Sunshine After The Rain

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"That boy's been staring at you ever since you got here," Laura told her as they pulled all the sides out of the oven and slid in the last of them. 

It was strange hearing Lucas being called a 'boy', when he was a far cry from something so little. But Laura wasn't wrong about the rest. Sophie had felt his eyes on her for the last two hours after he'd been kicked out of the kitchen for trying to take over every dish. He wasn't just trying to keep a friendly, watchful eye on her. His looks meant only one thing and was doing ridiculous things to her mind and stomach, along with other parts of her.

There was not a single doubt in Sophie's mind that her heart would forever belong to the beautiful man whose eyes refused to stray from her. No matter the miles that separated them and no matter the time it took, her soul felt entwined with his. As sure as the Earth was round, Sophie believed that with all her heart. 

"He loves you, you know," Laura added in when Sophie remained quiet. 

Her eyes looked up and found his own staring back at her with that gentle gaze. "I know, but love isn't enough for us right now."

Laura didn't appear taken aback by the comment. Instead, she went on removing the tin foil and tossing it in the garbage. "I suppose you're right about that. But trust me when I tell you he is working on it. Joel spoke to his mother a few days ago, and she told him that Lucas has never gone to grief group until the last few months as far as she knows. Add that to the fact that he's never accepted a Thanksgiving invitation from us in all the years I've known him. He's trying to become the man he wants to be, Sophie, and you're the reason for it. 

"But he knows you're a package deal. Once he's ready to be a father again, the rest will fall into place."

Lucas had probably been an incredible father to his daughter. He had so much love in his heart to give, and the patience of a saint. Every time the children spent the weekend with him, they came back to tell her all about their newest adventure. 

Both Ella and Justin knew of the move, and had come to accept it, but she knew leaving Lucas would be the hardest for them, as well as the two grandparents they'd become undeniably close to this last year. 

Sophie wasn't about to deny it would be as hard on herself as it would be on them. Despite being in a silent war with her in-laws for the last decade, never feeling quite good enough for Jason or them, she'd felt so loved and respected by the two over the last several months. Leaving after getting an alliance in some ways felt like a step backward, and leaving Lucas felt ten times worse than that. 

But the two needed to separate their lives in order to heal themselves. Sophie fully believed that, and didn't want to hop from living her life for one man, and then another. She needed to live her life for herself and for her children first. 

"So, you and Joel would be okay if we ended up together? I know Lucas isn't your son, but-"

"No, he isn't," Laura agreed. "Truth is, I barely knew that boy most of his life. As a stepmother, I'm meant to embrace him as my own and show him love, but I never did that, and honestly never tried. This year has brought on so many changes to my life. It's taken away a son, given me a chance of embracing another, and given me a beautiful, head-strong daughter. You deserve nothing but happiness, Sophie. Both Joel and myself feel like Lucas can love those children like they are his own. This is a second chance at love for both of you, and I think when the time is right, you'll both embrace it and get the happily ever after you deserve. 

"Now, bring the side dishes out to the table before the kids and men start getting moody."

A smile played at Sophie's lips as she picked up two bowls and walked out of the room, glancing up as she reached the archway to see Lucas standing there with hands stretched out to take the dishes. Sophie handed the bowls to him freely, knowing that when his fingertips grazed her own, it was purposeful. 

Just as it always did, a flutter hit her stomach and caused Sophie to feel light-headed. Her eyes connected with his and for a moment, she saw that happily ever after silently promised to her.