DESTINY
Chapter 13
Once Dara reached the door to the ICU area she was stopped and asked to identify herself, the guard explaining that only immediate family were allowed to go any further. Nodding her head in understanding, she supplied the requested information. "Dara Chambers Buck, I'm Alex Chambers' daughter. And by the way, my husband will be up in a second." After checking a list, the guard nodded his approval for her to enter as he pushed a button to allow the door to unlock.
Dara hurried through to find her father's room. Spotting his name on one of the doors, she opened it cautiously. She was never so glad of the training she had received in her profession for controlling her emotions as she was now, seeing her father lying in the middle of a hospital bed with various tubes and IV's running from his body. Dara softly closed the door, careful to avert her eyes away from the sight of her father, lying so helpless. Crossing the space between them, she went to the chair where Kara was sitting, apparently deep in thought.
Kara turned, startled, as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Seeing her sister she got up and hugged her tightly, then stepping back to take in her obvious condition, she smiled sadly, "Well, it's definitely apparent it's twins, isn't it?"
Dara nodded solemnly before asking, "What have the doctors said?"
Motioning for Dara to follow her out of the room, in case their father awoke, Kara explained once outside what the doctor's prognosis had been. "They've found another blockage, that's what caused this attack. They're saying that the only thing to do is an angioplasty, but his heart is so weak from the attack that his chances aren't very good."
Dara looked at her sister in disbelief, asking calmly, "So what are our options, either he has it and probably dies on the table, or he doesn't and has to cope with the pain till he dies?"
Kara nodded her head in agreement with her sister's assessment of the situation. "Unfortunately, those are the only two doors open to us."
Dara glanced through the observation window of her father's room studying her father, hoping for a better solution to present itself. Finally, already knowing the answer, she asked the question on her mind. "What does daddy say about it?"
Kara sighed heavily, "He said that he would rather die fighting than to just lay down and give in." Placing her hand on her sister's arm, Kara inquired, "Look, Jack will be here any minute, when did you eat last?"
Dara considered her sister's inquiry, and then shrugged, "I don't remember, Lucas let me sleep for most of the trip."
Kara stated, "Well, when they get up here, it's almost time for us to leave for the shift change anyway, we'll go and get something to eat."
After parking the car Lucas followed behind Dara to the cardiac unit. He had deliberately lingered behind in order to give her some time with her sister and father, as well as a chance to talk to the doctor in private.
He was now in the elevator heading to the floor where the unit could be found. The only other person on the elevator was a man Lucas knew for certain he had never seen before, although the stranger kept glancing at Lucas as though he somehow recognized him. Lucas glanced at the man, taking in his appearance trying to recall if he had ever seen this person before. He was slightly shorter than Lucas, although slightly older, with a touch of gray here and there in his hair. Lucas knew for certain that he had never set eyes on this man, although there was something slightly familiar about his face. Finally, the man addressed him, "Excuse me, aren't you Lucas Buck?"
Glancing at the man in irritation, Lucas asked testily, "Why?"
Holding his hands in a gesture of surrender the man replied, "No offense." Then, offering his hand for a handshake, he stated, "I'm Jack Tanner, Kara's husband."
Lucas took the man's hand in return, "Nice to meet you."
Jack nodded his head as he explained, "I didn't mean to freak you out, I recognized you from the wedding picture Kara keeps on our mantel." Looking puzzled, he queried, "By the way, where is Dara?"
Lucas motioned upward to indicate the floor they were about to arrive at. "I let her go ahead, while I parked the car." The elevator signaled their arrival at the floor they had designated. Exiting, they found their wives seated in the lobby area, awaiting their arrival.
Seeing her husband, Kara got up to greet him, then asked, "Jack, have you met Dara's husband, Lucas?"
Jack nodded, "Yeah, I recognized him from their wedding picture." Then, turning to greet his favored sister in law, he asked, "Well baby sister, don't I get a hug anymore?" Jack watched as she pushed herself up from her chair to greet him. Taking in her obvious condition, he shook his head as he hugged her, stepping back to look at her closer, he teased, "Well, it's a good thing you got twins in there, otherwise that kid would weigh a ton."
Hitting his arm in mock anger, Dara returned his good-natured teasing, "Now is that anyway to talk to your favorite sister in law, especially in my condition."
Kara smiled at their teasing as she turned to inform him, "Honey, it's time for the shift change and Dara needs to eat, lets go grab something then we'll come back so she can see daddy."
Nodding to his wife, Jack replied, "Sounds good."
After they had ordered their food, Kara approached the subject of their accommodations. "Brittany can sleep in Jacob's room, I hope you guys don't mind a double bed."
Lucas turned to her, "We can stay at a hotel, if you would prefer. We don't want to impose."
Jack silenced his reservations; "It's not an imposition, besides we always like having Dara stay with us."
After the arrangements had been settled, Kara consulted her watch, "It's time to go back to the hospital."
After they had checked in at the security desk, Dara and Kara went ahead. Jack and Lucas having lagged behind to not only converse with the security guard Jack knew, but to allow their wives the chance to speak with their father's doctor. Just as they were about to open the door to Alex's room, the last person that either had expected to see pulled it open to stand face to face looking at them both.
Zach Chambers pulled the door closed as he glared at them both, then noticing his younger sister's obvious condition, he sneered as he remarked snidely, "Well, well, looks like the perfect little angel went and got herself knocked up. Tell me something, baby sister who's the guilty party, that stud you had at mama's funeral, or just someone you decided to fall into bed with?" Ignoring both sisters' gasps of shock at his vulgarity, he pursued further, "Out of curiosity, did he even bother to offer to marry you?" Failing to notice his approach, Zach froze in fear when he heard a male's voice responding to his taunting.
"Actually, I married your sister at least six months before she found herself in this condition. And let me assure you, I'm the guilty party, as you put it."
Turning with dread, Zach came face to face with the person he feared the most in the world. Blanching at the sight of Lucas, Zach turned and excused himself to leave. Breathing a sigh of relief as he waited for the elevator, he didn't notice the person standing behind him till he heard him speak.
"You know, I would have thought that our last conversation would have convinced you that this habit of belittling your sister, is an extremely dangerous past time."
Turning, he stood gaping at Lucas in fear. He hadn't even heard the man's approach.
Lucas pressed the button for him, as he looked him in the eyes, "Unless you want to take advantage of the services this facility has to offer, I suggest you limit your conversations to your sister to a simple hello and good bye. She happens to be in a very delicate condition and seeing her upset would rile me to no end. Do we understand each other?"
Zach nodded silently, not willing to trust his voice at the moment. Finally, the elevator arrived and he stepper into it, grateful for the chance to escape his brother in law.
Lucas returned to await his wife outside the room; he joined Jack who was also waiting for Kara.
Jack turned to inquire, "Zach at it again with Dara?"
Lucas nodded as he took a sip of the coffee Jack had offered him. "I don't think he'll do it again, I don't think he realized that I was here."
