Chapter 11 A Trip to Union City

The next week had flown by, Lucas was busy getting ready for his parents arrival and making arrangements for their trip to Union City. Elizabeth had gone back to school and Lucas met her for lunch everyday and they would spend a few minutes together in the library afterwards. Lucas was avoiding Julie and Rosemary at all costs. This trip was going to be so special. He had a photo session booked. He wanted to get a photo of him, Elizabeth, and Jack. There was a special reason for this photo. He had to have it in order to get it done in time for his proposal which he had planned for Christmas Eve. He wanted his proposal to be perfect, because Elizabeth deserved nothing less.

He pulled up in front of Elizabeth's rowhouse and knocked on the door. "Are you ready to go?" He asked as she opened the door.

"I am!" She responded while giving him a quick kiss and a sweet smile.

Jack made his presence known as he squeezed his way in between them and attached himself to Lucas leg. "Jack ready!"

"Okay Jack!" Let me get your things together and we will get on our way. Lucas took their luggage out to the car and helped both Jack and Elizabeth get settled. They headed off on their adventure. The air had turned colder as they were only a couple of weeks away from thanksgiving. So there was no picnic in place due to the weather.

They pulled into the Union city Hotel and checked in. Lucas had rented two rooms one for him and a suite for Elizabeth and Jack. This hotel held a lot of memories for him and he hoped for Elizabeth as well. He had a full weekend planned. He showed them to their room and his room was just down the hall.

"Elizabeth why don't you and Jack get cleaned up for dinner and then we have tickets to a show, that I think Jack is going to love! I will meet you back here in thirty minutes."

"Okay!" She gave him a quick kiss.

He headed to his room to change. He had wanted to see Howard Thurston in action for a long time and he finally came to Union City. Lucas was more than excited when he was able to secure the tickets. There was nothing like watching a great magic show.

Lucas knocked on the door and Elizabeth answered.

"Elizabeth, you look beautiful. You young man are very handsome."

"Thank you! Lucas, where are we going?"

"We are going to a show that I think Jack will love! I have wanted to see this show for five years and finally get the opportunity! We are going to see a magic show Jack!"

"Magic?" Jack said confused.

"Yes Jack! I will explain it to you over dinner."

"Lucas he will love it!"

"Jack, let's go eat dinner!

They sat down at the table and Lucas told Elizabeth and Jack all about Houdini, magic and how he came to be interested in magic. It started when his grandfather took him to a show. He was hooked on magic after that. He even attended the Houdini school of magic which was a two year program to become a magician himself.

Elizabeth was fascinated by this piece of Lucas's past that she was getting to know. She knew he loved magic, but had no idea that he went to school for it. The fact definitely intrigued her. They finished their dinner and Lucas helped Elizabeth and Jack with their coats and they made their way across the street to the Auditorium to attend the show. Jack was so excited! They walked Jack around looking at all the amazing magicians that had performed there and then proceeded to their seats.

Once the show began Jack never stopped laughing, he really liked the rabbit in the hat trick! Lucas was grateful Jack was enjoying the show. He thought he might be a little bit young to understand, but he was entertained to say the least. Lucas had thoroughly enjoyed the show. Once they left Jack kept telling him to pull a rabbit out of a hat. He had created a monster. Jack was relentless. Once they got back to their rooms Lucas followed Elizabeth and Jack inside her suite for a moment where he performed the rabbit trick for Jack and then together they read him a bedtime story. Once he was asleep, Lucas kissed his forehead and rose to his feet.

"Lucas, we had so much fun!"

"I am glad Elizabeth! We will have more fun tomorrow." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and softly spoke. "I long for the day when I will not have to leave and we will be able to fall asleep in each other's arms. It can not come soon enough for me."

"Me either."

Their eyes locked and it was like being in a trance, neither of them could escape from. He slid one hand behind her neck and pulled her in for a deep, passionate good night kiss.

He pulled back enough to catch his breath, she reached for another one. Lucas knew it was time to make his exit. Leaving her had proved he was running out of patience.

"Elizabeth! I need to go for both our sakes." He slowly released her and made his way to the door.

