DAY OF RECKONING
CHAPTER 2

A month later everything seemed to settle into a new routine, Caleb was now an officially licensed driver, as well as having started dating on the weekends.

Lucas, realizing that his wife wasn't feeling well on this particular day, offered to take the children with him to the office, allowing Dara the chance to go for a check up.

Since she still worked at least twice a week with the Outreach program that she had helped to found, she cam into contact with the various illnesses that circulated through the community, luckily their children never seemed to suffer from anything more than the usual cold, sniffles and coughs.

Dara, on the other hand, was another matter; she never managed to escape the more severe symptoms of the flu and viruses that made their way through Trinity. She had followed Matt's suggestion the year after Rinie's birth and take a flu shot, which promptly developed into a secondary lung infection, placing her in the hospital.

Deciding to follow her husband's advice, she dressed the children and allowed them to accompany their father to work. Then, calling to make certain that she would be seen, she left to see the doctor.


Two hours later Dara walked through the door of the Fulton County Sheriff's office. Ben, taking in her appearance, asked in sympathy, "Not feeling good today, huh Dara?"

Dara nodded as she stated, "You have no idea, Ben. Where's my husband and kids?"

Ben motioned towards the doorway, "In there, how about I take them and get them a soda or something?"

Dara smiled, "Thanks Ben, I thing that would be a good idea." With that she rapped lightly and entered.

All three rushed to hug her as they inquired at once, "Do you feel any better, mommy? You're going to be all right, aren't you?"

Dara knelt and hugged each in turn and smiled. "Yes babies I'm going to be just fine." Dara glanced at Ben, giving him his cue.

"Hey, how about I take you guys and we'll go get something to drink and maybe a donut?" All three looked to their mother for approval, after she gave her consent they filed out of the room behind Ben.

Lucas got up and came around the desk to pull his wife close to him, "What did Crower say, this is just the flu, right?"

Dara pulled away and walked over to the windows to look outside, continuing to stare outside she sighed heavily and stated, "I'm pregnant again, Lucas."

Lucas stared at her in silence before trying to decide the best way to ask what was on his mind, "I thought that you were still taking the pill."

Dara glanced over her shoulder as she replied sarcastically, "I was, apparently I'm one of those lucky women who seem to fall into the five percent group that are still able to conceive while on the pill."

Lucas walked up behind her and pulled her close against him as he laid his cheek against the top of her head to ask softly, "Are you happy about it?"

Dara turned and looked at him unsurely, "I don't know, I mean we already have four children, I thought the idea of another baby would be, to say the least unsettling to you."

Lucas shook his head and smiled, "I like the idea of another baby." Then kissing her gently he stated, "And I happen to think that you're sexy as hell when you're pregnant, of course I think that when you're not pregnant, too."

Dara looked at him seriously, "So, you don't mind another baby?"

Lucas shook his head, "Nope, I don't, now why don't we gather our other three babies, and then find Caleb then we'll go celebrate." With that he opened the door and motioned for their children to grab their jackets so they could leave.


After they had been gone for a few minutes the bell over the door chimed, announcing the presence of someone in the office. Ben looked up and recognized the stranger who had been here a few weeks ago. It was hard to forget a man wearing a long, black, leather duster coat as well as a black cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes, which Ben was sure were a s black as the rest of his attire. Pushing down he shiver he felt, Ben inquired, "Can I help you, sir?"

The stranger glanced from under his hat with a cool disdain, then speaking in a deep voice answered, "Yeah, you cant ell me where I can find Lucas Buck."

Ben looked that stranger up and down, then deciding that he didn't like the idea of giving him personal information, such as exactly where Lucas Buck lived. Shaking his head he decided to sidetrack the stranger, "Sorry mister, you just missed him. I think he and his wife were planning on taking their family out for dinner tonight, he'll be back in the morning."

The stranger looked up in brief surprise, "You mean he's married?"

