Before we continue with the storyI would like to thank everyone who has been replying so far: Thank you all so much! There's no way I can ever tell you just how much I appreciate it that you've taken the time totell me what you think of my story. You are amazing!

Chapter 12

If it had been up to Luke he would have gone over to Alex's right away. But Lacey had different thoughts. She could understand Luke's happiness over the release of Marissa. She had offered an ear willing to listen to all his worries about his high school girlfriend during the past weeks. But her priority was her own family. And after all, who could blame her?

So Luke had to wait until Jason had gone to sleep before he was 'allowed' to go over to Alex. By that time, he knew he wouldn't find Alex at home. She had to work at the Bait Shop, so he went over there. While he was in his car he was trying to figure out how on earth he was going to break this news to Alex. What do you say when you get to tell someone she's about to get her lover back after such a long time?

"So Alex, I have good news for you. Marissa's coming home the day after tomorrow." Too simple. Too direct. "Alex, there's something I want to tell you. I'm not sure how…" Too much like 'ooh, Alex, I accidentally killed your puppy'

"Alex, you better get ready for the ride of your life. Today I got the news we've been waiting for. Marissa will be released the day after tomorrow." Starting to look like it, but still not completely right. Luke did not have any more time to think about it, because on his left he saw the flashing sign of the Bait Shop. He parked his car before slowly getting out.

The Bait Shop was packed that night. Modest Mouse was still going strong after many years, so when the news got out they were going to play at the Bait Shop a lot of young Newport residents had left their homework to go and watch them play live. As Luke got in he scanned the crowd to see if he could find Alex. It didn't take him long to spot her.

Carefully maneuvering through the kids crowding the stairs, he made his way down. He walked over to the bar where Alex was shouting orders at her staff.

"Joe, Sharon, could you two please do a round to gather empty glasses? Oh, and while you're at it, empty the ashtrays. Mandy, get Frankie from the office, he should have been back from his break ten minutes ago! And Isaac, will you go and help Robin at the bar? I don't think she can handle this growing crowd much longer on her own. And thanks guys, you're doing great!"

For a moment she stopped to grab a bottle of water. Quickly she gulped it in before carelessly throwing it into a garbage can. She grabbed her clipboard and started moving towards the office that Frankie and Mandy were just exiting. Luke knew this would be the perfect time to corner Alex.

He walked up to her as quickly as he could, knocking a couple of teenagers out of his way, and only managed to grab her arm just before she opened the door to her office. "Alex, wait."

Alex spun around quickly. "Luke!" she saw his eyes move from her own to the door of her office and she immediately got the message.

"Come in here." She closed the door behind them quickly while her eyes tried to read Luke's expression. She found it impossible to read him so expectantly she stared him in the eye.

With Alex's eyes focused on him, Luke felt once again the pressure. He still hadn't thought of how exactly he would tell Alex his great news. But there was no more time to think or worry about that, he had to tell her now.

"Okay, I know this is definitely not the right place and probably also not the best time, but I don't think it would be fair if I kept this from you any longer than necessary." He paused for a second, trying to think of the best way to tell Alex. But then he realized that suspense was not what Alex needed. So smiling broadly he blurted it out.

"Wednesday. She'll be coming home Wednesday Alex. They're going to get her away from Foster's with a release order." Unable to keep his own emotions at bay any longer he let a few silent tears fall. The whole situation had touched him more than he had admitted to anyone.

Alex's entire body tensed for a second before she collapsed in Luke's arms. He just caught her in time as she started sobbing uncontrollably. But these were happy tears, Luke could feel the smile of Alex on his shoulders. Alex tried to comprehend the feelings surging through her, but she couldn't. Her mind was blank, her heart overflowing. She stayed in Luke's arms for several minutes, tears flowing freely all the time.

Finally she pulled away and spoke up with a cracking voice. "She'll be home Wednesday. You better not be pulling a stupid joke at me now mister Ward." She poked him in his chest with her index finger, a smile visible. She didn't mean what she said of course, she knew Luke would never make jokes about the situation.

Luke smiled back at her. His own tears had by now subsided.

"Never Al, never."

