For Keeps

43. Luke

"I can't believe he has my nose!" I say again.
As I stand from telling my son I can't wait for him, Mandy hugs me close. I hug her back because I'm caught in the moment. When her lips touch mine, a thousand things flash through my mind. It's not a passionate kiss, it's almost friendly, so I wave it off and we head to her car.
When I get back to work, Karianne is crying. I send a picture to Scarlett, and put my phone away.
"What's the matter?" I ask Brett.
"She freaked out on Scarlett." He shakes his head. "She is just really hormonal and took it out on her. I should make sure Scarlett is okay." He shrugs.
"I will." I say and text her. It doesn't deliver and so I try to call. "That's weird. Her phone is off."
"Maybe she is trying to rest. I'm sure getting a cast isn't fun." Kare says through tears.
"What are you talking about?" I ask confused.
"Scarlett got her cast on today. Didn't you know?"
"When?" I ask.
"Not that long ago. When Karianne was on lunch and you were at Mandy's ultrasound." He shrugs.
Just then Paisley storms in.
"How could you do this!" She pushes me.
"What are you talking about?" I ask catching my balance. Karianne comes closer. She looks confused, too.
"Scarlett was by the coffee cart you moron!" She screams. Luckily we have nobody in the lab.
"Well I'll go see her." I say and head for the door.
"No, you fucking idiot. She's gone. She looked like a
zombie as she left and then I saw you and slutty Mc slut pants together." She seethes.
"Oh no!" I say and grab out my phone. "It didn't mean anything." I say as I scramble to call her again.
The lab phone rings and Karianne answers it.
"What?" She says and covers her mouth trying to conceal a sob. "Okay." She says through fresh tears. Brett is instantly at her side.
"What is it?" He asks.
"She quit. That was Betty." She sobs. "I was so hard on her. This is my fault."
"It's mine. I have to talk to her." I leave as fast as I can and get to the apartment within minutes. I take the stairs three at a time.
"Scarlett!" I yell as I enter. She clearly isn't there. I look towards the island and see the key on top of a letter. "No! Oh please, no." I say and I grab the letter and rip it open.

Lucas,
This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. You brought me back to life. You saved me. I can never thank you enough for that. These last seven months have been the best of my life. I will never forget them. Leaving you, is the hardest decision I've ever had to make. How can I love someone so much and feel so broken? I can't live with myself if I don't give you and Mandy a fighting chance. I saw you two today and I can't be in the way any longer. You're going to be parents; together. I wish you the best in life, I really do. Maybe this lifetime wasn't meant for us, but I will never forget the love we shared.
Please let me go, Luke. It's what's best.
Take care of yourself. You have a son that will look up to you soon.
Love always,
Scarlett.

I fall to the floor and cry like I've never cried before.
I don't know how long passes but whoever is knocking at my door, isn't giving up. I pull myself up and answer to a crying Karianne.
"She's gone." She sobs. I pull her into my arms and we both cry.
"I know." I say and I sit on the couch.
She sits across from me. "How could we have done this to her?" She shakes her head.
"It's not your fault. It's mine." I say and run my hands through my hair.
"It's mostly yours." She tries to smile. "But I should have been there. I was so mean. Maybe if I wouldn't have bitched her out she wouldn't have fled."
"We have to find her." I say standing. Kare grabs my arm and shakes her head.
"Give her time."
"No. I can't accept this." I look for my keys.
"You have to focus on your son. You have to give her time."
"I can't lose her." I say helplessly.
"She's already gone." She whispers.
I know she's right, but I don't want to lose Scarlett.
I just nod and sit back down.
After Karianne leaves I go to the bedroom and look at all the stuff Scarlett left behind. The room still smells like her perfume, and I notice the bottle is still in the same spot. Hopefully she will come back soon. That's all I can do is hope. I have to talk some sense into her.
I grab my phone and text her.

I fucked up. I know I did, but I love you. Scarlett you're the reason I wake up everyday. I didn't realize how broken I was until I moved here. You came into my life by chance and you changed my life. Everything is better with you. I'm  better because of you. Please come back to me. I'll wait for you.
You're my future. I know you are.
For keeps, Always.

I place my phone down and sit on the bed. She'll be back. I know she will.

When you're meant to be with someone, you'll be with them. This is just a hiccup in our relationship. I know in my heart that we will be okay.
We have to be.