Jack, remembering his wife's description of the incident at the funeral home, nodded his head in agreement.
After the doctor had apprised her of the situation with her father's health, Dara ventured to his room alone to see him for a few minutes. Finding him awake and smiling weakly, she approached his bed, with her own smile firmly in place. Lowering herself into a chair near his bed, she attempted to make her voice as cheerful as possible. "You know, if you wanted me to come home for a visit, all you had to do was ask."
Answering her weakly, he responded, "I thought I'd make sure you came. By the way, how are you doing? You look like you're carrying a football team in there."
Smiling sadly, she replied, "No actually twins, but they do seem to kick like punters sometimes."
Looking into his daughter's eyes, he replied seriously, "You know that I won't be here to see my grandchildren born, don't you, baby girl?"
Dara had to fight desperately to keep her tears from falling. Knowing that he wouldn't be here when her children came into the world was one thing, hearing him voice the fact was another. "Come on, daddy. We don't know that."
Smiling thinly, he shook his head at his daughter's stubbornness. "Dara Cherice, you know as well as I do how things are, but I want you to know this. I love you with all my heart, and no matter what I'll still be apart of you and your children."
Dara lowered her head in order to gain control over her raging emotions, looking back at her father as he asked, "By the way, where's your husband?"
Dara nodded towards the door, "He's waiting outside with Jack. Why?"
Motioning towards the portal, Alex requested, "I'd like to talk to him for a minute."
Hurrying to comply with her father's request, Dara pushed herself up from the chair to go in search of her husband. Finding him sipping a cup of coffee in the waiting area, she motioned to him.
Lucas hurried to see what his wife required. "What is it, honey, you all right?"
Dara nodded her head, "I'm fine, but daddy wants to see you for a few minutes." Following her to her father's room, Lucas entered alone and sat in the chair his wife had earlier vacated.
Alex turned to look at his son-in-law, stating, "You know when Dara said she wanted to marry you, I had a lot of reservations. I could see that you're a hard, cold, dangerous man, but I would be a fool not to see how happy my daughter is. For that, I thank you. I need to ask you to make me a promise."
Lucas looked at the man, having already surmised what the 'promise' probably was. "What is it you want me to promise?"
Alex motioned to the observation window, where Kara and Dara could be seen on the other side, "No matter how much they wish it wasn't so, I think both you and Jack are astute enough to realize that I'm dying."
Lucas, knowing that offering the man hollow words of comfort would be useless, simply replied, "I'm aware of it, what can I do to help you feel better about the fact."
Alex looked him in the eyes, stating, "I know my daughter, when I'm gone she is going to feel like a lost ship with no home port, so to speak."
Lucas shook his head vehemently at the man's statement. "She has a home, ours. As long as I live she won't be by herself."
Accepting his words, Alex nodded, "I know that, what I want from you is your promise that you'll never mistreat her in any way. And never give her cause to regret loving you as much as she does."
Although Lucas understood the man's concern for his daughter, he stated his position emphatically. "I made her that promise the day I married her.
Alex, certain of the younger man's sincerity, nodded his acceptance.
Later that evening the adults sat around the dining table of the Tanner household discussing various topics. When Dara turned to her sister to inquire, "By the way, when's Mara supposed to get here?"
Kara shook her head, "I don't think she will."
Dara stared at her sister in disbelief, "You're joking, right?"
Kara sighed in regret as she explained, "I wish I was, but apparently Craig isn't sending the child support for Mikey, so money is pretty tight for her right now. She can't afford the money for the trip."
Dara considered for a moment, she had the money that had been left from her savings account, as well as from the life insurance policy on her mother. Since Lucas had paid the remainder of the medical and funeral bills, not to mention refusing to allow Dara to repay him, she had put the money into their joint savings and checking accounts. Lucas had never said anything about how much she spent, stating that if anything he wished she would spoil herself and be a little extravagant, but what she was considering now was no small amount and she wasn't certain what his reaction might be. Money had never been an issue in their marriage, and she didn't want it to become one now.
Lucas sat watching the look on his wife's face, already knowing what she was considering. Getting up, he took the phone from the desk along with the phone book and sat both on the table in front of his wife. Then reaching in his pocket for his wallet, he handed her a credit card. "See about booking her and your nephew on a flight, as soon as possible." Lucas could see the tears of affection brimming in her eyes. Oblivious to anyone else's presence, he reached over to wipe the tears from her eyes, "Are you going to cry or call the airlines?"
Placing her hand over his, she simply stated, "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
Lucas nodded his head, "Hopefully, as much as I do you. Now, call the airlines." Picking up the phone, he handed it to her to punctuate his point.
After calling the airline and making a reservation, they called Mara. At first, she wasn't happy about it because she felt like it was charity, but after everyone, including Lucas, who spoke to her in privacy, explained the gravity of the situation; she became more receptive to the idea.
Finally, after they had all the arrangements made, everyone went to their respective rooms to find their rest for the night.
As they were getting settled for the night, discussed the situation at hand.
Dara had been curious all evening as to her father and husband's conversation and wanted desperately to know the subject, although she had her suspicions.
Lucas watched her tug at her bottom lip with her teeth as she was brushing her hair. Finishing undressing, he got into bed as she placed the hairbrush on the nightstand. Lifting his arm to allow her to rest her head against his chest, he opened the door to appease her curiosity. "All right, I see your curiosity is peeked, and I'm pretty sure I know what about, but go ahead and ask."
Dara shook her head in amazement. She had become accustomed to his reading her thoughts. In the beginning of their marriage it had greatly disturbed her, but in the ten or so months since then she had grown accustomed to it. To some degree she had even come to depend on his knowing her so well.
Sighing in resignation, she asked, "What did you and daddy discuss?"
He knew that the inevitable death of her one remaining parent would unsettle her and in her delicate condition he didn't want to overly upset her, but he had vowed to tell her the truth in their marriage. Bracing himself he began carefully. "He made me promise that I would take care of you and keep you safe and happy." Deciding that it needed to be said, he asked her softly, "You know he knows he's dying, don't you?"
Dara was holding back her tears as she nodded her head. "I don't want to know, but I do."
Pulling her even closer to him, he put his other arm around her. "Darlin, I'm sorry, but you're not alone. I'll always be here with you and for you." Letting her cry silent tears, he waited until she had calmed down before he pulled the blanket around her and settled her against him. "It's all right, honey. You go ahead and go to sleep now. You and the babies need your rest." Rubbing her back in slow circles to help her relax, he soon felt the rise and fall or her chest deepen into a more relaxed pace, he knew she had finally fallen asleep.
Kara was up early the next morning to efficiently and silently get her children off to school. After she had them on their way, she turned her attention towards fixing breakfast for the adults. She didn't realize Lucas was behind her, until she turned around. Startling her, she let her grip on the coffee cup she was holding slip. Lucas reached out and effortlessly caught it in mid air, then handed it back to her.
