Chapter 3
A silent nod of agreed sentiment traveled around the cozy living room of the Hardy house. Lucky's eyes connected with a picture of Elizabeth smiling on the mantle. His thoughts were jerked back into check when Steven's layers of complexity began to dissolve. "Surprised! Angry! Luke, you have NO idea what I feel about my baby sister being dead!" Audrey, Sarah, and Bobbi began to silently sob and wipe away tears. Lucky could do nothing, but lower his head to avoid losing what little control he had left. Luke coolly asked Steven to step into the kitchen for a drink. Steven with his ivy league education, travel abroad, and proper raising quickly collected himself and showed Luke into the kitchen as he requested. Steven knew his outburst was inexcusable and felt somewhat intimidated by how Luke might react to his behavior. Luke down the glass of wine thinking how he wished it were something stronger. Steven joined him, but drank his more slowly savoring the flavor. When he was through Luke looked Steven in the eyes and said in a low voice, "She was your baby sister and no one will know the pain you feel for her death. But you were not the only one who loved her and is hurting." Luke then stood up and Steven followed his lead. Without breaking eye contact, Luke continued, "So before you have another emotional outburst, STOP AND THINK about how you words are affecting everyone else. Especially since, I remember a time not so long ago when Audrey was the only member of this family that truly cared if that little girl lived or died!" The words hurt more than any punch Luke might have given. Steven sank back into the kitchen chair and poured another glass of wine to help steady his nerves. Luke walked back into the living room to find the four of them visiting about Cameron. He was all that was left of her life. Lucky asked Audrey if he could go up to see him. She smiled warmly and said of course. Lucky started up the stairs and Luke joined him. The nursery was glowing from the night light. It was decorated in pastels with blocks, bears, and other cuddly images of childhood. Cameron was awake and smiled at the sight of Lucky and Luke. There was no denying it, he was Elizabeth's son. "He has her eyes!" Lucky thought to himself. Luke was thinking the same thing and said it aloud. Lucky nodded and picked the boy up. Cameron sized them both up and decided to lay his head on Lucky's shoulder to go back to sleep. His simple actions melted Lucky's heart. He rocked Cameron for almost 30 minutes before Luke told him the baby was asleep. Carefully, Lucky laid him back into the crib and quietly backed out of the room. Once in the hall, Luke put a hand on his son's shoulder and said, "If you intend to make the boy a Spencer, then you'd better clear it with Audrey now. Don't make the mistake I did with your brother."
A silent nod of agreed sentiment traveled around the cozy living room of the Hardy house. Lucky's eyes connected with a picture of Elizabeth smiling on the mantle. His thoughts were jerked back into check when Steven's layers of complexity began to dissolve. "Surprised! Angry! Luke, you have NO idea what I feel about my baby sister being dead!" Audrey, Sarah, and Bobbi began to silently sob and wipe away tears. Lucky could do nothing, but lower his head to avoid losing what little control he had left. Luke coolly asked Steven to step into the kitchen for a drink. Steven with his ivy league education, travel abroad, and proper raising quickly collected himself and showed Luke into the kitchen as he requested. Steven knew his outburst was inexcusable and felt somewhat intimidated by how Luke might react to his behavior. Luke down the glass of wine thinking how he wished it were something stronger. Steven joined him, but drank his more slowly savoring the flavor. When he was through Luke looked Steven in the eyes and said in a low voice, "She was your baby sister and no one will know the pain you feel for her death. But you were not the only one who loved her and is hurting." Luke then stood up and Steven followed his lead. Without breaking eye contact, Luke continued, "So before you have another emotional outburst, STOP AND THINK about how you words are affecting everyone else. Especially since, I remember a time not so long ago when Audrey was the only member of this family that truly cared if that little girl lived or died!" The words hurt more than any punch Luke might have given. Steven sank back into the kitchen chair and poured another glass of wine to help steady his nerves. Luke walked back into the living room to find the four of them visiting about Cameron. He was all that was left of her life. Lucky asked Audrey if he could go up to see him. She smiled warmly and said of course. Lucky started up the stairs and Luke joined him. The nursery was glowing from the night light. It was decorated in pastels with blocks, bears, and other cuddly images of childhood. Cameron was awake and smiled at the sight of Lucky and Luke. There was no denying it, he was Elizabeth's son. "He has her eyes!" Lucky thought to himself. Luke was thinking the same thing and said it aloud. Lucky nodded and picked the boy up. Cameron sized them both up and decided to lay his head on Lucky's shoulder to go back to sleep. His simple actions melted Lucky's heart. He rocked Cameron for almost 30 minutes before Luke told him the baby was asleep. Carefully, Lucky laid him back into the crib and quietly backed out of the room. Once in the hall, Luke put a hand on his son's shoulder and said, "If you intend to make the boy a Spencer, then you'd better clear it with Audrey now. Don't make the mistake I did with your brother."
