Lucas sat back in the small wooden chair and glanced happily down the length of Johnson's bridge, wondering why the usual suspects were not around fishing to interrupt his peace.
'Momma put a warnin' out in the paper' Luke answered his unspoken thought, holding his sisters stomach securely while she sat on his lap and assisted with holding his fishing rod.
Lucas narrowed his eyes confused at his boy. 'Oh she did?'
'Oil spill' Gail Jr chimed in, remembering how mad her mother had been at publishing a lie.
'Weren't no lie, there was a spill' Caleb advised in his mothers defence.
'You mean that tiny dot we passed not far from where Ben dropped us off earlier?' Lucas laughed in disbelief of the statement, smiling at the thought of Gail going against her integrity as a Reporter just to give him a safe haven to regain control of his fury after all of the incessant birthday madness.
'It's still a spill no matter how small, so she ain't gone against nothin'' Caleb shrugged.
'I'm surprised you're so willin' to stick up for her when you know she's gonna have your hide over the smokin', not that I condone that unwise habit either' Lucas responded, happy with how his family were finally starting to come together as a unit but knowing Gail was as patient with her punishments as he was.
Caleb thought for a moment, then cursed when he remembered what he had done. 'In my defence, some weird guy with a bandage on his face approached us and offered us the cigarettes, so it's not like I forced someone to buy them or stole them'
'That ain't gonna save you son, but I'd hate to be that guy when your momma get's you to spill. Speakin' of comin' clean, your turn little one. A teacher?' Lucas asked seriously, turning his attention to Luke.
Luke shrank down in his seat and tried to hide behind his sister. When he felt his fathers intense eyes on him he knew that he had to own his choice. 'It was science guy, Miss Coombs got him in to show us some cool stuff with a Bunsen burner and he kept elbowin' me when he passed!...I ain't standin' for that even from an adult' he explained moodily, not understanding why he was getting the blame when the adult had started it.
Both Lucas and Caleb glanced at each other, both feeling their rage begin to stir at one of their own being threatened, then Gail Jr jumped off Luke's knee abruptly and threw his rod in the river angrily. 'Gail!' Lucas snapped more harshly than he intended, taken aback by her sudden show of disrespect, then let out a long exasperated sigh when she began to cry.
Luke's mouth dropped open as he watched his fishing rod float away, but instinctively wrapped his arm around his sister to comfort her. 'That weren't nice Gabby' he told her calmly.
'You're all talkin' about bad when momma did this for us to have a good time' Gail Jr sobbed as she snuggled into Luke's chest.
Lucas shook his head at his quick loss of control and made a mental note to revisit the teacher incident at another time, then reached for his daughter and pulled her to his knee securely. 'You know you're right. Your momma has worked really hard on this fresh hell to celebrate our birthday and we shouldn't be squanderin' the short bit of sane time we have before it all starts up again' he resigned, stroking the tears off of her cheek and trying not to smile at how adorable she looked with her bottom lip quivering.
'Speak for yourselves, I ain't squanderin' a thing and I think I've finally got one' Caleb smiled happily and began reeling in the line to see what he had caught, enjoying this time with his family before his inevitable punishment from his mom reigned down.
Merlyn sat perched on the sales counter of Abe's Antique Store, rolling her eyes at how unprepared the old man was. 'It ain't like you've had all year to plan for this day' she called back to him sarcastically, then laughed when she heard his grumpy curses.
'Nice to see you in a good mood for a change Missy, you usually waltz around in a strop for days on end when I'm gettin' all the attention' Lucas joked.
'Oh please, as if the attention you've had today is enjoyable for you' Merlyn retorted, seeing by the instant darkness which came over his features at her response that her assumption was right.
Lucas started to move intently towards Merlyn, then stopped when his oldest friend appeared from out back.
'Now, now, boy. Don't you go blamin' this young one for all the hell my Rosie's made you endure today, I am proud of you for makin' it through without any incident's though' Abe said knowingly, aware of how much his friend hated a spectacle on his birthday and previously warning Gail that the balloons on every road in Goat Town went too far.
Lucas smiled at his friend appreciatively, he should have inserted his dominance earlier so he could deal with Mandy's refusal to adhere to his wishes rather than entertaining this insanity; however, he was happy that someone was acknowledging the effort he was putting in not to reek havoc on the whole town for what he'd had to endure.
'Oh he's not the only one who's noticed Soulmate, I assure you that all good behaviour will be rewarded appropriately' Gail whispered in his ear, as she crept up behind him and wrapped her hands around his waist.
