1 DAY OF RECKONING

CHAPTER 7

Christmas finally came, much to the relief of Rinie, Riesa and Alex. Dara had spent her time and precious energy preparing for the holiday as well as Rinie's third birthday, which was the day after Christmas. Thanks to Caleb and Trisha as well as mama Lucy's help she had been able to accomplish everything she needed to for everyone's Christmas.

When Christmas morning came it was to the usual tradition of the three younger children rushing thru the door to leap to the end of their parent's bed, while Caleb stood reservedly by the door, yelling excitedly, "It's Christmas, wake up mommy and daddy we want to see what Santa Clause brought us."

Both Lucas and Dara sat up abruptly, trying to orient themselves while the children got their parents' robes to hand to them. Lucas glanced at Caleb, "How about taking these wild heathens downstairs and we'll be there in a second." Caleb nodded as he ushered his siblings out the door to head downstairs.

Lucas watched his wife carefully, he had come to learn how to judge whether or not she would have a good day or a bad day by how she started out in the morning. He knew however that today was a holiday, which entailed a lot of activity, as well as knowing she still had tomorrow's birthday party for Rinie to get through. Watching her as she slipped her robe on while he pulled on a pair of jeans he decided to take the direct approach, walking over to her he bent down and lifted her up.

She had learned over the past couple of weeks to no longer be embarrassed by his actions and simply accept them in gratitude. Looking at him she pointed out, "You're not dressed yet."

Lucas shook his head and smiled ruefully, "The kids have seen me without a shirt before and you've definitely seen me in a lot less, so quit fretting over it." With that he carried her downstairs and settled her on the sofa, then called the kids and mama Lucy to come into the front room to open Christmas gifts.

All three younger children were thrilled with the small training bikes they had received, as well as dolls and clothes and play jewelry for the girls and video games and action figures for Alex.

Caleb, having learned the truth behind the Santa Clause myth a couple of years prior, went along good naturedly with the new stereo and TV he had received, as well as various CD's and clothes he had asked for.

Caleb and Trisha, as well as the younger children and mama Lucy had given Lucas a painting done form a picture taken of Dara from their wedding. When he opened the present he was speechless, finally he hugged each of his children and thanked them for their thoughtfulness, stating that he knew the perfect place for it to hang.

For mama Lucy there was new knitting supplies and a new lace shawl to wear for special occasions as well as a necklace that had a charm representing each of their birthdays, including Dara's

Dara, as usual, was spoiled by her husband and children, she received another crystal sculpture to add to her collection from the younger children, as well as videos from Caleb and Trisha to add to her collection, from mama Lucy she received a quilt that detailed the dates of her marriage and the births of her children, with room left for the addition of the new baby. From Lucas she was as usual overwhelmed; she received a new curio cabinet to hold her crystal figurine collection as well as an antique silver tray she had voiced a desire for.

Thinking they were done exchanging gifts she was shocked when Lucas reached under the seat cushion of the sofa and pulled a velvet box out. When he opened the lid to the box she gasped at the contents, inside was an emerald and diamond pendant to match the ring he had given her their first Christmas together.

Dara looked at him with tears in her eyes as she stated, "You really shouldn't have the cabinet was more than enough, you're spoiling me you know that don't you?"

Motioning for her to turn around and hold her hair for him to fasten it he smiled at her and replied, "That's what I promised when I married you, now just say thank you like a good little wife and let me fasten this."

After he had fastened the necklace she turned and smiled shyly as she voice, "Thank you." Then placing a kiss on his mouth she pushed herself up with his assistance and headed to the kitchen to check on their holiday meal.

Mama Lucy followed her into the kitchen to help, leaving the children to do away with the wrapping paper and allowing Lucas to go finish dressing. When he came back downstairs half an hour later, immaculately dressed, as usual in the new clothes his wife had given him for Christmas, he joined the women in the kitchen. Since they were eating early due to the celebration they had planned for their daughter's birthday the next day, Dara and mama had started most of the preparations for the meal the night before. When everything was almost ready Dara headed to her room to shower and change.

