RHYLIE
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly I finally get myself together enough to answer Lucas. He gently lifts my face so I have to look him in the eye, making this more difficult for me when all I want to do is keep my eyes down.
“When Mason brought you home to stay with us for the holidays, I knew from just one look my life would forever change. I did everything I could to try and stay away from you that time just so I didn't look like a lovesick puppy. It's why I spent most of the time in the kitchen baking and why we ended up with too much food. I didn't want you to see how deep my feelings went knowing you were just going to walk away when the week was up. At first, I thought it was just a silly crush because I honestly didn't think I would see you again so I didn’t tell anyone how I was feeling, not even Faith knows, she thinks it's been since you moved here that I started to develop feelings for you.” Closing my eyes and breathing in and out so I can finally finish telling him everything else. I just need a moment to get my thoughts in order and Lucas, being Lucas sensing I need a moment, hands me my coffee and says.
“ Take your time, Rhylie, I'm not going anywhere.”
Just from that statement alone I know he means everything he's said to me. I know from this day forward Lucas won't ever leave me, that he is in this for the long haul and it gives me the courage I need to tell him how I feel, that I'm right there with him. That I've fallen just as hard and deep as him. Draining the last of my coffee and setting the cup on the table because I've stalled enough now looking up at him I grab his hands as he did with me I finally let it all out. “I’m in love with you Lucas. When you came back with Mason when you guys didn't reenlist, it became one of the best days of my life because you were both home safe but also the worst because I knew my feelings for you weren't just some silly crush. Just never in a million years did I ever think that you would feel the same way that I do. I always thought all I would have with you was stolen glimpses as I saw you around or in my dreams.” At that, I realize what I just said and by the sexy smirk Lucas is throwing me I know he heard it as well. Groaning and covering my eyes in mortification because I just told him I dream of him and that is something I never wanted him to find out. I couldn't even have one conversation with him without saying something embarrassing. Laughing, Lucas pries my hands from my eyes and gives me his signature smirk.
“You're dreaming of me baby, want to tell me what your dreams are about? I bet by the blush on your face right now I can figure out some of them.” smacking his hands away from my face I give him my best glare which let’s face it probably isn't a scary one but I give it nonetheless. Which just makes him laugh harder, rolling my eyes at him. I mumble under my breath.
“Must not kill the giant pain in the ass that I love” but of course yet again he hears me hell he has some super hearing or something.
“What was that Ry, do you want to repeat that? Giving him the evil eye one more time which just makes him smile bigger, I tell him what I said
“ I told you giant pain in my ass that I must not kill you because I love you. Are you happy now that It's out there, I LOVE YOU. It's always been you, no one else makes me feel how I feel when you're around. Like everything just fades to the background and only you exist and nothing else like I can finally breathe. Knowing that you love me back makes me think I can finally take a full breath since losing my parents.” And now I'm back to crying, god that's all I seem to be doing since yesterday I feel drained and all I now want to do is take a nap. Talking about my parents is still a hard subject to talk about. It feels like I just lost them yesterday instead of two years ago. The pain still runs deep with how they were just taken from us in such a way that isn't fair and shouldn't have happened. Lucas sits down beside me and gathers me in his lap holding me tight in his arms as if he can take the pain I'm feeling away. Duke decides to make his presence known laying his head on my legs sensing that I'm sad, he always seems to know.
“I've got you Rhylie and I'm not letting go so let it all out baby girl. Know that I will always have you.”
Letting the tears flow now knowing he will hold me through it all I let the pain flow through me that I kept inside since the day they died too scared before to let it out thinking that I wouldn't be able to stop. But knowing Lucas is here with me willing to hold me together while I fall apart I let it all out, let out all the pain and sorrow that I've been feeling the last two years now. Lucas continues to hold me while stroking my hair, murmuring words of love that he feels for me, telling me he will always be there for me no matter what and no one will stand in his way that he would do anything for me. I believe every word he is saying to me. While he continues to stroke my hair my eyes start to close. Maybe a little nap is what I need to recharge after the last few days I've had. It's definitely been a day of truths. Knowing I’m safe right now I let the pull of sleep take me and right before I fully fall asleep I hear Lucas whisper “I love you Ry”
