Ten

6 months since the lake house

Lucas anxiously bounced his leg up and down as his flight finally landed. He had called Lenny up and talked to him about flying out to surprise Mia and Abigail for her twentieth birthday.

All she's been wanting is to fly out to New England again but with Mia, college, and searching for an apartment she never had any time.

After many rants to Lucas he finally decided to fly out and surprise her. He's missed her more than anything and he just couldn't wait to see her in person again. It's been six months since the lake house trip and they haven't seen each other in person since.

They've facetimed almost everyday and the distance was definitely getting to them. No, they aren't official yet but that's only because they're both waiting to see each other face to face and not over a computer screen. They already talk to each other like boyfriend and girlfriend but neither have popped the question yet.

"Hey Lucas!" Lenny waved as he finally caught sight of him. Lucas smiled at him and pulled his suitcase behind him.

"Hi Mr. Feder. How you been?" he asked as they walked to the car.

"Pretty good. I know Abigail's gonna be excited to see you." he said.

"I hope so."

- - -

"Can you believe how much work we get?" Abigail asked her best friend Kenzie as they walked off of campus. "I mean, we're finally adults and we're still getting stacks and stacks of school work. I've got an almost three year old at home, I don't have any free time!"

"Well maybe you could finally put her in preschool." Kenzie told her bestfriend.

"Shut up." Abigail mumbled. She's been putting off enrolling Mia into preschool because she hates to see her baby growing up. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and sighed when she saw no text from Lucas.

"Still no text?" Kenzie asked.

"No." Abigail groaned. "He always texts or calls me after I finish class. It's the only time when he's not at practice."

"Maybe something came up and he just can't get to the phone right now." Kenzie shrugged.

"Who can't get to the phone right now?" Cason asked as Theo came up beside Abigail and draped his arm around her shoulder.

"Ooo is it Mr. Lake House Lover?" Theo teased her. So small thing, Theo just so happens to be Mia's biological father. Him and Abigail are still close friends and nothing has really changed between them.

"His name is Lucas." Abigail rolled her eyes.

"His name is Lucas." her other friend Nina mocked as she approached them. "God trust me, we know. You've reminded us a million times."

"I don't talk about him that much." Abigail said.

"Mhm and I don't pretend to do my work when in reality I have Cason do it for me." she commented.

"Stop it, okay.  I just miss him. It's been six months since we've seen each other in person and that's way too long."

Little did she know that Lucas pulled into the parking lot a little ways away and the minute he caught sight of her his stomach flipped. When he saw Theo's arm around her he tried to ignore the jealous feeling inside of him. He got out of the car and leaned against it with a nervous sigh.

He didn't miss the way that several girls were checking him out but he knew he was only there for one special girl.

"What if something happened to him?" he heard Abigail ask her friends. "I mean, he always texts or calls me. What if he's hurt? What if something happened during practice?"

He smiled at her worrying and pulled out his phone. He went to her contact and called her. He watched as she all but jumped when she grabbed her phone and answered the call.

"Lucas?" she asked and her friends laughed at her.

"Hey beautiful." he grinned. She blushed and looked down which made him smirk. "Sorry it took me so long, I was a little caught up in something."

"Oh that's okay." she nodded.

"It's not okay. She was freaking her ass off." Nina said into the phone. Lucas laughed again when Abigail slapped her friend away.

"Well," he pushed off the car and started walking up behind them, "if you're not too busy, I was thinking we could do something tonight."

"What are you talking about?" she furrowed her brows. "You're all the way back in New England. See-- I told you that you were taking too many hits to the head."

"We can still do something tonight." he shrugged. "Especially considering I'm not all the way in New England and I'm right behind you watching that sexy ass of yours in those jeans."

"What have I told you about staring at my ass?" she asked. He didn't say anything and waited for her to catch on to what he said. "Wait a minute-- how did you--"

She looked over her shoulder and turned around fully. He held his arms out with a grin on his face as she stared at him, shocked.

"Surprise." he teased. She let out a squeal and ran towards him. She dropped her bag on the way and then jumped into his arms making him laugh. Her legs wrapped around his waist while he hugged her tightly.

"How?" was all she managed to get out.

"I missed you too much and needed to see you." he whispered in her ear. She tightened her arms around his neck and he rubbed her back.

