gaze, smiling broadly. Without Nick’s push, Luke may have never had the will to move forward with this project.
Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3) Page 34
