Everything Has Changed (Completed)

now - chapter thirty-six

Our car pulled up outside of Luke's house, and I didn't want to get out. My mother gave me a smile of encouragement before she opened her door, and I followed suit. My non-braced hand shoved the car door shut behind me before we both made the trek up to the front door. It seemed even longer than usual today.

My mother rang the doorbell and I had to wring my hands together to stop them from shaking. Just like all those months ago, it was Sophia that opened the door, this time with a smile.

"Hi, Cassie! Hi, Mrs. Rella! Come in, my mom's in the kitchen and Luke's up in his room!"

I greeted her as we both walked into the house. She followed my mother into the kitchen while I just stood for a moment, looking up at the stairs. Come on, Cassie. You can do this.

I slipped off my shoes before heading up the stairs. I walked down the hallway before I reached Luke's bedroom. His door was closed, but I could hear the music coming from his laptop so I knew he was in there. I knocked lightly before pushing open his door.

He was sat at his desk with headphones over his ears, so I doubt he heard my knock. As I took another step into his room, he looked over at me before smiling.

"Cassie, hey," he said before taking off his headphones and standing up. He walked up to me and slipped his hand around my waist before leaning down for a kiss.

We stood there for a minute embracing in his room before I had to pull away. I could stand to look up into his eyes, so I just rested my head on his chest.

"Cass? Are you okay?" He asked, his voice laced with worry. I let out a sigh before pulling my face away and looking up at him.

I hadn't even known I was crying until I felt his thumbs slide across my cheeks, wiping away my tears. "Hey, what's wrong? Cassie?"

"They found him," I whispered, but Luke just furrowed his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry, Cassie, but you're going to have to be a little more specific than that," he said quietly and carefully, like he was afraid that if I said the wrong thing I might break. "Who did they find?"

"My dad," I whispered, and he stared at me for a second before pulling me to his chest. My hands gripped the material of his shirt tightly and I buried my face in his neck.

"Oh my god, Cassie, that's great. Is-is he okay?"

I knew what he was really asking – is he dead? "Yeah, he's alright. They found him and some of his teammates hiding out in a village in Pakistan. The villagers, they took them all in and helped them out and, and they saved their lives."

He just seemed to hug me tighter. "Cassie, that's so amazing and I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to meet him." He pulled away slightly before wiping away my tears once again. "When is he coming home?"

That question made my heart heavy. "Well, that's the thing. He can't come home yet."

"What do you mean?" He asked with furrowed eyebrows, and I let out a sigh.