Beautifully Unfinished (27 page)

“How do I look?” Lucy asked Tucker for the tenth time in an hour. She was wearing a black Christian Dior dress and a pair of black Jimmy Choo shoes.

Over the last year, Lucy learned that she didn’t have to hide her scars. Tucker had taught her that they weren’t something to be ashamed of, but were reminders of how far she had come.

“Still beautiful,” Tucker laughed, then leaned in and kissed his wife. “You need to relax.”

“I can’t,” Lucy sighed. “Tonight is a big night. I am not sure that agreeing to do this exhibit was my best idea.”

“You’re kidding me, right!” Tucker exclaimed. “Silly Girl, I know you don’t see just how incredibly talented you are, but take my word for it, you are. Tonight is going to be amazing.”

“I wish I had your confidence,” Lucy sighed.

“You don’t need it,” Tucker said, as he pulled her into his arms. “I have enough for us both.”

“Thank you,” Lucy replied, and gave him a warm smile. “We should go, my dad and Clare will he waiting on us.”

“I still can’t believe the chief is dating his nurse,” Tucker laughed, as he led Lucy to the door of the bedroom. “Only he could be the one to get wounded and find love.”

“I love your apartment, Lucy,” Clare Warren, the nurse who called Lucy almost a year before to tell her about her father, said as she and Tucker joined Tom and Clare in the living room. “I don’t know how you don’t stay here all the time.”

“Thank you, Clare,” Lucy replied, as she was greeted with a kiss by her father. “I was actually thinking of selling it.”

“What?” Clare exclaimed. “I wouldn’t ever want to part with this place. It’s stunning.”

“My home is in River Springs now,” Lucy replied, as she looked over at her husband and smiled. “Where my world is.”

“I guess I understand that,” Clare smiled, as she looked lovingly at Tom. It made Lucy happy that her dad had found happiness again.

“You know, you and Dad can stay here whenever you want,” Lucy suggested with a smile. “Especially now that Dad has retired.”

When Tom was discharged from the hospital, he continued his physiotherapy for a few more months. Eventually, he was given the all clear to go back to work, but much to everyone’s surprise, he announced that he was still going to retire.

Lucy was surprised, but she knew her dad was happy, so she was too. Tucker was officially made Chief when her dad retired, and Lucy had never seen Tom look prouder.

“That would be amazing,” Clare replied excitedly. “I lived all my life so close to the city, but I never came here before, I would love to see the sights sometime.”

“Well then that’s just what we will do,” Tom said, giving Clare a wink.

“Lucy, we should be going,” Tucker said, as he picked up her wrap from the arm of the sofa. “The car is downstairs.”

“Okay,” Lucy said, giving him a smile as she took his hand and he led her to the door.

The drive to the gallery was a short one, but Lucy wished it would never end. She was beyond nervous.

When the car stopped outside the gallery, Tucker looked over at Lucy and smiled. He looked so handsome in his tux.

“You know you’re going to rock this,” he said, as he squeezed her hand. “I am so proud of you.”

“I couldn’t have done this without you,” Lucy replied, as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“It is truly my pleasure,” Tucker smiled, as he kissed her back. “Now come on, your public awaits.”

Tucker took her hand, and she climbed out of the town car Tucker had arranged for them and led her into the gallery, followed closely by Tom and Clare.

“You’re here!” Alison squealed excitedly the minute Lucy stepped through the door. “Oh my God, the pictures look amazing now that they are hanging on the walls of this place. I didn’t think they could look better, but I was wrong. Everyone is buzzing about them. There are critics for all the major papers too…”

“Ali,” David said, stopping her mid-sentence. “At least let her through the door first.”

“I’m sorry,” she said, as she looked at Lucy. “I am just so happy for you.”

“It’s okay. Sweetie,” Lucy laughed. She loved Alison so much. She had made her manager of the studio. Lucy hired a couple of photographers and business was booming. She still travelled to New York regularly to do photoshoots, but most of the new business she subcontracted to the other photographers.

She spent most of her time in River Springs. Much to her surprise, slowly but surely she fell back in love with the sleepy little town. She loved getting to know her father again and growing closer to him as she once was.

Lucy was finally happy.

