A/N: I had intended to post this update earlier this week. However, that season finale had me all kinds of emotions. I wasn't sure how much to include regarding her mom's background. So, I had to take a couple of extra days to figure out how to address that.

Also, if you're curious about where this story fits in with season 1, I'm working in the timeframe between Karma Chameleon (1x13), The Lost Generation (1x14), and Public Enemy No. 1 (1x15).

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and sent lovely messages about this story. One more chapter after this one! Can't wait to share the ending of this story with everyone! I'm super excited for it. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this extra long chapter!

They stood awkwardly outside the front door, both unsure of how to proceed.

This door. This stupid front door. How many times had she opened and closed it in her life? How many times did she open it, dreading to see her mom getting sicker, but thrilled to see Amy? How many more times did she, at least in this timeline, open it to Noah? How many for Wyatt? (Just the once, so far.) That door was amazing to slam shut when she was a frustrated teenager or wanted to act like one. She'd had graduation pictures taken in front of it. School pictures. Sister pictures with Amy.

But now? Now, she knocks on it as a guest, a visitor, a stranger. Was this even the same door from her original timeline?

"So…you want to use your key or do we knock?"

His voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"I- I'm not sure. I guess –"

Shouting from inside interrupted her. She and Wyatt exchanged a worried glance before she grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door open.

The voices grew louder as Lucy and Wyatt entered the house and rounded the corner to the kitchen.

"What do you want me to do? She doesn't answer when I call or text anymore."

Lucy hadn't spent much time with the guy, but she did remember his voice.

Noah.

She sighed.

This guy.

Lucy and Wyatt stopped short in the large kitchen entryway.

"Mom, what's going on? Noah, why are you here?"

Noah turned, indignant.

"Lucy? Where - …Why am I here? Because where else would I be when my fiancé disappears for days? Because where would I be when your mother tells me you stormed off several days ago and she hasn't heard from you either?" Noah paused long enough to glare at Wyatt and give him a thorough once over. He looked back at Lucy and motioned in Wyatt's direction. "Is it because of him?"

Lucy felt the blush creep up her neck and cheeks, partly from embarrassment, but mostly from frustration.

Frustration that she hadn't broken up with the guy sooner. Frustration because, in some weird reality, a version of her loved Noah. And she could see that. He was loyal, loving, protective. He certainly had good looks. And he was a doctor. Really, he was a great guy.

But he wasn't Wyatt.

She knew the version of herself who loved Noah would probably have second thoughts if she'd met Wyatt, too.

It was simple. This version of her could, and would, never be in love with Noah.

"Noah." She glanced at Wyatt. Briefly, but she did. "It's not because of him."

Noah scoffed.

"Could've fooled me. In fact, I guess you have." Lucy threw him a quizzical look. "I mean, clearly you're together. How long you been sleeping with him?"

Lucy's eyebrows shot up and her mouth fell open in shock.

"Excuse me?"

Wyatt jumped in.

"Hey! You can't talk to her like that!"

Noah reached for Lucy's arm, but she pulled back.

"She's my fiancé. I can speak to her any way I please. Besides, what do you care? Who are you?"

Lucy looked from Noah to Wyatt. She should've told Noah off right then. But, if she were honest, she kind of wanted to hear that answer herself.

Wyatt huffed and stepped closer, placing himself between Lucy and Noah.

He spoke calmly and confidently.

"I'm the one who's been there for her lately."

Noah moved so that he was inches away from Wyatt's face.

"And I haven't? I've been waiting for her – in our house – while you two shacked up!"

Wyatt scrunched his brow.

Lucy did the same behind him. The confusion was etched across her face.

"That's – wait. What? How did you – Did you follow me?"

She swallowed and held her breath as the realization sunk in.

Noah kept his eyes on Wyatt.

"It doesn't matter."

Wyatt clenched his jaw. And his fists.

"Yes. It does. Have you been following Lucy?"

Noah scoffed and stared at Wyatt.

"What's it to you?"

Wyatt stood taller.

"I oughta punch you right now. But seeing as how this is the first time I've met Mrs. Preston, I'll ask that you and I kindly step outside."

Lucy put her hand on Wyatt's shoulder.

"What? No! Wyatt, you don't –"

Noah smirked.

"Let's go, pretty boy."

Lucy tried to reach for Wyatt but he was quickly on Noah's heels as he walked out the front door. She turned to her mom, who'd been quietly observing the entire scene from the other side of the kitchen island.

"Mom, I-"

Her mom held up a hand, silencing Lucy.

"Lucy, it'll be alright. Noah can take care of himself."

Terrific. But not whom she was concerned about…

"Mom, no, it's- I…oh nevermind."

She turned and ran to the open front door. Her mother slowly followed, her arms crossed against her chest.

Before them, on her mom's front lawn, stood Wyatt and Noah, slowly circling each other.

Noah took a swing at Wyatt, who ducked, popped up and effectively swung just in time to hit Noah square on the jaw. Noah dropped back, holding his cheek, and glared at Wyatt.

"You hit me! You actually hit me!"

