1 DAY OF RECKONING
2 CHAPTER 1
Caleb Buck walked up the sidewalk towards his home, whistling a tune and smiling to himself. Today was his sixteenth birthday and he was considering the turns hi life had taken in the six years since that horrible night on this exact date.
Although he still remembered the horror of who he now knew to be his stepfather, bashing his beloved sister, Merlyn, in the head with a shovel, he no longer had the horrible visions of the event in his sleep.
His life had definitely taken several sharp turns, remembering the difficulty of accepting Lucas Buck as his real father, he was grateful that he had finally learned acceptance. He now had not only a father who openly admitted to being his father, but also a loving mother as well a two sisters and a younger brother, who all loved him dearly.
"Yep." Caleb said to himself, "I guess I'm pretty luck at that." With that he continued on his present course to his home.
At that same moment, Dara Buck was pulling a chocolate cake from the oven to cool. Setting the pans on the cooling racks she turned at the noise coming from the front room.
"Give me the remote, Riesa. I said it's time for Rocket Rangers."
Dara ventured to the sound coming from the living room just in time to see her three-year-old daughter snatch the remote for her twin brother before stating, "No, Alex! I don't care, it's time for Wonder Woman."
Dara shook her head at the two as she glanced at the sofa to find daughter, Rinie, busy coloring, despite the fuss her siblings were making over the television. Looking up she smiled brightly, "Hi mommy."
Dara returned the smile, "Hi baby."
At that moment Riesa turned and demanded, "Mommy, make him give me the remote. It's my turn to watch the big TV."
Alex furiously shook his head at his sister's statement, "No it isn't, you did yesterday."
Dara held her hands up in a pleading motion, "All right, lets settle this. Where is the calendar?" Riesa ran to the desk and brought back the calendar used to mark whose turn it was to choose the shows the kids watched.
Handing it to her she settled on the couch next to her mother as Dara turned it to the correct date. Looking up she smiled apologetically, "Sorry Alex, today is your sister's turn to watch Wonder Woman. You can watch Rocket Rangers upstairs in mommy's room if you want."
Looking sheepish Alex handed the remote to his sister as he mumbled, "I'm sorry Riesa, I guess I forgot."
Having never been able to stay mad at her twin Riesa reached over and hugged her brother as she soothed, "It's okay, Alex." Looking up she asked, "Mommy, cant we tape Rocket Rangers and watch it after Wonder Woman?"
Alex looked up, hopeful. "Please Mommy, that was we can watch both of them together."
Dara nodded, "All right, let me start the VCR." As she programmed the machine Dara had to smile to herself, this had been an argument since the children were able to talk and reach the remote, but they always seemed able to work it out on their own.
After she had set up the VCR Dara went to the sofa to study her youngest child. Although she loved all four of her children, she seemed to spend a great deal more time with Rinie.
Caleb, who was turning sixteen today, was finding friends and a life all his own. Although he loved his younger siblings and still made time for them he was definitely his own person now.
Riesa and Alex, being twins, naturally bonded closely together that with their siblings.
Leaving Rinie, being the youngest, although Alex and Riesa both included her, she still kept mostly to herself.
Glancing down at her daughter, Dara smiled as she offered, "You wouldn't happened to know anyone who would like to help decorate her brother's birthday cake, would you?"
Rinie looked up smiling, then glancing at her two siblings who were so thoroughly involved in their show, smiled as she nodded her head excitedly before sliding off the sofa to take her mother's hand to lead the way to the kitchen.
Dara shook her head as she considered her children's personalities. Caleb was turning into a version of his father, although not quite as solidly built. Alex too seemed to take more after his father than his mother. Dara could already see that he had inherited the same color eyes as well as the same curling, wavy, dark hair. Riesa was a miniature of her mother with dark, reddish, golden hair and sea green eyes. Rinie, however, seemed to be different. She had inherited her father's hair coloring, mixed with her mother's fairness and eyes that seemed to be a combination from both parents.
Although the other three children were, for the most part, easy going, Rinie seemed to have inherited her mother's patience, but the severity of her temper from her father.
Dara had long ago accepted the fact that their children were gifted in many ways, but true to his word Lucas had taught them how to control and handle their special abilities. As well as their 'gifts' they had also inherited high intelligence and understanding. All three younger children had accomplished the milestones that most babies take months to master, in merely weeks.
Rinie, however, date to date surpassed the twins. Having learned to sit up at eight weeks old, she then began crawling at twelve weeks, and then stood at sixteen weeks to take her first steps at six months old. Her ability to talk was another amazement. Both twins had spoken their first words just short of a year old, where as Rinie was completing sentences by that time. Now at two years old she spoke as coherently as both Alex and Riesa.
Watching her daughter now as she pulled a chair over to stand on it so that she could help, Dara asked, "How about some milk and cookies to snack on?"
Rinie looked at her mother and eagerly nodded. After she had eaten the first cooked she asked, "Mommy, when is daddy coming home?"
Dara shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not sure baby, why?"
Rinie shook her head, "I was just wondering, I though that he'd come home early since it's Caleb's birthday today."
At that moment Caleb walked thru the front door and came up the hallway, "What are you doing?"
Rinie held up her chubby little arms and smiled, "Caleb!"
