Chapter Twenty-Five: Everything We Hide

Jake's four month bump brushed against the counter as he put the identical bowls of cereal in front of Jenny and the spot where Phillip should be sitting.

"Phillip, buddy, hurry up we're gonna be late for school and you're not going to have time to eat." Jake hollered up the stairs. He smiled as he heard the now scurrying footsteps approaching. The red head shot into his chair at the island and smile broadly at his father as if he had won some sort of competition. Lucas emerged from living room on his cell phone, which Jake could hear squawking across the kitchen.

'Melinda' Lucas explained mouthing the name of his literary agent in between kissing each of the kids on the top of their heads.

"Sounds good. I'll talk to you later, Thans, Mel." He smiled, hanging up before greeting Jake. The blonde made his way to touch the soon to be added family member, but was cut off by his cell phone.

"Looks like she wasn't ready to stop talking." Jake teased as Luke answered.

"Mel…" He was once again cut off, and Jake watched confused as his husband's face darkened. Without another word the phone was clicked shut.

"Wrong number." Lucas explained, then turned to the kids, "Who's ready to go to school?"

Both Jenny and Phillip responded enthusiastically climbing out of the chairs and racing towards the door.

"I'll take them to school, after that…today, I'm all yours…" He smiled meaningfully.

"Alright, come on let's go you two."

The drive to the elementary school was uneventfully routine. Jenny's excited chatter about what she would be doing in music class, and even some chatter from Phillip about the field trip his class would be taking in the upcoming week distracted Lucas from his pestering thoughts. The stupid phone call he had been completely honest to Jake about. He took a deep breath, it'll pass.

"Love you, Daddy." Jenny said running over to where her teacher was standing in front of the school.

"Bye," Phillip said as Lucas led him to the building.

"Hey, there, forgetting something buddy?" Lucas asked squatting down.

The boy pondered for a moment, looked to his dad for a clue. His eyes lit up with realization. "Love you, Daddy!"

"Love you, too, son." He reached out a hand to ruffle the red hair. Phillip ducked around and laughed as he ran to his class.

Lucas began to make his way back to the van when his cell phone rang. Nervous, he was relieved to see it was Jake.

"Blueberry or Raspberry today?" Lucas asked guessing the purpose of the call.

"Both. And an omelet? They are very hungry today and fruity pancakes along aren't going to make the cut. Oh…and lots of salsa." Jake made his order.

"Okay. See you soon. Love you."

The crowd as his mother's still thriving expanded café was beginning to thin out after the morning rush when Lucas walked in to take his usual seat at the counter.

"Good Morning, sir." The tiny voice sounded unseen from the other side of the counter. "What can I get you?"

Lucas leaned over the counter. "My, the waitresses just keep getting shorter and shorter."

"I'm not short. I'm four."

"Almost five, right?"

His little sister nodded. "What do the babies wanna eat, today?" Lilly asked coming round the counter.

"Raspberry pancakes. Veggie omelet. Lots of salsa. Got it, Lily-bug?"

Lily disappeared running shouting, "Mommy, Lucas' babies wants Razz-berry pancakes, the ucky kind of omelet, and lots of taco ketchup."

Karen emerged after about twenty minutes. "They're hungry today, aren't they?"

"Apparently." Lucas returned his mother's smile.

"Next doctor's appointment?"

"Tomorrow. And no, we decided that this time, we are not giving in. Surpirse."

"What are you hoping for?" His mother asked.

Lucas shrugged, "I don't know…one of each, so I don't have to decide?" Lucas replied.

Karen laughed, "Well, you better get these back to your other half before he comes hunting for the food. Give Jake our love."

"Will do. Tell Dad 'hi' for me."

"Will do." Lucas heard as he made his way out of the café.

Lucas had his hand on the door when he noticed the paper tucked under the windshield wiper. Curios he reached with the free hand to open it.

Lucas—Last time didn't go as planned. We're sorry. Just give me a chance to explain. The whole story. The truth. I promise.—Levi

Xxxx

Until next time, this is me…signing out.