Luke had excused himself for a few minutes to make a phone call outside while we cleaned up. Grabbing my little girl and lifting her up into my arms, I sit her on top of the counter.
“I am so proud of you, Lucy Andrews. You’re such a big girl. I told you he would love you.”
Lucy’s smile is so bright, it melts my heart. “He does, Mommy, and I love him too. He’s the best Daddy in the whole wide world! Does Daddy love you too, Mommy?”
I don’t know what to say. Heaving a sigh, I give my daughter a hug as I try to figure out an answer. Before I do, Luke speaks up from somewhere behind me.
“Yes, Lucy, I do love your Mommy.”
My heart takes a giant leap as I hear those words. I lift my head and look at him. He swiftly slides his eyes away from mine, and strides into the kitchen. Lucy extracts herself from my hug and goes right to him.
Even though my heart is breaking into a million pieces all over again, it is worth what I am going through to see my daughter finally with Luke. I have dreamt about this for so long; the heartbreak I have been through all these years was worth it to finally see my daughter with her father.
This is going to change Lucy’s whole world.
Thinking about that makes me remember the fact that we have to go back to Texas in a few weeks. Luke is never going to allow it to happen now that he knows about her, and I can’t take her away from him. Deciding that I will talk to Adam about all of this tomorrow, I turn toward the living room where Luke and Lucy are curled up with each other on the couch watching the movie Home Alone. Noticing me out of the corner of her eye, Lucy pats the seat beside her.
“Come and watch the movie with us, Mommy. It’s getting to the good part.”
I sit down next to her and together the three of us watch the movie. Lucy falls asleep with her head on Luke’s shoulder halfway through.
I lift my head up to look at Luke. “If you want to carry her upstairs and tuck her in you can,” I say softly.
“Thanks, I would love to. Does she need to put on pajamas or something?”
“Yes, she does, but I can do that and then you can tuck her in.”
Agreeing, we both get up and take her into her room. Luke gently lays her on the bed. He looks at the mess on the floor with all her clothes.
“She couldn’t decide on what to wear tonight so she was throwing everything all over the place,” I explain with a small smile. “Usually I make her pick up after herself, but she was so excited to meet you that I let it go this time.” I point at one of the many items at our feet. “Could you hand me that pink striped long shirt over there, please? She sleeps in that.”
Luke bends down and hands me the shirt. “I will step out for a minute while you change her.”
“Okay.”
I finally get Lucy’s dress and shoes off and slip her shirt over her head without my tired little baby even making a sound. Luke walks back into the room and stares down at her.
“She’s perfect, Shayne.”
“She is, isn’t she?”
“That girl must be pretty damn tired not to wake up at all when you changed her.”
“It’s been a long day for her with the airplane ride and the emotions of meeting you. I am proud of her, though.”
Neither one of us talk for a minute. At last, I clear my throat. “I will go downstairs and give you time to tuck her in,” I offer.
“Thanks, Shayne.”
Quietly I leave the room, wanting so desperately to stay so we can tuck her in together. I make my way to the kitchen and grab a beer. A few minutes later, Luke comes strolling in. I lift my bottle and offer to get him a beer as well.
He declines with a shake of his head. “No, thanks. I am going to get going, but about tomorrow. I would really like for her to come over and swim. I also think there are things that you and I need to talk about. I want to know everything about her.”
“Sure,” I sigh. “What time would you like us to come over?”
“Let’s meet at Beach Paradise so she can have some of Dale’s pancakes,” Luke suggests.
“Okay, Luke. I think she would love that.”
“All right, then. Just text me when she gets up and I will meet you there. Thanks for this.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Luke. She’s your daughter, too.”
“I have to go. Talk to you tomorrow.” He pauses for a moment. “Shayne? I can see how worried you are because it is written all over your face, but I want you to know. What I said earlier about loving you… I meant it.”
And with that, Luke Schavone walks out of my house.
After locking up and trudging up the stairs I take a peek in on Lucy, who is sleeping soundly with what appears to be a stuffed dolphin in her arms.