Chapter 24

After Dara's twenty-eighth birthday and Thanksgiving, she was more than ready to begin preparing for the Christmas season. As usual she threw herself into the preparations, which would include her sisters, Mara and Kara as well as their families coming to celebrate the season with them.

At first Lucas had been reluctant for her family to visit, but after the ordeal Dara had been through during the first part of her pregnancy, he was determined that he wouldn't deny her anything that brought her any type of enjoyment or happiness. Which meant allowing her sister to share the holidays with them.

Following her usual pattern during the holidays, Dara had started her Christmas preparations early, so that she could enjoy the time with her family instead of spending it in the stores.

Dara had been contemplating what to give Caleb for Christmas and had asked him one morning at breakfast what he thought he might like. "Caleb, what would you like Santa to bring you for Christmas this year? Setting his plate in front of him she was shocked by his statement.

"Santa can't bring the one really big thing that I want."

All three adults riveted their attention to him as Dara lowered herself into a chair across from him and asked softly, "What is it you really want, honey?"

Caleb looked into her eyes, causing Dara to brace herself for the sadness she saw there. "I want to be a real son."

Dara looked at him in shock, "Caleb, you are a real son, maybe not by blood, but most definitely by the heart, where it counts."

Caleb shook his head in denial as he glanced across the table at his father. "No I aint. Not like Alex is or like this baby will be, if it's a boy. I don't even have the same last name as the rest of you."

Lucas locked eyes with son, "Caleb, you know that we love you and you are a Buck. Dara may not be your natural mother by birth but she is still your mama."

Caleb continued shaking his head, "I know she loves me like a real mama and I love her like she is, but it aint legal." With that he got up and grabbed his backpack as he threw over his shoulder, "I gotta go."

After Caleb had closed the door behind him, Dara glanced at her husband expectantly as did Lucilla.

Lucas glanced first to his wife then to his grandmother before asking impatiently, "All right, what?"

Dara shook her head and continued sipping her tea, knowing that would irritate him further.

Finally, he asked tersely, "All right, what do you want me to do?"

Dara looked at him calmly, "It would seem that the answer to that question should be obvious." Pushing herself up from her chair she walked over to the sink to load the dishwasher.

Looking at his grandmother he asked irritably, "Well, what do you have to say about the situation?"

Looking at him evenly, she replied. "I think you all ready know what I have to say, the final word seems to be yours." Following Dara's example she began collecting the plates from the table to be loaded in the dishwasher as well.

Lucas, frustrated with both women's behavior got up abruptly shoving his chair back from the table and glaring at both of them, stated, "Fine, I'll see you later." Then doing something he had never done since his marriage he left without kissing his wife.



Lucilla took in the stricken look on Dara's face and patted her hand comfortingly, "Don't worry about it, child. He's just mad and blowing a lot of steam, he'll get over it."

Dara nodded her head in acceptance of the old woman's statement, "You're right, mama." Then, narrowing her gaze she contemplated a moment before asking Lucilla, "Would you mind watching the twins for a while, I have something I need to do."

Lucas shook her head, guessing what the 'something' was. "No, you go ahead, I don't mind."

Dara nodded, "Thank you, I think that husband of mine needs a little push in the right direction."

Lucilla smiled broadly as she watched Dara go upstairs, shaking her head she muttered to herself, "Like I said that girl is going to shake this family by it's roots, and about time too."



An hour and a half later, Dara was carefully picking her way through the people busily passing by on the sidewalk. With the holiday season she had to park further away and with the cold of the season and the ice that had formed here and there, she had to be extremely cautious in her advanced condition.

Finally, reaching the door to the Fulton County Sheriff's office she entered and leaned against the door after pushing it shut against the howling wind outside.

Ben smiled at her rosy cheeks and tousled hair. "What are you doing out in this weather? You know that he'll have a fit when he sees you."

Dara motioned her head in the direction of Lucas' office and asked quietly, "Is he in there, Ben?"

Ben looked at her in puzzlement as he nodded his head.

Thanking him, she strode to the door purposefully and rapped on it lightly, waiting to be admitted.


Lucas heard the light rapping and responded in irritation, "Come in." Expecting to see Ben or Floyd he was surprised to find his wife entering instead. Looking outside at the digital thermometer on the bank building and seeing the temperature flashing 26o outside he sucked in his breath and asked incredulously, "Have you lost your mind? It's freezing outside, you're seven and a half months pregnant, you shouldn't be running around in this weather."

Dara met his stare with one of her own as she lowered herself into a chair in front of his desk and was about to reply when there was a light knock at the door.

Ben, not waiting for an invitation, opened the door and smiled at Dara as he handed her a cup, "Here Dara, I know that you don't like coffee so I got you some hot cocoa to warm you up."

Dara smiled gratefully at him, "Thank you Ben."

After Ben had closed the door behind him and Dara had removed her gloves to take a sip of the steaming liquid, Lucas looked at her calmly as he stated, "I'm waiting for an explanation, missy."

Dara glanced at him in irritation as she stated, "I'm your wife, not your child, so I'll thank you to restrain that condescending tone in your voice, and speaking of child, that happens to be why I'm here."

