Broken Bough
Lucas opened the refrigerator and took out a cold water bottle. He sat down on a wooden stool and took out his phone, while he scrolled down through various e-mails, he stumbled on a case file that Greg-his best friend sent him. Lucas zoomed into the picture and was able to read:
Evan Walters convicted of voluntary manslaughter, for one of the worst cases in the state of New York is up for parole. Two years ago Walters was the most wanted man in state's history for murdering up to four women, one of them being his wife. Hence, why he was the prime suspect. The evidence necessary to try Walters for the murder of the four young woman proves bogus. The D.A's office decided to settle for what it could prove in a court of law. No mention of Walters being the primary suspect in the presume death of the four young woman was ever made at his trial. Hence the lesser manslaughter conviction which will be held on the 17th of January.
"Hey, babe," Riley said to Lucas. She slumped her hands over his shoulders while bringing him in for a kiss. "You're home early."
"Surprised?"
"Daddy!" their four year old chimed, running towards him.
Lucas scooped up his kid as if he weighed like a feather - which he did. "Look at ya. You've grown an inch over the week."
Aiden kissed his dad's forehead and hugged him.
"Why are you home so early?" Riley probed.
"The Hapstall case is turning into a nightmare. The judge denied our plane today."
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Well then. Does this mean I get you for the weekend?" Lucas beamed at her and she couldn't help but smile back.
"I wish I could say yes," her lips thinned and she pulled from him.
"Don't be angry at me."
"I'm not," she said almost immediately. "I just haven't seen you all week."
"I know. I miss you and I miss Aiden - "
"Then cancel," she constructed, holding onto the least bit of hope. "We can stay home and sit by the fire with Aiden. The three of us watching his favorite cartoons."
He smiled.
"Please?"
"Riley you know if I could, I would," he finished. "I'm not even leaving today in the first place."
She placed her head on his chest.
"I leave in two days."
She wished it could be longer, why not two months? Or better yet, two years. "Good."
He laughed and embraced her. "God, you look awful," he advised in a playful manner.
Riley chuckled, "Yeah. Well, you can't blame me. I am taking care of your kid."
"Our kid. And I told you we can hire a nanny but you didn't want to."
"Motherhood is a choice, Lucas. I wanna live it to it's fullest."
"Okay," he raised his hands in surrender, signaling his pride in his devoted wife. "But we all miss you at the firm."
She laughed, "Tell Kevin I still miss him, for me?"
He stared at her suspiciously before raising a questioning eyebrow, "Should I be jealous?"
"Jealous?"
He placed his hands on either hip and licked his lips. Beckoning for her to answer.
Riley couldn't bear her laughter, "I don't think you should be jealous of a married man who's expecting."
"He's expecting?"
She nodded, "Kevin's my friend. You," she emphasized by caressing his cheek, "Are my husband. Don't you forget that."
"No ma'am," he clarified as their lips met.
"And I hope you don't mind..."
"Mind what?"
"Maya and Josh are coming over tonight."
He shook his head, "That's fine by me."
"But...we do have a few hours before they get here," she winked.
He bit his lip, "Shower?"
"Shower."
.:.
"Yay," Riley said, once she opened the door to both Maya and Josh. "You brought the wine."
The blonde - who wore a cashmere sweater and ripped jeans - rolled her eyes and hugged her. "You don't drink wine."
"Shh, I just wanna sound cool," Riley said in between their embrace.
Just then Lucas turned the corner and came face to face with Josh.
Josh - who was about to hug his niece - completely disregarded her after seeing him - and gave him the hug instead.
"Well, that felt nice," she confirmed, sarcastically.
"Hey, no hard feelings, right?" Josh beamed a wink at her.
"No, not at all."
They walked outside to the patio and Maya intentionally tried to trip Lucas along the way, leaving everyone but Lucas to laugh.
.:.:.
They sat on the patio in the cold night and laughed as Josh struggled to open the champagne. "You know. Farkle and Smackle haven't been coming to our little get together's. Where are they?
"Farkle's on a business trip. I guess Minkus International will be doing more than just technology."
"Oh, I heard about that," Maya chimed in. "I heard he's making phones now."
"Really?" Riley asked. "You know how great that would be."
"That'd be really great. But he's still working on it. As of Smackle, I don't really know where she is. Probably in Italy."
"Why would she be in Italy?" Josh asked as he placed his phone in his jean pocket.
"Promoting her newest client. I always thought that Maya would be the one to pursue an artistic career. Like singing."
