One Night ✔

24. Sweet Sunsets

I was glad that Lucas had made the move to my room before the huge blow-up with my family because lying in bed with him was the only thing I wanted to do today.

I wake up before him and sit up, running my fingers through my hair as yesterday's events play back through my head. To say it was a disaster would be an understatement.

"Mom" Avery knocks. I glance over at Lucas to make sure he hasn't woken up yet before I climb out of bed and walk towards the door, pulling it open.

"Hi sweetheart. What's up?" 

She gives me a sympathetic smile, leaning against the doorframe. "I uh asked Hayden if his sister could pick us up today."

My eyes widen. I had totally forgotten about school today. "Oh my goodness Av-."

"Mom it's okay" she assures me. "Stella will be here in five minutes, I just wanted to let you know."

A smile tugs at my lips as I pull my daughter in for a hug, kissing the top of her head. "Have a good day, okay? And tell Stella thank you for me." 

"Of course" she replies, hugging me back. "Enjoy your alone time with dad" she adds teasingly as we pull apart and I roll my eyes before we exchange "I love you's" and she walks off back down the hall to wait for Hayden in the foyer.

I close the door behind myself, stepping back into my room and widening my eyes when I find Lucas awake and sitting up in bed watching me. "Luke" I breathe out, pressing my hand to my chest. "How long have you been awake?"

"Since you got out of bed" he replies cheekily, standing up and walking over to me. "You okay? It's not like you to forget something as important as school."

I drop my head, letting out a deep sigh. "Clearly my fight with my dad is affecting me more than I hoped "

He steps closer and tucks his fingers underneath my chin, lifting my gaze to meet his. "Your family was your stability when I walked away, it's normal to be upset that they're suddenly angry and disappointed in you."

Angry and disappointed. I was a disappointment now. Lovely.

"I just want them to understand" I reply, staring into his soft, emerald eyes.

He offers me a sad smile, moving his hand to caress my cheek. "I don't know if that'll ever happen considering I find it hard to understand sometimes."

I chuckle, leaning into his embrace. Our relationship may not make any sense on paper but it felt right and that was enough for me to give us another shot whether my family liked it or not. "Maybe it is too complicated to understand but I want them to at least accept us. You're Avery's father for goodness sake, doesn't that count for anything!"

"Not yet" he replies honestly. "But we'll get there" he assures me, closing any distance there was between us. "In the meantime, I was thinking about taking a shower" he smirks causing my cheeks to turn bright red at his suggestion.

Fooling around would certainly get my mind off my family drama but I didn't want him to think I was using him for a distraction. "Are you sure?" I ask, biting into my bottom lip. He laughs, dropping his hands to my hips. 

"I'm sure" he confirms. "Anything to put a smile back on your face" he adds, leaning down to press his lips against mine and I can't help but kiss him back as we stumble back to my bathroom. I unbutton his flannel pajama shirt and push it off his shoulders, refusing to break the kiss while he slides the straps of my nightgown down my arms until the silky fabric falls to the floor. "What do you want?" he asks before we go any further. I look towards the shower and bite the inside of my cheek as I think over our options. It had been fourteen years and I would be lying if I said I wanted my first time in that many years to be in a shower.