Selena stood on the wet grass, attempting to ignore the fact that her expensive heels were sinking into the soil and regarded her only real friend confused. She was watching as Gail stood on tip toes on a very unstable set of step ladders and smiled amused at the frustrated curses coming out of her mouth.
'God damn it!' Gail snapped as she dropped a small hook on the ground and ran her hand though her hair in exasperation when she spotted Luke staring up at her cautiously.
'I don't get it' Selena advised casually from her position out of the way.
'What?' Gail asked in irritation, refusing to get down from the ladders and determined to continue with her task.
'Don't you usually rope Billy into doing this? I mean surely there's more options for the lovely Mrs Buck' Selena said feigning cattiness and laughed when Gail shot her a look of warning over her shoulder, as she continued to press adhesive on the window.
'M has Billy running around for her right now, so unless you're willing to open your legs as usual to tempt a man to pick this up for me then I'm stuck with it' Gail snapped, more harshly than she had intended.
Luke stood up from his seated position on the ground and held up the hook that his Mother had dropped, in an attempt to be of help.
'Looks like I don't need to open my legs for his assistance' Selena responded sarcastically, then took a step back when she spotted the dark look in Luke's eyes.
Luke glanced over his shoulder at Selena and stared at her intensely, sensing that the woman had offended his Mother, then he felt familiar hands close in around his waist and he was swept up into the air.
'Careful now, I don't need judgement from your Father about my inability to take care of you if that hook cuts you' Gail warned, sensing Lukes inner desire to punish Selena for her inappropriate comment and picking him up to distract him from his dark urges.
'Cut you' Gail Jr mirrored from her position next to Gideon, leaning on the dog comfortably as she watched her family and wondered how Luke would react to being cut.
'I dare you' Luke goaded, sensing his Sisters desire to do something just to satisfy her curiosity.
Gail Jr stared at Luke wide eyed when she remembered that he could sense her thoughts, then glanced down at her hands knowing better than to cause a disturbance when her Mother had decided to keep them with her today.
Selena watched the children cautiously, suspecting that there was some unspoken debate between them and wondered how much they resembled their Father.
'I'd be more concerned with how much they resemble me, he has much more control over his emotions after all' Gail advised, not liking Selena's attention being on her children.
Selena heard the underlying threat in her remark and gulped hard, not intending to cause offence. 'Why is this so important?' she asked, in an attempt to change the subject.
'Why am I choosing to hang the brightest lights you've ever seen on all the windows of my home, making the house visible from miles away? Why else but to surprise my well behaved Husband' Gail responded sarcastically, smiling when Luke giggled at her amusement.
'Mean' Gail Jr said quietly, knowing her Father would not approve of her Mothers over indulgent decorations this year.
'He's going to go spare Gail' Selena added, remembering how much Lucas hated this time of year.
'Oh he won't dare react badly and ruin our children's joy' she responded sweetly and lifted Luke higher to enable him to press in the hook. 'Lucas thinks it's acceptable to hide things from me and allow Caleb to waltz around without a care in the world. If he wants to focus solely on his eldest's desires, then I have no problem focussing on our youngest's...Hell, if you think this is bad just wait until you see what else I have planned' Gail smiled mischievously, proud with herself for the effort she was going to put in to spite her Husband.
Selena shook her head in disbelief of her friends defiance and hoped that she was gone before her sociopathic ex returned home.
Lucas sat on the bonnet of his car and shook his head in disbelief, watching as Billy attempted to wrap lights carefully around Merlyn's fence while her dog Angel nipped playfully at his ankles. He suspected that the girl had certain skills which caused Billy to want to please her; however, this was going too far.
'Can you grab that end? I don't think it's gonna hold' Billy asked as he attempted to brush the nuisance dog away.
'Nope' Lucas responded casually and continued to watch Billy struggle, amused. If his friend wanted to allow himself to be that whipped, Lucas was not going to assist him.
Billy let out a frustrated laugh and shook his head, sensing the judgement radiating off of his friend. 'If you knew the reward I'm gettin' for this' he advised, knowing how Lucas would perceive this act.
'Oh friend, I get that same reward mornin', noon and night and I don't have to sacrifice my dignity' Lucas countered smugly, smiling as Angel tore at Billy's socks and his friend cursed loudly.
Billy kicked Angel off of him, then stared apologetically at the dog as it retreated back to the porch offended. 'Come on, I'm tryin' here!' he snapped, unable to stand the hurt way in which Angel was looking at him.
Lucas could not contain his laughter and jumped off of his bonnet, then approached his friend casually. 'Looks like you've lost the respect of someone' he advised, sensing the dogs distrust of them both.
