lucy was overwhelmed and confused; he knew he should have expected this. “I understand.” He said softly. He stood still for several minutes, watching her stare out into the darkness. As much as he wanted to stay he knew he had to go. He started for the door when her voice stopped him.

“Gerard.”

He turned back around. “Yes?”

“The snow is really coming down out there.”

He wanted a moment but she didn’t speak. “I’ll be careful.”

Lucy leaned her forehead against the cool window pane then closed her eyes. Suddenly the thought of him walking out of her life again was too painful. She couldn’t let him go and her heart she believed she shouldn’t. It was crazy, it was unbelievable and yet they had been brought together. She remembered how she’d felt when she’d developed the roll of film and had seen Rafe’s image standing behind Gerard. She’d been shocked and yet…somehow, in some deep part of her mind the photo had given her comfort. While all of this was still so hard to believe, she wanted, she needed to believe.

“They won’t have plowed the road between here and Iola. The storm is much worse than they’d predicted.” She stood back but still faced the window, a smile appeared on her face, one Gerard couldn’t see. “I suppose you should stay here tonight.” Pure joy from her decision filled her heart, “You can stay in the barn.”

Gerard was shocked. For a moment hope had flamed in his heart but now he was confused. She really wanted him to stay in the barn?

Lucy slowly turned but when she saw the look on his face she giggled, “Oh good Lord. I’m just kidding.”

His heart began to race “Kidding about staying or the barn?”

Suddenly the smile faded, “I won’t lie, I’m still scared.” She took a step towards him. “But I suppose for tonight you could stay…in your old room.” Her eyes dropped, “In my room.”

He quickly closed the distance between them. Gently he cupped her face forcing her to look in his eyes. “With you?”

Lucy nodded slight, “Yes, with me.”

Gerard pulled her into his arms. His voice shook with emotion, “Oh Lucy. God I love you, I’ve missed you so much.”

Lucy had tears rolling down her cheeks, “I’ve miss you too. I was afraid I’d never see you again.”

His lips crashed down on hers in a long, passionate kiss. Finally when they both needed air he whispered, “I had get repair all the damage I’d made before I could even think about trying to fix us but oh God, you were always on my mind.”

“I’m still not sure where we go from here.” Lucy said laying her head against his chest.

“Baby, we’ll figure it out together. I promise you that. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

“Being with you makes me happy.” Lucy couldn’t seem to stop the tears of joy.

Gerard gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. “This is more than I could hope for. More than I could dream.”

The tender moment was slightly derails when the puppy plowed her way between their legs.
Lucy giggled, “Sam seems to be pretty fond of you.”

Gerard looked down at the puppy who was begging for attention. “How long have you had her?”

“A few months.” Lucy said remembering the day she’d gone to the shelter in search of a friend. “I knew I could never replace Rex in my heart but I felt I had some love to share. Sam was abandoned and almost dead when she was found and taken to the shelter.”

Gerard hated to let Lucy out of his arms but Sam’s eyes were pleading. Stepping back he squatted down to pet her. “Yes, we love you too.” He cooed stroking her sleek black fur.

Lucy giggled, “I actually went to the shelter looking for a male dog.”

“Really?” Gerard said looking up.

“Yeah, I had it in my mind to call the dog, Joe.”

Gerard’s heart filled with happiness hearing Lucy giggle. “Joe? Really? Didn’t want to name the dog, Gerard?”

Lucy laughed, “Tempting but no.”

Slowly he stood becoming serious again. “I promise, I’ll never hurt you again.”

“You can’t promise that.” Lucy said softly. “You can promise to try not to but we’re both human. We’ll make mistakes, say things in anger at times. But as long as deep down there is love…”

He pulled her into his arms again. “I promise to try to never hurt you again. I promise to love you every damn day, to make you happy.”

Lucy looked deeply into his eyes, “I love you” She stepped back then took his hand. “Come on. You have to see how I redecorated the bedroom.” There were so many things they still needed to figure out but for now that would have to wait. She loved his man with all her heart that was the only thing she was completely sure of.

His body was already reacting to her words.

Hand in hand they walked up the steps. “Too bad it’s snowing.” Lucy said softly as they reached the top of the stairs. “I miss laying on the roof with you staring up at the stars.”

“I’ve not forgotten a moment of the time we spent together.”

Lucy moved forward to push open the bedroom door. When she flipped on the lights Gerard saw the room had been painted a light blue.

“This is nice.” He said taking several steps into the room while noting the walls and the dark blue silk comforter.

