Chapter 254 Serving her

Chapter 254 Serving her
   "Yes." His voice was gentle but firm. "I've put it off for too long."
   He lowered his gaze briefly before resting a hand over his stomach.
"It's best to settle everything now that   I'm expecting our…"
   Alex smiled and lightly tapped the tip of Lucas's nose.
   "No."
   Lucas frowned playfully.
   "No?"
   "You mean..." Alex covered Lucas's hand with his own. "...now that we're expecting our little miracle."
   Lucas's heart warmed. A smile slowly spread across his face.
   "Yes." He chuckled softly. "Whatever you say."
   Alex grinned triumphantly. "Much better."
   Lucas laughed before growing serious again. "But I still have to see Derby. I want to hand her the divorce papers myself. I think we both deserve a proper ending."
   Alex's smile faded. "I'll take you."
Lucas immediately shook his head. "No, I'm going alone."
   Alex frowned."Baby..."
  "There is nothing to worry about."
Lucas gently stroked Alex's cheek. "I don't think she'll hurt me."
   "If anything goes wrong..."
   "I'll leave immediately."
   Alex searched his eyes, reluctant to let him go. After everything that had happened...The kidnapping, the threats from Larissa in disguise as Hunter. The worst, Larissa was still walking freely, though under surveillance.
   Yet, Alex’s protective instincts were stronger than ever.
   Finally, he sighed. "Okay. If that's what you want, but be careful okay."
   Lucas smiled gratefully.
   Alex cupped his face in both hands. "But promise me something."
   Lucas nodded. "What is it?"
   "If Derby tries to turn it into an argument, if she starts shouting or
anything feels wrong..."
   Alex's expression became serious.
"Don't stay, come straight home.
Promise me that."
   Lucas's eyes softened. "I promise if anything goes off, I will come straight to you, okay.”
   He leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on Alex's lips.
   “Keep your promise.” Alex said again.
   Lucas kissed him again. When he pulled away, he whispered, "Okay... love."
   Alex froze. His eyes widened. A slow grin spread across his face.
   Lucas blinked. "What?"
   Alex looked utterly delighted.
"Say that again."
   Lucas tilted his head innocently.
"Say what?"
   "What you just called me."
   Lucas pretended to think. "Hmm...I can't remember."
   He turned as if to walk away, but before he could take a single step, Alex caught him around the waist and pulled him right back into his arms.
   "Oh, no you don't."
   Lucas burst into laughter. "What are you doing?"
   "You know exactly what I'm doing."
Alex's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Say it again, or I'm going to tickle you."
   Lucas gasped dramatically. "Come on, you wouldn't."
   "Oh yeah baby, I absolutely would."
Alex wiggled his fingers threateningly.
   "Three..."
   Lucas laughed harder. "Alex, come on, don't."
   "Two...I'm warning you..."
   “Please don't…”
   "One..." Alex's fingers brushed lightly against Lucas's sides.
   Lucas squealed and immediately surrendered. "Okay! Okay!
Love!"
   He laughed so hard he nearly lost his balance.
   Alex caught him effortlessly.
"There." Alex said proudly. “Was that so difficult?"
   Lucas shook his head, still laughing. "You're impossible."
   "And you're my love." Alex replied without missing a beat.
   Lucas's cheeks turned pink.
"You really like hearing that, don't you?"
   "I love hearing it." Alex admitted shamelessly. "So I expect to hear it often."
   Lucas rolled his eyes with exaggerated annoyance. "What if I don't feel like saying it?"
   Alex leaned close until their noses almost touched.
   "Then I'll remind you."
   "How?"
   Alex smiled wickedly. "With more tickling."
    Lucas groaned dramatically. "You fight dirty."
   "I fight to win."
   Lucas laughed, slipped his arms around Alex's neck, and kissed him one more time.
   "You're unbelievable, love." He whispered.
   Alex smiled against his lips.
   "And yet, I'm still your love."
   Lucas chuckled, resting his forehead against Alex's. "Yes, you're still my one and only love."
   Alex closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the words.
