CHAPTER 5

"-Spencer!
-Detective Lucas Spencer?
-This is he, who's this? He asked to tthe small voice
-This is Mandel Jeffrey Webber. I'm thhe kid you rescued
-I know who you are Manny. What can I do for you?
-Well, I asked my aunt to give me your number because I wanted to call and thank you, but she didn't have it. So I called my Gram and she gave me the number of the police. Then I talked to a guy named Marcus and he gave me yours.
-Well, it must have been pretty importaant to you hey Cowboy?
-You saved my life. Of course it's impportant to me.
-I didn't save your life Manny
-Yes you did. The doctor said I would''ve died of not having water or something
-Dehydration. Well, I was just doing mmy job. Thanks for calling though, I'm glad to see you are all better now.
-Lizzie says you have a gun. Is it truue?
-Yes, Lucky laughed. It is true. I'm a detective, of course I have a gun
-Like in the movies? Could I see it soometimes?
-Sure! I'll stop by your house and shoow it to you, how's that?
-TONIGHT?
-Ask your aunt first Manny"

Lucky heard the phone fall on the floor and the kid run away from it. Lucky passed a hand in his face, before passing it in his hair. He knew he was making a mistake, but he couldn't say no.

*flashback*

"-HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MANNY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
-YAY"

Everyone clapped their hands and the room was completely dark. Lucky felt a hand taking his and he gently squeezed it. Suddenly, he felt something on his lips and he returned the kiss. Every occasion was a good occasion for stolen kisses, stolen caresses, stolen tenderness. And this time was no exception. When the lights went on again, it was to find Liz and Lucky in a tight embrace, sharing a tender kiss. They smiled at everyone, embarrassed, like kids caught making out on a closet. Manny laughed and clapped hands. He was used to see his "parents" kiss and hug. Today was his second birthday and the best present he could've had was his "father" there. Lucky had a big exam at the Police Academy that same week-end and he didn't know if he would be able to make it. At the last minute the test was canceled and Lucky rushed to Liz's house with this big police car he had bought for the boy's birthday. The smile on Manny's face when he saw Lucky walk out the door was better than any present anyone could've given him.

Even though Mandel loved Elizabeth and Audrey with all of his heart, Lucky always had a special place in the boy's life, up to a point where Elizabeth was almost jealous, of the boy AND Lucky. When they were off for a day together, no one could stop them. They did stuff as a "family" but Manny didn't enjoy them as much.

"-Lucky? Asked the boy, both his hands full of cake. Want some?
-I think I will wait for my own piece, thank you"

Lucky saw the boy pouting, so he went and ate the cake right out of his finger, getting Manny to giggle. Manny put both his hands on Lucky's cheeks, as a sign of tenderness, but Lucky took it as a declaration of war and stuffed the boy's face with cake. Manny laughed and did the same, getting cake all the way up to Lucky's hair. Soon they were both covered with chocolate cake, from the tip of the hair to all the way down to their necks. Elizabeth shouted to be heard over the laughter and they stopped to look at her. She had a camera in her hands and they smiled.

*end of flashback*

While waiting for Manny to come back on the phone, Lucky took that picture out of the first drawer of his desk, slowly passing a hand around the baby boy's face. Lucky was confused. He didn't know which could hurt more between seeing Manny's disappointment after Lucky coldly abandoned him, or see now that the boy didn't remember him, as if Lucky never crossed his path before.

"-Detective?
-I'm here. So, what's the verdict? Diid Elizabeth gave you the permission to shoot some bad guys?
-She said not to bother you. Manny ansswered in a sad voice
-Is she there? Put her on the phone. -'LIZBETH? HE WANTS TO TALK TO YOU! MManny screamed without taking the phone off of his mouth
-Hi Lucky, she said, laughing. Sorry aabout your ear
-That's ok. Lucky chuckled. Now, be hhonest with me, is it because you don't want me to go to your house that you said no, or is it just that you think he is bothering me?
-Lucky, Manny changed since the last tiime you saw him --awake--. If you come tonight, he will call you every single day, asking you to do stuff with him. You will be the coolest cop in town, for him anyway, but you won't have any peace anymore.
-NOT TRUE! Lucky heard in the backgrouund
-Mandel I'm on the phone and I don't liike it when you get in the conversation. Elizabeth answered, her hand covering the phone. Sorry, she said to Lucky.
-You didn't answer my question Elizabetth. Are you avoiding it?
-No! Of course not. If you don't mindd having a 5 year old idolizing you, suit yourself.
-Well, he used to idolize me and I neveer minded before. I'll see both of you tonight. Around 6:30 is that ok?
-Sure. Just don't say I didn't warn yoou"

Lucky laughed and he hung up, fighting himself not to call back and cancel. With his good hand he took his face, trying to stop the tears from coming as another flashback hit him.

*flashback*
*couple of days after Manny's second birthday*

"-Remember when we said it would be great if Mandel had a play companion?
-Yeah, he seems kind of lonely
-He won't be anymore.
-Wait--what-- are you pregnant?"

Elizabeth slowly nodded, with a big smile on her face. Lucky picked her up from the floor, swirling her around, laughing, before putting her down, not knowing if it was safe for the baby. Lucky was looking at her, his heart about to bail out of his chest, before leaning down and giving her the most gentle, tender, loving kiss he ever gave her.

"-There is so much stuff we need to do! Said Elizabeth
-Calm down mom! Laughed Lucky, come heere, he said, sitting on the couch. We still have what? 7 months to figure everything out?"

*end flashback*

By the time Lucky came back to the present, he was crying. He took the other picture he had in the first drawer of his desk, Elizabeth, smiling, near the lake at Nikolas' cabin. She was wearing a pair of blue short and a white tee-shirt, her belly starting to be round. She was nearly 5 months pregnant and it showed. Her belly wasn't big, but it was bigger than usual.

*flashback*

"-Lucky, your girl is shining
-Thank you Nikolas. She is beautiful iisn't she?
-She sure is. Her pregnancy is agreeiing with her
-I'd say so. Hey Nikolas, would you acccept to be our baby's Godfather?
-Me? I'd be honored Lucky, thank you"<

Both guys turned around, to see Elizabeth undressed herself, keeping only her bathing suit. She went in the Lake with Manny, followed by Lucky and Nikolas. The sun was still high in the sky and the land was filled with laughter.

*end flashback*

Lucky looked at his watch and was amazed at how the time flew by. He just had the time to go home, shower, change, eat and head over to the Hardy's house to be with Manny.

Getting one last look at the picture that now was on the desk Lucky sighed.

"-Why didn't you listen to me that day Elizabeth? All the mess could've been avoided"