Lucy smiled the shoved him with all her might making him fall back onto the bed. For a moment he was shocked, until he looked up at the ceiling. She’d painted it a dark blue but it was the stars, the stars she’d painted that made him smile.

“At night when I’d lay in bed I’d remember...” She said sitting on the bed next to him. “I’d remember how I felt laying on the roof with you, staring up at the stars.” She paused “And even though I missed you so badly…even thought it hurt so much, I didn’t want to ever forget that feeling.”

Gerard sat up. “So many nights I did they same thing. I’d lay in bed and my heart and body would both ache. I missed you so damn much.” He rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’d remember your touch, your smell, the sound of your voice.”

Lucy felt hypnotized as she listened to his words, his voice. But when she looked deeply into his eyes and saw the love, she was lost.

“Please” She whispered, “Make love to me”

These were words Gerard had feared he’d never hear her say again. For a moment he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move but when he saw her tongue dart out to moisten her bottom lip his body caught fire. Slowly he pulled her sweater over her head. “Nice” He smiled as soon as her lacy red bra came into sight.

Lucy actually blushed, “Victoria Secrets. I’d never in my life paid so much for a bra but it was so pretty…” Her voice trailed off as Gerard’s fingers released the front clasp.

“It’s nice but it’s hiding your true beauty.” He said slipping it off her shoulders. He took a moment to look at her perfect breasts then dipped his head to take her right nipple into his mouth.

“Oh” Lucy moaned closing her eyes as desire washed over her body. She leaned back on her arms as he released her nipple then slid off the bed. He gently parted her legs then moved between them. Slowly he unzipped her right boot while his fingers trailed down her leg. Lucy’s breath was ragged as she watched him remove the other. As he’d done before he trailed his fingers down her leg slowly. “I like these. One day you’ll have to wear them for me with nothing else.”

Lucy nodded unable for the moment to speak. Her body was crying out for his touch. He set the boots aside then held out his hand. As soon as she stood he reached behind her to unzip her skirt. When he saw she was wearing thigh high hose with garters he moaned. “Shit, woman.”

Knowing he found her sexy gave her a feeling of power. “You like?”

“Yeah, I like. I like a lot.”

Lucy saw the pure desire in his eyes. “You can remove the panties and leave the hose.”

He nodded but Lucy could see in his eyes something was troubling him. His next words made her understand why.

“You look so sexy, so different.” Gerard said rising to his feet.

Lucy cupped his face between her hands. “When I met you, for the first time in my life I actually felt sexy. I loved the way that made me feel. I didn’t want to lose that.” She brushed her lips against his then whispered. “But you’re the only man I’d want to see this, only you.”

Gerard smiled slowly.

“Tell me what you want.” Lucy reached down between their bodies to cup him.

He realized she’d missed their lovemaking as much as he had missed it. “I want to make love to every inch of your beautiful body.” He stared into her eyes, “You are mine.”

Lucy nodded, “Yes, I am yours. Body, mind, heart and soul.”

He took a deep breath, “Please, undress me.”

She giggled, “You don’t have to say please, not when it’s something I want to do so badly.” She unbuttoned his shirt first then before pushing it off his shoulders she ran the palms of her hands over his chest. It was impossible not to lean forward and run kisses from the base of his neck down that bare chest.

“Woman, you’re killing me.” He ground out while trying to remain in control. It had been so long, he already felt ready to explode.

Lucy lifted her head to smile. “Suppose I should get these jeans off you.”

“Suppose you should.”

She slowly unzipped them then knelled to pull the jeans down his legs. As he’d done she ran her hands from his thighs to his ankles as soon as his legs were bare.

“Lucy” He whispered, “I don’t want to rush this but you have to understand it’s been so long.”

Her heart sang knowing he was telling her hadn’t been with another woman since he’d left her. She reached up to pull down his boxers. Immediately once free of the material his cock stood at attention. Her hands once more moved up his legs but when they tried to surround his need he grabbed her shoulders. “Oh no you don’t, Honey.” He lifted her to her feet. “Not yet. You touch me there and this will be over way too soon.”

“Then what do you want me to do?” She asked in a husky, desire filled voice.

“Lay in the center of the bed.”

When he took a sidestep she crawled up onto the bed. Slowly on all fours she started to move. “Wait.”

Staying in the same position she turned her head, “Wait?”

“Yeah” He had to see her ass bare in that position. “Take off the panties first.”

She slowly backed off the bed. “As you wish.” When her feet hit the ground she shimmed the panties down her legs.