They went silent for a moment and both of them focused on the lyrics of the uplifting song Modest Mouse was playing.

Alright, already, we'll all float on Alright don't worry even if things end up a bit

Too heavy we'll all float on

Alright

Alex's smile only grew as she realized Modest Mouse got it exactly right.

As she dried her last tears, she spoke up to Luke again.

"When did you find out?"

"Just this evening, when I got home from work. There was a small note that doctor Wu of the NMC had written me. It said he would release Marissa Wednesday. I didn't believe it at first, but I called him and he confirmed it."

"So what happens next?" Alex surprised herself by asking these questions so calmly. She knew however that now more than ever, she needed to keep herself together.

"I still don't know all the details myself, but here's what I do know. Wednesday doctor Wu will come over with the release order. He will personally release her and after that she can come home with you. At least, I assume you don't mind taking her to your place, she doesn't have anywhere else to go…" Luke said it cautiously, although not so deep down he already knew the answer.

Alex almost jumped up, her voice pitching high.

"Are you goddamn kidding here? I wouldn't have her go anywhere else!"

"Good, that's settled then. We need to give them your address and phone number so they can contact Marissa for a few more tests. It's policy that the NMC does some tests of their own, but doctor Wu assured me it's just a formality. Bottom line; she's free the second her toe touches the ground outside the gate."

Alex dreaded asking the next question but she simply had to know.

"Can I come along?" She spoke the words rapidly.

"You can, but unfortunately you have to wait outside for Marissa. Since it's an official procedure, I'm not allowed to take you inside." He looked down feeling sorry for Alex, but he also knew it was for the best. Knowing Alex, she would probably attack doctor Hamilton should they run into him. It would do nobody any good if that happened.

"But I can wait at the gate? I can be there for her once she steps out?" her voice was filled with concern as she suddenly realized the big impact this would have on Marissa. After seven years away from the world as she knew it, they would have to start rebuilding both Marissa's life and their relationship together. But Alex would make sure she'd be by Marissa's side all the time.

"Definitely. I wouldn't see it any other way." Luke smiled reassuringly at the blonde woman.

Alex took a deep breath, relieved. She sat back in her chair and stared at her hands.

"I can't believe she's coming home at last. All this time I've been hoping this would happen, and now I don't know what to do. I guess I should start by cleaning my apartment." She said her last words chuckling.

Luke himself chuckled as well. "Yeah, because your place is always such a mess!"

He said this sarcastically, because he knew all too well that Alex had actually become a very tidy person. Except for the time he had visited her when she had been hung over, her apartment was always clean enough to be able to eat from the floor. It was definitely one of the changes that could be 'blamed' on growing up.

"Fine, mock me if you like. But I want everything to be perfect for Marissa." Alex replied lightheartedly. After the initial shock she had recovered and she felt like her whole body was light as a feather. She felt like joking and smiling, like dancing to the cheeriest tune she could find and like running along the shoreline, feeling the salty breeze surrounding her body. If she had ever truly experienced something that could be described as being 'high on life' this was it.

Luke stood up, grabbing his coat in a fluid motion.

"And it will be perfect! Listen, I'm glad I got to bring you some good news at last, but Lacey asked me if I wouldn't stay out too long tonight… and I believe you're pretty busy as well with this huge crowd here, so I'll let you go back to work. But I'll see you Wednesday… say around a quarter to two?"

"Works for me. Thanks, Luke. For everything."

"Ah, don't mention it Alex. Just take care." Luke started making his way out of the door. Just before he stepped out of the office, Alex jumped up.

"Luke, wait! I was thinking, once Marissa is out… well, maybe you would like to come over to dinner someday with your wife and kid? Not immediately, but in a couple of weeks or so?"

Alex asked this, thinking back to the pledge she had made to herself recently.

Luke nodded affirmative. "I would really like that. I'm sure Lacey would also love to meet you and Marissa."

"Great! We'll pick a date soon then."

Luke shot Alex one more smile before exiting her office. Alex grabbed her clipboard and made her way back into the crowd as well, but she hardly noticed anything going on around her. She was walking on clouds.