Chapter Seven: The Calm Before The Storm
She had been sitting alone at the beach house for quite some time now listening to the crashing waves of the ocean as she stood in the living room in front of the sliding glass doors. Dan thought it would be best for her to step away from the place where she was constantly reminded of her deception; mainly anywhere their teenage son was bound to make an appearance.
The ebb and flow of the sea brought about a calmness and serenity she hadn't felt in months. The weight of what ifs had been lifted the instant that he truth had finally come out and even through Lucas had reacted badly upon hearing the news, she knew that some how she could bring him around.
Thinking back to how well Dan handled the situation both this morning and at the office she knew that his intentions where sincere. She smiled, confident that this time around things would be different because he was different. The only problem was their son.
Somehow she and Dan would have to approach Lucas and convince him that everything was going to be okay and that both of his parents would be in his life from now on. That there would be no more fighting, no more holding grudges, no more insults, no more dwelling on the past, all of it was behind them now and it was time for all of them to move on.
Opening the sliding door Karen stepped out onto the deck and breathed in the salty air. As she stood there with the wind in her face, the fears that had consumed her seemed to vanish. Her eyes wandered down to the shoreline taking in the breath taking scenery when she noticed a family much like her own.
The Dad was fishing with their teenage son while the Mom was playing with a small child. She allowed herself to replace their faces with hers, Dan's and Lucas's just for a moment and it felt good. She sighed, hoping that one day soon the image in her head would become reality and then her family will finally be complete.
"A penny for your thoughts" a deep voice sang.
To which she replied "A nickel for your time"
"A dime if you'll be mine" he said walking up behind her, placing his hands on her extended belly and planting a kiss on her cheek.
"I can not believe that you still remember that after all this time"
"Some things you never forget"
Off his words she melted into his embrace. The couple stayed in the comfort of silence for a while before the sound of the woman's husky voice broke the spell.
"Shouldn't you still be at the office?" she questioned out of curiosity.
"No I took off to be here, with you. I thought that maybe you could use the company"
When the woman only nodded in response, the man followed her gaze to see just what it was that had captured her attention so.
It was then that he too noticed the loving family that resembled their own. His smile widened as a second teenage boy arrived, giving his mother and baby sister a kiss before running off to join his father and seemingly older brother. This is what his world should be like. In fact he was now more determined then ever to have that perfect life, no matter what he had to do in order to achieve it.
"Don't worry Kar we'll have that soon enough"
"What?" questioned the woman as his words seemed to bring her back to reality.
"You will have that perfect family you always dreamt of and so will I"
She smiled at this.
"So have we decided on a name for the little princess?"
"You mean have I finally caved yet?"
Dan laughed.
"Oh come on Karen. What's wrong with the name Daniela?"
"Nothing, I just always loved the name Annabelle, Annabelle Christina Scott"
The man rolled his eyes and smirked.
"You mean Daniela Marie Scott. You know after her wonderful father"
"Ok, that didn't seem the least bit conceited at all" giggled Karen.
"Well we do need the perfect name for the perfect child and we both know that any name that begins with Dan is destined for greatness"
"That's only on person's opinion. There are other character traits or rather character flaw that are associated with that name"
"Ouch! Now that would have hurt my feelings if I didn't love myself so much"
Karen couldn't contain herself. She was now laughing hysterically before giving him a playful slap on the arm.
"Oh come on you know that you love me just as much as I love myself"
"Oh no dear, I think a love like that would be too hard for me to try and top"
She then spun around to face him.
"So honey do you think that you can spare a little of that love for me"
He smiled sweetly at her and gave her a peck on the tip of her nose just like he used to do when they were in high school.
"Well I guess for you I can make an exception"
"Gees Dan, thank you so much"
He smiled and held her closely.
"Do you have any idea how much I love and our boys and our little girl?"
Karen gave him a sly smile.
Their boys? She thought. But she didn't say anything. She knew how much Dan wanted her to take on Nathan as her own seeing as how Deb was more preoccupied with her drugs then worrying about being a decent Mother or Grandmother.
"I think that I have a good idea but why don't you tell me again"
He smiled suddenly, a bright, sexy, dangerous smile.
"Why don't I just show you instead?"
"Why Mr. Scott are you propositioning me?"
"Maybe"
"Well then I wouldn't want to disappoint"
"Good because I never disappoint…"
Karen giggled like a little school girl as the dark haired male led her back inside.
Yes things were definitely looking up. All she and Dan had to do was bring Lucas and well, Nathan around and everything was going to be perfect. Unfortunately there was something in the back of her mind told her that something big was about to happen. She just hoped that whatever it was, her family would be able to with stand the blow.