Lucy walked out the door and quickly stood behind Wyatt, her mouth agape, and placed her hand on Wyatt's arm.

"Wyatt."

"And I'll do it again if you keep following her."

Noah slightly shook his head and wiped at the blood that was falling from his lip, smearing it across his hand.

"You know, Luce. You stopped kissing me a while ago. Stopped sleeping in our bed. Stopped living with me. I mean, I guess I should've known. Seen it coming." Noah turned his attention back to Wyatt. "I just never expected you to leave me for someone like him."

Wyatt reacted. He jerked Noah up by his collar.

"Okay, pal, I think it's time for you to leave."

Noah jerked back and shoved Wyatt.

"Get your hands off me, pal."

Lucy stepped between them, placing a hand on each man's chest.

"Hey! Stop! Both of you.

Lucy's mom finally decided to pipe up.

"Okay, Noah, I think you should leave. Now."

Lucy stared in shock at her mother while Wyatt kept his eyes on Noah.

"Mom?"

She could've sworn her mother already considered Noah part of the family, the son she never had. Yet, here she was, asking him to take the loss and go home.

Carol looked at Lucy, a tinge of disappointment and regret across her face.

"No more fighting on my lawn. Noah, you should go." Noah stepped forward to protest, but was quickly silenced. "No, I don't want to hear it. Lucy's fine. She's here. She's okay. You can go. She'll call you later. Won't you, Lucy?"

Well…

She knew she had to finalize it all with that guy. Make him understand. Make him see that she's not who he thinks she is. And that she never will be.

Lucy nodded and looked up at Noah.

"I'll talk to you later." Noah gave her a long look and glanced at Wyatt. "But, uh…here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the engagement ring, holding it up for him. "You should take this. I can't keep it. I'm sorry."

Noah shook his head.

"No, Lucy. No. I can't."

Lucy took Noah's hand and placed the ring in his palm.

"You have to. It doesn't belong to me anymore."

Noah closed his hand around the ring and dropped his head. He glanced up once more at her, resigned and determined.

"So, him?"

She sighed.

"Goodbye, Noah."

He nodded, stuck the ring in his pocket, turned and quickly walked to his car.

Wyatt put his arm around her and pulled her into him. As his other arm came up around her, she noticed his hand. His knuckles were bloody and swelling.

"Your hand."

He brushed her off.

"It's okay. I've had worse."

Her mom walked up to them. She looked from Lucy to Wyatt.

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

Wyatt sat on the edge of the bathtub in her mom's upstairs master bathroom. Lucy stood in front of him, an array of first aid supplies next to them on the counter.

"This might sting a little."

He held his hand out as she dabbed the alcohol-soaked cotton ball across his knuckles. He smirked and watched her carefully, and ever so gently, clean his hand.

"I thought you didn't like blood."

"I don't." She looked up at him and smiled. "So, please hold still so I don't lose my concentration."

Focus. Cleaning and breathing.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

And repeat.

If there had been more blood, she probably would've fainted. Luckily, he'd washed most of the blood off before she came in the bathroom. So, it was really only the open wounds to be cleaned and bandaged.

He took a deep breath as she placed the gauze around his hand.

"Listen, Lucy. I know this – today…I know it didn't go how you'd planned. But- I'm glad it happened. I'm- it's good to know that you're not, you know, engaged anymore."

She stopped wrapping his hand and looked up at him. Sometimes, she swore time stood still when she looked into those gorgeous baby blue eyes.

It just happened and she couldn't stop it. She lightly laughed and shook her head.

"Yeah, well. It had to happen somehow, I guess. Just – I never thought you'd play such an active role in the breakup of my engagement." He smiled as she finished wrapping his hand, tucking the end of the bandage into itself. Her hand lingered a little longer on his, her thumb lightly tracing lines back and forth across the bandage. "There. All done."

He nodded and slowly stood.

"So, we should grab your stuff and go, then?"

Oh, no. She hadn't told him yet.

"Um, actually… When you were in here getting cleaned up, Mom asked if we'd like to stay for dinner. I may have said yes."

She didn't want to, not really, especially after the events of the afternoon.

But Wyatt did need to get to know her mother. Isn't that how these things worked? The whole "meeting the parents" routine? She wasn't entirely sure, although, apparently, it worked with this timeline's version of herself since Noah and her mom seemed very well-acquainted.

"You may have said yes?"

"Okay, I said yes. But what was I supposed to say?" She lowered her voice. "I don't know if you've picked up on it, but it's very difficult to say no to my mother."

That was really an understatement. It's probably why she rebelled so much as a teenager.

Wyatt sighed. Loudly.

"It's…okay. I mean, we agreed I should get to know her, so…let's get to know her."

He'd later tell her how much she was like her mom. Not in those negative ways they'd eventually come to know, but in the ways Wyatt loved. They both got excited about history and could explain events and people and places in ways that enraptured all who listened. They also had the same smile, the same mannerisms when they were passionate about a subject, the same defensive arm cross when they argued.

(He'd also later tell her just how much she wasn't like her mom. Or her dad. In fact, he'd often ask her if she was sure she wasn't adopted.)