"Oh my gosh, I missed you so much." she told him as her eyes welled up with tears. "Oh you have no idea how excited Mia's gonna be."

"Well a little birdy told me that she has a dance recital tonight." he smirked. She finally let her legs go from his waist and he set her down. She looked up at him and played with the hairs on the back of his head.

"Your hair is longer." she commented.

"Seriously?" he tilted his head at her.

"What? It's cute." she smiled. He grinned and cupped her cheeks. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and heard her girl friends aw from behind them. "Come on. I gotta show you off."

"Show me off?" he questioned.

"Mhm." she smirked. "In case you didn't notice almost every girl out here is watching you with 'fuck me' eyes."

"Oh so you'd rather it be you?" it was his turn to smirk and she blushed. She smacked his shoulder and he laughed.

"Guys!" she called to her friends as she pulled Lucas over. "This is Lucas."

"Yeah, we kinda gathered that." Cason commented.

"Shut up."

"So this is Mr. Lake House Lo--" before Theo could finish Abigail smacked a hand over his mouth.

"I will kill you." she threatened.

"No you won't." he rolled his eyes.

"Fine, I'll tell Mia that you ate all of her ice cream from my mini fridge." she crossed her arms. His eyes widened and he grabbed her arms.

"You can't! She'll murder me!" he exclaimed. Lucas laughed from beside them and Abigail turned to him.

"Okay, well, this is Theo." she introduced. "That's Cason, Kenzie, and Nina." she pointed to each of her friends. "Please do not embarrass me." she told them.

"Oh Lucas, did you know that Abby still sleeps with a stuffed--" Abigail once again smacked a hand over Theo's mouth.

"You know what, we're gonna go before you make him never want to come out here again." she told him. He licked her palm making her snatch her hand away.

"Whatever. See you at Mia's recital." he winked and started walking to his car.

"I hate you." she called.

"Love you too!"

She huffed and turned to her other friends. "We'll see you guys later." she started pulling Lucas away.

"Well he's interesting." he laughed as they got to his car.

"He's annoying but sadly that's my bestfriend." she pursed her lips.

- - -

"You have no freaking idea how excited she's going to be." Abigail told Lucas as they sat down in the auditorium for Mia's first ballet recital.

"You have no idea how excited I am." he smirked. "I can't wait to see my little Princess bust a move."

"It's ballet Luke, there will be no busting a move." she rolled her eyes. She heard someone moving through people and saw Theo and Kenzie making their way to the seats next to her.

"Okay, lesson learned, never steal a parking spot from an old lady." Theo rubbed his head as he sat down. Abigail and Lucas laughed and looked at Kenzie who rolled her eyes.

"Thank god I drove alone." the girl threw her hands up before the lights dimmed and shined on the stage.

"Oo. It's starting." Abigail grinned and held Lucas's arm. He smiled down at her and just gazed at her which didn't go un noticed by Theo and Kenzie. They both smirked at each other and it wasn't until the music started that he snapped out of it and looked at the stage.

Mia went on with the other girls and when she saw her mom she waved a little making Abigail grin and wave back. She hadn't noticed Lucas yet because he wanted to surprise her at the end so he was slightly leaning down in his seat.

It got to one part and the group of little girls went to the back of the stage and one girl came to the front. All of their eyes widened when they realized it was Mia.

She did a solo part where she went onto her tippy toes and moved in circles making Abigail put a hand over her heart in admiration for her daughter. Mia then did a backbend and kicked over making everyone clap.

Theo hollered loudly which got him several looks of disapproval from older parents but he didn't care.

"Did you see that?" Abigail asked Lucas excitedly making him laugh. "My baby got a solo."

"You're so cute." he shook his head with a laugh not even realizing what he had said. He looked back at the stage while Abigail looked at him with a blush on her cheeks.

When the recital was over they all waited for the girls to come out. They went around to the back of the building where the teachers would bring the girls to their parents and Lucas nervously bounced on his feet.

"Oh Mia is gonna be so happy when she sees you." Abigail told him. He smiled down at her just as the door opened. A bunch of girls came out and went to their parents before they all spotted Mia.

She was looking around and when she saw them she started skipping towards them. That was until she saw Lucas and she froze in her spot. His breath hitched thinking she was upset that he was there but then she started sprinting towards him.

