Deb nodded and for the first time she broke eye contact, looking down at the counter top. “My Jake, had a big, big heart.” She smiled sadly, still keeping her eyes down. “After your accident, I told you that Jake would want you to live your life. He’d want you to experience life’s greatest milestones.” She finally raised her head and met Cara’s hazel eyes. “I believe that with my whole heart. I also believe that he’d want the same for his brother. Way before Jake even was diagnosed, he wanted those things for Luke. The heart wants what the heart wants, Cara I of all people know that better than anyone.” She released a shaky breath. “I was engaged before I married Joe.” Cara’s eyes widened in surprise but she recovered quickly. “I was engaged to his brother Vincent.”
“Wow, I didn’t even know Joe had a brother.” She said softly, wondering why no one had ever mentioned this before. If her head wasn’t spinning from her visit with her father, it sure as shit was on a merry go round now.
“He passed away before we were ever able to set a date.” Deb explained. “He was in a fatal car accident that took his life. I never even got to say goodbye. By the time Joe had picked me up and we went to the hospital, he was already pronounced dead.” Her heart suddenly felt heavy for all the loss she and Joe had endured. “I don’t remember much, most of it I blocked out of my head years ago. I remember the pain, though, and I remember the one who brought me out from that dark place I was headed was Joe.” She let go of Cara’s hand and walked around the breakfast bar, taking a seat beside her. “My children don’t even know. It’s something we never really discussed, Joe and I. I guess we never really saw the point after all these years. We both have a hollow place in our hearts for Vincent. I still think of him from time to time, in fact, that’s where Sam gets her blue eyes from.” She smiled. “Every time I look into the eyes of my daughter, I think they are a gift from Vincent, that, he never really left us, because his spirit was within our family. The family Joe and I created.”
“I don’t know what to say…” Cara said honestly. Did she say she was sorry for her loss? And then she wondered if down the line, after the years had passed her by, would she tell her own story, and people would feel the exact same way she did at that moment listening to Deb’s. If Vincent hadn’t passed away, would Deb and Joe have had a chance at the love they shared? Would they have had the family that they did? She thought back to her dream of Jake and how he had told her that he wasn’t meant to be her forever but to be the one that led her to her forever.
“Losing Vincent must’ve been very hard on you.” Cara said and then hesitated for a moment before she gave Deb a gift from her son, his words. “But maybe Vincent wasn’t meant to be the man you spent your whole life with. Instead, he was meant to lead you to the person you would.”
Deb looked at Cara, letting her words sink in, she smiled. “That may be true.” She tilted her head to the side and looked at Cara, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “Just like Jake led you to Luke.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to her forehead. “My only wish for you and Luke is that you have a long lifetime full of love and happiness, just as Joe and I have. Make each other happy and love one another with everything you have.” She pulled back, cupping Cara’s face, she stared into her eyes with a soft smile on her face. “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too.” Cara said and let the tears finally break from her eyes. “Thank you.” She whispered.
Deb drew her into her arms and hugged her as only Deb could, with everything she had.
The Lanza’s didn’t do anything halfheartedly, least of all love and affection, that, they got from their mother.
Joe strutted into the kitchen, stopping short, on his way to the fridge, spotting Cara and Deb in their embrace. Deb looked over Cara’s shoulder at her husband and smiled at him.
“Everything okay in here?” Joe asked casually as the two women broke apart and glanced at him.
“I was just telling Cara a bit of our story.” Deb said before standing up and walking over to her husband.
“Pretty good story, no?” Joe asked Cara, throwing a wink in for good measure.
“One of the best ever written.” Cara said sincerely.
“Makes you want to go write your own, no?” Joe smiled at her before looking at his wife. “When is dinner going to be done?”
Deb rolled her eyes. “Something’s never change…”
Cara laughed slightly before sliding off the stool. “I’ve got to get to Luke.”
