The Future Meets the Past...(S10-E29)

Picking up where we left off, it's still that very same week. It's Thursday evening the night before Luke should be expecting Margot's men to come collect the cash. Luke hangs out in his motel room that has been paid up till the end of the month by Rufus. His Dad is there along with his newly revealed long lost brother Baz and Peter, who has insisted he can help out even though Luke is not too happy about it.

Baz, Eva, and Peter have just showed up. Baz hands out beers and gets back to helping Eva. Luke on the other hand is throwing a fit about Peter not respecting his wishes for him to stay out of it. "I told you not to fucking come here.", Luke mumbles and swigs his beer.

Baz chooses to avoid Luke for now and help Eva out, he has been steaming mad all day after he found out everything. Finding out you have a brother has been a major shock to him. "Is that everything out of the car?", Baz asks Eva. She nods as she sets the bag down on the table.

"I don't give a fuck man, I want to be here.", Peter pushes back. He has kinda been avoiding conversations with Willow, since she now has it in her head she really wants a baby. Plus he does miss getting into trouble with Luke. It's always been what the two bonded over throughout the years. "It'll be like the old days." 

"Fuck the old days..", Luke spits out. "We don't need you, go back home to Willow, or wherever the fuck you spend your nights now." Luke is hot, all these things culminating together have his head spinning. 

"Yeah you do! I can help man, let me be there when these goons show up. They don't know who I am, that gives us time to swoop in and stop these fuckers."

"He has a point.", David says as he lounges in the motel bed. "Luke, you don't know these sons of bitches like I do. We need all the help we can get."

"No!", Luke adamantly blurts out after swigging down his beer again. 

"It's a good idea!", Peter says getting a little defensive with Luke as the three of them try to work out a plan. Baz meanwhile continues to help Eva with the food she brought. This might be a long night. "These guys don't know who I am! So let me be the decoy." 

David continues to lounge back in the freshly made bed, it seems the motel maid came and tidied the place up while Luke was gone. "I think it's a good idea. I dunno why you're so opposed to it. We need a fourth man anyways. Four against two is much better odds."

"Are you fucking kidding me?!", Luke protests. "He doesn't need to be here. I don't fucking want him here. Baz can be the fucking decoy. It's the least he can do since this shit storm is all his fault."

"They know who Baz is, that is not gonna work.", David says. "Unless you know someone else who is willing to stick their fucking neck out for you, Peter is all we got right now son." Luke sighs, knowing his father is right. "Is this cause you found out he was fucking your mother?"

Luke looks shocked and puzzled to hear this, "How...How did you know?"

"Your mother told me what happened.", David pauses. "You need to forgive her son, she misses you." Even though David and Cynthia never stayed married the two kinda kept in touch over the years.

Luke scoffs and stutters, how dare his father try to give him advice after being absent nearly his entire life. "Fuck you!...", he blurts, anger building again like it did earlier when Rufus was here. "I...I...don't need your advice."

"We need Peter and you know it. C'mon Luke man the fuck up!", David pushes. "We don't have time to dwell on this fucking high school drama queen shit you're doing."

"I'm the one who has the most to lose out of all of you! My business, my family, my wife! So yeah, I'm fucking pissed about all of it!", Luke shouts. "Then to top it off, I found out my new employee is my fucking brother! So  yeah, maybe you should all stick your fucking necks out for me, cuz you all owe me!"

David just smiles and laughs, "That's the spirit! Fight for that pretty red head she's a keeper, son. Definitely not a fucking whore like your mother."

Luke glares at him like he wants to just choke the life out of his father right there as he lays back on the bed all calm and collected. He knows, how his mother is, but talking about Laura makes his blood boil "Sick bastard.", he mumbles. "I need some air...", then pushes past Baz and Eva, as he walks towards the motel door.

"Luke, what the hell man...", Baz blurts as he bumps into the couple. Luke just turns to look at them as he sees his father and Peter turn to watch him storm off in a huff. Luke needs to grow up, yeah he has got a lot going on right now, but he definitely needs to take a deep breath, calm down, and put his big boy pants on.

"Luke get your ass back over here!...", David shouts.

Luke quickly looks at Baz, "Sorry, I just need some air...." Then opens the doors and shuts it behind him. 

