Peace by Piece-Rucas

Peace by Truth.

Chapter 13

Lucas woke up and rolled over on his mattress to envelope Riley in his arms. His hands moved around the sheets while his eyes were closed. "Riley." He mumbled before sitting up in bed. "Sweetheart?" She wasn't in his room, he glanced at the clock and it was, "6:42. Why?" The vet slid on a pair of sweat pants before meandering around his home.

He glanced to his right when he was in his living room and saw Riley rocking herself on the porch swing, drinking a cup of coffee and wearing his shirt, just watching the sun rise. His emerald eyes watched her sigh and a small smile approached her lips before he opened the back doors. "Hey beautiful."

"Morning." She mumbled and inched over, "Care to join me?"

"If we can go to sleep after." He joked and sat beside her. Lucas kissed her temple and tossed an arm over her. "What woke you up so early?"

She giggled, "Habit I guess. Plus watching the sun rise over that," She gestured towards the tall grass and running hills, "it's beautiful." They stared out onto his ranch in silence, occasionally the stillness would be broken when she'd sigh happily. The warm colors that the new day brought made everything tranquil. There was no Charlie trying to kiss her, there was no Zay who may or may not still have feelings for Riley. There was just the two of them, together, the way he'd wanted it.

"Hey sweetheart."

"Yeah." She craned her neck to get a quick glance.

"Are you happy with me?"

The brunette couldn't contain her laughter, "Is that really a question?"

He smirked and his left hand caressed her cheek. "I want to make you happy all the time sweetheart."

"You do." She whispered before lightly touching his lips. "Do I make you happy?"

Lucas mimicked her actions, "Is that really a question?"

Her hand hit his chest, "You're so full of it."

The vet lazily shrugged his shoulders. "Riley Matthews, I can honestly say that I've never been this happy. Ever. And I'd like to say it's just because of you, but Emily is a big part of that too."

The butterflies in her stomach woke up for the first time this morning. "Really?"

"I don't want to freak you out, or scare you but, she's like the daughter I've never had."

"Really?" He tore his gaze away from the sunrise and focused on the brunette who was trying to hide the fact she was about to cry.

He nodded his head and stroked her cheek, "Yeah. I love her and I love you and I love where we're headed."

"Right here." Her finger tapped her lips twice and Lucas instantly pressed his lips against hers. His left hand held her neck as their lips moved in sync together. The brunette pulled away, "I haven't brushed my teeth."

She set her coffee down and right as she stood up he yanked her into his lap, "I don't care. I want you." Riley straddled his legs as they continued their embrace. He pulled the collar of his shirt down and kissed her collarbone, earning a light moan from the back of her throat.

Her fingers ran through his hair before she kissed his neck. Out of nowhere Lucas' stomach interrupted their moment and she giggled against his neck. "I think you want food."

"What can I say you wore me out last night?"

Riley rolled her eyes before tapping his chest. "I could say the same thing about you." Her lips made their way to his cheek, and nose, and finally his lips before climbing off. "I'll go make you something."