Chapter Forty-Five
Lucy
It’s happening.
Today's the day... Doomsday, that is.
We’re going to tell my dad and Liz everything.
“This might be the last ever time we see either of them, you know,” I tell Max as I fidget with the hem of my skirt.
“Well, that’s all dependent on the choices they make.” He says flatly. “Baby, no matter what, my choice is set in stone. You are it for me.”
“So is mine. No matter what, it’s me and you.” I tell him, giving him a small smile.
We’re in the back of a taxi on the way over to their house.
We’ve dressed as if we were heading into battle.
I'm in a beautiful midi dress that gives me all the confidence I need, and Max is in a power suit, looking fucking delectable. He hasn’t been himself today, though, quieter than usual, and for Max, that is really out of character.
Even now, he is sitting fiddling with the cufflinks on his shirt, staring out of the window.
“Max? Is everything okay? You’re sure you want to tell them?” I ask, worry creeping into my tone.
“There is nothing I want more than everyone in the whole world to know how much you mean to me. You are my everything.” He says with a confidence he doesn’t show. “It’s just that I can’t get the last time we did this out of my brain. What if you decide to leave me again?”
Of course, this would be what’s worrying him. After everything we’ve been through, this is something that I should have known. Max has always struggled with people leaving, and since we’ve done this before and I did exactly that, how can I blame him?
“Look at me,” I say, lifting my hand to cup the side of his face. “Please.”
He does, slowly turning his head in my direction.
“I promise you, I will never, ever leave you again. I love you, Max. With everything that I have. You’re kind of stuck with me for life now.” I try to tease, but the worry doesn’t leave him.
“That’s what you said last time.” He breaths out, a slight tremble evident in his words.
“I am going to need you to trust me this time. I will not leave you again. I swear on my life.” I plead.
I lean closer to kiss the side of his face, barely a breath away from his cheek, when his head turns quickly. Catching my lips with his own.
“I love you.” He says, his lips still against mine.
“And I love you.”
If I could describe what this dinner table feels like right now, the first thing that comes to mind is The Last Supper. I feel awkward as hell in my childhood home. I couldn’t control my nervous knee bounce, even if I wanted to.
Sitting around the table, you have me, Max, Tommy, Maya, and Fallon. Then, sitting like bookends at each end of the table are my dad and Liz. I’m not sure if the tension in the air is all in my head or if they have a feeling of what’s to come.
Everyone is far too overdressed to be sitting in our parents' dining room. If it were any other time, I’m sure Max would have made a joke about it, but his face is set in stone. I bet he won’t last another five minutes without blurting out what we’ve come to say.
Just as we’re about to dig into the meal Liz has made us, the front door slams shut.
“Who the bloody hell could that be?” My dad frowns as he stands from his seat.
“Hi, family!” A very familiar voice calls from the hallway.
I jump up from my seat in a hurry just as Sara walks into the room.
“Oh, my God. What are you doing here?” I exclaim. My first genuine smile of the day is coming out.
She leans in for a hug and whispers into my ear.
“You thought I’d let you do this without me? We are not having a repeat performance from last time. I got you, babe.” She pulls back and gives me a quick wink before hurrying around the table, giving everyone a kiss or hug.
Shit. I never expected her to be here, but suddenly, just knowing that she is has given me even more confidence. When I have Sara around, I know I can conquer anything.
I’m doing this, no matter what.
“What a lovely surprise, Sara. It has been way too long.” Liz says, holding her face between her hands. “Is the news they’re keeping from us that you’re taking our baby girl away from us again? Where to this time?”
“Oh, no. You don’t have to worry about that.” She smirks, giving me a cheeky side eye as she takes the empty seat.
“Then what is going on?” Liz frowns. Her gaze bounced between all of us. When no one speaks fast enough for her liking, she stands and bangs her palms down on the table. “Will someone please explain to me why we have been beckoned here? You’re all acting like you’re sat at a funeral.”
“Funny, because that is exactly what it feels like,” Fallon mutters under her breath.
“Sit down, Liz. They’ll tell us when they’re ready.” My dad states, but I notice the way his eyes are trained on Max.
Does he know?