"I should probably go talk to him.", Baz tells Eva. "We haven't really said two words to each other since he found out the truth about everything."

"Then go talk to him.", Eva replies. "He needs to understand that you didn't intend for him to be dragged into this, and that this is all one big misunderstanding."

Baz takes a deep breath and lets it out, "You're right, better to do it now and get it over with. I'm a fucking idiot for thinking this plan would work." He shakes his head in disappointment, knowing his mother is probably ripe with anger for the amount of trouble he has caused as result of all this. "I might as well be a dead man after all this is over..."

"Baz, your mother will get over it.", Eva replies not understanding the wrath that his mother might bring down on him or Eva for double crossing her.

"Babydoll...She will punish me somehow...", Baz says his voice trailing off too afraid to finish the thought. Then breaks away from her touch to follow Luke outside.

After Luke had stepped outside he grabbed his phone from his jeans pocket to see if he had any calls or text messages from Laura. Nothing...The door opens and shuts behind him and he hears Baz speak as he continues to have his back turned to him. "I don't blame for being angry, but I never meant for you to be pulled into any of this. The reason I didn't tell you who I was, was to protect both of us and Eva as well."

Luke scoffs, as he listens to the irony of his words. His brother sounds just like him as he tries to justify his lies. "Yeah?...", Luke sarcastically replies. "Welcome to the club seems everyone here likes to keep secrets."

"You know David is right, we need Peter's help.", says Baz.

"You call him David?", Luke asks perplexed assuming his brother has had more of a relationship with their father than he ever did.

"Usually, yeah...", Baz replies. "Why?"

Luke shrugs his shoulders, "I dunno I just thought that...Whatever it doesn't fucking matter.". He mumbles feeling stupid for even saying anything at all.

"Listen that man in there was never a father to me either. I mean, I knew who he was, and he came around often to do business with my mother. But that was basically it...", Baz explains. 

Luke nods in understanding, "So you really think we need Pete? You can't do this yourself?"

"All I know is whatever shit went down between you two is no where near as bad as what is coming if we don't band together, but I'll respect your wishes if you want me to do it instead."

Luke nods, "That's why Hayden showed up looking for answers."

"Exactly! If Lorenzo is in town then he is for damn sure stirring and tripping up their radar. He does all the major dirty work for my mother, and if he comes in tomorrow...Sees me. I'm either a dead man or a severely injured one. Lorenzo doesn't play around."

Luke nods again in thought as he mulls through the two different scenarios in his head. Baz has a point. It is better to keep this all hush, hush having him out there will ruffle feathers for sure. "Yeah last thing I need is Hayden coming around again...Last few times we were lucky."

"It's clear, you and Peter have a history with that detective, which is all the more reason to let Peter in on this. Because if this Hayden guy does come sniffing around again we can all have our stories straight and Peter will not feel compelled to say anything to the cops."

"Peter would never do that...ever!", Luke adamantly replies.

Baz raises his eye brows in a questioning manner he is not completely sure what happened between the two, but whatever it was must have been bad,

"He had a relationship with my mother, since we were 18...Lost his fucking virginity to her. I overheard them talk about all this shit to each other one day. It was fucking disgusting."Luke explains, embarrassed by it.

Baz laughs, "That's it? That's why you don't talk to him?"

"He's like a brother to me! And for twenty years that shit happened right under my nose.", Luke doubles down. 

"And what about that Rufus woman you know I've seen her with David and recently too.", Baz adds.

"Yeah I know...", Luke mumbles. Realizing his family is one fucked up tree. Now tacking on an actual brother who has a mob boss for a mother. The door creaks open and David pops out.

"What do you want?", Baz quickly turns his head to ask him.

"I came to bury the hatchet with my boys. I come bringing a peace offering." He holds out the bag of homemade sweets that Laura gave him earlier today. "Your old lady gave me these before I hit the road. She's a damn good cook, shit that was some good food." he grins remembering just how delicious that home cooked meal was.

"Bribery is not gonna change my fucking mind...", Luke says. 

"This is not a bribe son. I'm fuckin' serious. We need to put all the bullshit aside. Margot is a heavy hitter she is not one to fuck with. We need to get a plan in motion. Even though Baz is her son, if she does not deliver justice on her end, then whatever Cartel she is in business with will come after him. I know I'm a shitty father, but this is where I draw the line." David shakes the bag, "C'mon now, seeing may boys together is making me kinda proud that you two turned out all right despite it all. Coopers are fighters, and we need to work together if this shit is gonna pan out in our favor."

