6 Months Later:Lucus finally tried to call Allen six months after she left the city, but he got a message that the number he called was no longer in service. His heart was filled with shock and fear, so he left his parents' house right away and ran to their shared apartment. He entered the correct passcode for their apartment with shaky fingers and threw open the door to a cold, empty apartment. Emma's smell was hard to pick up, but there was just a hint of vanilla in the air."No! No! No! No! No!" he yelled as he hurriedly threw open the bedroom door, even though he knew what he would find inside. The closet was half empty and didn't have as many of Emma's favorite loose-fitting shirts and soft sweaters as it used to. The bed was made nicely, which was something neither Emma nor Lucus had done in years. The skin care items, razors, and makeup that Emma kept on the bathroom counters were all taken away. Lucus ran back to the living room because he was scared. Emma's books and the awa
Lucus knew that his parents' influence would make it impossible for him to get a job at a good company, so he chose to become his own boss instead. He thought of the idea when he saw an ad for a used food truck. When they were married, Emma took them on a date to the bank to open a savings account and encouraged him to do the same. No matter how bad things got, he made it a habit for both of them to always put between a tenth and a quarter of every paycheck in the bank. Now, he owns the food truck because of that story, which happened a few days later.After he saw that Emma couldn't refuse freshly baked sweets, he started baking as a hobby. Because he was worried about Emma's eating habits, he had to come up with new ways to feed her. Lemon-blueberry scones turned out to be the best way. He took the steps needed to become a certified barista, using the skills he had learned while working part-time at coffee places. He was ready to start his new business when Alex helped him get all t
From then on, Emma became good friends with Jasmine and Luke because she started working for Jasmine. When she found out that they had a son who was only a year older than Clary, she took her to their house. By the time she was four, Emma was able to move to a nicer apartment so she could have her own room. She worked hard at both the coffee shop and the dance school to make sure her daughter would never want for anything. Luke and Jasmine always tried to make Emma's life easier because they knew how hard she worked. They watched her kid on the weekends when she had to work at the coffee shop and let Clary come to the studio when she was teaching. Emma insisted that she could pay, but Jasmine said that if her son could take dance lessons for free, they shouldn't have to either.Luke and Jasmine didn't know the whole story, but they did know that Emma had left the city while she was pregnant because she thought it was best for everyone and that the father didn't know Emma was pregnant
Lucus didn't think he was good enough to have a partner. He had done such a bad job with Emma that he couldn't see himself as someone who could love him. He thought that Emma could do better even if she came back. But Emma was the only person he would let himself feel greedy for, and he knew that if Emma chose to be with him, he wouldn't be the one to let go. He had learned from what went wrong. He would always stick with Emma. On Friday night, Lucus and Alex finished up some last budgeting issues and sent some last directions to the manager of the second city branch before Lucus went home to pack and get some sleep before the trip the next day. He hoped to be back in the city by Monday night, but that would depend on how the weekend went. "Mommy, can we go to the beach sometime later?" "If you really want to, sweetie," As Clary yawned, Emma stroked her hair as they waited outside Jasmine's flat. They heard movement on the other side, and when the door finally opened, Luke was smil
Emma waved goodbye to her coworkers as she stepped out of the cafe and onto the street, welcoming the cool air as the sun started to set."Mommy!""Emma! Over here!"She looked up to see her daughter running towards her, and she immediately crouched down with her arms wide open."Hi baby! I missed you.""I missed you too!""How was playing at Aunt Jasmine and Uncle Luke's place?""It was good. But I wanted to play with you.""We can play for a bit on the beach until it gets dark and then go get something yummy to eat. How about that?""Yeah!"Emma grinned at the excited look in her daughter's eyes. As she gripped her hand tightly, she swung their arms back and forth as they started walking towards where Jasmine was waiting. There was another man on one knee in front of her, and Emma tilted her head in confusion, wondering what the situation was. Feeling a bit on edge, she approached the two."Hey Jasmine, I hope I'm not interrupting," Emma murmured as he neared them. The other man slo
"Excuse me?""I never meant for you to find out like this, but now that you have, yes. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you she's not related to you. But that's where it ends, Lucus. That's where it has to end.""She's my kid.""No, she's mine.""Emma, that's not how this works.""That's exactly how this works. You didn't know about her before, and we all lived just fine. We continue doing that, and everyone's going to continue to be fine.""How can I be fine when I now know that I have a child? A child I had no idea about for seven fucking years. How could you not tell me?""How could I tell you when the day I found out I was pregnant you told me you wanted a divorce?"The words tore into Lucus heart and lodged themselves there like a bullet wound. Emma's tough exterior cracked piece by piece, showing the pain that was inside."I came back from the doctor's hearing that I was pregnant because we had unprotected sex during my pregnancy. And here we were in yet another fight. I was
