Reconstructed Luka
Part Two
By Miesque
miesque48@hotmail.com

RATING: PG-13 (off-screen sex, flirting, etc.)
SPOILERS: None that I know of.
STORY SYNOPSIS: Luka and Daisy visit her cousins in Oklahoma City, deal with overly critical dogs, and Luka runs into an old friend.

DISCLAIMER: The character of Luka Kovac is the sole property of NBC, Warner Brothers, Amblin, and Constant C.  I created Marguerite ‘Daisy’ Childers one day several months ago and she pretty much belongs to me ;).

SONGS: ‘Oklahoma Hills’, by Woody Guthrie and Jack Guthrie; ‘Dream’ by Roy Orbison

PRAISE TO: Three extraordinary friends who provide continued and loyal support, inspiration, and encouragement (besides top-notch editing!).

CROATIAN WORD TRANSLATIONS: ‘beba’ (baby)

PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS: Not necessary, but see “Deconstructing Luka” (parts 1-6) for details.



Daisy was a popular visitor to County General. Of course, after having been there four times to deliver babies, she was pretty well known. Dr. Benton had actually joked with her about it once, stating that a Kovac maternity wing ought to be built for her and Luka. “Well, we’ve already got our own parking space!” she had laughed.

Haleh Adams glanced up and saw the tall, elegant blonde walk in through the ambulance bay doors, little Meggy toddling along in her wake. She shook her head in amazement. Daisy Kovac was just as slender and beautiful as the day Luka had brought her in for the first time, ten years ago. Everyone had flocked around, staring at her. Dave had introduced himself first. “Hey, I’m a doctor, too.”

“Really? Not from what I’ve heard,” had been the young lady’s response. Haleh knew instantly that she’d like this girl. Daisy had easily befriended everyone on the staff, from the attendings to the housekeeping staff.

“Haleh, is Luka around here?”

“No, honey, he’s upstairs, grappling with another administration meeting. Got all kinds of cash flow problems. Your man is currently trying to finagle a raise for us nurses.”

“Well, I hope he can!” Daisy said sincerely. “I brought fresh apple pie for everyone,” she said, standing on her toes and looking down at Carter, who was crouched behind the desk, trying to plug in his laptop. “Hello, John.”

“Hey, Daisy,” he said, standing up too fast and bumping his head. “Yeeouch!”

“Hello, Daisy Fay,” Malucci grinned as he passed her.

“Go to hell, Dave,” Daisy smiled. Dave rolled his eyes and walked on. Daisy didn’t tolerate foolishness out of Malucci. He pretended to grimace and kept walking.

“Apple pie?” Carter said, rubbing the back of his head and looking down at the pie Daisy had laid on the counter. “Mmmm...oh, I see you have Meggy with you today...hello, Meg.”

“Hi Doctor John,” she answered, hiding behind her mother’s legs.

“Aren’t you gonna come give me a kiss or do I have to chase you down again?” Carter grinned. Meg had a special place in John’s heart-he had saved her life when she was one, after she nearly choked to death on a penny. Ever since then, he saw her almost as the daughter he never had. Deb had said “Enough!” after three boys in a row.

Meg scuttled around the desk and jumped up into John’s arm and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“So to what do we owe this honor, Dais’?” Carter asked.

“I came to see Luka. We are planning a vacation.”

“Really?” Haleh put down a chart and studied Daisy for a moment. “Where?”

“Well, somewhere South, I think. Down to Texas for sure, and then...I don’t know yet. We have to decide. I’m hoping to have lunch with him.”

“Good luck. Romano is determined to thrash out every issue on hand today, from EMS services to appropriation of funds for new equipment,” Haleh informed her. “He’ll have Luka up there as long as possible.”

“I can’t believe Robert Romano is still chief of staff, after...” Daisy stopped, cheeks turning red.

“After what?” Carter asked, looking at her with interest.

“Never mind,” Daisy said quickly, and changed the subject. Luka had told her about Romano and the tutu incident in strict confidence, and it had almost slipped out. She wondered, sometimes, if her husband was devious enough to use that information to his own advantage one day. Luka, she knew, possessed a shrewd, often calculating side.

“I heard you and Luka had a vacation coming up,” Haleh said, dropping a stack of files in front of Carter, who groaned.

“Yes, we do. I’m hoping we can get to Mexico and then a side-trip up through the Grand Canyon.”

