Open Your Heart

LUCY

They looked at the guys who looked at them, and they smiled.

“They withdrew the custody papers. They won’t be coming for the kids,” Mark said.

“Yeah, Mia called her coworker who was at their house and told her what she found out. Her colleague confronted them about the lies they told to get the papers filed.

“They confessed that they wanted to take the kids from you because they didn’t like you,” Marco said.

“I knew it,” Lucy said.

“They better stay away,” Lauren said.

“We have a restraining order against them,” Marco said.

“I called it in,” Kevin said.

“Thank you,” Lucy said.

“It’s not a problem, Lucy. I have been where you are,” Kevin said.

“I’m sorry about your wife,” Lucy said.

“I’m sorry about your husband. I worked the accident,” Kevin said.

“You did?” Lucy asked.

“Yeah, the woman had no history of seizures. She had other health problems, but none that would prevent her from driving. Her family was upset about the whole thing,” Kevin said.

“I know, they sent flowers and came to my husband’s funeral saying they were sorry for everything,” Lucy said.

“I talked with them and told them that we understood that it was an accident,” Mitch said.

“We checked her background, and nothing stood out to say it was anything but an accident. She was a loving wife and mother of three.

“She was just heading to the grocery store that day, according to her oldest son who stayed home to watch his younger siblings,” Kevin said.

“How are they doing?” Lucy asked.

“They are hanging in there. Her husband works from home to be there for the kids,” Kevin said.

“I wish you could have a job to work from home, bro,” Kyle said.

“I know you do, bro,” Kevin said.

“But I’m proud to have a brother who is a police detective,” Kyle said.

“Well, we should get going. It’s getting late and you have school tomorrow, bud,” Kevin said. They got Bentley and Brittany from upstairs.

“I’ll bring them by in the morning before I head to work, Lauren,” Kevin said.

“Okay Kev,” Lauren said. They left. Nick and Lauren got Colby and Daniel and they headed home.

“Sis,” Marco said.

“Want us to stay here with you?” Mitch said.

“We can if you want,” Michael said.

“We can get up with our nieces,” Maxwell said.

“Guys, I’ll be okay,” Lucy said.

“Are you sure, sis?” Mark asked.

“Don’t you guys have to work tomorrow?” Lucy asked.

“Yeah, but we would rather hang with you,” Marco said.

“Yeah,” Mitch said.

“I’ll be fine. You guys can come for dinner or bring dinner,” Lucy said.

“Chinese?” Mark asked.

“Sounds good,” Lucy said.

“Okay sis, love you,” Marco said.

“Love you sis,” Mitch said.

“Love you sis,” Michael said.

“Love you sis,” Maxwell said.

“Love you sis, so much,” Mark said.” They each hugged her, kissed her forehead, and left. She locked up and went to bed.

***

A year later, Lucy decided to go back to work, and she opened her own flower shop. She decided to focus on the shop and her daughters.

She decided that no one could take Brad’s place in her life. She was better off single. Lauren was taking care of Lily and Olivia for her.

“So Daniel and Lily will be starting preschool this year along with Bentley, so most of the day the only ones I will have are Britt, Colby, and Olivia,” Lauren said.

“Be careful with Liv, she’s walking, you know,” Lucy said.

“I know sis, I’ve been there,” Lauren said.

“I know, sorry, it’s just hard being away from them,” Lucy said.

“I know sis, but the shop was your dream,” Lauren said.

“I know. Okay, I’m going, see ya sis,” Lucy said.

“See you later, sis. Love you!” Lauren said.

“Love you too,” Lucy said. She went to her shop and opened it and got everything ready. The door opened and her helper came in.

“Hey Amy,” Lucy said.

“Hi Lucy, how are you today?” Amy said.

“I’m okay, it’s just hard leaving my girls,” Lucy said.

“I know it must have been,” Amy said. The door opened, and a guy came in.

“Kane!” Amy said.

“Hey baby, you forgot your phone,” Kane said.

“Thank you for bringing it. Kane, this is my boss, Lucy,” Amy said.

“Hi,” Lucy said.

“Lucy Parker?” Kane asked.

“Yes,” Lucy said.

“My brothers live next to your sister,” Kane said.

“Kyle and Kevin are your brothers?” Lucy asked.

“Yeah, I just moved back to town with Amy. We started dating in college and then we moved here. Her family lives about an hour from here, and I wanted to be close to my brothers,” Kane said.

“Welcome back,” Lucy said.

“I think Kevin likes you,” Kane said.

“Oh?” Lucy asked.

“When I’m at his house, he asks Lauren how you are doing. I wondered what you looked like, and now I can put a face to the name,” Kane said.

“Oh, I see. Tell your brother I’m doing just fine running my shop and being a mom to my girls. Is Bentley excited to start preschool?” Lucy asked.

“Oh, he is so excited. It’s all he talks about,” Kane said.

“My daughter does too. She’s with him and my nephew Daniel in school,” Lucy said.

“Lily, right?” Kane asked.

“Yep, that’s my girl,” Lucy said.

“Baby, you should get to work,” Amy said.

“Crap, yes I should. Nice meeting you, Lucy. Baby, I will see you later,” Kane said. He kissed Amy and went out the door. Lucy smiled at Amy.

“Lucky girl,” Lucy said.

“I know, I love him so much,” Amy said.

“I know that kind of love,” Lucy said.

“You wouldn’t be interested in having it again?” Amy asked.

“No, I had it once and lost him. My focus is on the shop and my girls,” Lucy said.

“Lucy, you’ve really closed yourself off from love?” Amy asked.

“I love my kids, I love my family. That’s enough for me,” Lucy said.

“So you would rather be alone for the rest of your life?” Amy asked.

“I won’t be, I’ll have my kids,” Lucy said.

“Lucy, my mom has been where you are. My father died when I was ten, and my mom swore she would never love again. But one day, she met Bruce.

“She fought it for a while, but she couldn’t help falling in love with him when she knew I was okay with her finding love. They dated, and he became my stepdad, and he’s been like a father to me.

“I know it’s hard to move on from your husband—my mom thought the same—but there is someone out there for you. Don’t close yourself off from finding love,” Amy said.

“Amy,” Lucy said.

“Who is going to walk Lily and Olivia down the aisle at their weddings when they get married?” Amy asked.

“One of my brothers,” Lucy said.

“It would be more special if it was their stepdad instead of their uncle,” Amy said.

“Amy, when my husband died, my heart shattered. I can’t do it again, I can’t open my heart back up like that,” Lucy said.

“Yes, you can,” Amy said.

“She’s right, sis,” Maxwell said.

“You can do it,” Mitch said.

“You can love again,” Michael said.

“You are a strong woman,” Marco said.

“Guys,” Lucy said.

“Sis, we love you,” Michael said.

“We are worried about you,” Mitch said.

“Don’t close yourself off from finding love,” Marco said.

“He’s out there, sis. The next love of your life is out there,” Maxwell said.

“I don’t know how I can move on from Brad, it’s too hard,” Lucy said.

“You won’t know until you try,” Amy said.

“We know you can,” Maxwell said.

“I can’t, I’m sorry, I can’t,” Lucy said. She went to the back room and leaned against the wall as tears fell down her cheeks.