Light the Fire Within [Lukas]

[Andi Thalis]

Lukas was gone again, dealing with his mother’s funeral and other family preparations, and Andi was in Pilot Ridge alone once more, missing her boyfriend. She had wanted to go with him, but he has asked her to stay and continue with school, so that she could bring him back up to snuff when he came back. Since they would be graduating together, they would be together when he came back, but that didn’t stop her from missing him.

The lake sounded appetizing once her classes were done, but she didn’t feel like being around the water with other couples and families. It made her ache for her own, to feel her boyfriend’s arms around her as they sunbathed on the shore. She walked out of Hammel dressed in her jeans and boots, a white wife beater on her tanned torso under her leather jacket. She needed to ride, to clear her head, and she hopped on her bike and rode into town.

She took her time, very unlike the speed demon that she was, and it gave her a moment to try and sort everything out. She had been applying for colleges, wanting to stay close to Pilot Ridge since it had become her second home. She didn’t know if Lukas wanted to go to college; he seemed out of touch lately, and while it nagged at her, she didn’t let it rule her life, since she knew he would come back for her.

He had promised.

Pulling up in front of her favorite food joint, she shook out her hair when she got the helmet off and walked inside, looking at the crowded place. She had called ahead to place a table, and she caught the tail-end of what the waitress was telling the scruffy guy in front of her. She had wanted lunch by herself, but something pulled at her heart, and she realized that if she had been eating alone, she could have possibly broke down and started crying.

“Excuse me,” she murmured to the scruffy boy, who was in college by the looks of it, and glared at the hostess. “Sure, he can have my table, since I’m Andi with the table for one, but if you suggest pairing two lone individuals when I clearly stated that I wanted to eat alone, you’ll be hearing from your manager.” Her tone was slightly poisonous, making the hostess flinch and waddle away to find that table, and Andi sighed while running her fingers through her hair. Her jade eyes flicked to the boy, and she gave him an apologetic smile before walking out.

She ended up going to another place and got lunch before riding to the lake. It was remarkably empty, with some children and dogs running around and few families about. Parking under the large oak tree where she and Lukas had once skinny-dipped, she took off her jacket and crossed her ankles as she began eating, looking out over the water with her chocolate curls tumbling around her shoulders.

[Lukas Wolf]

Lukas was back. He was finally home, and this time he was hoping it was for good. There were was only one place he wanted to go. One place he needed to be.

Pulling up to Hammel, Lukas ran out of his mother's car and headed straight for Andi's dorm. He knew she was graduating, but he had hoped that she would still be there.

But she wasn't.

Confusion overwhelmed Lukas. He had no idea where she could be. Making his way back to his car, Lukas caught a glimpse of the pond glistening in the sun, and he knew where his love was.

Speeding now, he couldn't wait to have her in his arms again. There was something amongst his belongings that he was excited to give to Andi, we'll actually, he was hoping she would accept it.

Arriving to the Lake, Lukas immediately noticed the brunette's bike. And then he saw her. The beautiful woman who had captured his heart and tamed him. He wanted to surprise her, she didn't know that he would be back so soon.

Parking his car on the other side of the parking lot, Lukas retrieved the little box out of his bag and slipped it into his back pocket.

Sneakily, Lukas made his way over to the brunette. Standing behind her, he knelt onto one knee and cleared his throat to catch her attention.

And then he waited for her to turn around and take notice.

[Andi Thalis]

Lost in her thoughts, Andi watched the sun slowly set over the trees, making the families take off to their homes. This left her alone with her thoughts, thinking of Lukas and what he was doing right now. Where was he? Was he okay? Would he come back soon? She missed him desperately.

At first, she didn't notice the car parking behind her bike. She just thought it was another couple coming to enjoy the sunset. She knew Lukas loved sitting out here with her until the stars came out, and she would tell him all the constellations until he tickled her and took her home. She missed his arms around her and ached to have him here.

Then someone cleared his throat behind her.

Startled, she turned to yell at the guy, but she saw his face and her eyes widened, almost not believing that he was here. "Lukas!" she almost screamed, launching at him and kissing his face as her arms wrapped around his neck. He was here, at last, and he smelled so good, she never wanted to let him go.