“Sounds fun...isn’t that how you two met? Out in West Texas?”

“Yes. He was driving a long white Cadillac at the time. Too bad we had to sell it, but it was hardly appropriate for little kids...” She sighed. Aleks and Marina had been conceived in the back seat of that Cadillac. Well...not quite. Her Luka’s legs were too long for the back seat of even that big old thing. It had started in the back seat but they had been forced to move to a more accommodating spot. Thank God it had been a dark, starless night...

“True...”

Chuny came bustling up, grinning from ear to ear. “Luka’s back. The meeting went well, I think. He looked happy enough about it.”

Luka stepped off the elevator and was greeted by several expectant faces. The nurses were all waiting, hoping he had managed to get them a pay raise.

“It’s not much,” he said, putting his hands on his hips. “Just a dollar, but it’s better than nothing...”

The nurses looked ecstatic, but held back from cheering. A dollar wasn't much, but they knew Luka had done everything he could for them. He always did.

“What about the residents?” Malucci asked. “Are they getting a pay raise?”

Luka shook his head. “Not this time. We’ve got to work out funding for an expansion to the pedes ER and the free clinic needs new equipment, the roof needs repairs after that unfortunate barbecuing incident...”

Dave lowered his head, wishing Kovac hadn’t brought that up again, but shrugged philosophically. Carter, who didn’t have to worry about money, decided to keep his mouth shut.

“Okay, now that we’ve got everything squared away, let’s get back to work,” Luka said, running a hand through his hair. Then he saw Daisy standing near the admit desk. Carter walked past her and gave Meggy a buss on the cheek. The girl giggled.

“Get your lips off my daughter, Dr. Carter!” Luka growled. John grinned and dashed off to begin his shift.

“Ah, it’s Psycho Dad!” Daisy said, grinning at her husband. “Did you get the maps out?”

“Yes, I did. They’re in the lounge. I have a few minutes left over...Haleh, is anyone waiting for me?”

“Nope. It’s been really quiet down here, actually.”

“Good. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the lounge.”

Haleh nodded and watched Luka guide his wife into the lounge, his hand on her rear. The scoundrel, she thought. No wonder Daisy’s almost always pregnant...but if I was married to a guy like that, I’d be in the family way a lot myself.



“See? It’s so simple. We’ll see Gretchen and Karen in Oklahoma City, then we’ll tool down to Texas...we’ll go to El Paso first, then to San Anton’...the kids have never seen the Alamo...and then into Mexico. Piedras Niegras...remember?...and then to Chihuahua and we’ll stay at the El Presidente, then go back up through the Grand Canyon and then the home stretch back home. You got the extra week, right?”

“Yes...” Luka studied the map for a moment, then winked at his wife. “Actually, Romano gave me two extra weeks... I... uh... brought up the tutu situation. We’ve got four weeks to drive. And there’s an ER management workshop at Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City that I could probably go to while you sit around gabbing with your cousins.”

“Well, if that’s what you call ‘relaxation’,” she said. Suddenly, she giggled, covering her mouth. “I just hope it stays leisurely-no rushing. Not as bad as my father on our vacations. It was always like, ‘One-thirty to three, New England; three o’clock to four-thirty, Canada’.”

Luka laughed. “Well, get home, beba, and get packing.”

“Oh, now wait a minute here, Doctor! You can pack your own stuff. I’ve got five kids to get ready to go.”

“Yeah, yeah...at least I won’t have to wear a suit for the next four weeks. We’ve got four more days to pack.

“So it’s jeans, T-shirts, water bottles...?”

“A buck knife, a bottle of whiskey, several cases of beer...”

“No beer,” she shook her head. “I don’t need you howling at the coyotes every night!”

Luka grinned at his wife, who leaned forward and kissed him. He grabbed her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her thoroughly. He was starting to get a little carried away when Malucci came in.

“Covering my eyes...go ahead with what you were doing, chief,” he said.

They got up, Daisy straightening Luka’s tie and smiling at him. He whispered something in her ear and she giggled, nodding and blushing. He gave her a little swat on the backside and she left.

For a moment, Daisy stood outside the lounge door and regained her composure. Would he really be willing to do that tonight? She made a mental note to see if she could find what he’d requested-she had hidden those things very carefully in the closet...

“Mrs. Kovac!”

It was Dr. Romano. Still short, even more bald...what a repulsive little man, she thought as she watched him come toward her.