"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you."
Kara, who had placed her hand over her heart, smiled sheepishly, "You definitely have a way of sneaking up on people, don't you?"
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "Just walk softly, I guess."
Kara silently took in his appearance. As usual, he was dressed in dress black jeans and boots, but today, he was also wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, buttoned to his collar and black sued vest. Contemplating his statement, Kara volunteered, "Yeah, I guess I'm used to my tribe sounding like a herd of elephants." Glancing in the direction of the bedrooms, she asked, "Is Dara still asleep?"
Lucas nodded, "Yeah, she needs the rest."
Kara looked at him critically, "Is she really doing better, or is that what she's telling us to keep us from worrying?"
Dara had decided not to divulge all the details of what had almost happened with Dr. Hanson, stating only that he had miss-prescribed some medication for her that had caused an adverse reaction.
Lucas, not willing to betray his wife's trust in him answered simply, "She had a rough time at the beginning of her pregnancy, but now she's doing fine. Her new doctor is thrilled with her progress."
Satisfied that he was telling her the truth, she simply nodded as Dara came from the bedroom, fully dressed and ready to leave.
Lucas insisted the she sit and at least eat some toast and drink a glass of juice before they left.
As they were sitting around the table, after Jack had joined them, discussing what the itinerary for the day should be. Jack and Kara decided to pick Mara and her son up from the airport, allowing Dara to have a little extra time with their father.
Dara and Lucas arrived at the door to Alex's room just in time to run into Zach.
Lucas, seeing him first, placed his arm protectively around his wife's shoulders, discouraging her brother from harassing her.
Zach seeing the look in his brother-in-law's eyes, simply nodded and mumbled, "Hello" to his sister.
Dara noticing the pained look on her brother's face couldn't help herself from haltingly touching her brother's arms.
Looking at his sister warily, he waited for her to ask her question.
Dara, unsure, asked, "Is he worse?"
Remembering his mother's final words to him, he simply nodded his head at her sadly."
Bracing herself, she entered the room. He had indeed gotten much worse, he was a great deal paler than he had been the day before and was now laboring to breath. The doctor examining him was shaking his head. Approaching her, he stated, "Mrs. Buck, he's much worse, if we're going to do the operation it has to be right now."
Dara looked at her father and then asked, "Does he know?"
The doctor nodded, "Yes, he still wants to have the operation."
Just then Alex motioned for his daughter to come closer. When she leaned next to him to hear his words, he pleaded, "Sign the papers, baby. Let them at least try."
Dara blinked back her tears, then looked at the doctor, "Bring me the papers, I'll sign them." A few minutes later a nurse entered and handed Dara a clipboard with the necessary documents. She glanced at her father in uncertainty, "Daddy, are you sure?" then sighed in resignation when he nodded his head.
Lucas could see how she was wrestling with her desire to fulfill her father's request, as well as the feeling that she was signing his death warrant. Touching her hand gently, he offered, "Honey, do you want me to sign them?"
Dara shook her head sadly, "No, it has to be one of us and it has to be now, so I'll take the responsibility."
Watching as she quickly scribbled her name across the bottom of the forms, Lucas wished with everything inside of him that he could fix this for her, but he knew how she would react if he even suggested it.
Handing the clipboard over to the doctor, she listened as he advised her that they only had a few minutes until they would have to remove her father to surgery. Dara went to stand next to his bed and look on her parent lovingly, realizing that it could well be the last time she would see him.
Reaching weakly to take her hand, Alex smiled at her. "Can I tell you something?" Your mother was right, out of all four of you kids, you have the most special spirit, but don't tell your brother or sisters that."
Dara was trying desperately to hold her tears at bay as she knelt over to place a kiss on his cheek and hug him tightly. "I love you, daddy. And I always will."
Suddenly the room filled with nurses and orderlies, come to prepare her father for surgery. After they were ushered out, a nurse asked them to go to the waiting room designated for families whose loved ones were having surgery.
Dara was about to object when the nurse smiled at her sadly, "I'll let your sister know where you're at."
Lucas nodded his thanks to the woman as he led his wife to the elevators.
Just as they reached it the door opened, admitting Kara, Mara and Jack, as well as Mara's son, Mikey to the floor.
Kara, seeing the look on her sister's face asked the question she didn't really want the answer to. "He's gotten worse, hasn't he?"
Dara sadly nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak without crying.
Lucas, sensing his wife's battle for control of her emotions, supplied the explanation for her. "They're taking him to surgery now. They want us to wait downstairs, the doctor said they weren't able to wait any longer, and Alex asked that they go ahead and perform the surgery."
Kara, falling back on the need to have something to occupy her thoughts, said decisively, "Let's go down and wait then."
Once they had settled themselves in the waiting room, Mara hugged her expectant sister as she expressed her gratitude for the financial assistance. "Thank you for the money to come, Dara. I know it's not the best way to get to see you, but I'm glad I have. Besides, I think we should all be here."
Dara shrugged nonchalantly, "You should really thank Lucas, he offered to pay for the trip.
Lucas brushed off Mara's expressions of gratitude, not wanting his generosity made common knowledge.
Even though the three sisters tried to keep their conversation light, Lucas could still feel the sense of impending sorrow hanging in the air between the four children. Even in Zach, who chose to sit separate from his sisters and remained quiet through the wait.
Finally, after an hour of waiting, the receptionist inquired, "Chambers family?"
They all turned as Kara responded, "That's us."
Nodding her acknowledgement, the woman explained, "The doctor will be down in a second."
Mara turned towards her sisters, "She didn't look sympathetic, do you think everything went all right?"
Dara, who had remained mostly silent, spoke up, "You can't go by that. Most hospital personnel are trained to be impassive."
The surgeon came into the room, looking at the group encompassed.
All of them stood to take whatever news the man had to offer. Lucas glanced down at Dara, who had unconsciously taken his hand for support.
Approaching the group the physician stated directly, "I'm sorry, but there wasn't anything else to be done. We knew how slim his chances of surviving the procedure were, but he insisted on attempting it anyway. I wish there were something more I could say, but all I can do is tell you how truly sorry I am. Someone will be in contact with you about the arrangements later on, if you'd like to go home."
Lucas, seeing that everyone else was in deep shock, extended his hand to the man, "I'm sure you did what you could, and thank you."
Nodding his head in sympathy for their loss, he left to fill out whatever forms were necessary.
Lucas turned to the three sisters; each one's reaction was varying.
Mara was silently weeping, wiping her tears away as quickly as they appeared.
Kara was very quiet, looking to her husband she stated softly, "Lets go home and call the funeral home."
Dara's reaction was the one that concerned him the most; she had a blank look on her face, as if trying to comprehend what was happening. The pain, however, was evident in her eyes. Not wanting the floodgate of her emotions to open here, he agreed with Kara's statement, "I think that's a good idea, lets get out of here." Putting his arm around her waist to guide her out, Lucas led her to their car.
