“That’s not what I meant. Today was tough.” Lucas shifted so that he could see her better. “You handled it pretty well.”
“You think?” She laughed and shook her head. “It felt as if I was on the verge of murdering someone out of sheer frustration.”
“That’s understandable.” He nodded.
“He’s my whole life, you know. Everything I do, revolves around him.” Hayley smiled sadly.
“That’s the way it is supposed to be.” Lucas nodded.
“I know.” She whispered and looked at him.
“You want to hear something funny?” Lucas asked.
“Sure.” Hayley nodded and pulled her feet up onto the couch.
“Well, when you were getting him some juice at the hospital, we had a little man to man discussion.” Lucas grinned.
“Oh god, why does that not surprise me?” Hayley groaned. “Please don’t tell me he still wants you to help make a baby.”
“Well, he didn’t say it like that…” Lucas laughed.
“What did he say?” Hayley asked.
“Well, he told me that he wanted to make sure that I was father material, so he tested me.” Lucas said and Hayley frowned at him. “He wanted me to come to him, be there when he needed me and I was.”
“He said that?” She asked, slightly shocked.
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Oh my god! I can’t believe him!” She frowned and crossed her arms.
“Don’t be mad at him. He means well.” Lucas smiled slightly.
“He is clever.” Hayley sighed. “Sly, but clever.” Lucas let out a laugh and Hayley looked at him, with a raised eyebrow. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s sweet.” Lucas winked at her.
“I’ll tell you what’s sweet.” She looked at him and he tilted his head at her. She leaned forward and kissed Lucas softly on the mouth.
“That’s definitely sweet.” He murmured and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her again.
Chapter 7 – Road Trip
Lucas glanced over at Hayley sitting next to him in his car the next morning as they were halfway between Dunedin and Jacksonville. She had her black sunglasses on and her window was open, blowing her blonde hair off her face. He smiled slightly and looked in the rear view mirror at Owain. His head was down and he was concentrating very hard on something.
“What are you up to, buddy?” Lucas asked.
“You keep your eyes on the road, Luke.” Owain’s head came up and he gave Lucas a very serious frown. “I am working on something.”
“Okay.” Lucas nodded and let out a chuckle. He looked over at Hayley and smiled slightly.
“What?” She looked at him.
“I’m glad you decided to come.” He said softly.
“Me too.” She sighed. “I’m just a bit nervous.”
“Nervous? Why?” He frowned.
“I’m meeting your parents.” She frowned. “For the first time.”
“And?” Lucas looked at her, slightly amused.
“They don’t know anything about me, or Owain.” Hayley said.
Lucas gave her a crooked smile and shook his head.
“Did you even tell them that we’re coming?” She asked.
“Of course I did.” Lucas laughed. “Usually I don’t phone before I visit them.”
“And?” She frowned.
“And what?” He asked.
“Didn’t they ask who we are?” Hayley frowned.
“Of course they did. I got bombarded with questions.” Lucas nodded.
“And what did you tell them?” She frowned.
“The truth.” He looked at her with a smile.
“You should always tell the truth, Luke.” Owain said behind them and Lucas grinned.
“I agree, buddy.” Lucas nodded.
“What exactly did you tell them?” Hayley looked at Lucas.
“That I was coming for the weekend, and I’m bringing two important people along.” Lucas looked at her.
“And?” Hayley crossed her arms.
“And what, Hayley?” He frowned.
“Nothing.” Hayley frowned and looked out of her window.
“What do you want me to say, Hayley?” Lucas frowned. “That even though my parents know nothing about you, they already like you because I sounded happier than I had been in a long time?”
Hayley looked over at Lucas with a frown. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Lucas nodded.
Hayley’s expression softened and she smiled slightly. “Well, that’s good to know.”
“You have nothing to be nervous about, okay?” Lucas smiled at her.
“Okay.” She nodded and studied his expression for a few seconds.
“Mom.” Owain said behind them and she turned to look at him.
“Yes, baby?” She asked.
“Here.” He held out a sheet of paper towards her. “This is for Luke.”
“Okay.” Hayley nodded with a smile and took the paper from him.