Billy shook his head in irritation, knowing M would not be happy if Angel had formed a dislike of him. 'You ain't helpin' the situation' he sighed.
'Neither are you by hangin' on her every word...women like a man who's darin', not submissive. Why do you think Harvard got nowhere with her?' Lucas asked, growing bored of his friends complaisant behaviour.
Billy was about to challenge Lucas's opinion and lifted his hand up to gesture, then narrowed his eyes at the lights tangled in his fingers. 'You know what, screw this. I want a beer' he resigned and threw the lights to the ground.
'Atta boy' Lucas nodded proudly, then patted him on the shoulder and led him to his car.
Gail Jr held on to her Brothers hand securely and stared up at the slender woman holding her other hand tightly. She sensed the conflict within the woman and did not trust her, she did not understand why her Mother would choose to keep her close especially with how she clearly felt about her Father.
'Now Angel, I know your Daddy has already warned you against making presumptions about adults and you'd to well to heed his advice' Gail advised her Daughter, reading her thoughts easily and shot her a look which dared her to snoop into her personal choices.
Luke sensed the warning from his Mother and squeezed his Sisters hand tight, willing her to mind her manners with their Mothers friend.
Gail Jr let out a long sigh and nodded obediently, then stared up at Selena with disdain as the woman remained oblivious to their unspoken conversation.
Gail had not forgotten how untrustworthy Selena was, her ability to keep her previous affair with Matt a secret had reminded her of how deceitful her friend could be; however, she did not want her Daughter falling into the same pit falls as she had and she was too young to be focussing on such serious matters. 'Are we excited?' Gail asked, changing the subject and nodded pleasantly at the passers by who regarded their group curiously.
'I'm not sure excitement is what I'm feeling right now, stunned would be a better fit' Selena responded, even though she knew the question was not aimed at her and continued to hold on to the youngest's Buck's hand securely, not wanting the girl to fall on her watch.
Gail shot Selena an amused look, then glanced down at Luke who was regarding Selena closely. 'She just doesn't like having to conform to certain attire' she advised her Son, sensing his curiosity at why Selena was with them.
'My Daddy used to tell me what you wear and I never listened...he'd be laughing in his grave if he could see me now' Selena sighed, not believing that she had agreed to her current outfit just to appease her friend.
Gail recalled the secrets she had uncovered in Selena's Fathers last moments, due to allowing her darkness to take control at that time and she suspected that his feelings about her outfit would be much more inappropriate than laughter.
Gail Jr sensed her Mothers thought and narrowed her eyes at her confused, desperate to understand what she was thinking.
'I swear, I'm not going to tell you again' Gail warned, feeling her Daughter attempting to break through her barrier.
'Tell me what?' Selena asked, glancing at Gail suspiciously.
Before Gail could respond she felt Luke pull his hand out of hers and bound excitedly at the closed door of the establishment to their right. Gail stared at Luke confused for a moment, then her Daughter pulled free of Selena's grasp and ran unsteadily to her Brother. Selena gave her a nudge and nodded to her left, causing Gail to let out a long sigh when she spotted the navy blue Crown Victoria on the other side of the road. 'To protect and serve huh?' she asked in disbelief, then went to her children and knelt down beside them.
Gail Jr was about to scream her Fathers name in her excitement to get to him; however, when her Mother placed her index finger gently on her lips and smiled mischievously, she remained silent.
'Good girl' Gail whispered, picking up her Daughter and taking Luke's hand in hers before he could bang noisily on the door, then nodded courteously to Selena when she opened the door for them.
'I'm gonna regret this' Selena sighed, knowing better than to interrupt her ex when he chose to wind down.
'You'll regret cowering away more. Besides, when does anything ever happen to you when you're with me?' Gail asked sweetly, feigning innocence.
Selena regarded her friend with disbelief at the question, then let out a small laugh and followed her into the Pool Hall.
Lucas focussed his attention on the game he was enthralled in, not oblivious to the fact that Billy had clearly been practicing in an attempt to better himself. He could release his twin and the game would be his; however, he loathed cheating and would gain no satisfaction unless it was a fair fight.
'I think I love her man, I really do-' Billy continued, taking advantage of this time with his friend to hash out his feelings.
Lucas let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head. 'You think you love anybody who lets you in friend...didn't you believe you had a future with Selena?' he asked sarcastically, attempting to make Billy see reason.
Billy narrowed his eyes at the question and just brushed it off. 'This is different, M accepts me for who I am and she ain't crazy' he advised and watched as Lucas walked around the pool table, pondering his next move.
'They're all crazy in that family, you have no idea' Lucas laughed and leaned down to take his carefully planned shot. Suddenly, he felt a nudge which knocked him off balance when he stuck the ball and he turned towards the guilty party who had dared to invade his space.