“Hello, Robert,” she said with an insincere smile.

“You and Luka are heading off to points Southwest for a vacation, I hear.”

“Yes, we are,” she said. Her eyes narrowed slightly, watching this vile person carefully.

“Well, I hope you two have a good time. I guess when you get back we’ll be expecting Kovac baby number six?”

Daisy said nothing. That was certainly none of Romano’s business. Robert seemed to sense her lack of interest in talking to him, because he nodded and stalked away.

“As if he’d ever have a kid,” Lilly whispered. Daisy laughed.

“Ever seen ‘Alien’?” Haleh laughed.

There was loud laughter from the admit desk. Daisy picked up her daughter, who had been allowed to sit at the desk, chattering happily with the nurses, and headed home.



“That was great,” Daisy said softly, cuddling into Luka’s arms.

“Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” He nuzzled against her neck for a moment. They were leaving tomorrow morning, but they hadn’t been interested in sleeping.

The kids had been extremely energetic and hard to get up to bed. Meggy had insisted on sleeping upstairs with Marina, and after a brief discussion, she was allowed to go up. Her parents hoped she wouldn’t decide she didn’t like the arrangement and come back downstairs. So far, so good, Daisy thought. She and Luka had started necking and one thing had naturally lead to another.

She glanced up at her husband, and smiled. He had fallen asleep. She remembered the days after she’d first met him-how fitfully he’d sleep beside the campfire, tossing and turning, muttering in Croatian. Nightmares had plagued him then, making rest almost impossible. The traumas and pain of his past sometimes came back, and though it rarely happened any more, Daisy had to be ready for it. Her heart belonged to this man, and there were parts of him that were still a little damaged. The scars on his body proved that.   It didn’t happen often, but sometimes Luka did wake up screaming, gripped with terror. It took all of Daisy’s strength and courage to pull him back, to gather him in her arms and soothe him. Knowing that he was loved and safe was the best thing for him.

Daisy snuggled closer to him, kissing him on the check. “I love you, baby,” she whispered. He stirred slightly, but his eyes didn’t open. In the past ten years, he had become a deep sleeper, which as far as Daisy was concerned, was the best thing possible. Her husband deserved his rest...especially after such intense and passionate lovemaking. For a man just four years shy of fifty, Luka certainly had plenty of energy, even after a long, trying day at work.

“This is what we need,” she whispered to him. “Some time away from here...besides, this bed needs a break...or it’s gonna break!”



Daisy was singing in the car, as was her habit. Luka had gotten used to her doing that, and the kids seemed to have accepted this eccentricity of their mother. She had tried several times to remember the words to “Oklahoma”, but had finally settled on a Woody Guthrie song she had learned years ago. “I need an Oklahoma mood,” she laughed when Luka raised an eyebrow at her. “Besides, I have real difficulty spelling ‘Oklahoma’.”

I have real difficulty spelling ‘intrauterine’, Luka thought. But I don’t tend to sing about it. But he indulged Daisy, grinning at her as she sang.

Many a month has come and gone
Since I’ve wandered from my home
In those Oklahoma hills
Where I was born

Many a page of my life has turned
Many lessons I have learned
And I feel like in those hills
Where I belong

Way down yonder in the Indian nation
Ridin’ my pony on the reservation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born

Way down yonder in the Indian nation
A cowboy’s life is my occupation
In the Oklahoma Hills where I was born

But as I sit here today
Many mile’s I am away
From the place I rode my pony
Through the draw

Where the oak and black-jack trees
Kiss the playful prairie breeze
And I feel back in those hills
Where I belong

Now as I turn life a page
To the land of the great Osage
In those Oklahoma hills
Where I was born

Where the black oil rolls and flows
And the snow white cotton grows
And I feel like in those hills
Where I belong

The kids hooted and applauded their mother as they passed the sign that said ‘Welcome to Oklahoma!’ Luka got out a cigarette lighter and lit it, holding it up. She remembered him doing that so many years ago in Lubbock, and smiled at him. He smiled back, but the kids were only intrigued.



“I realize that, Aleks, but now is not the time to tell me you need to go to the bathroom!” Luka said impatiently.

“But I really need to go, Daddy!” the boy said.

“Just hold it in...take deep breaths ‘til we get to a petrol station.”

“What is it about a child’s bladder that makes it more active when you’re miles from the nearest bathroom?” Daisy asked.