Lucas looked at her calmly, then sitting back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest he nodded, "Go on."

Dara pulled her shoulders back and stared at him evenly as she pulled a sheaf of papers from her purse, then laying them on the desk for him to look at she stated, "I've been giving it a lot of consideration, even before Caleb spoke up about it. I think that we should petition the courts to have his last mane changed to Buck and if it's what he wants, I want to petition to become Caleb's mother, legally. I'm not saying that you don't love Caleb, but I don't see why we cant do this, you're willing to give him everything he wants materially, this means more to him than any expensive gift or toy that we could buy him."

Lucas raised his eyebrow and asked her tersely, "Are you finished, have you had your say?"

Dara looked at him with her chin raised and nodded her head, "Yes, I've said everything that I wanted to."

Lucas leaned forward and opening his desk drawer pulled a sheaf of papers out that matched the ones Dara had just laid on his desk.

Dara looked at them and noticed that they were all filled out and were only awaiting signatures. Looking at him with bewilderment she stated, "I don't understand."

Lucas came around and sat on the corner of his desk and looked down at her, explaining, "After I left this morning I thought about whet Caleb as well as you said and I realized that I had been neglecting him. You're right, I've always given him every material thing he even though about asking for, but until a short time ago I never gave him the one thing that he truly wanted; open acknowledgement that he is my son. I realized how important our family has become to me, you, Alex, Riesa, Caleb and this baby, it occurred to me that Caleb feels excluded and I don't want that for him, so I went and had the papers drawn up, all we have to do is to sign them and get the judge's signature on them."

Dara glanced down at the papers and then looking at her husband with love and admiration, pushed herself up from her chair and went to place her arms around his neck. Looking him in the eyes she asked, "Have I told you lately exactly how much I love you, and how grateful I am that I married you?"

Lucas shook his head and replied, "No, but I owe you something."

Dara looked at him in puzzlement, "What?"

With that he pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. Pulling back he smiled, "I forgot to kiss my wife this morning."

Dara looked back down at the papers and asked seriously, "How soon can we make this official?"

Lucas reached over and picked up his phone, dialing the number he waited until there was an answer, "Is judge Crane in? He is, good, put me through. Lucas Buck yeah thanks. Hello Rob? Yeah this is Lucas, look I need a favor, no I need your signature. On some papers for adoption, my wife and I are officially adopting Caleb Temple. Twenty minutes no problem, see you soon." With that he hung up and looking at her smiled, "See, no problem. Let's go."


Dara could hardly contain her excitement before Caleb got home from school, then when she heard the door open she looked at Lucas nervously.

Seeing her worry, he stated, "Don't worry, I'll handle it." With that he asked Caleb to come in the living room as he was passing by.

Dara's heart broke at the pitiful sight he made with his head hung down as if he had just lost his best friend.

Lucas began, "Caleb I want to ask you something."

Caleb looked up and asked unsurely, "Yes sir."

Lucas continued, "Did you mean what you said this morning about wanting to be a Buck and making Dara your legal mother?"

Caleb, uncertain where this was going looked at him puzzled, "Yes sir, I did."

Lucas motioned to the stacks of papers on the coffee table. "Do you know what those are?"

Caleb picked up the stack and noticing the word 'adoption' looked up at his father. "I thought that you were my real daddy, how come this says 'adoption'?"

Dara looked up at Lucas and answered for him, "Because Caleb, I'm not your real mother, so in order for me to legally be considered your mother, I had to adopt you, do you understand?"

Caleb nodded, and then asked, "What do you mean 'had to', you already did it?"

Dara nodded, "I hope that doesn't upset you, but yes the papers were signed this morning, so I'm now legally your mother."

Caleb smiled, then lowered his head once more and mumbled, "That still don't change my name, does it?"

Lucas indicated the other stack of papers and stated, "Read that Caleb."

Picking up the papers, Caleb began reading, "Let it be know that from this the 12th day of December the year ----, that Caleb Gage Temple shall be hereafter known as Caleb Gage Buck." Looking at them both excited he asked, "Does that mean I'm official now? I'm really your son and my last name is Buck now?"

Both Lucas and Dara nodded their affirmation, with that he jumped from the sofa and embraced first Dara, then Lucas. "Thank you this is the best present that I could ask for." Then, considering a second he asked Dara, "But can I still send Santa a list just in case."

Dara as well as Lucas laughed, "Yes, by all means."

Watching Caleb run off to share his good news, Lucas looked at Dara and asked, "Satisfied now?"

Dara nodded as she replied, "Yes, are you?"

Lucas considered a moment, "Believe it or not, yes I am."


Dara had made certain to be completely finished with the holiday preparations before her family arrived.

The day they were to arrive she had fretted the entire day over her dinner, Lucilla had shook her head at the girl's nervousness. "Girl, you're going to wear a groove in the floor with all the running around you're doing."

Dara smiled at the woman, "I know, but I haven't seen my sisters since daddy's death and they have never seen the twins. I'm just excited." Hearing a car door closing, she exclaimed excitedly, "They're here." She quickly made her way up the hall to find her husband standing there. Sighing in frustration she muttered, "Oh it's just you."

