Coming Clean...(S4-E13)

Luke and Laura catch a cab back home, the whole ride back Laura is excited talking nonstop about the baby shower and any other plans they were thinking up. 

Luke has a hard time focusing and listening to her. He is way too preoccupied with how he is gonna tell her that Rufus is in town. 

 Now that they are home both of them are busy getting ready for bed.

*Luke toothbrush in hand* "Are you going into work tomorrow?"

*Laura* "Um....yeah, but only for a little while. Why?"

*Luke* "Maybe I can pick you up for lunch tomorrow..."
 *Laura* "I'd love to but I need to be at Ma Cherie so I can walk the new chef through a few things..."

*Luke* "That's fine...This is your last week there right? Jett is not gonna string you along?"

*Laura* "Yeah, yeah. She is completely understanding. I might not even need to go back after tomorrow the new chef is good. She's a pro."

They both finish then climb into bed grabbing pillows and adjusting the blanket to get comfortable. 

Luke is getting tenser with every moment that ticks by. Laura turns on her side to get comfortable, her back facing him....

*Laura lets out a slight yawn* " Oh! I'm so tired.......Goodnight, Baby...."
 *Luke just stares at the ceiling* "Babe.....there's something I need to tell you."

*Laura* "What do you mean?....."

*Luke* "It's about that phone call I got earlier..."

*Laura turns to face him* "Did something happen at the record shop?"

*Luke turns to face her* "No, the shop is fine."

*Laura* "So who was calling you?"
 *Luke says it quickly* "It was Rufus......"

Laura's face shows shock, then anger starts to swell.

*Laura* "What?!"

*Luke* "Babe, please calm down...your blood pressure, remember?  I don't want you getting upset...."

*Laura sits up* "Well, yeah! Of course I am upset!...."

*Luke sits up as well* "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you that same day she showed up, but I......"

*Laura interrupts* "Showed up! You mean you have seen her!"

*Luke* "She must have followed me. She surprised me in the park on Friday...."

*Laura gets up and paces the floor* "Friday! That's the night you gave me the ring. Is she why you got home so late that night?"

*Luke* "What? No! I had work to catch up on...."
 *Laura* "She wants you back doesn't she?"
 *Luke* "Well, yeah.... that is what she said but....

*Laura* "Oh my god, this just keeps getting worse! I knew I had that dream for a reason....*visions of her dream come back* "I swear Luke, if you....." 

 Luke walks over to her and stops her from pacing.

*Luke* "Babe....this doesn't change anything between us. I love you! I want to marry...you! I am not gonna cheat on you!...."

*Laura* "I want to know exactly what happened.....all of it."

 *Luke* "That's fine, lets just go back to bed. You need to calm down."

Laura doesn't argue. They get back into bed and Luke pulls her up against him and starts from the beginning. He first tells her about the day she surprised him in the park, trying to remember their conversation word for word not leaving anything out. Then tells her about the text message of pictures she sent him and the phone call that happened earlier that night.

*Laura* "I still can't believe this is happening..and I don't like it all."

*Luke* "Yeah, I know."
*Laura* "Maybe we should invite her over for dinner. Then she will see that she needs to move on."

*Luke cringes at the thought* "Ahhh! I don't think that is such a good idea..."
*Laura* "Why not? This way she can see you have completely moved on."
*Luke* "I already told her all of that."

*Laura* "Yeah, but seeing us together will make it more real for her."
*Luke* "You just want to rub it in don't you? Show her that I'm yours now...."
*Laura smiles wryly* "Yeah, so? She needs to see it plus it will make me feel better."
*Luke* "And what about me? I am not doing dinner with you and my ex."

*Laura* "Why? It's not like you have anything to hide..."
*Luke frustrated* "Laura....just drop it. We are not having dinner with Rufus." 
*Laura* "Fine...fine. I just hate knowing she is prowling around still."
*Luke* "I understand...just please trust me to deal with her if she decides to show her face again."

*Laura* "Okay.....okay....And I trust you."
 Luke smiles, relieved that she now knows everything and she is okay with it all. He kisses her.

Then he moves from her lips then down the side of her neck, when she doesn't protest he continues to move down her shoulder.....   

*Laura* "Luke, stop....."

*Luke* "Awww! C'mon...you look completely relaxed to me."

*Laura smiles* "I am at the moment but I.."

*Luke interrupts* " Babe, the doc didn't specifically say we couldn't have sex. So why do you keep pushing me away?"

*Laura* "Because I am feeling fat and bloated..."

*Luke* "Can't you just try and give it a chance?"

*Laura* "I'm sorry but I'm just not in the mood and I'm tired."

*Luke* "Remember what you said to me the night that we found out you were pregnant? You said that you could never tell me no..."

*Laura getting upset* "Oh, come on Luke! Really?! You can't be understanding!? I am the one pregnant. Stop being so selfish! Maybe, I'm the one who should be mad at you..."

*Luke* "For what?"
*Laura* "For getting me pregnant! Don't you remember what you said to me that night? You said it was your fault...That I should...."

*Luke cuts her off* "Forget it!  I'm not in the mood, anymore!"

