Chapter 2

MATTHEW GOTthe kids into the van, and Will helped make sure the younger ones were buckled in. He hurried around the driver's side as the rain picked up. The door squeaked as he closed it. Matthew sighed and pulled out the keys to start the engine. It clicked, but nothing more. "Danged thing," he muttered as he tried again. Nothing. The lights were on, but the starter must have failed. "All of you stay here."

He popped the hood, and just his luck, the skies opened up as he lifted it to try to access the starter. A lot of the time, if he tapped it, the thing would turn over. He managed to reach it and then went back into the car, sloshing in his shoes as he tried the ignition again. No luck.

"Uncle Daddy, can we go home now?" Brianna asked.

"I'm trying, sweethearts." He closed his eyes and prayed to the god of cars to let this bucket of bolts start and get them all home. After that, the damned thing could die forever. "Give me a minute."

After getting out, he lifted the hood once more and tried to do whatever he could.

"Matthew."

He turned, the rain running down his face, soaking him to the skin. The window of a huge SUV rolled down, and Lucas Reardon looked at him. A face he had seen in his mind for years and one he'd watched in the theaters and on the small screen, never missing a movie, TV appearance, or Netflix series. "It's dead and I can't start it."

"Are the kids inside?"

He nodded, feeling more miserable by the second.

"Rachel, pull around." The window rolled up and the SUV pulled away, made a circuit of the lot, and came up on the sliding door side of the van. "Get the kids in here, and we'll get you all home."

Matthew was out of options. He pulled open the sliding door. "Okay, guys. Mr. Lucas is going to give us a ride home. Get your things and be careful." He lifted Carl into his arms, and as soon as the driver stepped out with an umbrella, he transferred Carl to the SUV, the other three hurrying over. Matthew checked for bags and things left behind, then unhooked Carl's car seat and the boosters for the others. The driver got them inside while he locked the van and got into the Navigator himself.

Will had the boosters for the middle two installed way in the back, and the driver had the car seat secured. Soon all the kids were seated, and Matthew climbed in back in the middle and closed the door. "Thank you." He was at his wits' end.

"You're Lucas Reardon, the movie star," Will said, his voice filled with awe. "You know Uncle Daddy?"

"I'm hungry," Carl said. "And I gotta go potty."

All Matthew could do was hang his head. There were times when he wondered why Eden and Jack had left the care of their children to him. Fuck both of them and that drunk driver who had sent their car off a bridge.

"Okay. What do you like to eat?"

"Nuggets."

"Chicken."

"Hamburgers." Each of the youngest three had an opinion. Matthew noticed that Will said nothing.

"Okay. Rachel, let's find a restaurant. I know there are some downtown. We can get the kids fed and use the bathroom." The car started forward, and Matthew pulled out his soaked wallet, wondering what he was going to get the kids on the twenty dollars that was all he had in the world right now.

"Do you really know Uncle Daddy?" Will asked Lucas.

"Yes. He and your mom and I went to high school together." Lucas turned with that smile Matthew had seen so many times in person and on the screen. "Matthew and I were really good friends." He caught Matthew's gaze for just a second, and Matthew felt a wave of heat run through him. It lasted only a few seconds, and then the fact that he was wet to the bone chilled away everything. "It's been a long time since we saw each other, but I like to think that he and I will always be friends."

Matthew nodded. There was no way he was going to hate Lucas. He couldn't blame him for getting out of the area when he had the chance. Most of the people he'd known in high school had wanted to leave, and many had gone away to college and never returned for more than a few days. Still, he and Lucas had had something special—at least he thought they had. But the lure of the chance to act had been too good for Lucas to pass up. Matthew had hoped to be able to join him, but family needs and life in general had intervened, and Matthew ended up going nowhere.

Rachel parked in front of the restaurant, and the kids got excited as they peered out the windows. The rain had let up again, and Rachel got out of the car and, with Will's help, got the kids inside. "I have a bag in back." Lucas used the break in the rain to get out some clothes. He passed a pair of light sweatpants and a shirt over the back of the seat. "I don't have any shoes that will fit you."

"I know. They'd fall off. You have huge feet."