Lucas looked at her, feigning a look of hurt, "I didn't think that we would be like that until we had been married at least a hundred years."

Dara smiled at his humor and walked over to be enfolded in his embrace, looking up apologetically, she replied, "I'm sorry, sweetheart, I thought you were them."

Lucas nodded in understanding," I'll forgive you if I can get a real welcome."

Dara smiled as she replied, "Well, it is Christmas and," glancing up at the mistletoe hung over the doorway she continued, "it is a tradition."

Lucas lowered his head and proceeded to kiss her thoroughly and deeply. Both were so involved in the contact that they didn't notice the door open admitting Caleb as well as Dara's family, all who stood gaping at the couple till Jack stated good naturedly, "Well, no wonder they've got another on the way."

Lucas and Dara looked up in sharp surprise, Lucas was the first to recover as he extended his hand to his brother-in-law, giving his wife time to recover from her embarrassment.

Dara hugged her sisters and the kids, then her brother-in-law. Jack stepped back take in her condition, then shook his head as he joked, "This is becoming a tradition baby sister, every time we see you you're pregnant. Pretty soon you'll be banning us from coming around."

Dara laughed, "Not a chance." Motioning for everyone to follow her inside.

Jack joked with his wife, "Why don't you greet me at the door like Dara does her husband?" Kara nudged her husband in the ribs with her elbow while Dara turned a deep shade of pink.

********************************************************************************************
Once the adults had settled around the kitchen table to enjoy a cup of coffee and some conversation, Kara nodded towards her sister, "I have to give you credit, Dara. How do you manage to stay so small, even seven months pregnant?"

Dara shrugged as Lucas answered jokingly, "I have a hard time figuring that one myself Kara, especially after making those midnight runs for mint chocolate chip ice cream."

Dara returned pertly, "Well, just see if I share my ice cream with you next time."

Everyone laughed with good humor as Jack inquired, "Speaking of food, do I smell what I hope I smell?"

Dara nodded,"yes, you do. Baked chicken and mushroom rice. I thought that would put you in a good mood."

Jack smiled, "And that's why you're my wife's favorite baby sister."

Mara looked at Dara and asked haltingly, "Not that it's any of my business, but this house looks huge from the outside, how big is it?"

Lucas sipped his coffee as he nonchalantly replied, "Eight bedrooms, four and a half baths, living room, dining room, den, kitchen and a small office for my wife."

Mara and Kara both sat with their mouths hung open, then looking at their sister they asked incredulously, "Do you clean if by yourself?"

Dara laughed and shook her head, "No, I have some help."

Jack looked at Kara, "What were you saying about wanting a maid for our little house?"

Dara looked at him and laughed, "Well, Jack it does help to have a husband who picks up behind himself."

Kara smiled smugly at her husband, "See, that's what I've tried to tell you for all of these years."


After everyone had unloaded their bags from the car and were settled everyone sat down to enjoy the evening meal.

Caleb shocked Dara's family when he asked, "Mama, would you pass me the rice?"

Kara and Mara smiled at Caleb as they inquired, "When did he start calling you that, sis?"

Lucas answered, surprising them, "Since we officially changed his name to Buck and Dara legally adopted him as her son."

Both sisters looked shocked, then glancing at each other they both smiled Caleb, "Well, I guess we now officially have another nephew then, huh?"

Lucas shook his head; it never ceased to amaze him at the capacity that these three women seemed to have for loving another person.

Just then the phone began to ring, Caleb, being closest to the kitchen, volunteered, "I'll get it probably Boone anyway." Glancing at Dara he inquired, "He can still stay the night, cant he?"

Dara nodded, "Yes, I promised you that he could, see if he needs a ride over here."

Returning a few minutes later he motioned to Lucas, "Daddy, it's for you. It's Ben, he said that it's important."

Lucas excused himself and got up to take the call, a few minutes later he returned and leaning down over Dara's chair he informed her, "Darlin, I'm sorry but I've got to go to work."

Dara looked at him in frustration, "Lucas, it's the holidays, everyone just got here."

Lucas nodded, "I know, honey, but we have a lead about that shipment coming in and we have to be there, maybe we'll get them. I'll be back as soon as I can." With that he leaned down and kissed her soundly, then looking up he whispered for her ears only, "I love you and I promise that I'll make it up to you."

Dara smiled ruefully and whispered in return, "You better."

Bidding everyone else a good night he headed out the door. Mara looked at her sister and asked in concern, "Does it ever worry you, being married to a cop?"

Dara shook her head, 'I've never really thought about it to be honest, I know it's dangerous but I've never worried din that respect about him."


Dara sat in the living room with her sisters, Jack, Brittany, and Lucilla, waiting for Lucas to return home.

Although she was enjoying the conversation with her family she continuously glanced at the grandfather clock wondering where her husband was. She just glanced at it for the thousandth time when the phone rang. Pushing herself up from chair she muttered, "Finally."

Assuming that it was Lucas to let her know that he was on his way home she was disappointed when she answered it and hear Ben's voice instead of her husband's. "Dara, this is Ben."