Gail continued past Lucas coolly, feeling his angry eyes on her back and perched her Daughter on the table beside theirs without saying a word. Her children's demeanour remained unchanged, even though she sensed their excitement at seeing their Father unexpectedly and she smiled proudly at them for not spoiling her fun.
'Excuse us' Selena purred smoothly, as she brushed her behind against Billy teasingly when she past and continued on to her friend.
'You gotta be kiddin' me with this' Lucas said in disbelief as the group, including his ex, took off their jackets to reveal bright Christmas sweaters and he felt all eyes in the place turn to them.
Gail winked mischievously at her children and turned her attention to Selena. 'Rack your balls' she ordered playfully, taking a pool cue which was kindly provided to her from a group of men on the opposite side to them and leaned strategically over the pool table, ensuring her Husband had full view of her toned thighs beneath her short denim skirt.
Lucas let out a sigh and shook his head, sensing the mischief radiating off of her and knew that his relaxing late morning game would not be continuing. Rather than react harshly to the intrusion, he forced himself to remain calm and came up behind her, leaning on her with the intention of taking hold of the pool cue and assisting her to guide it.
Gail bit her bottom lip as she felt his manhood against her behind and pushed back gently, smiling triumphantly when she heard his deep intake of breath. She sensed the eyes on them and she would not be the first to back down; therefore, before Lucas had a chance to take control of her cue, she took her shot instinctively and nodding satisfied when four balls were potted instantly. 'I'm not a novice Sheriff, but maybe Miss Coombs requires your specialist assistance' she joked sweetly, as she leaned back into him when he stood upright.
Billy moved towards Selena, spotting her discomfort at the display; however, she just laughed at his attempt to protect her and walked around the table in search of a good shot.
Lucas smiled at how easily Selena brushed off his friend, then moved his hands to his Wife's hips and turned her around, staring disapprovingly at the black sweater she was wearing with a sparkly gold reindeer on. 'What are you doin' Gail?' he asked suspiciously, not trusting her sweet demeanour.
Gail stared at him feigning confusion, then smiled smugly when she felt Luke brush against her calf in search of her backpack under the table and rushed towards his Father, pulling his pants leg in an attempt to get his attention.
Lucas did not like the smug smile that Gail was displaying and regarded her closely, then let out a long sigh when the incessant tugging became more frequent and turned his attention towards his youngest Son. 'What?' he snapped, his composure faltering for a moment, then ruffling Luke's hair to show that he was not mad at him and picked up the item of clothing he was holding up excitedly.
'Put it on Daddy!' Luke exclaimed, excited at the notion of them all matching.
Lucas held the bright red sweater with a large green Christmas Tree on against his chest in disbelief and let out a small laugh. 'Not a chance' he refused blatantly, not entertaining the notion for a moment and went to throw the sweater on the floor.
'Please Daddy!' Gail Jr pleaded, not understanding why her Father would not want to join in with their fun.
'Yes, please Daddy' Gail repeated amused, revelling in the fury which was rising in her Husband.
'Come on Sheriff, they look so damn cute you can't surely let them down' an old man from the next table added, taken by the well behaved children before him.
Lucas' eyes bore into Gail, feeling a sudden urge to hurt her for the embarrassment she was causing him; however, all eyes were on him and he forced his demeanour to remain calm.
'It's alright Soulmate, this one isn't for you...You really think I'd make you look that much of a fool?' Gail leaned forward and whispered in his ear feigning hurt, then took the sweater off of him and signalled for Luke to give it to Billy. 'This is more your style' she advised, as she ran her hands up his chest and removed his vest, then reached into her backpack and replaced it with deep blue vest with small silver presents sewn into it.
Lucas glanced down at the festive vest and reluctantly nodded his acceptance when his children began clapping happily, not wanting to let them down by refusing to participate when they were so excited about this time of year. Still, he was not impressed by this stunt and his rage was directed at his Wife.
'Oh come on, it could be so much worse...you could be that guy' Gail said sarcastically and signalled towards Billy.
Lucas turned towards his friend just as he pulled on the sweater and Luke pressed the hidden button in the stitching, causing bright multicoloured lights to go off and on. He could not contain his laughter at the unimpressed look on Billy's face, knowing that his friend would endure this embarrassment just to entertain the children. 'You're cruel' he advised, sensing Billy's shame.
'Not as cruel as I will be should I find out that a member of our family is behaving inappropriately to someone less fortunate than they are...This is the season of good will after all' Gail whispered seriously in his ear, then picked up her happy children and left to Pool Hall with Selena following close behind her, hoping that her Husband would heed her warning.
-To be continued-