She looked at the picture he had drawn and smiled.
“I drew you a picture, Luke.” Owain said and Hayley showed Lucas the picture.
Owain drew a picture of himself, in his hospital bed with his cast, and Lucas next to him.
“This is the best picture I have ever seen!” Lucas exclaimed. “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s not in this one.” Owain stated and leaned forward, looking at Hayley. “No offence, Mom.”
“None taken.” Hayley chuckled.
“Besides, this picture is for Luke. He can stick it on his fridge.” Owain said.
“I will definitely do that, buddy.” Lucas nodded.
“Owain, why don’t you keep it until we get home?” Hayley suggested and handed him the paper.
“Good idea. Luke might lose it.” Owain nodded.
“Why would I lose it?” Lucas asked.
“Because you seem like you’re far away when you look at my mom.” Owain said.
Hayley raised an eyebrow at Lucas and she could see a slight pinkness in Lucas’ cheeks. She chuckled and looked over at Owain. “You think so?”
“Yes, absolutely.” Owain nodded. “Anyone can see it, Mom. It is quite obvious.”
Hayley suppressed a laugh and nodded diplomatically. “Thank you for telling me, baby.”
“You’re welcome, Mom.” Owain smiled.
Hayley sat back in her seat and looked over at Lucas.
“He’s right, you know.” Lucas said softly.
“I know.” She smiled at him.
“Are we there yet?” Owain whined about two hours later.
Hayley frowned and ran her fingers through her hair.
“Almost buddy. Just a few more minutes.” Lucas said calmly and stopped at a red light.
Hayley looked at Owain over her shoulder and she could see he was irate and bored. Even though it was only a three hour drive, Owain was never the type of child that could be comfortable in the confines of a car for that long. Maybe that was why they never went anywhere on vacation. She could not imagine not having Lucas with her, she would have literally gone insane. Owain had been asking for the thirtieth time if they were there yet, and every single time their answer was exactly the same. His gaze met her stare and he frowned at her. In that instant, Hayley’s heart stopped for a second, as he looked exactly like his father. He had the same shape eyes, the same stare, even his eyebrows resembled his father’s exactly. Hayley gasped suddenly and Lucas looked at her with a frown. She sat back quickly in her seat and looked in front of her.
“Is everything okay?” Lucas asked.
She nodded and looked at him. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay.” Lucas nodded.
About ten minutes later, Lucas drove up a sandy brown driveway and switched the car off. Hayley looked over at him and took a deep breath.
“You just breathe.” Lucas chuckled at her.
“Thanks for the support.” She raised a sarcastic eyebrow at him.
&
nbsp; “You’re welcome.” He gave her a toothy grin and opened the door.
Hayley slowly climbed out and looked at the house. It was a beautiful double story face brick house with large windows and a large back yard. It looked warm and inviting, as a parents’ house should feel.
“Hey.” Lucas said next to her and she looked over at him. “Come on.”
They walked to the back of the car and he opened the trunk, grabbing the luggage from it. Hayley was helping Owain out of the car, when she heard the front door open. She took another deep breath as she closed the door after Owain got out.
“Stay close, Owain.” She said.
“Okay Mom.” Owain nodded and walked to help Lucas with the bags.
Hayley looked up and saw Lucas’ mother and father, excitedly walking down the footpath. His father was a tall man with broad shoulders and grey hair. He looked firm and strict, but had a friendly face. His mother was smiling happily, her blonde hair and small frame made her look like a child next to her husband, but Hayley could sense a lot of strength in her.
“Lucas, my baby!” His mother exclaimed and held her arms out to him.
He rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself as he hugged his mother. “Hey Mom. It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s always nice to see you, Luke.” His father nodded and also hugged him.
Lucas pulled out of their embrace and walked over to Hayley and Owain, his parents following him.
“Mom and Dad, this is Hayley. Hayley, these are my parents.” Lucas introduced them.
“Afternoon Missus Donovan, Mister Donovan.” Hayley smiled politely.
