Lucas nodded, his face in her shoulder. “Okay.”

“Don’t you doubt yourself for a minute. You are an amazing man, and Fallon will come around. You’ll have your family, baby. I know it.”

Lucas closed his eyes, hoping like hell she was right. He would do anything for that, anything. “I won’t. Thanks Mom.”

“Anything for you, baby,” she gushed as she backed away, giving him one last kiss before picking up her carry on. “Okay, my two favorite boys, I love you both, and I will call when I land.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

“I’ll miss you Grandma! Love you!” Aiden said, waving at her as she walked away. Lucas watched as Molly boarded the place before looking down at Aiden. He was looking up at Lucas with wide eyes.

“You’re next, huh?”

Lucas nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Aiden slid his hand into Lucas’ and they started for the door. “How long will you be gone?”

“A week, but then I’ll come home and I’ll be off for two weeks. We are going to have so much fun.”

Aiden nodded and Lucas noticed that he didn’t seem as excited as Lucas thought he would be. “But then you’ll leave again.”

“Yeah, but not for long. I’ll be home just as much as I’m gone. After we win the Cup, I’ll be off for four months,” Lucas reassured him, but Aiden only nodded. They reached the car and after getting buckled in, Lucas drove off towards the airfield. Fallon was going to meet them there so she could take Aiden home, and Lucas couldn’t wait to see her. It had been a long two days.

Aiden was quiet as they drove and Lucas knew he hated that Lucas had to go. It had to be tough on the little guy because it was tough on Lucas. He didn’t like being away from Aiden, but they both needed to get used to it. Lucas wasn’t retiring anytime soon.

When Lucas pulled onto the drive for the airfield, Aiden took in a deep breath. Lucas looked at him in the rearview mirror before parking the truck. Once he parked, he turned in his seat looking back at Aiden, “Bud, I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I know, I just wish that you lived with me, Mommy, and AA,” he said sadly, looking down at his hands.

Lucas turned into his seat because he knew his face showed how much he wished that, too. He got out the truck, and went to let Aiden out just as Fallon pulled up beside them. Aiden had already undone his seat and was ready to get out. Lucas picked him up and held him as he shut the door. “Everything is going to work out, okay?”

Aiden nodded before laying his head on Lucas’ shoulder. “Okay.”

Lucas’ heart broke at the sound of Aiden’s small, little voice. Fallon came around her car with a bright smile on her face. Man, had he missed her. She wore a pair of jeans and a off the shoulder black tee. Her hair was in a ponytail, and her eyes were covered by a pair of sunglasses. She looked beautiful and carefree, just like the girl he remembered.

“Hey guys,” she said brightly. She leaned over kissing Aiden’s cheek before giving Lucas a sweet smile. “I’ve missed you, Punkin’.”

“I missed you too, Mommy,” Aiden said, but he didn’t move. He stayed glued to Lucas. Fallon didn’t seem to mind as she moved out of the way so Lucas could walk forward. Fallon walked beside Lucas as they made their way towards the airplane. Everyone stood around with their families as Lucas stopped, wrapping his arms tighter around Aiden.

“I’ll be home in no time,” he whispered in Aiden’s ear. “You’ll take care of Mom right?”

Aiden nodded just as Lucas felt the wetness on his jaw.

Damn it, he was crying.

“No tears buddy, this isn’t goodbye. This is I’ll be home soon,” Lucas said, opening his eyes to see Fallon looking at him. She moved, placing her hand on Aiden’s back, rubbing it softly.

“I’m going to miss you,” Lucas said softly.

Aiden nodded again and said softly, “I’ll miss you.”

“Can you look at me and say that? I can’t hear you.”

Aiden pulled back, his eyes full of tears and his face wet from the ones that had fallen. “I’m going to miss you,” Lucas said. He then gave Aiden a lopsided smile, and Aiden returned it, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I’ll miss you, too.”

“Okay,” Lucas said with a grin, begging his own tears to not appear. Lucas hugged Aiden close to his once more before placing him on his feet. “I love you, bud.”

Aiden looked up at Lucas with a big tear rolling down his cheek. “I love you, too.”

It was the first time had told each other they loved each other, and Lucas could describe the feeling that filled him. It felt as if his heart had exploded while Aiden looked up at him with sad eyes. He loved this kid with everything inside of him. Aiden was his everything.

So was Fallon.

Lucas ruffled Aiden’s hair before looking up at her. He didn’t expect anything less than the tears that rolled down her cheeks. She was so freaking emotional. It used to drive him insane, but now he loved it. He loved everything about her. He gave her a smile before taking her hand and bringing her to him, crushing his lips against hers. Aiden was sandwiched between them, but Lucas didn’t think either of them cared. When he parted it was only for a second before he gave her two more small kisses on her glossed-up lips. He ran his tongue along the bottom of her lip, tasting faint strawberries before smiling against her lips.