Trisha had arrived early to dine with them and seeing mama Lucy by herself in the kitchen, had volunteered and already had the table set and helped finish the food preparations.

Dara smiled at the girl gratefully, as they all sat down and began enjoying the meal. Before they had a change to begin the doorbell rang. Dara stood and motioned for Lucas to continue slicing the turkey while she answered the door.

Expecting to see either Selena Coombs and her daughter, who was visiting her mother, or Ben, who had begun the tradition of stopping by on Christmas day since the first Christmas Dara had invited him to stay with them, she had no qualms about opening the door herself.

Leaving the foyer door open she turned the knob on the outer portal and pulled it open. Seeing no one there she stepped outside the door and looked around, not finding anyone she shrugged and closed the door once more, then went back into house, closing the foyer door as well. Turning to head back to the dining room, she saw what had to be at least a eight foot python, wrapping itself around the stairwell railing.

Dara's eyes widened in fright as the snake spotted her and began unwinding itself from the wooden railing to slither in her direction, Dara backed into the door and began screaming for her husband.

Lucas had just finished slicing the turkey when he heard his name screamed at the top of his wife's lungs.

"LUUUUCAASSS!"

Pushing the chair back, he ordered hi younger children and the women "Stay in here, I mean it!" With that he ran to the front hall, followed closely by his eldest son. At first he couldn't understand the look of intense fright on his wife's face or why she was standing backed into the corner at the front door. Then, seeing the slithering form of the huge python getting closer to his wife, he cursed, "What the hell, how did that thing get in here?"

Caleb pointed as the snake was now less than a foot away from his mother, who had backed as far away as possible and now had no place left to go, "Who cares how it got in here, lets just get it out of here."

Lucas, who had ran from the dining room still clutching the carving knife, looked down at it then at the snake. Holding it by the blade, he threw it and hit what he had been aiming for, just below the snake's head, which was now effectively pinned to the floor, preventing it from moving any closer to his wife.

Dara looked at the knife sticking out of the reptile's body as the thing squirmed in the final throes of death, as well as the blood oozing from the wound and the proximity of it's location. Unable to cope with the horror in front of her, she felt her knees buckle and realized that she was being engulfed in blackness.

Lucas saw her collapsing and rushed forward to catch her before she could hit the floor. Lifting her in his arms he carried to the living room and placed her on the sofa. Looking at his son he instructed, "Get her a glass of brandy, then find a sheet and cover that damned thing up, we'll get it out of here in a second."

Caleb rushed to do as he had been told, returning with the brandy he handed it to his father and went to cover the snake over.

Lucas lifted Dara's head and patted her cheek gently, "Come on darlin, it's all right the snake's gone. Open your eyes baby, come on."

Dara opened her eyes slowly and looked at her husband wearily, without saying a word she sat up and laid her head against his chest as she began quietly sobbing out her frustrations with the situation. Lucas laid his cheek against the top of her head as he held her tightly to him.

Caleb came back and asked quietly, "Will mama be okay?' Lucas nodded silently as Caleb motioned to the hallway, "I'll take care of that thing, dad. You stay here with mama, besides the kids don't need to see it."

Once Dara had quieted somewhat Lucas lifted her eyes to meet his as he brought the glass to her lips, "I want you to take a sip of this, it will help, but just a small sip you shouldn't be drinking at all, but you need something to help calm you down."

Dara did as told and coughed as the unfamiliar liquid burned a path down her throat. Pushing the glass away she looked up at her husband in dismay, "When is he going to stop? He'll go after the children next, you and I both know that."

Lucas shook his head, "No he wont. Dara I'm going to have to stop him, there just isn't another way to do it honey, I'm sorry, but I think we know it's him or us, and I have no intention of letting him get my family."