His mother and father exchanged amused glances and his mother shook her head. “Please, call me Heather.” She held her arms out to Hayley and pulled her in for a tight hug. “It’s so nice to meet you, Hayley.”
“Likewise.” Hayley pulled back and smiled at Heather.
“Patrick.” Lucas’ father smiled and pulled her in for a hug as well. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you so much.” Hayley nodded as Patrick loosened his grip on her and took a step back. She placed her hand on Owain’s head and looked at them. “This is my son, Owain.”
“Hello.” Owain said simply and looked up at Patrick and Heather.
Heather and Patrick smiled down at the little boy. “Nice to meet you Owain.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Owain nodded.
“Let me help you with those bags, Luke.” Patrick offered and Lucas nodded at him.
“Why don’t you two come inside with me, then I can show you where you’ll be sleeping.” Heather smiled at Hayley.
“Sure.” Hayley nodded.
“Do I get my own room?” Owain asked excitedly.
“Of course, dear.” Heather smiled at him. “What a beautiful child you have, Hayley.”
“Thank you.” Hayley smiled at her as they walked towards the house.
Lucas smiled as he watched Hayley and Owain walk towards the house with his mother and looked at his father. His father was grinning and Lucas let out a sigh. “What?”
“Nothing.” Patrick shook his head. “I didn’t say a thing.”
“I know what you’re thinking, Dad.” Lucas rolled his eyes as he lifted two suitcases out of the trunk and placed it next to him.
“But this time I don’t think that I am wrong, Luke.” Patrick chuckled, picking up the suitcases.
Lucas grabbed hold of Owain’s backpack and slammed the trunk shut. He smiled slightly and followed his father down the footpath leading to the house.
“Mom, please stop it.” Lucas rolled his eyes.
Hayley looked over at Lucas and laughed as he tried to hide his burning cheeks.
“You’re embarrassing me.” Lucas cleared his throat.
“Nonsense.” Heather frowned at him. “We all have funny childhood stories.”
“Yes, but you don’t see me telling yours to everyone.” Lucas frowned.
“Don’t you dare!” Heather raised an eyebrow and laughed.
The four adults were sitting in the lounge area after lunch and Owain was on the carpet, quietly playing with his action figures. Hayley looked over at Owain and rested her chin on her hand. Even though he was in a strange town and a strange house with people he didn’t know, he seemed quite at ease. She thought back to the first day of kindergarten and frowned to herself. What a nightmare! Owain had made such a scene and refused to stay in class. He screamed until he was red in the face and didn’t want to talk to Hayley for a whole week. He was not a difficult child, but he had developed some trust issues ever since he asked about his father for the first time. He was four at the time and out of the blue he looked at Hayley and asked “No Daddy?” She could remember tossing and turning the whole night, trying to figure out what she was going to say to him. All of a sudden, as if he knew he was being watched, Owain raised his head and looked at her, a slight trace of a smile on his lips. She remembered that smile, soft and warm, but also wicked and cold. She could feel goose-bumps all over her body and shivered slightly.
“Hey…” Lucas nudged her with his elbow and she looked at him. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I was…” She stuttered.
“Why the goose-bumps?” He frowned and ran his fingers across her arm.
“I was just thinking about something.” She smiled at him. “I’m fine.”
“You’re sure?” He asked.
“Positive.” She nodded.
“Hayley…” Patrick’s gruff voice made her jump and she looked over at him.
“Yes, Patrick?” She composed herself and smiled at him.
“How long have you known Lucas?” Patrick asked.
“Why, is there something that I should know?” Hayley asked and Patrick and Heather chuckled.
“Oh, Lucas, she is lovely.” Heather giggled.
“Much better than the previous one.” Patrick nodded and Lucas looked at his father with raised eyebrows.
“The previous one.” Hayley grinned amusingly at Patrick and Patrick winked at her.
“We met about three weeks ago.” Lucas rolled his eyes and looked at Hayley. “She drove into me.”
“I did not.” Hayley frowned and looked at Lucas. “You weren’t even supposed to park where you did.”
“Oh my goodness.” Heather laughed.
“Yes, but that’s not the point. You drove into me.” Lucas winked at her.