Dara answered politely, "Oh hi Ben, what's the matter, Lucas forget to sign some reports or something? Can't they wait until the morning?" Ben hesitated a second, Dara sensing something dismal asked hesitantly, "Ben what is it?" Everyone had ceased their conversation to allow silence as they watched Dara in concern.

Ben finally answered, "Dara there was a problem with the bust, the boat we raided, well someone set the reserve fuel on fire and it exploded. Lucas was on the boat, we don't know much else right now."

Dara stood there for a moment, trying to believe that she was just having a nightmare and that her husband would walk thru the door any moment while Ben was on the other end asking, "Dara, did you hear me?"

Dara steeled herself, "Yes I did, where are you at right now?"

Ben answered hesitantly, "Still at the docks, there going over the boat right now."

Dara stated emphatically, "I'm coming down there, right now."

Ben interrupted, "Dara, you don't need to see this mess and its freezing cold and damp out here."

Dara stated emphatically, leaving no room for arguments, "I'm coming down there right now, Ben. So arguing will only accomplish two things; delaying your finding my husband, and wasting your breath." With that she hung up the phone, effectively cutting off whatever statement Ben was about to make.

Turning around and catching sight of the looks on the faces of her family she shouted, "Don't any of you dare look at me like that! I know my husband and he is not dead, don't you think I would know in my heart if he were? I'm telling you he's not, and I'm not standing here waiting for them to call me either. You can either come with me or not but you're not going to stop me." With that she marched to the hall closet.

Dara knew that it was cold outside and with the dampness of the dock would be more so, searching until she found the heavy fur coat that Lucas had given her for their last anniversary. She was struggling to get into it when she felt it being lifted and placed on her shoulders. Turning, she found her family standing there with Jack helping her into her coat. Lucilla spoke for everybody, "Your place is down there, you go ahead, just watch yourself and that baby. I'll stay here with the kids."

Dara silently nodded her thanks t o the older woman, then looking at the rest of her family as Mara stated, "We're not about to let you go down there alone, so lets go if we're going."


Half an hour later Dara stood next to Ben who was admonishing her, "If Lucas does find out that you were down here he's going to kill me for not making you go home."

Dara shook her head, "Let me worry about that, Ben. Have you found anything yet?"

Ben shook his head; "Apparently the explosion only blew out part of the boat, so a lot of it is still in tact, they're checking now."

Just then someone yelled from dockside "Hey, we found something."

Rushing over Ben took the flashlight and shined it on the object floating in the water, focusing his eyes, which widened as Dara took the light and focused for herself. Looking at Ben wildly she yelled, "My god, its Lucas, get him out of the water."

Everyone stood frozen for a moment until Dara began taking her coat off so that she could jump into the water.

Ben as well as Jack, realizing her intentions stopped her as both quickly took their coats off and dove in the water. Reaching Lucas they both pulled him to the ladder, where others helped to get him on the dock.

Dara stood looking at her husband and realizing that no one else seemed to know exactly what to do she knelt down and checked his pulse, "He's alive, he has a pulse."

Ben, who had just knelt down to catch his breath as well as trying to huddle in the blanket someone had provided, asked, "Are you sure?"

Dara nodded, looking at Floyd she ordered, "Get some hot coffee and find some liquor, preferably brandy but get what you can and hurry." Looking at the others she ordered, "Someone help me sit him up, we have to get the water out of his lungs."

With that two volunteers held him up while Dara pumped his back to dislodge whatever water he had swallowed. After a few minutes he began coughing and sputtering, spitting out water. Dara thought she had never heard anything sound so wonderful. When Floyd returned with what she had asked for as well as blankets. Dara nodded gratefully as she took the coffee and doused it with a good bit of brandy, then kneeling down she cushioned his head in her lap as she ordered him, "Drink this, it will warm you up."

Choking on most if it Lucas got some down as he opened his eyes and whispered hoarsely, "You're a bossy little thing, do you know that?"

Dara smiled through her tears as she nodded her head, infinitely relieved when she saw his color change from the blue tinge that it had been to the a more healthy paleness.

Ben knelt down and placed his hand on Dara's shoulder as he stated, "We have an ambulance coming now."

Lucas looked over at him, "Well tell them that I don't need it, help me up I'm going home."

Dara looked at him, shocked, "You can't just go home."

Looking at her stubbornly, he replied, "Oh cant I?" Trying to convince her he stated tiredly, "I just want a hot tub and a warm bed, hopefully with you in it."

Dara looked at him pleadingly, "Please at least let them over at least."

Lucas studied the look on her face and not wanting to cause her any undue stress reluctantly agreed to let the paramedics examine him.

Both EMT's pronounced him healthy enough to go home and rest. Glancing at Dara one offered, as cold as it is, especially in the water it probably slowed his heart and breathing down enough to buy him the time needed until you found him. His vitals seem fine now he might get a cold but that's about all."

Dara nodded her thanks and looked at her husband contritely, "All right, you win lets go home. I know I'm freezing and you're soaked as well as Jack so lets get out here."

Lucas nodded and looking at Ben and instructed, "Let Floyd finish up, you're soaked too. And Ben thank you for jumping in."

Ben shrugged his efforts off, "You'd have done the same thing for me Lucas, so don't think about it."