"You're back," she breathed happily, pulling back to look at him. "You're finally back. I missed you so much!" She stole a kiss from his lips and dazzled him with a smile, her heart bursting with happiness.

He was home.

[Lukas Wolf]

Lukas laughed as Andi launched herself into his arms. The small box in his hand falling onto the grass as he fell backwards and embraced the brunette.

He couldn't help but laugh as Andi kissed his face. It was a new feeling than what he had dealt with these past few months. He had become used to being alone and not feeling any affection from his family as he took care of his mother's belongings and funeral.

Returning Andi's kisses, Lukas smiled when she pulled back. "I am home babe, and I missed you too. More than you could ever know," he said with a sad smile as he brushed her hair behind her ear.

"I really missed you, honestly I didn't think I'd make it through these past few months. It was like she died all over again. I had to fight off all of her loser family who were no where to be found when she was sick but they claimed they deserved some of her belongings and her money. Hell no. But that's ober." He ended with a grunt.

"Hey." Lukas started, returning to his cheerful mood. "Baby, can you do me a favor? Can you stand up and turn around?"

Once she stood and turned, Lukas grabbed the box off the ground, and went on his knee again. "Okay, now look."

"Andromeda Thales," he started, opening the ring box and revealing a gorgeous pearl ring encased in tiny diamonds, "Will you please spend the rest of your life with me?" Lukas looked up to her emerald green eyes as his own eyes began to tear up. "I love you more than life itself and I can't imagine my life without you."

[Andi Thalis]

She didn't notice the small box as she lay atop him in the plush grass, her lips finding every inch of his face. He was here, in her arms, and she didn't want it any other way. They had come a long way from being friends with benefits.

"Those losers," she replied, thinking of his family. Honestly, who did that when they had no right to anything whatsoever? "You're home now, and I'm the only family you'll need," she continued, kissing his temple. He was so warm against her, chasing the chill of loneliness away.

When he asked her to turn, she stood and did so, wondering why he wanted her to. She wanted to keep looking at him, to memorize the face she already knew so well. She couldn't get enough of looking at him. Fidgeting, she stood until he allowed her to turn, and she did excitedly.

What happened next would forever be engraved in her memory, of Lukas asking to spend the rest of his life with her. The ring was gorgeous, and somehow she knew that it was his mother's. "Yes," she choked out, her eyes tearing up as she held out her hand. "Lukas Wolf, you have my heart and my soul. It's only fair that I give you the rest of my life as well."

And she knew, somewhere in heaven, that her mother was crying tears of joy too.

[Lukas Wolf]

Lukas allowed the tears fall from his eyes when Andi accepted the ring. Part of him was afraid that she wouldn't accept the ring or the promise to each other. But now he had no fear. He loved her and she obviously loved him back just as much.

After slipping his mother's ring onto Andi's dainty hand, Lukas stood up and scooped the brunette into his arms, just like a groom would carry his bride.

"Thank you, I love you," Lukas repeatedly whispered to Andi, as he placed little kisses all over her face and head. "You've made me the happiest man in the world," he said through tears of joy.

He didn't know whether he had just proposed to Andi or given her a promise ring, but he didn't care. All he knew was that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and that he knew he wouldn't be able to live without her.

"Whenever you're ready to get married Andi, I will be ready then too, but for now I promise myself to you until you no longer want me or I die," Lukas said seriously as watched his beautiful soul mate.

[Andi Thalis]

The ring fit perfectly, and Andi was sure that his mother would be proud of the woman her son had chosen. A wide smile painted her face and she thought it would freeze like that as Lukas stood up. A squeal left her mouth as he picked her up wedding-style, and her arms locked around his neck as he kissed her face and lips and head and everywhere he could reach.

“I’ve been the happiest since you first said you loved me, Lukas,” she told him truthfully, wanting him to know how much she wanted him in her life. She wiped his tears away with gentle fingers, cherishing each tear in her heart. It humbled her that he would cry before her and no one else, and she loved that he was so open with her for her to see his heart the way that it was.

“We won’t get married for a while yet, I think,” she said with a laugh as she wiggled and stood before him, smiling up at him. “We still need to go to college and get graduated and stuff. You need to get caught up.” She leaned in and stole a deep kiss from him, something that made her toes curl and her heart beat faster before she pulled back with another smile.

“I love you.”