Lucas's head popped up over the seat, that grin in place, and for a second they were high school seniors again. "And you know what they say about men with big feet… 'cause it's true and you know it." He winked, and Matthew laughed, deep and loud. He almost ended up crying, it felt so good just to let go, even for a few seconds. "It wasn't that funny… or even original."

Everything had been so tough lately. "I guess it's been long enough that you seem funny, or maybe it's living with four kids, and adult conversation is like water in the desert." He took the clothes and grabbed the to-go bag he always had with him. With four kids, he was never without the basics, like granola bars, socks, underwear, small bottles of water, and Tylenol.

Lucas closed the back, and they went inside. Rachel and Will had all the kids at a table, and Lucas joined them while Matthew went in search of a bathroom, hoping he didn't leave puddles with each step.

"UNCLE DADDY,"Brianna called when he came back, his wet things in a plastic bag, "I can see your nipples." She giggled, and Matthew laughed as he took the empty chair across from Lucas, between her and Carl. He felt more human in dry clothes and was grateful his shoes somehow hadn't been soaked through, but the shirt he was wearing was at least a size too small, and it stretched over him like a second skin. When the kids said something uncomfortable, he had learned to just ignore it and hope that the subject would end.

"Did you really fly when you played Superboy?" Will asked.

Lucas shook his head. "It's all movie magic. They put me in this harness and then they fly me in front of a special screen. After that, they take out what they don't want and put in everything else with the computer, so in the end it looks like I'm flying, but the whole time I was no more than two feet off the ground."

"Did you really kiss Paula Greer? I like her," Brianna said.

Lucas nodded. "But it was a movie kiss, not a real one. Paula is very nice." He spent a good ten minutes patiently answering all the kids' questions. When the server came to the table, she did a double take and shook her head. There was no way Matthew was going to make the kids sit here and not eat, so he just hoped he had room on one of his credit cards. He helped each of them order and then got something for himself.

"Sir?" she asked Lucas, who ordered a salad. Rachel placed her order as well and then got up and wandered toward the back of the restaurant.

"Where is she going?" Matthew asked quietly, just before Carl took Brianna's fork and she snatched it back, which ended in shouting and tears. "That's enough, both of you," Matthew said sharply. "You have your own fork," he said and handed it to him before soothing Brianna with a light touch.

"Rachel is checking out the room, making sure she knows all the exits and things. It's what she does." Lucas seemed relaxed.

"But…."

Lucas shrugged. "Last year I had a stalker who decided that watching and sending messages wasn't enough. Rachel helped me out and was able to catch the guy. She's very good at what she does." Rachel checked out front and then returned to the table.

Matthew had always wondered what it would be like to see Lucas again and if he'd even remember him. But now that he was sitting right across from him, he didn't know what to talk about. The two of them had been in each other's back pockets when they'd been in school and that year of college together. Matthew knew everything about Lucas back then. They hadn't had any secrets and had shared everything: their hopes, dreams, hearts… everything. But now Lucas was a huge movie star, and Matthew was still in the same town. Granted, he had the kids, and he wouldn't trade the four of them for anything in the world.

Rachel sat back down and then started talking to Brianna. Matthew smiled as his little girl, who was normally rather quiet, opened up to Rachel. She and Will even traded places so she could sit across from Rachel.

"What else have you been doing besides raising the kids?" Lucas asked. "They must keep you busy."

"I'm an electrician. I finished my stint as a journeyman two years ago, just before the accident, and I maintain all the equipment at the vegetable processing plant." It was a good job, and he was grateful to have it. The pay wasn't great, but he had benefits that covered him and the kids.

Lucas looked down the table, half smiling, and then leaned closer. "How did you know my father…? I mean…?"

Matthew shrugged. "I hadn't seen him for years after you left, but then he started volunteering for youth baseball, and Will is an amazing player. And after Eden passed, he was there for us. The kids all call him Grandpa Adam." He felt himself choke up. Matthew was now one step closer to loneliness. Adam had been there when the kids needed him. He'd helped Will through his grieving and given him something to look forward to. "Adam connected with the kids. He was their cheerleader, never missed a game or a school concert." Hell, he was a friend, and now he was gone. Matthew had known that Adam had little time left, and had done his best to try to prepare the kids.

