Page 140 of Luci’s Lullaby

I stand at the door as she drives away, never looking back. I’m devasted as to how this went down. I can’t believe she would leave after I told her I love her. But then again, she probably didn’t think I would.

Luci begins to fuss. It’s like she knew what needed to happen, so she was the sweetest baby. I shut the door and go to her, picking her up so I can hold her close.

“Yes, baby girl. I love you so much.” I kiss her cheek, so happy I have this opportunity again.

The house is quiet; at one point in my life, it would’ve driven me crazy. Now, the fact Charlee isn’t here drives me stir crazy. She’s made this house a home for us, all of us.

My cell rings. and I rush over to it with the tiniest shred of hope.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Mars Bar.” Reese sounds happy.

I sigh, sitting down on the couch with Luci. She lays back to front on me, playing with her toes and babbling.

“Do I hear my baby?” she asks cheerily.

“You do.” I take a deep breath. “She said da-da today.”

“Oh my gracious. She did not?” Reese sounds as excited as we were.

I laugh. “Yeah, well she also followed it with ‘da-da-dada’ but hey, I’ll take it. I need some good news.”

“You’ll be happy I called then.” She giggles.

“Please, tell me now, or I’m breaking up with you.”

“Slow your roll. I’m a girl, we appreciate the buildup.”

I roll my eyes. “This isn’t sex, you don’t need foreplay. Spit it out, hag.”

“I hate it when you’re testy.” She pauses. “Hang on, what happened?”

“I’ll tell you after you tell me. You know, foreplay. You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.” I chuckle.

“Fine.” I can hear her roll her eyes. “Miss Jessica, the prego roadie?”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

“All it took was a check bigger than Miss Moxy’s to get her to spill her guts.” Reese is thrilled, I’m okay.

“That’s killer. How in the world did you find out?”

“Aksel still has access to certain things, so we found her and got a statement from her stating, ‘you are not the father’.” She keeps cracking up at herself.

“Such great news.”

“Want more?” If I know her, she’s bouncing in her seat.

“Yes, please. Oliver wants more.”

“Your contract is on its last legs; hang in there.”

With all of this amazing news, my heart should be happy, but it isn’t.

“I’m trying.” I don’t have any more words, the pain in my soul hurts too much.

There’s a long pause. “What are you doing?”