“Beats me.” Luka, rubbing his forehead, sighed.

They had just made it into Oklahoma City. They had taken the fastest route down from Chicago but after more than a day’s worth of driving everyone was pretty tired out. Luka was good at dealing with the kids, and could tolerate almost anything, but even he was getting a little edgy from the noise and odors coming from the back. Jackson was having his usual stomach problems. Meggy had gotten carsick-a rare but unwelcome thing-while the twins and Nik seemed to be having a running argument involving the use of a Gameboy. Luka had finally threatened to throw it out the window if they didn’t stop fighting.

“I’m not interested in justice,” he had said somewhere just inside the Oklahoma border. “The only thing I’m interested in is quiet.”

Spoken like a true parent, Daisy thought, laughing to herself.



Luka had enjoyed the visit with Daisy’s cousins, but he was glad to be out of that house for a while. He had wanted to go to Oklahoma City for a couple of ER management workshops that were taking place at a local hospital, and after spending all day chatting amiably with Gretchen and Karen, and watching a herd of wild children run around, getting in the way and creating general chaos and pandemonium, he was pretty sure he needed a bit of a break. Besides, Daisy had more to talk about with the two women and their respective husbands. Despite ten years of being a member of her gigantic family, Luka still usually felt a little overwhelmed. It was like marrying into a cult-they had their inside jokes to which they knew all the punchlines (“Is that your horse?” “Only up to the first duck, please.” “Austin!”), their own secret language, gestures, inflections. The other ‘inductees’ felt just as lost as Luka and by the time he left on Saturday morning to head to the hospital, they were all sitting out in the back yard, talking amongst themselves. They waved to Luka, Scott grinning. “At least you can go...we’re stuck here amongst the hens!”

He was a little late for the first workshop, and he slipped in as quietly as possible. The man speaking was rambling about something, and at first, Luka paid little attention to what he was saying, taking a seat in the back row and trying not to cause a disturbance.

“...and here to talk to us about the importance of maintaining strong leadership in the ER is Dr. Kerry Weaver, from Johns Hopkins University.”

Luka nearly dropped the program, he was so startled. He flipped through the pages and saw that it was indeed the same Kerry...well, how many Kerry Weavers were there? She was definitely an original.

He lowered a little in the chair, though, and only half-listened to her speech. As usual, she used graphs and charts to emphasize her points, and she made some pretty interesting arguments about setting strict rules for conduct in the ER. But he was more interested in how she looked. She hadn’t changed much-she was obviously older, there was a little grey in her red hair, but she was still surprisingly youthful looking. Her hair was cut short again, and she wore serious spectacles. She was very authoritative, very businesslike and brisk, just like always. Her voice was still a little squeaky, her posture still firm. She was still slim and obviously in good shape, but he noticed something strange about her. She seemed more...withdrawn?

After she finished her speech, everyone shuffled and started getting up, and Luka suddenly realized he had missed the entire day’s worth of lectures. Well, Daisy’ll get a kick out of that, he thought, standing.

“Luka?”

He turned back to see Kerry standing there, leaning on her cane, staring up at him.

“Hello, Kerry. It’s good to see you again!” He smiled at her, and was confused to see her blush a little. That wasn’t the Kerry he’d always known.

“Yes...I...uh...yes, it’s good to see you, too, Luka. Did you come to Oklahoma City for this workshop or are you on some kind of vacation...?”

“Yes. I’m here with Daisy and the kids,” he nodded. “I mean, I’m on vacation...we’re heading down to Mexico and then back up through the Grand Canyon...”

“Oh.”

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment, then she cleared her throat. “Well, let me buy you a drink. We can...catch up a little.”

“Sure. But let me buy.”

She nodded slightly and crutched out the doors of the auditorium. It was only a short walk to a bar he had noticed near the hospital, and they quickly found a table in a quieter corner of the place. She ordered a Jack Daniels on the rocks. Luka ordered a Dr. Pepper. “I’m driving,” he said, smiling at her. In the background, a melancholy song was playing on the jukebox, and Kerry paused to listen. She played that song a lot at home, whenever she thought about Luka.

Dream
When you’re feelin’ blue
Dream
That’s the thing to do
Just watch the smoke rings rise in the air
You’ll find your share of memories there
So dream
When the day is through
Dream
And they might come true
Things never are as bad as they seem
So dream, dream, dream

Kerry swallowed. “So...how is everything? How’s Daisy?”

