Tara's POV

Langer home October 29, 2018

Tara had just gotten Lucy to sleep and was laying her down in her crib when she heard the sound of car doors shutting. Knowing immediately who it was outside her home, she slipped out of the nursery, closing the door behind her, raced down the stairs and out the front door. As soon as Tara saw him nearing her front porch, she jumped forward and threw herself into his arms, "Luke," She sighed in contentment, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

After Steve and Paige picked Luke up, she drove the two men back to the rehab center to pick up Steve's car, and from there they both had journeyed to Tara's, where Luke would be staying for the night before they all left for the airport the next morning to join Shirley and Theo.

Luke was shocked at first when Tara threw herself at him, but quickly regained his composure and wrapped his own arms tightly around his girlfriend, "Tara," He choked out gripping her tightly against him and burying his face him her hair, "She's gone, Nellie's gone."

"I know, I'm so sorry honey." She whispered comfortingly, running her fingers through his hair. The two stayed like that for a few moments, just holding one another, before she released him and walked over to give Steve a hug, "Thank you for bringing him home. I'm so sorry Steve." She whispered and felt him nod his head in reply.

Once they let go of each other, the three of them moved into the house, and Tara closed the door behind them. Luke, still in shock, slowly made his way into the living room and sat down on the couch. Tara and Steve watched him, worried before Steven turned to Tara and gave a tight unconvincing smile, "So, where's my favorite little niece at?"

His question seemed to have perked Luke up a bit and he turned his head to look over at his girlfriend, waiting for her reply.

"She's upstairs asleep, but if you stick around a few more hours she'll be up soon for another feeding." She joked causing both men to give a soft laugh.

Steve shook his head, "I guess I'll just have to wait to see her until tomorrow. Actually, I should be getting home. We're leaving tomorrow and I still have to pack." He walked over to the couch and placed a comforting hand on Luke's shoulder, "Get some rest, yeah?"

Luke nodded in accord and Tara moved to lead Steve out of the house. The two reached the entryway but as Steve reached forward to open the door, "Steve..." He stopped and turned back to face Tara, "Are you okay?"

Steve gave her another unconvincing smile, "I will be, don't worry about me. You just take care of yourself and Luke. He's going to really need you over the next few days."

She's nodded and reached for Steve; bring him into a hug, "I love you, big brother."

He let out a choked laugh and hugged her tightly, "I love you too, little sister."

The two separated and Tara watched as he walked over to his car and drove away before reentering the house.

Shutting and locking the door behind her, Tara made her way into the living room where they had left Luke, but he wasn't there anymore. She sighed softly before making her way upstairs where she found the nursery door cracked.

She walked over and pushed the door open the rest of the way. Inside Tara found her lover standing over their daughter's crib watching her sleep.

Tara walked over and wrapped her arms around Luke from behind and placing her chin over his shoulder looking into the crib as well.

"She's beautiful." Luke murmured not taking his eyes off his little girl. Tara hummed in agreement and tightened her arms around her boyfriend, "She's gotten so big since the last time I saw her."

"How are you doing babe, really?" Tara whispered in reply, worried, as they continued to peer into the crib.

He sighed heavily and his shoulders dropped, "I just... I can't believe she's actually gone. I'll never get to see or talk to her again." His shoulders shook a little from suppressing the urge to cry, "She won't be there to see Lucy grow up. She won't be your maid of honor at our wedding." Luke turned around and wrapped his arms around Tara's waist and she could see the tears glistening in his eyes, "I don't know what I'm going to do without her, she's just always been there for me."

Tara gave him a sad smile and pressed her face into his chest, holding him closely, "We'll just have to take it one day at a time. That's all we can do, and we'll make sure Lucy grows up hearing wonderful stories about her awesome aunt Nellie and how much she loved her."

Luke nodded as the silent tears rolled down his cheeks and buried his face in his lover's hair. The two of them stood there staring at their sleeping daughter for a few more moments before Tara was able to tear Luke away and lead him through their bedroom and into the bathroom.

Tara turned on the shower and the two undressed and stepped in together. Standing under the showerhead, Tara wrapped herself around Luke and the two held each other tightly as they cried for their lost sister.

By the time they had regained their composure and were able to bathe, the water had gone cold. They washed quickly and got out, drying themselves off before heading back into the bedroom.

They didn't even bother to throw on clothes, and just crawled right into bed, wrapping themselves around each other. The two lovers laid there quietly just watching one another, taking comforting in having the other wrapped in their arms after being apart for so long.

"I never thought that I'd have to live on without her," Luke said softly after being quiet for so long.

"She'll always be with us," She murmured looking into Luke's eyes, "in here." Tara placed her hand over Luke's heart.

He nodded in agreement and pulled Tara closer to him. They remained silent for the rest of the night until eventually falling asleep.

I know this was a short chapter, but it was mostly a filler. Next chapter will continue on with the show.