All in A Days Work...Short Story

It's been a whole week since Luke told everyone about Ruby's paternity test results. Michelle is finishing getting ready for her first day at work. It was nice having the week to get the house in order she unpacked the remainder of their wedding gift but still has some bags to put away. She checks her hair one last time in the mirror before she heads downstairs...

Downstairs Benjamin sits with his breakfast and laptop, he's any early riser so he's always up and at it before Michelle is. Growing up on a ranch his Father had him do chores before school, so hard work is something he doesn't shy from. So now he sits and gets started on work before heading into the office.

 Rocky has come up to get some attention, Benjamin gently scratches his head when Michelle comes into the room, 

preoccupied with her phone...

 Benjamin looks up and smiles, feeling 

proud call her his wife...

 *Benjamin* "Wow! Look at you!...."

 Michelle looks up realizing that he's 

been checking her out. She puts her bag and phone 

down and strikes a pose.

 *Michelle* "You like it?...You don't think it's too much?"

 *Benjamin* "No, Darlin'...You look great!..."

 *Michelle* "I just want to make a good impression..."

Benjamin gets up so he can wrap his arms around her... 

*Benjamin* "I'm sure you'll make a great first day impression...In fact..."

 *Benjamin joking* "I may need to escort you to work to make sure no on

 hits on my beautiful wife..."

 *Michelle smiles* "I may have to take you up on that offer, so everyone 

can see the handsome man I'm married to...

Benjamin pulls her in for a quick kiss. These two are still completely over the moon for each other even though the honeymoon is over.  It's only been a little over 2 months since they were married, so they are still in that nauseating love sick phase.

 *Michelle* "Keep kissing me like that and I won't get to work on time...I better go, 

I don't want to get stuck in downtown traffic..."

*Benjamin* "Okay, but at least eat some breakfast before you go, Darlin'...It's the 

most important meal of the day."

 He turns and points to his bowl of cereal...

 *Michelle* "And dribble milk all over my new jacket?...I'll be fine."

 She begins to pack up her new bag, she got 

for work last week...

 *Benjamin* "Then eat a banana, I don't want you passing out cause you forgot

 to eat...I know how you git when you git busy with work..."

Michelle decides to grab an apple, she is feeling quite a bit hungry...maybe it's just nerves...While she's looking down at her phone looking at an email from her new boss, she talks to Benjamin.

 *Michelle* "If my day isn't too busy, you want to meet me for lunch? I won't be

 far from the little Asian restaurant you took me on our first date...That's if you want to..."

 Benjamin leans in against the bar height chair. That day was by far the best date he'd ever had, he couldn't get enough

 of her after that night and he still can't.

 *Benjamin* "Darlin' I'd bring that whole damn restaurant to you, if I had too..."

 *Michelle smiles* "Oh I know you would..."

*Benjamin* "I have a few job sites to check on not far from there, 

so I'll come by and see if you want me to take you..."

 *Michelle* "Sounds perfect...I better go. Love you, Baby..."

She gives him a quick kiss.
*Benjamin* "Love you too...Drive safe, Darlin'..."

So I had plans to make this the beginning of an episode but I have since decided to go a different direction, instead of letting what I typed up go to waste I just decided to leave it as a short story. These two are just too cute and I can't get enough of how much they are in love with each other at the moment.  I am so glad they are finally hitched after a year long engagement!
 ^_^

And since this story is about work, I figured I would go ahead and post that I will be reopening my Etsy shop. After about a year long hiatus.
OneSixthAvenue
I have plans to start by listing some pillows and cushions this Saturday. Next week I will be adding some lamps and hope to get some furniture going down the line.  

  This is a peek at some of what I'll be listing.

 The chair and bench were Hobby Lobby craft store finds in their Spring shop collection. This is what ultimately inspired me to get my shop up and running again.

 Kiara showing off this groovy floral print.

 Kenzie sitting on the new comfy cushion.

Renanta chillin' with a bunch fun blue print pillows.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!

What's In The Envelope?!...

 
  So the results are in and it's time to reveal the truth about the envelope! Whoohoo! Let's get started...

So, picking up right where we left off with Luke and Peter eating lunch at Bull Tavern and Luke has just realized that, Laura will open the envelope and read the results of the paternity test.

Luke scoots his butt out of the booth as he 
speaks to Peter.
 *Luke* "Shit! We need to leave! I need to get home now!..."

 *Peter* "Can't I just finish my burger first?..."
 *Luke* "Bring it with you..."
 Luke gets up and pulls out his wallet, leaving some 
cash on the table to pay his tab.

*Peter* "Awww, C'mon just give me five minutes..."
*Luke* "I don't have fucking five minutes! She could be
opening it right now! And the longer I take the more her little red
head will fume...So let's go!"

