the second catholican [ sophie ]

[lucas connor o'shea]

There was truly little in the world that Lucas O'Shea could call beautiful. And no...it wasn't that he was picky. He had no problem admitting a girl was goodlooking or that a sculpture was breath-taking. But beautiful? The word was only reserved for something so captivating that nothing else verbal could conclude an accurate summation of what it envoked in him. A rare scene in a sea of humble sights. Something that could take his breath away, yet fill him with an oxygen-high at a glance. Something that you stumbled upon once every ten years, then made a mental note to yourself to always remember just how beautiful it was. This was one of those things. This was beautiful.

There was an inhuman kind of calm that had situated itself at his side. His arms rapped around his knees as they pulled to his chest, blue eyes locked out to the distance. The gentle hum of the breeze drowned out out the sound of his movement in the sand as the sun set many mies away over the horizon before them. With his attention upon the bursting super-nova scene, he rested his chin on his knees to take in the breathtaking view. The last tendrils of the sun were striking out against the ever approaching night sky. With a sigh escaping him, Luke felt consumed in the passing moment. This tender moment that seemed to be the panacea to all of his anxiety.

Feeling a soft breeze, the skin on his face felt as if it had been lit up by the ocean salty air as it rested upon his tattered-jean covered knees. A worn sweatshirt clad his torso, it's appearance almost signifying how many times he himself had been put through the ringer - it's soft thread slightly dampening from the setting. After all, it wasn't just any day he made the trek down to the shore. Any beach in England left a shore-goer with more to desire during the daily hours of operation--but at nightfall, well this was just spectacular. Luke could almost feel what it was like to get lost in the tepid, crashing sea.

It was becoming a ritual for the young man to make his way down here evening after evening, ever since he had gotten out of rehab, though. It's rocky coast almost felt like home by now. Maybe it was it's placid nature or simple beauty, but something kept Luke hooked. It's rolling track of whisping winds and crashing waves sedated his worries. And that was something quite spectacular for a guy of his paranoid nature. This sanctuary, here at the shore, passed the waters edge and up between the sand-dunes, was a little place to escape. A little place to call his own. A place of sheer refuge. There was no discrepency here, Luke thought to himself as a small smile fell upon his lips. There was no tumultuous feelings for lost love or the pressures of finding a job. Not a thread of jealousy, nor a blade of false hope that infected him. No...no it was just him. Him and the sea...Or, well it wasn't entirely true now any more now was it? The man bit the inside of his lip as he peered over his shoulder at the rollings sands--where was she?

Keeping such a treasure as this to himself would be selfish, wouldn't it? Or at least thats what he had reasoned one day in the company of his best friend. The location blurted itself out from his lips to the woman, telling her of its splender. Plans were made soon after to meet in this spot. Was it weird that Lucas felt the need to share this with Sophie? He felt his heart skip once his eyes strayed from the sunset to search for her. Was it weird that he almost wanted her approval? A prickle of nerves ran up his spine as he parted his eyes from the sunset to look for her; would she like it as much as he did?

[sophie esther o'shea]

“Mummy, is Lukie a prince?”

Sophie grinned slightly, glancing at her daughter in the review mirror as she drove. It seemed like such a strange question for the three-year-old to ask out of the blue. Then again though, ‘A Whole New World’ had just finished playing on the CD they often listened to in the car; Sophie never listened to the radio much anymore when her daughter was in the car. They listened to CD’s of children’s music or sometimes even some classical (she believed even young children should be exposed to all sorts of cultural activities. Their current favourite piece of classical music was Peter and the Wolf, but.. I digress). She just didn’t like the messages some songs on the radio sent to her little girl. She wanted Holly to be exposed to everything positive.

“Yes baby girl.” She agreed, turning down the next song (Be Prepared, in case you were wondering). “Your uncle Luke is a wonderful prince.” The mother bit the inside of her lip. Taking a moment to herself to consider the truth behind those words for a moment. He really was. The way he treated Holly like a princess..And even Sophie herself. He was truly an amazing man; there was no denying that fact. He’d come so far, and she was so proud of him. And selfishly? Sophie adored having her Lucas back. There was a long period in her life where she felt like she’d lost him. He was there, sure. He wasn’t Luke though. He wasn’t the Lucas she loved and adored. Now though, he was all that and more- It felt amazing to have her best friend back.

“Are you his princess?”

The little voice interrupted Sophie’s reverie. The question startling Sophie a little. They’d been watching a lot of the Disney movies that featured princess’s lately. Holly just adored anything to do with princesses and was constantly playing pretend at being one. Now, while Sophie knew well enough her daughter’s question was all very innocent. That the child didn’t really understand the romantic connotations behind what she’d asked, Sophie could not help feel a small jolt in her stomach. In her younger days she’d wished and dreamed and hoped to fill that role in Luke’s life. Even before she even understood how deep her feelings had run.