After having soaked in a hot tub of water to thaw out, Lucas stepped from the tub to find his wife ordering him sternly, "Now, get in that bed."

Lucas glanced at her in humor, "Honey, you don't have to act so desperate all you have to do is ask me."

Dara looked at him crossly, "I am serious, will you please humor me."

Lucas, seeing the concern on her face, complied so that Dara could take her shower before joining him.

As Dara slid under the covers she could feel that he was still slightly shivering. Pressing against him to share her warmth she could feel the shivering lessen then finally stop. As she was laying there she began thinking over the night's events and realizing how close she had almost come to being a widow she felt the rush of emotions was over her as she began silently weeping.

Lucas could feel her body trembling with her sobs, reaching over he flipped on the lights and turned to face his wife. When he saw the tears that she was silently shedding he sat up and began gently brushing them away, and then speaking softly, he inquired, "Baby, what is it? You don't have to worry, I'm fine just a little cold still, that's all."

Dara shook her head, "I'm sorry, it's just a combination of being relieved and grateful that you're alive and panic at the thought of what could have happened, plus the sorrow of what life would have been like if you hadn't of been fine."

Lucas, seeing the tears staining his wife's face felt all the love he had for not only her, but also their children as well begin welling up inside of him. He would never share it with anyone else, but those factors were what had kept him from dying earlier.

He had been thrown clear from the explosion but the shock of hitting the freezing water had stunned him into unconsciousness. He had felt himself about to loose his grip on his mortality when he began seeing images flash in front of him, all of his family, but most of them of his wife; their wedding day, the way she looked on their wedding night, when she was pregnant, her struggling to give birth the night the twins were born, and her just before he had left during dinner, with love and happiness shining in her eyes. That was when he became determined that he wasn't yet ready to give up. He had managed to slow his heart and lungs down considerably, knowing that he was to weak to swim for safety, as well as taking into consideration the amount of water he had swallowed. By all rights they should have been pumping him with formaldehyde at this moment.

Looking back at his wife he realized that he needed to feel her close to him at that moment. Pulling her close to him he wiped away the remainder of her tears and stated, "Darlin, I'm right here and I'm not leaving you, if anything you're what kept me alive in that water."

Dara glanced at him in puzzlement, "What do you mean?"

Lucas shrugged, "Thinking of you and the fact that for one you're too young to be a widow, as well as just being too damned pretty to be left single, not to mention all these kids we have running around here. There wasn't any way that I was about to give up."

Dara looked at him and smiled timidly, "You mean that I mean that much to you?"

Lucas nodded his head and asked incredulously, "Was there ever any doubt?"

Dara, placing her hand along his cheek, asked shyly, "Could you please kiss me?"

Lucas looked down on her smiling, "That's the best request that I've ever had." Continuing to cradle her in his arms he lowered his head to comply with her request. Feeling his hunger for her beginning to rise he deepened the kiss as he felt her responding to his touch. Moving from her mouth, he began teasing her neck and throat.

Dara arched in pleasure, then looking at him she asked huskily, "Are you sure that you feel up to this?"

Lucas lifted his eyes to meet hers as he took his free hand and began sliding the sleeve of her gown down her arm to bare her breast. Smiling at her leeringly he responded, "Positive," just before he lowered his mouth to capture the swollen flesh with his tongue.

Dara could feel the heat of desire rising within her, but she was content to simply lie in her husband's arms and allow him to satisfy his own desire. Finally, unable to contain herself any longer she began running her hands across his body leaving trails of heat from her touch.

After they had both fulfilled their desire they clung together wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the aftermath of their lovemaking. Dara looked at him in concern, "Do you think you should have tired yourself like that?"

Lucas sat back with his eyes closed, smiling, "Positive, besides you did most of the work." Dara blushed at the reminder of her own wanton behavior. Lucas glanced down and noticed the look of fatigue beginning to show on her face. Reaching over he flipped off the lamp, covering the room in darkness once more. Situating himself he lifted his arm for her to snuggle closer, then satisfied that she was comfortable he wrapped his arm around her as they settled into sleep.


The next morning set the pattern for the remainder of her family's visit; Dara rose before Lucas, allowing him to sleep in. Venturing to the nursery she found both of her sisters tending the babies. Stopping short she asked, "What are you doing?"

Dara turned, having just put Alex in his high chair to feed him cereal, to answer, "What's it look like? We decided to tend the kids this morning, after last night's excitement we thought that you would probably need the rest."

Dara attempted to take over the twins care and was quickly ushered out by Mara, stating, "You see them everyday, this is our first chance at spoiling them, so let us enjoy it."

With that Kara offered, "Why don't you go downstairs and help mama Lucy with breakfast."

Dara, giving in, ventured downstairs to the kitchen to find Lucilla busily preparing breakfast.

Lucilla, having heard Dara coming down the stairs, had a glass of juice waiting for her when she eased herself into the chair as she was rubbing her lower back. "You feeling all right, child? That cold last night wasn't good for you or the baby."

Dara nodded, continuing to rub her back, "I'm all right, mama my back just hurts a little this morning."

Lucilla nodded her understanding, "I know just how you feel, seems like when I was carrying Gabriel, that's Lucas' daddy, my back hurt the whole time."

