Beautifully Unfinished

by Beverley Hollowed

  He had barely left her side since it happened. Not even when the nurses told him he should go home. He left that morning only because Lucy asked him to do her a favour.

  “Did Alison and David get off okay?” Lucy asked, as she turned back to her bed and began to pack away her belongings in her overnight bag. Lucy was glad that Tucker agreed to see them off for her. Lucy was going to miss her friend.

  Alison had insisted staying on until she knew Lucy was going to be okay, but Lucy knew part of the reason Alison wanted to stay was that she was feeling guilty. April was murdered, and she ended up needing surgery. Lucy knew Alison felt responsible for what happened, even though no one else saw it that way.

  “They left about an hour ago,” Tucker said, as he helped Lucy gather her belongings, then added with a laugh. “Though I didn’t think David was going to get Alison into the car. She suggested that she should drop by here again before she left, and there was also a suggestion that maybe she should stay a few more days.”

  “She thinks she should be here because she feels guilty,” Lucy sighed. “Which of course is beyond stupid. None of this is her fault…”

  “And none of it is your fault, either,” Tucker said as he placed his hand on her shoulder. “You know that, right?”

  “Yeah…” Lucy shrugged and continued to fold her clothes.

  “Lucy,” Tucker said as he turned her to him. He looked down into her eyes and smiled. “None of this was your fault. Not what happened nine years ago, not what happened to Alison. Not even what happened to April.”

  “And what about what happened to Riley?” She said, as she dropped her eyes from him. “He was hurt because he was trying to help me and I won’t even give him the time of day.”

  “But that still doesn’t make it your fault either,” Tucker reassured her. “And I don’t think that Riley blames you.”

  “When I was in that bathroom,” Lucy said, as she finally looked up at Tucker. “I really thought Trent was going to kill me. Then Riley came in. He was so calm; it made me feel calm. But then he got hurt and I can’t help but feel responsible.”

  “That’s because you have a good heart, Lucy,” Tucker replied, and kissed her on the forehead. “But it really isn’t your fault.”

  “I think…” Lucy said, unsure of how Tucker would react to what she was about to say. “I think I need to go see him.”

  “I think you do, too,” Tucker replied, surprising her. “You go see him; I will finish up here. Then we can stop by your father’s room before I take you home.”

  Lucy leaned up and kissed Tucker on the cheek.

  “I love you, Tucker Flynn,” Lucy whispered in his ear.

  “I know you do,” he replied with a grin. “Now hurry up. I want to take you home.”

  Lucy walked to the door and gave him one last smile before she took a deep breath and walked out of the room.

  As she made her way along the corridor, she had no idea what she was going to say to Riley. Her feelings for him were so muddled inside her.

  Part of her would always love the boy that once stole her heart, and part of her would also hate him for his part in what had happened to her that night.

  Still, she needed to see him and make sure for herself that he was okay. She would be forever grateful for what he did for her with Trent, and she needed to tell him that.

  When she reached his room, Lucy paused outside before she took a deep breath and knocked on his door, which was already open.

  “Can I come in?” She asked nervously, as she stepped through the open door.

  “Lucy,” he said with a broad smile, as he pushed himself up in the bed, and tried to hide the pain as he did. “How are you?”

  “I’m doing okay,” she said, as she slowly stepped further into the room. “I am going home today.”

  “That’s great news,” Riley replied. “I am happy that you’re okay. I hope to get out of here soon, too.”

  “That would be great,” Lucy said, as she sat down on the chair next to Riley’s bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Oh you know,” Riley shrugged. “Sore, but feeling lucky to be alive.”

  “You’ve heard about April?” Lucy asked, as a stab of grief hit her, but she pushed it back down inside.

  “I did,” Riley nodded. “I was really sorry to hear it. She was a nice girl. She didn’t deserve what Trent did…none of you did.”

  “It’s all in the past,” Lucy said, suddenly unable to look at Riley anymore. “It’s over now. Time for us all to move on.”

