Will Be Yours Ch. 11

Except Luke, the little voice reminded me.

"I'll make all of that," she nodded when she pulled away, tears glistening on her cheeks. "Bring Luke along too."

"Luke?" I laughed. "He's not an early riser. He needs to be up by seven if we want to reach by eight." I glanced behind me and found him wandering in the distance, looking hungry. Then I looked at mom again. "I don't think he's going to wake up before nine tomorrow."

Mom laughed, and something told me she approved of Luke. Not that it was important, but I was glad that she wasn't misjudging me this time.

"I'll be waiting for you tomorrow," she said, caressing my face with her hand. "Don't be late."

I nodded, smiling. She glanced at Luke again, and smiled at me. "Come on now," she said, "Dinner's been served."

"We'll be there," I smiled. Mom nodded and turned around, heading inside the banquet hall. I walked back to Luke, who saw me returning and stood in attention.

"Everything okay?" he asked, when I was near him. I nodded.

"I'm having breakfast with mom tomorrow at eight," I said, "Do you want to come along?"

"At eight in the morning?" he raised both eyebrows. "You think after tonight's party, I'll be able to wake up that early tomorrow?"

I giggled, shaking my head gently. Luke laughed, crossing his arms.

"And I think you need some alone time with your mother," he added. "You need to talk and sort out differences." He sighed softly, staring at my face. "She deserves another chance. She clearly feels guilty and ashamed for what she had done."

"What's the point?" I asked, surprised at how tired I suddenly sounded. "She cannot give back what I've lost."

"But she still loves you. It shows. That day, the surprise and happiness she exuded seeing you after so long, that cannot be fake." He held me gently by my arms. I tried to remain normal, despite the sensations his hands caused on my bare skin. "She's your mother, Cynthia. She's always cared about you more than anything else. A few years of misunderstanding and separation cannot change that."

"I know." I looked into his eyes, and then linked an arm with him. "Now, can we go to dinner?"

He smiled, giving my forehead a slight bump with his. "Let's go."

(To be continued)