Lucas crushed my lips underneath his, his cinnamon rich breath an aphrodisiac to my senses. He owned me with his mouth and he saved me with the sweet nothings he told me and as I let go, I knew I would never be the same again.
Gently lowering us to the tiled floor, he cradled me into his arms and whispered into my ear, the warmth in his deep voice urging my eyes open.
“You’re my fucking saving grace. You always have been. And I know how strong you are. The strength you exude comes through by how you raise our girls. How you keep your father’s business thriving each and every day and how you give me so much hope, even though you should be running in the other direction.”
I blinked into the intensity of his eyes and shook my head gently.
“Never again, Lucas.”
His eyes exploded with love as he nodded and gently took my face in his hands, pressing his forehead to mine so that only a breath of space separated us. My heartbeat matched his underneath my fingers and I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be, in his arms.
“Together?” he whispered, tightening his grasp on me as I gasped.
I nodded, knowing that what came next for us may be the hardest thing we ever had to do, but ready to fight for him, no matter the cost.
“Together.”
I grasped my girl’s hand gently as I pulled my truck out of her lot, every nerve inside of me on fire from the choice we had made only moments before.
I was going to risk it.
I was going to have the surgery.
For her.
“It’s going to be okay, honey,” she said, her sweet, unwavering voice falling over me and bringing me calm.
She had a way about her that calmed my soul no matter what I had bearing down on me and I prayed that calm would carry me through.
“With you by my side, I almost believe that.”
As she graced me with her brilliantly beautiful smile, I leaned over the console and pressed my mouth to hers. She gasped and I took a long pull of her intoxicating scent, memorizing the taste of her for later.
“Lucas,” she breathed.
“Yes, Sweetheart?”
A giggle left her as she tilted her head to the side and covered her mouth so I wouldn’t kiss her again.
Damn stubborn woman.
“It’s a green light.”
Shit! I grinned at her and begrudgingly moved my attention to the road ahead of us. We were stopping at her café first, then heading to my father’s house.
I had to say my goodbyes.
My stomach sank at the thought of this truly being goodbye.
I pulled into an open spot directly in front of The Joyous Cup, a café and bakery that had been in my girl’s family for generations. I knew Kaelyn loved this place and because of that, I loved it too.
Squeezing her hand gently, I looked down at her, those honey brown eyes captivating me instantly.
“Let me get your door, Sweetheart.”
I moved around the front of the truck and took her hand, helping her from the door and placed an arm over her shoulder before we ventured up the steps. I heard what sounded like a child running from inside and knew it must have been my baby girl, Lily. She had her mother’s tenacity for life, excitement for simple things, and all the sass the Morgan women carried with them, too.
Opening the door, I caught Lily as she ran to me, her eyes filled with warmth and love.
I hoped to God I always had that love to come home to.
Kaelyn stepped from my side and I went down to Lily’s height, taking her hands in mine.
“Let’s go sit down, Lily bear.”
Her eyes widened and as she nodded I knew my smart daughter knew something was wrong.
I didn’t want to tell our girls this, but I had to. If there was another way, I would have found it by now.
Kaelyn’s warm hands squeezed my shoulders from behind as I sat with Lily and Avery on the love seat in the back of the lobby, my entire body filled with worry and hatred of this news.
I had to tell them the truth, even if I hated it.
“I have to tell you something and I know it’s gonna be hard, but I need you to be strong for me, Lily. Can you do that?”
She nodded and Avery looked up at me with wide eyes, fear potent in her gaze.
I pulled her into my arms and wrapped a protective arm around her tiny waist and I bit the bullet.
“I’m sick. There is something in my brain that’s hurting me and the doctors don’t know if they can help me, but they’re going to try.”
Lily blinked, once, twice, three times and then her eyes filled with tears.
My heart broke in two.
“Come here, baby.”
Sniffling, she crawled into my lap and clung to my neck, her sobs sounding in my ear and what felt like her fist squeezing my heart with her pain.
I’m so sorry, baby. I never wanted to cause you hurt.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay, Lily. The doctors are gonna fix me up.”
She pulled her face away from me and then her reddened eyes met mine. I gently wiped her tears away, wishing with everything I had that I could take them away somehow.
“You’re gonna come back, right? They can fix your head, right?”
There was such hope in her eyes that I couldn’t tell her that I didn’t know.
“As soon as they fix me up, I swear to you.”
Lifting her pinky, she smiled a big, toothy grin at me and it banished the cold in my heart, letting her warmth in to soothe me.
“Pinky promise?”
I nodded, kissed Avery’s head and gave her the same promise.
“I promise, both of you.”
I felt the light of Kaelyn’s eyes on me and lifting my head, I saw her smiling at me.
It was all I needed in that moment.
“I love you,” she whispered in my ear and it gave me the strength I needed to get through this.
Pressing my mouth to hers gently, I whispered it back to her.
“Moon, baby.”