*Peter* "Why are you so fucking antsy? I thought Ruby
wasn't your kid?"
*Luke* "Just grab your shit so we can go!..."

Then Luke turns to wave to Aric at the bar, letting him know 
he's leaving. Peter then quickly swigs down his beer 
and grabs his burger, following Luke out the door.

*********************************

Back at Luke and Laura's house Willow has handed over the envelope and Laura opens it immediately, she is hoping it says that Luke is not the father. As much as she understands that this happened before she knew Luke, the fact that he has chosen to ignore this makes her livid. How can he be so careless! She feels her body shaking with nervousness and adrenaline...

 *Laura* "It says DNA was a positive match!..."
Luckily Michelle is there to help her look over the papers, being a lawyer she has seen and read them before. Willow looks on in curiosity, she remembers Thanksgiving day when Ruby came into the bar and clutched onto Luke's leg. 
She had just started dating Peter and was so happy...

 *Michelle* "Yeah, it does...and if you look down here.
It shows you why..."
 Laura looks up at Michelle, she's starting to
 freak out a bit...

*Laura panicking* "Oh my gawd! Does this mean
 he's her father?!..."
*Michelle* "Ummm...."
Michelle is about to respond when Luke and Peter 
come bursting in...

 *Luke* "Michelle....don't answer that! Let me explain it to her..."
Michelle looks a little annoyed but steps back an lets Luke speak. She knows the truth after looking at the paper so, she wants to see if he'll give it to her straight, but Laura is the one to speak first she is so mad at him for never opening the envelope!

*Laura* "How could you be so stupid and never open this! If she's your daughter
 Luke you should be taking responsibility and not running from it!..."
*Luke* "Babe...Just let me explain..."

 Laura gets up...so she can look him straight in the eyes.
*Laura* "Explain what? How can you stand there lie to me again?!...
How long have you known she's your child?"
Luke leans in, raising his voice in response back to her.

  *Luke* " LAURA, SHE'S NOT MY KID!!!"
 *Laura* "Why should I believe you?!..."
*Michelle* "He's right, Laura...Luke is not Ruby's father."

*Laura shakes her head* "I...I don't understand...But the DNA?..."
*Luke takes in a deep breath* "This is what the lab tech told Hayden and I....The
 DNA is a close match because we share the same FATHER,  Babe!..."

*The girls collectively gasp* "Oh my gawd!"
Even Michelle, who knew some of it by just glancing at the paper, 
but to hear it out loud is another.
While Peter who was also listening freaks out.

*Peter* "Holy fuck, mind blown!...."
All the while imitating his head exploding.
Laura continues to stand there in shock, she was so sure
 that Luke was the father.

*Laura* "What?!, oh my gawd! And you're sure of this?"
*Luke* "I was assured that those are the results...That was
just my copy to keep."
Luke points to the envelope.

Peter too is reeling from this new piece of news.
*Peter* "That means she's your little sister!..."
*Luke* "I know!..."

*Peter* "Talk about keeping it in the family...Shit!"

*Laura* "Peter, little ears!..."

*Peter* "Oh! Sorry..." 

Then Peter locks eyes with Willow, who's been sitting 

quietly there on the couch. He can see the hurt and anger in her eyes, everything from this morning too fresh in her memory.

Then he looks away turning his attention back

 to Luke and Laura. Laura is still upset, and rightfully so. Luke could have told her this, and all this time he chose to keep it to himself, why?

 *Laura* "Luke, I'm your wife...why can't you just tell me these things, 
why would I be upset if she's your sister? I don't get it..."
 Luke scratches the top of his head...

*Luke* "I....It's not something I like to talk about or think about..."
Then Peter recalls something that happened years ago and 
he knows now why Luke doesn't want to say anything.

 *Peter* "Oh shi...I mean...I know! Vegas! Right?..."

 Luke turns to look at Peter, his eyes saying everything, of course he's talking about Vegas it's the only time he's ever seen his father his whole adult life.

 

 *Laura* "Vegas?!....I thought you haven't seen your father since you 

were a kid! How would she know where to find him?..."

*Luke* "Because the last time I saw him I was with Rufus..."

While the three of them are talking Michelle and Willow 
just listen, both sucked in by this bit of juicy info.

   *Laura* "So is that where you dad lives? In Vegas?..."
 *Luke* "The last time I saw him yeah..."
*Laura* "So she's met your father..."

*Luke* "Um...yeah she's met my father..."
*Peter while clearing his throat* "AAhhhem!! Trailertrash!!!"
 *Michelle* "Now we're all really dying to know!..."

*Laura* "Just come out and say it, Luke..."
 *Luke* "Yes! Okay?! Rufus and my dad hooked up that night!...But that's
 not when she got pregnant!"