Dara, seeing the doorway opening on a topic that she had been curious about for a long time, deciding to seize the opportunity. "Mama, can I ask you something?"

Lucilla, intent on whipping the batter for the pancakes, replied, "I don't see why not, what's on your mind, Dara?"

Not giving the woman time to reconsider, she asked evenly, "Why doesn't Lucas ever mention anything about either of his parents?"

Lucilla stopped her task and glanced frowningly at her grandson's wife, "What on earth makes you wonder about that for?"

Dara shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I don't know, curiosity I suppose, we've been married almost two years and in all that time I've never heard him mention anything about them. I was just wondering the reason, I know that his father dies when he was young, and that his mother left before that but that's about it and even that I learned second hand."

Lucilla, knowing how sharp dara could be, shrugged her shoulders as she continued whisking the batter, then began pouring the batter on the griddle as she spoke evenly, careful to hide her anxiety, "Not much more to tell than that he never forgave Simone for leaving is suppose, and my son wasn't exactly the most easy tempered man to live with." Seeking to appease her curiosity Lucilla decided to divulge just enough to explain past of Lucas' hatred for his father.

Checking to make certain that they were alone, she looked at Dara sadly and asked without embarrassment, "You didn't have any experience with men before you married him, did you?"

Dara, not quite certain as to exactly what type of experience she was referring to, stared at her in puzzlement.

Lucilla, understanding her look, clarified her meaning, "Were you a virgin when you got married?" Blushing furiously, Dara nodded her head silently.

Lucilla turned the heat on the stove down before taking a chair across from Dara to explain. Sighing heavily, she asked quietly, "Have you ever noticed anything 'different' about Lucas when he's naked?"

Dara looked at her in embarrassment, "You mean something that I'd see only then?" Lucilla nodded.

Dara considered a moment, and then remembering a conversation they had shortly after their marriage when she had noticed a scar one night after they had made love. She had asked him about it then, but he had dismissed it as an accident and abruptly changed the subject. Dara nodded, "Yes, id did it was a scar. I asked him about I and he said that it was an accident and then he changed the subject, why?"

Lucilla checked the hallway to be certain that no one could overhear and stated, 'It wasn't an accident, his father did that to him one night."

Dara looked at her with shock and disbelief, "What in heaven's name for?"

Lucilla shook her head in despair at the memories that came flooding back, "My son grew up a lot like his father, drunk and mean. He had a lot of prejudices. One night when he was drinking with some men from the Klan they decided to burn down a synagogue. Lucas was nine year old and when Gabriel came home and mentioned it, Lucas said something about Jewish people not being that bad. None of the Buck men have ever been circumcised, but Gabriel decided to change that, he circumcised Lucas and slipped with the knife a little. That's where that scar came from."

Dara looked at her in horror, "No body could be that monstrous, especially to their own child."

Lucilla shook her head, "Now do you understand why he doesn't talk about his parents? And if you're smart you wont ask about them either, and whatever you do don't let him know that you know how he got that scar."

Dara nodded but remained silent as Caleb entered the kitchen with Boone, Mikey and Jacob in tow. "Breakfast smells good, when can we eat?"

Dara smiled "As soon as we set the table and call everyone. So help me set the table."

She was about to push herself up from the table when all four boys shook their heads as Caleb spoke up, " It's okay mama, you sit down and we'll set the table." With that each boy took on a different task.

Lucilla glanced at the younger woman as she stated, "You know since you adopted that boy and changed his name I don't think that I've ever seen a more wondrous change. You've been about the best thing to happen to this family in a long time and I'm grateful to you for it." Dara stared at the woman in surprise.

Lucilla added smiling, "But don't you dare breathe one word of what I just said it's between us."

Dara nodded and pushing herself up hugged the older woman, "Thank you for your approval it means a great deal to me."


Christmas eve arrived and true to everyone's expectations, the children began their incessant inquires early in the day.

Caleb started the trend, "You don't think that I asked for too much, do you? I mean I already got the really big present that I really wanted."

Dara smiled and answered him patiently for the thousandth time that day, "No, I think you're fine Caleb. Christmas is only once a year after all, so just go and play and don't worry."

Lucas shook his head at the endless supply of patience that she had when it came to their children as well as others, including Ben.

Dara had always found Ben to be likable but after he had jumped in after Lucas, her opinion had increased considerably, so when Lucas had mentioned that Ben would be spending Christmas alone she looked at him in astonishment, "What do you mean alone?"

Lucas shrugged, "His ex and son will spend Christmas with her family, he'll be working tomorrow anyway, he always does."

Dara inquired, "Well, what about tonight, it's Christmas Eve."

Lucas replied automatically, having become used to the ritual, "He'll be off to see his son and then have a few drinks, and then he'll sleep till its time for his shift."

Dara shook her head, "Not this year he wont, go and call him right now and ask him to come over, there's a room upstairs he can spend the night and be here tomorrow with us."

Lucas looked at her disbelievingly, "He won't accept the invitation."

Dara shook her head in stubbornness, "Go call him."

Lucas sighed and went to place the call, ten minutes later he returned, astounded, "He'll be here around seven and he said to tell you thank you very much."