Caleb set his backpack down and picked dup his sister, smiling as he asked, "What did you do today?"
Shaking her head she stated, "Nothing, I was helping mommy fix your cake." Wiggling like a little squirrel, she checked his pockets and looked at him pouting.
Caleb smiled as he reached in his back pocket and produced a candy bar, watching the smile appear he asked, "Is this what you were looking for, little squirrel?"
Nodding, she eagerly took the candy and hugged him, "Thank you." with that he set her back in the chair just as Alex and Riesa came running in to throw their arms around him and search for their candy bars. Once they were satisfied they ventured back to watch their shows and indulge in the chocolate.
Taking in the stern look his mother was trying unsuccessfully to maintain, he asked innocently, "What?"
Finally, unable to keep from smiling, Dara shook her head. "You know that they'll never eat their supper now, don't you?'
Caleb smiled as he walked over and put his arm around his adopted mother, "Aw, come on mama, you know that they look forward to it. One candy bar wont hurt them."
Sighing in resignation she finally returned his smile, "Oh, all right. Now, let me finish your cake." With that she turned back towards the counter to finish decorating the cake.
Lucas Buck had just finished signing the last report when his deputy, Ben Healey, opened the door. Sticking his head in she asked shyly, "Lucas, could you do me a favor?"
Looking up as he replaced a fountain pen in it's holder, he inquired, "What is it, Ben?
With that Ben walked in and handed him a gaily-wrapped package, "Could you give this to Caleb for me? I know it's his birthday and all."
Lucas smiled appreciatively at the other man, "Sure Ben, I'm sure he'll appreciate it." With that he got up from his chair and shrugged his broad shoulders into his jacket as he prepared to leave. Grabbing the package he threw over his shoulder, "See you tomorrow Ben."
Ben began gathering the documents off the desk to file away, taking in the wide assortment of photos that now occupied Lucas' desk; including a photo from his and Dara's wedding four years earlier, as well as a photo of his four children, one of he and Dara, and the more recent one of the entire family.
Ben smiled as he remembered the way things were in Trinity at one time where Lucas Buck concerned and how they had changed shortly after the arrival of Dara Chambers, now Dara Buck. Considering this he had no idea he was about to see trouble coming when he heard the bell over the outside door chime, announcing someone's arrival.
Lucas walked through the door to the sound that he had come to love hearing,
"Daddy's home!" Which was followed by a barrage of small arms stretched out, waiting to be held.
Dara smiled as her husband entered the kitchen, as usual with Alex on his back and their daughters in each arm.
Bending down to her soundly, he greeted, "Hi darlin, how was your day?"
Smiling as she lifted their son from Lucas' back to set him down, she stated, "Fine."
Setting the girls back to the floor, amid protests, Lucas pleaded, "It's mommy's turn for hello, okay?" After all three sighed in resignation and went back to the living room, Lucas smiled mischievously as he stated, "Like I said it's mommy's turn." With that he took hr in his arms and holding her tightly, bent over and kissed her deeply.
Both were shocked to hear their oldest child state, "You know at this rate I bet we'll have another baby around here before too long."
Releasing his wife, Lucas muttered, "Not if we don't get any privacy."
Caleb shook his head at his father, "You know you should consider slowing down dad, you're forty-four years old."
Raising an eyebrow at his son he asked, "And your point would be?"
Shrugging, Caleb replied, "No point, I guess age isn't that important, is it?"
Lucas smiled, "Now you get the idea son." Lucas accepted the cup of coffee his wife handed him as he sat at the kitchen table. Reaching in his jacket pocket he withdrew a key ring and tossed it at Caleb, catching the keys he looked at his father puzzled.
"What are these for?"
Lucas looked up evenly at him, "Today is your sixteenth birthday, right?" Caleb nodded silently as Lucas stated non-chalantly, "Well, it would be your birthday present from your mother and I."
Caleb looked first to one parent then the other, "Does this mean what I think it does?"
Lucas motioned towards the back door, "Why don't you go and see for yourself."
With that Caleb bolted out the backdoor and stopped short at the edge of the porch, followed quickly by his parent. There, sitting in the driveway was the blue Firebird he had been eyeing for weeks. Looking back at his parents who were smiling proudly he asked in astonishment, "How did you know, I didn't say anything to anybody about it?"
Lucas wrapped his arms around his wife's waist as he shrugged, "Oh, just a lucky guess." Then, turning serious, "We expect you to act responsible with this car, the only reason that we bought it for you was because we think that your mature enough to handle it, so don't disappoint us, all right?"
Caleb nodded eagerly, "I promise, "Then, looking sheepishly at both of his parents he asked timidly, "Since I haven't gotten my license yet, could one of you maybe go with me so that I can try it out?"
Dara glanced up at her husband who was nodding his head, "You go on darlin, and I'll stay with the kids."
With that Caleb ran to the door to open it for his mother, who eagerly jumped in, reminding Lucas of a teenager herself. Watching Caleb pull out of the driveway carefully he shook his head as he thought of the turns his own life had taken.
Six years ago today he had maneuvered everything to be able to take custody of Caleb so that he could raise the boy. Although his motivation had been for selfish reasons, he could now appreciate the true reasons for wanting a child, all due to the influence of his wife.