Luke gets up and grabs his pillows and the extra blanket.

*Laura* "Where are you going?!"

*Luke* "To the couch..."

He starts to walk away..... 

*Laura* "Luke! Your acting like a child! This is ridiculous!"

He doesn't stop he just walks out the door and heads downstairs. 

He gets settled on the couch and thinks about what just happened.

*Luke muttering to himself* "What a f*cking idiot! Telling her the truth did not work! Why did I listen to Benjamin?!"

Little did he realize Laura had followed him down the stairs and heard  all what he just said. 

*Laura* "What did you just say?!"

 *Luke sits up* "Nothing! Just go back to bed...."

*Laura* "It's not nothing! Were you talking with Benjamin and Aric about US!?" You thought if you told me the truth, that I would have sex with you?!"

*Luke fidgets* "No!"

*Laura* "Luke your lying!" *Laura staggers feeling a bit dizzy* "I'm not feeling so good."

Luke mumbles a string of curse words and reacts quickly. He walks her to the couch to sit her down then gets a glass of water. They sit quietly for a long moment, while she sips the water.

*Luke feeling utterly defeated but worried about her at the same time* "Babe.....I'm sorry, I really don't want to fight with you."
*Laura* "I don't want to fight either." 

*Luke*  "You feeling any better?"
 *Laura she looks at him* "I'm okay...."
*Luke* "You should probably see the doctor tomorrow...."

*Laura* "I'll be fine....listen just because I don't want to have sex right now doesn't mean I don't want to or that I don't love you. My body is just going through too many changes right now and..it's..."

*Luke stops her* "Babe....it's okay. I get it. I'm sorry I was pushing you....and I should have never listened to Benjamin. Damn him!, for getting me all worked up...."
 *Laura leans into him* "Yeah he did....but maybe once I am completely done working at Ma Cherie, we can have a night to ourselves at least once before the baby is born."

Luke just smiles, kisses her forehead and wraps his arm around her.
*Laura* "...So, did you tell the guys about our situation?"

*Luke* " No! It was your sister...Benjamin brought it up."
*Laura* "Oh!, well that explains a lot. Guess, I shouldn't have told her so much."
*Luke* "Don't worry about it...So, you forgive me Babe, for being such a complete ass..."

*Laura kisses him* "Yes, of course I forgive you....now let's go to bed." 
 *Luke* "Yeah, it's late.....lets get some sleep."

Luke grabs his bedding and follows Laura back upstairs and into bed. By now both up them are utterly and completely exhausted, they fall asleep nearly the moment their heads hit their pillows. So things didn't exactly go the way Luke hoped they would but at least Laura now knows the truth about Rufus.  As for other matters, he now understands where she is coming from and respects her wishes to just be patient. I think this pregnancy has been rough on both of them lately but he is just going to have to suck it up for now. Laura is about half way now. Her sixth month checkup is approaching soon...and they may have an opportunity to find out if they are having a boy or a girl!

The End!
For now....
^_^ 

After Hours at Bull Tavern...(S4-E11)

Caution!

Adult language and themes ahead... 

Luke, Aric, and Benjamin all sit together at a booth, while the girls have gone upstairs to Aric and Roxie's place. They plan to talk about planning a baby shower, so the guys decide to stay downstairs. The bar may be closed up for the night but the beer is still flowing.  It's been awhile since they have all sat together.....

Aric comes with a full pitcher of beer for them and then sits across  from Luke in the booth.

*Aric* "So?! You're getting married...." 

*Luke just kinda mutters it out* "Yup, getting married and having a baby." * Luke takes a sip of his beer*

*Aric* "Yeah, seems like life just kinda sneaked up on you there..."

*Benjamin speaking to Aric but Luke can still hear him* "I think he's starting to freak out on us and he hasn't even got to the alter yet."

*Luke* "F*ck you! Benjamin....."

*Benjamin* "Whoa! Hey! I'll let that one slide.....What the hell is up with you? You have been in a mood ever since you got that mysterious text and phone call..."

*Luke buries his face in his hands* "Sh*t!......"

*he looks back at them* "It's my Ex. She showed up into town a couple days ago...."

*Aric* "What!? Which one!?"

 *Benjamin* "Sh*t! How many Ex's do you have..."

*Aric* "Benji! Shut the hell up."

*Luke* "The only one that f*cking matters.....Rufus!"

*Benjamin* "Oh, sh*t! The rock star one?"

*Aric* "And?!....What happened? Does Laura know about it?"

 *Luke* "Yeah that one.....She showed up out of no where on Friday. I was out for lunch, she said she wanted to get back with me.  I was completely blindsided by it, and no, Laura does not know about it."

*Benjamin* "Whoa! Wait a minute! Isn't that the night you gave Laura the engagement ring?"

*Luke buries his face in his hands again* "Ahh....Yeah.... I couldn't come home and tell her about Rufus. So, I just went ahead and gave it to her. She already kinda knew about the ring anyway..."

*Aric* "And Rufus was the one texting and calling you earlier?....."

*Luke sighs* "Yes....I answered the call and basically told her to get lost....but I don't know if it's gonna work. She is used to getting what she wants."