Once inside, with no one else around, Dara spoke sadly, "He's gone, isn't her? I feel like and orphan. Now there's no one to go home to is there?"
Lucas quickly pulled her into his embrace, "Let it out, honey. It's all right, you cry all you want, but you're not alone, Dara. I'm always going to be here with you and for you." Letting her cry her sadness out, he realized that she had quieted a great deal. Pulling back to look at her and wipe her eyes, he asked, "Are you ready to go now?" Nodding her head in silence, she turned to stare out her window as she continued crying quietly. When they had reached Kara's house, he glanced over and realized she had fallen asleep. Knowing how desperately she needed to rest, he got out and went to her side to lift her in his arms and carry her into the house, allowing her to remain asleep.
Kara and Mara, seeing their sister being carried in, got up immediately.
Lucas shook his head negatively, seeing the looks of worry that both women were wearing, as he continued to their assigned room. Placing her gently on the bed, he loosened her clothing and removed her shoes. After closing the curtains, he turned and placing a kiss on her forehead, pulled a blanket over her and left the room.
Her sisters immediately set upon him, "What happened, is Dara all right?"
Lucas nodded his head, "She's fine, she fell asleep in the car and I didn't want to wake her, she and the babies need the rest, especially right now."
As with their mother, their father's funeral had also been pre arranged, leaving very few details to contend with. Although, as Kara pointed out, there would be extra expenses to be met, "We'll have to figure something out, I'm sure they'll let us make payments on it."
Lucas, who was pouring himself a reheated cup of coffer, asked, "What about his medical bills?"
Kara shrugged, "He was fully covered there, so there won't be any bills from that."
Lucas considered her statement for a moment before he asked, "How much do you think you'll have to come up with?"
Looking at him in puzzlement, she replied, "I'm not sure, most of it's already paid for, but my guess is that with the other expenses we'll have to come up with probably no more than five thousand dollars, at the most. We'll figure it out, I guess Jack and I can borrow on the house."
Without a word, Lucas got up and went to where he had laid his wife's purse, searching until he found what he wanted, he went to the table and wrote a check for the amount she had stated, and then handed her the check.
Kara stared at him with her mouth open, "I cant accept this, besides that you've already paid everything for mama, as well as Mara's trip."
Lucas shrugged, "Yes, you can. Besides that, think of how much better you and Dara will feel knowing that everything is taken care of."
Shaking her head in disbelief at his generosity, she inquired, "Are you sure, I mean you and Dara have the babies coming."
Holding up his hand to silence her protests, he stated, "We have a comfortable lifestyle. We can afford to do it, so just say thank you, OK?"
Smiling at him warmly, she replied, "Thank you."
Lucas, sensing that Dara was awake, excused himself to check on her, opening the door to the bedroom he found her standing in front of the window with her arms wrapped around her, as though trying to draw comfort from within herself.
Remembering how emotionally fragile she had been after her mother's death, he wanted to make certain that she knew he was there for her to draw strength from. Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and asked in deep concern, "Are you all right, darlin?"
Although she remained silent as she nodded her head, he understood the underlying current of emotions running through her. "You fell lost with both of them gone, don't you?"
Turning to look in his eyes, she stated, "I know I shouldn't, I have you and soon I'll have our children. And I know that I'm a grown woman, but yes, I do feel very lost without them."
Pulling her into his embrace and laying his cheek against the top of her head, he stated, "You're not alone, honey. I promise you, we'll get through this together, just as we did when your mother died."
Dara glanced up at him, then lowered her head against his chest as she muttered, "I believe you."
Since all of the Chambers family was present, the services for Alex were held immediately.
Lucas was grateful for the fact that Zach kept pretty much to himself, especially given his wife's delicate condition, but he still continued to hover near her, just in case.
Although Lucas knew that it was Dara's character to hold her emotions in until they overwhelmed her, he had assumed that she would turn to him for comfort once they were alone, but after the funeral the next day, when they were alone before going to sleep, Lucas had offered her comfort. He had went around to her side of the bed as she was turning the covers back, about to get into bed, and placed his arms around her to hold her. "Baby, if you want to let it out, you go right ahead. There's no one here to show a brave facet to." He was shocked when she had turned around to address him. Her face was set in a look of tight control.
"I'm fine, just tired. Let's get some sleep so we can leave early tomorrow. I'm ready to be home as I'm sure you must be." After her statement she reached up on tiptoe to place a chaste kiss on his mouth, then turned and climbed into bed.
Lucas furrowed his brow, then deciding to let it go, he pulled the covers closer around her, noticing that she was almost asleep, he chose to leave her alone for a while.Closing the door softly behind him, he ventured to the kitchen, deciding on a cup of coffee.
Kara, seeing him come up the hall, poured him a cup and handed it to him as he reached the table.
Taking the cup in his hands, he smiled at her gratefully, "Thanks.
Shrugging her shoulders, she replied, "You look as though you could use it." Nodding his head in agreement, Lucas began sipping at the hot liquid
Glancing over the rim of her cup, Kara asked, "How's Dara?"
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "She says she's fine, I say there's a problem. She's keeping her emotions in check, and I know that it isn't healthy for her or her condition."
Nodding her agreement with her brother-in-law's statement, she asked, "How long have you two been married now?"
Lucas glanced at her in curiosity as he replied, "Almost a year now, why?"
Glancing at him in a knowing manner, she asked, "You haven't realized Dara's biggest flaw yet?"
Sighing heavily, he responded, "Yes, I have. Aside from being stubborn as hell, she keeps things bottled up inside of herself. She did it when your mother died, she tries to deal with everything on her own terms, without benefit of help from anybody or anything else."
Kara agreed, "That's it exactly, part of it stems from the fact that there is a big age difference between her and the rest of us. So she spent a lot of time alone, and partly because when things were so bad at home for us, when daddy was so abusive. Because to show weakness or tears meant that we got it worse, but Dara has always been more stubborn that the rest of us, she would rather die than to cry about anything. And when she does shed tears, its usually in private."
Lucas considered her revelation for a moment, "So what's the answer to it, what do I do to help my wife?"
Kara studied him thoughtfully for a moment, realizing once again the amount of love that this man possessed for her sister. Finally, she replied, "Exactly what you're doing. Love her and let her know that you're here when she needs you, you've done wonders in almost a year, she's more out of her shell now than I've ever seen her."
Lucas pondered her statement, and then excused himself for the night. "I guess I better get some sleep, we're leaving early in the morning."
Kara chuckled, "Part of the fun of being sheriff, Huh? No extended vacations."
Lucas shocked his sister in law by bending down and placing a kiss on her cheek, "Thank you for the advice, I'll take it." With that he headed to the bedroom to settle in for the night.
When he climbed into bed next to his wife, he studied her face for a moment. Seeing the changing expressions he realized that she was dreaming. Curling himself around her, he gently massaged her back as he whispered in her ear, "Calm down, love. I'm here, go back to sleep."