They all sat around the dining table. The conversation had been surprisingly lively and upbeat throughout most of dinner. Most likely, it was due to no one willing to be the first to discuss Noah and bear the brunt of whatever ramifications that would bring.

Lucy was amazed the evening had gone so smoothly. She'd held her breath a couple of times when her mom had asked Wyatt a question. They'd discussed where they met, his hometown, his military experience. She couldn't believe he was as calm as he appeared.

(Delta Force, he'd remind her later.)

That was, until her mom brought up the elephant in the room.

"So, Wyatt. Exactly what is the plan here? What's going on? What…" Carol waved her hand back and forth between Lucy and Wyatt. "I mean, what are you two?"

Lucy felt flush. Her palms began to sweat and she held her breath.

Wyatt looked to his plate, his hand playing with the handle of his spoon on the table. He took a deep breath.

Lucy interjected.

"Mom. Wyatt, you don't have to answer that."

He nodded slightly and gave a small smile.

"No, I- I do. I should." He looked up at Carol as he, very confidently, spoke. "To tell you the truth, I don't know. But… We're something…I think. I'm not sure what the plan is. All I can tell you is that - I can't be without her." He paused and looked at Lucy, while continuing with his answer. "She's saved me more than she knows."

Lucy's heart was ready to beat out of her chest. Her breathing quickened and she couldn't help the tears that stung her eyes. She reached under the table for his hand, her eyes never leaving his.

She didn't need to say anything. He knew. She knew he did.

He squeezed her hand and smiled.

"Mom, we should get going."

He'd gone upstairs to get her bags. She'd decided to pack a little more than originally planned, but figured he did give her all that drawer space. It'd be a shame to waste it.

She put her jacket on in the foyer as her mother spoke.

"So. This is what you want."

It wasn't a question. Her mother knew.

Lucy sighed as she lifted her hair from the collar of her jacket.

"Yes. It is. He is."

Her mother slowly nodded and crossed her arms.

"Okay. You know, Lucy. I know when I can sway you and when I can't. This is one of those times I know your mind is made up. But –" Her mom walked closer and put her hands on Lucy's arms. "-Just promise me that you'll be careful."

Oh no. Was this 'the talk?' Didn't they have that when she was in high school?

"Mom. I'm fine. I'll be- fine. He and I are – we're okay."

Her mom shook her head and glanced down, then looked her directly in the eye.

"No. Lucy. You have to be careful now. You've made your choice."

It was rare to see her mom that serious. It unnerved her.

"O – Okay. Mom. I will."

Her mom nodded.

"Good. He seems like a good guy. And…I want to like him." Her mom smiled, which made Lucy laugh. "I mean, he did defend your honor today, so…"

"Ha! Yeah." She took a deep breath and placed her hand on her forehead. "I just can't believe they got in a fight."

They heard Wyatt coming down the stairs. Her mom leaned closer to her and spoke softly.

"The brain may take advice, but not the heart."

Lucy smiled and nodded.

Capote. One of her favorites. And ever appropriate for Wyatt. And herself, if she were honest.

He had one bag slung over his shoulder, a rolling suitcase in one hand and two smaller bags in the other hand. He'd later give her grief about needing so much stuff.

(He'd also throw around the term "high maintenance," which earned him a pretty good smack on the arm, followed by him tickling her and the both of them falling to the couch in fits of giggles. He'd also later tell her how much he loved having all her things at his apartment. And then, "You're not too bad to have here either.")

He stood at the foot of the stairs as she reached for one of the bags.

"Ready to go?"

She nodded.

"Yeah." She turned to her mom and gave her a quick hug. "Bye, mom. We'll talk soon."

"Bye, Lucy." Her mom looked at Wyatt. He held out his hand to her. She took it, shaking it once, then putting her other hand on top of his. "Wyatt. Take care of her."

He gave a small nod and smiled.

"Yes, ma'am." He glanced at Lucy and winked. She rolled her eyes. "What?"

He opened the door and stepped outside. Lucy turned to the door, but spoke over her shoulder.

"Goodnight, mom."

"Goodnight, you two."

The door closed behind them.

Lucy looked up at him and whispered.

"We did it."

He cupped her cheek.

"No, you did it." He kissed her forehead. "Now, let's go home."

She grinned and watched as he walked to his car (their car?) with all of her luggage in tow.

She always thought the day she moved out of her mom's house would be a sad, terrifying day. She couldn't imagine leaving the security and safety of the walls behind that front door.

That was, until that fateful day when he'd first called her "ma'am." When he buckled her seatbelt. When he held her hand after Lincoln was shot. When he gave her the pep talk she so desperately needed. When he was desperate to get her back after Flynn abducted her. When he held her so tightly after they were finally reunited.

Wyatt Logan had completely challenged her, changed her, and made her want to be a better person when, more often than not, she wanted to throw in the towel and call it a day. But he'd soon tell her she had the same affect on him.

As she watched him load her bags in his car to take to their home, she knew. Even though it'd take just a little while longer for them both to say it out loud, she was ready to admit it to herself.

The pang in her heart and the flutter in her stomach would always be there when she was with him. And she welcomed them with open arms.