All ill feeling he had felt for the torture she had put him through today disappeared when he felt her soft lips run down his neck, and he he shook his head at the hold she had on him as he leaned back into her instinctively. 'You've been a bad girl Mrs Buck' he whispered discreetly.
'Oh I'm clearly not the only one, but I'll welcome all appropriate punishment later on Master Buck' Gail responded teasingly, then nipped at his neck playfully when she sensed how aroused he was.
'God damn it' Abe cursed at the display.
'Get a room' Merlyn snapped in disgust.
'Y'all are just jealous you ain't got that' Caleb said in their defence when he entered the store with his siblings, then slinked back when Gail let go of his father instantly and shot him a look of thunder.
'Now now love, there will be a ceasefire while it's my birthday' Lucas ordered calmly, then picked her up playfully and slammed her on the counter next to Merlyn to take her attention from his eldest.
'All right, stop!' Gail resigned laughing, happy to put off fully acknowledging Caleb's unwise activities for as long as she could and not looking forward to having to punish him.
'Good, now all that's settled please tell me my torture is over and we're goin' home' Lucas said hopefully.
Abe could not contain his laughter at the incorrect assumption and shook his head, then placed 3 large boxes on the counter and winked at the children.
'Costumes!' Luke and Gail Jr screamed in unison, then ran for their box and rushed to the back room with Caleb strolling coolly behind them.
'Costumes?' Lucas asked unimpressed, not in the mood for the annual Halloween party and feeling his irritation at his wife returning.
'Don't be so quick to judge Soulmate, this isn't what you think' Gail reassured him, happy that she had managed to keep all the planned activities under wraps considering his talent for monitoring everything in his town.
Lucas glanced at her suspiciously, then turned towards Merlyn when he heard her huff.
'Me and Billy have been dragged into carryin' the family name with your children at the fancy dress party this evenin' in your place' Merlyn sighed, not impressed that she had been drafted by her cousin.
'Oh behave, that boy of yours is as excited as the children in there for this party' Abe corrected her, being badgered by Billy every day for the last week while he waited for his costume order to arrive.
'So home then?' Lucas asked Gail again, more forcefully this time.
Gail sensed the anger he had been pushing down all day and stroked his cheek tenderly. 'Please just relax. We have two small things and the children get to run wild without us, then you have me all to yourself' she advised sweetly, willing him to trust that the time she had put aside for them was not going to make him uncomfortable.
Lucas stared deep into her eyes challengingly, then let out a resigning sigh. 'Alright Love, I trust you. Go fetch the rabble so we can get this over with'
Gail smiled at how well behaved her children were being, and leaned forward in her chair slightly to admire the Halloween decorations throughout the extravagant restaurant. She had always loved this time of year when she was growing up, even after her parents had died she managed to embrace the horror which was celebrated so openly by people who would otherwise shy away from it. She supposed her fascination could have been down to the darkness which she so willingly allowed to flow through her veins these days.
'Penny for your thoughts?' Lucas whispered in her ear quietly, stroking his hand down her back and admiring the sleek black outfit she had donned for this occasion.
'I'm happy that this day is your birthday, it forces me to make an effort and reminds me of how much I love this time of year' Gail responded honestly, leaning back into his arm and smiling when he pulled her to him automatically.
Lucas regarded her suspiciously for a moment, initially not trusting her calm exterior and this apparent quiet setting, then placed a soft kiss on her forehead when she rested her head on his shoulders and allowed himself to relax. 'I used to enjoy this time of year, until someone decided to make it uncomfortable for me' he sighed.
Gail glanced up at him slightly, then let out a small laugh. 'You're Lucas Buck Soulmate, I can't be seen to not celebrate the most important man this town has ever known on the day he was brought into this world, imagine what your townspeople would say'
'They wouldn't have said anythin' had you not publicised what I'd managed to keep secret for nearly half a decade' Lucas scolded, unable to hide his disdain for her actions no matter how many years had passed.
'Oh come now, you should've realised I wouldn't allow myself to suffer alone when you so blatantly announced my pregnancy a minute earlier' Gail retorted, not allowing him to forget why she had outed him in the first place.
Lucas let out a small laugh and shook his head in frustration. 'At least your discomfort only lasted a few months, I'm bein' tortured every year'
'It's no less than you deserve Master Buck. Besides, I never hear you complaining when you get to punish me however you want without argument after you've endured your torture' Gail smiled mischievously, then ran her hand up the inside of his thigh and squeezed his manhood teasingly, ignoring his look of warning due to their present company.