Ben nodded, "Yeah, he has four kids too, why?"

Shaking his head the stranger stated, "No reason, just didn't think he'd be the family man type that's all." With that he turned and left.

Ben shuddered involuntarily, he wasn't sure why, but he got the distinct impression that he had just seen trouble leaving.


Not sure how to broach the subject of another addition to their already large family, Dara let Lucas break the news. After ordering their food, he laid his arms on the table and folded his hands as he began the conversation, "Guys your mother and I need to talk to all of you."

Caleb glanced up sharply with a knowing smile on his face.

Lucas glanced at him and assuming that he had already guessed what the discussion was going to cover, he directed the conversation towards the younger children. Although they were young they were highly intelligent, all three were beginning to learn how to read, as well as having knowledge on various subjects most children their age were yet even aware of. Speaking in a serious tone, he inquired of all three, "Do you three know what the word 'pregnant' means?"

Rinie spoke for all three, "Yes daddy, its what a woman is when she's going to have a baby, isn't it?"

Lucas smiled proudly at his youngest child's answer, "That's exactly what it means darlin. Well, when mommy went to the doctor today he told her that, that is what is wrong with her, that's why she hasn't been feeling well lately. She's going to have another baby."

Dara carefully watched the faces of all four children, waiting on pins and needles, hoping they wouldn't be upset.

Rinie once again was the spokesperson for the group, looking at her oldest brother she asked, "Caleb, do you think that this is good news?"

Taking in the anxious look on his parents' faces, Caleb smiled as he answered, "Yeah Rinie, I do. And just thing it means that you wont have to be the baby anymore."

Thinking on this Rinie motioned to her sister and other brother to huddle for a discussion. After they were finished all three were smiling as Riesa voiced their joint opinion, "We think it would be nice to have another brother or sister."

Dara sighed in relief as she spoke, "You guys know that having another baby doesn't change how much daddy and I love you all, right?"

All three nodded in unison as Alex put in his point of view, "We know that mommy."

Satisfied that everything was now settled they all enjoyed the meal once the waitress brought their orders.


Once they were finished eating and had left it wasn't long before the three younger children had fallen asleep in the back seat. When they reached home Dara had attempted to take Rinie in, but both Lucas and Caleb shook their heads as Lucas stated emphatically, "You don't need to be carrying these babies anymore. Besides that, they're beginning to get heavier. Go on in, Caleb and I can handle them."

Dara went ahead to unlock the door and turn the covers back on their beds. After all three had been undressed and tucked into bed, Dara decided that she needed a bath to ease the tensions from the day. After she had finished bathing she donned a nightgown and got into bed, feeling the beginning of nausea starting.

Meanwhile, Lucas and Caleb were downstairs, discussing the idea of a new baby.

Caleb looked at his father in concern, "It's not that I'm not happy about another brother or sister, but both times mama has had a really tough time. I though you guys were doing something to prevent her from getting pregnant again."

Lucas stared into his cup of coffee as he answered his son, "We were, your mother was taking birth control pills, but apparently they weren't that effective."

Caleb saw the strained look on his father's face as he stated knowingly, "You're afraid that she's going to have a tough time again, aren't you?"

Sighing heavily Lucas looked into his son's face, "You know I've never thought once about your mother's age. To me she'll always be the same young woman I saw standing on the sidewalk that day, but the fact is that she's now four almost five years older than that day, even though she doesn't even look the age she was then, but she is older now as well as a history of troubled pregnancies, two premature births, one of which had to be delivered C - section. So yes, I am concerned, to say the least, about her. It's not going to be easy for her, especially with three young children to keep up with on top of it."

Caleb nodded his agreement with his father's statement, and then ventured a suggestion, "She could have an abortion."

Lucas shook his head furiously, "She'd never do it Caleb, and to tell you the truth I don't want her to."

Caleb thought a second and then brightened, "We could call Mama Lucy to come and help with the kids, I'll help too, but she can be here with mama while you're at work and I'm at school."

