It feels like it's been a long time, but I guess it's because I've never written two fics at once before. I got a little long-winded in this one, so it's longer that the others.
"Finally," Sami sighed as she dug in her purse for her keys. First, she'd change, then she could go get Lucas and Will for their family night. For a second she thought she heard people in her apartment, but dismissed it as lack of sleep and overload of happiness. She finally got to spend time with her son and that was all Sami could ask for. Lucas was an added bonus she was determined not to enjoy.
Then again, maybe she shouldn't have disregarded the earlier noises, seeing as Lucas and Will were cooking in her kitchen. They were laughing and joking, just the kind of moments she'd always imagined she'd come home to after the wedding.
In fact, if Lucas had been wearing a chef's hat, Sami would have sworn it was some contrived movie-like moment made specifically to tug at her heartstrings. It would have worked, too, "Hey guys. Lucas, I like your apron. Pink is definitely your color."
They turned and actually looked surprised that she was in her own apartment. Lucas smirked and plucked at the top of his apron, "I am secure enough in my masculinity to wear pink, thank you very much. You, young lady, are early."
"So sorry, but my boss let me come home early."
That wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth. It was more like Lindsay had insisted that she go home because she was too "distracted." She had been distracted, which wasn't surprising considering the circumstances.
"Hey, we're not complaining. You can make yourself comfortable and wait for dinner to be served."
"Yeah, Mom, relax. Dinner's looking good, we really went all out."
"We?" Lucas questioned playfully, "How is it 'we'?"
"I did stuff," Will argued, to which Lucas responded to with a dubious look, "I supervised."
"If 'supervised' means sat on the counter, played your Gameboy, and made fun of my apron, then, okay, you supervised," Lucas argued with mock bitterness, "I'm afraid this wonderful meal is all my own creation."
"That's not true. I peeled the potatoes!"
Sami stopped them after Will's triumphant statement to point out that something was boiling over. Lucas rushed at it, like a mother hen, and she went to change chuckling to herself all the way.
Having saved his precious creations from eminent demise, Lucas watched her walk away. This almost felt like everything was normal again. They were a family having dinner, the way it was supposed to be. He could feel the bitterness that had engulfed him in the last few months melting away.
The anger, on the other hand, would never fade. Fortunately, it had a new outlet leading directly to Kate. It was too unbelievable that she would do something this sick and twisted to the family she claimed to love. He shook his head, as if to physically shake away the thought, this was one evening Kate was not going to ruin.
The small family made it through a delicious dinner with no problems, which was quite a feat for residents of Salem. They had fun and talked like nothing had happened. Although, there was an obvious avoidance of all painful subjects, namely the last five months and all things Kate.
Will sat pushing his vegetables around, only half listening to his dad's story about the Horton Foundation. Soon dinner would be over and Dad would have to go back to his apartment. Will had already decided to stay with his mother, but it was too soon for the evening to be over. They were getting along so well.
Was it really that wrong to help the healing process move a little faster? He had given up all hope of ever having this, but now it was back within his grasp and Will was going to fight for it. With that thought firmly in place, he suggested a game or movie with the most innocent expression he could muster.
Lucas knew what he was doing and reminded himself to get his son something special later, "Lets go all out, why not both?"
Sami knew they were trying to prolong the night, but she wouldn't have it any other way. For a little piece of time they were a typical family. She knew they could never be a textbook "normal" family, but she'd take the little bit she could get.
"Will, you can pick something out and we'll clear the table."
The minute Will went into his bedroom awkwardness settled in. Lucas wanted so badly to reach out and pull her to him. Without the security of Will's presence anything could be said, good or bad.
To avoid the uncomfortable situation presented Sami stood to clear the dishes, looking everywhere, but at Lucas who didn't take his gaze off of her. Finally, with a chance to do something with his hands he sprang into action helping to bring the dishes to the sink.
"Since…uh… I made the meal, I'll do the dishes."
"That's okay, I can do it," she leaned back against the counter and crossed her arms protectively over her chest.
Taking the opportunity presented, Lucas stood in front of Sami and tentatively put a hand on her upper arm, gently rubbing up and down. He tried, unsuccessfully, to meet her eyes, "No, I made the mess and I'll clean it up. You can do the dishes next time."
Uncomfortably comfortable with his warm hand on her arm, Sami tried to move away but there was nowhere to go. If he kept touching her she would break, "Next time? Lucas, I don't think we should make a habit of this. You know how I feel. Maybe we can be friends, in time, but right now I think we should keep our distance and try to be civil. Plenty of exes do that, right?"
Her voice shook through out the entire diatribe and not once could she meet his eyes, but Lucas's heart couldn't take the term "exes." It was too reminiscent of the time when he thought they'd never be anything else.
"We're not 'exes', Sami. I think of it more as a temporary separation," lightly he ran his fingers down the side of face and under her chin to lift her eyes to him, "I love you. I know you know that. I know you love me. Let that be enough."
