“It’s perfect and so thoughtful. Thank you.” She kissed Cecily’s cheek.
They alternated opening gifts until all that remained was the one under the tree. She locked eyes with Cecily and motioned for her to get it.
Hands trembling, she handed the thin package to Lucas. “This is from me and Cecily. We wanted to save it for last.”
Curiosity reflected in his eyes, and he wasted no time opening it. He got to the envelope and flipped it over.
Cecily sat beside him with her hands clasped. “Look inside.”
He bent the clasp to undo the seal and pulled out a piece of paper. His head moved as he scanned the paper, and his lips quivered. He opened his mouth but didn’t make a sound.
His emotional reaction gutted in the best way possible and she teared up. “Cecily asked if I would mind her taking your last name. We had the paperwork completed and her birth certificate changed. According to the law, you’re her father.”
He stretched out his arms, bringing them both into his embrace. At first, he didn’t speak but when he did his voice was husky. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirteen
A month passed at the speed of light, yet Lucas’s entire life had changed in that span of time. He hadn’t wanted to come home. Now he didn’t want to leave.
He pulled out each drawer to make sure he hadn’t left anything behind. The few articles of clothing he’d had in the closet had already been packed. He went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and hair, then packed his hygiene bag.
For several moments, he stared at his reflection in the mirror, and ran a hand along his jaw. In a few days, he’d have to start shaving again every day. He also needed a haircut, but he’d take care of that when he got back to Kentucky.
He carried his bags to the front door and left them there while he went to the kitchen. Beau stood at the counter, stirring creamer into his coffee. “Heading out?”
“In a few minutes.”
“Have a cup of coffee first.” Beau grabbed a clean mug from the dishrack and filled it to the brim.
“Why not, since you already poured me a cup.” Lucas shot him a smirk and took the coffee.
“Are you stopping by Mom’s first?”
“Mom’s then Serena’s.”
Beau furrowed his brows. “Serena, not Cecily’s?”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure you do.”
Lucas glared at him. “Don’t start. Why is everyone convinced there’s something between me and Serena?”
Beau pressed his lips together, as though hesitating to answer. “Can you look me in the eyes and tell me there isn’t?”
A protest formed on his lips then fell. “Not really.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” His wry laugh left an awkward echo. “Once upon a time, I loved her. When she first told me she was pregnant, I asked her to marry me and she turned me down. If I would have known she’d kept the baby, I would have kept asking her.”
“Because of the baby?”
He shook his head. “Because I loved her. We could have overcome the obstacles. I know we could have.”
“It’s easy to say that in hindsight, but reality is often a different story.” Beau took a long sip of coffee.
“Have you ever met anyone more stubborn than me, other than Rex maybe? I would have used that to my advantage.”