Chapter 13
Once Dara reached the door to the ICU area she was stopped and asked to identify herself, the guard explaining that only immediate family were allowed to go any further. Nodding her head in understanding, she supplied the requested information. "Dara Chambers Buck, I'm Alex Chambers' daughter. And by the way, my husband will be up in a second." After checking a list, the guard nodded his approval for her to enter as he pushed a button to allow the door to unlock.
Dara hurried through to find her father's room. Spotting his name on one of the doors, she opened it cautiously. She was never so glad of the training she had received in her profession for controlling her emotions as she was now, seeing her father lying in the middle of a hospital bed with various tubes and IV's running from his body. Dara softly closed the door, careful to avert her eyes away from the sight of her father, lying so helpless. Crossing the space between them, she went to the chair where Kara was sitting, apparently deep in thought.
Kara turned, startled, as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Seeing her sister she got up and hugged her tightly, then stepping back to take in her obvious condition, she smiled sadly, "Well, it's definitely apparent it's twins, isn't it?"
Dara nodded solemnly before asking, "What have the doctors said?"
Motioning for Dara to follow her out of the room, in case their father awoke, Kara explained once outside what the doctor's prognosis had been. "They've found another blockage, that's what caused this attack. They're saying that the only thing to do is an angioplasty, but his heart is so weak from the attack that his chances aren't very good."
Dara looked at her sister in disbelief, asking calmly, "So what are our options, either he has it and probably dies on the table, or he doesn't and has to cope with the pain till he dies?"
Kara nodded her head in agreement with her sister's assessment of the situation. "Unfortunately, those are the only two doors open to us."
Dara glanced through the observation window of her father's room studying her father, hoping for a better solution to present itself. Finally, already knowing the answer, she asked the question on her mind. "What does daddy say about it?"
Kara sighed heavily, "He said that he would rather die fighting than to just lay down and give in." Placing her hand on her sister's arm, Kara inquired, "Look, Jack will be here any minute, when did you eat last?"
Dara considered her sister's inquiry, and then shrugged, "I don't remember, Lucas let me sleep for most of the trip."
Kara stated, "Well, when they get up here, it's almost time for us to leave for the shift change anyway, we'll go and get something to eat."
After parking the car Lucas followed behind Dara to the cardiac unit. He had deliberately lingered behind in order to give her some time with her sister and father, as well as a chance to talk to the doctor in private.
He was now in the elevator heading to the floor where the unit could be found. The only other person on the elevator was a man Lucas knew for certain he had never seen before, although the stranger kept glancing at Lucas as though he somehow recognized him. Lucas glanced at the man, taking in his appearance trying to recall if he had ever seen this person before. He was slightly shorter than Lucas, although slightly older, with a touch of gray here and there in his hair. Lucas knew for certain that he had never set eyes on this man, although there was something slightly familiar about his face. Finally, the man addressed him, "Excuse me, aren't you Lucas Buck?"
Glancing at the man in irritation, Lucas asked testily, "Why?"
Holding his hands in a gesture of surrender the man replied, "No offense." Then, offering his hand for a handshake, he stated, "I'm Jack Tanner, Kara's husband."
Lucas took the man's hand in return, "Nice to meet you."
Jack nodded his head as he explained, "I didn't mean to freak you out, I recognized you from the wedding picture Kara keeps on our mantel." Looking puzzled, he queried, "By the way, where is Dara?"
Lucas motioned upward to indicate the floor they were about to arrive at. "I let her go ahead, while I parked the car." The elevator signaled their arrival at the floor they had designated. Exiting, they found their wives seated in the lobby area, awaiting their arrival.
Seeing her husband, Kara got up to greet him, then asked, "Jack, have you met Dara's husband, Lucas?"
Jack nodded, "Yeah, I recognized him from their wedding picture." Then, turning to greet his favored sister in law, he asked, "Well baby sister, don't I get a hug anymore?" Jack watched as she pushed herself up from her chair to greet him. Taking in her obvious condition, he shook his head as he hugged her, stepping back to look at her closer, he teased, "Well, it's a good thing you got twins in there, otherwise that kid would weigh a ton."
Hitting his arm in mock anger, Dara returned his good-natured teasing, "Now is that anyway to talk to your favorite sister in law, especially in my condition."
Kara smiled at their teasing as she turned to inform him, "Honey, it's time for the shift change and Dara needs to eat, lets go grab something then we'll come back so she can see daddy."
Nodding to his wife, Jack replied, "Sounds good."
After they had ordered their food, Kara approached the subject of their accommodations. "Brittany can sleep in Jacob's room, I hope you guys don't mind a double bed."
Lucas turned to her, "We can stay at a hotel, if you would prefer. We don't want to impose."
Jack silenced his reservations; "It's not an imposition, besides we always like having Dara stay with us."
After the arrangements had been settled, Kara consulted her watch, "It's time to go back to the hospital."
After they had checked in at the security desk, Dara and Kara went ahead. Jack and Lucas having lagged behind to not only converse with the security guard Jack knew, but to allow their wives the chance to speak with their father's doctor. Just as they were about to open the door to Alex's room, the last person that either had expected to see pulled it open to stand face to face looking at them both.
Zach Chambers pulled the door closed as he glared at them both, then noticing his younger sister's obvious condition, he sneered as he remarked snidely, "Well, well, looks like the perfect little angel went and got herself knocked up. Tell me something, baby sister who's the guilty party, that stud you had at mama's funeral, or just someone you decided to fall into bed with?" Ignoring both sisters' gasps of shock at his vulgarity, he pursued further, "Out of curiosity, did he even bother to offer to marry you?" Failing to notice his approach, Zach froze in fear when he heard a male's voice responding to his taunting.
"Actually, I married your sister at least six months before she found herself in this condition. And let me assure you, I'm the guilty party, as you put it."
Turning with dread, Zach came face to face with the person he feared the most in the world. Blanching at the sight of Lucas, Zach turned and excused himself to leave. Breathing a sigh of relief as he waited for the elevator, he didn't notice the person standing behind him till he heard him speak.
"You know, I would have thought that our last conversation would have convinced you that this habit of belittling your sister, is an extremely dangerous past time."
Turning, he stood gaping at Lucas in fear. He hadn't even heard the man's approach.
Lucas pressed the button for him, as he looked him in the eyes, "Unless you want to take advantage of the services this facility has to offer, I suggest you limit your conversations to your sister to a simple hello and good bye. She happens to be in a very delicate condition and seeing her upset would rile me to no end. Do we understand each other?"
Zach nodded silently, not willing to trust his voice at the moment. Finally, the elevator arrived and he stepper into it, grateful for the chance to escape his brother in law.
Lucas returned to await his wife outside the room; he joined Jack who was also waiting for Kara.
Jack turned to inquire, "Zach at it again with Dara?"
Lucas nodded as he took a sip of the coffee Jack had offered him. "I don't think he'll do it again, I don't think he realized that I was here."
