Rustling noises jolt me back to the present and I turn and see my uncle coming out of his room. Glancing at the clock on the mantel, I see it's nearly 6:30. Uncle Jesse slept in a bit this morning. Probably because what day it is.
"Luke?"
"Mornin' Uncle Jesse." I say softly.
"What're ya doin' up so early? I usually have ta drag you boys outta bed."
"Ya know Uncle Jesse, no matter how old me an' Bo get ya still call us yer boys."
"That's cause ya'll will always be my boys. It don't matter none how big ya git. There any coffee in that pot?" He heads for the kitchen and the sound of coffee pouring into a cup floats into the living room. Moments later he returns to sit in his favorite chair by the fire.
"Nice ta sit by a warm fire on a chilly morn, ain't it?" He pauses to sip from his cup. "Now, why don't ya tell me what's got ya up so early." I smile into my cup, that's my uncle for ya. Come straight to the point while saying what you mean and meaning what you say. I raise my gaze to his and smile slightly.
"Its today." I reply simply.
"Ooohh, I guess it is ain't it." He says softly, trying to hide his own smile. I'm not fooled though. My Uncle Jesse doesn't forget important things like today. "Are ya nervous?"
"Yeah, ya could say that. I just, well, things are gonna be different after today."
"Different yes, but that don't mean its gonna be bad. I'm real proud of ya Luke."
"Yeah?"
"Yep, couldn't be more so. This family is gonna change, but it'll be good. I didn't think I'd ever see the day though." I laugh quietly, remembering that Bo and Daisy are still sleeping.
"Yep, no more sharing a room with Bo, that's somethin' I reckon."
"Now Luke, I thought you boys liked sharin' a room."
"We do Uncle Jesse, but I don't think those arrangements will work anymore."
"Nope, I don't suppose so. So when will ya be movin'?"
"After the deal's all done I guess. It jus' didn't feel right movin' in before hand." Uncle Jesse nods and we both slip into silence. A burst of joy slides over me as I think of what the day will bring and I turn inward once again to more recent memories.
FLASHBACK
"Hey Luke! Looky there at the pretty lady that jus' walked in. Woowee! She's a looker!" I turn and see none other than Mary Lou Pringle at the door of the Boars Nest. I smirk remembering the last time she was in town.
"Give it up cousin. That's Mary Lou Pringle, don'tcha 'member what happened last time she was here?" Bo's smile vanishes and he turns a glare my way.
"I still think ya brain washed that gal somehow."
Working hard at keeping a straight face, I come back with one of my favorite lines. "Come on now cuz, ya know she jus' prefers dark haired men ta blond haired boys is all." Bo continues to give me the evil eye and I lose it, breaking out in laughter. After a few moments his glare turns into a grin and he joins my laughter.
"Ah well, I never said I was perfect. 'Sides there's plenty of turnips in the garden, I guess its only fair that ya get one or two of the bunch."
"Hey now! I'll have ya know that I-"
"Luke!" A voice bursts into our conversation. Turning my head I see the girl in question quickly making her way to the table.
"Hey Mary Lou! How've ya been?"
"Oh just fine. Cain't complain much."
"Well what brings ya back ta Hazzard? I thought ya was a big city gal now."
"Oh, well, the city can wear on a girl ya know? Besides, there's some real good things in Hazzard County. I just had ta come back an' see if one of them was still free." She winks and smiles at me before turning to my cousin. "Now Bo Duke, you ain't still riled up 'bout how we parted ways last time are ya? Ya ain't even said hello yet."
"Hey Mary Lou." Bo grumbles. She laughs and pats his shoulder in consolation.
"Well you ain't the only one that ain't forgot ya know." She leans closer to me and says in a softer voice. "How 'bout a hello kiss? One like that goodbye kiss we had." Raising an eyebrow, I slide a look at Bo who's got an even surlier look on his face than before.
"I reckon I can oblige a request from such a purty little lady." I reach out and hook an arm around her waist and she tumbles onto my lap. Without any hesitation I lay my lips to hers and proceed to have one of the best moments of my life.