"What if I don't want you to go?" She teased rubbing her hands over his lapels.

"You are such a temptress!" He winked. I must go. Soon my dear, I promise!"

He made his exit and went to his room. His thoughts were in know way going to let him sleep. He did not want to leave anymore than she wanted him to go. It was a good thing they had Jack. That was one of the main reasons for bringing Jack. Lucas thought he would be a good chaperone for the two of them. He lay there thinking about his proposal and how it was still another month and a half away. It seemed like forever. He wanted a Christmas Eve proposal though. He already had everything planned out, from the Christmas tree ornament, to the sleigh ride, the lights, and the decorations. He wanted to give her the world.

Morning came and they went downstairs for breakfast. They ate and then they headed into town. Elizabeth was surprised when they arrived at a photographer's studio. She was really excited about having their picture taken together. He had told her to dress nice for the occasion at dinner last night. They got their picture taken and then went back to the hotel to change for the afternoon events.

Lucas was taking them to the Hot Air Balloon festival. He wanted to take Jack up in a hot air balloon. They got there and parked. Jack was jumping excitedly at all the beautiful balloons. It was as if they were at the carnival. They walked around for awhile. Jack got Cotton Candy and snacks. They let him play games and then they got in line to take a hot air balloon ride.

"Lucas? Are you sure this is safe?"

"Yes Elizabeth. We will not go far. Just look out not down." Lucas held Jack so he could see everything.

"Pretty!" Jack said.

"Jack, are you having fun?"

"Yes! Again!" Jack kept repeating.

"It is beautiful up here! I can't imagine being in one of these trying to travel around the world! It would be scary, but exciting at the same time." Elizabeth continued to look out.

"Maybe you can use these experiences for your new novel. It would make a great story! Luther and Elsa travel around the world in a hot air balloon! What do you think?" He joked smiling at her, his dimples on full display.

"I think Luther would be off his rocker!" She teased.

He could not resist her teasing. He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. They spent all afternoon there. Later that evening he was taking them to go ice skating. They ate a quick dinner before heading to the rink.

"Lucas where are we now?"

"I hope you know how to ice skate. Jack is going to love it!"

"Actually, my sisters and I spent quite a bit of time on ice skates when we were younger."

"Then I would love nothing more than to teach Jack how to ice skate."

Jack was enjoying the ice. He had a hold of Lucas's hands and kept falling down. Every time he fell he would start laughing hysterically. That made Elizabeth and Lucas laugh as well. They spent the whole evening there. It had been such a full day. By the time they had finished Jack fell asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel.

Lucas picked him up and carried him inside. He allowed Elizabeth to open the door while he took him inside and laid him in the bed. He took off his shoes and covered him with a blanket. Elizabeth was enjoying watching their interaction. Just a few short weeks ago he was terrified of putting Jack to bed and now he was a natural. She could tell how much he loved Jack and Jack him. Things in her life seemed perfect at this moment.

He got up and wrapped her in his arms once again. ""I just want to remember this feeling." He whispered in her ear.

The feel of his breath in her ear and on her neck was sending heat coursing through her body. His lips gently touched her neck. She was sure at that moment, she just wanted to go to the justice of the peace and be married tomorrow.

"Lucas what are you doing?" She said nervously.

"I am making a memory! One I don't want to forget!" He slowly found his way around to her soft lips. Then they concluded the evening with a deep passionate good night kiss.

"We will head out early in the morning after breakfast. I love you so much Elizabeth!"

"I love you too! Lucas, Good night!"

The trip home was spent talking about their families coming and making Thanksgiving plans. Elizabeth had not heard from her family yet. They pulled up in front Elizabeth's.

"Whose car is that in front of your house?" Lucas asked.

"It's my father's!" She said in surprise.

"Your, your father!" Lucas stuttered. "You might have forgotten to mention they were coming for Thanksgiving." He gulped.

"Don't tell me the confident Mr. Bouchard is afraid of my father!" She teased.

He chuckled, "Of course not!" He was not going to tell her otherwise.

"Shall we go get the introductions out of the way?" She asked.

"Sure." He said nervously. This was it he thought, the moment of truth. What would they think of him? He wondered to himself.