Jack, remembering his wife's description of the incident at the funeral home, nodded his head in agreement.
After the doctor had apprised her of the situation with her father's health, Dara ventured to his room alone to see him for a few minutes. Finding him awake and smiling weakly, she approached his bed, with her own smile firmly in place. Lowering herself into a chair near his bed, she attempted to make her voice as cheerful as possible. "You know, if you wanted me to come home for a visit, all you had to do was ask."
Answering her weakly, he responded, "I thought I'd make sure you came. By the way, how are you doing? You look like you're carrying a football team in there."
Smiling sadly, she replied, "No actually twins, but they do seem to kick like punters sometimes."
Looking into his daughter's eyes, he replied seriously, "You know that I won't be here to see my grandchildren born, don't you, baby girl?"
Dara had to fight desperately to keep her tears from falling. Knowing that he wouldn't be here when her children came into the world was one thing, hearing him voice the fact was another. "Come on, daddy. We don't know that."
Smiling thinly, he shook his head at his daughter's stubbornness. "Dara Cherice, you know as well as I do how things are, but I want you to know this. I love you with all my heart, and no matter what I'll still be apart of you and your children."
Dara lowered her head in order to gain control over her raging emotions, looking back at her father as he asked, "By the way, where's your husband?"
Dara nodded towards the door, "He's waiting outside with Jack. Why?"
Motioning towards the portal, Alex requested, "I'd like to talk to him for a minute."
Hurrying to comply with her father's request, Dara pushed herself up from the chair to go in search of her husband. Finding him sipping a cup of coffee in the waiting area, she motioned to him.
Lucas hurried to see what his wife required. "What is it, honey, you all right?"
Dara nodded her head, "I'm fine, but daddy wants to see you for a few minutes." Following her to her father's room, Lucas entered alone and sat in the chair his wife had earlier vacated.
Alex turned to look at his son-in-law, stating, "You know when Dara said she wanted to marry you, I had a lot of reservations. I could see that you're a hard, cold, dangerous man, but I would be a fool not to see how happy my daughter is. For that, I thank you. I need to ask you to make me a promise."
Lucas looked at the man, having already surmised what the 'promise' probably was. "What is it you want me to promise?"
Alex motioned to the observation window, where Kara and Dara could be seen on the other side, "No matter how much they wish it wasn't so, I think both you and Jack are astute enough to realize that I'm dying."
Lucas, knowing that offering the man hollow words of comfort would be useless, simply replied, "I'm aware of it, what can I do to help you feel better about the fact."
Alex looked him in the eyes, stating, "I know my daughter, when I'm gone she is going to feel like a lost ship with no home port, so to speak."
Lucas shook his head vehemently at the man's statement. "She has a home, ours. As long as I live she won't be by herself."
Accepting his words, Alex nodded, "I know that, what I want from you is your promise that you'll never mistreat her in any way. And never give her cause to regret loving you as much as she does."
Although Lucas understood the man's concern for his daughter, he stated his position emphatically. "I made her that promise the day I married her.
Alex, certain of the younger man's sincerity, nodded his acceptance.
Later that evening the adults sat around the dining table of the Tanner household discussing various topics. When Dara turned to her sister to inquire, "By the way, when's Mara supposed to get here?"
Kara shook her head, "I don't think she will."
Dara stared at her sister in disbelief, "You're joking, right?"
Kara sighed in regret as she explained, "I wish I was, but apparently Craig isn't sending the child support for Mikey, so money is pretty tight for her right now. She can't afford the money for the trip."
Dara considered for a moment, she had the money that had been left from her savings account, as well as from the life insurance policy on her mother. Since Lucas had paid the remainder of the medical and funeral bills, not to mention refusing to allow Dara to repay him, she had put the money into their joint savings and checking accounts. Lucas had never said anything about how much she spent, stating that if anything he wished she would spoil herself and be a little extravagant, but what she was considering now was no small amount and she wasn't certain what his reaction might be. Money had never been an issue in their marriage, and she didn't want it to become one now.
Lucas sat watching the look on his wife's face, already knowing what she was considering. Getting up, he took the phone from the desk along with the phone book and sat both on the table in front of his wife. Then reaching in his pocket for his wallet, he handed her a credit card. "See about booking her and your nephew on a flight, as soon as possible." Lucas could see the tears of affection brimming in her eyes. Oblivious to anyone else's presence, he reached over to wipe the tears from her eyes, "Are you going to cry or call the airlines?"
Placing her hand over his, she simply stated, "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
Lucas nodded his head, "Hopefully, as much as I do you. Now, call the airlines." Picking up the phone, he handed it to her to punctuate his point.
After calling the airline and making a reservation, they called Mara. At first, she wasn't happy about it because she felt like it was charity, but after everyone, including Lucas, who spoke to her in privacy, explained the gravity of the situation; she became more receptive to the idea.
Finally, after they had all the arrangements made, everyone went to their respective rooms to find their rest for the night.
As they were getting settled for the night, discussed the situation at hand.
Dara had been curious all evening as to her father and husband's conversation and wanted desperately to know the subject, although she had her suspicions.
Lucas watched her tug at her bottom lip with her teeth as she was brushing her hair. Finishing undressing, he got into bed as she placed the hairbrush on the nightstand. Lifting his arm to allow her to rest her head against his chest, he opened the door to appease her curiosity. "All right, I see your curiosity is peeked, and I'm pretty sure I know what about, but go ahead and ask."
Dara shook her head in amazement. She had become accustomed to his reading her thoughts. In the beginning of their marriage it had greatly disturbed her, but in the ten or so months since then she had grown accustomed to it. To some degree she had even come to depend on his knowing her so well.
Sighing in resignation, she asked, "What did you and daddy discuss?"
He knew that the inevitable death of her one remaining parent would unsettle her and in her delicate condition he didn't want to overly upset her, but he had vowed to tell her the truth in their marriage. Bracing himself he began carefully. "He made me promise that I would take care of you and keep you safe and happy." Deciding that it needed to be said, he asked her softly, "You know he knows he's dying, don't you?"
Dara was holding back her tears as she nodded her head. "I don't want to know, but I do."
Pulling her even closer to him, he put his other arm around her. "Darlin, I'm sorry, but you're not alone. I'll always be here with you and for you." Letting her cry silent tears, he waited until she had calmed down before he pulled the blanket around her and settled her against him. "It's all right, honey. You go ahead and go to sleep now. You and the babies need your rest." Rubbing her back in slow circles to help her relax, he soon felt the rise and fall or her chest deepen into a more relaxed pace, he knew she had finally fallen asleep.
Kara was up early the next morning to efficiently and silently get her children off to school. After she had them on their way, she turned her attention towards fixing breakfast for the adults. She didn't realize Lucas was behind her, until she turned around. Startling her, she let her grip on the coffee cup she was holding slip. Lucas reached out and effortlessly caught it in mid air, then handed it back to her.
"Sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you."