That was another severe turn his life had taken and for the better. He had known the moment that he had set eyes on Dara that there was something about her that would be different from all the other women who had been in and out of his life, and he had know without a doubt that he wanted her in his life permanently.
Even after four years of marriage and the birth of the three children they had made together he still found her as beautiful and desirable as he had the first time he had seen her. Although she was no longer twenty-six, he still saw her as being the young woman he had first seen on that hot day years ago.
Shaking his head at his good fortuned he smiled to himself as he stated out loud, "I'm definitely a lucky man." With that he shut the door and went to spend time with his three youngest children.
Just then Dara was laughing with her son as he sped down the highway with the windows and tops to his new car open, despite the chill in the air.
Caleb smiled over at his mother as he pulled the car over, stating, "Come on Mama, I know that you want to try it out, lets switch."
Dara eagerly accepted his suggestion as they changed places, quickly fastening her safety belt she stated daringly, "Want to see how fast this thing can really go?"
Caleb nodded, "Okay, but you have to tell dad that it was your idea."
Dara laughed as she put the car in gear and quickly accelerated down he empty road. Caleb glanced over at the speedometer, whistling in disbelief, "Whoa, did you know that you're doing eight-five? Where did you learn to drive like this?"
Dara grinned mischievously at her son, "Don't you dare tell your father, when I was your age I used to drag race with my grandparents' car. That's where I learned to drive like this." Right then they flew by a parked patrol car that quickly pulled out to follow and began flashing the colored lights to signal them to stop.
Floyd had been flagging cars all day with the radar gun, today being his turn to check for speeders. He was just about to give up when the blue firebird flew by him doing eighty-seven in a fifty-five zone. After pulling the vehicle over, he grabbed his ticket book and got out to march up to the driver's window, asking incredulously, "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?" Looking up he was shocked to see who the driver was. "Dara! What on earth are you doing, this isn't your car?"
Dara smiled, "Hi, Floyd, no you're right, this is Caleb's car, we got it for him. Today is his birthday we were trying it out. Sorry, I didn't realize that I was going that fast."
Floyd couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm; he had always liked Dara Buck. He had always had respect for Lucas, but he, like Ben had firmly believed that Lucas' decision to marry Dara had been the best decision he had ever made. Closing the book he shook his head, "All right, just be careful and slow down, if Lucas knew you were driving like that he'd turn you over his knee and me for letting you."
Dara nodded her acceptance of his statement as she promised, "All right, Floyd, I'll be careful." With that she pulled back onto the road in the direction of home.
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After the evening meal had been finished and Caleb had blown out his candles and cut his cake, Dara and Lucas had settled with their younger children, Caleb having gone to the movies with Matt and Loris Crower as a birthday treat, to watch TV and spend some quality time together.
Finally, following the familiar pattern, Riesa took the remote and turned off the television, then pleaded with her father, "Please tell us a story, Daddy."
Lucas set his paper aside and smiled, he and Dara had very specific roles with these three at bedtime. His job was to spin a tale for their imaginations while hers was to soothe them to sleep with the magic her voice created for them.
"What kind of story do you want to hear, angel?"
Riesa put her finger to her small mouth as she considered, then smiling she stated, "We want a fairy tale."
Bending down he lifted her in his arms and ventured to the sofa to sit next to his wife as Alex and Rinie snuggled closer to both parents to listen intently to their father's story. Thinking carefully, Lucas looked at the contented look on his wife's face and smiled at her lovingly as he began the story.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway place there lived a beautiful princess. She had eyes that were the color of the green in the sea. Skin that was fair and hair the color of burnt rubies mixed with copper and gold."
Rinie looked at her mother and smiled, "That sounds like you, mommy."
Lucas pushed a stray curl away from his youngest child's face, "Yes, it does, doesn't it Rinie?" Continuing the story, he began again, "Anyway, this princess decided that she and her mother, the queen, were unhappy in the kingdom they had been living in, so the princess decided to venture from the kingdom and find a new home. So she and the queen came to a small kingdom many miles away, now the princess didn't tell anyone that she was a princess, she just went about her business as a normal person."
Riesa asked astounded, "Didn't anybody know that she was a princess?"
Lucas smiled as he nodded his head, "Yes, finally one person knew that she was a princess. One knight in the new kingdom saw the princess doing her chores one day and realized that she was much too special and beautiful to merely be a common woman, he knew that she must be a princess because she was so special."
Alex tilted his head to the side, "What did the knight do?"
Lucas reached across the back of the sofa to place his hand on Dara's shoulder as he saw the love in her eyes, and then continued the story. "Well, the knight approached the princess, although he knew she was beautiful he saw when he got closer to her that she was more than beautiful, she was ethereal."
Riesa furrowed her brow as she inquired, "What is ethereal, daddy?"
Lucas smiled at his daughter, "It means heavenly, baby. Like and angel." He watched Riesa nod her head in acceptance of his explanation as she became quiet once more, allowing him to continue his story.
"Anyway, the knight knew when he looked into her beautiful eyes that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but he couldn't right then."
All three mirrored their disbelief and shock as Rinie voiced, "Why, didn't she love the knight?"