“She’s great...we’ve got five kids now...I’m sure she told you about Marguerite...Meggy.”

“Yes. I was very happy to hear about that. I take it you’ll be having more in the future?” she asked with a thin smile.

“Well, it seems inevitable,” Luka laughed. “She wants more.”

“And how are things at the hospital?”

“Good. Everyone’s doing well, but...we do miss you a lot.”

She doubted that. She stirred her drink absently, trying to avoid looking at him. He hadn’t changed much, besides his almost entirely silver hair. “You do?”

“Well, of course, Kerry. You were a great chief.”

“I’m sure you’re doing a great job yourself,” she said quietly.

“I try. But I’m not Kerry Weaver.”

She laughed, hiding her bitterness. “Well, I hope not!”

He smiled, taking a moment to get her joke, then nodded. “I mean...our styles are obviously very different...and anyway...uh...Romano is retiring soon and...”

“Rocket is retiring?” she said, incredulous.

“Yes. Retiring. You’d think he’d have been kicked out by now, all things considered.”

She chortled and shook her head. “The tutu incident alone!”

Luka chuckled, and Kerry, for just a moment, was tempted to reach out and touch his hand. God, he was still so beautiful, so kind. For ten years now she had been kicking herself for not making some kind of move earlier, when she was seeing his distress signals. But he had gone down to Mexico and came back with Daisy Childers. Arrived in the ER one day with that beautiful, sweet creature at his side, with a marriage license in his hand and Kerry’s chance was gone. Shot to hell.

She had recovered a little from the blow, but it had taken time. She had stayed at County as long as possible, never speaking a word of her feelings for Luka. She never could now-he was happily married to a wonderful woman who gave him all he needed-a home and a family. It was in Luka’s nature to want that, and Daisy had done a superb job of providing the support he so obviously craved. But when little Jackson arrived, it had been too painful for Kerry. She hadn’t let on to Luka that her decision to leave involved him to a very large degree, but she had a strong sense that Daisy knew. Wives always know, yet... Kerry had to admit, Daisy had never been anything but kind to her. There was nothing false in the way Daisy behaved toward her-there was no catty attitude, even though the woman had so obviously known. She had sensed a relief in Daisy when she announced she was moving to Maryland. It had been as unspoken as Kerry’s secret feelings for Luka. And despite ten years and trying not to think about him or mention him to anyone, they were still there, just as painfully clear as ever.

“I’m being considered for Chief of Staff,” Luka said, cutting in Kerry’s thoughts.

She looked at him a moment, then looked away. “I’m sure you’ll do a fine job.”

“I’m not sure I want it,” he said. “I’m not sure I want to spend even more time away from my family.”

Kerry nodded. “I can understand that.” She felt tears stinging her eyes, and she saw that concerned look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, leaning toward her a little.

“Nothing...the cigarette smoke is stinging my eyes,” she lied. “Luka, I’m so happy for you. After all you’ve been through, and all the...the bad things that have happened...I don’t know anyone who deserves more happiness than you. You’ve really made a good life for yourself.”

He was touched, but said nothing for a moment. Then he smiled at her. “Thank you...but what about you? Don’t tell me you still haven’t...”

“No. I never married. I’m married to my work,” she said, trying vainly to sound cheerful.

That’s terrible, he thought. He couldn’t imagine going home to an empty apartment, with no sounds but the TV to keep him company.

“Oh.” He drank down the last of his Dr. Pepper. “Kerry, I don’t think I ever really...thanked you. If it hadn’t been for you, I would never have gone to Mexico...I would never have found Daisy. You got me out of Chicago when I really needed a break.”

“May of the year two thousand,” she said. “I remember. You were a wreck back then.” So was I, she thought. Carter was a mess, I was in denial about my feelings for this man...this wonderful man I could have...

“Yes. I was.”

She was startled when he took her hand. “Thank you, Kerry.”

For a moment, she let her hand linger in his. He had never really touched her in all the years she’d known him. Every time he had touched her, it had been out of kindness, just like now. It had never once been anything romantic or even vaguely sexual.

Luka noticed that she didn’t let go of his hand, and he watched her for a moment, confused. He had never been able to figure Kerry out, and now she seemed even more befuddling. He gave her a warm smile, stood up and gently helped her to her feet. She didn’t resist at all when he guided her out of the bar and out onto the busy sidewalk. People were walking by, and for a moment, they stood side by side, saying nothing.