“Champagne,” Tucker said, as he handed her a glass of champagne. Lucy smiled and took it from him and linked his arm.

“Lucy!” Clare exclaimed excitedly. “I had no idea how talented you are. These photographs are breathtaking.”

“Thanks, Clare,” Lucy smiled.

“You haven’t seen the best of them yet,” Alison said, as she took hold of Clare’s hand and led her away, followed closely by Tom.

“Are you okay?” Tucker asked, giving her a strange look.

“Yeah,” she nodded and gave him a smile. Before he could press her further, they heard someone calling her name.

“Lucy,” Riley said, as he made his way through the crowd to her.

“Riley,” Lucy said, as she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. “You made it.”

“I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” he replied, as he shook Tucker’s hand. “And thank you for the invitation.”

“You’re very welcome,” Lucy replied, as she slipped her arm back into the bend of Tuckers. “So, how is New York treating you?”

“It’s, different,” he replied. “I think I am finally getting used to it.”

“And the new job?” Tucker added.

“I love it,” Riley said with a grin. “It’s definitely different than working in a small town, but I love it. I am happy.”

“I am pleased to hear that,” Lucy smiled.             

“But tonight is all about you,” Riley said, as he looked around the room. “You really have done well for yourself. Your photos are stunning.”

“Thanks, Riley,” she replied, as she leaned into Tucker.

“Can I get you two a refill?” Riley asked as he held up his glass.

“I would love one,” Tucker replied, as he handed him his glass. He looked down and saw Lucy’s untouched drink. “I guess Lucy is good for now.”

“Won’t be long,” Riley said, before he disappeared into the crowd.

“Don’t you feel okay?” Tucker asked, in a hushed voice. “You haven’t touched your champagne.”

I just want to keep a clear head tonight,” Lucy smiled, but Tucker gave her a strange look.

“If you’re sure,” Tucker replied.

“I am,” Lucy giggled, and kissed Tucker softly on the lips. “I promise.”

“It’s official,” Tucker sighed, as he flopped down on the bed. “My wife is as talented as she is beautiful. Would it be uncool of me to say…umm…told you so.”

“Just a bit,” Lucy laughed, as she slipped off her shoes, walked towards Tucker and turned her back to him. “Will you unzip me, please?”

“Oh I would love to,” he growled, as he jumped up from the bed and reached for her zipper. As he eased it down, he softly kissed her shoulder. “You looked so beautiful this evening.”

“You sir, have had too much champagne,” Lucy giggled.

“Doesn’t mean that I am wrong,” he replied, as he eased the straps of her dress down from her shoulders and continued to kiss her soft skin. “You are beyond beautiful.”

“Mmm,” was all she said, as she leaned back into him.

“If your father wasn’t in the next room,” Tucker growled. “I would do very rude things to you.”

“Then maybe you should behave,” Lucy laughed, as she let her dress drop to the floor and stepped out of it. She picked it up and walked across the room to her wardrobe.

She removed her underwear, then pulled on a baggy t-shirt before she walked back towards the bed.

As she sat on the side of the bed, she pulled out her make-up wipes and cleaned her face.

“Did you mean it when you told Clare you were thinking of selling this apartment?” Tucker asked as he got stripped too.

“Well I was thinking about it,” Lucy replied as she watched Tucker. “I think it might be a good idea. Maybe we could get somewhere bigger.”

“Why would we need somewhere bigger?” Tucker asked, as he hung up his suit and threw his shirt into the laundry hamper.

“Well,” Lucy smiled. “I think it would be nice for the baby to have its own room.”

Tucker stopped what he was doing and looked at Lucy.

“The baby?” He asked, looking stunned.

Lucy smiled and nodded, and she leaned up on the bed. It was then Tucker noticed the t-shirt she was wearing. It said in big bold letters across the front, ‘I’m pregnant.'

“Are you serious?” Tucker asked, as the biggest smile filtered across his face.

“Deadly seriously,” Lucy grinned.

“WOOHOOO!!” Tucker screamed as he ran to the bed and pulled Lucy into his arms and kissed her on the lips. “This is the best news ever.”

“So you’re happy?” Lucy asked.

“More than you could imagine,” Tucker said, as he touched her tummy. “Guess our adventure is still beautifully unfinished.”

The End