"Lukey!" she screamed in excitement and ran straight towards him. He crouched down and she jumped into his arms with watery eyes. He stood up and held her tightly while she sniffled and wrapped her arms tight around his neck.

Abigail, Kenzie, and Theo's eyes softened at the sight of Mia's bottom lip sticking out and her eyes glistening with tears.

"Aww, Mia what's wrong?" Kenzie asked.

"I missed you so much." Mia told Lucas making Abigail's heart warm. Lucas himself couldn't help but choke back tears at her reaction to seeing him for the first time in months.

He didn't think she'd be so excited or that she'd miss him so much that she'd cry but seeing it just made him feel so many emotions at once.

"I missed you too Princess." he cupped her head.

"Mama not say you were coming." she pulled back to look at him.

"Well to be fair Mama didn't know I was coming." he chuckled.

"How long will you stay?" she asked.

"For a week." he smiled. "So that means I get to see all of your barbies for real instead of through facetime." she gasped adorably and hugged his neck again making them all smile.

Abigail sniffled and wiped her nose at the sight of them. She was always worried about getting involved with a guy because she didn't want Mia to not like him. But seeing the way she loves Lucas just makes all those thoughts disappear.

- - -

Abigail's POV

"No, I get to pick." Lucas tried to get the remote from Mia who was laying in between us on my bed.

"No, me." she whined and rolled over to me. "Mama tell him."

"Fine then I'm not gonna cuddle with you." Lucas stubbornly said and rolled over so his back was facing us. I shook my head in amusement and Mia whined again.

She sat up on her knees and pulled his shoulder to get him to lay back down.

"Fine, you pick." she handed him the remote. "Only cebause I wan' cuddles."

He grinned and pulled her into his arms before putting the TV on. Of course he chose a movie she'd like and then she cuddled up with him.

After her recital we picked up Greg, Kiethie, and Becky and went out for ice cream. They were all super happy that Lucas is here. Mia especially.

She hasn't left his side and she's always either holding his hand, leg, or sitting on his lap. He's soaking up every minute of it and I can just tell how much he loves hanging out with her.

My dad and Roxanne haven't exactly been the best. Of course they're nice to Lucas but when I'm around they're just quiet. I don't think they even realize how much they're hurting me but they probably don't care. So much for being my dad.

"Lukey?" Mia whispered as she started falling asleep.

Her head was resting on his arm that was laid out on the bed. She was under the blankets on my bed with us and had her stuffed animals with her. She never goes anywhere without at least three of them so she sleeps with them every night even if her room is right down the hall.

"What's up Princess?" he looked down at her.

"I yuv you." she mumbled and cuddled closer to his chest. My mouth opened a bit as he looked down at her with a small smile. He brushed her hair off of her forehead and kissed her temple.

"I love you too." he told her making my lips twitch upward. I saw a small smile on her face as she slowly fell asleep. I leaned forward to kiss the back of her head before standing up.

"Where are you going?" he asked me quietly as to not wake her up.

"I'm gonna go grab a water and an extra blanket since she stole all of it." I pointed out making him laugh. "I'll be right back."

"Okay." he nodded.

I walked out of my room and made my way towards the kitchen where the light was on.

"Abigail." my dad's voice made me squeeze my eyes shut. I walked past him and to the fridge. "Honey, can you talk to me?"

"Why should I if you haven't talked to me in months?" I asked.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "I've talked to you."

"Yeah right. We haven't had an actual conversation since the lake house. It's not my fault that you're choosing Roxanne's side over mine and Mia's." I said.

"I'm not gonna choose between the two of you."

"And I'm not asking you to. I'd just appreciate it if you'd actually defend my daughter and I when she calls us both mistakes." I snapped and grabbed a water bottle.

"I know I should have but--"

"No, there is no but." I cut him off. "You should have. It doesn't matter if she's your wife, she should never say that to us. I will never forgive her for calling my daughter a mistake and I'll never forgive you for letting her."

I walked out of the kitchen without another word. When I got back to my room I saw Lucas asleep with his other arm draped over Mia. I sighed and laid down beside them. I looked down at Mia and kissed her head.

"I love you baby." I stroked her cheek. "Nothing will ever change that."

- - -