"If this sentimental B.S. is just a scheme to save your own hide then say it...", Baz tells him knowing how manipulative his father can be. "I already told Luke I'm willing to do what he asks if that is how he feels."

"It's fine Baz. We can bring Pete in on this, you're both right we do need him and we need to work together.", Luke reluctantly admits. 

David nods and smiles, "Good it's settled then.", as he opens the bag and hands them each a cookie.

"Shit, this is good.", Baz blurts as he chews on the cookie. "Your wife actually made these?!"

"She has a culinary degree. In fact she had plans to open her own little bistro, but got pregnant with Phoenix. Now she does small catering jobs." Suddenly Luke feels years of guilt wash right over him for all the horrible things that have happened to Laura over the years just because she chose to follow her heart and stay with him. He thought he could escape all the insanity of his life and start fresh here but clearly his past is never gonna let him go. Now Laura and the boys are dragged into it.

"You hit the jackpot marrying that girl...", David says. 

Luke sighs, "That's if we stay married. She is fucking pissed right now. I've been on edge all week trying to keep them safe, but not telling her the truth just made it worse."

Baz heads over to the door, "Speaking of wives, I should go check on Eva...I think it's best if she stays close tomorrow. I don't want Lorenzo finding her."

"We'll be there, in a minute.", says David. The two of them hangout for a moment. After Baz shuts the door behind him David speaks again stepping up onto the sidewalk. "Hey you care if I crash here tonight?"

"No it's cool...I guess.", Luke shrugs, feeling the weight of the day and this entire week hitting his shoulders like a ton of bricks

"For what it's worth we'll get this shit all settled so you can get back home to your old lady.", David pauses. " You know, I thought keeping Baz a secret from you and your mother was for your own good. Turns out secrets have a way of really shooting ya in the ass...but I think you know what I mean."

Luke nods and hopes his father is right. Because keeping secrets from Laura has only made things worse. Luke sits and lets his mind drift off again, shit could really go sideways if they do not handle this right, and the last thing he wants is to put his family in danger. 

David chugs down his beer before the two head back into the motel room. They need to finish talking business. 

Meanwhile across town Scott and Krystal discuss what has recently transpired. All they know is that Luke kept the truth from Laura about agreeing to be Ruby's father. They worry that this could be the nail in the coffin to their daughter's marriage not knowing the depths of what is happening. "Well I guess it's a good thing you insisted on that prenup.", Scott comments. "Mark just messaged me. If Laura wants to file he can do it first thing tomorrow."

"I hate that this is happening. I know those two love each other, but...This Rufus woman will always be trouble.", Krystal adds.

"Well you know we have had our fair share of drama when we were younger too.", Scott reminds her. Krystal almost married Justin Trudeau, but ended up breaking off the engagement to be with Scott. The 3 of them avoided each other for years, even at the country club, until it was impossible to do so. Finally years later they were all able to forgive and forget for the sake of their children. Now Michelle and Benjamin are happily married.

"Ours seems trivial to what our daughter is now going through, this is all public the whole world knows Scott!", Krystal laments, as she pours them some evening tea to drink. Krystal has been tying to get Scott to eat a little healthier now that he is retired and home with her. "Her and the boys are all now dragged into this love triangle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll."

"I think you're being a little dramatic.", Scott says as he peeks up at her from his phone. "Laura can handle Rufus. My concern is that the trust is broken between her and Luke. You know how hard that is to come back from."

"I agree, but he has already had an affair once before they were married. How do you know he wouldn't do it again?!", Krystal replies. She does not like to see her daughter so heartbroken. Luke not only needs to regain her trust but the trust of his in laws again too.

"We don't sweetheart. The decision is up to Laura to make. I just messaged her about what Mark said.", Scott speaks as he hits the send button. "It's late so hopefully she'll get back to me soon."

"I hope so. It's late so the boys should be in bed already.", Krystal adds.

Then Scotts phone starts to vibrate, "It's Laura calling." Krystal grabs a cup of tea while Scott answers the call. "Hey Sweetheart, did you get my message?"