Dara smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist as she stated, "No one should be alone at Christmas."

Ben arrived right on time and thanked Dara for her invitation with some embarrassment.

Dara, seeing his shyness told him quietly, "You're more than welcome here Ben, besides that you gave me a gift infinitely more precious than what I'm giving you."

Looking at her in puzzlement he asked, "What do you mean, I haven't given you anything."

Dara shook her head in denial of his statement, "Yes, you did, you saved my husband's life as well as my children's father."

Ben, uncomfortable at her gratitude, went in search of Lucas.

After supper, Dara and Lucas took the twins upstairs, amid her sister's protests and bathed them before settling them down for the night. Once they were asleep they returned to the living room and began dropping hints to the other children that Santa wouldn't come till they were fast asleep. Finally, after all of the children, with the exception Brittany, who was now a teenager, were upstairs and asleep the adults sat and chatted about the Christmases past.

Lucas sat and listened, never having celebrated the holiday before marrying Dara. He noticed the wistfulness that came to Dara's eyes as they remembered the time and efforts put into the holidays by their parents.

Noticing the clock when it struck 10:30 everyone decided that it was time to head upstairs knowing the younger children would be up early. Once in their own room, Lucas and Dara became lost in each other's arms as they joined themselves together in desire. After they were satisfied and content Lucas settled against Dara's back as he kissed her cheek gently before she drifted off to sleep, muttering, "I love you."

Smiling he squeezed her tighter and stated, "I know, I love you too." With that he followed her into sleep.


Dara awoke from the pain in her lower back, which seemed to have increased over the past few days. Careful not to wake her husband, she reached for her robe and closing the door quietly, headed downstairs for a cup of cocoa and some pain relievers. Entering the kitchen she flipped on the light and yelped in surprise when she was Ben sitting at the table.

Ben, who had also been surprised when the light came on, smiled sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Dara shook her head, "It's all right, you just surprised me that's all."

Holding up a cup he smiled, "There's some in the pot on the stove, hope you don't mind, it's cocoa."

Dara thanked him as she poured herself a mug and then finding the bottle of pain relievers, went to take a seat at the table across from Ben.

Motioning to the bottle Ben asked in concern, "Are you feeling bad?"

Dara nodded, "My back is, it's been bothering me for the past couple of days. I suppose it could be worse though, it hurt the entire time I was carrying the twins." Downing the capsule with some cocoa, she sighed, "That should help it a little. What are you doing up?"

Ben shrugged, "Just thinking, by the way thank you for having me stay tonight, it means a lot to know someone cares, especially around Christmas."

Dara nodded, "You're welcome, but like I told you earlier you gave me more than I can ever repay, but you're always welcomed in this house, Ben." With that she pushed herself up and stated, "I better get some sleep, it's going to be a zoo here in morning."

Ben bid her goodnight and smiled ruefully. Then, certain he was alone asked aloud, "Wonder what would have happened if I had seen her first that day." With that he too went in search of sleep.


Christmas morning arrived to find the three boys, led by Caleb's example, throwing open the doors of each of the adults rooms and bounding on to the foot of their parent's beds to announce that Santa had delivered their presents.

After assuring Caleb that they were indeed fully awake and would be downstairs as soon as they donned their robes, Lucas grinned ruefully at Dara as she tied the belt around her waist.

Dara smiled in return, "Okay, I give what are you thinking?"

Lucas shrugged his shoulders, "Just that by this time next year, we'll have three, possibly four kids landing at the foot of the bed to wake us up."

Dara laughed at the idea, "I don't mind, besides that's half the fun of Christmas, watching the joy on their faces."

Once everyone had gathered in the living room, Caleb began handing out the presents from Santa, making certain that everyone received at least one present to open before he began tearing into his own gifts.

Dara and Lucas had taken up a place on the floor, each with a child in their lap, to assist the little ones in opening their gifts. Although their parents had lavished them with Christmas gifts, much to their parents bewildered amusement; they seemed to prefer playing with the boxes and wrapping rather than the gifts themselves.

Dara shook her head ruefully as she turned to lucks, "You know, we could have saved a lot of time and money if we had just wrapped empty boxes."

Lucas laughed at the idea; "We'll have to try that next year with this baby."

It was at that moment that Dara received the best Christmas present anyone could possibly imagine. She was holding Riesa and helping her open a gift from on of her aunts when she turned and looked at her mother, dead in the face and stated clearly, "Mama."

Dara stopped in shock, as did everyone else and simply stared at the baby, glancing up she asked her husband quietly, "Did you hear what I think I did?"

Alex, not to be outdone by his sister, followed suit and holding his small arms up in expectation stated with equal clarity, "Mama."

Dara smiled with loving patience at her children and looking at them requested softly, "Can you say that again angels?"

Both the babies looked at each other then at first their mother then to their father.

Lucas looked down at his children, and then motioning in Dara's direction asked, "Alex, Riesa, who's that?"

Both babies looked at their father with puzzlement and responded, first one then the other, "Mama."

Dara smiled as she wiped the tears of happiness from her eyes and following Lucas' example, motioned towards Lucas and inquired, "Who is that babies?"