  “I hope you can,” Riley replied. “I hope you’re happy.”

  “I am,” Lucy replied, as she stood up. “I should be going. I am glad you’re feeling better and thank you. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t have come in when you did. I think you saved my life. I will be forever grateful for that.”

  Lucy turned and walked towards the door.

  “Lucy,” Riley called out, and stopped her in her tracks. She turned back and looked at him. “I am sorry for what happened…you know that night. And not just for what he did, but for how I behaved too. I wish more than anything I could go back and change how I treated you…”

  “Why did you hate me so much?” Lucy asked, as she suddenly needed to know the truth. It was the one thing that hurt her the most.

  “I never hated you,” Riley replied, clearly surprised by her question. “I loved you more than anything else in the world.”

  “You couldn’t even look at me,” Lucy said, as she recalled how he had refused to look at her the night of the attack. “That night at the hospital, you never said one word to me.”

  “Because it was my fault you were attacked,” Riley replied. “I knew you didn’t want to go to the party that night. You hated those parties, but you came to make me happy. You did everything to make me happy.”

  “I loved you,” Lucy said, as she moved back towards the bed.

  “That night I got so caught up with the buzz of winning the championship. I completely forgot that I left you sitting alone.” Riley continued, nervously. “When I finally went to find you, I saw you with Tucker. I was hurt and angry, so I just walked away.”

  “And you think because you walked away, it’s your fault what Trent did to me?” Lucy asked him.

  “Isn’t it?” He replied. “If I had taken care of you like I was supposed to, it never would have happened.”

  “What happened to me was not your fault,” Lucy insisted. “I know there was that stupid bet, and yes I was hurt and angry when I heard about it. But a bet did not give him the right to do what he did to me, to do what he did to April and Alison. That is all on him.”

  “It doesn’t feel like that,” Riley shrugged. “I have blamed myself every day, and when you never called me, I thought you blamed me too. I hated myself for what happened to you.”

  “I did call you,” Lucy replied, and she could see the surprise on his face. “The day I was coming home from the hospital, I called you, but when you didn’t return the call after I left a message, I thought that you really must have hated me.”

  “I never heard the message,” Riley said, with a confused look on his face. “Believe me, if I did, I would have been there.”

  “I didn’t leave a voice mail,” Lucy explained, as she remembered the day she called him. “I asked Amber to give you the message.”

  “Amber?” Riley asked looking even more confused. “You don’t mean Amber Brookes? Why would you call Amber?”

  “I didn’t,” Lucy replied. “I called you; she answered your phone. She said I was nothing but a dirty whore that fucked one of your friends, then pretended I was raped. Then she warned me to stay the hell away from you. I guess I thought you felt that way too, so I never called back.”

  “She did what?” Riley asked in disbelief. “I lost my phone at the party that night; she gave it back to me a few days later. She never said you called. I thought you didn’t call, if I had known…”

  “It doesn�
�t matter now,” Lucy said, as she reached out and touched his hand. “Not anymore.”

  “Doesn’t it?” Riley asked giving Lucy a funny look. “I still lost you.”

  “Riley, we were kids,” Lucy sighed. “Even if that night had never happened, there is no guarantee that we would have stayed together.”

  “I believe we would have,” Riley replied. “Lucy, you were the love of my life. You still are.”

  “You need to let me go,” Lucy said with a sad smile.

  “You love Tucker,” Riley asked knowing. “Don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Lucy confirmed. “I do.”

  “He makes you happy,” Riley added.

  “More than I thought I ever could be,” Lucy replied.

  “I am glad you are,” Riley said and gave her a genuine smile. “You deserve to be.”

  Suddenly Tucker tapped on the door. Lucy turned and gave him a big smile.

  “Are you ready to go?” He asked as she walked to him.

  “I am,” Lucy confirmed before she turned back to Riley. “Maybe I could visit again. If that’s okay?”

