Chapter 1

As hard as it is for me to believe, today is our six-month wedding anniversary. Time has flown by as Lucas and I have settled nicely into married life. I have never been happier, and neither has Lucas. These past six months have not been without their challenges as we have gotten used to each other's ways and habits on a daily basis. We are also raising a very curious and lively little boy who lets us know exactly what he does and does not want. Oh my, how times have changed. But Jack is still our sweet boy who has now taken to calling Lucas simply Daddy. I smile every time I hear it.

Lucas, with Gustave's help, has planned a special dinner for us in the library. We thought about going to the Queen of Hearts, but we decided we wanted something more intimate. This feels like a milestone of sorts, given how we got here. Truthfully, I am very happy Lucas agreed to a celebration in the library because after we consume what I know will be a delicious meal, I have news I want to share in a very meaningful and private way. I can't think of a better place or night to tell him. I'm emotional just thinking about it, and there are still many hours to go and things to do. But tonight will arrive, and we will celebrate.

Laura has graciously agreed to watch Jack as Rosemary and Lee are in the midst of David turning one next month and all that comes with that milestone. I remember those days, as well, and we cannot wait to help them celebrate David's first birthday.

Four months ago, Pastor Zeke christened Rosemary and Lee's son. Lucas and I were so honored to be asked by Rosemary and Lee if we would be David's guardians. Our acceptance of that role was filled with love and respect. Clara and Jesse are David's godparents. It was a lovely ceremony attended by most of the residents who have been rejoicing with the Coulters in their happiness.

And tonight, Lucas and I will be rejoicing in our happiness.

After saying goodnight to their son and thanking Laura for watching him, Elizabeth and Lucas walked hand in hand to the library where Gustave and Ernie had decorated and set the table and had hot food waiting for them. They greeted the happy couple and then discreetly left, closing the door behind them. Lucas locked the door and then wished his lovely wife a very happy six-month anniversary.

"Happy Six-month Anniversary to you," Elizabeth said and smiled.

Lucas closed the gap between them and with the palms of his hands, he gently framed her face and then brushed his lips softly against hers. When she responded with a guttural moan and wrapped her arms around his neck, he deepened the kiss.

Her eyes closed to everything but the feel of his lips on hers and the warmth of his touch coursing through her, pleasing her as he always did. She knew she would never tire of the way he showed her how much he loved and cared for her. That on this night she had wonderful news to share made this moment so much more special.

"I wait all day, every day to be able to do that," he said, still holding on to her as she looked at him and smiled.

"After you kiss me goodbye in the morning, I wait all day, every day, for your evening kiss," she told him. "I love the way you greet me."

"And I love the way you always respond."

He escorted her to the chair and then sat down across from her.

"I hope you don't mind having water. There's also tea if you would like."

"Water is fine."

"I know you wanted to celebrate on the actual day, so since tomorrow is school for you and work for me, I thought we'd better keep it simple."

"This is fine. The food looks delicious."

Lucas lifted his goblet of water. "Happy Anniversary, sweetheart."

"Happy Anniversary, my love."

Their glasses clinked, and then they both took a sip of their water.

When Elizabeth had seen the water, she wondered if Lucas had suspected something. She'd sworn Carson and Francine to secrecy, so she didn't think they would have said anything to Lucas. When Lucas recited his explanation for the choice of beverage, inwardly she'd sighed with relief. She wanted her news to be a total and unexpected surprise.

"How was your day?" he asked, in between bites of food.

"Good. And yours?"

"Fine. Lee and Jesse ate lunch at the saloon. Lee is so excited to celebrate David's first birthday. It's nice to see him so happy."

"I know. Rosemary is the same way every time I see her."

"And when they are together…" Elizabeth and Lucas said simultaneously and then laughed.

"I'm so thankful we all get along so well," Elizabeth said.

"I am, too," Lucas said. "I would not have wanted their disapproval of me to stop you from being with me."

Elizabeth gave him a serious look. "You really think I would have let that happen?"

"No. But if Rosemary had continued to have a problem with me and my supposed motives, her objections would have made things more difficult. They did for a while. You and Rosemary are very close, and I know you took her concerns very seriously."

"Only because I wanted to understand her reasons. I knew she was protective of me and I probably confided in her more than I should have, but I told her I had made my decision and was extremely happy. That should have been good enough for her."

Lucas reached for his wife's hand and gave her a tender smile. "I'm glad it finally was."

She returned his smile. "Me, too."

"Would you care for dessert? I think Gustave and my uncle brought us two slices of white cake. Very appropriate, don't you think?"

"That was so thoughtful of them, but I think I'm going to pass on dessert. That dinner was so tasty and so filling."

"I agree. We can take the dessert home."

Home.

Elizabeth thought about that word and how nice it sounded. They had made a home for themselves and Jack during these past six months. Had it all be smooth? No. Had it all be worth it? Absolutely. And now, she was ready to reveal to her husband their home was about to expand.

"Let's sit on the love seat," she suggested.

"Sure."