Things changed though. They had to. She’d held on for as long as her heart could take. Stood by him through his drug abuse, and then through the turbulent years of him trying to get clean. But not once did he show Sophie a sign that he saw her as more than a friend- or at least not a sign she could see. And Nate had been so good to her. So kind and gentle when she’d broken down so many times, feeling useless and like she couldn’t do anything to help him. She didn’t regret her decision, how could she? Letting go of Lucas had brought her Holly. But there were moments.. Moments she couldn’t fight back the thoughts of ‘what if’. She was content though, with how her life was. For the most part.
“Mummy!”

The impatient voice broke through her thoughts yet again, demanding an answer. Sophie gave a gentle laugh at the scowl staring up at her from the back-seat. “I’m not sure honey-pie. You’ll have to ask Lukie. It’s his choice who his princess is baby. But I think it might be you..” She could see the little cogs working in Holly’s mind as she parked the car. Her daughter was weighing up everything she knew about princesses and princes, trying to make her own mind up, Sophie was sure of it. Even for a child, Holly was a thinker. It was nice, that her daughter seemed so deep and in touch... Well, as much as a three-year-old can be.

The mother and daughter fell into silence as Sophie shut off her engine and focused on getting herself and her daughter out of the car. She was nervous. She wasn’t sure why. It was just a spot. Luke’s spot. That he wanted to share with her. That was something. She wanted to treat this occasion with the respect it deserved. Lucas was letting Sophie and Holly into something really special to him. It meant a lot to Sophie. She wanted to make sure Luke knew that she was touched by him letting them in. That she wanted to see his place and understand why he loved it so much.

“I think it’s you..” Holly whispered as Sophie held the child to her hip, shutting and locking the car. “But I has to has a conbersation with him and see. Is lukie’s choice.”

Sophie grinned. Holly was such a little parrot. Repeating everything her mother said. Even if she didn’t get all the words correct. “Alright Baby..” She said, placing her down on the sand so she could walk- now that they were out of the parking-lot. It wasn’t long before Luke came into view. The younger of the O’Shea women flew at the man, giggling as she ran, with cries of ‘It’s Umcle Lukie!” as she ran. The older though, she took her time. Her eyes taking in the site before her. Breath hitching slightly. Luke was right, the scene before her was one of the most beautiful images she had ever seen. Sun-set was a truly magical kind of day.

She came to a stop beside the man, putting down her keys and Holly’s bag, before sitting herself down wordlessly. Giving him a moment to enjoy Holly’s enthusiastic greeting before she would interrupt.

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[lucas connor o'shea]

Sophie was taking her time. Maybe she was lost. Maybe they were here and they just didn't see him. Maybe he should stand up. Maybe he should call her. Maybe she...Just as the anxiety seemed to begin to percolate in the back of his mind, a high pitched voice broke the silence that enveloped him. His attention snapped the portrait of the young girl rushing towards him on the beach, a smile spreading like wild fire across his lips in delight. If it was any thing else, he was certain he'd be disappointed. The young girl seemed to move at the speed of light towards him, her brown hair softly bouncing with every motion as the source of her gene pool followed up behind. Both of them seemed so flawless in this light, Luke finding his blue eyes no longer taking up solace in the sunset, but in his family. His flawless, beautiful family.

"Hey babycakes!" There was a laugh on his lips as he scooped the girl up in his arms, bringing her closely against him for a hug. Holly might as well been his own child with the way that he cared for her, elation bubbling inside of him as she let loose an infectious laugh. "Good thing you're here," pushing his fingertips into the girls ribcage, her passing laughs turned into a fit as he began to tickle her, "I was starting to get hungry." Laughing himself as he tickled the squirming child, rapping his arms around her so she couldn't escape. "But what to eat you with? Now that's the question...Some vegetables? Some Holly and potatoes?" Taking to tickling her even harder, he felt the girl flail in his grasp. It was amazing how just her laughing alone could make him forget his troubles...and with this backdrop? He might as well just surrender right then and there.

"What do you think, Mom?" He asked, pausing his attack on the small girl to turn to her mother as she seated herself next to him in the sand. The woman seemed so content at his side, just her presence causing the all ready thick smile on his lips to some how spread even farther then before. His cheeks began to hurt, but he was too jubilant to mind. "Are we in the mood for dinner, or do we want some dessert?" Luke tickled the young girl once more, this time how ever, his eyes still on the woman at his side. 'Mom' looked radiant in this light - but than again, when didn't she? It seemed as if the dissipating light danced across her soft tanned skin. She was flawless. And her dark brown eyes seemed to glow with a warm endearing feeling that made the skin on his arms prickle and cheeks turn a light shade of pink. Sophie O'Shea was a captivating woman. Captivating enough for Luke to forget his bullying of the small child.