"Nonsense. You would have found a way to live happily even without us. You deserve a good life."They sat in silence for a moment as Jasmine tucked the blanket they were sharing around Emma. She then leaned back a bit to make eye contact with Emma."Emma... Obviously, it's your life and your choice, so what I say is just my thought. But... are you set on never seeing him again?"Emma tensed at the words. Jasmine sighed as he reached forward to ruffle Emma's hair, trying to comfort the omega.Emm, before you start to panic, hear me out. I'm not telling you that you should. Lucus was in the wrong in terms of how he left your relationship, and you did what you felt you had to do. I don't blame you, and if I had been in your position, I probably would have done the same. Okay?"Emma nodded as he took a few deep breaths, calming down enough to relax back on the couch."The only thing I'm trying to get at is... maybe it wouldn't be a horrible idea to give Lucus the chance to get to know his
The sunlight peeking through the cracks of the drapes was what finally broke through Lucus restless sleep. He groaned as the bright light caused his head to pound, with the taste of bile and stale alcohol still present on his tongue."Are you finally awake?"Lucus cracked an eye open to find Zia staring at him from across the room."There's a glass of water and aspirin on the dresser next to you. When you're ready to talk, come out."With that, she walked out of the room, leaving Lucus to collect himself as memories from the night before filtered through his aching head. Sighing, he took the aspirin and downed the glass of water before trudging to the bathroom. Feeling slightly more alive after a quick shower, he threw on sweats and a shirt before going out to the living area of the hotel suite he had booked. Zia was seated on the small island of the kitchen, nursing a cup of coffee as she munched on a muffin. Lucus grabbed a mug and poured herself a cup from the still-full coffee pot
The air was filled with the subtle scent of lemons and candle wax.Gold tapestry runners featuring Batik motifs graced the tables by the entranceway to the hall, and crystal vases filled with white roses spilling out sat atop them, while bouquets of white roses wrapped in blue silk ribbons decorated the ends of the old wooden pews. The early morning sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall and reflected pretty images onto the floor of the hall. Dozens of candles in every size were placed on the altar, ready to be lit when the ceremony started; they would lend a soft and warm glow to the happy couple as they stood before friends and family professing their love for one another.Zia studied the decorations with a critical eye—everything had to be perfect. She had pale yellow roses braided into her long dark hair and her dress, a long column of silver—not quite white and not quite grey—that shimmered under the lights with every moment. Satisfied that everything was
A small family could be heard all the way down the street from their apartment. A toddler was throwing a fit by the sounds of her crying and screams, and two people could be heard arguing."You! Get out of my home now!!"Emma hissed at her father, who was standing a few feet from his daughter and granddaughter, sporting a scowl.Emma was doing everything she could not to gently set her daughter down in her playpen and lunge for her father's throat. Nadia is now four years old; she's grown to be a beautiful toddler. She was clinging to her mother like her life depended on it and was crying hysterically. Emma was rocking back and forth in his arms and glaring at Robert in hatred."That thing is an abomination. She shouldn't even exist!" David spat, glaring at the toddler in disgust.The toddler whimpered at the insult and clung even tighter to her mother. Emma was enraged and could barely control herself. The only thing keeping her from screaming at her father was the little girl in her
Emma complied, taking the last few steps towards Lucus. The Alpha pulled her into his arms, stroking her back lovingly. Emma wrapped her arms around Lucus as well, not able to prevent the smile she was holding back from spreading across her face. Lucus suddenly felt tense. Emma looked up at him and noticed a sour expression written across his features."What's wrong, Lucus?" She whispered."Nothing."Emma glared, not taking too kindly to being lied to. Lucus sighed in defeat and met her gaze. His eyes held so much sorrow and fear. "I'm not a good father," he whispered sadly.Emma gasped out in shock. How could Lucus think like that? It's not like someone can go from never being around children to being an expert on them in only a few weeks! Lucus was being too hard on himself, setting his expectations too high. Emma would do everything she could not to let Alpha beat himself up over not being experienced with kids."Lucus, you love both Clary and Nadia to pieces! How could you say tha