“Now crawl back up there.” Gerard said in a shaky voice. “Slowly.”

Lucy placed her hands on the bed then slowly began to crawl up.

“Stop.” He commanded as soon as her rear was up in the air.

Her whole body was on fire and when his fingers ran over the smooth skin of her ass she moaned.

Over and over he caressed her skin until it was warm to the touch, then he moved one hand down to cup her sex. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”

Lucy was panting. “Yes.”

Holding on to his control was becoming more difficult by the minute.

“Please” She moaned as he slid one finger to her wet hole but didn’t enter.

“Not yet, Baby.” He whispered.

Lucy pushed back against his hand trying to buy his finger deeper in her core. Gerard couldn’t deny her. He slid his finger in.

“Oh” Lucy moaned and he began to move his finger inside her. “Yes”

His other hand moved to tease her clit with quick strokes. He could feel her body beginning to tense, her release so close.

Bending down, not stopping his sweet torment he kissed her bare ass.

Lucy went wild as the orgasm ripped through her. Gerard continued pumping his finger until her body fell forward.

“Turn over.” He commanded.

Lucy rolled over but what she saw made her body once more catch fire. He was sucking on his finger that had just been inside her.

“I’ve missed your taste.” He said removing the finger from his mouth, “So sweet.”

Lucy’s eyes were glazed.

“Now scoot that body up.” He said as he knelled on the bed preparing to join her.

Lucy scooted up the bed keeping her eyes on him the whole time. However once he’d joined her on the bed she rolled over then quickly moved to cover his body with hers. “My turn.”

He smiled, “What are you going to do to me?”

Lucy stretched out marveling at the feel of his hot, smooth skin against hers. She kissed him, and he parted her lips, his tongue probing soft and intent as he smoothed his palms up her sides, down her back, cupping her buttocks and molding her more precisely against him. Lucy groaned as she felt the feverish skin of his cock pressed against her stomach, his shaft like a heated bar of iron pressed against the juncture of her legs. She gently grasped his shoulders, pressing her breasts more firmly to his chest as their tongues intertwined.

Gerard groaned against her mouth as she slipped her legs on either side of his hips. The feel of his hardness brushing against her inner tights made her shudder, her pussy going wet again in a rush. She toyed with him, teasing his erection with her entrance, until he growled, his hands grabbing her hips, guiding her directly to the tip of his arousal. Lucy sat up pushing herself gently over his staff, feeling his cock stretch and fill her as she moaned softly. When she was fully impaled on him, she arched her back, enjoying the sensations. When she looked down, he was smiling at her. He reached up to cup her breasts, his thumbs rubbing her taunt nipples.

This felt like heaven to Lucy. She raised her body slowly, then inched back down, setting the rhythm, the pace. His shaft dragged at her clit, and she bit her lip trying to keep control. But the feel of him inside her, filling her, was becoming too much. She gyrated her hips slowly, eager to intensify the feeling.

Lucy’s breathing went ragged as the pleasure seeped into every last spot on her body.

Gerard was now lifting her hips from the bed to penetrate her more fully and she was thrusting down, urging him deeper.

“More.” Lucy cried out.

He gripped her hips, pulling her tightly against his body, against his straining hips, and she felt him fill her almost painfully, her clit getting pressure, the pressure it needed. She bucked against him, her speed and rhythm going wild. She ground her hips against his as he thrust up, pulling her with him as they both neared release.

Lucy felt his climax first, she felt him explode inside her. She cried out as her body shuddered, clinching at his cock. Gerard’s hips jerked against her until she finally collapsed on top of him. He held her close, whispering words of love as their bodies shook.

Outside the snow continued to fall…..but inside the little farm house Lucy and Gerard were oblivious to anything but each other.

__________________________________________

It wasn’t until Gerard’s stomach rumbled loudly that the afterglow of their lovemaking began to fade. They were snuggled together in bed under the heavy blankets.

“Gerard.” Lucy giggled, ‘When’s the last time you ate anything?”

“Uh” He actually had to think about it. “Last night.”

Lucy sat up leaning against her elbow to look down at him. “Last night?”

He nodded, “Well yeah. I had some coffee this morning but was too fuckin’ nervous to eat.”

Lucy caressed his cheek, “Okay, we need to get some food into you.” However when she tried to leave the bed his hands reached out to grab her.

“I don’t wanna leave our warm cocoon.”

Lucy laughed, “Sir, you need to keep your strength up.”

“Oh, I do, do I?” He grinned, “Why?”

