Chapter 38
Before Luce knew it Nora, Cam, Daniel and her were on a plane headed home. Luce was actually kinda nervous after seeing Nora's house. What will Nora think? Will she like it? Than there was Daniel. Technically they had never broken up but they weren't back together either. They had talked about what they were several time but Luce didn't want to get to involved again until after the baby was born and they for sure who the baby's daddy was. Daniel had been hysentent at first saying the baby shouldn't change anything but in the end he had agreed to wait. Not that you would be able to tell from the outside. If you didn't know what was happening they looked like a happy couple. Luce was nervous about the camping trip. Having RJ and Daniel so close together for a week was bound to have issues. But hopefully having both sets of parents there would detour any problems. Especially since RJ was still on probation. Luce had called Max and Betty to let them know Daniel would be camping so close and they had thanked her for the heads up. They said they would have a talk with him and his friends before the trip. This all made her feel a little better. "Luce. Luce. We are landing." Luce came back to the inside of Daniel plane where Nora was practically bouncing in her seat.
"Are you excited?" Luce smiled.
"Umm yeah. I can't wait to meet your family. See how you grew up and meet all your friends." Daniel leaned over from his spot on the sofa next to Luce.
"Your gonna love it. Just wait tell you have her Moms cookies." Luce blushed. Since Nora was staying with then Luce parents had insisted the boys sleep in the guest rooms and Nora sleeps with Luce. Who was kinda bummed about it but she understood it. Nora's Mom had called Alice and told her she wasn't allowed to share a bed with Cam. Which was a joke in all reality. Nora stayed at Cams more now than she was home. But since Jessica had called Luce knew there was no arguing with it.
The car ride up the driveway was long. Luce could see her parents waiting for the car to stop. She didn't even wait for Nora to get out she climbed right over her and ran straight to her Mom's arms. Luce never realized how much she missed home until she was there. Alice held her daughter while the guys pulled the bags out of the trunk. Luce watched as Daniel and Cam pulled out the three bags that Nora had packed. "Oh my." Luce looked at her Mom.
"Don't worry I'll get her to down size." Alice gave Luce a big hug. Nora glided over next to Luce. "Momma you remember Nora and that over there is Cam, Nora boyfriend. Nora, Cam this is my Mom Alice and this is my Dad John." Alice instantly hugged both of them.
Nora was in awe at how beautiful Luce house was. From all the flowers growing everywhere to the romantic the patio was with the fire pit and twinkle lights. "Well lets get inside. Daniel sweety why don't you show Cam where you guys will be sleeping and you all can get settled. We'll have dinner in an hour." Luce smiled.
"Ok Mom." Daniel clapped Cam on the back leading him into the living room and than downstairs. "Come on Nora. I'll show you my room." Luce took Nora into the small kitchen then up the stairs. Nora stood at the top of the stair in awe of Luce room. She could see her little sister growing up in this room. She could see Luce studying at the desk, trying out make up at perfectly lit vanity. She looked at the alcove and could see Luce hanging out with her friends.
"Luce your room is beautiful." Luce smiled. She looked around the room and could see herself growing up. From when her mom painted the vines on the walls to the first night with Daniel.
"Yeah I kinda like it."
"I can see why."
"You know that you can't bring all three bags. It's only a week." Nora rolled her eyes.
"Ok so like two bags."
"Nope."
"One bag!"
"I know that you can do it." Nora rubbed her face.
"Next your gonna tell me we are going to be sleeping on tents." Luce giggled a little.
"Yes. But we will have air mattress."
"On the ground." Luce nodded.
"It's not that bad Nor. It's gonna be a lot of fun. Just think of all the quality Cam time." Nora nodded.
"Are there cots for the air mattresses?" Luce smiled plopping sown on her bed.
"Yep there are." Luce pulled a pillow under her head. Nora walked over so she was standing next to Luce.
"So what is going on with Dan and you?" Luce chewed on her lip looking at her ceiling.
"I'm not sure really. I know that the ball is in my court. But I don't know. I know we're together. But we aren't at the same time." Nora looked puzzled. "I know it makes no sense ok. But I can't get over this baby thing. I mean how would you feel if it was Cam?" Nora pondered for a minuet.
"I don't know Luce. But you kinda need to decide." Luce nodded.
"I want to be with Daniel." Nora kissed Luce cheek.
"Than go tell him that girl." Luce bounced off the bed and headed down into the basement. Nora smiled and started trying to downsize her luggage.
Luce walked downstairs to find only her Mom in the kitchen making dinner. Luce headed for the basement. "Daniel." Daniel smiled just hearing Luce saying his name.
"In here love." Luce walked into the first bedroom shutting the door.
"Can we talk?" Daniel sat on the bed.
"That doesn't sound good." Luce stood in front of him.
"It's not a bad thing. Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah. Sure."
"Have you thought about Becky and you?" Daniel looked very confused.
"What do you mean babe? Of course I've thought about her. But not like that. She's been having some issues with the pregnancy so I'm kinda worried about her and the baby. Why?" Luce was looking at her feet.
"I was just curious. So I think that maybe we should officially get back together." Daniel smiled pulling Luce into his lap.
