Unbeautifully Loved (Breathe Again) by Emma Grayson Page A

gone.

 
     
     
    Four days have passed since I was attacked.
    Since I’ve been to work.
    And since I last saw or spoke with Lukas.
    It had been just after eight Sunday night when he knocked on the door. Mollie, Finn and I had finished our second movie and were cleaning up from Chinese takeout while Finn got ready for bed.
    “Lukas, everything okay?” I asked as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He was in the same clothing as when he left that morning but his face unreadable.
    “Told you I’d stop by,” he said gruffly.
    “I know, you just look like something’s... I don’t know,” I said.
    He followed me into the living room where Mollie was sitting on the couch flipping the channels, but looked up when she heard us enter the room. “Hey Luke, you missed some great pancakes this morning.” She winked.
    He looked from Mollie to me, his eyes connecting with mine and I watched as the grey softened. “I’ll make sure to be here next time,” he promised.
    My heart raced as his words crashed into me and his eyes bore into mine. I heard Mollie mumble something then cough. I tore my eyes away from him and looked at her; she was watching our interaction with a huge grin on her face. I was about to say something when the sound of Finn running down the stairs echoed throughout the house.
    “Mommy, I’m ready for bed,” he shouted as he came rushing into the living room, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight of Lukas. “Who’s he?” he asked coming and standing next to me.
    “This is Lukas,” I said feeling awkward having no idea what I was doing; I’d never introduced Finn to anyone before, especially a man and I didn’t know how he would react.
    “You’re really tall, like Thor . Only he’s got long hair, and a cool hammer,” he said excitedly, stepping forward, closer to Lukas.
    “Finn, Lukas is kinda like a superhero, he’s a cop.” Mollie said grinning at us. I rolled my eyes at her and she chuckled, turning her attention back to the television.
    “That’s so cool! Do you have gun and badge?” Finn asked him excitedly.
    I stood back and watched the two of them interact with a smile crossing my lips. Lukas chuckled at Finn’s question then crouched down to his height as he showed him his badge he had clipped to his belt. Finn thought it was the coolest thing he had ever seen and getting to hold it had been even better. I’d never seen him interact with anyone that way before, other than Mollie but she’s Mollie, but not even his own father had brought that out in him.
    I could see Mollie watching from the corner of my eye but I refused to look at her, keeping my eyes glued on Lukas and Finn, listening to them talk about all the bad guys he caught. Finn was in complete awe of Lukas, calling him a real life superhero and I couldn’t stop the smile from growing wider across my face at his words and the excitement they held.
    “Have you ever shot anyone?”
    “Finley James!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening, and I could hear Mollie laughing from the couch and I shot her a pointed look.
    “It’s alright Lex,” Lukas said, humor lacing his voice. “No, I’ve never shot anyone.” His eyes left Finn and drifted over to me, winking.
    Good God.
    Finn went on to ask Lukas every question a four year old could possibly think of about all the bad guys he caught, when I decided to cut in. “Finn, sweetie, I think that’s enough questions for one night, ” I said ruffling his hair. “You ready for bed?”
    “Yeah.”
    “You washed up and brushed your teeth?”
    “Yeah, see.” He smiled big showing me his baby teeth.
    I laughed. “Alright, I believe you. Okay say –”
    “I got it Lexie. I’ll take him upstairs and get him into bed.” Mollie cut in standing up from the couch. “Come on my little man, mommy and Lukas are gonna finish talking.”
    “Molls –”I began but Finn cheerfully agreed with Mollie, cutting me off.
    He said goodnight to Lukas and ran up the stairs