Sami saw the silent entreaty in his eyes. Those brown windows to his soul were begging her to believe in his words, as he did. She couldn't bring herself to look away. When his face started inching closer she found herself inexplicably moving in as well.
Maybe he saw the fleeting moment of indecision in her eyes. Maybe he knew that his tender words had made her doubt her own convictions. Maybe after being apart for so long, he just needed to have as much contact as possible. Maybe she needed to kiss him as much as he needed to kiss her. Whatever it was, Lucas didn't question the progress he was making as he captured her lips.
Sami let herself sink into the kiss, almost forgetting it wasn't supposed to happen. She could almost forget that trying again would mean they'd never have a moment's peace, Kate would make sure of that. She could almost forget that sometimes love isn't enough. Almost.
The kiss ended as unexpectedly as it started, and Lucas felt the loss immediately. Sami broke free of the area she had been trapped in, between Lucas and the counter and crossed her arms defensively in front of herself, "I'm not going to do this."
With a frustrated sigh, Lucas ran a hand threw his hair and focused his intense gaze on her face. She squirmed uneasily, until finally she had to look away, "Can you, at least, tell me how long this is going to last?"
"What're you talking about?" Sami eyed him warily. Was he changing the subject or finding a new angle to get to her with?
"This thing about us not being together. How long is it going to last? I mean, I get it. I disappointed you, so now I have to pay. I understand, but could you at least give me an estimate?" he bit out sarcastically.
"I'm not trying to punish you."
"Really? Because that's how I see it," he saw the anger flare up in her eyes, at least something would always stay the same. She opened her mouth to retort, but he cut her off, "You're basically kicking me out of your life. It feels like a punishment, so if that's not the case, what is it?"
"I'm trying to protect you, protect all three of us," with her eyes she pleaded for his understanding.
Lucas didn't know how he could be so touched and angry at the same time, "Why do all the women in my life feel the need to protect me? That's exactly how my mom tried to justify herself. I don't want you to protect me, I just want you."
"First off, never compare me to Kate if you want to keep all of your limbs intact. Second, I can't stand to have my heart broken again, and if it saves you and Will some pain in the process, all the better."
"And you don't think this is going to cause pain!"
Will walked back in, apparently just in time. He had stayed in his room longer than he needed to, but when he heard raised voices he knew he had to intervene. There was a strange comfort in the fact that they were fighting. He wouldn't say it was good, but it proved that they were back to business as usual.
"I've got Jumanji, the game and the movie. You guys ready? I was thinking the game first."
The trio moved to the living room to play and Will felt the difference instantly. Dinner had been relaxed, although there was an elephant in the room they were ignoring. Now it was completely awkward and restrained. Slowly, that faded away as the competitive drive that motivated all three of them dispelled it. He couldn't help but notice the tiny glare his mom sent his dad every time the dice were passed and Dad purposely made their hands brush.
The beginning of the movie was passed with the three of them squished on the couch, with Will between his parents. But, about halfway through he got up to "get more popcorn", his real reason being an excuse to sit on the floor instead of with his parents so that they could be closer together.
Lucas slowly inched closer throughout the end half of Jumanji, but Sami either didn't mind or didn't notice. What he didn't notice was the growing frequency of his yawns. He didn't notice when his eyelids started getting heavier, or when he blinked them once and didn't open them again.
Sami yawned and stretched as the credits rolled. She was so ready for bed now, but she forgot that when she saw Lucas. He was lying back on the couch, with his legs in her lap, fast asleep. She'd thought he'd stretched his legs on her to annoy her, but that didn't seem to be the case.
"Is Dad asleep?"
"I think so," gently she lifted his legs and stood up, "I guess I should wake him up, shouldn't I?"
"Umm… no, that's not a good idea."
"Why?" Sami eyed her son suspiciously.
"He… hasn't been sleeping well lately. If he gets up now, he won't be able to go back to sleep."
"How do you know that, Will?"
"I usually hear him doing stuff at night. He'll watch infomercials or walk around the apartment. He doesn't know I know, so don't tell him."
It wasn't a lie, although Will doubted his dad wanted anyone to know about his insomnia. He had been blaming the breakup for his dad's lack of sleep. Hopefully it would change soon.
Sami didn't want to be, but she was already convinced before Will told his story. Truth was she just liked having Lucas in the house, "Alright. You get ready for bed, I'll take care of him."
Carefully, Sami eased off Lucas's shoes, and then took off his socks as well. He told her once that he could never sleep with socks on; ever since a childhood friend's older brother had told them that if they did the socks would stick to their feet forever. He had been embarrassed of the tale, but she'd thought it was cute.
She got out a blanket and tucked him in. Silently, Sami knelt beside him and brushed a piece of hair off his forehead. He looked so peaceful, so amazing, so beautiful. There was no other word for it, Lucas was beautiful. In time he'd understand why she had to save him from the pain that was sure to come if they got back together. Lovingly she leaned forward and kissed his forehead, then because they were too tempting to resist, she lightly kissed his lips.
"Sweet dreams, General."
