It has been a long twenty-four hours for Lucas Horton. This grandfather has been driving all over Salem in preparation for his new grandchild's arrival. He nonchalantly saunters into his slightly darken room, just ending his call with Will. He feels his age wondering why he did not go to the gym before heading home.
After a hot shower, he snuggles under the covers with the paperback Bonnie left for him the other day. If anything, Lucas uses this mindless book as a distraction from his world. He finds himself turning the page more and more between laughs. He finally dozes off mid-chapter.
He wakes up to the weight of the bed shifting. "What the hell?" He sees a figure in his bed after turning on the light spotting blond hair. Obviously more aware of his surroundings than five minutes ago due to Bonnie, he snaps, "What do you think you're doing?"
"We have to talk, Lucas." She is clearly anxious of having this conversation.
"Not like this… not alone." He jumps out of bed backing into the dresser and opens the door. "You know… Typically talks are over coffee… not whatever this is." He is blindsided by her presence, "How the hell did you even get in here?" And thinks to himself, "This is going to get weird."
"This was the only way for me to get your attention for longer than five seconds." She sits up, "Please."
The door is now shut and locked, "What is it?" He stands at the foot of the bed in a black tank and cotton pajama bottoms, "Talk."
"I know I ruined your life and you hate me, but for right now I need for you to listen."
"Wait," he thinks to himself. "Are you naked in that bed?"
She throws the covers off to reveal she is still clothed in black pants with a soft pink blouse. She stands by the end table keeping a safe distance between them.
"Tell the story."
She sighs heavily after spotting the paperback book, "What I'm about to tell you, you can't share with anyone. I came here because I trust you."
At this time, he notices her black heels on the floor beside the bed. "You barely know me." He is perplexed and exhausted.
"That's not true." With hope and fear, she stands before him completely vulnerable. "Look at me, Lucas. Really look at me." She pauses letting him absorb the situation, "Who do you think I am?"
With his hands on his hips and full of impatience, "What?"
"You heard me," she mumbles. "Please, just answer the question."
Refraining from making eye contact, "I want you to be Adrienne, but that isn't possible." This whole thing is becoming a little trying, especially at this early hour. "So you must be my worst nightmare."
Tears form ignoring his last statement, "You made me happier than I ever thought was possible." She steps closer to him, "Lucas…"
He interrupts her, "Stop. Just stop damn it!" The pacing begins, "This can't be real. If you say…" He halts and redirects his statement, "You left me for Justin and then you died."
"Sweetie. I. Am. Adrienne." She slowly unbuttons her blouse for the only way she can think to prove her identity. "Do you remember how you traced my scars the first time we made love after my surgery?"
"Please stop," he pleads in frustration. The pacing begins again, "How is this happening?" He flashes back to that day. "No one would know that…" he quietly utters rubbing his forehead completely baffled unsure of what Bonnie is trying to do other than lure him into bed. "You can't." He thinks to himself, "You can't be her. You just can't be…" He sniffles, "Adrienne is gone." Overwhelming sadness takes over his emotions.
"Lucas, look at me… please." She lets the blouse hang holding it tight like a protective blanket, "We were friends first. And then this magic happened between us." She pauses to find her voice, "You know… It… us started with a perfect kiss…" Placing a hand over her heart, she remembers that night. "I was very sensitive and so insecure. The scars are faded now, but…"
He wipes the tears away with a blunt response. "I'm not strong enough for this."
The proof is ever-present, "I didn't come here to hurt you. I want you to know that. I came here because you once cared for me, fallen for me, protected me, loved me…"
He stares at her… and finally really looks at her beginning with those eyes; the most enticing blue eyes ever.
"Do you remember, Lucas? You took your time," she drops her blouse to the floor revealing a white lace bra. "And, we made love. That's what it was… for hours." She sighs, "We had not be intimate for months, so we had some catching up to do." She grins happily, "You would hold my hand as we came together, every single time."
He steps closer entering this woman's orbit running his forefinger along her bicep; a simple delicate touch causing a moan to escape from their lips simultaneously. The silence in this moment is thick as he studies her body, her smooth skin. She becomes stagnant desperate for hope.
Lucas' eyes land between her breasts searching for any scar. The white bra is sheer at the cups structured with uplifting construction in its decorative stitching. The touch is tentative and meticulous with his finger along the skin moving from one breast to the other.
He whispers with belief, "Adrienne…" He does not want to deny this possibility… the love of his life standing alive before him. He grabs her and wraps his arms tightly.
She cries out, "Oh god. Lucas."
"It's really you?" he mutters into her neck. "How is this happening?" He cannot stop holding her, feeling her body against his.
"It's me," she whispers. "I'm here..."
Her knuckles turn white gripping tighter to his shoulders. There is an obvious realization of missed personal contact, "Honestly, I don't remember much. I think I was maybe brainwashed. It's all a blur."
He lightly kisses her shoulder, "Are you okay?" He asks placing her blouse back on her shoulders. "Where have you been for the last year?"