He was caught up in her for a moment before he continued, the happiness on his face translating into awe in his blue eyes. His lips formed the words 'Hey gorgeous' before he remembered that he had a small child to devour in his arms. "Shall we have some Holly-Cake? Some Holly-Cream-Pie?" The tickling began again, this time Luke gnashing his teeth at next to her cheek to illustrate just how serious he was. Every time he saw her this game was played. One would think that after so many times of being threatened to be consumed by Uncle Lukie escaping death would get a little old. But ah, the amusement and fun with children. The same simple things didn't lose their shine. Until they grew up of course. In which case, the threat of eating Holly alive would have to turn into him threatening to beat up which ever boy had decided to court her that week. Because Holly obviously wasn't going to be dating any one. Ever.

She wasn't allowed to...as far as he was concerned any way. No boys. No parties. No drugs. No drinking. No...nothing. She was going to be a mormon once he was done with her.

[sophie esther o'shea]

With her daughter’s laughter ringing in her ears, Sophie settled herself further into the sand. Making herself comfortable. Slipping her feet out of the silver ballet-flats. They weren’t the most practical of beach shoes- already filled with sand from just the walk to Luke. Besides that though, she liked to dig her feet into the sand, feel it between her toes. She was a rather sense orientated person. Part of that was growing up the way she did. She was always right in the middle of things. Sophie had never been the sort to dislike getting dirty. She’d never have survived living on a horse farm, not to mention the hours spent in the O’Shea’s garage.

Watching her Daughter with Luke was one of Sophie’s favourite things. Something about the way a male father figure interacted with a child was just so touching to the mother. She hated to admit it, but watching Luke with Holly got to her more than watching her husband with the girl. Nate never seemed to have the time to play with her. If Holly was awake when he got home, it was always the time of night she was under-going her bed-time routine, or Nathaniel was just too tired from work to really play. It worried Sophie, actually. Holly loved her father; but that unconditional love of children only lasted so long, before you really needed to start bonding with them.

Watching Luke pretend to eat Holly though, drew all those worries from her mind. Moments like these were just so beautiful to Sophie that she cherished them. In fact, she found herself writing a lot about Luke in her letters to Holly. She had started writing her letters when she was just a few weeks old. Putting them in a box along with photos and keep sakes. A box she planned on giving the girl on her twenty-first birthday so she could look over it and see what her life was like, who her mother was, and what was important to her.

When her name, or rather her title of ‘mother’ was mentioned, Sophie glanced up; away from Holly. Eyes catching Luke’s. Brown captivated by blue. A soft smile settled on her lips as she allowed herself to look at him, into his eyes. She found herself getting lost in those blue eyes more often then she should have, but couldn’t stop herself. There was just so much reflected in those eyes. They shared so many un-spoken moments it almost felt like the natural way for them. They didn’t need words to mess things up. Words were so over-rated anyway.

Screwing up her nose, as if to disagree with his use of the word ‘gorgeous’, she offered him a silent wave. Her smile growing larger as she leant over to press a small kiss to his cheek in greeting. After all, he was family. So there was nothing wrong with pressing her lips to his cheek softly now was there? Letting them linger for just a moment... Pulling back, she grinned at Holly. “Mommy likes desert best, doesn’t she?” While it was Luke’s question she was answering, she felt it right to direct the answer towards the laughing wriggly worm in the man’s arms.

“NO NO NOOOO” shrieked the child, as the assault was renewed with even more vigour. “You cant eated me. I hasta has an imbortent conbersation with you!” She attempted to turn her face stern, much like Sophie did when the little girl was miss-behaving. Her giggles betrayed her though. “Stop or you’re not my fwiend no more!” She attempted serious again, half-glaring at Lucas.

“Holly.” Sophie frowned slightly, her tone a little warning. “It’s okay if you don’t like what Luke is doing, but we don’t talk to people like that miss. Now you ask him nicely please.”

Sniffing, Holly let out a sigh. “Please can you stop.”

Sophie smirked softly at the pout on the little girl’s lips. Even when she was being a rat-bag she was still the most adorable thing in the world. Chuckling to herself, she opened Holly’s bag, getting out two juice boxes, and a container. “Lukie can have some of the Cupcakes mummy cooked instead of Holly..” While she spoke, she set up one juice-box, handing it to Holly, and setting up the other and handing it to Luke. Even with her daughter, the man was still one of her favourite people to look after..

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