“Fuck it,” Max announces from his seat. “Lucy and I are together. We tried staying apart for your benefit, and your benefit alone, and we can’t do it. We are just as much in love now as we were when we were teens. If you can’t deal with it, then this is the last time you will see us.”
My eyes well up at his words as I gaze up at him. This bold and brave man loves me, and he isn’t scared to let the world know it. God, it makes me love him even more.
“No…” She begins to say, her face a mask of complete horror. “You… you can’t do this. Not again. What will people say?” She cries out.
So, this is going down exactly the same as last time. Great.
“They will say, ‘Why don’t Liz and James ever see any of their children?’ Because that is exactly what will happen.
You would have to be bloody stupid not to know how much these two love each other.
So, you accept it, or lose us all.” Tommy says sternly from his spot at the table. “I wonder what will look worse.”
My mouth drops open in shock. I knew he would stand up for us, but I never expected him to take it this far. How the hell did I ever become so lucky to have people this amazing around me?
“Fallon!” She yelps. “You can't be okay with all of this… this, ridiculousness.”
“From what I can see, the only one who is being ridiculous is you. Are you really more bothered about what other people say than Lucy and Max’s happiness?” Fallon asks, an incredulous look on her face.
Liz’s eyes zero in on my yet again, very quiet father.
“Did you know about this?” She seethes. Her hand is trembling as she picks up her glass of wine and drains the lot.
“Not exactly. But as Tommy said, I’m not blind, love.” Dad says, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. “Is it really that bad? We raised some amazing kids. I couldn’t ask for a better man to be with my daughter.”
Liz begins to stutter. At a guess, I’d say she’s panicking at what my dad is insinuating.
“Oh, come on, Liz. We all know you love Lucy like your own. Bloody get over yourself and let them bloody be.” Sara adds, raising a brow at her.
“You weren’t there to pick up the pieces last time you did this to them.
I was. That girl cried day and night for months, so much so that she nearly got kicked out of one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world.
All because of you. And if you dare to stand between them again, I’ll make sure she never steps a foot near you or this house again. ”
Holy shit.
This right here is why Sara is my best friend.
The happiest, most carefree woman in the world.
Until you mess with the people she loves.
Then you get to see a whole other version.
I haven’t seen it often, but when I have, it has been enough.
She is loyal to a fault, and the reason I love her so fucking much.
Liz is a pale woman as it is, but right now she is damn near grey.
“I’m sorry.” I squeak out, every face turning to look at me with their mouths hanging open. “I never meant for it to come to this. But I won't be apart from him. I can’t. It nearly killed me last time, and I’m done with putting everything and everyone else before my own happiness.”
Max takes my hand in his, lifting it to his mouth to kiss before squeezing it tightly.
“Our happiness.” He adds, smiling down at me.
“What’s it going to be?” He asks.
Liz just stares at us, but there is no emotion behind her eyes.
“I…” She starts, before my dad interrupts.
“She will need some time to get used to the idea. But she will come around. No one should ever get in the way of true love. What you two have is something special and should be cherished.” He says, his eyes softening as he looks at me.
“Lucy-Lou, I’m sorry you hurt so badly last time.
I promise I won’t let that happen again.
Maybe we should call it a night for now, and you and your mum will have a talk about it all. ”
The relief that hits me is instantaneous. Even if it’s only my dad for now, that’s on our side; it’s enough to take away most of the burden. No little girl wants to disappoint their dad.
“I promise,” Liz whispers. “I will get used to it. I just need to process it all.”
“Well, thank god for that.” Fallon cheers.
“I think it’s time to go,” Max murmurs from beside me, to which I just nod.
“Let’s get out of here,” Tommy says as he guides Maya from the table.
I’m almost at the door when Liz calls me back. Max stays back with me as the others head out to their cars. Ever the protective man.
“Lucy, could we maybe meet up for coffee tomorrow? Just me and you?” Liz asks hesitantly.
I feel like I’m looking at a stranger. I have seen her be sheepish before. God, the past few years she’s treated me that way. But right now, she looks damn near scared of me, and that is something I have never, ever wanted.
I muster a small smile.
“Yes. That sounds like a good idea.” I say, as Max is guiding me back towards the door.
“Come on, Sugarplum. I’m taking you home.”