Dara sighed in resignation as she quietly agreed with her husband's statement, "I know, do what you feel you have to, I'll understand."

Lucas held her close to him as he asked quietly, "Do you have any idea as to how much I love you?"

Dara looked up at him sadly as she nodded her head and replied, "Enough to kill for me." With that she lowered her head and began crying at the truth of her statement.

Lucas held her and stroked her hair trying to comfort her as best he could until her tears subsided. When he was sure she was in control over her emotions he asked tenderly, "I know you don't really want to, but for the kids sake are you ready to go back in and eat Christmas dinner?" Dara nodded her head as she wiped the tears from her face.

Lucas helped her up and led her back to the dining room to try and act as though everything were normal. Each childe looked at her in concern as all three asked, "What happened mommy, are you okay?"

Dara smiled at her children and lied convincingly, "Yes babies, I'm fine. I saw a mouse and it scared me, that's all, now lets eat our dinner."

Lucilla looked at her grandson questioningly as did Trisha, shaking his head he motioned to the younger children; silently explaining that this was not a fit topic for them.

Caleb came back and took his seat as well. Lucas glanced at him and asked cautiously, "Where did you dispose of the uh, mouse at?"

Caleb, catching his meaning, immediately answered carefully, knowing his younger siblings penchant for curiosity, "In the incinerator, we burned the paper and boxes earlier so it isn't a problem."

Lucas nodded as he began eating his dinner, he glanced at the opposite end of the table watching his wife as she tried her best to eat her own dinner, but not having a lot of success. Knowing she was concerned over the idea of Rinie's birthday party and what Garrett Darvin might attempt, he decided to approach the problem directly. Addressing his youngest child, he asked, "Rinie?"

Looking up at her father she smiled and answered brightly, "Yes daddy?"

Returning the child's smile as well as marveling at her enthusiasm he asked, glancing at he wife cautiously, "Where is your favorite place in the world baby?"

Placing her small fist under her chin as she concentrated on the answer she replied brightly, "Chuck E. Cheese's, they have games and rides and the animals sing and dance and we get to eat pizza."

Nodding at her reasoning he asked, "You wouldn't happen to know a little girl who is having a birthday tomorrow who would like to have her party there, do you?"

Rinie sat up and gasped, smiling broadly as she jumped from her chair and ran to climb in her father's lap. "You mean it daddy, I can really have my party there, for real?"

Lucas glanced at his wife and was relieved to see the tender smile she had on her face as she nodded in acceptance of his suggestion. Hugging his daughter close to him he laughed, "Yes baby, I really mean it, you can have your party there."

Rinie looked over at her great grandmother, she wasn't sure what to make of the woman yet, not having spent as much time around her as Caleb and Riesa and Alex, she asked timidly, "Are you coming too, mama?"

Lucilla took in the look of hopefulness on the small face and smiled, "Of course I am child, and I wouldn't miss seeing a possum sing and dance." Rinie reached over and hugged her great grandmother as she climbed off her father's lap to take her seat.

Noticing the looks of upset on Alex and Riesa's faces she inquired, "All right you two, what is the matter with you?"

Alex looked at his mother sadly, "Are we going to get to go too? Our birthdays next month."

Lucas nodded as he answered for his wife, "Yes, you two get to go. And next month you can have your party wherever you want to, all right?"

Both brightened as Riesa asked her mother seriously, "Mommy, you and daddy have an anniversary next month too, don't you?"

Dara nodded as she explained, "That's right, as a matter of fact it's the same day as your birthdays."

Riesa looked at her mother in astonishment, then in uncertainty, "How could we be born the same day you and daddy were married, weren't you too busy to do both?"

Dara laughed, as did everyone at the little girl's logic, explaining carefully, she stated, "You weren't born on the same day we were married, you were born on the first anniversary of the day we were married. You came along a year later. Personally, I've always looked at it as you two being the best anniversary present and Rinie as being the best Christmas present that I've ever received."

