Chapter One: Shell Shocked
Dan pulled into the slated driveway with a quiet Lucas seated next to him. The boy hadn't spoken a word since leaving his mother's home with bags in hand and head bowed low but this was to be expected. Life as he knew it was suddenly over leaving in its wake a scared, confused and angry young man. Things were going to be different from here on out and he knew it. He had made his decision and now it was time to deal with the consequences whether it be good or bad.
As the jeep came to a complete stop Lucas lifted his head for the first time since leaving his mother's house to get a better view of his new home. A home that he would be sharing with his new found father, step mother and brother.
It was ten times the size of his old house and was in perfect condition like something out of home and garden magazine. There wasn't a cracked stone or dirty window to be seen on the Scott family mansion. Even the lawn was perfectly manicured and decorated in the most elegant of styles. In the center of magnificent landscape was a stone fountain that reminded him of the statue of David. The piece alone probably cost more then him and his mom would make in their lifetime.
He was mesmerized.
"Hey these bags aren't going to move on their own son" said Dan as he opened the care door.
Lucas smiled slightly as not to be rude. Suddenly having a father that was practically a stranger, but not REALLY a stranger to him calling him son was weird.
The young man stepped out of the truck as the elder Scott gathered his belongings from the back seat and continued to take in his surroundings. Once everything was unloaded the pair continued on into the house which was even more extravagant then its outer shell.
The first room they entered was the living room which was decked out in all white and had gold fixtures in various areas. In the middle of the room was a fireplace that was decorated in granite with black trim. Placed above it were pictures of Dan, Nathan, his uncle Keith and a blond woman he recognized as Deb, his father's wife.
At this he felt a twinge of jealousy come over him. He felt as though it should have been his Mom in the picture happy and smiling with his father's arms around her.
But she wasn't. Dan had chose Deb and there was nothing that could be done about it now. No matter how much it hurt.
As they continued on they passed a massive kitchen with marbled counter tops and top of the line equipment.
His Mom would have loved that kitchen.
Lucas shook his head and did his best to clear the woman from his thoughts. After all she was the reason that he was being introduced into his father's life so late. She was the one who had kept him away and he should stay angry with her for doing so. She didn't deserve to occupy his thoughts right now. He had to focus on his new life. He was better off without her. He believed this, he had to.
Next in his line of vision was a grand marble staircase with a crystal chandelier sparkling directly above its center. On either side there were smaller steps leading to the east and west wings of the house. To the right of the massive staircase was the family room. Inside was an extremely large flat screen television, soft black leather chairs, a sectional and a separate love seat. Just behind it was a pool table and mini bar. On the other side, with plenty of room to spare was a basketball net and miniature basketball.
Across the hall there was an open door displaying a large office with cherry wood furniture and a boardroom style table in the middle. The room also had a fire place like the others before it along with another bar, movie screen and projector.
"So what do you think?" questioned Dan. He had the kind of house poor kids like Lucas dreamed of and he knew it.
"This place is amazing" Lucas spoke softly almost as if he didn't believe that he was going to be living there.
Hell Dan almost didn't believe it himself. He had won and it felt good.
"Well you've only seen a small part of it but I want you to get settled in before I give you the full tour" Dan said as he began climbing the steps.
The boy followed closely behind as the man turned and started on the stairs to the west wing. Lucas couldn't help but notice Nathan's name on his room door as they passed. Although the door was closed he knew that it was a rather large one and was probably three times the size of his old one.
Not paying attention he almost ran dead smack into Dan.
"Easy there son" he said noticing how close the boy was to running into him. Reaching out in front of him he opened the door to reveal what was inside. "Well here it is" Dan smiled as he stepped to the side to allow Lucas to enter.
The room was spectacular.
It was decorated in black, grey and white and had a king size bed and the same dark cherry wood furniture that he had seen downstairs. There was a new lab top sitting on a desk that had what looked like a full on library on either side.
There was also a walk in closet that he doubted he would be able to fill up along with a basketball net and ball. There were also presents on the bed with birthday wrapping and Christmas wrapping with bows on top.
Dropping his bags to the floor Lucas walked over to the bed that rested near sliding glass doors that led out to a small deck. The space ver looked the pool and from his new vantage point he could also see a tennis court and of course a basketball court.
"I made this room up for you a long time ago" Dan spoke breaking into Lucas's thoughts.
At his father's words the young boy turned around to face the man.
"I changed it as the years went on, hoping that your mother would change her mind. I even brought you Birthday and Christmas presents"
"Why didn't you bring them to me?" the boy question in a saddened tone.
"Your Mom wouldn't let me anywhere near you Lucas. I wanted to give them to you and visit with you but every time I tried Karen sent me away. But none of that matters any more. You're home now. Where you should have been all along"
Lucas didn't know what to say so instead he turned his attention back to the world outside.
Dan sighed.
"Listen I'm going to get dinner ready so unpack, and get washed up. Everything should ready in about an hour and a half. Deb and Nathan should be home around the same time"
"Ok" replied Lucas as he heard his bedroom door shut and he began to unpack.
Wow what a difference a day makes.
"This has been one hell of a day" said Deb as she entered the kitchen "My currier was late, my assistant quit and I had to skip lunch to go over a document with Mr. Smith for the sixth hundredth time so needless to say I am annoyed, frustrated and hungry"
"Nice to see you're in such a great mood Mom" replied Nathan as he entered in behind the woman.
"Yeah and I'm doing just great thanks for asking everyone"
"Hey Dad"
"Oh I'm sorry honey" Deb said giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh that smells amazing. Is it done?"
"Yes have a seat"
"Great I haven't eaten since four o'clock"
"Nathan it's only six thirty" Dan said with a smirk.
"Hey I'm a going boy. I need to eat other wise I'll get all puny and pass out on the basketball court"
Dan and Deb laughed.
"Oh then we need to feed you right away before you die on us"
"My point exactly. Now less talking more grubbing" Nathan said digging into the food the second Dan put it on the table.
"Easy there boy we have to wait for our house guess to arrive"
"Aww man"
"I was wondering why there was a fourth setting. Is Keith here?" questioned Deb as she took a seat at the table.
"No, Keith isn't back from Charleston yet"
"Well then who is it then?" asked Deb impatiently just as they heard foot steps slowly descending upon the stairs.
"Looks like we're about to find out" Nathan said as he leaned back in his chair but the second the person came into view he instantly shot back up.
Deb just stared at the newcomer with a mixture of shock and anger as Dan walked over to the boy, taking him by the shoulders and guided him further into the room.
"Deb, Nathan. Lucas has moved in with us"
Both mother and son looked at each other before looking back to the father and son standing before them.
And this is where things were going to get interesting…
