Older || Sequel To SOS

Ten

20 Weeks

Elodie mumbles quietly to herself as she pads down the driveway, the song had been stuck in her head all day and it was driving her crazy. Slipping the small key into its lock, she turns the whole thing, pulling the mailbox open and retrieving the envelopes from within. Smiling as she pulls the key out, she rests a hand against her continually growing stomach, feeling where the baby is kicking.

Luke had yet to feel the baby move, their little kicks not yet strong enough to be felt on the outside of Elodie's stomach. She'd thought it was strong enough about a week ago, and Luke had come running excitedly to feel it, but what she thought she'd felt in her hand had simply been inside. She'd given up on the idea that she'd know when it was noticeable to the outside world after that. It had been soul crushing to see the excitement fade from Luke's eyes as he had to tell her he couldn't feel it yet.

"Any mail today?" Luke's voice rings out as she wanders back through the front door.

"A postcard from Jack, apparently he's in Paris for work and felt the need to send baby Hemmo something. Our unborn child is already getting mail." She chuckles, handing the mail key on its hook before wandering back to the couch where Luke is sprawled out comfortably.

"Of course he did. So when we mention it he can rub it in Ben's face that he's the favorite uncle." Luke laughs, sitting himself up halfway and pulling Elodie into his arms. His hands work under the t-shirt she'd pulled from his side of the closet resting against her swollen stomach as she leans back into his chest.

"Dear baby Hemmo, I'm sending a postcard from Paris for you to hang on your wall. Your parents have fancy skylines all over that house but you should start with some colorful ones. Can't wait to meet you this autumn. Lots of love, your favorite uncle Jack" Elodie reads the scrawled message on the back, giggling slightly at the immaturity but also sweet sentiment of the postcard.

"I'm not sure if I should kill him, or hug him for that. It was actually sweet, as well as a bribe." Like chuckles, kissing the side of Elodie's head, his lips freezing against her temple halfway through though.

"What?" She turns, seeing his eyes wide.

"I just, the baby, a kick!" His words come out jumbled and thoughts incomplete, his eyes dropping to where his left hand rests against the side of her stomach.

"You felt one?" She gasps, a grin spreading across her face.

"I think so. Hold on, move please? And lay down flat!" He shuffles off the couch, kneeling beside it on the floor as she lays back, rolling her shirt up so her stomach is exposed to him. "It was right here." He half mumbles, pressing his palm to the side of her stomach again, his second hand laying next to the first. Using slight pressure he moves his hands slowly, trying to feel for any kind of movement.

Elodie sets the postcard aside as she lets Luke focus, hoping the baby will kick hard again, hoping he will get the chance to feel it finally. Her blood runs cold though as she sees the official stamp on the top right corner of the envelope that had been in the box with the postcard.

Fumbling slowly she opens the letter, pulling out the folded paper just as Luke yells out excitedly. "I felt it again, I felt the kick agai— what's wrong?" His excitement falters as he looks up to her face.

"Dear Ms. Stewart, This notice is to inform you of a parole hearing for Ms. Lorraine Waters, to be held on May 6th, 2027 at ten o'clock in the morning. Your presence is requested, though not required in court that day. You may bring testimony in support or denial of Ms. Waters being granted parole to share. Thank you, Judge Hansen's office, St. Louis, third district court." She reads the short letter aloud, her words trembling as she does.

"What?" Luke practically rips the paper from her hand, rereading the words on it as if he can't believe it without seeing it for himself. "How can they do this?" His eyes look concerned, moving from the paper back to Elodie who has gone quite pale. "Hey, hey, breathe." He drops the paper to the ottoman, sliding his hands under her and lifting her into his lap carefully.

"I mean, it's been fifteen years, a three year early parole isn't unheard of." Elodie half whispers, "But, Luke, what if she wants to be part of my life again? What if she wants to know the baby?"

"She is not going to get to you, Elodie, or our baby. Not unless you are comfortable with it." He coos, "I won't let anything happen to you or baby Hemmo. I am your family, this baby is your family. She is not."

"I don't want to go to the court hearing, I don't want her to get parole. I don't want to deal with her before her eighteen years are up. I thought I still had time to decide what I wanted to do about her, about her being out free in the world..." Elodie is practically shaking in Luke's arms.

"Shhh, shhh, we'll figure it out. And you don't have to go to the hearing, you don't have to engage with her. Saying no to going sends a pretty clear message." He tries, his hand running down her back softly.

"Ya, but going and saying I don't want her out, and if she gets out that I don't want her anywhere near me also says something quite clearly. But I don't want to have to do that. Speaking in court is awful. I did it with Amy because I love you and you deserved to get away from her. I don't know if I can do it for myself though."

"Then do it for our family. For this baby and any other babies we may have later on. Protect our kids from her by making your statement and leaving it at that. You're strong enough, pretty girl, I know you are." He mumbles into her hair, pressing firm and loving kisses along her hairline.

"I don't know if I can be strong enough with only two weeks' notice."

"I'll be by your side, El. And Rebecca and Peter will too if you ask, plus Sadie, Amber, Lily. They'd all jump in after one message to be your support system, don't think you have to do this alone. You are not alone. You will never have to deal with any of it alone again. Just like your aunt Charlotte's will, we will be there to protect you and hold your hands through every part of it."

"Thank you." She nods softly into his chest, still tense but maybe slightly less so."

"I love you, pretty girl. I won't let anything happen to you. Okay?"

"I love you too, Luke. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I'm so glad to have you."

"Shhh, try and relax, El. You need to relax, stress isn't good for the baby." He coos, swallowing hard himself as another thought is brought to the front of his mind after her comments.

The baby is due almost exactly a week after Amy's restraining orders expire... He hadn't thought about his ex in years, she isn't exactly a cheery subject after all. But suddenly she feels like a rather large threat again, and there is a lot more at stake this time.

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So drama is here! Bio Mom, maybe Amy..? What is going to happen!!

Also, yes I am aware I did not reveal the gender in this chapter. It's coming, but it was fun to torture you guys who thought it would be in this one.

The second update this week will be Thursday morning not Friday!!! I fly out to see Luke's solo shows (yes both) Thursday and won't have time Friday to update. Expect Tuesdays update to include photos and a recap. Follow me on Twitter @/RedDesertCrazy for Luke show content this weekend!

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I love you guys!!!

~M =)