Joe glanced at his watch. “Where is that son of yours anyway?” He asked Deb. “I thought he was just dropping Ava off at the party and then coming over here.” He turned to Cara. “He’s bringing the bread.” He explained. The dire need for Luke’s attendance evident in his tone.
“That’s what he said, when I called him this morning.” Deb said as she moved towards the oven, opening it to check on the roast she was cooking.
Sam and Nick walked into the kitchen, hand in hand. “Ma, you need some help with dinner?” Sam asked, releasing Nick’s hand to peek into one of the pots that sat on top of the stove. “You made mashed potatoes?” She pulled open a drawer and took out a spoon to sample the buttery goodness that was Deb’s mashed potatoes.
“See! We’re all starving.” Joe said, throwing his hands in the air. The phone rang and Nick picked it up since he was leaning against the wall next to it.
“Deb’s Kitchen, Nick speaking, what can we get you?” He said into the phone, causing everyone to turn and look at him. He shrugged his shoulders and offered his best grin. The caller on the other end began to speak causing Nick to stand straight as he listened, the smile faltering from his face. “Is she alright?”
Cara lifted her head a sickening feeling claiming her. She swallowed hard as she stared at Nick expectantly. Silence washed over the kitchen and all eyes were on Nick as he spoke.
“Shit, alright. Go do your thing. We’re on our way.” He hung the phone back on the receiver as he turned to face the family. “Ava had an accident on the ice. Pipsqueak broke her wrist.”
Cara hurried out of the kitchen, not waiting for anyone to follow. She grabbed her coat from the hall closet, rushing to get her car keys that were buried in her pocket. “I’ll meet you guys over there.” She called behind her before hurrying out the door. She didn’t wait for anyone to answer or to follow suit, she didn’t offer to drive anyone or wait for them to drive her. She was only aware of the urgency she felt overcome her, the urgency to be with Ava and Luke. They needed her. She needed them. She needed to see that she was okay. She needed to stand beside Luke, and watch the doctor’s patch up their girl. He needed to know he wasn’t alone anymore.
Luke squeezed Ava’s good hand, leaning down and kissing the top of her head. “It’s going to be okay, Princess.” He promised her as she cried.
“It hurts so bad Daddy.” She sobbed.
Luke glanced over at the doctors as they prepared to set his little girl's wrist for her cast. He wished like hell he could take her place, but he was beginning to realize that never worked for him. He brushed another kiss to her head.
“It’ll be over soon. Grandma and Grandpa are on their way. So is Uncle Nick and Aunt Sam.”
Leah walked into the room, glancing at the doctor before making her way to Ava’s bedside. “Hey Ava, I have something for you…” She pulled rolls of stickers out of the pockets of her scrubs. “We can decorate your cast once Dr. Meyers is finished.” She pulled out a Sharpie. “And then you can ask everyone to sign it.” She lifted her head and her eyes met Luke’s.
“Look at that, Ava.” Luke said softly as she lifted her head from his chest to inspect the stickers that Leah was handing her. “She’s even got some Hello Kitty stickers.”
Ava sniffled and took the stickers that Leah offered her. “Thank you.” She whispered.
“Anytime,” Leah said with a smile. They stood silent for a moment as Ava seemed occupied with the browsing through the stickers. She looked at Luk
e. “Are you okay? You need anything?”
“I’m good.” He said quickly before sighing. “Thanks for getting her right in.”
“No problem.” She said softly. “Dr. Meyers is good. Her wrist will heal perfectly.” She said reassuringly to the nervous father standing before her. He looked so broken and torn. She wanted to help, even if it was the smallest way possible.
“Okay, where is our little patient?” Dr. Meyers asked, rolling beside Ava on a stool.
Ava whimpered and turned her face into her father’s chest. The attending nurse looked at Leah, holding the tray of utensils that the doctor needed for the tray.
“I’ll be right outside if you need anything, Luke.” Leah said softly and stepped aside so the nurse could do her job.
