So, how's The Riley show been" Maya says laughing
I sigh as I play with the ring on my finger
"Well, Lucas is back and he declared his love for me, Charlie is constantly hovering over me when his around. Hope seems more confused than ever and I have no idea what to do anymore."
Maya whistles as she shakes her head "so I can assume it's been busy and dramatic"
"Try more like world war three is about to happen" I say looking down
"It can't be that bad Riley" Maya says raising my head
I scoff as I run my fingers through my hair "it can be! Lucas and Charlie don't stop Every time Lucas comes over it's always a stare done between the two. Always trying to outdo each other Maya. Plus, now Hope sends some time with Lucas which makes her even more confused as to why she has to be with him. Too much Maya to much!"
Maya wraps her arm around my shoulder as I lay my head against her shoulder "I know honey, but this day was going to happen eventually. I know it's rough but I promise you we will get through it.
"Why can't the world just be the two of us" I smile as I sit up
Maya laughs "because we wouldn't have that bundle of joy named Hope with us. I like her, so we keep her"
"She's pretty amazing" I smile as I picture the beautiful girl I gave life to
"Then be the peace keeper Riley. Be the bigger person, talk to Charlie about the hovering and put huckleberry in his place. Because all that matters is that little girl."
I look back at my ring as I brush my finger against it "It's almost 5 years Maya. You think we could make it? Stress free?"
She laughs as she looks at me " Stress free? I doubt it.
I laugh as I play with the ring.
She smiles "Do you want those last 4 years to mean nothing? I think you guys can. All you have to do is think riles, find a way to balance them both"
I smile as I take a sip of my drink.
Balance... Balance both of them.. Charlie.. Lucas.
Lucas pov
"So, I got Hope riding lessons for Saturday and a couple of more toys." I smile as I take a sit at the table
Zay nods as he continues to eat
"I'm not sure if I should pick her up or let Riley drop her off. You know, might give us some time to catch up" I say as I start eating
Zay sighs as he rolls his eyes
I lick my teeth as I glare at him "what's your problem?"
"Nothing" he says lightly shaking his head looking at his food
"Well I was thinking I could maybe ask Riley to come along with us, or maybe have like a one on one thing with her. Remember when she said she wanted to learn and I-"
Zay slams his fork down as he glares at me
"Could you stop already?! Let it go! Let it go man. It's over and done!"
I glare at him as I set my fork down " what the hell is wrong with you!"
"What's wrong with me!? What's wrong with you!? Get it through your head! She's married" he hisses as he leans back on his seat
I clench my jaw as I close my eyes "Riley and I have history Zay! I've know her since 7th grade. I have a daughter with her-"
"A daughter that you left before she was born! You left Riley!" He yells glaring at me
"I know what the fuck I did! I remember it every day! You don't have to tell me! I see it every time I pick up Hope. I see the way she looks at me! Her eyes scream that she's uneasy about me. She calls me Uncle Luke for fuck sakes!" I yell as I stand throwing my hands up. The anger rising inside of me
"And you think some dam horse riding lessons and toys are going to fix that!" He hisses looking up at me
"I know there not going to fix anything Zay! But I do know that it's a start! I still love Riley and I love Hope! I'm not leaving" I yell looking down at him
He signs closing his eyes "listen to me, you can be in Hope's life all you want but leave Riley out of it. She's married Lucas"
"I don't care! What to know why! because she doesn't love him the way she loves me zay! She's everything to me!" I yell as I point to my chest
"Everything to you! You left! For crying out loud! You never once thought about them!" he yells as he stands. His hands on the table as he pushes himself up
I scoff as I turn to walk into my room "you don't know anything!"