Lucas nodded, "Yes she did, but unfortunately the princess' mother, the queen, was very ill. The princess had brought her mother to the new kingdom because there was a war in the old kingdom and the princess wanted her mother to live in peacefulness, because she didn't have very much longer to live, but the princess didn't want anyone to know that the queen was so ill, so she kept it a secret."
Rinie lifted her head from her hands where she had sat transfixed and stated knowingly, " But if the knight loved the princess he wouldn't care about her mama being sick, would he daddy?"
Lucas shook his head as he glanced at his wife, "No honey, it wouldn't have bothered the knight one bit." Starting again he offered, "Finally, one day the knight found out about the queen and knew that he needed to be by the princess' side because soon she would be alone. So he went in search of her and stayed by her side, even through the death of the queen."
Riesa shook her head, "That's so sad, daddy. Do they get to be happy?"
Lucas smiled, "You'll have listen to the story to see sweetie. After the queen's death he knight confessed his love for the princess and asked for her hand in marriage. The princess, who also loved the knight as he loved her, agreed and they were soon married. The princess and knight were very happy and were even more so when they learned that they were soon going to be blessed with the birth of a child, but a wicked wizard who was jealous of the knight, decided to cast an evil spell on the princess."
Alex looked up in excitement, "What kind of spell, daddy?"
Lucas shook his head at his son's enthusiasm, "A spell to make the princess very ill, he wanted the princess to die to punish the knight."
All three piped up in unison, "Did she die?"
Lucas shook his head, "Almost, the wizard gave the princess a potion that put her in a deep sleep, but the knight was able to get the princess to a good wizard who reversed what the evil wizard had done. Then, the knight went in search of the evil wizard and banished him from the kingdom. After that the princess recovered and she and the knight waited for the birth of their child, but low and behold, when the day came for the baby to be born, they were surprised and delighted to find that they didn't have one, but two babies, a boy and a girl."
Riesa and Alex looked at each other and smiled, "I bet that's us."
Lucas shook his head at their quick wit, "Everything went well for the princess and the knight and their new family. Time went by and soon they found that they were going to again be blessed with another child, but unfortunately there was and evil knight who had also fallen in love with the princess and decided to steal her away from her husband."
All three looked up in shocked silence as Lucas continued the story, "The evil knight had stolen the princess and taken her to a secret cave in the forest to hide her away so no one could find her, but the good knight loved the princess so much that he wouldn't stop until he found her, after he found the cave he fought a duel with the evil knight for the princess. Finally, he destroyed the evil knight and rescued the princess to take her back to their castle where a short time later they were again blessed with a beautiful baby girl."
Rinie sat up proudly and stated with a smile, "That's me, isn't it daddy?"
Lucas nodded and grinned, "Yes baby, that was you. After that the princess and knight lived happily ever after. Now, it's bedtime, so hop on and lets get the three of you tucked into bed, then mommy can sing you a lullaby."
Alex wrapped his small arms around his father's neck while Riesa and Rinie climbed on each knee to be held in his arms so that he could carry them upstairs. Once all three had went to the bathroom and brushed their teeth, Lucas helped Alex into his pajamas, while Dara slipped night gowns on the girls, then taking the bows and barrettes from the girl's hair she set about brushing the length, which already reached in curling waves below their small shoulders. Once she had brushed it out she then braided their hair for bed. Satisfied, she helped to tuck all three children into their respective beds, once that was accomplished Alex reached up to hug and kiss his mother. "Sing us a song mommy."
Dara smiled as she nodded to her husband, who slipped out the door to leave her alone with the children.
Although they had been married for over four years and he had heard her sing many times, she was still shy about singing in front of anyone, but the children. Lucas listened to her soft floating voice from outside the doorway, when he heard her stop he peeked around the door and asked quietly, "Are they asleep?"
Dara nodded as she sat up and lifted Rinie to place her in her own bed as Lucas was doing the same with Riesa.
Once they were satisfied that all three were tucked in and settled, Lucas enfolder Dara in his embrace and smiled as he stated quietly, "You know, Caleb wont be back until late and they're asleep. I think that we should take advantage of the opportunity presented to us."
Dara looked up at him coyly, "Really, and how do you propose we take 'advantage' of it?
Lucas glanced at her leeringly, "Let me demonstrate." With that he descended to take possession of her mouth with his own, deepening the kiss by degrees until he was exploring her mouth, taking in his fill of her. Lucas lifted his head and smiled, "Get the idea now?"
Dara looked up, trying to catch her breath and steady herself by leaning against him, it never failed to surprise her that even after four years of marriage he still had the power to take her breath away and make her weak in the knees. Shaking her head she stated, rasping, "I think I get the idea."
Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he replied, "Well, let me see if I can paint a clearer picture for you." With that he bent down and once more took possession of her mouth as he placed his arm under her legs and lifted her slight frame in his arms, exploring her mouth once more he continued to their room where he quietly shut the door behind them. Finally, he set her in the middle of the bed, disposing of his clothing as she sat watching him with a relaxed smile on her face. After he was fully undressed he knelt on the bed and began unbuttoning her blouse. Pulling it away from her he began trailing the length of her neck and throat with his mouth as he finished removing the last of her clothing.
After they had both found release and enjoyment in each other, they held each other tightly as they drifted off to sleep, content in each other and in their life, which was about to be put into turmoil.
