One Night ✔

31. Last Names

Lucas and I walk out of the bedroom hand in hand and head into the kitchen to find that the ringer of our doorbell actually wasn't one of my many family members but actually, Hayden, who was already working alongside Avery chopping potatoes to go with the meatloaf.

"Oh hi Hayden" I greet him, releasing Lucas' hand to go and join the kids at the counter. "I thought you were my parents."

"Nope. Better" he replies cheekily and I laugh while Avery's cheeks turn a soft pink. "How are things here? Avvy said the store was quite interesting" he adds nosily and usually I'd be offended but I knew Hayden was simply worried. Avery was his best friend and was quite quickly becoming more and the last thing he wanted was for her to face more heartbreak in the form of me and Lucas not being able to reconcile permanently.

"Things are fine" Lucas reassures them, taking a seat across from us. "Just a little hiccup we had to work out."

"Promise?" Avery asks, sticking out her pinky finger to her father. He laughs, holding his pinky out to link it with hers.

"I promise Av." Avery seems content after their pinky promise and the four of us get to work on dinner until we're popping it in the oven and the doorbell rings again.

I straighten up and stare at the door for a long moment before looking back at Lucas apprehensivly. "I got it" he announces, wiping off his hands and walking towards the door. He pulls it open and my parents waltz inside causing my stomach to twist like a pretzel.

"Topanga. Cory. Nice to see you again" Lucas greets them as they step over the threshold.

Neither respond, instead they walk further into the house and stop in the kitchen. "Hello honey" my mom greets me, pulling me in for a hug while my father goes directly to greet my daughter. "When are Auggie and Ava arriving?" she asks impatiently as we pull apart.

"Um" I respond, unsure of their ETA but luckily it's then that the doorbell rings again and Lucas opens the door to reveal my brother and his wife. A grin spreads across my lips as I run towards them, throwing my arms around my little brother. "I missed you" I gush, hugging him tight. He laughs, squeezing me back.

"I missed you too sis." We pull apart and I offer a quiet congratulations to Ava before giving her a short hug.

"Well, I think that's everyone except-." Lucas starts but it's then that the door flies open again and my best friend waltzes in unannounced with her boyfriend on her heels.

"Sorry we're late" she apologizes when she reaches me. "I couldn't find anything to wear" she whispers and I chuckle as I pull her in for a hug as well. Maybe tonight wouldn't be too bad with my brother, my best friend and the love of my life by my side.

~ 🌌 ~

Lucas' POV

Dinner isn't too bad. The food is delicious as per usual and the conversation seems to be flowing without any mention of my fourteen year absence but that doesn't mean I'm any less on edge. I can feel Cory's glare coming from the other side of the table every few minutes and it's making me wonder if all this small talk is just building up to an explosion.

"So, obviously me and Ava wanted all of you here to tell you our big news which is of course, the baby" Auggie begins and excited chatter builds up around us. Everyone already knew but I'm sure Auggie and Ava appreciated being able to get everyone together to celebrate. "But this dinner isn't all about us" he continues. "There's been a lot going on in our family lately with new babies, new relationships and even some old ones" he beams, raising a glass. "So, I want to make a toast to the Matthews and of course the Friars, Lucas and Avery."