Lucus made quick work of her shirt as well before Allen returned with a white hospital gown. Lucus lifted Emma up slightly so she could slip it on her. They had just laid Emma back down when a door burst open and the doctor walked in. She was wearing her pale pink hospital gown and white flats.She came strutting through like she owned the place. She shoved Lucus and Emma aside, making her way over to Emma. She was currently panting and sweating as if she had just run a marathon. She grabbed one of the towels from the nightstand and dabbed it with some of the cool water in the bucket. She wiped the sweat rolling down her face before she began setting up everything she would need for the delivery.The group sat there for the next hour and a half. It was silent. Allen was in the other room talking to Alex, who had arrived ten minutes beforehand. Emma had requested that they leave the room. She didn't feel comfortable with anyone witnessing her give birth to the baby other than Lucus. Sh
A tap on Lucus window startled him out of his thoughts. He saw a woman in her forties with messy brunette hair standing in front of his window with a takeout bag. He rolled the window down, and she shoved the food at him. He rolled his eyes as she walked away. He looked down into the bag and noticed something strange.There was only lava cake.He snatched the bag and stormed out of the vehicle and into the restaurant. He slammed the bag on the counter in front of a startled-looking employee. She had her purple hair tied into a bun, and her green eyes were wide. He felt no remorse."I have been to two different Burger King's! I've had soda spill on my shirt, and then an old woman slapped me in the face! I got pulled over by a cop who vandalized my car and gave me a seven-hundred-dollar ticket simply because I'm married to Omega! Now your ignorant people make me pull off to the side to wait for onion rings that I've never received! I demand three large orders of onion rings, another sli
5 Years Later:"Lucus!"Omega sighed, placing her rainbow-striped bookmark in her fantasy drama novel. She strode out of her office and into the living room.His Alpha was sprawled out on the sofa, his chin in his palm, as he watched an episode of Modern Family. Emma was wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie and a pair of grey shorts. Despite the baggie hoodie and fluffy red blanket covering her torso, her nine-month pregnant belly was obvious.They'd wanted to be married for a little while before they had another child. So, after two years of traveling the world and going on many fun adventures, they settled down back in their apartment with Clary. They then proceeded to make mad, passionate love all night long. It was more overwhelming than any other time. Of course, it only took one round to impregnate Emma, but once they got started, they couldn't get enough of each other."Yes love?" Lucus asked.He couldn't help but eye the dozens of candy wrappers strewn about the floor. The
The whole idea had been Allen's.When she'd suggested the idea to Emma—to celebrate Clary's birthday in a cute and fun way that the little one could enjoy—she hadn't come up with anything wrong with it.Neither of them had taken in Alex as a factor, though. Which, between the three of them, they really should have?"I don't think that outfit is appropriate for children."Lucus raised his eyebrows in confusion. He gestured to Clary, who was clad in dark blue denim jeans and a deep green knit sweater, before turning to Emma with an expression that suggested he really thought Emma had lost her mind this time."I meant yours," Emma explained, pointing to Lucus bright yellow skin-tight jeans and glaringly obvious rainbow singlet, which he'd paired with a deep red jacket and black shoes."We're going to a zoo, Lucus, not a nightclub."Lucus pouted, and Emma sighed."Just dress it down a little for me today." She asked. "Please? I'll let you choose my outfit another time if you do this for m
"Where are you getting it?" Zia asked Emma, taking a cotton ball and dipping it in antiseptic."On my wrist," she says, holding out her right arm. Zia nods, wiping the skin of her wrist beneath her palm.She puts the cotton ball down and then purses her lips."Could you... I might need you to swap chairs with Lucus; I don't want to do this upside down."Emma nods. "Of course."She and Lucus switch, darting past each other. Lucus raises his eyebrows, hoping to get something out of either of them, but neither Zia nor Emma say a word."This is borderline torture." He complains, flopping into his seat. Zia smiles sympathetically, as if to say "This wasn't my decision".Emma just looks a little nervous."So, I'm going to outline the drawing in marker first, so you can be certain of its placement, and then if you're happy, I'll start." Zia explains.Emma nods, her eyes darting over to Lucus before returning to Zia. She smiles encouragingly, picking up a black, fine-tip, skin-safe marker and
"You want to get a tattoo?"Out of all the things Lucus ever thought he'd hear Emma say, getting a tattoo was not even a registered possibility."Yes." Emma nods, and Lucus knows Emma enough to accept that she's being completely serious."But you already have my mating mark on your body." Lucus states. He folds his hands behind his head, leaning backwards against the headboard. He had a feeling this conversation would be one he'd need to be relaxed for."Well, yes, but that's not the same." Emma replies. He sighs as Lucus raises his eyebrows."Mark's fade; some are permanent, but not all of them, and they're different. Mating marks speak of my mating. Tattoos are something that both of us can have, and it's more special and ... forever."Lucus leans over and kisses Emma's bare shoulder."You genuinely want this?" He asks to be certain. There's a warmth flooding him just from hearing that Emma wants to get something permanent that they can both share. Something different that no other