“You know why.” Lucy leaned down to kiss him. This time when she pushed back the covers he didn’t stop her. She crossed the room to grab her robe. Once it was on she turned back to look at him. “Did you bring any clothes?”

“My bag is in the car.”

Lucy laughed, “Out in the snow. Well for now…” She opened the closet and pulled out another of her robes. This one was pink and fluffy with little yellow ducks. “But this on. I’ll heat us up two bowls of beef stew and you can wait by the stove in the living room.”

Gerard’s eyes grew wide, “You really want me to wear that?”

She looked at the robe. “Hey, I think you’ll look cute in it.”

“Cute ain’t the word I’d use.”

Lucy crossed over to the bed then threw back the covers. “Stand up.”

Reluctantly he did so. Lucy helped him into the robe then belted it. “There. You look cute and warm.”

Gerard shivered, “Not exactly warm.”

“LA boy, you’re not used to the cold but don’t worry. I’ll turn on the furnace.”

“I though you only had a wood stove.”

She laughed, “Uh, didn’t you notice the propane tank outside?”

He shook his head.

“When it gets really cold I use both. It’s just cheaper to use the wood stove. However since my guest isn’t used to the cold I’ll turn on the furnace. Now come on.”

She led him down the stairs to the living room. Once there she again stoked the fire and added more wood. By this time Gerard had placed the chair back by the stove. He held out his hands to warm them, “Damn, that feels good.”

Lucy placed a blanket around his shoulders. “You’ll be all toasty in no time. I’ll be back in a minute with our stew.”

She had been right, the heat from the wood stove soon chased away the chill. He’d just scooted his chair back a bit when Lucy returned holding two glasses of water. She handed both of them to him then scooted a small end table over. “I thought we could eat in front of the stove unless you want to watch TV.”

Gerard knew they needed to talk. “No, this is fine.” He said placing the glasses down. “Need any help?”

She shook her head, “Nope, I’ll be right back.”

This time while she was gone he took the time to look around the room again. His eyes fell on the framed photo of Rafe and Lizzy. It was good to see she seemed to have made peace with her past. He smiled when he also noticed she’d framed the photo of Lizzy in the lilacs.

Lucy saw him staring at the photo when she walked back into the room carrying the bowls of stew.

Gerard turned to her, “I love that photo.” He said softly.

Carefully she sat the bowls down on their makeshift dining table in front of the stove. “Me too.” She whispered. “Thank you for remembering her birthday. The flowers were beautiful.”

He wanted to always be honest with her. “I wasn’t sure if sending them was the right thing to do.”

“It was a wonderful thing to do.” Lucy pulled over another chair then took a seat. She looked into his eyes, “A beautiful thing to do."

They both stared at each other knowing so many things needed to be said, but unsure where to begin.

“We should eat before the stew gets cold.”

Gerard nodded then lifted his bowl to take a bite. “This is good.” He hadn’t realized he’d been starving until now.

“Made it this morning.” Lucy answered. “When I heard we had snow coming. Stew is one of my favorite winter meals.”

“Wonder how much snow is out there now?”

Lucy smiled, “I’d say about four inches so far but it’s still snowing.” She’d looked outside from the kitchen door.

“Guess you were right. I brought a snow storm with me this time.”

“You make a dramatic entrance.” She smiled.

He looked down at his bowl of stew, “I promise you this time I won’t make a dramatic exit.”

Lucy knew they had so much to discuss and yet she wasn’t ready. It felt almost like she was getting to know him all over again but this time she realized who he really was and this time there were no secrets between them. “So” She asked hoping he’d understand how she felt, “Were you surprised when you saw my house?”

Gerard did understand because he felt the same way. “Yeah, you could say that. Shit, at first I was afraid you’d sold the place and moved when I saw it.” He set down his bowl to take a drink of water. “But I saw your name on the mail box.”

“It really looked nice a few months ago.” Lucy explained, “I planted a bunch of perennial flowers out front.”

“Wish I’d seen that.” Gerard said softly. “As much as I wanted to be here I knew I couldn’t.”

“Tell me.” Lucy asked softly.

“What I’ve been doing?”

She nodded.

He thought a minute before answering. “Like I said I knew I had to get my life back in order, I had to fix the things I’d fucked up. I’d hurt so many of my friends, I’d hurt my family. The first thing I did was talk to Lindsey.” He looked over at Lucy not sure if she truly wanted to hear this.

“Go on.” She said softly.