Hayley narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head. She looked at Heather and Patrick and sighed. “I am a really good driver, usually.”
“Of course.” Heather held her hands up in the air and Lucas laughed.
“If you don’t mind me saying so, Hayley…” Patrick cleared his throat and Hayley looked at him with a smile. “…your son looks an awful lot like my brother when he was younger.”
“He does?” Hayley frowned and looked over at Owain, who was still entertaining himself with his toys on the carpet.
“He does actually.” Lucas frowned and looked over at Owain.
“Where is his father, dear?” Heather asked.
“Mom…” Lucas warned.
Hayley put her hand on Lucas’ knee and shook her head. “It’s okay.”
“You don’t have to talk about it.” Lucas whispered.
“It’s fine.” Hayley smiled at him and turned back to Heather and Patrick. “He died a few months before Owain was born.”
Patrick and Heather’s shoulders slumped simultaneously and their faces were sad.
“I am so sorry.” Heather placed her hand on her chest.
“It’s okay. It was a long time ago.” Hayley smiled at them.
There was an awkward silence and Hayley looked at Lucas.
“Lucas told me about your son, I’m so sorry…” Hayley frowned.
“I only have one son.” Patrick muttered.
Heather scowled at her husband and rolled her eyes. “Thank you, dear.” She smiled at Hayley. “You have a wonderful son, Hayley. How old is he?”
“He will be six in a couple weeks.” Hayley said with a smile.
“He is so small.” Patrick frowned and stood up, slowly walking out of the room.
“Don’t mind him, dear. He gets tired quickly.” Heather smiled apologetically.
“There’s nothing wrong with being small.” Lucas rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Of course not, you were small as a child.” Heather winked at Lucas. “But look at you now, you’re more handsome than all the other Donovan boys combined.”
Lucas chuckled and shook his head. “Thanks Mom.”
Heather smiled at him and looked over at Owain. “He does not have your features, except the way he smiles.”
“So I’ve heard.” Hayley nodded and looked at over at where Owain was sitting a few minutes before, but he wasn’t there. She frowned and stood up slowly.
“What is it?” Lucas frowned and stood up as well.
“Just checking up on Owain.” Hayley touched his shoulder.
She walked to the large window overlooking the backyard and crossed her arms. Owain was sitting on a lawn chair next to Patrick, chatting about something.
Lucas walked over to her and stood beside her. “I wonder what those two are talking about.”
“Probably how boring the conversation is.” Heather said next to them suddenly and they looked over at Heather. Heather looked at her watch and sighed. “Time for your father’s nap.”
Hayley turned back to the window and watched as Heather walked over to where Patrick and Owain were sitting. “Your dad is a stubborn man.”
“That’s an understatement. He’s very set in his ways.” Lucas nodded. “Especially when it comes to Ric. Mom says it happens when you get old.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Hayley winked at him.
The two of them watched as Owain looked over at Lucas and waved him to come outside.
“You feel like playing?” Lucas smirked at her.
“Sure.” She smiled at him and they walked outside together.
“Luke!” Owain called over to him.
“Hey buddy!” Lucas walked over to him and knelt down on the grass.
“You want to play with me?” Owain asked.
“Sure. What are we playing?” Lucas grinned at him.
“Do you even have to ask? Owain crossed his arms and Lucas laughed aloud.
An hour later, Hayley adjusted her sunglasses and leaned forward. She had been lying on the sun-lounger in the Donovan’s backyard while Owain and Lucas where playing outside. She glanced over at them and chuckled to herself. Owain was hiding out in a wooden fort in the corner of the yard, and Lucas was hiding in a nearby bush. Both of them were wearing soldier helmets and they were filthy dirty, covered in mud. Owain peeked over the edge of the fort, looking for Lucas, but could not see him. He raised his toy rifle towards his face and narrowed his eyes. Hayley smiled to herself and looked over at Lucas. He was hunched over, also holding his own toy rifle and was adjusting his helmet, which was of course way too small for him. All of a sudden, Owain spotted him, burst through the fort door and ran full speed towards Lucas.
Never Say Never Page 11