Lucas seemed a little lost as well. "I'm glad he was there for you." His lips grew tight, and Matthew had a pretty good idea what Lucas was thinking. It was a shame that Adam hadn't been there for Lucas in the way he had for Matthew and his family. Maybe Adam felt that the kids were a way to make up for what he hadn't done with Lucas. They would never know now.

"I'm happy you're here. It—" Matthew paused as squeals went up from another table. Three girls and a teenage boy hurried over.

"Oh my God, you're—"

"Lucas Reardon," another girl finished, bouncing up and down.

"I can't believe it's you. Can I have your autograph?" All three of the girls bounced while the boy looked on in awe.

Lucas smiled and signed something for each of them while Rachel tensed next to him.

Once the kids returned to their table, talking excitedly, Rachel headed back through the restaurant, and after a few minutes, she returned and sat down, looking for all the world like she was ready to step into action at any moment.

"Does that happen a lot?" Will asked.

Lucas shrugged. "Sometimes. It's okay, though." He smiled, but Matthew knew it was one of tension. He remembered that same smile and bravado as they went into a big test.

"Can I get your autograph too?" Will asked.

"Of course you can. But how about after lunch? We can get a picture with all of us. Okay?" Lucas asked before turning back to Matthew. "I really think I'd like one of those." The longing and loneliness in Lucas's voice rang through, if even only to Matthew.

"That would be nice."

Rachel cleared her throat. "The restaurant has agreed not to admit anyone else until we leave," she told Lucas.

"Do you do that a lot?" Matthew asked.

Lucas sighed. "I haven't been able to go out to dinner without a huge production in years. The last time I went to the movies, I had to go in costume so no one would recognize me. When I'm in LA, I have a security staff that stays with me, and every time I leave the house, someone is always trying to take my picture. The last time I needed to buy clothes, the store was mobbed, and I had to be ushered back to the car."

Their food arrived, and a few people stopped by the table on their way out. Lucas greeted each one, shook hands, and gave them a smile before returning to his lunch. But after each time, that light in his eyes dimmed a little and he became more drawn. It had to be exhausting.

Lucas took care of the bill, and all four kids thanked him.

"Let's use the bathroom before we go home." They traipsed back toward the restrooms. "Thank you for lunch and the ride. And please let me know when the service will be. They'll all want to be there."

"Of course." Lucas stood, and before Matthew could react, one of the most famous people in the country hugged him tightly. "Maybe we can see each other again before I go back."

"I'd like that," Matthew said. Lucas released him, and Matthew made sure he had everything as the kids returned. Then they all headed for the door together.

THE RAIN had stopped, but water still puddled on the roads as they drove east out of Ludington, toward Scottville. Matthew gave Rachel the address, and she got them home quickly. Lucas was quiet for much of the drive, not that Matthew could blame him.

"This is your sister's house," Lucas said when they pulled into the drive.

"They left it to me for the kids," Matthew told him. He had intended to sell it, but then he'd needed a place for all five of them to live, so he kept it and they stayed. "Come on, guys. I have to call and have the van towed." He got them all out just as the rain began again. The kids said goodbye to Lucas and Rachel before Will unlocked the house and let them inside.

The passenger-side window slid down, and Matthew went up to it. Lucas smiled at him, and just before he left, Matthew gave him a business card with his number on it.

"Thank you," Lucas said.

"I'll get your clothes back to you." He stepped back as the car started forward. For the second time, Matthew watched as Lucas slipped away, wishing he knew the words to stop him.

"Uncle Daddy, you're getting wet," Brianna called.

Matthew went inside, closing the door behind him. He looked around the living room—toys piled in the corner, his mother's old furniture still in the same place, only now covered with throws and blankets.

Carl tugged at his sleeve, and Matthew sat down while his youngest curled against him. "I'm going to miss Grandpa," he said softly.

"I know. We all are."

"Are you going to die too?" Carl asked while Brianna and the others all sat next to him.

"Nope. I'm going to stay here with you forever." He hugged each of them and kissed their foreheads. Well, everyone's but Will, who was too old for that sort of thing. "Why don't you all get your chores done, okay?"

The rain picked up again, coming down hard, echoing Matthew's feelings. But there was no time for him to be sad. The kids needed him, and there were things to be done. So all he could do was get to it. Even if when he closed his eyes, all he saw was a face that had always seemed so close. But once again, Lucas was out of his reach and would stay that way.