Maya looked at Riley and laughed, "When I was fourteen. But I'm glad I chose art over singing. Honestly, the kids at our old school are more well-mannered than we ever were."
"That's because they're afraid of you," Lucas advised.
"So, Riley. When are we gonna eat?"
The brunette rolled her eyes and took one last sip of her drink. Juice had never tasted better in her life. "Maya's gonna help me with that."
"But-"
"I made lasagna-"
"Say no more," the blonde followed after Riley and ignored Lucas' and Josh's laughs.
.:.
"It's so beautiful," Maya said as she took out the well-cooked food from the oven. "There's nothing like it."
"Maya," Riley said in a serious tone, which alerted her. "I have to tell you something."
"Well, what is it?"
The brunette walked towards the cabinet on the far end of the kitchen. Maya didn't know why Riley was so worried, she couldn't see when Riley brought her hand in to take out what was in there but when Riley turned around, Maya gasped.
In her hands were a pregnancy test.
"I've been feeling nauseous for a couple of days. It didn't occur to me until after Lucas and I were having sex in the shower. Maya-"
Lucas walked in the kitchen and thanks to Riley's quick reflexes, he didn't see the object in her hand. "Babe?"
"Yeah?"
"It didn't befall on us, but do you need help?"
She chuckled at his formality and shook her head. "I think we got it."
He nodded and walked back out the same way he came in.
She let out a sigh.
"Why haven't you told him?"
"Because he's working on an important case. He's only gonna be home for a few more days before he lives and if I tell him..."
"He'll want to stay," Maya continued. "How long will he be gone for?"
"One week?"
"So he won't find out until next month."
She nodded, "But then I'm sure it'll upset him. I really want him to do this case, he's almost one hundred percent sure he'll win."
Maya placed her hands on either side of Riley's shoulders, "When he wins, which he will, he'll come home and you'll tell him. I guarantee you he will not be mad you waited so long to tell him. I promise."
That was exactly what Riley needed to hear, Maya's encouraging words. "Okay."
"Now. Let's just enjoy this precious meal we'll have together."
"You're right."
"But oh my Gosh," she squealed as her eyes glistened. They both jumped up and down for a few seconds before they returned to normal. "Maybe Smackle could be her Godmother."
"We're already assuming it's gender. I like it. I'm glad you wanted me to be Aiden's Godmother. I love him with all my heart."
"And I love you even more for that."
"You're crying," Maya said as her eyes glistened even more. She truly loved how Riley blessed her with more of her in the world. Aiden looked like Lucas but had Riley's personality.
.:.:.
After their meal was finished Josh and Maya left. Riley had a good time, she loved how every once in a while they would get together and just talk. They reminisced about the past that brought great nostalgia. As she stood on her upstairs balcony and overlooked the stars, Riley tried to picture a vivid image of the day she would tell Lucas she's pregnant. But before she could dive into deep thought, a strong pair of hands wrapped around her petite waist. He placed his chin on the crook of her neck and took in her scent.
"Is this a new perfume I smell?"
She chuckled, "Do you like it-?"
"Love it." The Texan turned her around so their eyes can meet. "But I love you more."
"And I love you."
He pressed his forehead against hers and smiled. "Let's go somewhere."
"What are you talking about?"
"Let's get out of here," he spoke.
"I don't under-"
"We haven't gotten some us time in one year, Riley. Let's go somewhere, anywhere. Italy, Rome, Hawaii, Cancun, Bora Bora, Argentina? It's up to you. I don't care where, as long as I'm with you."
Riley sighed, "We can't."
"Why not?"
"Because Aiden-"
"He'll stay with Maya," seeing she wasn't convinced, Lucas kissed her. "C'mon it's not like it's gonna be permanent. I just want you."
"You got me," she smiled.
"What do you say?"
"I'll think about it, I promise. But there's one, in particular, you forgot about?"
"What was it?"
"Paris."
"Ah," he remembered. "Bonjour, Riley. Peut-être que vous et moi serons à Paris ensemble."
She smiled. The love they had for each other was evident, her happy place was with him and their son. As long as they remained a family, Riley had it all. "Paris it is."
They walked back in their room and drifted off into a peaceful sleep. But then again that exactly what they needed before hell broke loose.
.:.:.
Writers Note: Not really sure if I will continue this story due to the lack of mystery this fandom provides. And with the cancellation of GMW, most readers will want to read another genre. But those of you who chose to read this. Please review. I guess this is sort of like a teaser. If this story gets a decent amount of reviews who want this to continue, I will gladly start writing the other chapters.
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