I sit on the back patio and drink my coffee. As the sun begins to rise I start to get nervous. I know that Luke will be waking up sometime soon. He'll see the letter. After he reads it, he'll figure out that I'm here and come looking for me. I'm not scared that he doesn't want what I want. I'm not scared that he'll turn away from me. The simple fact that he's here speaks volumes about how he feels about me.
Why is he here?
It took ten years and Elliot's funeral to bring him home last time. What brought him home this time?
I hear shuffling behind me. I look over my shoulder and see Felicity in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. I look to the spot her coffee ended up last time she had a cup. I'm guessing it was morning sickness and not the coffee that caused her to puke.
"Welcome home," Felicity says in a sing-song voice. She sure is happy.
"Thanks. How are you feeling this morning," I ask, gesturing to the cup of hot java in her hand.
"I feel amazing. How are you? You look tired." Yes, I probably look like shit.
"I am. And I'm a little nervous. When did he get here? Why?"
"All I know is that he came for you. He was here waiting for you when Mrs. Evans and I came home from shopping. I didn't know what to tell him so I lied and said that you were on a business trip. I snuck into the bathroom and called James. He said he'd call you. I'm guessing you guys just missed each other." She takes a sip of her coffee and I mimic her. I'm going to need a refill in a minute.
"So, you finally got to meet the infamous Luke Evans. How was that?"
"I recognized him right away. You can tell he's an Evans boy. Not to mention he has the same look in his eye that Elliot did when he proposed. That boy is madly in love with you, Reagan."
I smile at my best friend. She hasn't been able to say Elliot's name without breaking out in tears until now. She's healing and it warms my heart. "I know. What's he think about being an Uncle?"
"He's excited. We talked a lot while we waited for James to show up last night and then we talked even more until the wee hours of the morning. Those boys are going to be asleep for hours still."
"James is here?"
"Yeah. He slept in the guest room. We should cook them breakfast. In a few hours, anyway."
I nod. That's a great idea. In a few hours. When the boys wake up. I take a sip of my coffee and watch as the sun finally breaks the horizon. Today is going to be an amazing day. I can't remember the last time I had that thought.
"Reagan." Luke's sleepy voice washes over me. I close my eyes and soak it in.
I guess we should start breakfast.
Luke,
I've been thinking about you a lot the last few months. I've been thinking about the last ten years. I've been miserable. The last happy memory I have is of that day in the woods. I've held onto that memory of us, the feelings and emotions that came along with it.
I've compared every man I've ever met to you. Every kiss. No one has measured up. No one's even come close.
I think there's a reason for that. I knew, deep down, that they weren't you and that was the only thing I wanted. You. It's the only thing I've ever wanted. Since before we kissed. For as long as I can remember.
Life is short, Luke. Much shorter than any of us can even imagine. I'm sick of wasting my life away looking for someone that isn't you. I'm tired of being disappointed. I want the real thing.
You told me to take as much time as I needed, but then you asked me not to make you wait ten years. I had to laugh. Then you said you wouldn't be able to survive another ten years without me. Well, I feel the same way. That's why you're reading this right now.
I wrote this letter to you in case you weren't home when I came by. I'm here. In Raleigh.
Always in my heart,
Reagan
LUKE IS STANDING behind me, my letter in one hand. I get out of my seat and walk to him, stopping only inches away from his naked chest. I admire the view for a few seconds and he lets me. I hear Felicity clear her throat, but I keep my attention trained on Luke's incredible torso.
"I'm going to let you two talk. I'll start breakfast." Felicity starts giggling the second she crosses the threshold into the house.
"You were in Raleigh."
"I was. You weren't home."
"I was home." I look up at him and am met with his devious grin. I know where he's headed with this.
"Really?"
"Yes. Really."
"How long are you home for?"
"As long as you'll have me."
"How does forever sound?"
"Perfect."
I close my eyes and let it all sink in. He's here. He's staying. He's mine. I've been waiting for this moment my entire life. A smile breaks across my face and I can't hide it. I open my eyes and look to the sky. Elliot would be proud of me, of us. We put our fears aside and are allowing ourselves to be happy. Together.
"Don't you think you should ask first before hopping in a girl’s bed?" I ask, looking back at Luke.
His devious grin is still firmly in place. I love this side of Luke. I could playfully banter back and forth with him all day. As long as he takes a break to kiss me every now and then. Like right now. I wouldn't object if he were to kiss me right now.
"Well, since she was out of town on a business trip I thought she wouldn't mind. It was kind of lonely, though. I was hoping that she might share her bed with me tonight."
"She'll think about it. There might be conditions you'll have to agree to."
His lip rises up on one side, his smile widening. "Conditions?"
"Yeah. For instance, you should probably kiss her. You should tell her you love her. You'll have to hold her tight while she sleeps. All of that after you show her how much you love her. Do you think you can agree to those conditions?"
"I think I can do that."
"That's good to know." I raise up on my tip toes so that we're face to face. "You could always get started right now with that kiss."
Luke grabs my ass and lifts me so that I can wrap my legs around his waist. "I could, but Felicity is cooking breakfast." He sets me down on the table, unwraps my legs and stands between them. "If I start kissing you now, Reagan, I'll never stop."
Breakfast is awkward. Felicity is talking about the baby. James is watching Luke like a hawk. I'm watching James watch Luke because I can't look at Luke without smiling like a school girl. Luke is holding my hand, staring at me, a sexy smirk plastered on his face. I wonder what he's thinking about. I'm sure I could guess but if I think about it then I'll be thinking about that too and won't be able to hold my conversation with Felicity. It's already been a challenge.
"Why don't you two get a room already?" James cuts Felicity off mid-sentence, his words causing me to blush.
"That's a good idea little brother. I think we will." Luke tugs on my hand, but I'm not moving. I can't let him take me to my bedroom, our bedroom, with people home.
He bends down and whispers in my ear. "I will carry you, Reagan."
That's not going to happen. He's given me no choice. I stand and follow Luke into the house. I look over my shoulder at my friends, my family, and they're both smiling at me. They know what's about to happen and they couldn't be happier for the two of us. Neither could I.