Kara, who had placed her hand over her heart, smiled sheepishly, "You definitely have a way of sneaking up on people, don't you?"
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "Just walk softly, I guess."
Kara silently took in his appearance. As usual, he was dressed in dress black jeans and boots, but today, he was also wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, buttoned to his collar and black sued vest. Contemplating his statement, Kara volunteered, "Yeah, I guess I'm used to my tribe sounding like a herd of elephants." Glancing in the direction of the bedrooms, she asked, "Is Dara still asleep?"
Lucas nodded, "Yeah, she needs the rest."
Kara looked at him critically, "Is she really doing better, or is that what she's telling us to keep us from worrying?"
Dara had decided not to divulge all the details of what had almost happened with Dr. Hanson, stating only that he had miss-prescribed some medication for her that had caused an adverse reaction.
Lucas, not willing to betray his wife's trust in him answered simply, "She had a rough time at the beginning of her pregnancy, but now she's doing fine. Her new doctor is thrilled with her progress."
Satisfied that he was telling her the truth, she simply nodded as Dara came from the bedroom, fully dressed and ready to leave.
Lucas insisted the she sit and at least eat some toast and drink a glass of juice before they left.
As they were sitting around the table, after Jack had joined them, discussing what the itinerary for the day should be. Jack and Kara decided to pick Mara and her son up from the airport, allowing Dara to have a little extra time with their father.
Dara and Lucas arrived at the door to Alex's room just in time to run into Zach.
Lucas, seeing him first, placed his arm protectively around his wife's shoulders, discouraging her brother from harassing her.
Zach seeing the look in his brother-in-law's eyes, simply nodded and mumbled, "Hello" to his sister.
Dara noticing the pained look on her brother's face couldn't help herself from haltingly touching her brother's arms.
Looking at his sister warily, he waited for her to ask her question.
Dara, unsure, asked, "Is he worse?"
Remembering his mother's final words to him, he simply nodded his head at her sadly."
Bracing herself, she entered the room. He had indeed gotten much worse, he was a great deal paler than he had been the day before and was now laboring to breath. The doctor examining him was shaking his head. Approaching her, he stated, "Mrs. Buck, he's much worse, if we're going to do the operation it has to be right now."
Dara looked at her father and then asked, "Does he know?"
The doctor nodded, "Yes, he still wants to have the operation."
Just then Alex motioned for his daughter to come closer. When she leaned next to him to hear his words, he pleaded, "Sign the papers, baby. Let them at least try."
Dara blinked back her tears, then looked at the doctor, "Bring me the papers, I'll sign them." A few minutes later a nurse entered and handed Dara a clipboard with the necessary documents. She glanced at her father in uncertainty, "Daddy, are you sure?" then sighed in resignation when he nodded his head.
Lucas could see how she was wrestling with her desire to fulfill her father's request, as well as the feeling that she was signing his death warrant. Touching her hand gently, he offered, "Honey, do you want me to sign them?"
Dara shook her head sadly, "No, it has to be one of us and it has to be now, so I'll take the responsibility."
Watching as she quickly scribbled her name across the bottom of the forms, Lucas wished with everything inside of him that he could fix this for her, but he knew how she would react if he even suggested it.
Handing the clipboard over to the doctor, she listened as he advised her that they only had a few minutes until they would have to remove her father to surgery. Dara went to stand next to his bed and look on her parent lovingly, realizing that it could well be the last time she would see him.
Reaching weakly to take her hand, Alex smiled at her. "Can I tell you something?" Your mother was right, out of all four of you kids, you have the most special spirit, but don't tell your brother or sisters that."
Dara was trying desperately to hold her tears at bay as she knelt over to place a kiss on his cheek and hug him tightly. "I love you, daddy. And I always will."
Suddenly the room filled with nurses and orderlies, come to prepare her father for surgery. After they were ushered out, a nurse asked them to go to the waiting room designated for families whose loved ones were having surgery.
Dara was about to object when the nurse smiled at her sadly, "I'll let your sister know where you're at."
Lucas nodded his thanks to the woman as he led his wife to the elevators.
Just as they reached it the door opened, admitting Kara, Mara and Jack, as well as Mara's son, Mikey to the floor.
Kara, seeing the look on her sister's face asked the question she didn't really want the answer to. "He's gotten worse, hasn't he?"
Dara sadly nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak without crying.
Lucas, sensing his wife's battle for control of her emotions, supplied the explanation for her. "They're taking him to surgery now. They want us to wait downstairs, the doctor said they weren't able to wait any longer, and Alex asked that they go ahead and perform the surgery."
Kara, falling back on the need to have something to occupy her thoughts, said decisively, "Let's go down and wait then."
Once they had settled themselves in the waiting room, Mara hugged her expectant sister as she expressed her gratitude for the financial assistance. "Thank you for the money to come, Dara. I know it's not the best way to get to see you, but I'm glad I have. Besides, I think we should all be here."
Dara shrugged nonchalantly, "You should really thank Lucas, he offered to pay for the trip.
Lucas brushed off Mara's expressions of gratitude, not wanting his generosity made common knowledge.
Even though the three sisters tried to keep their conversation light, Lucas could still feel the sense of impending sorrow hanging in the air between the four children. Even in Zach, who chose to sit separate from his sisters and remained quiet through the wait.
Finally, after an hour of waiting, the receptionist inquired, "Chambers family?"
They all turned as Kara responded, "That's us."
Nodding her acknowledgement, the woman explained, "The doctor will be down in a second."
Mara turned towards her sisters, "She didn't look sympathetic, do you think everything went all right?"
Dara, who had remained mostly silent, spoke up, "You can't go by that. Most hospital personnel are trained to be impassive."
The surgeon came into the room, looking at the group encompassed.
All of them stood to take whatever news the man had to offer. Lucas glanced down at Dara, who had unconsciously taken his hand for support.
Approaching the group the physician stated directly, "I'm sorry, but there wasn't anything else to be done. We knew how slim his chances of surviving the procedure were, but he insisted on attempting it anyway. I wish there were something more I could say, but all I can do is tell you how truly sorry I am. Someone will be in contact with you about the arrangements later on, if you'd like to go home."
Lucas, seeing that everyone else was in deep shock, extended his hand to the man, "I'm sure you did what you could, and thank you."
Nodding his head in sympathy for their loss, he left to fill out whatever forms were necessary.
Lucas turned to the three sisters; each one's reaction was varying.
Mara was silently weeping, wiping her tears away as quickly as they appeared.
Kara was very quiet, looking to her husband she stated softly, "Lets go home and call the funeral home."
Dara's reaction was the one that concerned him the most; she had a blank look on her face, as if trying to comprehend what was happening. The pain, however, was evident in her eyes. Not wanting the floodgate of her emotions to open here, he agreed with Kara's statement, "I think that's a good idea, lets get out of here." Putting his arm around her waist to guide her out, Lucas led her to their car.