*Laura* "So what's the big deal? Did you have a threesome with
Rufus and your father?!"

*Luke* "What?!...No!..."
*Laura* "Did you think I would be mad cause she's met your Dad
and I haven't?"
*Luke wondering at bit* "Are you?..."
 *Laura* "Yeah I kinda am..."

"Luke tries to reassure her* "Babe, he's not worthy to meet you, I know he's my Dad but after what happened between the 3 of us.....I...I just wouldn't want him to think that I'm okay with that, with you....because I'm not."

*Laura* "Okay with what?..."

Then Peter turns to face Luke him and Michelle realize

 that these two need their privacy now. 

So it's time for them to go.

*Peter* "I need to get back to work..."

*Luke* "Yeah, sure, do you need me to take you back?"

*Peter* "Naw, man...I'll hit up Uber for that...Hey don't forget 

practice at the club this weekend..."

While Luke talks to Peter Laura checks up on Willow, the emotion between Luke and Laura got to her a bit, everything with her and Peter is still too new and the fact that he's standing there in the same room has her wondering how this will work when they are both friends with the same married couple.

*Laura* "Hey are you okay?..."
*Willow* "I'm trying...Kinda hard when he's like 6 feet away from me,
but I'm trying my best to pretend he's not here..."
*Laura* "Awwww, Sweetie, I would have gladly kicked him out,
I'm sorry I just got so distracted by this letter..."

 *Willow* "No it's okay, I think I'm gonna have to get used to seeing
him sometimes if we stay friends..."
*Laura* "Yeah, that is true...Oh! I'm so mad at him for hurting you!"
*Willow* "Another time, you've got your own stuff to deal with, I'll call you later."
*Laura* "Okay..."
As Willow gets her things so she can go, Michelle has let
 Phoenix down to go play with his toys, 
so she can talk to Laura...

 *Michelle* "You want me to stay?..."
*Laura* "Oh, no...it's fine...Thanks for helping me figure out
this paperwork,  though."
 *Michelle* "I guess you're relieved he's not Ruby's father?"
*Laura* "Um, yeah....I am but I guess I would have been okay otherwise..."
 Luke stops Willow at the door.

*Luke* "Hey, just give him a second to get down the street and catch his ride...
And I'm sorry he hurt you, I thought that maybe he was past
all that kinda shit already..."

*Willow* "You don't have to apologize for him... I'll be alright.
At least I found out now, rather than later..."
*Peter* "Yeah, you're right..."
 Willow leaves then shortly after so does Michelle. 
Luke closes the door behind them and walks back towards Laura.

*Laura* "So are you gonna tell me the rest?..."
Luke walks the rest of the way up to her and 
points to the couch.

 Laura sits down and then Luke takes his place 
next to her on the couch.
 *Laura* "I'm waiting..."

 *Luke takes a deep breath* "Um...Okay, so it was our last night there, and
 Rufus remembered me telling her that my Dad lived in Vegas.
 *Laura* "So how come you've never told me this before?...I just don't
understand why you'd think I'd be mad about it."

*Luke* "Because I don't want you to feel like you need to meet him just because Rufus did..."
*Laura* "What's wrong with me meeting him?"
*Luke* "Because he's not a good man Laura...and I don't want him around you."

 Phoenix comes over with his toys looking for some attention both of them are so preoccupied with each other they don't respond right away...
 *Laura* "How long ago did this all happen?"

*Luke* "Oh, I don't know like a year before I left her...
 She was bored, and decided to look him up. I really didn't want to but you
know how she gets when she puts her mind to something...
So she called him, convinced him to come party with us and before I know
 it he was there in our hotel suite..."
Luke pauses for a moment...

*Laura* "And?..."
*Luke* "I'm getting there....So he shows up with some people, biker type...
at first it seems cool, he seems cool, we all start drinking and doing lines."
*Laura* "Who brought the drugs?"
After Laura doesn't respond Phoenix tries to 

gets Luke's attention.

*Luke* "He did. He brought the whole party...exactly what Rufus wanted..."
*Laura* "So what is he, a drug dealer?...Is that why you don't want him around?"
Laura reaches out to pick up Phoenix, he's now getting fussy, it's getting to be past his nap time.

 *Luke* "Um...Yeah I don't know he's definitely not on the up and up when it comes to making money. The reason I really don't want you around him, as if that's not reason enough, is that he is manipulative and he knows how to get what he wants. That night he came in
 determined to nail Rufus and he did.
*Laura* "But your relationship with her was different...I would never..."

