Page 129 of Perfect Three

She shrugged her shoulders.

“How much weight have you lost?Too much by the looks of it.”

She looked down at herself.She’d always been a full-figured woman and still was, but it was obvious she’d lost at least ten kilos or more.Her size 22 jeans had become loose on her and kept falling down.She was pretty sure she’d dropped almost two dress sizes.

By now, Sebastian had finished her hair.He lifted her head with a finger under her chin, then held it between his thumb and forefinger.“We’re back to look after you.We’ll be together from now on.”

Lucy could only nod.She was so happy to have them back it was impossible to express it in words.The nightmare of the past six weeks had gone, although it was hard to believe it was really over.She wanted to pinch herself in case it was merely a crazy dream of wishful thinking.

“Lucy, will you move in with us?No more being apart.I know we talked about it before everything went crazy.We can buy a house together, or you could move into the apartment.Whatever you really want.”

Lucy looked at him then at Jack.His words finally assured her this was real.She took a breath and crossed her fingers behind her back.“You could move in here.I mean, it’s not that far to the complex, and there is lots of room ...unless you want to be closer.”

Jack gave a whoop as Sebastian smiled that beautiful, sexy smile of his.

“If you’re sure, then we will.”

“I’m sure.”

“These past weeks without you have been so bad, Lou.We’ve missed you so much.”

Lucy looked from one to the other.“I thought I would die from a broken heart.Oh, Seb, Jack, I just couldn’t face being without you.I didn’t know what else to do.”She lowered her head as she whispered, “I followed the darkness to take away the pain.”

Sebastian pulled her into a wet embrace as she sobbed.“Hush, sweetheart.You won’t ever have to face anything alone again.”

Lucy leaned against him.Jack wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his head on the top of hers.Sebastian lowered his head and kissed her.

She sighed against his mouth as he appeared to put every ounce of passion and love into his kiss.Lucy put her arms around him and kissed him back just as passionately.

The phone rang.

Lucy held her hands over her ears so Jack grabbed a towel and went to pick up the phone in the bedroom.He came back in and mouthed, “Allison.”

Lucy shook her head and listened to Jack’s side of the conversation.

“Yes, Allison, she’s okay.”

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Yes.I understand you do, but you have to see it from Lucy’s side, and from ours also.”

“I don’t know.It all depends on Lucy.”

“I will.Goodbye.”

He ended the call and looked at the other two.

“She wanted to come around.I told her no.She kept going on about being sorry and wanting our forgiveness.”He shook his head.“I know she’s your daughter, Lucy, but...”

“I know, Jack.Believe me, I know.I honestly don’t understand any of it.I never raised her to think that way.I always taught her to respect other people’s decisions even if you didn’t agree with them.”

Sebastian picked up her hand.“It’s okay, sweetheart.None of this was ever your fault.If I’m honest, I really don’t know if I can forgive her for what she’s done to you.She’d have to be really and truly contrite.”

“I don’t think I’ve said more than a few dozen words to her since that horrible day.”

It’s not a dream!Seeking assurance, she asked with a tremulous note, “Is it really over?Can I really see my grandchildren and be with you both?”

Both men reassured her once more.Her relief couldn’t be put into words.She stood in the shower then gave a huge sigh.Sebastian took her hand and moved her out.He picked up a towel, wrapping her in it.

---