'What are you two whisperin' about?' Caleb asked curiously, not appreciating being ignored by his parents.
'Oh you know, the long term effects of smoking and such' Gail answered sarcastically when she felt Lucas tense angrily at the interruption, then smiled when Caleb stared down at his hands in an attempt to hide from her knowing gaze.
'Truce remember?' Lucas whispered when the other adults at the table stared at the exchange curiously.
Gail rolled her eyes at the underlying order, then pushed her glass towards Billy expectantly when he went to refill Merlyn's glass of wine and leave her out.
'I for one am an advocate for cigarette's, they've gotten me through a lot of uncomfortable times over the years, in fact I know a few other people who like to partake from time to time to help alleviate some stress' Selena said smugly, and laughed when Gail shot her a look of warning.
Lucas leaned down to inhale his wife's scent, then cupped her chin in his hand and stared disapprovingly into her eyes. 'Really Darlin'?' he asked in disbelief when he smelt the faint smell of smoke mixed with her perfume.
'You're going to judge me about my scent when you came home smelling of Mandy last night?' Gail responded quietly, holding his stern gaze and not allowing him to intimidate her.
Lucas tightened his grip on her chin at the accusation, confused as to how she could be aware of who he attempted to collect on yesterday. 'Spyin' is beneath you Love' he said finally, when her guard remained firmly up to prevent him from finding out what she had done.
'Wrong Soulmate, you need to ensure your little birds are kept in line and don't stray into my path' Gail corrected him, refusing to allow him to believe she would care that much to go out of her way to spy on him every day.
Lucas sensed the judgmental eyes around the table at his current stance, knowing this would look inappropriate to his friends who could not hear their conversation; however, he felt his rage rising at the thought of his wife interjecting herself into his business.
'Again, she interjected herself into my path Sweetheart' Gail whispered softly then pulled him to her and began to kiss him passionately, showing their friends that there was nothing to be concerned about.
Lucas savoured the taste of her tongue in his mouth, instantly softening at her choice to back down first, then pulled out of the embrace when he sensed the restlessness of their children and gently ran his thumb over her lips affectionately for showing she was truly with him. 'Although I'm happy for this low key affair, I think you should've considered our little ones. They're not known for patience in a mundane settin'' he advised, signalling towards his daughter who had started to scale Billy in his chair to entertain herself.
'You really think I'm not capable of entertaining a Buck these days?' Gail asked in disbelief, then smiled when the large dinosaur came from the opposite side of the restaurant holding two large sacks singing happy birthday, and the room erupted in chorus.
'You gotta be kiddin' me with this' Caleb said to his father who was shaking his head in disdain, clearly he was also dumbfounded by the big green dinosaur heading to their table.
'Will you two stop!' Gail scolded sharply, 'There's not only one person to be celebrated today and just look how happy she is' she beamed at her daughter who had climbed on the table and was clapping happily at the spectacle which was clearly solely for her benefit.
Lucas gave himself a mental shake and pushed down his resentment for what he had endured today, allowing him to realise how happy his daughter was. She had quietly accompanied him all day to keep him calm without making so much as a fuss about this being her birthday too, and now he realised that this part of the day had been for her. Without further thought, Lucas left his wife's side and picked up his daughter, allowing her to sit on his shoulders so she was a similar height to the dinosaur. 'Happy Birthday Princess, you deserve the world and more' he advised staring up at her, then smiled when she placed a loving kiss on his head.
'Can I keep him daddy?!' Gail Jr exclaimed happily, ignoring the large sacks of presents and trying to grab hold of the dinosaur.
Gail's eyes grew wide and she shook her head frantically at Lucas, not wanting him to give their daughter any expectation she could make the poor man in that uncomfortable costume be forced to wear it any longer than absolutely necessary.
'You know what? I don't think he's gonna fit in the car when we take you to the Halloween party later Princess. It's alright though, I'm sure your gonna find somethin' equally as nice in those sacks down there...why don't you go have a rummage' Lucas suggested, placing her down and pushing her towards her presents to distract her from her initial request.
Gail let out a relieved breath when her daughters focus changed to the presents and signalled for the dinosaur to escape quickly.
'One task down Love, one more to go then you're all mine' Lucas whispered in her ear mischievously as he came up beside her, then pushed her to their daughter so they could start winding down this gathering.
-To be continued-