*Luke stops her* "Yeah, but he just came in and took what he wanted, he didn't care that I was his son, or that she and I were together. He has no boundaries,  he just does whatever the fuck he wants, Babe!...That's why I don't like to talk about him, he didn't give a shit about me, that night was all about him profiting from that party that Rufus wanted. You and Phoenix are the only family I need. I love you and he has no place in our lives even if he is Ruby's father.
That's between him and Rufus not me. "

*Laura* "Luke, if he is this bad of a person wouldn't you want Ruby to be safe and raised away from any of that? What if he takes her away from Rufus? She's just a small child..."
*Luke* "I knew you'd feel that way, Rufus can afford to keep Ruby safe and I
don't think he knows about her much less cares either..."

*Laura* "Ruby is such a sweet little girl, I just hope Rufus keeps her safe..."
*Luke* "I know she is, but my priority is keeping you and our son safe..."
Luke turns to look at Phoenix he's never loved something or someone as much as he loves his son and if that means 
Phoenix will never know his grandfather then so be it...

*Luke* "You're looking sleepy little man?...You
need to take a nap."
*Phoenix* "No! No...swleep!!! Da-Da! Airopwane! Airopwane!"
Laura is still thinking over what Luke just told her...
*Laura* "So your just gonna leave it at that then?.."

*Luke* "I think for now that's the best thing to do, I don't want him or Rufus back
 in our and lives and there's no reason for us to get involved...."

*Phoenix* "Da-Da! Airopwane! Airopwane!"
*Luke* "Airplane?!  You want to fly huh?!..."
Luke scoops him up and Phoenix smiles...

*Luke* "You like that don't you?..."
Phoenix giggles, and Luke lifts him up and down several times and flies him back and forth. While Laura quietly watches them. Luke is so good with him despite not having his own father, and after what she learned today it's probably best he wasn't raised by him.

*Laura* "Okay you two, time to break it up..."
*Luke* "Mama says it's your nap time..."
 *Phoenix* "Noooooo!!!"
 He gives Phoenix a quick kiss then Luke hands him off
 to Laura and he begins to fuss.

 *Luke* "I'm gonna take off and get a few things done at the shop before we open tomorrow.
I'll be back by dinner time..."
 *Laura* "Okay..."
Laura gets up and and wrangles with a fussy Phoenix.
 Before she can get to the stairs Luke stops her.

 *Luke* "Babe?..."
Laura stops and turns to look at him.
*Laura* "Yeah?..."

 *Luke* "I hope you're not too mad at me for never telling you any of this. I know I should have but at the time I was too afraid to, and we were still trying to work through our own problems..."
*Laura* "I'm fine...We'll talk more later. I need to get him
down before it's really too late."

 Later that same Monday evening, Laura is finishing cleaning up the kitchen while Luke puts Phoenix to bed.
 He has now come downstairs to check on her.

 *Luke* "Phoenix is asleep...You coming to bed? You've been down here for awhile."
*Laura* "Just trying to get this kitchen tidied up...."
She continues to scrub the wooden kitchen island 
as hard as she can.

*Luke* "Babe? You okay? You usually start deep cleaning when
something is really bothering you. You still mad at me?" *Laura* "It's just I thought we were past all the secrets...why didn't you tell me
this when we were in counseling?"
 *Luke* "I told you why I didn't want to say anything...and I'm sorry. I know I should have..."

 *Laura* "I was ready to accept if she was yours but the lying and the secrets is what gets to me...Do you really think that I would hate you for stuff that happened in the past? I thought we went through all this already....Luke, I love you and nothing has changed that....I just want to be able to look at you and know that you're not holding back..."

 Luke unexpectedly pulls her in, catching Laura a little by surprise, he kisses her forehead, holding her there for a second, then pulls away.
*Luke* "You're right, and I'm sorry I betrayed your trust again, and I swear that
was the last thing I wanted to do. But at the time all I wanted was for Rufus to be gone.  If she knew I knew that could have caused an issue and so I didn't want anyone to know. There was just too many reasons not to tell you at the time."

 *Laura* "But that's just it, I don't want you to be ashamed, embarrassed, or forced into a corner not to tell me anything, I'm your wife for better or for worse remember? I know that's not how it was when you were with Rufus. She's very petty and I can see why you held back sometimes but I will never do that! I mean goodness she went and had a child with your father because you wouldn't give her what she wanted!"
Luke reaches up brushing her hair back...

*Luke* "So does this mean you forgive me again?...
 *Laura* "Yes Luke...I forgive you...What happened is not worth fighting over and naturally I'm a little upset but I know you were just doing what you could to hold on to me at the time...I have to
think I might have done the same if I was in your place..."

Luke kisses her relieved she's not too upset about it all.
*Luke* "I swear I don't deserve you..."
 
The End! 
^_^

So the mystery of the envelope is now resolved. Hope you all enjoyed! The votes were so very close with only a handful more voting for Luke to not be the father.