A Moment in Time (Adult Rucas AU)

Chapter Eleven

A/N: This chapter will kick you right in the feels!!!

When Riley woke up it was five in the morning and the sun was inching its way over the horizon, she slowly pried herself away from Lucas just so that she could go to the bathroom because she couldn't hold it in. The thought of going out for an early morning swim came to mind when she was brushing her teeth unable to go back to sleep. She didn't know if Lucas was going to be up early or not so she decided to take a chance since he had a pool and she was restless. After the day before her mind was wandering from moment to moment wondering if the world was going to come crashing down. It didn't but that didn't stop her from thinking it. Two months had passed since she arrived in the small Texas town and it feels as if her life has been trying to resurface.

Riley changed into her bathing suit and walked down to the first floor, Lucas's house was impressive. She had thought it the day before but with everything that had happened she never took the time to actually look around. As she made her way downstairs she looked at the muted tones, and the photographs that lined the walls. Pictures of Lucas growing up, or Liliana growing up, and even his parents in love. It was the home of someone who cared deeply for those that he cherished the most.

Stepping out on to the porch and looking at the soft pinks and purples in the sky as the sun rose over the horizon, Riley wondered if she could have a place in this world as well. A town that protected its own, or better yet a world where Lucas and Liliana were a part of her life permanently. She wanted to dream it but somehow the fear of being hurt came back, had she opened her heart up too soon, had she given herself enough time to move pass what had happened. Question after question plagued her mind in the early hours of the day, she jumped into the pool just to give herself something else to think about. Swimming back and forth without having to think about whether her life was going to get messed up all over again.

"Riley," Lucas said standing on the porch looking at her with a worried expression marring his face. "Why are you in the pool at six in the morning?"

"Couldn't sleep," she said sadly looking up at him.

Lucas stripped down to his boxer shorts and jumped into the pool without saying anything, he grabbed her and pulled her closer to him. "You're thinking too much aren't you?"

She didn't know how he had come to know her so well, but it was comforting. "Well when the last two months of my life have been a whirlwind of emotions I guess all I can do is think too much."

"Some of those emotions were from great things," he said, never once letting go of her. "Maybe this is happening so that the next part of your life is filled with nothing but happy memories."

"Well this part of my life has had a lot of happy memories too," she smiled as he stroked her back. "Thank you, for well everything you've done."

"Honestly I should thank you, if you hadn't come to town I wouldn't have gotten out of this rut I've been in, I would have been forced to marry Missy, my mother wouldn't have become the person she had once been, and I wouldn't have had the chance to be with you which is the best part of all of this."

"Even with all of the drama?"

"Riley, that is just one part of your life that's trying to smooth itself out, the wrinkles are deep and it takes time but maybe after all of this is finished you'll find yourself in a better place."

She could feel her heart warming at his words, Evan had never really talked to her like that and now she realized that maybe this is what she had needed for so long. Some to understand her heart. Pulling away from Lucas's embrace she looked up into his green eyes and saw love in them. This is where she needed to be, she thought to herself before she pulled him towards her. The water put them at eye level as they floated in the pool, and it was perfect. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed her lips to his, it was a silent thank you.