Older || Sequel To SOS

Forty-Six

"You nervous?" Luke asks, his hand falling to Elodie's thigh and offering it a small squeeze.

"No." Her smile confirms it for him, but the added assurance of her hand on his makes his heart swell slightly with pride. "I should be, I know it is exactly how I would regularly act, but I'm not. I'm excited, I've waited my whole life for this."

"Let's go then, I'll grab Atlas." He chuckles, leaning across the car console to kiss her gently, "I am so proud of you, pretty girl." He adds as he pulls back.

"I never could have done any of this without you." She smiles softly, pushing open her door and stepping out onto the curb as she takes a deep breath. She looks up as she hears the sound of the car locking, taking the hand Luke offers her. Atlas's carrier in Luke's other hand, looking as always exactly where it should be. Being her dad had come so easily to Luke, as if he was born to do it the same way he was born to be on stage. Elodie admired so much about Luke but the ease at which he'd taken on fatherhood was by far one of her favorite things about him. Sometimes it made her want to have a dozen kids with him, just to see him become a dad over and over again, but at other times it simply stood as a saving grace when he saved her from the eighth wake up in the night.

"You're in your head again, El." Luke squeezes her hand softly as the front door opens as they hit the bottom step up to them.

"Sorry." She shrugs sheepishly.

"I've been waiting for you guys." Bill is smiling at them, holding the door open for them to pass through.

"We are excited to be here, someone was so excited she messed her outfit just before we could leave. Took us an extra few minutes to get her presentable again." Luke chuckles, motioning to Atlas.

"She's all of what? Two months old? I think we can forgive her for that." Bill chuckles, leading them through the modest house towards the glass back door.

"She's slept like an angel since so it made our drive a bit easier." Elodie chuckles.

"Everyone else is here already, by the way, but they are very excited to meet you all."

"That's why we're here isn't it?" El chuckles.

"Yes, it is." He grins, sliding open the door and motioning for them to follow him out into the yard. "Hey everyone." El can't help but smile at the excitement in his voice as he calls their attention, her insides tightening slightly with nerves finally. She really isn't good at meeting new people.

"I got you." Luke leans over slightly, whispering it in her ear softly. Her eyes meet his, saying thanks inaudibly for his ability to understand and know her so effortlessly.

"Everyone, this is my daughter, Elodie. And her fiancé Luke, and their daughter Atlas." The pride in Bill's voice helps the knot in Elodie's stomach loosen slightly. "El, Luke, this is my family. My mother, your grandmother, Dorothy, my brother Charlie, his wife Rachel, their kids, Stella, Bridger, and Easton."

"It's nice to meet you all. Thank you for being gracious with all the crazy this summer has been." Luke offers on their behalf.

"It's so lovely to have you here as well." The elderly lady that had been introduced as Elodie's grandma moves forward first. "You clearly should have been here from the start, you look so incredibly like a Rasmussen, and a touch like a Braun as well. You seem to have inherited my fathers eyes the way I, both my sons, and our Stella have." Her hand lands gently on Elodie's free one, squeezing softly. "Bill says you're nervous and quite shy, please do not feel as if you must be anything but yourself here."

"That means a lot to her, I promise you." Luke offers as Elodie nods softly.

"Please come and enjoy, we have food, yard games, and this evening we'll get the fire pit going with some campfire treats as well." Charlie offers with a bright smile.