Lucas considered the suggestion, his grandmother had been there for them during both of Dara's pregnancies, but she was now in her eighties. Lucas looked at his son and promised, "Tell you what, we'll call her tomorrow to tell her the news, if she want to she'll come, but otherwise we wont mention it okay?" Caleb nodded as he got up to go to bed.

Lucas got up and washed out the mug he had used, making his way upstairs he checked on his three younger children, and then went to his own room.


Opening the door he noticed the covers thrown back on the bed, which was empty. Spotting the light pouring from under the bathroom doorway, he made his way to gently push the door open to find his wife relieving her nausea. Once she had finished he wet a cloth to wipe her face and lowered himself to sit on his heels, putting him face to face with her as he gently asked, "Feel a little better now?"

Dara nodded weakly, "Yes I do, just give me a minute and I'll pull myself up from this disgraceful position."

Lucas shook his head at her display of stubbornness, "It's all right, I'll help you." With that he stood up and bent down to scoop her from the floor into his arms.

Feeling much too ill to argue she laid her head against his shoulder as he carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed, pulling the covers over he asked solicitously, "Do you think some soda or crackers might help it?"

Dara looked p and swallowing hard requested, "Some soda please."

With that Lucas made his way back down the stairs to the kitchen, bringing her what she had requested he helped her to sit up and take a sip in the hopes it would calm her stomach.

Falling back on the pillows, Dara placed her arm across her eyes hoping the room would stop it's spinning.

Lucas looked at her in concern, "Is there anything else I can do, darlin?"

Dara shook her head, "No, we've been through this before so I'm fairly used to it. Let's just get some sleep, please."

With that Lucas got up and undressed for bed, climbing into bed next to her and pulling her close to him he could feel her relax against him as they both fell asleep.


Garret Darvin sat in the car across the street from the Buck house and watched as the last upstairs light went out. "Shame" he stated aloud to himself, "He does have a nice family, and a pretty little wife." Deciding he'd make his presence known in the morning he started the car and headed in the direction of Ascension.

On the way he considered his reasoning for coming to Trinity. He had heard his entire life from his mother of his 'birthright', now that she was no longer here; he had decided that the time had finally come for him to claim it. The only obstacle being that of the sheriff of Trinity, but one way or another he would tend to that matter.

Once he reached the cheap motel he was staying at he ventured inside the rented room and disposing of his hat and coat fell to the bed to seek his rest for the night, satisfied that he would accomplish his task the next day.


Lucas awoke at his usual hour to the sound of his wife retching in the bathroom. Throwing back the covers he got up and went to see if there was anything he could do to ease her plight. Opening the door he saw that she had finished emptying her stomach and was attempting to compose herself as she was leaning against the countertop while she washed her face with cool water.

Dara looked over at her husband ruefully, she asked in embarrassment, "Could you help me back to the bed, I don't think that my legs would take me that far."

Lucas looked at her in sympathy as he bent down to lift her in his arms before stating, "Honey, I'm staying home with you today, you're in no shape to run after three kids."

Dara knowing the truth of his statement simply replied, "Thank you."

Laying her back on the bed he pulled the covers over her before walking to his side of the bed to pick up the phone and dial the number to the office. Finally, someone answered, "Hello, yeah Floyd? This is Lucas; look I'm taking a day today. No, I'm fine but we found out that Dara is pregnant yesterday and she's having a tough time with morning sickness. Yeah, I know that she's not able to so I'm staying at home with her today. Just call me if you need to. Yeah, I will you too, by."

With that he hung up and grabbing his robe went to make sure Caleb was up and getting ready for school. After giving Caleb enough money to get some breakfast at the diner, then making sure that the other kids were still asleep he went back to his bedroom to check on Dara. Seeing that she was about to fall asleep he informed her, "You rest today, I'll tend to the kids. Call me if you need something, ok?"