“I told her how sorry I was for the things I’d done. That instead of handling the fact that our marriage was over I’d turned to the bottle. I wanted her to understand I’d quit drinking and that I was ready to face the divorce.” He paused, “I also told I’d realized how important Bandit was to me, how she was a gift, my gift I wanted to treasure always.”

Lucy nodded but looked down.

“Lucy” He said her name softly then waited until she looked up to continue, “Being here with you changed me. It made me take a good hard took at the man I’d become and what I saw...it sickened me. I had family and friends that loved me and wanted to help me but I wouldn’t let them. I was so self-absorbed but I wanted to change.”

Lucy lifted her spoon continuing to eat while he spoke.

“But the most important thing I realized during my time here is how I needed to understand life can be so unpredictable, that I need to treasure each moment, each second I have on this earth.”

Lucy looked up. “Tell me about your daughter.”

He stared into her eyes a moment then spoke, “She’s growing up so fast. She’s smart and beautiful and…” He smiled, “And I love her so much. How I could have failed to see that before…” He stopped to glace over at Lucy’s computer. “Would you like to see a photo of her?”

Lucy smiled “My internet should be working but sometimes satellite is a bit dodgy when the weather is bad.”

He got to his feet to head towards the desk. It took a few minutes before he could get into this photo account. The picture he chose to pull up to show Lucy was one he’d taken only a few days ago.

Lucy had joined him at the desk, she was glancing over his shoulder. “She is beautiful.”

Gerard turned in the chair to face her. “I want you to meet her.” He held his breath waiting for her to answer. Sadly Lucy took one last look at the photo then returned to her chair by the stove. “Your stew is getting cold.”

Gerard realized he needed to go slowly and not push her. “So tell me what else have you been doing here?”

“Wait.” Lucy said as he started to stand. “Let me show you something.” She walked back over to the deck motioning for him to let her have the chair. She pulled up another tab then typed in the address to a site.

Gerard’s eyes grew wide when he saw it pop up on the screen. “The Past Not Forgotten” He said reading the screen. It was a web site full of photos, Lucy’s photos.

“My own website.” Lucy giggled happily, “Weird right?”

“Not at all.” He said studying the screen.

“Yeah, it kinda is.” She insisted. “Until a few months ago I didn’t even have a TV let alone a computer. It was actually Lisa’s idea.”

“Lisa?”

Lucy nodded, “Yeah, my friend Lisa. I met her and her husband Karl when they came to town to watch the filming of the Ghost Travels show. She works for the Kansas State Historical Society and they live in Iola.”

His eyes were still on the site. “This is great.”

“What’s really great.” Lucy said proudly, “Is that people actually buy my photos. I didn’t think anyone would. But I’ve sold quite a few, people usually order 8 X 10’s to frame.”

“Did you set up the website?”

Lucy laughed, “Oh hell no. I’m still learning all of this. Karl is the one who set it up for me.”

Gerard glanced over at her, “Was that Karl who brought you home?”

“Yep, I was supposed to spend the day at their house, even stay for dinner but Bessie refused to start this morning so Karl picked me up.”

Again he turned his attention to the screen feeling relieved he now knew who the mystery man was who’d brought Lucy home. “You have really changed.” He said softly.

Lucy smiled, “Yes, I have friends now, I have modern appliances in my home, you’re not the only one who needed to fix their life.” She reached out to grab his hand, “Being with you made me realize I wanted to really live again, not just stay in this house alone waiting for the end.”

“We were meant to meet, Lucy.” He whispered.

She nodded, “Yes, I believe that.”

After they finished their stew Gerard insisted on helping Lucy wash the dishes. Lucy was finding it hard not to giggle when she looked over at him standing at the kitchen sink in her pink fluffy robe.

Gerard caught her smile, “What’s so funny, woman?”

“Oh nothing.” She smiled. “Nothing at all.”

“Yeah, right.” He wiped off his hands then turned to face her. “I suppose I need to trudge out through the snow to get my stuff.”

Lucy titled her head, “Why? Can’t see you needing any clothes before morning.”

His eyes flashed with desire, “No, don’t suppose I do.”

Suddenly her smile faded, “How long are you going to stay?”

He had known this would come up and he prayed for the answer he desperately wanted to hear. “I’m not sure.” He answered slowly, “That kinda depends on you.”

“On me?”

Gerard nodded, “Yeah.” He tried to ease into this. “You know Thursday is Thanksgiving.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, “Of course I know that.”

“Do you have plans?”

Nervously she shook her head, “Uh, no. Lisa and Karl invited me for dinner but they are having a huge family get together and I didn’t feel comfortable accepting the invitation.”