2 CHAPTER 1
Caleb Buck walked up the sidewalk towards his home, whistling a tune and smiling to himself. Today was his sixteenth birthday and he was considering the turns hi life had taken in the six years since that horrible night on this exact date.
Although he still remembered the horror of who he now knew to be his stepfather, bashing his beloved sister, Merlyn, in the head with a shovel, he no longer had the horrible visions of the event in his sleep.
His life had definitely taken several sharp turns, remembering the difficulty of accepting Lucas Buck as his real father, he was grateful that he had finally learned acceptance. He now had not only a father who openly admitted to being his father, but also a loving mother as well a two sisters and a younger brother, who all loved him dearly.
"Yep." Caleb said to himself, "I guess I'm pretty luck at that." With that he continued on his present course to his home.
At that same moment, Dara Buck was pulling a chocolate cake from the oven to cool. Setting the pans on the cooling racks she turned at the noise coming from the front room.
"Give me the remote, Riesa. I said it's time for Rocket Rangers."
Dara ventured to the sound coming from the living room just in time to see her three-year-old daughter snatch the remote for her twin brother before stating, "No, Alex! I don't care, it's time for Wonder Woman."
Dara shook her head at the two as she glanced at the sofa to find daughter, Rinie, busy coloring, despite the fuss her siblings were making over the television. Looking up she smiled brightly, "Hi mommy."
Dara returned the smile, "Hi baby."
At that moment Riesa turned and demanded, "Mommy, make him give me the remote. It's my turn to watch the big TV."
Alex furiously shook his head at his sister's statement, "No it isn't, you did yesterday."
Dara held her hands up in a pleading motion, "All right, lets settle this. Where is the calendar?" Riesa ran to the desk and brought back the calendar used to mark whose turn it was to choose the shows the kids watched.
Handing it to her she settled on the couch next to her mother as Dara turned it to the correct date. Looking up she smiled apologetically, "Sorry Alex, today is your sister's turn to watch Wonder Woman. You can watch Rocket Rangers upstairs in mommy's room if you want."
Looking sheepish Alex handed the remote to his sister as he mumbled, "I'm sorry Riesa, I guess I forgot."
Having never been able to stay mad at her twin Riesa reached over and hugged her brother as she soothed, "It's okay, Alex." Looking up she asked, "Mommy, cant we tape Rocket Rangers and watch it after Wonder Woman?"
Alex looked up, hopeful. "Please Mommy, that was we can watch both of them together."
Dara nodded, "All right, let me start the VCR." As she programmed the machine Dara had to smile to herself, this had been an argument since the children were able to talk and reach the remote, but they always seemed able to work it out on their own.
After she had set up the VCR Dara went to the sofa to study her youngest child. Although she loved all four of her children, she seemed to spend a great deal more time with Rinie.
Caleb, who was turning sixteen today, was finding friends and a life all his own. Although he loved his younger siblings and still made time for them he was definitely his own person now.
Riesa and Alex, being twins, naturally bonded closely together that with their siblings.
Leaving Rinie, being the youngest, although Alex and Riesa both included her, she still kept mostly to herself.
Glancing down at her daughter, Dara smiled as she offered, "You wouldn't happened to know anyone who would like to help decorate her brother's birthday cake, would you?"
Rinie looked up smiling, then glancing at her two siblings who were so thoroughly involved in their show, smiled as she nodded her head excitedly before sliding off the sofa to take her mother's hand to lead the way to the kitchen.
Dara shook her head as she considered her children's personalities. Caleb was turning into a version of his father, although not quite as solidly built. Alex too seemed to take more after his father than his mother. Dara could already see that he had inherited the same color eyes as well as the same curling, wavy, dark hair. Riesa was a miniature of her mother with dark, reddish, golden hair and sea green eyes. Rinie, however, seemed to be different. She had inherited her father's hair coloring, mixed with her mother's fairness and eyes that seemed to be a combination from both parents.
Although the other three children were, for the most part, easy going, Rinie seemed to have inherited her mother's patience, but the severity of her temper from her father.
Dara had long ago accepted the fact that their children were gifted in many ways, but true to his word Lucas had taught them how to control and handle their special abilities. As well as their 'gifts' they had also inherited high intelligence and understanding. All three younger children had accomplished the milestones that most babies take months to master, in merely weeks.
Rinie, however, date to date surpassed the twins. Having learned to sit up at eight weeks old, she then began crawling at twelve weeks, and then stood at sixteen weeks to take her first steps at six months old. Her ability to talk was another amazement. Both twins had spoken their first words just short of a year old, where as Rinie was completing sentences by that time. Now at two years old she spoke as coherently as both Alex and Riesa.
Watching her daughter now as she pulled a chair over to stand on it so that she could help, Dara asked, "How about some milk and cookies to snack on?"
Rinie looked at her mother and eagerly nodded. After she had eaten the first cooked she asked, "Mommy, when is daddy coming home?"
Dara shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not sure baby, why?"
Rinie shook her head, "I was just wondering, I though that he'd come home early since it's Caleb's birthday today."
At that moment Caleb walked thru the front door and came up the hallway, "What are you doing?"
Rinie held up her chubby little arms and smiled, "Caleb!"
Caleb set his backpack down and picked dup his sister, smiling as he asked, "What did you do today?"