  “I would like that,” Riley replied.

  She turned back to Tucker and headed for the door.

  “Riley,” Tucker said, before he followed Lucy. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure,” Riley replied.

  “Why did you pay Trent?” Tucker asked the one question that had always bothered him. “For winning the bet, I mean. It’s the one thing that I could never understand.”

  “I didn’t,” Riley said as he gave Tucker a questioning look. “Why would you even think I did?”

  “The night I beat the crap out of him,” Tucker explained. “The night he told me about the bet. He said you paid him.”

  “He raped my girlfriend,” Riley said. “I might have messed everything up, but I wasn’t a complete bastard.”

  “Then I am sorry for what happened that night,” Tucker said, as he offered Riley, his hand.

  Riley looked at it for a moment, then slowly reached out and took it.

  “Take care of her,” Riley said.

  “Always,” Tucker replied with a nod before he turned and went after Lucy.

  When Tucker pulled up outside his house instead of her dad’s house, Lucy was surprised.

  “I thought you were taking me home,” Lucy said, as she turned to Tucker.

  “Well,” he said nervously. “I was thinking. I know you haven’t decided what you want to do once your dad comes home. If you want to move back to the city, I will be with you every step of the way.”

  “But?” Lucy asked with a smile.

  “But until you decide,” Tucker continued. “I would love it if you would consider this your home too. I want to spend my life with you. It’s all I have ever wanted. And that means sharing every part of my life.”

  “Are you asking me to live with you?” Lucy grinned.

  “No,” Tucker said, as he reached for her hand. “I am asking you to marry me.

  “Marry you!” Lucy exclaimed as Tucker smiled and pulled a small box from his pocket.

  “Tell me you will love me forever,” he whispered, as he opened the box.

  Lucy stared down at the box, then she looked up at Tucker and smiled before she leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

  “Forever,” she whispered.

  Epilogue

  “How do I look?” Lucy asked Tucker for the tenth time in an hour. She was wearing a black Christian Dior dress and a pair of black Jimmy Choo shoes.

  Over the last year, Lucy learned that she didn’t have to hide her scars. Tucker had taught her that they weren’t something to be ashamed of, but were reminders of how far she had come.

  “Still beautiful,” Tucker laughed, then leaned in and kissed his wife. “You need to relax.”

  “I can’t,” Lucy sighed. “Tonight is a big night. I am not sure that agreeing to do this exhibit was my best idea.”

  “You’re kidding me, right!” Tucker exclaimed. “Silly Girl, I know you don’t see just how incredibly talented you are, but take my word for it, you are. Tonight is going to be amazing.”

  “I wish I had your confidence,” Lucy sighed.

  “You don’t need it,” Tucker said, as he pulled her into his arms. “I have enough for us both.”

  “Thank you,” Lucy replied, and gave him a warm smile. “We should go, my dad and Clare will he waiting on us.”

  “I still can’t believe the chief is dating his nurse,” Tucker laughed, as he led Lucy to the door of the bedroom. “Only he could be the one to get wounded and find love.”

  “I love your apartment, Lucy,” Clare Warren, the nurse who called Lucy almost a year before to tell her about her father, said as she and Tucker joined Tom and Clare in the living room. “I don’t know how you don’t stay here all the time.”

  “Thank you, Clare,” Lucy replied, as she was greeted with a kiss by her father. “I was actually thinking of selling it.”

  “What?” Clare exclaimed. “I wouldn’t ever want to part with this place. It’s stunning.”

  “My home is in River Springs now,” Lucy replied, as she looked over at her husband and smiled. “Where my world is.”

  “I guess I understand that,” Clare smiled, as she looked lovingly at Tom. It made Lucy happy that her dad had found happiness again.

  “You know, you and Dad can stay here whenever you want,” Lucy suggested with a smile. “Especially now that Dad has retired.”