“I guess you have to get back to Daisy,” she said at last.

“Yes. I left her with the kids and her cousins. No doubt she’s kind of worn out...she was looking forward to seeing them but... I know my wife. She doesn’t like to sit in one place for too long.”

Kerry nodded stiffly. “It was good to see you, Luka. I’m sorry I haven’t called you...I’ve just been so busy...” She looked up at him a moment, making sure to take in his beauty just for a moment, so she could dream about him later, when she was safe in her own world. There were so few wrinkles, the hair was silver now but still thick. His eyes were still unbelievable...he was unbelievable. Why didn’t I say something ten years ago? Why didn’t I do something to make him see? Kerry sighed. She had asked herself those questions hundreds of times, and she had never been able to figure out the answer. Yeah, I’ve been busy, she thought. Busy trying to forget about you.

“I understand...the life of a teaching physician is never quiet,” he commented. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to come to the next session, but I...I really should get back.” He wondered why he suddenly felt an urge to flee. Something had changed, and it was beyond his grasp to explain or understand. He sensed something in Kerry’s behavior, but he couldn’t-or maybe he wouldn’t-put his finger on it. There was regret in her eyes. But regret about what?

“I have to go,” she said. “I’ve got all those graphs and charts to prepare for the next...next speech.”

“Yes. It was a very interesting speech, Kerry. Just like always.”

She laughed. “Don’t lie to me, Luka. I know my speeches bored you to tears back at County.”

He grinned-a smile that still made her heart skip a beat-and shook his head. “You never bored me, Kerry.”

For a moment, they faced each other, then he gently embraced her, hugging her warmly. Kerry pressed her cheek to his chest for just a moment, glad he wouldn’t see her close her eyes and drink in the scent of him. She wanted so much to touch him-to be with him. But he wasn’t available. He never would be again. His heart and his body belonged to another woman.

At least he’s happy, she thought as he lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles...so typically galant. I can be glad for him. I’ll never have a chance like that again, but it’s all in the toss of the dice. Time and chance happen to us all. If that school shooting had not occurred. If he hadn’t started falling apart. If he had not gone to Mexico...

If.

Luka smiled, said goodbye, and in a few moments, Kerry Weaver was standing alone at the corner, wiping the tears from her eyes. Ten years-God, it seemed like ten minutes. Nothing had changed. She still secretly loved Luka Kovac. She always would.



“You won’t believe who I saw today,” Luka said. He greeted Daisy’s cousin Gretchen with a charming grin, but didn’t notice that she almost bumped into a wall as she passed by, clearly affected by his looks.

“Who?” Daisy asked. She was trying to get Meggy down for a nap, but with the children running around, excitedly playing with their cousins, it was going to be a tough chore.

“Kerry Weaver.”

She froze for a moment, then forced herself to relax. “How is she doing?” she asked, keeping her eyes downcast.

“Daisy, do I look stupid?” he asked, sitting down across from her.

“What do you mean?”

“Kerry...she...what was it? Did she say something to you? Was she upset with me about something?”

“No, Luka, she wasn’t.”

“What was it, then?” he asked, keeping his voice low so no one would overhear this conversation.

“She was in love with you. Probably still is.”

That stunned Luka. He stared at his wife in amazement, unable to accept this information as truth. If Kerry was in love with him, why didn’t she ever say anything? Why keep something like that a secret?

“She didn’t realize it...at least as far as I could tell...until after we came back from Mexico. Or maybe she figured it out while you were gone. Either way, when you came back with me she just had to...Luka, things like this happen. Sometimes if you don’t make your move you lose. Timing...it’s of the essence.”

“She was...in love with...with me?” He watched Daisy’s face. His wife had always been honest with him-she kept few secrets from him. He supposed all wives keep a few secrets-there were a few things he simply couldn’t bear to tell Daisy. They weren’t bad things-he had never been even vaguely unfaithful to her-but there were things that he simply didn’t think she needed to know.

“Yes, Luka, she was. That’s part of the reason she left. Listen...honey, it’s...hard to explain why I didn’t tell you. I hope you can forgive me, but I didn’t think you needed to know. I actually figured it would be best that you not know.”

“Why? Did you think I’d be tempted...?”