Dara placed her hand along his cheek, "Do you have any idea how much I love you, especially at a time like this?"

Lucas covered her hand with his own to bring it to his lips, as he kissed her palm he replied, "Yes, I do, as much as I love you." With that he placed her arm back under the covers and tucked her in, watching as she drifted back to sleep.


Lucas was in the kitchen cooking breakfast when he heard Rinie, Riesa and Alex come bounding down the stairs stating, "Mommy, we want some pancakes for breakfast."

Watching as all three stopped short, seeing their father at the stove cooking their breakfast instead of their mother, he wasn't surprised when Riesa looked at him suspiciously before asking, "Where's mommy?"

Lucas smiled reassuringly as he replied, "Mommy isn't feeling very well this morning so I decided to stay at home and take care of you guys so that she could rest. Now, how about some breakfast?"

Eyeing his father in uncertainty, Alex voiced all three's opinion, "But you cant cook as good as mommy can, her pancakes are better."

Lucas nodded her agreement of his son's statement, "I know they are, but these aren't too bad, how about giving them a try?"

Rinie watched her father flip a pancake, and then walked over to tug at his pant leg in order to gain his attention. Looking down at his youngest he smiled, "What is it, baby?"

In a serious tone she stated, "I wouldn't mind trying one of your pancakes, daddy. I'm sure they're good too."

Laughing at her reasoning he took the last pancake from the pan and grabbing the food on the counter he set it on the table, ready to begin dining.

After assuring themselves that the food was indeed edible, despite the fact that their father had been the one to prepare it, all three asked, "Can we go see mommy after we eat?"

Lucas shook his head, "No, you can see her when she gets up, she needs her rest right now."

All four turned in surprise as they heard a familiar voice from the doorway ask, "Is there room there for me to sit down?"

Looking up all three children ran to hug their mother, "Mommy we thought you were going to stay in bed, daddy said that you weren't feeling good."

Patting each head in turn she walked to the table to take her seat as she gratefully accepted a glass of juice from her husband. Sipping it slowly she replied, "I don't feel very well, but I'm not staying in bed all day either."

Lucas looked up at her, "I don't mind if you want to stay in bed, the kids and I can entertain ourselves."

Dara shook her head, "No, we have seven or so more months to get through, I refuse to stay in bed all that time."

Lucas shrugged, "All right, you know how you feel we'll do it your way."

Dara glanced over and caught the curious look her youngest daughter was giving her, focusing her attention on Rinie she asked, "Is there something you want to ask me baby?"

Rinie nodded her head as she inquired, "It's going to be seven more months before the new baby comes?"

Dara nodded as she replied, "yes, it will be around the first of next April before the new baby arrives, why?"

Rinie shook her head, "Just wonderin, that means that I'll be a whole year older when the new baby gets here."

Dara smiled at Rinie's quick wit, "That's right angel, so will Riesa and Alex."

Alex, who was the quietest of the three, voiced his opinion softly, "I wouldn't mind another brother, I love Caleb and Riesa and Rinie, but it'd be nice to have a brother that I could play with."

Lucas finished chewing the mouthful of food he had just shoveled in and stated, "Well, we can't promise you that it will be a boy or a girl, Alex. We just have to see what we get."

Deciding that they were full, Riesa and Rinie begged their mother, "Mommy will you please fix our hair? Daddy doesn't do it as good as you do."

Nodding, Dara got up and followed her daughters upstairs to help them dress for the day. Once she had finished brushing out the curls and waves in their hair, she accommodated both girls request by pulling their hair into matching ponytails with bows that would match their outfits.

Although Riesa and Alex were the twins, Riesa and Rinie were the ones who always wanted to match. Satisfied with their appearance both girls headed back downstairs to play in their playroom, leaving Dara free to help Alex dress. That accomplished, Dara made her way to her own room where she quickly showered and dressed.