He nodded, “So no plans.”

Lucy folded her arms. “I bought myself a turkey pot pie.”

Gerard couldn’t help it, he laughed, “A turkey pot pie?”

She nodded.

He went for broke, “I want you to come back to LA with me for Thanksgiving. I want you to meet my family.”

This was what Lucy had been afraid he’d had in his mind. “I don’t know….”

He cut her off before she could continue, “Lucy, we’ll take this slow, I promise.”

“Going to LA and meeting your family isn’t exactly slow.”

“It’s a start.” He said taking a few steps towards her. “I want them to meet the woman I love.”

She was scared searching her mind for a reason to refuse. “I can’t leave Sam.”

Gerard had already thought of that. “Sam can come with us and I’m sure George will take care of the girls.”

Lucy looked down, “Don’t have the girls anymore.”

He was surprised, “Why? What happened?”

Still looking at the floor she forced herself to explain. “Right after you left I was pretty messed up, hurt and angry. The chickens reminded me of you too much. So I gave them to George.”

“I’m sorry.” He whispered.

“No, it’s okay. Not having to worry about their care made it easier for me to do things. Sam and I have already taken a few overnight trips looking for sites to photograph”

He took another step closer. “Well then I’m sure Sam would like to take another trip, a trip to LA.”

She was still trying to find a reason to refuse him. “There isn’t time to drive there and with the weather…"

“Lucy, I came here hoping, praying for this...” He’d reached her so he placed his hands on her shoulders. “So with that hope I bought two return flight tickets to LA for tomorrow.”

She blinked in surprise, “You planned on me going back with you?”

“I prayed you’d go back with me.” He smiled, “I just didn’t know I’d get two girls. Please, say you and Sam will go with me. I promise we’ll just take this day by day. I’m not gonna lie to you. My hope is that you’ll want to stay permanently in LA with me.”

“But my home is here.”

“We’ll figure that out. You could still keep this place. We could come here when we wanted to get away from the grind.” He reached up to stroke her cheek with his fingertip. “Besides I’d hate to lose our creek and our place on the roof to lay beneath the stars.”

Lucy stated at him, “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed right now.”

Gerard smiled, “I know, I understand. But for right now all you have to do is decide if we go to LA for Thanksgiving dinner or if we stay here and split the turkey pot pie.”

“You should be with your family on Thanksgiving, I’m sure they are expecting you.”

“They are. But I told them I was coming here.”

Lucy was staring into this eyes, feeling like she was drowning in the love she saw within. “I’m not sure if Sam will like flying.” She took a deep breath, “I’m not sure I will.”

Happiness filled his heart. “I’m sure my girls will be fine with it.”

“What time tomorrow?”

“We don’t leave KCI until three.”

“Are you sure your family will be okay with this?” She asked.

In order to answer that he asked, “Did you realize a photo of us was posted on the Net?”

Lucy gave him a shocked look, “What?”

Gerard took her hand to lead her back to the living room. Once there he quickly sat down at the computer to pull up the photo. “This one.”

Here eyes grew wide. “Oh, my.”

“I wanted you to see this so you’d understand my answer.” He continued as she stood staring at the photo. “My sister-in-law Alicia found this photo. Before I left this morning she told me she knew as soon as she saw it that we were in love.”

Lucy frowned, “But….”

He understood her concern, “Yeah, I was still a married man. But Alicia knew my marriage was over, she understood that. Before I left after telling her and Mikey that I was coming here she wished me luck, said she hoped things worked out for us.” He paused, “And she said that there would be a place for you at their Thanksgiving dinner table.”

Again Lucy was feeling overwhelmed. “Dinner is at their house?”

He wanted to reassure her, “Yeah, but it’s only going to be Mikey, Alicia, her mom and my mom and dad. Not a lot of people.”

She looked away from the screen, “What about your daughter?”

“She’s spending the holiday with Lindsey back east with her family. I won’t have Bandit until Sunday.”

Lucy had to know, “How does your brother feel about all of this?”

“I’m fuckin’ sorry for what happened when you first met him. But believe me, Mikey wants me to be happy. When he sees us together, when he sees how much I love you…”

Lucy sighed, “This is still an awkward situation.”

“It won’t be, I promise.” He stood up to take her in his arms. “Lucy, there were never two people who were meant to be together than us.”

She leaned her head against his chest then closed her eyes. “I love you” She whispered trying to find strength in his embrace.

“I love you too.” He gently caressed her back. “Together we’ll figure this out. Nothing will ever come between us.”