   Somehow, hearing Lucas call him that meant as much as any declaration of love ever could.
   “Let me get this over with.” Lucas pick up the large brown envelope from the bedside table and turned toward the door.
   "I'll be back soon, okay?"
   Alex immediately caught his hand before he could take another step.
"You don't have to rush."
   Lucas smiled. "I won't."
   Alex intertwined their fingers and walked beside him toward the bedroom door.
   They descended the staircase together, neither of them wanting to let go. When they reached the entrance hall, Alex stopped again.
   "Baby."
   Lucas turned.
   "Let Marvis drive you."
   Lucas laughed softly. "No. I'm not a baby." He reached up and straightened Alex's collar. "You worry too much."
   "After everything that's happened, can you blame me?"
   Lucas's smile softened. "No, love.”
He gently caressed Alex's cheek.
"But Derby already knew this marriage wasn't going to last. So this meeting shouldn't be a surprise. I'm simply giving her the papers. I'll be driving my own car."
   Alex looked unconvinced.
His protective instincts screamed at him not to let Lucas go alone.
However, he also knew Lucas needed to do this himself.
   After a long sigh, he finally nodded.
"Okay baby, but call me the moment you're leaving."
   "I will."
   "And if anything feels wrong..."
   Lucas interrupted with a smile.
"I'll come straight home."
   Alex smiled helplessly. You're learning."
   "I have a good teacher." Lucas smiled.
   They walked outside together.
The warm afternoon breeze brushed against them as they reached Lucas's car.
   Lucas opened the driver's door before turning back. "I'll be back in a jiffy." He leaned forward and stole a quick kiss.
   Alex smiled into it. "I'll be waiting."
   Lucas winked before sliding into the driver's seat.
   The engine came to life.
   Alex stood at the driveway, watching until the car disappeared through the mansion gates. He continued waving long after Lucas was gone.
   The smile slowly faded from his face. He turned toward the security team. "Marvis. Jerry."
   The two men stepped forward immediately. "Yes, sir."
   "Follow him, Keep your distance. I don't want him to notice, but if anything happens. Call me immediately, and protect him."
   "Understood."
   The two men hurried to their vehicle and pulled out moments later.
Alex then took out his phone.
   Thomas answered almost instantly.
   "Yes, boss."
   "Lucas is on his way to he and Derby's house. Inform the surveillance team stationed there.
I want them to be alert."
   "Yes, boss."
   The call ended.
   Alex stared toward the gate once more. "Come home safely, baby."
   A few minutes later...Lucas glanced into his rearview mirror.
   A familiar black SUV appeared several cars behind him.
He smiled knowingly.
   "So...you really sent them." Lucas chuckled to himself.
   "Alex...You worry far too much."
Shaking his head affectionately, he rested one hand lightly on the steering wheel.
   "I love you anyway." His smile slowly turned wistful.
   "I wish I could remember everything. Every smile, every fight, every promise, the last two years..."
"They're still blank."
    He sighed quietly. "But...if heaven never gives those memories back..."
His smile returned. "That's okay.
Your love is enough for me."
   He continued driving toward their matrimonial house.
   Not long afterward, Lucas pulled into the driveway. The front door opened almost immediately.
   Derby stepped outside. For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she smiled warmly.
   "You came.”
   Lucas nodded. "I said I would."
   Without hesitation, Derby walked over and wrapped him in a gentle hug.
    "I'm so glad you're safe. I was really worried."
   Lucas returned the embrace.
"I'm okay now."
   She pulled back and looked him over carefully. "You really are.
I'm really glad you came back. I kept your room in order. Have you eating? Do you want…."
   Lucas smiled politely.
   "There is something important I need to give you." Lucas cut him short.
   Derby's smile faded slightly.
"What is it?"
   Lucas reached into the passenger seat and picked up the brown envelope. Without a word, he placed it in her hands.
   She frowned.
   Slowly, with shaky hands she opened it. Her eyes scanned the first page. Then the second.
   Her breathing stopped.
   Suddenly, she shook her head. “No, I don't want this, please.”    
    She dropped the papers on Lucas's car and ran back inside the house.