"Really?"
"Yeah really." Daniel leaned down and kissed her.
"I love you." He pressed there heads together.
"And I love you." Daniel kissed Luce long and hard.
"I promise you that the baby won't change things."
"You can't promise me that. You'll have to co parent."
"Well about that."
"What?"
"I am thinking about signing over my rights to Josh." Luce pulled away even more.
"Why would you do that?" Luce was getting very upset.
"Because I don't think that I should be in the mix. Josh wants to be the dad, Luce, regardless. Why confuse the kid." Luce stood up.
"But that's not fair. What about how the baby will feel. Look at what is going on with Jess. She's so confused and devastated. Now all she wants is to know her real mom and is acting out. Don't you think this baby should have the opportunity to get to know it's biological Dad."
"We don't even know if the baby is mine yet."
"Wouldn't you want to get to see your baby grow?"
"Of course. But I want to be with you more."
"You don't have to choose Daniel."
"So you would be ok with it." Daniel ran his fingers his hair.
"I can try. Daniel. Look at me." Daniel turned facing Luce.
"I love you and I want you to be happy. I know you would never be happy signing over your rights and not being in the baby's life." Daniel smiled. "If it comes to it I'll figure out a way to be ok with you being around Becky." Daniel cupped her face in his hands. "I want you to be happy."
"As long as I have you I will be."
"Than be happy cause I'm not leaving." Daniel gave her a long sweet kiss.
"Daniel. Luce." Alice knocked on the door before opening it. "Come on now you two know the rules. No closed doors. Now come on it's dinner time." Luce blushed.
"Ok momma. We're coming." Alice turned walking back up the stairs. "So we're good."
"Oh Luce we are better than good." Daniel smothered her in another kiss.
"Lucinda. Daniel."
"We'd better go." Daniel nodded.
"Yeah."
When they walked into the kitchen Luce almost laughed. Nora and Cam were watering at the mouth. Luce understood her Mom had made a feast of food. From steak and mash potatoes to fresh green beans and rolls. Luce scooted in next to Nora and Daniel slid in next to her. "Nora, Cam sweety I hope you are hungry."
Dinner went off like a charm and by the end Nora and Cam felt like family. John had explained they were leaving first thing in the morning so everyone needed to be ready tonight. The guys had agreed to help pull down the remaining camping gear. They were surprised at how much gear there was. "John why do you have this much stuff?"
"Well over the years Luce has brought her cousins and friends along with us and it's just easier to have enough for everyone." Daniel nodded. The more time he spent with Luce and her family the more he realized this is what he wanted out of life. To find a cozy house and make it into a home for the two of them and maybe one day a family of their own. He already knew Luce would be an amazing mom.
Luce and Nora had been going thru Nora's bags for almost an hour trying to get her down to one little bag. "Luce this is impossible."
"It's not Nor. You don't need five cardigans. Or six pairs of shoes."
"I might." Nora sat on Luce floor with one bag in front of her and her other two on either side." Luce rolled her eyes.
"Nor. We are only going for five days. So four pairs of jeans, five tops, three cardigans and three swim suits, plus underwear."
"Is that what you have packed?" Luce nodded.
"Yeah pretty much. Your ruffing it girl."
"I don't wanna ruff it." Nora whined.
"Oh come on just think of all the fun you are gonna have with Cam." Nora nodded sitting up straight.
"Your right. I can do this."
After three hours Nora had cut down to one suit case and a carry on. The boys had come up and they were all watching a movie. Luce and Daniel had snuggled down in the alcove while Cam and Nora had brought over the over size arm chair. They were about half way thru the movie when Alice came up the stairs. "Hi kiddos. Would you all like some cookies?" Luce crawled out of Daniel arms taking the plate from her Mom.
"Of course Momma. Thank you."
"Now Nora your Mom was very clear about her rules and we will fallow them ok?" Nora straighten up.
"Of course Mrs Parker."
"Oh Nora call me Mom."
"Ok." Nora found it weird feeling so amazingly at home at Luce house. She could see how Luce loved being home.
"Now boys when this movie is over it's time for bed. We have a very early start." Daniel and Cam nodded. "Alright good night kiddos." Alice had turned down Luce bed and gave her a hug and kiss then went downstairs.
"I still can't believe my Mom called yours. It's not like I'm five." Nora snuggled back into Cams arms.
"I can your Mom is terrified that your gonna get pregnant."
"I'm 21 years old."
"Yeah well." Cam rubbed his hand thru his hair. He was happy for the first time in a while. It was funny how much this family reminded him of Luce last. The same warm welcoming openness. He looked over at Luce who had found her way back into Daniel arms. If they only knew. Daniel leaned down and kissed her head.
"Hey can I talk to you downstairs?" Luce nodded against Daniel chest. They got up walking down into the kitchen.
Once downstairs Daniel walked over tot the breakfast bar sitting on a stool. "Can I tell you something?" Luce walked over next to Daniels side.
"Yeah of course."
"I think I know what I want." Luce looked confused. "For the future."
"Okay."