She looked down at her daughter for a moment, and he sighed. No, that wasn’t it. He had been tempted a few times, certainly. He was human. But the idea of giving his wife pain for a few moments of pleasure was not only sinful but stupid and selfish. He loved Daisy. The fact that Kerry Weaver might have loved him wouldn’t change that.

“I’m sorry, Dais’,” he said quietly.

“I’m sorry, too, beba,” she whispered. “I hated seeing her hurt. I really did...I like Kerry. She was very kind to me, and I think she appreciated the friendship we had. I know she appreciated the kindness you always showed her...” Daisy looked at her husband. What could have been, she thought. If I had never met him, maybe he’d be with Kerry now. I would be alone, instead of her. “It’s amazing how choosing one door over another can affect the rest of our lives, Luka,” she said softly. Meggy had fallen asleep.

“Well, you remember my philosophy: we all have the right to do whatever we please. And we all have the duty to accept the consequences. I guess the consequences for me...” He gathered Meggy into his arms and stood up slowly. “Is that I have a beautiful wife and five great kids.”

She smiled. “You forgive me?”

“What’s to forgive?”

“I was a little jealous, Luka. I was being a little territorial...I’ll admit that.”

“Well, I’m territorial, too.”

“Oh, I know that!” she laughed. “Remember that guy in Colorado? The ‘head-bobber’ in the 7-11?”

“Yes, I remember,” he grouched. “And Dale Edson, when he made a pass at you at that hospital Christmas party?”

“I think they’re still peeling parts of him off the ceiling,” Daisy mused.

Luka chuckled. “Where do I put this thing?” he said, lifting his sleeping daughter to his shoulder. Meggy twitched but didn’t wake up.

“Karen said she could fit in the guest bedroom. There’s two other sleeping babies in there.”

“All right. And where are we sleeping tonight?” he asked as they headed down the hall.

“Upstairs in the loft.”

“In that creaky bed?” he asked, appalled. “That means no sex!”

“I’m sure we can work something out,” she said, winking at him.

“And with those damned dogs watching us,” he growled. He gently lay Meggy in between her cousins David and James.

“It is a little disconcerting, isn’t it?”

“Remember that time I took your bra off and threw it across the room...and Skids brought it back?”

She burst into laughter, but he covered her mouth so she wouldn’t wake the kids. “God, that was hilarious,” she giggled.

“Or the time the candle wax poured onto my back?”

“That headboard really was bouncing, wasn’t it? One minute it’s hot monkey love, then you’re screaming at the top of your lungs...and there I was thinkin’ you were havin’ a good time!”

He snickered, slipped his arm around her waist, and kissed her. Daisy’s knees went weak, but she could play this game pretty well. She nibbled on his lower lip, and knew he was weakening as well.

“Damned creaky bed,” he muttered. “Karen really should replace the box springs...” He nuzzled at her neck. Daisy turned her head a little to give him better access. A noise made her open her eyes, though, and she was startled by her cousin Gretchen taking a picture of them.

“Oh, Gretchen!” she laughed.

“Oh, hell! I forgot the film again!”

“Thank God,” Luka said, making a playful swipe at Gretchen, who giggled and dashed out the door.

“She always forgets the film,” Daisy said, laughing.

“Well, I think I’d prefer the dogs watch us rather than your cousin with a camera,” Luka said, kissing her again.



Later, as they lay in bed, tired and satisfied, Daisy snuggled up to him and kissed him.

“What was that for?” he asked, his fingers still tangled in her hair.

“Because you’re wonderful,” she said.

“Oh, well, I hate to brag,” he grinned, shrugging. Daisy giggled. They heard a noise, and looked over the edge of the bed and saw two dogs-a Chihuahua and a Cocker Spaniel/Eskimo mix, sitting there watching them, obviously fascinated.

“It’s the critics’ corner, I see,” Luka said. He threw a pillow at the two dogs and they ran away.

“I can just hear Chalupa sayin’, ‘Nice move there, Luka!’” Daisy giggled.

“Oh shut up,” he laughed, kissing her again. “And as I recall, you were the one talking about that particular move.”

Daisy squealed with laughter, and they could only hope they didn’t wake everybody up. The bed really was pretty noisy, but neither one of them was interested in sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED...

--
Do something, every day, that scares somebody.
-Dale Gribble, "King of the Hill"
If a man watches three football games in a row,
he should be declared legally dead.
~Erma Bombeck
You can't have everything. Where would you put it?
~Stephen Wright