Okay, folks! This will be the last update for about a week. Mostly
because I've been too busy goofing around with my Christmas presents to
write the next part. Well, I promise I'll get back to Lucas and Lex right
away. Can't have them hanging in limbo forever!!! (I've heard it's a
killer on the libido!)
Anywho, enjoy this last chapter of this part, then it's on to The Second Time Around! Yes, the pun is intended. I was a double English Major in University, so I love to mess around with innuendo, puns, and just basically wreaking havoc on people's lives.
Hang in there and you won't be disappointed!!!
Chapter Sixteen
Six Months Later ...
"Hey, Lucas!" Ben shouted, racing down the hall to catch up with him.
"Yeah?" Lucas asked him, his voice low.
Ben's smile slipped a little. He'd tried everything he could to get his friend out of his funk, to no avail. Lucas' heart had been broken, and from experience, Ben knew only time could heal it.
"I've got just the thing to cheer you up, buddy!"
"Ben, I'm not in the mood," Lucas sighed.
"Tough." Ben grabbed Lucas' arm and began tugging him towards the labs. "A package came special delivery for you this morning, and you're going to open it."
"It came this morning and you're only giving it to me now?!"
Ben shrugged off his sarcasm. "You know the paperwork is a nightmare."
"Why are we going to the moon pool?" Lucas tried to tug his arm out of Ben's grasp.
"Wonderful!" Ben replied with a bright smile. "Glad to see turning seventeen hasn't changed you. I was so worried that your attitude would improve!"
"Dammit, Ben!" Lucas growled.
"Surprise! Happy Birthday!"
Lucas stood frozen in the doorway, his jaw hanging open in shock. Standing all around the moon pool were Lucas' friends. Bridger, Westphalen, Ford, Hitchcock, O'Neill, Ortiz, Crocker and many others, all wearing colourful party hats. Darwin bobbed up and down in the water, his own plastic party hat perched at a jaunty angle on his head.
Above the pool hung a huge banner, 'Happy Birthday, Lucas' in bold red letters. On a table to the side sat a huge slab cake and several drums of ice cream ranging in flavours. Piled high on the far end of the table sat several brightly wrapped gifts. Ben nudged Lucas into the room, and he was quickly enveloped in hugs and pats.
A little while later, Ben found Lucas sitting alone staring at the huge banner. "You okay, kid?"
"I don't know what to say, Ben. Thank you."
"Don't thank me, I only did the leg work."
Lucas frowned. "What do you mean?"
Ben pulled a small present from his pocket. "There's one more gift. Read this first."
Lucas took the envelope and gift, setting the latter on his lap. He opened the envelope, pulling out the single sheet of paper from inside.
Lucas,
Happy birthday. I didn't forget.
I miss you so much.
I love you,
Lex
The muscles in his cheeks jerked as he reread the short letter. Blinking rapidly, he picked up the present and tore away the paper.
Flipping open the velvet jeweler's box, inside he found a golden dolphin suspended on a slender gold chain. He stared at it, his vision blurred by tears. As per usual, his own parents had forgotten about today. But not Lex, whom he thought about every day.
"The box arrived this morning with everything inside," Ben explained softly, handing Lucas another note. "This was mine."
Lucas opened the paper and read the short inscription inside.
Ben,
I hope your friendship with Lucas will help you to overcome
the negative feelings you no doubt have towards me.
Included in this box is everything necessary to make his
birthday special. I won't ask you to organize this for me,
but please do it for Lucas. He deserves it.
Lex
Lucas sighed, clutching the note tightly. Ben put his arm around Lucas' shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. "There's hope yet, buddy. Don't give up."
Anywho, enjoy this last chapter of this part, then it's on to The Second Time Around! Yes, the pun is intended. I was a double English Major in University, so I love to mess around with innuendo, puns, and just basically wreaking havoc on people's lives.
Hang in there and you won't be disappointed!!!
Chapter Sixteen
Six Months Later ...
"Hey, Lucas!" Ben shouted, racing down the hall to catch up with him.
"Yeah?" Lucas asked him, his voice low.
Ben's smile slipped a little. He'd tried everything he could to get his friend out of his funk, to no avail. Lucas' heart had been broken, and from experience, Ben knew only time could heal it.
"I've got just the thing to cheer you up, buddy!"
"Ben, I'm not in the mood," Lucas sighed.
"Tough." Ben grabbed Lucas' arm and began tugging him towards the labs. "A package came special delivery for you this morning, and you're going to open it."
"It came this morning and you're only giving it to me now?!"
Ben shrugged off his sarcasm. "You know the paperwork is a nightmare."
"Why are we going to the moon pool?" Lucas tried to tug his arm out of Ben's grasp.
"Wonderful!" Ben replied with a bright smile. "Glad to see turning seventeen hasn't changed you. I was so worried that your attitude would improve!"
"Dammit, Ben!" Lucas growled.
"Surprise! Happy Birthday!"
Lucas stood frozen in the doorway, his jaw hanging open in shock. Standing all around the moon pool were Lucas' friends. Bridger, Westphalen, Ford, Hitchcock, O'Neill, Ortiz, Crocker and many others, all wearing colourful party hats. Darwin bobbed up and down in the water, his own plastic party hat perched at a jaunty angle on his head.
Above the pool hung a huge banner, 'Happy Birthday, Lucas' in bold red letters. On a table to the side sat a huge slab cake and several drums of ice cream ranging in flavours. Piled high on the far end of the table sat several brightly wrapped gifts. Ben nudged Lucas into the room, and he was quickly enveloped in hugs and pats.
A little while later, Ben found Lucas sitting alone staring at the huge banner. "You okay, kid?"
"I don't know what to say, Ben. Thank you."
"Don't thank me, I only did the leg work."
Lucas frowned. "What do you mean?"
Ben pulled a small present from his pocket. "There's one more gift. Read this first."
Lucas took the envelope and gift, setting the latter on his lap. He opened the envelope, pulling out the single sheet of paper from inside.
Lucas,
Happy birthday. I didn't forget.
I miss you so much.
I love you,
Lex
The muscles in his cheeks jerked as he reread the short letter. Blinking rapidly, he picked up the present and tore away the paper.
Flipping open the velvet jeweler's box, inside he found a golden dolphin suspended on a slender gold chain. He stared at it, his vision blurred by tears. As per usual, his own parents had forgotten about today. But not Lex, whom he thought about every day.
"The box arrived this morning with everything inside," Ben explained softly, handing Lucas another note. "This was mine."
Lucas opened the paper and read the short inscription inside.
Ben,
I hope your friendship with Lucas will help you to overcome
the negative feelings you no doubt have towards me.
Included in this box is everything necessary to make his
birthday special. I won't ask you to organize this for me,
but please do it for Lucas. He deserves it.
Lex
Lucas sighed, clutching the note tightly. Ben put his arm around Lucas' shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. "There's hope yet, buddy. Don't give up."