*Benjamin lifts his eyebrows and inquires* "Are you gonna give her what she wants?"
  *Aric* "Benji, don't encourage that!"

*Luke* "No, I don't want to give her what she wants....Rufus is complicated and demanding, you get tired of that sh*t after a while."
*Benjamin* "Yeah, I know the type. Those usually turn into f*cking stalkers if you're not careful...."

*Aric* "Can you two focus here? You need to tell her, Luke.  You can't start a marriage and a life with her if you can't even tell her about this little encounter with your Ex......"

*Benjamin* "Ye-ah, man! I agree. Laura was eying you when that text came in. I don't think she believed you at all, and from what I could see....the text was some pictures."

*Luke* "You could see that?"

*Benjamin* "Yeah, I could. I got hawk vision when it comes to naked women."

*Luke* "Sh*t! Well, I deleted them the moment I saw what it was, but then she starts calling me. I knew if I didn't answer she was gonna keep texting and calling."

*Aric* "I know you want to protect Laura, but your doing the opposite by not telling her.  Trust her, I'm sure it will all work out. So, if Rufus does show up somewhere unannounced she will be ready. Plus, having her by your side will make you a stronger force against Rufus."

*Benjamin* "Yeah, what he said.......Hey, I heard your not gettin' any either."

*Luke* "You heard that?"

*Benjamin* "Yeah, it kinda slipped out the other day. You know Michelle, she can talk your ear off."

*Aric* "Is everything okay between you two?"

*Luke* "Yeah! She just has to watch her blood pressure.  It's been nearly a month now since we...."*his voice trails off*

*Benjamin slaps his leg and laughs* "That's it!? Sh*t!....try holding out for six months, when your balls have gone from blue to black!"

They all bust out laughing, which helps break the somberness of the moment.

 *Aric still laughing a bit* "Benji, that was just horrible!"

*Benjamin chuckling* "Oh c'mon Aric, you thought it was funny."

*Aric* "Okay, okay...so it was a little funny."

They all pause and sit quietly for a long moment. All of them taking sips of their beer. 

*Benjamin* "Maybe telling Laura about Rufus will give you a window of opportunity to get some action. Jealousy can bring out that primal animal in a woman.  I wouldn't be surprised if she let it happen.  You might not even have to ask. I'm betting she will take the initiative."

*Aric* "Even though Benji's mind is almost always in the gutter. I think he has a good point, but I think you need to tell Laura the truth no matter what."

*Luke* "Yeah,  Benjamin's mind is f*cked up but I do think he has something there..."

*Aric* "Well, then what are you waiting for? Go get your woman and tell her the truth. Ya'll can talk in the car on the way home...."

*Benjamin shakes his head* "No! Bad idea...Plus I drove them here.....do it while you are already in bed snuggled up against her. You know how much chicks like to spoon and sh*t like that. You tell her the truth then she'll thank you for it."

*Aric* "Benji!...."

*Luke* "Sorry, Aric but Benjamin has you beat. He is right. I actually agree with him on that...."

*Aric* "Benji, you are a sick twisted...."

*Benjamin* "Why do you think I have been so successful with women?
I know what makes them tick."

*Benjamin leans back in his chair* "Besides, my good looks always helped me out there too."
 *Luke shakes his head* "You can't help it can you? You are the most cocky, arrogant Bastard I know."

 *Benjamin just shrugs his shoulders* "Yeah, well you can thank this cocky, arrogant Bastard later, cause you should be heading out the door right now on your way home...."

*Luke* "Yeah, I'm outta here. We'll take a cab home." *he smiles* "I better get her home before it gets too late."

*Aric* "You dog! You really think it will work?"

*Luke* "If it does." *Luke smiles again* " You'll be the first to know, Aric."

Aric waves his hand to dismiss Luke's comment.

*Benjamin* "When it does, you'll be thanking me for saving your sex life."

*Luke gets up* "F*ck you, Benjamin!.....My sex life does not need saving. Laura is pregnant, how the hell do you think she ended up that way?..."

*Benjamin* "Sh*t! You really do need to get lay'd....Your like a woman with PMS right now!"  

*Aric* "Benji, leave the man alone and it let be already."

*Benjamin* "Sorry....I just got carried away."

*Luke* " Yeah, me too. Don't worry about it, Benjamin. I'll catch up with both of you later on this week......I thought you two were planning a bachelor party for Cruz?"

*Aric* " We are.."

*Benjamin* "Yeah, I'll text you with the details later this week."

*Luke* "Sounds good. Later...."

Aric and Benjamin say goodbye to Luke and he walks off down the hall and up the back steps to Aric and Roxie's apartment to go get Laura.

Luke is feeling much more relieved after telling them about Rufus. He knows what he needs to do now. Aric is right, telling her the truth will protect her more than hiding it from her. Benjamin makes some valid points as well. With the threat of Rufus so near by, he has a chance to bond stronger with her emotionally and hopefully physically as well. 

All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope she doesn't get mad that he didn't tell her about it right away....

Thanks for tuning in!!
^_^