They walked towards the right-side of the library where a small divan was angled near a curtained window and surrounded by full bookshelves and sat down next to each other.

"Is there something on your mind?" Lucas asked. "You seem preoccupied. I hope the dinner, even though low key, was to your liking. I know it's hard to have a proper celebration in the middle of the week."

"The dinner was fine. Perfect, in fact. Any time I get to spend alone with you, I appreciate, regardless of the circumstances. It's just…" she lowered her eyes and wet her lips. "I have news, Lucas, that I have wanted to tell you since yesterday, but I knew we were having this dinner, so I decided to wait, but sweetheart, I can't delay any longer. I am about to burst."

"What is it, Elizabeth? Is everything okay?"

Lucas tried to read his wife's face but couldn't. She seemed calm, and yet he noticed she would look at him and then look down at her lap, folding and unfolding her hands. When he saw her take a deep breath and exhale, he grew concerned, but when she lifted her head and looked at him, he saw her wearing the most radiant smile.

"Everything is wonderful," she said. "Lucas, you are going to be a father. Again. I'm expecting, sweetheart. You and I get to experience my pregnancy from this day until the day I give birth. Do you know how excited and happy that makes me?"

"You….you…you…you're pregnant?"

"Yes, darling, I am."

"Elizabeth, sweetheart, this is wonderful! I couldn't be happier. This is fantastic."

She smiled at his loving smile. "I think so, too."

"Congratulations to us," Lucas said.

Elizabeth laughed and nodded. "Yes. Definitely."

He rose from the loveseat and reached for Elizabeth's hands to pull her up so he could hug her.

"I am ecstatic," he whispered, as he held her close. "I promise I will take excellent care of you and our baby. I will do whatever I need to. You just tell me what you need, and it's done."

"This is what I need," Elizabeth told him, as she held him tighter. "I need you with me. Do you know, Lucas, truly know and understand how thrilled I am I get to tell my loving husband I am expecting his child? I never got to do that with Jack. In the midst of my grieving and my heartache, I never even realized I was pregnant. Abigail had to tell me I had the symptoms. But I knew this time. I knew. I knew I'm carrying your baby. And it was such a different and glorious feeling to know I was going to be able to share my news. With you. My husband. I just needed Carson to confirm it and he did. I am so happy, Lucas. I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am."

Lucas held her for a few moments longer, both basking in the moment, and then pulled back so he could look at her.

"I love you so very much, my darling wife. Please know I understand and can appreciate what you are saying. I am beyond ecstatic to be hearing this news."

"Thank you," she said, her voice trembling as tears threatened her eyes. "These are happy tears, by the way. I'm so very happy, Lucas. I felt so cheated and so bereft and so alone when I was pregnant with Jack, even though I couldn't have been happier I was going to have Jack's baby because that meant I was always going to have a part of my late husband with me. But this. This is so different and so very special. I'm happy and so very thankful you and I are going to experience this together as husband and wife. I know it's not going to be easy at times, but we are going to enjoy and appreciate every moment of this journey. Together. Okay?"

Lucas leaned his forehead against hers as he gently wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs.

"Absolutely, we are. And I will tell you this right now, Mrs. Bouchard. You will not be on a snowy road, walking and hunting in the dark for a cabin so you can give birth. When the time comes, you will be in that Infirmary or in our home with Carson, Faith, Francine and anyone else with medical or birthing knowledge to assist you."

Elizabeth laughed through her tears. "Understood, Mr. Bouchard."

"I love you so much," he said, capturing her mouth with his in a salty but passionate kiss.

"I love you, too," she said, when the kiss had ended. "We are going to be parents again after the new year. I'm so excited."

"I am, too. You have made me so happy. What great timing. Jack will have turned four, and we will be welcoming a new baby into our home."

"When do you think we should tell Jack?"

"Whenever we want. I think he should know. I bet he will be excited. You know how he dotes on David."

"Ah, yes, but David is not his sibling and goes home after he visits."

Lucas chuckled. "True. But I think Jack will welcome a baby brother or sister. Look how well he gets along with David. This will be good for him."

Elizabeth nodded. "I think so, too. Let's plan to tell him soon. I want to gauge his reaction."

"I'm ready whenever you're ready."

"Maybe after David's birthday. Let's see how he does at the party."

"All right. That makes sense, I guess. Jack has been mostly by himself until a couple of months ago when David began to crawl and could interact with him a bit. Now, he's almost walking, so that will make a difference."

"Exactly. I think he will be fine, but I want to see Jack's reaction."

Lucas nodded and then kissed Elizabeth once more to let her know how happy he was before asking the question uppermost in his mind.

"I just have one question," he said, his brown eyes twinkling.

"What's that?" she asked, stroking his beard with her forefinger while matching his lightheartedness she so enjoyed seeing on display.

She took pleasure in how right this felt and how elated she was to be sharing this news with her devoted husband. She wanted to repeat over and over they were going to be parents again. She was carrying Lucas's baby. Her joy overflowed.

"When do I need to start stocking up on pickles and sardines?"