Venturing back downstairs she found Lucas at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee, taking her chair once more she sipped the glass of juice he had poured for her a s well as nibbling at the dry toast he had fixed for her.

Watching her carefully as she ate he asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

Dara nodded, "Yes, much thank you. If you want to go to work the kids and I will be fine."

Tilting his head to one side and studying her carefully he asked, "Are you sure? I don't mind staying at home with you."

Dara sighed as she reached across the table and covered his hand with her own, "I'll be fine, you can't watch over me twenty-four hours a day, Lucas. I'm willing to play the odds, how about you?"

Sighing in resignation he got up and kissed her cheek, "All right, I do have some reports to go over with Ben. I'll call you later on."

Dara patted his hand and smiled, "Maybe we'll see you after while, I promised the kids that tonight was movie night, remember?"

Lucas nodded, "Okay, how about meeting me at the station, we'll go get some supper and some movies, make a night of it." With that he grabbed his coat and bid his children bye as he walked out the door. Having no idea how much trouble lay ahead.


Garrett Darvin had waited outside of the Sheriff's station for what seemed like hours in indecision trying to decide on his next move. He had been infuriated to find Lucas Buck not in his office yet again that morning, but the trip hadn't been a total waste of his time. Thanks to the deputy behind the desk he now had a bonus piece of information.

He had ventured in and asked the man the same thing he had asked the other deputy the day before, the whereabouts of Lucas Buck. He had discovered that originally he had called in today, but had changed his mind but was now out on a call and would be back anytime.

That information in itself wasn't important, but Buck's reason for calling in had been. According to the deputy he was going to stay at home to help care for his children due to his wife's morning sickness.

Watching the door now he was rewarded to see the person he had been seeking enter the office. Pulling his hat low over his eyes he got out of his car and headed across the street to accomplish his purpose.


Lucas walked in and waved to Floyd who inquired, "Did you get old Emmett settled, Lucas?"

Lucas nodded, "Yeah, just those kids in his orchard again, no big deal."

Floyd nodded as he inquired, "I thought you were going to stay at home with Dara today, by the way, how is she feeling?"

Sorting through the reports in the basket waiting his signature he replied, "She said that she was feeling a little better. She's determined not to let this morning sickness get the best of her." Shaking his head as he thought about his wife's strangest trait he exclaimed, "God, she's the most stubborn woman I've ever seen."

Floyd smiled knowingly at his boss, "Yeah, but I bet you wouldn't change anything about her for the world, would you Lucas?"

Looking up and grinning broadly, Lucas stated, "You've got that right, Floyd."

Just then the bell over the doorway sounded announcing the arrival of someone. Recognizing the man who had come in asking after Lucas before, Floyd inwardly shuddered. Before he could tell Lucas about the man, the stranger inquired,

"I'm looking for Lucas Buck."

Lucas leaned his back against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest as he stated, "You're looking at him. What can I do for you?"

Taking a moment to size him up the stranger asked, "Could we talk, in private?"

Raising an eyebrow sharply at the stranger he motioned his head towards his office, "We can talk in there." With that he lead the way into his office and sat behind his desk motioning for the other man to shut the door. Once the stranger had taken a seat across from his desk, Lucas inquired, "All right, so now we have privacy, what can I do for you?"

Reaching his hand inside his coat the other man stated, "My name is Garrett Darvin." Withdrawing a piece of paper, he threw it on the desk in Lucas' line of vision, "Do you know who that man is?"

Picking up the aged photo, Lucas' eyes turned icy as he answered, "Yeah, I knew him, name was Gabriel Buck, why?"

Garrett looked at him in surprise, "Isn't he related to you in some way?"

Lucas sat back and stated acidly, "I suppose so, he was my father. So what's your point?"

Sitting back in his own chair Garrett smiled smugly, "Well, I guess we have something in common then."

Lucas eyed him suspiciously, "Oh really, and just what might that be?"

Leaning forward still smiling, he replied, "He was my father too."