This chapter begins after Lucas & Elizabeth have sought one another out SeReNdiPitOuSly at their bridge and have found the one their soul loves...after sharing their desperate, long awaited passionate kisses...at last, free to lOve with everything in them...

Chapter 1

Then Sings my Soul

I imagine they stood there for quite some time holding each other tightly & quietly nose to nose then cheek to cheek after their moment of passion. No words at all. Only the sound of leaves dancing in the wind & the drip dropping of water falling from the trees into the pond from the morning's early rain...one last kiss and she tells him sweetly and with a grin "I have something for you at home." He offers to give her a ride as he takes her hand and kisses it softly...then he raises it and with a grin gives her a dancing twirl and sweeps her off her feet and up into his arms to which she responded by giggling and the most beautiful "Lucas!" he had ever heard! He chuckled in return as he surprised her by doing a few joyful twirls...Elizabeth closed her eyes and arched her back with both arms out in utter joy and complete bliss as he twirled while both of their souls were singing! He had waited so very long to hold this beautiful woman in his arms!!!

Lucas felt as though he would rather not be driving but walking so he could hold her hand just a little while longer treasuring this time with her~yet he was eager to see what she had waiting for him. As the last spin ended she opened her eyes and they met his, crinkled at the corners from the smile on his face and in his heart...she wrapped her arms around his neck while Lucas, holding her gaze, gently let her down...both savoring this magical moment their souls would remember forever. Their laughter had been carried away by the wind and their lips found their home once more. Delightfully out of breath Lucas chuckles and says "let's go see what you have for me, shall we?!" They walk hand in hand to the car and he sweeps her up once more to gently sit her inside.

On the way, they can't stop themselves from stealing glances and giggling. Both feeling completely free and at ease with one another. When they pull up she looks over at him and notices the fire suddenly light up in his eyes...her breath catches and with longing and wistful eyes and an emotion filled voice she says..."Lucas, it was always you." Like gravity they share another passionate kiss and she softly whispers..."I have to go or I'll be late." he asks "what is the occasion?"...she says ever so sweetly... "I found out you were gone because I had sent you a letter by Robert this morning, which he brought back to me...I ran to the Saloon to find you and the doors were locked. Lee said you left town." Then voice cracking "I...I...thought I had lost you...completely...that I was too late...so I ran..."he pulls her in quickly for a loving embrace wrapping one hand in her hair and the other behind her back, her head nestled in his neck as she breathed in his loving and protective warmth. In a husky, whispered tone he tells her again, "I would've waited forever for you...You've made me the happiest man in the world." She raises her head and grins..."you've made me the happiest woman in the world!" One last sweet kiss and he lets her go, jumps out with joy and goes around to help her out. With a gentlemanly bow and his hand out, eyes on hers, he joyfully says "madam!" She giggles as she takes his hand to walk her to the front porch.

When Elizabeth walks through the door she sees Robert and Jack playing with the dog Lucas had thoughtfully gifted him then asks him for the letter. Robert quickly noticed Lucas in the doorway and says"I must complete my delivery!" She laughs as he hands the letter to Lucas who immediately opens it..his eyes fly to hers and tilting his head, eyebrows up, with a grin and urgency he says "I'm going to be late for a very important date!" She laughs aloud as he waves and spins quickly around, leaps off the porch and into his car! He waves as he whistles the cheerful tune of yOu aRe My SuNShiNe️ and drives off with great jOy and anticipation in his heart~remembering their very first "if this were a date."

Still laughing she says "Robert, do you mind running next door to get Rosemary & Lee? You may go home after. Thank you so much for taking such good care of Jack for me!" He grins sheepishly after witnessing the obvious joy between the two of them. "I'm always happy to be of service Mrs. Thornton!"

Robert swiftly fetches Rosemary & Lee and skips off with glee! When Rosemary and Lee come by they know immediately that all is well now (not that they were eavesdropping or anything!) and with joy they hop quickly to help Elizabeth prepare for the evening. Lee whisks little Jack on his shoulder and off to the library.

Elizabeth had already made sure to bring by supplies and set up most of the room for the special evening before school, but he needed to do a few more things before she returned. As he finished up little Jack set his teddy bear on the bench and gave it a hug. He said "goodnight Mr. bear."

Meanwhile Rosemary giddily helped Elizabeth get ready for what she called "The most romantic beginning of a new chapter she had ever seen!" ️

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