Shaking her head she stated, "Nothing, I was helping mommy fix your cake." Wiggling like a little squirrel, she checked his pockets and looked at him pouting.
Caleb smiled as he reached in his back pocket and produced a candy bar, watching the smile appear he asked, "Is this what you were looking for, little squirrel?"
Nodding, she eagerly took the candy and hugged him, "Thank you." with that he set her back in the chair just as Alex and Riesa came running in to throw their arms around him and search for their candy bars. Once they were satisfied they ventured back to watch their shows and indulge in the chocolate.
Taking in the stern look his mother was trying unsuccessfully to maintain, he asked innocently, "What?"
Finally, unable to keep from smiling, Dara shook her head. "You know that they'll never eat their supper now, don't you?'
Caleb smiled as he walked over and put his arm around his adopted mother, "Aw, come on mama, you know that they look forward to it. One candy bar wont hurt them."
Sighing in resignation she finally returned his smile, "Oh, all right. Now, let me finish your cake." With that she turned back towards the counter to finish decorating the cake.
Lucas Buck had just finished signing the last report when his deputy, Ben Healey, opened the door. Sticking his head in she asked shyly, "Lucas, could you do me a favor?"
Looking up as he replaced a fountain pen in it's holder, he inquired, "What is it, Ben?
With that Ben walked in and handed him a gaily-wrapped package, "Could you give this to Caleb for me? I know it's his birthday and all."
Lucas smiled appreciatively at the other man, "Sure Ben, I'm sure he'll appreciate it." With that he got up from his chair and shrugged his broad shoulders into his jacket as he prepared to leave. Grabbing the package he threw over his shoulder, "See you tomorrow Ben."
Ben began gathering the documents off the desk to file away, taking in the wide assortment of photos that now occupied Lucas' desk; including a photo from his and Dara's wedding four years earlier, as well as a photo of his four children, one of he and Dara, and the more recent one of the entire family.
Ben smiled as he remembered the way things were in Trinity at one time where Lucas Buck concerned and how they had changed shortly after the arrival of Dara Chambers, now Dara Buck. Considering this he had no idea he was about to see trouble coming when he heard the bell over the outside door chime, announcing someone's arrival.
Lucas walked through the door to the sound that he had come to love hearing,
"Daddy's home!" Which was followed by a barrage of small arms stretched out, waiting to be held.
Dara smiled as her husband entered the kitchen, as usual with Alex on his back and their daughters in each arm.
Bending down to her soundly, he greeted, "Hi darlin, how was your day?"
Smiling as she lifted their son from Lucas' back to set him down, she stated, "Fine."
Setting the girls back to the floor, amid protests, Lucas pleaded, "It's mommy's turn for hello, okay?" After all three sighed in resignation and went back to the living room, Lucas smiled mischievously as he stated, "Like I said it's mommy's turn." With that he took hr in his arms and holding her tightly, bent over and kissed her deeply.
Both were shocked to hear their oldest child state, "You know at this rate I bet we'll have another baby around here before too long."
Releasing his wife, Lucas muttered, "Not if we don't get any privacy."
Caleb shook his head at his father, "You know you should consider slowing down dad, you're forty-four years old."
Raising an eyebrow at his son he asked, "And your point would be?"
Shrugging, Caleb replied, "No point, I guess age isn't that important, is it?"
Lucas smiled, "Now you get the idea son." Lucas accepted the cup of coffee his wife handed him as he sat at the kitchen table. Reaching in his jacket pocket he withdrew a key ring and tossed it at Caleb, catching the keys he looked at his father puzzled.
"What are these for?"
Lucas looked up evenly at him, "Today is your sixteenth birthday, right?" Caleb nodded silently as Lucas stated non-chalantly, "Well, it would be your birthday present from your mother and I."
Caleb looked first to one parent then the other, "Does this mean what I think it does?"
Lucas motioned towards the back door, "Why don't you go and see for yourself."
With that Caleb bolted out the backdoor and stopped short at the edge of the porch, followed quickly by his parent. There, sitting in the driveway was the blue Firebird he had been eyeing for weeks. Looking back at his parents who were smiling proudly he asked in astonishment, "How did you know, I didn't say anything to anybody about it?"
Lucas wrapped his arms around his wife's waist as he shrugged, "Oh, just a lucky guess." Then, turning serious, "We expect you to act responsible with this car, the only reason that we bought it for you was because we think that your mature enough to handle it, so don't disappoint us, all right?"
Caleb nodded eagerly, "I promise, "Then, looking sheepishly at both of his parents he asked timidly, "Since I haven't gotten my license yet, could one of you maybe go with me so that I can try it out?"
Dara glanced up at her husband who was nodding his head, "You go on darlin, and I'll stay with the kids."
With that Caleb ran to the door to open it for his mother, who eagerly jumped in, reminding Lucas of a teenager herself. Watching Caleb pull out of the driveway carefully he shook his head as he thought of the turns his own life had taken.
Six years ago today he had maneuvered everything to be able to take custody of Caleb so that he could raise the boy. Although his motivation had been for selfish reasons, he could now appreciate the true reasons for wanting a child, all due to the influence of his wife.