“Thank you.” He said as he smoothed back his daughter’s hair. He lifted her head from his chest gently. “I need you to listen to the doctor baby. It’ll be over soon, I promise.”
Ava squeezed his hand tightly with her good one, her eyes full of tears as she stared up at him, gutting him with her fearful eyes. Dr. Meyers positioned her bad arm.
“Okay, Ava, I need you to keep your arm still.” He said softly as he began to set her wrist and cast it. Ava kept her arm perfectly still as she stared into her dad’s eyes.
“I love you.” He whispered to her.
* * * * *
Cara rushed through the Emergency Room doors, and straight towards the reception desk.
“Excuse me, a little girl was brought in with a broken wrist. Her name is Ava Lanza. Can you tell me where she is?”
“Yes, she was brought into the E.R.” The receptionist confirmed.
“Right, so are you going to tell me where she is, so I can see her?” Cara asked her patience non-existent.
The receptionist lifted her head and eyed Cara. “Are you family?”
Cara snarled. She knew the way shit worked in hospitals. It didn’t matter how close you were to the patient, if you weren’t labeled family, you were shit out of luck. She didn’t have time for nonsense and minor details like, relations. “Of course I’m related.” She lied. “Now are you going to tell me where she is?”
“How are you related?” The receptionist asked skeptically.
“I’m her damn mother!” She reached over the counter and grabbed the registrar. “You want to know my blood type too?” Cara asked as she browsed the list of names, finding Ava’s. She dropped the book back onto the counter and as a nurse exited the E.R. Cara, hurried to catch the doors before the door locked and stormed in.
“You need to present I.D.!” The receptionist hollered after her as she hurried into the E.R., the automatic doors locking behind her. Cara knew she didn’t have much time before the witch followed her or called security, so she frantically searched, pulling back curtains as she made her way through the E.R.
“Sorry…” She said when she walked in on a nurse giving an enema to a man. “Shit…” She closed her eyes at her choice of words and pulled the curtain closed. She shook the image from her head and focused. “Ava? Luke?!” She called out before spotting Leah staring at her as if she was crazy. Leah was leaning against the nurse’s station writing something in a patient’s chart when Cara came to a skidded stop in front of her. “Where are they?”
Leah opened her mouth to answer when security called out from behind Cara.
“Stop that woman!” Said the overweight security guard panting as he ran to catch up to the Nurse’s station.
“Fuck!” Cara blurted out and ran her fingers through her hair. Yep, this was shaping up to be the worse day ever. She was exhausted and emotionally drained. She was probably going to sleep for a month. She looked at Leah, shit, she’d grovel if she had to. “Leah, please? They won’t let me see her.”
Leah stared at her for a moment before lifting her head to look at the security guard who was on the verge of a heart attack, trying to catch his breath. “What seems to be the problem here?”
“This woman, stormed passed reception claiming to be some kid’s mother and not showing any of the proper…” He gasped trying to catch his breath. “… Identification.”
“Well, I can vouch for her.” She diverted her eyes to Cara’s. “She’s who she says she is.”
“Thank you.” Cara breathed a sigh of relief.
“She’s right in there…” Leah said, pointing to a curtain drawn cubicle.
Cara didn’t hesitate and started to walk in the direction she had pointed to.
“Cara?” Leah called.
“Yeah?” She asked.
“Take care of them…” Leah said before turning her back to Cara. Cara looked at her for a moment, watching as she escorted the security guard back towards the lobby doors. Her fingers grasped the curtain and she pulled it back in one swift motion. Luke’s eyes slowly lifted from Ava’s and surprise flickered in them as they met Cara’s.
“Cara…” Her name came out as a whisper. Ava turned her head and looked up at Cara, her eyes hopeful until they settled on Cara’s.
“Stay still sweetie, we’re almost done.” Dr. Meyers said.
