"-How long have you been watching me?
-All night"
Lucky lifted his head to look at her with a smile.
"-I was serious
-So was I
-You've watched me sleep all night? Whhy?
-I guess I couldn't believe you were reeally here beside me and I was afraid if I fell asleep I would wake up and it was all a dream"
Lucky slowly took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. They had to talk. Make everything right this time. He wanted to start anew, but they needed to bury some issues once and for all.
"-Elizabeth, we need to talk, make things clear between us. Last time we were together, I mean really together, we both said and did things we didn't mean, and it led us to our destruction. I don't want that to happen again. So I want you to tell me what drove you to my brother's arms, so I can change, and I will do the same for you. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, this has to be done if we want it to work between us. Why don't I start to show you what I mean OK?
-Wait I want something first. Elizabetth brought his lips to her and tenderly kissed them. There, go ahead
-I love you. Ok, what drove me crazy aabout you is how you say you trust me but don't trust me enough to know what's best for you. You always put yourself in these awkward situations and I have to bail you out of them, which I don't mind, but after that, when I want to protect you, you nearly tell me to go to hell. I know how you were Elizabeth, when your parents said red you had to say blue just so they would notice you, but you don't have to be like that with me. Now your turn
-This is what is driving me crazy. Youu always treating me like I'm a child. Lucky, we have the same age. After the rape, I know I needed you to make all the decisions for me because I couldn't do it myself, but I don't need that anymore. I'm an adult, I need to make my own choices, make my own mistakes so I can learn from them. You were so busy trying to protect me and I was so busy trying to duck that protection that we lost ourselves. I don't want that anymore. You can tell me you don't agree with what I do, but don't try and control me then make me feel guilty about it when it turns sour. I need you to support me with whatever decisions I make, like I do with yours.
-Like you supported me with Sarah? He asked gently
-I didn't support you. I didn't agree with it. But I didn't try to stop you, did I?
-I'll do my best Elizabeth. But you haave to be patient with me, as I will try and be with you. I don't want to lose you again. And just for the record, I don't believe you killed Hope. I said that out of grief and anger. But I believe she was sent to us to teach us how to be strong, and know that we can over come anything. I'm sorry you didn't get to see her when she was alive"
They started to talk about their child, and, for the first time, they cried in each other's arms about the lost they had suffered. They talked about their true feelings towards it, how Lucky felt helpless seeing her go, how Elizabeth felt responsible for his pain and hers, how they were blessed with a little miracle. Their conversation was cut short when they heard a banging. Lucky started to laugh, saying he forgot to unlock the boys' door. He got out of the bed to put his pants on, and Elizabeth felt the desire take over her body again, but it was too late, the boys were up. Lucky leaned down, one hand on the bed to kiss her, when they heard a louder bang. They were trying to kick the door down.
"-WAIT A MINUTE I'M COMING!"
Elizabeth hung on to him when she felt him leave and he laughed, saying the boys were losing their patience. Elizabeth tried to go to sleep but couldn't, so she got dressed and walked downstairs, to find Lucky by the stove, making French toasts. The boys were stuffing their faces, faster than he could make them. She stayed in the doorway, watching them, all smiles, Lucky explaining to Alek the wonders of baseball.
"-Lucky took me to see a game once and I caught a foul ball, said Manny"
Lucky's spatula fell in the pan, and Elizabeth's mouth opened wide. Lucky turned around and looked at Manny. He didn't see Elizabeth watching him.
"-You remember that?
-Yeah. Elizabeth couldn't come becausee she was sick. No, she wasn't sick, she was pregnant. With Hope. The boy said, sad.
-That's ok Manny, you can talk about Hoope, I don't mind. Lucky reassured him.
-OK, the boy sighed. Anyway, that day,, Elizabeth was in bed and you came and said you would take me to a baseball game. I had forgotten about that. I had forgotten about a lot of things. Must be why I love baseball so much. Because you love baseball and I love you.
-I love you too Manny, Lucky said, squeeezing his shoulder with his hand. What about you Alek? What do you do with your dad?
-Not much. He works a lot, and Grandfaather isn't the one to take me to baseball games. I doubt he even know what a sport is.
-Well, that's Stefan for you. Lucky laaughed. Don't worry, next time we're going, your gonna come with us. What happened to your mom?
-Mom? What's that? Asked Alek with a smile. Actually, I'm happy that she stays away from me. Her and my great-grandmother give me the creeps. I know it's terrible to say that but that's how I feel. Please don't tell my father I said that
-Don't worry, I feel the same about botth of them. Lucky answered"
He finally understood why the boys were so close. Manny had an absent mother who lived on another continent, and Alek's mother may lived in the same city but he didn't see her much either. Katherine never was the maternal type. Manny didn't have a father after Lucky walked out on him, and Alek's father was always at work.
"-Manny, pass me that newspaper. Lucky said. He looked inside and smiled. That's what I thought. Guys, today we are going to the ball park!"
Elizabeth walked in the kitchen and took place on the chair where Lucky made love to her that night and she blushed as she remembered. Lucky gently kissed her on the cheek and gave her a plate with silverware. They were planning their day, and Elizabeth smiled. They were acting like a family, both boys fighting over who sat with who.
Lucky lend his baseball mitt to Alek and they were on their way to the stadium, singing tunes in the car. Elizabeth looked at Lucky said thought to herself she had never seen him more handsome than at that moment, his eyes on the road, singing to the song "oh Carol", popular in the sixties. His left elbow was on the railing of the down window of the car door, and his right fingers were taping the beat on the steering wheel. He was wearing his favorite tee-shirt and a pair of black shorts. His cap was backwards, like the boys'.
They found their seats and the war started again. Finally Alek said something intelligent, being him on one side of Lucky and Manny on the other. But Lucky refused. He wanted Elizabeth by one of his side. Then the problem was settled. He would sit at the end, Elizabeth by his right side, Manny on her right and Alek at the other end. That way, neither of the boys would be jealous since neither of them were sitting next to him. Lucky took Elizabeth's hand and put them on her thigh, before flashing his biggest smile at her. The sun was up in the sky and white clouds were slowly dancing on the blue infinity. They boys were loud, playing, shoving each other. Elizabeth thought it had been a while since she saw Manny smile like that. The last time she remembered was when Lucky was with them, before the big fight. Now, Manny was happy. He had his "mother" and "father" back in his life. Back together.
Lucky bought each of the boy a cup of popcorn, bought Elizabeth a bag of chips, bought himself a giant pretzel, 3 cokes and a beer. Elizabeth smiled and thought there was nothing sexier than seeing Lucky slowly drink his beer. Manny asked if he could taste it and Lucky passed him the cup, much to Elizabeth's shocked face. Manny took a sip and grinned in disgust.
"-Yuck! How can you drink this?"
Lucky laughed and looked at Elizabeth. He knew this would be Manny's reaction and that way, Lucky knew he wouldn't go behind his back to taste it. He offered one to Alek and the boy quickly shook his head. From Manny's reaction, beer must be awful. Elizabeth laughed and suddenly ducked, a ball passed right by her head. The guys laughed when Elizabeth put a hand to her heart.
"-I nearly get knocked out and you laugh?"
Lucky laughed louder and put his arm around her shoulder, before leaning down to whisper in her ear.
"-Knocking you out is my job Ms. Webber
-No, your job is to --"
Lucky's face changed with what she said and he looked at her, blushing. Elizabeth laughed and kissed him, before taking her attention to the game. Lucky was still thinking about what she said. Tonight would be interesting..... to say the least.
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