"You, you lift my heart up, when the rest of me is down.
You, you enchant me, even when you're not around."
"Hey you…." Lucas said coming into the kitchen, seeing me making breakfast. "Did you get sick this morning? I didn't hear it."
"Nope, coincidentally." I added, obviously upset.
"You ok?" I mumbled something back which he assumed as no. "How about now?" He asked as he put kisses all up and down my neck…something he knew calmed me down. It indeed did and I relaxed right into him.
"I guess."
"Babe…listen to me…I know I'm going away all over Europe for a little over a month to train these guys, but I'm not going into the line of fire, ok? I am not in any sort of danger. And besides, the Captain promised me that this is the last one. I will be back here, home in your arms, before you even know it. Come here…" Lucas pulled me into a hug and planted a kiss on my forehead.
"7 weeks is such a long time; I'm gonna miss you so much." I said, letting some tears leave my eyes.
"Shush…." Luke dried them with his hand. "I know, I will miss you so much too and this little one too…" He placed his hand on my still flat stomach. "I am so sorry I'm not going to be here for you…to help you out in the morning when you get sick…to go to the doctor's appointments with you…you're gonna be all alone and that's what kills me the most."
"It's ok, I know if you could you would be there and I love you for that. And besides I think Hales said something about coming up for a long weekend. I'll be alright, don't worry about me."
"See that's where your wrong Pretty Girl. I do worry about you, all the time."
"I know and I do the same with you, but we just have to think of this as a positive situation…at least your not leaving further along in the pregnancy."
"That's true." Lucas said as I went back to making us breakfast. "You going to go to the store today?"
"Nah, I told them I won't be in."
The ride to the airport was quiet, not even was the radio blasting like we normally do. Neither of us had any idea what to say. I knew Luke was already feeling bad for leaving and not being here for me. Silently we both got out when we made it to the curb. I leaned up against the side of the car waiting for Lucas to grab his bag. Silent tears were coming down my face, I willed them to stop. I had to be strong for him. I tried to wipe them before he could notice…too late. Luke grabbed my head and pulled me closer.
"Please don't cry."
"I'm gonna miss you so much." The tears couldn't be controlled.
"I am too, but this time is going to fly by; mark my words."
"Ugh."
"Hey listen to me, you'll be so busy with the store and the baby, you won't even realize I'm gone."
"You're crazy."
"Who me?" I could tell Lucas was trying to make me laugh.
"Yes you Broody."
"Seriously though. You are fiercely independent and strong. You and this baby..." Lucas protectively put his hand over my flat stomach where the baby was. "….are going to be ok. Nothing's going to happen. You are already glowing now and you'll be glowing even more and with a belly bump the next time I see you."
"Ok." I calmed down once I was in his embrace.
"I'll call you when I land and we'll email when I can. You have two doctors appointments right?"
"Yes."
"And you'll send me updates immediately?"
"Of course." I cupped his face in my hands. "I'll even try to scan any sonograms I get."
"I gotta go. I love you…both of you. I'll see you soon." Lucas placed a loving kiss on my lips. I tried to savior it and remember this moment, permanently etching it in my brain; hoping it'll get me through the next month and a half.
"Mommy, what's that picture of?" Bella asked Haley, showing her the cellphone.
"Why don't you answer it and ask her?" Haley said once she realized who was calling.
"Hi Aunt Brooke." The little girl walked away from her mother and sister. While I on the other line was wiping the tears away with my hands and trying to calm down so I don't scare the girl. I choked out a sob and ran my hand through my hair.
"Hey there Bella. What are you up to girlie?" I said after a deep breath.
"Nothing. What's the picture of you on Mommy's phone?"
"Mmm, I guess of me and you when I used to baby-sit you. Have Mommy send it to me and I'll let you know."
"Ok."
"How come your not in school young lady?"
"I fell and now I have this pretty hot pink cast. Hot pink goes with everything right?'
"Yes. How'd you fall?"
"Playing at school."
"Is it hurting?"
"Not anymore."
"What's your sister doing?"
"Mommy's feeding her. You want to talk to her?"
"Yes…Hales what happened to her?" I asked once I knew the older Scott was on the phone.
"She was playing on the monkey bars before she had to go in and fell."
"She's ok?"
"Ya, clean break….has to wear the cast for four weeks. She seems in good spirits about it. How about you? Slow day at the store?"
"Didn't go in. Lucas left today." The waterworks started again.
"Oh B, I completely forgot. With everything that happened this morning with Bella, it slipped my mind. I'm so sorry. How are you holding up?"
"I don't know." I was biting my tongue it was so hard not to tell her about the baby right now. "He's gonna call me one last time when he lands, and then communication is going to be spotty."
"But he's going to a safe place, right?"
"Yes, but I always have that constant fear about something happening."
"I know, but he's a smart guy…nothing's going to stop him from coming back to you."
"You're right." the tears slowed down, only a few came out.
"He'll be back before you know it. In the mean time, you want me to come up there for a few days so it will take your mind off of it?"
"No, I'll be ok. I'm sure you're going nuts with Bella's arm now. And actually I was gonna say I was thinking about coming down this weekend anyway."
"Yes, you are more than welcome to come and stay for as long as you need. You don't have to ask, you know that."
"Thanks Hales."
"Anytime. Hey I gotta go, Sky's itching to get out of the high chair and go play with her sister."
"It's ok, go ahead Tutor Mom. I'll talk to you later and check in on Bella. Give the girls a big kiss for me."