Living The Long Game || on hold ||

Chapter 5

*10 days later*

Riley's POV:

Lucas stayed in Texas after Amelie and I's visit, he couldn't bare to leave Pappy Joe, so he didn't leave his side the Wednesday after our trip when he peacefully passed away in his sleep. I feel awful that I wasn't with Lucas and that I haven't seen him in person until today but I couldn't take the time out of school, he understood though and he said it might be a good thing because he is in no frame of mind to be around people. I have never known him like this and it crushes my heart to see him like it.
Today is the funeral so Amelie, Maya, Josh, Mum, Dad, Farkle (who we haven't seen in ages because of where he is at school) and I are travelling to meet Lucas and Cletis in Texas.

We decided that it would be easiest to fly to Texas despite Josh's protests because of Maya's delicate condition as she has been told by her doctor she is perfectly healthy to fly, also can't miss much school so we miss less if we fly as it's so quick.

"Lucas? It's me, Riley." I knock on his bedroom door, slowly opening it. We just arrived and the funeral is in an hour. I open the door to see him sat in his suit on the corner of his unmade bed biting his nails as tears flood his face, his eyes are bloodshot and it looks as though he hasn't stopped crying or getting angry since it happened.
"Oh sweetheart." I gasp rushing over to him to comfort him which he accepts, hugging me tightly back and crying into my chest mumbling words and phrases, I can only make out one and that is "I love you Riley and it'd kill me if I hurt you please remember that." And I don't know what he means by that.
"I love you more Lucas, you could never hurt me." I tell him, trying to calm him down.
"I'm sorry you have to see me like this Riley." He sobs.
"Lucas I love you which means I love everything about you all the time, in your good times but more importantly in your bad ones too, no matter what. And I know you're hurting right now but we're gonna get through this together. Okay?"
"Okay."
"You know, someone wants to see her daddy before the funeral, she's just in the living room, come on." I say to him, figuring that Amelie will be able to cheer him up. I hold his hand and stand up, heading for the door.
"Wait, Riles." Lucas stops me.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. Also, you look stunning." He says pulling me into a tight hug before we go into the living room to find Amelie with my parents and Uncle and 'Aunt' with Farkle.
"Farkle! It's so good to see you! It's been forever!" I squeal rushing to give him a big hug.
"Hello Riley, I've missed you." He replies.
"I've missed you too." I say before noticing Amelie fussing over Lucas, hugging each other tightly and Amelie explaining to him how much she has missed him. It's so cute.
"How's he holding up?" Maya says as she approaches me.
"I've never seen him like this before and it breaks my heart to see him in so much pain, and I know something bad is gonna happen." I reply.
"Hey, you don't know that."
"Maya you didn't hear him though it was like he was telling me to prepare for him to do something major." My voice cracks as I speak.
"Riley, things will be okay, I promise, we're all here for you both. You're gonna get through this." She assures me.
"Thank you Maya. I love you." I hug her tightly.
"Thunder?" She says putting her hand up.
"Lightning." I put one of my hands in hers and the other on her large bump.
"He agrees." I say noticing his kicks and we both chuckle.
"Howdy everyone, i-it's time to go, the cars are here." A distraught looking Cletus announces, appearing in the room.
"Okay, thank you Cletus." I reply, giving him a hug before taking one of Lucas's hands, he uses his other one to hold Amelie who is cuddled into him, she's really missed him. Before we walk out to the cars Lucas let's go of my hand for just a moment to place a pair of large black sunglasses on his face, he then rejoins our hands and I squeeze his reassuringly.
"You know you are allowed to show your emotions darling, you don't need to wear them." I tell him.
"I know but I want to."
"Okay, now let's go." I lead him to the car and pecking his lips before we place Amelie in and climb in ourselves.

The service is beautiful, but short, Pappy Joe requested it didn't drag on as he said 'things happen and you just have to move on' in his funeral requests. Cletus makes a touching eulogy, as does Lucas who has me stand up there with him to help if he needs it but he doesn't and speaks wonderfully, making his grandfather proud. Amelie slept through the whole service but has now awoken as we drive to the wake.
"Mama, why we see Uncle Clet but no Pappy?" Amelie says out of nowhere. I look over at Lucas who looks very sad, tired and unwilling to answer.
"Because sweetie, Pappy Joe has gone on vacation without telling anyone and he has gone for a really long time." I tell her.
"Where?"
"He doesn't want to tell us but he said he is very happy and it is very nice."
"Okay. Daddy is that why you are sad? You miss Pappy?" Amelie asks.
"Yeah darling, it is, and I miss him a lot. But don't worry, I'm okay. I love you." He explains to her and she gives him a big hug.
"I love you daddy." She replies happily, and the for the first time in ages I see Lucas give a genuine smile.
"Mummy, is daddy coming home with us?" Amelie asks sweetly and with hope filled eyes.
"I don't know baby, why don't you ask him?" She turns her head to face Lucas.
"Dada?"
"Listen, baby girl, I have to stay here for a little while longer, okay? But I promise it won't be long and then I'll be home and I'll be happy again." He explains.
"Lucas, what do you mean?" I ask him.
"I'll talk to you about it later, okay?" He replies bluntly and focuses his attention on Amelie again.
"But Daddy I miss you when you are here!" She tells him.
"I miss you too, but you see, when you are a grown up you have to do things which mean you miss people, but it's for a good reason. So can you be a grown up girl for me?" He asks her lovingly.
"Yes! Mummy I'm a grown up!" She says proudly.
"Yeah you are!" I reply.

We arrive at the wake and I send Amelie off with my parents to allow me time to talk to Lucas, I drag him away into an empty room.
"What do you mean you're not coming home yet?" I say to him, my anger very clear in my voice.
"Riley, please just let me explain." He says defensively.
"Please do! I'd love to know what is more important than your daughter, fiancé and education!" I reply, annoyed.
"Riles, please calm down." He asks me softly, I do as he says.
"Listen, Riley, I love you and Amelie more than anything in the world, you know that. That's why I'm not going home with you straight away. It's hard to explain but I've got all this grief inside of me and it's not expressing as sadness or guilt or pain, it's expressing as anger and I never want you or Amelie to have to see that, I just need to stay here for a week or two, tie up any loose ends on Pappy Joe's behalf, you know? I love you Riley please understand why I am doing this." He explains, I know it's the truth because he is saying every word with meaning from the bottom of his heart. I wrap my arms around me tightly.
"Of course I understand Lucas. I'm sorry for overreacting. You could've told me this earlier though, you know that. I love you so, so much." I tell him, kissing him.
"Thank you for understanding. You're amazing."
"As are you." I tell him pecking his lips again and walking him back out to the rest of the guests.
He'll be okay. We're gonna be just fine...

Guys, please vote and comment and enjoy 💖