We sacrificed us to protect them. And it didn't matter. None of it mattered. It mattered to us. Victoria said quietly.
At the time we thought we were doing the right thing. Were we? She didn't answer. Lucas leaned against the counter, suddenly exhausted. My mom might be really sick.
My dad's falling apart. And we're stuck in this cabin with nowhere to go and nothing we can do about any of it. Victoria moved closer. So we do what we can. We keep her warm.
We keep everyone calm. We survive. Is that what we're good at? Surviving? It's all I know how to do anymore.
He looked at her then. Really looked. And saw the truth written all over her face. She was just as lost as he was. Without thinking Lucas reached out and took her hand.
She stiffened, then relaxed. Her fingers curled around his. I'm scared. She whispered. Me, too.
They stood there in the kitchen, holding hands in the dark. And for a moment the past seven years didn't exist. They were just Lucas and Victoria again. Two people who'd loved each other and lost each other, and somehow found themselves back in the same place. But the moment couldn't last.
The door opened. Eleanor stepped in, stopping short when she saw them. Lucas dropped Victoria's hand. Is my mom okay? Her fever's down a little.
Richard wanted me to tell you. Eleanor's eyes flicked between them. Everything all right here? Fine, Victoria said quickly. We were just talking.
Eleanor didn't look convinced, but she nodded. All right, well, we should all try to get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be another long day. She left. Lucas and Victoria stood there, suddenly awkward.
We should go back, Victoria said. Yeah. But neither of them moved. Lucas, about what you said, about giving up everything, forget it. I was just frustrated.
No, you were right. Victoria's voice was steady now. We did give up everything. And maybe it was for nothing, but that doesn't mean it wasn't real. What we had, what we felt, that was real.
I know. Do you? Because sometimes I wonder if you've convinced yourself it wasn't. That it was just some college relationship that didn't mean anything. Lucas met her eyes.
It meant everything. Victoria's breath caught. Then why does it feel like we're strangers? Because that's what we chose to be. I didn't choose this, she said fiercely.
I chose to walk away because I thought it was right. But I never chose to stop loving you. The words hung in the air between them. Lucas felt something crack wide open in his chest. Seven years of walls, of distance, of pretending, all of it crumbling in an instant.
Victoria. Don't. Don't say anything. She was crying now. I shouldn't have said that.
Forget I did. She turned to leave. Lucas grabbed her wrist. Wait. She stopped, but didn't turn around.
I never stopped, either, he said quietly. Not once. Not ever. Victoria turned slowly. Her face was wet with tears, but she was smiling.
We're idiots, aren't we? Complete idiots. She laughed through her tears. It was the saddest, most beautiful sound he'd ever heard. And then, before either of them could think better of it, Lucas pulled her close and kissed her.
It was desperate and messy and 7 years too late. But it was real. More real than anything he'd felt in longer than he could remember. Victoria kissed him back like she was drowning and he was air. When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Lucas rested his forehead against hers.
What are we doing? He whispered. I don't know. This is a terrible idea. The worst.
We can't I know. But neither of them let go. They stood there in the kitchen holding each other and for the first time in 7 years, Lucas let himself feel everything he'd been pushing down. The love, the loss, the longing, all of it. And it hurt.
But it also felt like coming home. They broke apart when they heard footsteps in the hallway. Victoria stepped back quickly, wiping her eyes. Lucas turned toward the sink, gripping the edge hard enough to hurt. We can't do this again, Victoria said, her voice shaking.
I know. I mean it, Lucas. We can't This isn't I know, he repeated, but the words felt hollow. The footsteps passed by. Probably Eleanor checking on Margaret again.
Victoria moved toward the door. We should get back before someone notices we're both gone. Victoria, wait. She stopped, hand on the doorknob, but didn't turn around. What happens now?
Lucas asked. Nothing. Nothing happens. We go back out there, we take care of your mother, we get through this storm, and then we go back to our lives. Just like that?
Just like that. She finally looked at him. Her eyes were red, but dry now. "What else is there?" "Everything."
Lucas wanted to say. "There's everything we never had. Everything we threw away. Everything we could still be." But he didn't say any of it.
"You're right." He said instead. "Nothing changes." Victoria nodded once, then left. Lucas stood alone in the kitchen and tried to convince himself that kiss hadn't just blown his entire world apart.
He failed. When he returned to the main room, Margaret was awake. Still pale, still coughing, but her eyes were clear. Richard sat beside her, holding her hand like it was the only thing keeping him tethered to Earth. "Hey Mom."
Lucas said quietly. "How are you feeling?" "Like I've been hit by a truck." She managed a weak smile. "But I've had worse hangovers."
"That's not funny." "Little bit funny." Richard squeezed her hand. "Don't joke. You scared me."
"I'm okay, Richard." "Really?" She looked at Lucas. "Where's Mia?" "Sleeping in the loft with Eleanor."
"Good." "She shouldn't see me like this." "She's worried about you." "I know." Margaret coughed again, wincing.
"But kids don't need to carry adult problems. Let her think it's just a cold." Lucas sat down on the floor beside them. The fire crackled, throwing shadows across the walls. Outside the storm showed no signs of letting up.