  When Tom was discharged from the hospital, he continued his physiotherapy for a few more months. Eventually, he was given the all clear to go back to work, but much to everyone’s surprise, he announced that he was still going to retire.

  Lucy was surprised, but she knew her dad was happy, so she was too. Tucker was officially made Chief when her dad retired, and Lucy had never seen Tom look prouder.

  “That would be amazing,” Clare replied excitedly. “I lived all my life so close to the city, but I never came here before, I would love to see the sights sometime.”

  “Well then that’s just what we will do,” Tom said, giving Clare a wink.

  “Lucy, we should be going,” Tucker said, as he picked up her wrap from the arm of the sofa. “The car is downstairs.”

  “Okay,” Lucy said, giving him a smile as she took his hand and he led her to the door.

  The drive to the gallery was a short one, but Lucy wished it would never end. She was beyond nervous.

  When the car stopped outside the gallery, Tucker looked over at Lucy and smiled. He looked so handsome in his tux.

  “You know you’re going to rock this,” he said, as he squeezed her hand. “I am so proud of you.”

  “I couldn’t have done this without you,” Lucy replied, as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “It is truly my pleasure,” Tucker smiled, as he kissed her back. “Now come on, your public awaits.”

  Tucker took her hand, and she climbed out of the town car Tucker had arranged for them and led her into the gallery, followed closely by Tom and Clare.

  “You’re here!” Alison squealed excitedly the minute Lucy stepped through the door. “Oh my God, the pictures look amazing now that they are hanging on the walls of this place. I didn’t think they could look better, but I was wrong. Everyone is buzzing about them. There are critics for all the major papers too…”

  “Ali,” David said, stopping her mid-sentence. “At least let her through the door first.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, as she looked at Lucy. “I am just so happy for you.”

  “It’s okay. Sweetie,” Lucy laughed. She loved Alison so much. She had made her manager of the studio. Lucy hired a couple of photographers and business was booming. She still travelled to New York regularly to do photoshoots, but most of the new business she subcontracted to the other photographers.

  She spent most of her time in River Springs. Much to her surprise, slowly but surely she fell back in love with the sleepy lit
tle town. She loved getting to know her father again and growing closer to him as she once was.

  Lucy was finally happy.

  “Champagne,” Tucker said, as he handed her a glass of champagne. Lucy smiled and took it from him and linked his arm.

  “Lucy!” Clare exclaimed excitedly. “I had no idea how talented you are. These photographs are breathtaking.”

  “Thanks, Clare,” Lucy smiled.

  “You haven’t seen the best of them yet,” Alison said, as she took hold of Clare’s hand and led her away, followed closely by Tom.

  “Are you okay?” Tucker asked, giving her a strange look.

  “Yeah,” she nodded and gave him a smile. Before he could press her further, they heard someone calling her name.

  “Lucy,” Riley said, as he made his way through the crowd to her.

  “Riley,” Lucy said, as she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. “You made it.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” he replied, as he shook Tucker’s hand. “And thank you for the invitation.”

  “You’re very welcome,” Lucy replied, as she slipped her arm back into the bend of Tuckers. “So, how is New York treating you?”

  “It’s, different,” he replied. “I think I am finally getting used to it.”

  “And the new job?” Tucker added.

  “I love it,” Riley said with a grin. “It’s definitely different than working in a small town, but I love it. I am happy.”

  “I am pleased to hear that,” Lucy smiled.

  “But tonight is all about you,” Riley said, as he looked around the room. “You really have done well for yourself. Your photos are stunning.”

  “Thanks, Riley,” she replied, as she leaned into Tucker.

  “Can I get you two a refill?” Riley asked as he held up his glass.

  “I would love one,” Tucker replied, as he handed him his glass. He looked down and saw Lucy’s untouched drink. “I guess Lucy is good for now.”

  “Won’t be long,” Riley said, before he disappeared into the crowd.

  “Don’t you feel okay?” Tucker asked, in a hushed voice. “You haven’t touched your champagne.”