"Yes.", says Laura over the speakerphone. "Benjamin is picking up the boys tomorrow him and Michelle are keeping them for the weekend so Luke and I can talk."

"Okay. Sooo where is Luke now?", Scott nearly hesitates to ask. "He's not home?"

"No.", says Laura with a tinge of sadness in her voice. "He'll be home tomorrow night."

"I'm glad your sister is taking the boys for the weekend. You can't let this drag on you two need to talk before this rift between you gets bigger. I know I give you a hard time but I love you and only want you to be happy."Krystal tells Laura.

"I know you do mom.", Laura sighs a little into the phone. "Dad...Just tell Mark to wait for now...I need time for Luke and I to talk."

"Will do...Just know your mother and I are here for you no matter what happens.", Scott tells her.

"If Luke agrees to counseling I might need y'all to watch the boys some days.", says Laura. "In fact he better agree because I don't know what else to do if he doesn't. I better go. It's late and I have an early day tomorrow."

"He'll be a fool to say no.", Scott says to her. "Okay, Darlin' get your rest you need it. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Laura! I love you.", says Krystal.

"Love you too mom.", Laura says as she hangs up the phone then turns her attention to the bathroom cabinet pulling out a small basket that has several pregnancy tests in them. After Phoenix was born Laura makes sure to keep a few on hand just in case she needs one.

Laura grabs a box and decides to see if it is worth taking one so soon. If it comes up positive then this is something her and Luke will need to discuss tomorrow. Her phone rings again in her hand and without thinking she answers it. "Hello?"

A familiar voice comes on over the line, "Hey darlin, sorry to bother you so late...", says Chad. 

"Chad, Hi...", says Laura. "You need to place an order?" She asks, thinking that is why he called.

"Actually I was calling about your husband.", Chad quickly admits.

"If you're wondering if I knew, the answer is yes. I know about Rufus's daughter.", Laura snaps back thinking he called to get gossip,

"Oh, okay...Well that's not why I called.", Chad says sensing her frustration with him.

"Um, what do you mean? Have you talked to Luke?", Laura asks now confused about why he called. She sets the pregnancy test back in the basket and turns her attention to his response.

"No, not me, but a friend of mine did. He came in the other day asking for a large loan.", Chad explains.

"Uh huh...go on.", Laura says.

"Thing is, a few days later a large sum of money was withdrawn by Rufus Blue, then today the news came out about your husband being that girls father.", Chad explains to her. "I think she paid him off."

"Okay, but that could all be coincidental.", says Laura. "I have known about Ruby for years. Since Luke found out about her. I don't understand what you're getting at here."

"I think your husband is in financial trouble. It's the only plausible answer." As he sits down at the foot of his bed. "I can help Laura."

Laura flops back on the bed. "I appreciate the offer, but Luke is doing just fine financially.", Laura says. "Business is good for him...So you just felt compelled to tell me this?", Laura asks.

"I'm just trying to be a friend and let you know what I heard.", Chad tries to explain. "How are you handling all this? I'm here if you need to talk."

"I'm okay...", Laura lies. "And I appreciate you calling, but it's late I have a busy day tomorrow."

"Okay...Well I'm here if you need to chat or meet up at the trail for a jog.", Chad tells her. He definitely can sense something is going on.

"Okay, goodnight Chad.", Laura says about as nice as she can. She lays there on the bed for a moment after ending the phone call. She cannot believe how much her private life is in the news now.

Around the same time, Luke steps outside for a smoke with one of his dad's joints. David is already fast asleep snoring away after his non stop drive out here from Vegas. 

He can't sleep even though he should, so he hopes that a smoke will maybe calm his nerves, at least long enough to help him fall asleep. Luke sits back in the dirty rusty chair the cold metal touching his bare back. It's not too cold tonight now that spring is really blooming. So the fresh air feels good on his skin.

Luke sits for a few minutes just puffing away on the joint. Running the plan the four of them hashed out in his head hoping to god it all works out and tomorrow he can go home to Laura and the boys. This week feels like it has been an eternity. In fact the whole year started off with drama since Rufus showed up on him in January.

Now Laura and him have no choice but to learn how to work with Rufus. He can't go back now he has already agreed to be Ruby's father. It's public knowledge now that the press release happened. It's not gonna be easy. Luke leans forward reaching for his phone, and before he realizes what he is doing he is dialing Laura's phone number. 