I watched as Lucas stepped inside his father’s home and closed the door, knowing he needed this time with them to say goodbye. They had carried him through this fight and I knew I owed them so much for the support they continued to give him. Elsa, may not have been his mother in every sense of the word but she loved him as if he was her own.
We were all so lucky to have her in our lives.
I looked down at the ring that lay on my left hand and lifted it to my heart as I said a prayer.
Just let him live.
Please don’t take him away from us.
Please . . .
My eyes opened at the gentle tap against my window and I saw Garrett standing there, his kind eyes on me. Smiling, I stepped from the truck and went into his arms.
“Thank you,” he whispered, and over his shoulder I saw Lucas and Elsa coming towards us.
I nodded against him, knowing he was grateful for the love I gave his son and continued to. Pulling back from our embrace, I smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, honey I’m so happy to see you two together, as it should be. Come on over here.”
I smiled at Elsa’s sweet as honey voice and went to her, hugging her fiercely and closing my eyes for just a moment.
“I’m so scared, Elsa.”
I felt her squeeze me tighter to her and her kindness gave me the strength I would need today.
“He’s going to need you, Kaelyn.”
I pulled back from her and kissed her cheek, then felt a strong pair of arms slide around me from behind.
“I’ll be there.”
“Ready?” Lucas’deep voice sounded in my ear and looking up at him, I nodded.
As he opened his door for me, I pressed a kiss to his chin, telling him without words what I felt in my heart.
“Ready,” I breathed.
I held his hand tightly in mine as we entered MD Ande
rson Cancer Center and turned toward the spacious waiting room on the right of the building. Rows and rows of red chairs sat lining the windows and the center of the room, along each wall and corner. My stomach sank when I saw just how many people sat in the waiting room, awaiting a doctor. I looked up at Lucas as he spoke to the white haired and kind eyed nurse at the desk, his back to me as he spoke.
How long would we wait to see someone?
What if he changed his mind before we had the chance to see the doctor?
“You okay, Sweetheart? Let’s wait by the elevators, the nurse told me my doctor was on his way up now.”
I calmed as his voice came over me and I nodded as he took my hand in his.
His arms locked around me from behind as he embedded his words into the skin of my neck while we waited, and though I had hushed some of his worries this morning, I knew they still lay underneath the surface.
“I’m so terrified of this, Kel. If I lost you again . . .”
Turning at the potent fear I heard in his voice, I shook my head vehemently.
“Not gonna happen, honey.”
He sighed, nodding, and his deep olive eyes captivated me again.
“I don’t deserve this chance, but I swear to you I will cherish it. I will make this chance you’re giving me last forever.”
I knew a lifetime would never be enough by his side. Taking his hand in mine and pressing my mouth to his knuckles, I whispered, “Forever.”
The doors to the elevator opened and three doctors stepped out, all dressed in tight white coats.
I smiled at the one that had warm, kind eyes and I knew this must be the doctor Lucas had told me about.
Dr. Rhodes.
“Dr. Rhodes, it’s good to see you again.”
My eyes scanned over Lucas’ face, seeing the mask fall over his features as he hid his emotions from the outside world. I could see his pain, though, because I knew him. I knew his heart.
“Lucas, I am so glad you are here. Are you ready for your surgery?”
Lucas looked down at me and I curled my arms around him, needing to give him strength in his time of need. It was the only way I knew how to help him through what came next for us.
He nodded, his eyes, so filled with fear and love, never leaving mine.
“Come this way, Mr. Jones. We have a room set up for you to get changed.”
Nodding, Lucas wrapped his arm around the small of my back as we followed the doctors.
We stepped into an exam room and the doctor shook my hand. Lucas saw the exchange and tightened his arm around me in possession.
“Doctor, this is my-”
Stepping forward, I smiled and though it is forced, I hoped he didn’t notice.
“I’m Kaelyn.”
The doctor nodded, his gaze seeming to clear with understanding as he realized who I was.
“I have heard so much about you, Ms. Morgan. It is great to meet you, finally.”
Lucas’ brow lowered and I saw the tension radiating off him in waves.
“I will give you two a few moments.”
As he stepped from the room, I was pulled back into the solace of Lucas’ arms and it calmed both of us upon contact. A low sigh left him as he clung to me, inhaling my scent as he held me there.
“Some things never change, huh?”
I teased and the grumbling laugh that left him warmed my heart.
God, I love that sound.
“I’ll always protect you, Sweetheart.”
I giggle against him, leaning back and taking his face in my hands to truly look at him.
“I know.”
I don’t know how long we stood there, just holding each other before the doctors came in with a gurney to take him into surgery, but I knew it wasn’t nearly long enough for me. I pressed my hands to his chest and he lowered his head to mine for just a moment longer.
“I love you,” I whispered, my heart twisting painfully with anguish as we said goodbye.
Please don’t take him away from me. Please . . .
He kissed me oh so gently as he whispered, “Moon, baby.”
As he stepped back, my heart splintered with fear for what came next for us.
No matter what it was, I knew I’d love him.