That was another severe turn his life had taken and for the better. He had known the moment that he had set eyes on Dara that there was something about her that would be different from all the other women who had been in and out of his life, and he had know without a doubt that he wanted her in his life permanently.
Even after four years of marriage and the birth of the three children they had made together he still found her as beautiful and desirable as he had the first time he had seen her. Although she was no longer twenty-six, he still saw her as being the young woman he had first seen on that hot day years ago.
Shaking his head at his good fortuned he smiled to himself as he stated out loud, "I'm definitely a lucky man." With that he shut the door and went to spend time with his three youngest children.
Just then Dara was laughing with her son as he sped down the highway with the windows and tops to his new car open, despite the chill in the air.
Caleb smiled over at his mother as he pulled the car over, stating, "Come on Mama, I know that you want to try it out, lets switch."
Dara eagerly accepted his suggestion as they changed places, quickly fastening her safety belt she stated daringly, "Want to see how fast this thing can really go?"
Caleb nodded, "Okay, but you have to tell dad that it was your idea."
Dara laughed as she put the car in gear and quickly accelerated down he empty road. Caleb glanced over at the speedometer, whistling in disbelief, "Whoa, did you know that you're doing eight-five? Where did you learn to drive like this?"
Dara grinned mischievously at her son, "Don't you dare tell your father, when I was your age I used to drag race with my grandparents' car. That's where I learned to drive like this." Right then they flew by a parked patrol car that quickly pulled out to follow and began flashing the colored lights to signal them to stop.
Floyd had been flagging cars all day with the radar gun, today being his turn to check for speeders. He was just about to give up when the blue firebird flew by him doing eighty-seven in a fifty-five zone. After pulling the vehicle over, he grabbed his ticket book and got out to march up to the driver's window, asking incredulously, "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?" Looking up he was shocked to see who the driver was. "Dara! What on earth are you doing, this isn't your car?"
Dara smiled, "Hi, Floyd, no you're right, this is Caleb's car, we got it for him. Today is his birthday we were trying it out. Sorry, I didn't realize that I was going that fast."
Floyd couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm; he had always liked Dara Buck. He had always had respect for Lucas, but he, like Ben had firmly believed that Lucas' decision to marry Dara had been the best decision he had ever made. Closing the book he shook his head, "All right, just be careful and slow down, if Lucas knew you were driving like that he'd turn you over his knee and me for letting you."
Dara nodded her acceptance of his statement as she promised, "All right, Floyd, I'll be careful." With that she pulled back onto the road in the direction of home.
**************************************************************************** ****************
After the evening meal had been finished and Caleb had blown out his candles and cut his cake, Dara and Lucas had settled with their younger children, Caleb having gone to the movies with Matt and Loris Crower as a birthday treat, to watch TV and spend some quality time together.
Finally, following the familiar pattern, Riesa took the remote and turned off the television, then pleaded with her father, "Please tell us a story, Daddy."
Lucas set his paper aside and smiled, he and Dara had very specific roles with these three at bedtime. His job was to spin a tale for their imaginations while hers was to soothe them to sleep with the magic her voice created for them.
"What kind of story do you want to hear, angel?"
Riesa put her finger to her small mouth as she considered, then smiling she stated, "We want a fairy tale."
Bending down he lifted her in his arms and ventured to the sofa to sit next to his wife as Alex and Rinie snuggled closer to both parents to listen intently to their father's story. Thinking carefully, Lucas looked at the contented look on his wife's face and smiled at her lovingly as he began the story.
"Once upon a time, in a faraway place there lived a beautiful princess. She had eyes that were the color of the green in the sea. Skin that was fair and hair the color of burnt rubies mixed with copper and gold."
Rinie looked at her mother and smiled, "That sounds like you, mommy."
Lucas pushed a stray curl away from his youngest child's face, "Yes, it does, doesn't it Rinie?" Continuing the story, he began again, "Anyway, this princess decided that she and her mother, the queen, were unhappy in the kingdom they had been living in, so the princess decided to venture from the kingdom and find a new home. So she and the queen came to a small kingdom many miles away, now the princess didn't tell anyone that she was a princess, she just went about her business as a normal person."
Riesa asked astounded, "Didn't anybody know that she was a princess?"
Lucas smiled as he nodded his head, "Yes, finally one person knew that she was a princess. One knight in the new kingdom saw the princess doing her chores one day and realized that she was much too special and beautiful to merely be a common woman, he knew that she must be a princess because she was so special."
Alex tilted his head to the side, "What did the knight do?"
Lucas reached across the back of the sofa to place his hand on Dara's shoulder as he saw the love in her eyes, and then continued the story. "Well, the knight approached the princess, although he knew she was beautiful he saw when he got closer to her that she was more than beautiful, she was ethereal."
Riesa furrowed her brow as she inquired, "What is ethereal, daddy?"
Lucas smiled at his daughter, "It means heavenly, baby. Like and angel." He watched Riesa nod her head in acceptance of his explanation as she became quiet once more, allowing him to continue his story.
"Anyway, the knight knew when he looked into her beautiful eyes that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but he couldn't right then."
All three mirrored their disbelief and shock as Rinie voiced, "Why, didn't she love the knight?"