Luke sets the phone to his ear and waits for it to ring. Suddenly the line clicks over and Luke speaks, "Laura you awake?"

"Yes, but I'm about to go to bed. What is it?", she says popping back up, feeling a wave of comfort, guilt, and sadness wash over her hearing his voice.

"Can you tell the boys tomorrow that I love them and I'll be home soon.", he asks her. Hoping this time she does not hang up on him so he can finish telling her what is currently happening.

"Of course I can...Benjamin is picking them up after preschool. So I'm free the rest of the day pretty much. What time will you be home?"

Luke clears his throat, "That's the thing...I don't know exactly. Shit might go sideways tomorrow if we're not careful. This is some serious shit babe it's why I tried to protect you." He again tries to justify his actions, but he knows that line is not working anymore.

"I know, but it actually does the opposite.", she replies. "My dad just told me I can file divorce papers as early as tomorrow if I want to, Luke. I seriously need you to be honest with me if we are gonna have any chance at making this work.", She nearly scolds him thinking about the bank loan Chad just mentioned to her.

"I know...", Luke coughs the smoke hitting his throat hard. "There is something else I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn't get a chance.", Luke says with some seriousness. 

"Um...okay.", Laura says nervously as she sits perched on the edge of the bed. She knows he is smoking, but chooses to ignore it. It's a vice that Luke has a very hard time breaking and one she might have to give up on if they are ever going to get through this. "What is it?" 

Luke sucks in air as he inhales the joint."So that guy you hired, Bobby." He croaks a little as he exhales the smoke. "He's the guy my dad was looking for."

"What?!", Laura exclaims, nearly shouting it into the phone. "Are you serious?" She cannot believe what she is hearing.

"That's not all babe...Turns out he is my half brother. His real name is Sebastian DeRozen.", Luke says dropping it all on her. "The fucker just wanted to meet me, never meant for me to get involved in all this.", he adds.

Laura twists and pivots at the corner of the bed so her voice is not directed toward the hallway possibly waking up the boys. "Bobby is your brother! Oh my gawd this story just keeps getting weirder!...So who is his mother again?", she asks trying to put it all together.

"The fucking mob boss babe! He stole from his fucking mother...via our father...That's how this whole shit storm started.", Luke huffs into the phone. "He stole the drugs off my dad's bike when he was with Rufus. That's why he gave Rufus a shakedown and she came here scared for Ruby's safety."

"Why would he do all this?", she asks. "He seems like a nice guy." But looks can be deceiving she thinks to herself. Luke has been like a whole other man lately, but after meeting Luke's father for the first time it made her well aware of the man Luke actually comes from. All the lies have turned him into someone else or so it seems.

"For a woman.", he curtly responds back, puffing on the joint again. "Apparently they got married in Vegas and ditched town, Baz planned to use the money from selling the drugs to start their new life somewhere else away from his mother."

"Shit!", Laura blurts out in shock. "This is exactly why you need to always be honest with me! Look at this whole mess, it's so much bigger than both of us realized Luke!"

"I know it is, and I regret every fucking minute I chose to keep it all from you. I love you...", he mumbles quickly not knowing what else to say. He cannot keep apologizing over and over eventually those apologies become worthless words that Laura will reject if he is not careful.

Laura turns her head to look at the clock. "It's getting really late, I have to be up early." She yawns, feeling some relief she got to hear his voice, but knows they are no where near being out of the woods yet. "Just be careful tomorrow. Goodnight, Luke."

"Goodnight babe...", he says sweetly sounding like his old self again.

"Goodnight.", Laura says one more time then taps her phone and ends the call. She can feel that push and pull of emotion and it's tearing her in two. She needs to stay level headed, not let that Cooper charm get to her. The sweet talking will not work at all this time around. Laura sits for a moment the phone to her chest as she silently prays to whoever is listening, that everything will be okay.

Luke pulls the phone away from his ear and looks down at it. She basically hung up on him again like she did earlier today. She did not say I love you back either, but he knows she is hurt. As much as Luke would love to see things instantly go back to normal, he is not sure if that can ever happen. After tomorrow's showdown the fate of their marriage rests in Laura's hands and what she wants. No more secrets no more lies...

To be Continued...

See you all back here on Saturday December 30th for part 2!

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