"Daddy, do you think Mama's planes landed yet?" asked the four year old blonde girl.
"Ella, you're going to have to wait a bit baby, her plane doesn't arrive for another couple of hours." Luke sighed. He knew how much his baby girl missed her mother, just as much as he missed his wife. "But Daddy, what if Mama gets home early? No one will be there to pick her up." Ella pointed out. "Come here, baby." Luke picked up his daughter and set her down on the countertop beside where he was washing the dishes.
"Okay, now listen to me, I know you miss your Mama sweetie, but she is going to be home very, very soon. Now why don't you go wake up your sister and play with your brother for the time being? I promise you, we will be there on time to pick up your Mama." Lucas explained. "Ugh, fine." Huffed Ella as Lucas picked her up off the countertop and placed her feet on the floor, he watched as his daughter rounded the corner and listened as she stormed up the stairs.
As he finished washing the dishes, he heard the shrill sound of the phone ringing, he dried his hands on the dish towel as he made his way into the living room, and he picked up the phone. "Hello?" Lucas asked. "Hey Broody, what's goin' on?" the raspy voice on the other line asked. "Not much Brooke, just doing some last minute cleaning before the kids and I head out to pick up Peyton from the airport, and how about yourself?"
"Well, I was thinking, in order to repay you for last night when you watched Shayla for me and I went out with Julian, I could keep the kids with me for tonight, and give you and some alone time, I know how much you've been missing her." Brooke explained.
"Brooke that would be great, thank you, you're the best." Lucas sighed.
"So I've been told. Besides, I love spending time with my god children." Brooke smiled.
"I know you do, so how about after lunch I will drop them off after they spend some time with Peyton?"
"Sounds good to me Broody." Brooke rasped. "Thanks again Brooke, I'll see you later." Lucas thanked her.
"Yes you will, say hi to the munchkins for me."
"Will do." Lucas hung up the phone, and made his way back into the kitchen to hang the dishtowel back up.
"Hey Dad." A voice said groggily. Lucas turned around facing his oldest daughter, Autumn, who was holding his youngest, Noah, on her hip. She was clad in pajama shorts and a black tank top. Noah, was still in his footie pajamas, Ella seemed to be the only one dressed in everyday attire, Lucas guessed it was because she was ready to see her Mom.
"Wow, look who finally decided to get out of bed." Lucas smirked. "Yeah well, it was a late night for me." Autumn mumbled underneath her breath. "I'm sorry what was that?" Lucas questioned as he raised an eyebrow. "I mean, cramming for this huge calculus midterm I have coming up, obviously." Autumn stuttered. "Here, take him, he was starting to chew on some of Mom's magazines that were left out on the floor, I'm assuming that he's hungry." Autumn explained as she handed Noah to her father.
"C'mere, big guy, lets get some food in you." Lucas smiled as he set his two year old son down in his high chair. The baby made some gurgling noises and clapped his hands as Luke placed some cheerios and banana on his tray. "Where'd Ella get to?" Lucas asked. "She is watching cartoons in my room." Autumn responded. "Oh okay." Lucas said.
"So Dad, when is Mom's plane landing? When are we going to pick her up?" Autumn asked. "In an hour or so, why don't you go get dressed and ready while I finish feeding your brother? Oh and could you also pack an over night bag for you, Noah and Ella please?" Lucas asked.
Autumn raised an eyebrow. "May I ask why?"
"Yes, and because you and your brother and your sister are spending the night at your Aunt Brooke's." Lucas explained as he reached in the fridge to grab a sippy cup of apple juice for Noah.
"Why tonight of all nights? I mean, Mom is just getting home tonight." Autumn questioned. All of the sudden the light bulb went off in her head before Luke had a chance to respond. "Oh, aw, eww, that's just, ew. Hey wait. Why can't I just spend the night at Riley's? I mean don't get me wrong, I love Aunt Brooke, but I'm sixteen, I don't necessarily need a babysitter."
"Yeah, that's fine, as long as her parents are okay with it." Lucas agreed.
"Okay, thanks Dad." Autumn made her way back upstairs as Noah finished his breakfast and started his medley of the word "Mama." Lucas smiled, and picked his baby boy up. "You miss her too huh?" Lucas kissed his sons cheek, and took him upstairs to get ready. He smiled as he realized his wife was going to be home for the first time in three weeks.
Sure, they had still had contact by speaking on the phone almost every night, talking about his book ideas, and how the children were doing in school, or in general, or how Mia was doing on tour.
But it wasn't the same.
He didn't get to hold her.
He didn't get to hear her laugh at his stupid jokes.
He didn't get to see her play with their children.
Yes, Lucas Scott couldn't wait for his wife to be home.