Wishing stars

Tucker smiled and stood, lifting her from his boots and taking his hat off of her. "Thank you," he said and tickled her. She squealed and ran to Lucia, giggling wildly. He put his boots on and slapped the hat on his head as he walked over and kissed Bailey's head, then kissed Lucia. "I'll be back in a few hours." He then turned and went out the door.

Lucia raised her eyebrow at Bailey. "A tea party?" She asked with a chuckle and was led up to Bailey's room. she chuckled and knelt down by a littly table that was perfect size for the small girl. She looked so enthusiastic, pretending to make tea and set up cups and saucers.

Bailey happily made Lucia dress up with her in her hats and jewlry, wearing a bink feathery boa and large white gloves as she poured tea.

By the time it was starting to get dark outside Bailey was yawning, her eyes drooping.

Lucia had more fun during the tea party than she had doing a lot of other things before. Bailey chatted nonstop and dressed her up. She noticed her eyes dropping and smiled. "You tired, Bailey?" She asked. She wondered what time Tucker usually put her to bed...

Bailey gave a small nod as she rubbed her eyes with her fist, yawning. "I'm tired," she said as she clomped over to her in her pretend heels and leaned against her, her lips in a small pout.

Lucia pulled Bailey onto her lap, chuckling. "What time do you normally go to bed?" She asked her, smoothing down her wiry blonde curls. Her hair was similar to Lucia and she actually looked quite a bit like her as a kid.

"Nine firty," Bailey said as she cuddled Lucia. "Granny says if I go to bed earlier than that, then *yawn* I don't sleep good." Her eyes drooped some more as she fought to keep them open. The truck door slammed outside, Tucker coming into the house.

It was about nine when Lucia looked at her clock. Would half an hour really hurt? Lucia smiled as Bailey rested her head against her. She continued to smooth down her curls, talking quietly about anything that came on her mind, but she made sure to keep it filtered.

Bailey listened for about five minutes of the conversation, then she was out cold.

Tucker searched through some stuff downstairs, then went back outside.

Lucia picked Bailey up and laid her in her bed, tucking the blankets around her gently and then snuck out, changing into her pajamas and climbing into Tucker's bed. She curled under the blanket with a book and began to read quietly.

It was almost midnight before Tucker came in. He was covered in sweat, grease, and scratches from the barbwire. He went up to the room looking exauhsted and gave her a small smile and a kiss, then went and got into the shower, slouching against the wall as the water poured down on him.

Lucia heard the shower and felt Tucker climb into bed after she had fallen asleep. Her eyes drifted open and she rolled over, facing him. "Hey," she whispered, curling closer to him. He was warm, she noticed as she got closer.

"Hey," Tucker said as he wrapped his arm around her. He yawned, his eyes starting to droop. He cuddled her, wearing only his boxers as usual, and fell asleep quickly.

Lucia closed her eyes, a small smile on her lips as she fell asleep again. Her mind was blank, not like her usual dream filled nights. It was peaceful, though.

Tucker woke the next morning at six, like he was suppose to. He slipped out from under Lucia and got dressed, heading downstairs. He had to get the west field harvested today and finish fixing the bailer so he could get it all put up before it was to late.

Lucia woke a little after eight and got dressed, putting on a cornflorwe blue sundress that had no straps. She automatically went to Bailey's room, to see if she was awake and smiled from the doorway, seeing she was still asleep.

Bailey was up by 8:15, working on getting herself dressed so they could go do chores again. Tucker came back in for breakfast around 8:30, and was rumaging through the cupboards for something to eat.

Lucia helped Bailey get dressed and watched as she rushed downstairs. Lucia put her hair up and watched her face before coming down the stairs, too. She could hear Tucker and Bailey in the kitchen and smiled.

"RAWR!" Bailey growled as she chased Tucker around the kitchen. He turned and growled playfully and she squealed but ran at him anyway. He chuckled as he lifted her up, tickling her. He kissed her forehead and sighed. "Go get your hair basket so we can fix your hair," he told her, setting her down. She ran off then came skipping back happily with the basket of hair things and a hair brush. Tucker took the things from her as he sat down at the table and turned her around, brushing her hair, his phone at his ear as he waited for the tomb stone place to pick up.

Lucia smiled as Tucker did Bailey's hair and she sat down at the table, too. She folded her hands on the table and just watched. She watched Tucker's expression while he sat on the phone, she watched Bailey's face for the never ending smile. She rubbed her face and gave a tired smile.

Tucker put her hair in a ponytail, motioning for her to go get her hat. "Hello? Yes, I'd like to...ha yes sir." Tucker forced a small chuckle, his eyes tight. He looked at Lucia and gave a small smile. "You hungry?" he mouthed as he stood, watching her.
"yes sir...uh...no it doesn't have to be anything big....ya I'd prefer something like that..."

Lucia shook her head, trying to stay alittle bit more optomistic, but they pain in Tucker's voice made her mood falter. She couldn't wait until this was over and his pain would fade. By then, they'd both be well on their way to healing.

Tucker made her a bowl of cerial anyway and set it down infront of her. Bailey came bouncing back with a little red hat that said Farm Girl across the front. Tucker took it from her and helped her put it on, gently pulling her ponytail through the back. She then went bouncing to find her boots. "Yes, thank you sir...yes I will pay when I pick it up...yes...thank you." He sighed and hung up, tossing his phone on the counter and running a hand through his hair and giving a small smile.

Lucia ate the ceral hesitantly and then brought her bowl into the kitchen, setting her bowl in the sink and rinsing it out. She sighed and walked back to Tucker, pulling him into a hug, resting her head on his shoulder.

Tucker sighed, wrapping his arms around her, kissing the top of her head and closing his eyes. He really needed the hug. It felt like it put everything back together that was threatening to break. "Funeral's tomorrow," he murmered with a sigh.