Repeating their earlier looks of puzzlement and looking at their father this time they responded, "Daddy."

Kara, who had sat back silently, watching, finally spoke her mind, "I don't believe it, my kids were eighteen months old before they did that. They're not even a year old yet."

Dara smiled proudly, "They seem to grasp things very quickly, I don't quite understand it, but this is the best Christmas present I could have received."

Lucas, who tried to act as surprised as his wife over this latest achievement, caught a knowing sly look that his grandmother had sent in his direction from across the room.


Lucas and Lucilla had debated the necessity of Dara knowing exactly how gifted their children would be shortly before her family's arrival. Lucilla had brought it up while Dara was upstairs napping.

Lucas had attended a conference earlier that day, which had dismissed early. After checking at the station and learning that nothing was happening that would require his attention, he had decided to go home early.

Entering the kitchen he asked his grandmother, "Where's Dara?"

Motioning towards the ceiling she stated, "Upstairs taking a nap, she was worn out after shopping this morning."

Lucas nodded, "Good, she needs the rest." Sitting down he accepted the cup of coffee Lucilla had just placed in front of him. Catching her look he asked evenly, "All right mama, what's on your mind?"

Lucilla sat across from him and asked evenly, "Don't you think it's about time that you told that girl exactly how it is that those babies seem to be learning so fast?"

Lucas slammed his cup down and glared at her disbelievingly, "Are you senile? If I tell her she's liable to run away in fright."

Lucilla shook her head, "Not if you're careful how you explain this to her. I know she loves you and she loves the children, she's a good mother and wife." Seeing the doubt on her grandson's face she reasoned, "Look, you said that she's aware of your ability to 'show' her things, right?"

Lucas nodded reluctantly, she had never referred to that or the dreams that he had entered before their marriage. She had simply accepted it and never mentioned it.

Lucilla continued, "All right then, I'm sure that she'll accept this as well."

Lucas shook his head, "I don't think so mama. I think we need to just leave it like it is. Let her think that they're just extremely gifted children."

Lucilla looked at him sharply, "She's not stupid boy, we both know how curious she is, she'll get suspicious eventually."

Lucas sighed in exasperation, he was loath to the idea, but he knew what would have to be done if that ever happened. Looking at his grandmother in deadly seriousness he stated dangerously, "I will not lose her mama, for any reason. If she does get a little too curious, I'll deal with it, my way. Until then let her continue thinking that they're just very advanced."

Lucilla took in the deadly look across her grandson's face, and then shrugging her shoulders she stated evenly, "We know that you could do that indefinitely, but I think that you also know that that's not how you want to handle your wife or your marriage. You have a good wife and a good marriage, you do what you think you should, but we both know that if she ever becomes aware that you're not totally honest with her she'll leave you. You have her trust and with a woman like Dara that's the biggest part of who she is. If you break that trust you'll break her."


Lucas was jerked back to the present by his wife's voice, "Lucas, I asked you how you liked your gift."

Lucas mentally shook himself out of his reveries and smiled at her. Looking at the jacket she had given him to replace the one that had been ruined when he had went into the water, he smiled and replied, "I love it sweetheart, thank you." Motions in her direction he inquired, "How about you, did you like your gift?"

Dara smiled as she looked at the diamond pendant that he had fastened around her neck; it was made with the same intertwining diamond ropes that her wedding ring was, only shaped into a heart.

Later that evening after everyone had eaten their fill of food and friends had came and went as well as the children having worn themselves out playing with their new toys, everyone decided to turn in early.

Dara, who had been suffering from the pain that persisted in her lower back, had asked Lucas that instead of making love if they might simply go to sleep, explaining that her back was bothering again.

Lucas nodded and replied, "That's fine darlin, you need your rest anyway." Motioning for her to turn to her side he held her close as he began massaging her lower back. He knew that it have been bothering her off and on fro most of her pregnancy, but he had always attributed it, as she had, to the beating she had sustained from Landrum.

Finally, after the muscles seemed to quiet in their rebellion she fell asleep. Lucas feeling the even rise and fall of her breathing pulled the covers around them and settling closer to her fell asleep himself.


Dara had felt the twinge earlier but had dismissed it after it had ceased and drifted back to sleep, but this time she couldn't dismiss the sharpness of the pain that had started in the lower part of her abdomen and seemed to wrap itself around to meet in excruciating agony in the middle of her back.

Sitting up, careful not to wake her husband she left the bed and went into the bathroom feeling sick from the severity of the pain. After she was sure that she wouldn't be ill she waited a few minutes to see if the pain would return hoping that it was merely false labor.

Deciding that she needed a drink she ventured downstairs for some juice, careful to close the door quietly she checked on the babies as well as Caleb, assuring herself that all three were warm enough she headed towards the stairs.

Confident that the pain earlier had merely been a cramping of some sort she was taken off guard by the severity of the pain that struck her suddenly halfway down t he stairs. She grabbed the railing for support but having been knocked off balance by the severity of the pain, she stumbled and fell halfway down he staircase, unable to stop herself. Once she landed at the bottom the pain became overwhelming in not only her abdomen but her back as well. Finally, the pain engulfed her as she lost consciousness.