Cara met Ava’s stare and smiled softly before walking to her bedside and standing beside Luke. She swallowed against the lump in her throat as Ava stared at her, the little girl looking at her as if she was a figment of her imagination.
“Cara I broke my wrist.” She said miserably.
“I know baby. I know.” She leaned down and kissed her cheek softly. “Stay still so the doctor can finish and we can take you home.” She glanced over her shoulder at Luke. He stared at her with a blank expression masking his handsome face. “Hi.” She whispered as her eyes found his.
“Hi…” He whispered hoarsely. There was so much he wanted to say, yet he couldn’t form a single word. He just stared at her in awe. God, did he miss her. She broke their gaze and turned back to Ava.
Cara glanced down noticing Ava and Luke’s joined hands, slowly, she placed her hand over theirs and squeezed slightly, uniting them.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Luke opened the door to his house, stepping back, to let Ava and Cara inside. After Ava’s arm was properly set, she had been discharged from the hospital, being told to follow up with the doctor six to eight weeks later to remove her cast. They had made a pit stop at Cara’s apartment to grab Benny. Both girls missed the little beagle and if he was being completely honest, he had missed the annoying pup too. Luke didn’t ask questions, he didn’t even care why she was there, he was just happy to have Cara by his side. He could tell his daughter was too by the way she stuck to Cara like glue since they stepped outside the emergency room.
The Lanza clan had met them at the hospital. Deb and Sam both flocked to Ava to offer her comforting words, but she never left Cara’s side. Luke figured his daughter was just as scared of blinking and she’d be gone, as he was. He assured his family, he could manage and that they could go home. He didn’t doubt that he could handle this mishap with Ava, but more than that, he wanted to be alone with Cara. He wanted to take her home with them and confess to her what an ass he had been. He had come to realize he could live without her, but that he just didn’t want to. He didn’t want to be alone anymore. He wanted to be with Cara, heart, body and soul.
Luke closed the door quietly behind him, turning around to face his girls. “Are you guy’s hungry? I can order something.”
“I’m just tired.” Ava said as she looked down as Benny circled her legs. She lifted her head and glanced between her dad and Cara. “Can Benny sleep with me tonight?”
Cara looked over her shoulder at Luke, watching as he shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled. “Sure sweetie.” Cara pointed to Benny. “You better be a good boy and take care of your sissy.” Benny barked happily in response.
“Give me a minute and I’ll be right there to tuck you in.” Luke said.
“Can Cara tuck me in, just tonight? Please?” Ava’s eyes pleaded with her dad’s. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before rising
to meet Cara’s gaze, questioningly. He didn’t want to presume anything, but she had come running when she heard of Ava’s accident. That had to mean something, didn’t it? He swallowed, hating the idea of being so out of the loop when it came to Cara.
“Is that okay with you?” He asked.
“Of course it is.” Cara said softly and took Ava’s good hand in hers. “Give daddy a kiss.” She told Ava, watching as she rose on her tip toes, to kiss Luke goodnight. He crouched down and enveloped his little girl in a big hug, careful of her cast. He feathered both her cheeks with kisses.
“I love you.” He said quietly into her ear. “I’ll check on you in a little while, okay?”
“Okay. I love you too.” She said with a smile, before turning to face Cara. “Will you help me get into my Frozen pajamas?”
“Of course.” Cara said with a laugh and then slapped her hand against her thigh. “Come on Benny, time for bed.” Benny barked, eagerly running up the stairs ahead of them.
“I’m coming Benny!” Ava cheerfully said as she began to climb the steps after her puppy. Cara watched Ava and Benny with a small smile playing across her lips before she turned around and faced Luke.
He stared into her eyes, longingly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Thank you.” He muttered gruffly. “She’s missed you.” He swallowed and broke the stare between them.
“I missed her too.” She gripped the bannister as she chewed on her lip nervously. “Luke…”
“Cara…” They said at the same time.
Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3) Page 33