“What’s her name?” I asked, looking at Lauren. “What did you name her?”
She gazed up at Thomas, taking his hand in hers as tears began to slowly fall down her cheeks.
He grinned at her before he spoke, sounding choked up. “We named her after the two most important people in our lives.” Thomas looked down at the baby as he spoke. “Let me introduce you to Lucie Cristina Danvers.”
I shot my head up at his words, feeling overwhelmed at what he was saying. I looked at Christopher and he smiled at me, giving me a wink to show that he wasn’t upset that it was my name first.
“You named her after us?” I gasped.
“Well…” Lauren wiped her cheeks and leaned her hand across. She stroked the curl on top of the baby’s head before she spoke again. “There has always been one person, from the very beginning, that has been cheering me and Thomas to wake up and see what was in front of us. Well, for him to wake up.” She and I both laughed when she said that. “We’ve already spoken to Christopher about this. If it weren’t for you, Luke, loving us, supporting us, and pushing us to give each other a chance, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
“You guys were just being stubborn,” I teased. I directed my next statement down to the sleeping angel in my arms. “You’ll come to see that your mummy and daddy just aren’t as cool as you think.”
“I can see you two getting into a lot of trouble when she’s old enough,” Christopher joked.
I stared up at Freddie, letting the truth pass between us.
“We’ll try and make it work,” he vowed. “Wherever we are. We’ll make sure to see a lot of this little girl.” He bent down and kissed her forehead before he stood back up. “I’ll let you all have a few moments together. Would you like me to send Nina in?” he asked, directing his question to Thomas and Lauren.
“Please,” Lauren whispered. “Thank you, Freddie.”
“I’m surprised she hasn’t busted in here already,” Thomas mocked.
I laughed as Freddie left the room, leaving the four—no, five of us alone—before Christopher stepped forward. “Okay, my turn. Cuddle time for me.”
I grinned as I gently passed the little bundle over. I couldn’t stop the smile on my face as I watched Christopher rock her from side to side. He looked happy as I watched him and I knew that little girl was going to be the most spoiled little princess on earth.
“Best get those cuddles in before Nina walks in,” I teased. “All I can say is look out, James. I think someone may start to get broody.”
We all laughed as Nina came in through the door, yanking James by the hand.
She stopped at Christopher’s side and stroked her finger down over the baby’s nose.
“I want one,” she whispered as she squeezed James’s hand.
“Slow down, woman,” he inserted. He looked completely freaked out when she said that. “We only just got married.” I laughed at that. “At least give it a month or so.”
* * *
It had been a couple of weeks since they had brought Lucie home. She had gotten a bit too used to always being in someone’s arms and as I watched Freddie rock her to the lullabye,‘You Are my Sunshine’,I don’t think that I could have loved him more in that moment if I tried as I watched him sing the lyrics to her.
“She’s going to miss you two when you go home,” Lauren said as she stopped behind me. She bent down and placed her arms around me, resting them over my chest. “I’m going to miss you, as well,” she whispered before she kissed my cheek.
I reached up and placed my hand over her arm. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to fly back—this time for good—and leave my family behind. I knew we would be regularly visiting each other, but it wouldn’t be the same. I would be missing out on so much of Lucie’s growing up.
“It’s not going to be the same, is it?” I asked rhetorically.
“No.” She came around the sofa and sat next to me, placing her hand on my leg as I did. “Have you and Thomas spoken about the bar yet?” she asked as she rested her head on my shoulder.
I leaned my cheek on the top of her head before I answered. “Yes.” I smiled at her innocent act. “I couldn’t have him buy me out. It’s funny. It would have felt like a separation of some sort.”
“That’s not funny,” she answered, disagreeing with me. “This isn’t the end, Lukey.” I chuckled at her pet name. “We’ll see a lot of each other. Don’t ever forget that. We’re a family.” She lifted her head and gazed up at me. “Always.” She puckered her lips, and I didn’t hesitate in leaning down and pressing my lips to hers.
“I love you, Lauren,” I whispered.
She smiled at me. “Love you more,” she promised.
“Here you go. I have the…” Thomas called, disturbing us. “What’s going on?” He stopped in the doorway with his tablet in hand. “Is everything okay?”