Yep, Uncle Jesse had things right when he said a person's gotta go with their heart sometimes. Mine starts beating like crazy as I remember another moment that I'll never forget…
FLASHBACK
The last few rays of sunshine paint the sky a beautiful orange and pink and glint off the pond and the General's hood. I hardly take notice, all my concentration is on the wonderful lady beside me. She's so beautiful, inside and out. And right now she's the only one in the world as we watch the sunset by Hazzard Pond.
"Luke? What do ya keep starin' at me for? Do I got somethin' growin' on my face?" She teases lightly.
"No Mary Lou, I jus' cain't get over how beautiful ya are."
"Oh Luke Duke, go on with ya. I bet ya say that ta all the girls." She blushes and ducks her head. I gently raise her face so she's looking at me once again.
"I got somethin' real important ta talk with ya about Mary Lou."
"Is there somthin' wrong? Usually when ya get this serious it means Boss Hogg's framed you an' Bo for somethin'."
"No honey, me an' Bo are livin' free an' easy fer the moment." I say a I slide off the General's hood. She sits up and scoots over to the edge, but I stop her from jumping down.
"What is it?" My pulse races, my hands are sweaty and I feel like someone has stuffed a box of cotton in my mouth.
"Welp, I'd better git a movin' an' git breakfast started." Uncle Jesse's voice startles me from my memories. I'd forgotten he was even in the room. As he clambers to his feet I take a last drink of my now cold coffee. Grimacing I get up and follow him into the kitchen.
"I'll go collect the eggs Uncle Jesse."
"There'll be time fer that later. I think I hear Daisy movin' 'round her room. Why don't ya go see if Bo's stirrin' yet."
"Sure, but ya know he's under deeper'n a hibernation' grizzly an' he'll be just as growlly." I say as I pass him on the way back to our room. I hear a short cackle of a laugh and then Uncle Jesse mutter, "I know, that's why I'm havin' you wake him." Another laugh as a frying pan clatters onto the stovetop. Shaking my head at this amusement, I open the door to our room. Bo is still sleeping, but now he's all stretched out on his back. A strong surge of orneriness takes hold of me and I grab up the pillow on my bed. Standing only close enough so that I can hit my mark, I swing the pillow and it thuds quite nicely against his stomach.
"Ooof!" Bo sits straight up holding his stomach and blinking dazedly.
"Mornin' cousin." I say safely from the other side of my bed. Bo's forehead wrinkles in consternati9on while he tries to figure out what happened. His eyes drop to the pillow I'm clutching and I can see it click.
"Lucas Duke! Ya ornery cuss! I'm gonna git ya fer that!" He slides out of bed, grabbing his own pillow, and starts heading my way. I can't control my laughter anymore as I back toward the door. "It ain't funny Luke!" He growls.
"Now hang on Bo!" I say around my laughter. "Uncle Jesse said ta wake ya up." Seeing the glint in his eyes I decide retreat is the better option. I'd barely get turned around when a pillow comes down on my head. I turn back to him and bring my own pillow up just as I'm hit again.
"Now its war cousin." I say as I thump him on the side of the head with my pillow.
"Boys!" Uncle Jesse's voice calls sternly from the kitchen. "Knock it off!" Bo and I grin at each other before replying simultaneously.
"Sorry Uncle Jesse!" We both throw our pillows back on our beds. As I turn to leave Bo's voice stops me.
"Hey Luke?"
"Yeah?" I turn back to him again. He just grins for a moment and then pulls me into a hug.
"What was that for?" I ask him in confusion.
"Jus' fer being you. And, uh, well I jus' wanted ta say good luck an' all 'fore ya left."
"Bo, I ain't goin' nowheres."
"I know that, but its today, ya know."
"I know."
"Well, I jus' wanna wish ya happiness."
"Bo with this family an' the one I'm 'bout ta start, how could I not?" I give him a pat on the back before leaving the room to get started on the day. My wedding day to Mary Lou. What a great day its gonna be.
THE END
A/N: Thanks for all those who have reviewed or are going to review. This was originally intended as a oneshot, but I went ahead and divided it into two chapters so it wasn't quite so long. I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you did or not by reviewing!