All three smiled at their mother and then Rinie asked, "When did you get Caleb?"

Caleb looked up, curious as to his mother's answer.

Dara smiled at her eldest son as she replied, "He was the best late birthday, and early Christmas present I ever received."

Laughing and not wanting to be left out, Alex inquired, "What's daddy, mommy?"

Dara glanced at her husband tenderly and answered with out embarrassment, "He's the best thing to ever happen in my life. Because without him I wouldn't have my wonderful children, now eat your dinner." With that they finished their meal.



After a day of the children playing and friends visiting, everyone was worn out and ready for bed. Despite the earlier incident with the snake, Dara's spirits had lifted considerably with the day, having heard from her sisters and their families had brightened her mood a good bit, as did Selena and her daughter's visit, as well as Ben's.

Dara had been astonished to find Selena had a daughter, which she learned spent most of her time with her grandparents. Despite herself Dara had been concerned about Diane's father.

Selena, knowing why she was concerned, had put her fears to rest when she first introduced Diane. "Don't worry Dara, she doesn't belong to him, Billy Peele was her father."

Dara had nodded her acceptance, knowing the truth when she looked at the child; she saw no signs of Lucas anywhere in the girl's face. Having formed a strong friendship with Selena, Dara felt the need to ask, "Why doesn't she live with you, Selena? I know that you love her and you're a good mother."

Selena merely shook her head, "Because she deserves better than me, my parents are good to her and I get to see her all the time, but this way no one tells her your mother's the town tramp."

Letting it go, Dara dropped the subject and respected Selena's decision.



After all of their company had finally left and the children had been put to bed, mama Lucy had said her goodnight and went upstairs, Caleb was at Trisha's house, eating supper with them as well as meeting the rest of her family.

Considering his son's relationship with the girl, Lucas asked, "Are you starting to think like I do that she just might be our future daughter in law?"

Dara groaned at the thought, Lucas glanced at her questioningly, "I thought you liked her?"

Dara sighed, "I do, but the next step after they marry is children and I really don't want to think about being a grandmother right now."

Lucas laughed at her logic as he considered out loud, "Well lets see, she just turned fifteen, which means if they get married when she's eighteen that's three more years, you'll be thirty four and considering our own habitualness with making love you'll probably be pregnant again. So theoretically you'll still have at least sixteen more years of childbearing ahead of you."

Dara looked at him in astonishment, "I see that you've been thinking about this awhile, do you intend to keep me pregnant until I reach menopause?"

Lucas smiled at her leeringly, "I sure as hell wouldn't mind trying."

Dara smiled invitingly, feeling well enough for a change to indulge her husband's lecherous side. "Care to indulge in a little practice?"

Lucas slid closer to her on the sofa and smiled as he replied, "Happy to oblige." With that he took complete possession of her mouth as he pushed her gently back on the sofa. Realizing where they were, Lucas placed his arm under her legs and lifted her from the sofa while he continued to explore her mouth to be met in response by her.

Opening the door to their room he laid her on the bed and closed the door. Kneeling over he began unfastening her dress and slid it from her body she did the same with his clothing.

Dara noticed Lucas shaking his head as he looked at her, "What is it?"

Lucas smiled, "It never astounds me that no matter how many times I see you like this, whether you're pregnant or not, you look more beautiful than the time before."

Dara felt a quiver of pleasure at his statement. Pulling his head down she kissed him and allowed him to deepen the kiss before he began trailing the length of her body with his mouth. When he reached her abdomen he felt the slight flutter as she looked at him in excitement, "That's the first time he's moved."

Placing his hand over the spot he waited as he felt the flutter again and returned his wife's smile. Shaking his head, he stated, "Well, we're three for three now."

Dara laughed at his statement. With both of her pregnancies the first time they felt the babies move was while they were making love.

After they had both found release in each other they clung to each other as they drifted off to sleep to find some peace.