"Yea walk away! Walk away from the truth!" Zay yells
I march back into the dinner room as I throw the box on the table
"I don't give any fuck?! I didn't spend the last fucking five years working for that!?" I yell as I slam my hands on the table
"What the yell is this!" zay says standing pulling the box closer to him
I grab my car keys as I head to the door
"that's for you to rethink that statement you made of me not giving a fuck about them" I hiss as I slam the door shut
-
"Don't slam the door! This is my house" zay shouts as he starts to open the box
His eyes widen as his fingers brush against the pile of white envelopes. The writing in small cursive letters
Hope's first birthday.. Hope's second birthday... Rileys's birthday.. Mother's day... Christmas... Valentine 's Day... Anniversary..
Zay sigh as the letters continue. Every letter had a return label on them. There was a letter for every year that he was gone. He quickly takes them out as he reaches through the box filled with the letters. When he suddenly come across a picture of a house
He quickly grabs the papers attached to it. With the words Mortgage written at the top. Zay pulls out countless of forms regarding a house out of the city
He runs his hands up his face as slowly turns. Not wanted to look at more. Leaving didn't just hurt Riley, it hurt Lucas as well. He walks away a bit when something catches his eye
A small speck of black hiding in the corner of the papers
He pushes them aside as he takes the black velvet box in his hands
"Oh no..." He my mumbles as he opens the box
A small 14k rose gold engagement ring sat in in the box. It was simple but beautiful the way the antique structure made you take second glances at it. How even with the small amount of light made it shine with beautiful colors. Zay looks down to find another box. He opens it to find small rose gold locket with the words daddy's little girl engraved in the back
He opens the locket as he sees the picture he sent Lucas years ago
"He kept it" he mumbles looking down shaking his head as he places the items down. When he hears the door open.
"I planned on proposing to her..."
zay quickly turn to see Lucas with watery eyes as he looks down at the boxes that sit on the table
"It took me two years to save enough money for that ring. With school I couldn't afford much but she deserved that ring you know. It was from this antique shop by the campus. It's perfect it's not so flashy but just enough for her" Lucas says with a smile as a tear rolls down his face
"Lucas-"
"I was going to give that to Hope, because I wanted her to know that She has my heart. I might not have been there when she was born but I really her even when I didn't know her" he mumbles as he wipes his tears away
"She called you when she was born" zay says angrily as he crossed his arms
"I lost my phone around that time and got a new phone.. She block me on everything. Everyone did" Lucas says running his hand through his hair
"I tried sending letter but the all got sent back. "he says looking down
"Why didn't you send them to me" zay hisses glaring at Lucas
Lucas scoff as he glares at Zay "you work everywhere! Constantly moving! Half of them are from your old places"
zay searches the pile as his eyes see old addresses "Dam it" he whispers
"I had no idea where she was, but I know we have a future together. That's why I looked at house. I came back and landed the job Zay! I finally had enough for them. I picked that house and I've been fixing it. To have everything she likes, bay windows, enough light to shine through, enough room for Hope to play in" Lucas says with hope in his voice as his heart fill with love thinking of the life with his two girls
Zay lightly throws the letters onto the table as he fully turn to face Lucas "dude its late.. All of this.. it's nice but. It's over"
Lucas quickly looks up with anger and sadness filling his eyes "its s not over Zay! I know she loves me! They both do! I'm not leaving I'm going to fight for them. I know she doesn't like Charlie's ring. It's too big for her. I know she doesn't like the way he hold, her because I see it when I go over there. I know that when she looks at me, her eyes slightly light up"
"Lucas-"
"No! Our story is nowhere near over. I have a chance I know I do. "he says as he walks and grabs the ring . He smiles as he looks down at it.
I have a chance I know I do...
Lucas ring that he got for story_
OMG! HOW LONG AS IT Been? I finally got inspired to write for this story again! Thanks to a fellow author Mr. Authentic because without his input I wouldn't have written for this story.
I hope you guys like this chapter. I'm excited to write for this story because I'm inspired to write again for it.
The story is going to get a bit darker but it will be happy at times. You will learn more about Lucas and how his 5 years away where like and you guys will also get to know more of how Charlie and Riley's relationship formed.
