Lucky

“Carrie?” Lucas asked quietly, slipping into the nursery. She was standing over the crib, holding Brianna, stroking her soft baby hair with her thumb. “What are you doing?”
“Just thinking about how lucky she is.” He came around beside her.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll raise her. She’ll grow up believing that one parent is dead, and the other is forbidden to see her.” She turned her eyes over to him. “You’re lucky too, Lucas.”
“Am I?” he asked confused. His parents were divorced, and he had hardly ever seen his dad.
“In my mind you are. I was born before the rule was put in place. My mom could have come to see me, but she didn’t. Not once.  And my dad couldn’t handle it. So one day, when I was ten, he told me he was going to get milk. I haven’t seen him since.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It wasn’t anyone’s fault really. I think I just reminded him too much of mom.” She smiled sadly.
“I’m still sorry.” He said quietly
“I know.” There was a pause.
“You’d be a great mom.” He said, looking at the way she held the baby, like it was the most precious thing in the world.
“Would I?”
“Of course. You love your family so much, why would it be different with your own kids?”
“Will I ever get time to settle down though? And I’ll never be able to leave this.”
“You’ll just need to find somebody who’s crazy enough to join you.” Me.
“Yes, because anyone would be that insane.” She looked at him and held the baby out a little. “Do you want to hold her?” she asked quietly.
“Sure.” She slipped Brianna into his arms. “Hey there baby girl.” he said softly, bouncing her slightly. She reached a little finger up and waved at him.
“You’d be a great dad.” She returned the compliment. He looked at her.
“Thanks. How do you and Zach handle all the kids?” Zach was her half-brother. Something he was happy about.
“I honestly don’t know. We get about three more every week. I hate the thought of turning kids away, but I doubt we’ll be able to take care of many more, just the two of us.”
“I can help.”
“I couldn’t ask you to.” She countered.
“I want to.”
“You really want to?” she asked warily. Did she not want him to help?
“Yes.”
“Alright.” She said thankfully, and all doubt was gone. Brianna yawned and closed her eyes. Carrie took her back. “Okay, time for bed.” She whispered and laid Brianna down in her crib. The rays of moonlight from the window made Carrie look like she was glowing. But the dark circles under her eyes were more prominent than ever. She yawned and tried to hide it with a hand, but Lucas saw it anyway. She rubbed her arms tiredly.
“Alright, bed time.” Lucas said and picked Carrie up and carried her to her room. He set her on her bed and tucked her in.
“Lucas, you don’t have to be so nice.” She said in a happy/tired voice.
“Of course not. It’s a choice I made a long time ago.” She laughed quietly.
“Goodnight Lucas.” She said sleepily.
“Goodnight Carrie.” He murmured and walked away, softly closing the door behind him.