Beneath the Surface

chapter 60: heart to heart talk

One dinner...

Lucas and Sarah, as they sat across from each other at the dinner table, the warm candlelight flickering between them, Sarah could feel a sense of unease growing. Lucas had been quiet throughout most of the meal, his usual light-hearted demeanor replaced by a more serious, thoughtful expression. Sarah knew there was something on his mind, but she hadn't expected this.

Lucas finally set his fork down and looked at her, his eyes soft but filled with determination. "Sarah, I need to talk to you about something," he said, his voice low but steady. Sarah straightened in her chair, feeling a slight pang of anxiety at his tone.

He took a deep breath before continuing. "I know you're still grieving for Tristan, and I don't want to make things harder for you. I want you to know that I'm here for you, always. But right now... I think it's best if I give you some space."

Sarah blinked, caught off guard by his words. "Lucas, what are you saying?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas met her gaze, his expression gentle but resolute. "I'm saying that I don't want to be a distraction for you. You've been through so much, and I don't want you to feel any pressure because of me. I'll give you all the time you need to grieve, to heal... to find your way again."

Sarah's throat tightened. She hadn't expected this—Lucas, who had always been her rock, was now pulling away. "But you've been there for me through everything," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Why now?"

He reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his. "Because I care about you, Sarah. And I know that right now, what you need more than anything is time—time for yourself, time to be with Stan, to process everything without feeling like you have to worry about me or anyone else."

Sarah searched his face, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you," she whispered, her emotions on edge.

"You're not losing me," Lucas reassured her, squeezing her hand gently. "I'll always be here. You can call me anytime, for anything. But I think, for now, I need to step back. This isn't about me, it's about giving you the space to take care of yourself, of Stan, and to focus on what you need without feeling any added weight from me."

Sarah's heart ached at the thought of Lucas leaving, but she couldn't deny that part of her understood what he was saying. "You've always been so good to me," she whispered, her voice laced with sadness. "I don't know how I'll get through this without you."

Lucas smiled softly. "You're stronger than you realize, Sarah. And I'll still be around, just not as close. You deserve the time to grieve properly, without feeling like you owe anything to anyone, including me."

Lucas held Sarah's hand gently, his eyes filled with understanding. He could see the pain she was carrying, but he also saw something else—something that went deeper than her grief.

"Sarah," he began softly, his voice steady, "beneath everything you've been through, beneath the surface of all this pain and loss, I know there's a strength in you that most people don't see. You've handled more than anyone should ever have to, and even when you doubt yourself, I know you'll find a way through this."

Sarah looked down, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill. Lucas tilted her chin up gently so their eyes met. "You don't have to rush, you don't have to be perfect, but I know you'll get there. You're stronger than you think."

He took a deep breath, his voice lowering as he continued, "And if life, if time, ever allows it... if we're meant to be more than what we are now... we'll find each other again. Our roads will cross when the time is right. But for now, I want you to have the space to grieve for Tristan, to take care of Stan, and to take care of yourself. No distractions, no pressure."

Sarah's heart squeezed at his words, a mix of sorrow and gratitude swelling inside her. She never expected Lucas to be so understanding, so selfless. She squeezed his hand in return, a tear finally slipping down her cheek.

Lucas smiled softly, brushing away her tear with his thumb. "I'm not going far, Sarah. You'll always have a friend in me, no matter what. As I've said,  if destiny brings us back together... well, we'll know it was meant to be."

Sarah's eyes brimmed with tears, and she looked away, trying to hold them back. "When are you leaving?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"In a few days," Lucas replied quietly. "I've made all the arrangements. It's not forever, just enough time for you to find your footing."

Sarah nodded, though her heart felt heavy. "I'll miss you," she said, her voice breaking.

"I'll miss you too," Lucas whispered. "But I'm doing this because I care about you, Sarah. And whenever you need a shoulder to lean on, I'll still be that person. Just don't hesitate to reach out, okay?"

She nodded again, unable to speak as a tear slipped down her cheek. Lucas stood up, moving around the table to pull her into a gentle embrace. "You'll be okay," he whispered into her hair. "You and Stan, you'll be okay."

And though Sarah didn't know how she would manage without Lucas nearby, she knew in her heart that he was doing this for her—to give her the space and time to grieve for Tristan and to figure out her path forward.

With that, he pulled her into a warm embrace, holding her close as she allowed herself to cry, both for what she had lost and for the uncertain future ahead.

Sarah held onto Lucas tightly, letting the warmth of his embrace soothe her aching heart. For a moment, everything felt still—just the two of them in the quiet space between what had been and what might one day be. She didn't want to let go, but she knew she had to.

As she pulled back slightly, her eyes red with tears, she gave him a sad but grateful smile. "I don't know how to thank you, Lucas," she whispered. "For everything—your patience, your understanding... your love. Even when I couldn't see it, you were always there."

Lucas smiled softly, his eyes full of kindness and care. "You don't have to thank me, Sarah. I'm just glad I could be there when you needed me. And I'll always be just a call away."

Sarah nodded, her voice trembling as she spoke, "I'll miss you."

Lucas gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch soft and reassuring. "I'll miss you too," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "But this isn't goodbye, not really. You've got a lot to deal with right now, and I know you'll come out of this stronger than ever."

He stepped back, allowing her the space she needed, but the connection between them lingered in the air. "Just remember, Sarah," he continued, his voice steady and filled with hope, "if we're truly meant to be together, we'll find our way back. Life has a funny way of bringing people back into each other's lives when the time is right."

Sarah's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but there was a flicker of hope in them now, something she hadn't felt in a long time. "I hope you're right, Lucas," she whispered. "I really do."

Lucas smiled, a mix of sadness and optimism in his expression. "Trust in the journey, Sarah. Let yourself heal, and when you're ready, the world will be waiting for you." He paused, then added softly, "Maybe I'll be waiting too."

With one last look, Lucas turned and left the room, leaving Sarah standing in the quiet aftermath of their conversation. She watched him go, her heart heavy yet somehow lighter than it had been before. She knew this wasn't the end of their story—just a pause. For now, she had her own path to walk, but in the back of her mind, she held onto Lucas's words.

If we're meant to be, our roads will cross again.

And with that thought, Sarah took a deep breath and turned back to face her life—her son, her grief, her future—knowing that whatever came next, she would find her way.

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