Matters Of The Heart

Chapter 62

Hours later

In the morning

Lucas awoke surprised to find his wife still in bed.

Given the hour. Normally they got up for work then so did the kids for school.

"Did you over sleep?" Lucas asked.

Brooke shot up and looked to him.

"No i didn't set my alarm. I'm over schedules and rules."

"I want us all to go to the beach house."

"We haven't gone in awhile and i miss it." Brooke explained.

Lucas wasn't sure what to make of this but he loved the idea of them spending quality time together.

So one by one the kids were woken up by their mother as Lucas went downstairs to make breakfast.

"Why are we packing?" Axel asked.

"Momma. What's going on?" Emmett asked.

"Its too early." Tegan replied.

"Get up all of you. We've having a Scott family beach adventure."

"Get up and pack a suitcase." Brooke explained.

Before going out into the hallway and heading downstairs.

She brought the plates to the table and made coffee.

Then kissed Lucas hard against the counters.

Lucas kissed her back.

"I should ask questions. But i like seeing you like this." Lucas admitted.

"I'm happy. This life. Our family. I'm grateful to you for you're love and support."

"I just want to bask in that." Brooke proclaimed.

Eventually breakfast was eaten and everyone dressed and ready for the day. They pilled into Lucas's family friendly car and headed straight for the beach house.

Once everyone was unpacked. Brooke insisted they head for beach. Explore the boardwalk and go into the water.

Which they did with no objection.

But in quieter moments. On the beach and the boardwalk.

Lucas realized there was something more to this.

His wife could be impulsive and decide to blow off work.

But to involve their kids. That wasn't Brooke.

She wanted them all here. Us to be together.

At some point they returned to the beach house for dinner.

And had dessert in the living room. Which ended up being a bigger deal since Brooke brought extra dessert home.

One by one their children started to fall asleep on the living room chairs.

"I know something is going on with you." Lucas said.

Brooke had just finished covering their children with blankents downstairs.

Before returning to their bedroom.

Brooke sighed deeply. "I managed to fool the kids."

"But i knew you would catch on."

With their bedroom door locked and the darkness of night covering them besides the shine of a single lamp.

Brooke decided to be honest.

"I've known for a week. I just needed to sit with it and process it."

"I have parkinson's disease." Brooke confessed.

Lucas felt his heart sink. The was the last thing he thought he would hear.

"I wanted this time to be special for us."

"I need things to remain normal. And i knew once i told you."

"It wouldn't be. Once the kids know."

"It'll change everything and i don't want that."

"I hate being vulnerable. I don't want to need you this much."

"Its unfair and its too much." Brooke admitted. The emotion in her voice thick. Tears running from her eyes.

"Hey. I promised you at our wedding. All those years ago."

"Its me and you. And that hasn't changed."

"I'm not going anywhere. If anything you'll get sick of me."

"I'm in love with you. Everything you've been and are."

"Nothing changes for me." Lucas reassured her.

Wrapping her in his arms. He picked her up.

And laid her next to him.

Brooke laid her head on his chest. Leaned over and kissed him.

Lucas kissed her back.

Lucas quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and took a deep breath.