Lucas nodded, "Yes she did, but unfortunately the princess' mother, the queen, was very ill. The princess had brought her mother to the new kingdom because there was a war in the old kingdom and the princess wanted her mother to live in peacefulness, because she didn't have very much longer to live, but the princess didn't want anyone to know that the queen was so ill, so she kept it a secret."
Rinie lifted her head from her hands where she had sat transfixed and stated knowingly, " But if the knight loved the princess he wouldn't care about her mama being sick, would he daddy?"
Lucas shook his head as he glanced at his wife, "No honey, it wouldn't have bothered the knight one bit." Starting again he offered, "Finally, one day the knight found out about the queen and knew that he needed to be by the princess' side because soon she would be alone. So he went in search of her and stayed by her side, even through the death of the queen."
Riesa shook her head, "That's so sad, daddy. Do they get to be happy?"
Lucas smiled, "You'll have listen to the story to see sweetie. After the queen's death he knight confessed his love for the princess and asked for her hand in marriage. The princess, who also loved the knight as he loved her, agreed and they were soon married. The princess and knight were very happy and were even more so when they learned that they were soon going to be blessed with the birth of a child, but a wicked wizard who was jealous of the knight, decided to cast an evil spell on the princess."
Alex looked up in excitement, "What kind of spell, daddy?"
Lucas shook his head at his son's enthusiasm, "A spell to make the princess very ill, he wanted the princess to die to punish the knight."
All three piped up in unison, "Did she die?"
Lucas shook his head, "Almost, the wizard gave the princess a potion that put her in a deep sleep, but the knight was able to get the princess to a good wizard who reversed what the evil wizard had done. Then, the knight went in search of the evil wizard and banished him from the kingdom. After that the princess recovered and she and the knight waited for the birth of their child, but low and behold, when the day came for the baby to be born, they were surprised and delighted to find that they didn't have one, but two babies, a boy and a girl."
Riesa and Alex looked at each other and smiled, "I bet that's us."
Lucas shook his head at their quick wit, "Everything went well for the princess and the knight and their new family. Time went by and soon they found that they were going to again be blessed with another child, but unfortunately there was and evil knight who had also fallen in love with the princess and decided to steal her away from her husband."
All three looked up in shocked silence as Lucas continued the story, "The evil knight had stolen the princess and taken her to a secret cave in the forest to hide her away so no one could find her, but the good knight loved the princess so much that he wouldn't stop until he found her, after he found the cave he fought a duel with the evil knight for the princess. Finally, he destroyed the evil knight and rescued the princess to take her back to their castle where a short time later they were again blessed with a beautiful baby girl."
Rinie sat up proudly and stated with a smile, "That's me, isn't it daddy?"
Lucas nodded and grinned, "Yes baby, that was you. After that the princess and knight lived happily ever after. Now, it's bedtime, so hop on and lets get the three of you tucked into bed, then mommy can sing you a lullaby."
Alex wrapped his small arms around his father's neck while Riesa and Rinie climbed on each knee to be held in his arms so that he could carry them upstairs. Once all three had went to the bathroom and brushed their teeth, Lucas helped Alex into his pajamas, while Dara slipped night gowns on the girls, then taking the bows and barrettes from the girl's hair she set about brushing the length, which already reached in curling waves below their small shoulders. Once she had brushed it out she then braided their hair for bed. Satisfied, she helped to tuck all three children into their respective beds, once that was accomplished Alex reached up to hug and kiss his mother. "Sing us a song mommy."
Dara smiled as she nodded to her husband, who slipped out the door to leave her alone with the children.
Although they had been married for over four years and he had heard her sing many times, she was still shy about singing in front of anyone, but the children. Lucas listened to her soft floating voice from outside the doorway, when he heard her stop he peeked around the door and asked quietly, "Are they asleep?"
Dara nodded as she sat up and lifted Rinie to place her in her own bed as Lucas was doing the same with Riesa.
Once they were satisfied that all three were tucked in and settled, Lucas enfolder Dara in his embrace and smiled as he stated quietly, "You know, Caleb wont be back until late and they're asleep. I think that we should take advantage of the opportunity presented to us."
Dara looked up at him coyly, "Really, and how do you propose we take 'advantage' of it?
Lucas glanced at her leeringly, "Let me demonstrate." With that he descended to take possession of her mouth with his own, deepening the kiss by degrees until he was exploring her mouth, taking in his fill of her. Lucas lifted his head and smiled, "Get the idea now?"
Dara looked up, trying to catch her breath and steady herself by leaning against him, it never failed to surprise her that even after four years of marriage he still had the power to take her breath away and make her weak in the knees. Shaking her head she stated, rasping, "I think I get the idea."
Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he replied, "Well, let me see if I can paint a clearer picture for you." With that he bent down and once more took possession of her mouth as he placed his arm under her legs and lifted her slight frame in his arms, exploring her mouth once more he continued to their room where he quietly shut the door behind them. Finally, he set her in the middle of the bed, disposing of his clothing as she sat watching him with a relaxed smile on her face. After he was fully undressed he knelt on the bed and began unbuttoning her blouse. Pulling it away from her he began trailing the length of her neck and throat with his mouth as he finished removing the last of her clothing.
After they had both found release and enjoyment in each other, they held each other tightly as they drifted off to sleep, content in each other and in their life, which was about to be put into turmoil.