"I want this Luce. I want to have a house that's just big enough for a small family. I want to have two or three kids and I want to do family stuff all the time. I want what you grew up having Luce." She smiled.
"Okay."
"And I want to have it well, umm, with you." Luce took a step back not sure what exactly was going on.
"Daniel what are you saying?"
"Luce I love you."
"And I love you." Luce started to get really nervous. "Daniel are you going to ask me something?"
"Like what love?" Daniel thought about it for a minuet. "Oh god Luce no. Trust me hon when I do have that something to ask you it won't be in your parents dark kitchen in the middle of the night." Luce let out a deep breath. Daniel got up wrapping her in a bug hug. "I do want to make you a promise thou." Luce leaned her forehead against Daniel chest.
"Ok."
"I want to promise that I won't screw up again. That I might hurt you and I might make mistakes but I will always love you . I will always fight for you and I will never give up on us." Daniel cupped Luce chin tilting her head back. "Cause I have something else to tell you." Luce braced herself. "Becky doesn't want to wait for the baby to be born to do the paternity test. She wants to do it now." Luce was confused.
"Now but how?"
"Well they are some genetics the doctors are worried about and they want to run some test. The doctor know about the situation and says we can do the paternity test at the same time. So we should know in about two weeks."
"What kinds of tests? Are they safe?"
"Well of course there are some risks. But since she is already having the amniocentesis done they are going to run the paternity test at the same time."
"But the baby should be fine?"
"Yeah. I've missed you." Daniel ran his hands over Luce hips and down her back pulling her closer.
"Oh yeah. Well I've missed you. Why did Nora's mom have to call?"
"Oh because she is trying to kill Cam and I." Luce pulled on Daniel shirt so he would lean down and kiss her. "Your an amazing girl Lucinda." Daniel leaned down kissing her slowly. Alice cleared her throat.
"Daniel. Luce." Alice was standing in the door way in her bathrobe. "What are you two doing?"
"Nothing Momma. We were just talking."
"Um. Hmm. I heard something I thought that we should discuss."
"Sure Mom." Luce and Daniel sat back at the island.
"I heard somethings earlier and well. I thought you guys were doing ok?"
"We had another small hiccup but nothing to worry about."
"Hiccup?"
"Ok it was an issue. But it's fine now." Daniel looked at his feet suddenly not able to look Alice in the eye.
"Oh Daniel. What happened?" Daniel couldn't tell Alice. Not after what he had done. "Daniel?"
"Becky and I had a moment. It shouldn't of happened but it did."
"Oh Daniel." Both of them looked at the counter. "I don't think I can keep all this from John anymore kids. I think after camping we should all sit down and have a talk."
"Oh Momma no. Please Daddy won't understand. Just wait the two weeks til we know if the baby is Daniels or not."
"What baby?" John came around the corner into the kitchen.
"Daddy."
"John." Daniel and Luce wanted to fall thru the floor.
"I asked a question and I expect an answer. What baby?"
"I. I. IT. I"
"Are you pregnant?"
"What pregnant. Oh God no. Daddy just listen." John went from confused and mad to pissed.
"You cheated on my daughter. You little bastard." Alice instantly stepped in front of John.
"Now honey claim down. Remember your blood pressure."
"I will not claim down. And Alice you knew about this?"
"Yes I knew. Why don't we let the kids go to bed and we can talk about this."
"Oh hell no. I want his ass out of my house." Luce jumped up and ran in front of her dad.
"Daddy no. Please. Let us just explain."
"Luce honey its fine I'll go pack." Daniel got up and started out of the kitchen.
"No Daniel wait. Dad lets just talk ok." Luce started crying and running after Daniel who was still heading toward the basement on the phone with the car service. Alice gently laid her hands on Johns chest.
"I want you to think about what you are doing John."
"Why? Why didn't you tell me Alice?"
"Because it wasn't my place. It was between Luce and Daniel."
"Did he or did he not cheat on our daughter?"
"Well yes he did. But he feels horrible about it."
"Are you ok with this?"
"No I'm not. But John she is an adult now and if she wants to be with Daniel than its our job to try and accept him. Plus everyone is human and makes mistakes." She couldn't look her husband in the eye. But John knew what Alice was talking about and he instantly felt bad.
"I don't like it Alice."
"Neither do I. But he has apologized to Luce and is trying to do right by her and the other girl." John walked into the living room sitting down on the sofa running his hands thru his hair. Daniel walked up the stairs with his bag in one hand and a cry hysterical Luce behind begging him to not leave.
"You promised you would never leave me."
"Luce honey I'm not leaving you. I'm just honoring your Dads wishes."
"Your leaving me. Wait no your not I'm coming too." John stood up walking over to Daniel.
"Neither of you are going any where. Daniel you and I are going to have a long talk in the morning but right now everyone is going to bed."
Alice had walked upstairs to tell Nora and Cam it was time for bed only to find them sound asleep in the alcove. She turned walking back downstairs. John had gone off to bed and Luce and Daniel were sitting alone in the kitchen. Luce had finally stopped crying. "Well Nora and Cam are fast asleep." Luce sniffled. "Why don't you two go sleep upstairs too." Both just nodded and headed up to bed.