With everything that I am, I wouldn’t ever hide from it again.
I followed the doctors as they pushed him to the operating rooms and repeated my prayer as I held his hand tightly in mine, never wanting to let go.
“Kaelyn,” he murmured, tightening his grasp on me as we reached the doors. I moved closer to him just as a nurse placed her hand on my shoulder and told me I couldn’t go any further.
How can they stop me from going with him?
He’s my entire world.
“He’s my husband,” I lied and she nodded, letting go of me.
Maybe it was wrong of me to lie in my need to stay with him, but I didn’t care at the moment.
Lucas needed me.
“I’m here, honey.”
His green eyes held so much love for me and my knees weakened.
“I’m coming back to you, Sweetheart.”
Lowering my mouth to the top of his head, I believed his vow.
As he looked at me once more, I saw forever in his gaze. I knew it wouldn’t always be easy with this man, but it would be worth it. Every second, every fight, every kiss, every night in his arms. Our love always had been a love worth fighting for. I knew it always would be.
One year later
I stepped into the sunlight of the summer morning and took a deep, much needed breath. As I looked up into the blue, blue sky, I felt peace. Taking the two steaming mugs from the table just inside the door, I carried them to the porch swing where I found my girl sitting with her kindle reader set in her hands. Her bright, honey eyes lifted as I approached and her smile threatened to knock me clear off my feet. Fuck, would she always have that power over me?
As I set the coffee beside her, I knew deep in my soul that she would. I would cherish the effect she had on me every single day. Just as I did every morning, I leaned down and tipped her chin up, holding her eyes, so filled with affection and love and light it made me fall for her all over again. I swept my mouth gently over hers and tasted her morning breath, the sweet essence of her swallowed me whole.
“Good morning, Sweetheart.”
She bit her lip where I had just bruised it and a beautiful blush covered her cheeks.
“Good morning, honey.”
I dropped to my knees before her and the promise in my eyes had her reaching for me, her hands sliding around my neck and her eyes filled with warm affection yet again.
“I have something to tell you.”
This time when her teeth came down to her bottom lip, I knew it was because she was worried.
Taking her hands in mine, I told her the best news I had heard since the day the doctors back in Texas had told us I was tumor free. Since then, I had spent every day thanking my lucky stars and this woman, right here for saving me and for loving me through the hardest fight I had ever had the pleasure of facing. We had decided to move back home to Chicago a week later and had bought a ranch styled home a few towns away from the city. I was blissfully happy and when I went to my yearly checkup with Doctor Rhodes, I had gotten a clean bill of health. The cancer hadn’t come back. I was finally free to give her the forever I had promised her in an exam room more than a year ago.
I was a lucky man.
I had everything I would ever want, except for one thing.
I planned to rectify that, now.
“Tell me, honey. No matter what is it, I’ll-”
I cradled her face in my grasp as I hushed her, needing to tell her this.
“You loved me through it. I had my yearly checkup with the cancer center yesterday.”
“You bastard! Why didn’t you tell me? I could-”
Placing a kiss to her forehead in hopes of calming
her, I continued.
“I didn’t want to worry you. Sweetheart, I’m healthy.”
She gasped and as tears filled her gorgeous eyes, she catapulted herself into my arms.
On a low grunt, she fell on top of me.
“Y-you’re healthy,” she whispered, as if she still couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, Sweetheart. And now I just have one question to ask you.”
Popping her blonde head from where it lay on my chest, her honey eyes widened.
“What is it?”
Smiling at her, I curled my fingers into the smooth strands of her hair.
“There was a reason I was on my knees, Kaelyn.”
“Oh.”
She crawled off me and as I got back on my knees and opened the ring box I had hidden in the pocket of my sweatpants, I heard her audible gasp.
“L-Lucas . . .”
Warm tears fell onto our joined hands and I pressed my forehead to hers as I begged her to say yes.
I had everything I could have ever wanted in our beautiful life together, but I needed her to be my wife.
I couldn’t go another moment without asking her.
“Sweetheart, I’m a fool of a man. But I love you with everything I have. I always have. You loved me through my fight and you continue to blind me with your light each and every day. Will you do me the honor of being my wife, again?”
Her broken cry burst between us and she nodded her head furiously, her voice shaking as she tried to talk through her tears, ones I hoped to God were happy ones.
“I would love n-nothing more, honey. Now put that ring on my finger!”
I laughed, my heart squeezing in such happiness as I slid the diamond studded ring over her left hand ring finger and pressed my mouth to the band.
“Love you,” I murmured as I pulled her into my arms, my hold on her unwavering.
She whispered her love for me into my ear, the cool band of my ring against my neck.
“Forever?” she murmured, her mouth falling against mine as she shifted, our need for each other potent in the summer air.
“A lifetime will never be long enough with you, Kel.”
I lifted her nightdress just as her urgent fingers ripped at the band of my sweats, the moment I pushed into her channel stealing my breath, just as it always had.
Breaking Lucas (Trinity series Book 2) Page 21