The Unexpected

Chapter 12

SEVERAL DAYS LATER

Lucas held the straps of the backpack, as Jake rang the bell, "Why...dad? Why are you making me do this?" he bounced on his toes, "you are my dad"

Jake turned to face him, he opened his mouth to speak when the door opened, "Hey Kim.." He greeted her, his hand on Luke's shoulder.

A smile filled Kim's face, "Hey baby" she pulled Luke into her arms, his body stiff in her arms, "Your da...I mean Adam will be sorry he missed you" she released him, "come on in"

"Luke!" Holden yelled jumping down from the couch, "come play with me" he pulled the older boy by the hand, "I gots a new video game"

Luke looked back at Jake, "Dad?"

"I won't leave you...not yet. Go hang out with Holden, while I talk with Kim"

Kim watched as Holden and Luke took off for Holden's bedroom, she was very curious as to why Jake had brought Luke over with a packed bag.

"Adam's at the gym, should I call him?"

Jake sat on the couch, "Could you? Please" he said nervously. He knew Luke wasn't thrilled with the idea, but he owed it to Adam. He just hoped he wouldn't regret it.

"Is everything okay?" She asked as she sent a quick text message, "is something wrong with Luke?"

"Luke's fine...well as fine as he can be" he corrected himself, Luke was still struggling with Wendy's death. "Can we wait until Adam gets here, it's important"

Kim nodded she was concerned, "I understand" she checked her phone, "he's leaving the gym now, should be here in about ten minutes or so. Can I get you something to drink?"

He waved her off, "I'm fine..thanks" he paused before speaking again, "Thank you for coming to the memorial service, I know it must have been hard."

She'd only gone to support Adam, the last thing she wanted to do was discuss it, "I needed to be there for Adam, and he felt he needed to go for Luke"

"Your husband...he's a good man. I don't know if the roles had been reversed...that I could handle it as well as he has. The fact he's letting me keep Luke....it just blows my mind"

Kim smiled, "Adam's an amazing man and an even better father" she offered, she saw him flinch, "I'm sorry...that was uncalled for. It's just this is really hard for Adam, he's dreading the day you guys go back to California" she sighed, "He loves Luke already, and so do I"

Jake glanced at his hands, "I know you do..I know this is hard. It's hard for everyone, Wendy really..."

The sound of the front door opening interrupting him, "Hey...darlin', is everything okay?" Adam asked as he kissed Kim's cheek.

He turned to Jake, he extended his hand, "Jake, how's it going?" Adam asked shaking his hand.

Jake sighed, "I plan on taking Luke back to California in two weeks.." He watched the color drain from Adam's face, "but I need to do something first...something that both you and Luke deserve and I'd be remiss if I didn't do it"

Adam cocked his head to the side, "what?"

Jake rested his elbows on his knees, "I'd like Luke to spend the week with you, I've already discussed it with him...he's not thrilled but he understands"

Adam was speechless, he felt Kim slide next to him, her hand on his thigh, "Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack" Jake replied, "I know your stance on all of this, but I don't think it's right. You shouldn't have to sacrifice everything, when you never had the chance to know your son" he was trying not to cry. "Adam, you're his father and he needs to know you, as much as it hurts me I need to do this"