Once inside, with no one else around, Dara spoke sadly, "He's gone, isn't her? I feel like and orphan. Now there's no one to go home to is there?"
Lucas quickly pulled her into his embrace, "Let it out, honey. It's all right, you cry all you want, but you're not alone, Dara. I'm always going to be here with you and for you." Letting her cry her sadness out, he realized that she had quieted a great deal. Pulling back to look at her and wipe her eyes, he asked, "Are you ready to go now?" Nodding her head in silence, she turned to stare out her window as she continued crying quietly. When they had reached Kara's house, he glanced over and realized she had fallen asleep. Knowing how desperately she needed to rest, he got out and went to her side to lift her in his arms and carry her into the house, allowing her to remain asleep.
Kara and Mara, seeing their sister being carried in, got up immediately.
Lucas shook his head negatively, seeing the looks of worry that both women were wearing, as he continued to their assigned room. Placing her gently on the bed, he loosened her clothing and removed her shoes. After closing the curtains, he turned and placing a kiss on her forehead, pulled a blanket over her and left the room.
Her sisters immediately set upon him, "What happened, is Dara all right?"
Lucas nodded his head, "She's fine, she fell asleep in the car and I didn't want to wake her, she and the babies need the rest, especially right now."
As with their mother, their father's funeral had also been pre arranged, leaving very few details to contend with. Although, as Kara pointed out, there would be extra expenses to be met, "We'll have to figure something out, I'm sure they'll let us make payments on it."
Lucas, who was pouring himself a reheated cup of coffer, asked, "What about his medical bills?"
Kara shrugged, "He was fully covered there, so there won't be any bills from that."
Lucas considered her statement for a moment before he asked, "How much do you think you'll have to come up with?"
Looking at him in puzzlement, she replied, "I'm not sure, most of it's already paid for, but my guess is that with the other expenses we'll have to come up with probably no more than five thousand dollars, at the most. We'll figure it out, I guess Jack and I can borrow on the house."
Without a word, Lucas got up and went to where he had laid his wife's purse, searching until he found what he wanted, he went to the table and wrote a check for the amount she had stated, and then handed her the check.
Kara stared at him with her mouth open, "I cant accept this, besides that you've already paid everything for mama, as well as Mara's trip."
Lucas shrugged, "Yes, you can. Besides that, think of how much better you and Dara will feel knowing that everything is taken care of."
Shaking her head in disbelief at his generosity, she inquired, "Are you sure, I mean you and Dara have the babies coming."
Holding up his hand to silence her protests, he stated, "We have a comfortable lifestyle. We can afford to do it, so just say thank you, OK?"
Smiling at him warmly, she replied, "Thank you."
Lucas, sensing that Dara was awake, excused himself to check on her, opening the door to the bedroom he found her standing in front of the window with her arms wrapped around her, as though trying to draw comfort from within herself.
Remembering how emotionally fragile she had been after her mother's death, he wanted to make certain that she knew he was there for her to draw strength from. Coming up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her and asked in deep concern, "Are you all right, darlin?"
Although she remained silent as she nodded her head, he understood the underlying current of emotions running through her. "You fell lost with both of them gone, don't you?"
Turning to look in his eyes, she stated, "I know I shouldn't, I have you and soon I'll have our children. And I know that I'm a grown woman, but yes, I do feel very lost without them."
Pulling her into his embrace and laying his cheek against the top of her head, he stated, "You're not alone, honey. I promise you, we'll get through this together, just as we did when your mother died."
Dara glanced up at him, then lowered her head against his chest as she muttered, "I believe you."
Since all of the Chambers family was present, the services for Alex were held immediately.
Lucas was grateful for the fact that Zach kept pretty much to himself, especially given his wife's delicate condition, but he still continued to hover near her, just in case.
Although Lucas knew that it was Dara's character to hold her emotions in until they overwhelmed her, he had assumed that she would turn to him for comfort once they were alone, but after the funeral the next day, when they were alone before going to sleep, Lucas had offered her comfort. He had went around to her side of the bed as she was turning the covers back, about to get into bed, and placed his arms around her to hold her. "Baby, if you want to let it out, you go right ahead. There's no one here to show a brave facet to." He was shocked when she had turned around to address him. Her face was set in a look of tight control.
"I'm fine, just tired. Let's get some sleep so we can leave early tomorrow. I'm ready to be home as I'm sure you must be." After her statement she reached up on tiptoe to place a chaste kiss on his mouth, then turned and climbed into bed.
Lucas furrowed his brow, then deciding to let it go, he pulled the covers closer around her, noticing that she was almost asleep, he chose to leave her alone for a while.Closing the door softly behind him, he ventured to the kitchen, deciding on a cup of coffee.
Kara, seeing him come up the hall, poured him a cup and handed it to him as he reached the table.
Taking the cup in his hands, he smiled at her gratefully, "Thanks.
Shrugging her shoulders, she replied, "You look as though you could use it." Nodding his head in agreement, Lucas began sipping at the hot liquid
Glancing over the rim of her cup, Kara asked, "How's Dara?"
Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "She says she's fine, I say there's a problem. She's keeping her emotions in check, and I know that it isn't healthy for her or her condition."
Nodding her agreement with her brother-in-law's statement, she asked, "How long have you two been married now?"
Lucas glanced at her in curiosity as he replied, "Almost a year now, why?"
Glancing at him in a knowing manner, she asked, "You haven't realized Dara's biggest flaw yet?"
Sighing heavily, he responded, "Yes, I have. Aside from being stubborn as hell, she keeps things bottled up inside of herself. She did it when your mother died, she tries to deal with everything on her own terms, without benefit of help from anybody or anything else."
Kara agreed, "That's it exactly, part of it stems from the fact that there is a big age difference between her and the rest of us. So she spent a lot of time alone, and partly because when things were so bad at home for us, when daddy was so abusive. Because to show weakness or tears meant that we got it worse, but Dara has always been more stubborn that the rest of us, she would rather die than to cry about anything. And when she does shed tears, its usually in private."
Lucas considered her revelation for a moment, "So what's the answer to it, what do I do to help my wife?"
Kara studied him thoughtfully for a moment, realizing once again the amount of love that this man possessed for her sister. Finally, she replied, "Exactly what you're doing. Love her and let her know that you're here when she needs you, you've done wonders in almost a year, she's more out of her shell now than I've ever seen her."
Lucas pondered her statement, and then excused himself for the night. "I guess I better get some sleep, we're leaving early in the morning."
Kara chuckled, "Part of the fun of being sheriff, Huh? No extended vacations."
Lucas shocked his sister in law by bending down and placing a kiss on her cheek, "Thank you for the advice, I'll take it." With that he headed to the bedroom to settle in for the night.
When he climbed into bed next to his wife, he studied her face for a moment. Seeing the changing expressions he realized that she was dreaming. Curling himself around her, he gently massaged her back as he whispered in her ear, "Calm down, love. I'm here, go back to sleep."