Chapter 14 The Proposal
Lucas arrived at the Queen of Hearts so he could go over the menu with Gustave. For Tuesday evening they were going to have Pan-Seared Duck Breast with Balsamic Blackberry Sauce, Ginger Carrots, Fondant Potatoes, and a Cranberry walnut salad and dinner rolls. The ladies were providing the desserts.
"Gustave I appreciate you doing all of this special cooking!" Lucas handed him a substantial amount of cash. He asked around in order to hire some bartenders for Tuesday evening and servers. He offered them a significant bonus as well.
Rosemary was making the light blue sheer drapes for the main room. The room was going to be decorated with colorful Christmas lights and mistletoe hung from the chandelier in the center of the main room.
Lucas was helping with the dinner rush when Wyman Walden came through the door. Lucas did not want to think about his proposal for the railroad right now.
"Good evening Mr. Walden, What can I get for you?" Lucas asked politely.
"An answer to our proposal would be wonderful." He said adamantly.
"Unfortunately, I do not have one for you at the moment. I am a very busy man Mr. Walden." Lucas said with a stern look.
"My boss is becoming very impatient." Walden informed him.
"I promise to give it a look after Thanksgiving." Lucas advised. "The holidays are very busy for me."
"I will let my boss know, but he will not be pleased." Walden said with a scowl on his face.
"Mr. Walden you should tell your boss that I can not be stiff armed into a deal. I will look at the proposal in detail after Thanksgiving and if that is not good enough than you can tell your boss, it is a firm no." Lucas said with a forceful tone.
'After Thanksgiving then I will be back." Walden nodded and left.
"Have a Happy Thanksgiving Mr. Walden!" Lucas was beginning to distrust and dislike Mr. Walden.
Lucas finished up for the evening and headed to Elizabeth's. He knocked on the door.
"Lucas come in!" She called.
"Elizabeth and Julie I brought dinner." He sat the food down on the table.
"Daddy Lucas!" Jack ran to him and leaped into his arms almost knocking him over.
"I missed you too Jack! I brought you something very special, Macaroni and Cheese!" Lucas grinned.
They sat at the table and ate dinner. When they were finished Lucas washed Jack up. He took off his suit jacket and sat on the floor to play with Jack. Jack jumped on him knocking him over. He lay there tickling Jack with his beard and Jack was laughing hysterically. "Daddy that tickles! Again!"
Elizabeth and Julie were both shedding happy tears at the precious interaction between the two. Lucas was truly wonderful with Jack.
"You are very lucky Beth!" Julie mentioned.
"Lucas is a wonderful man! I don't know if there is such a thing as a perfect man, but he is as close to perfect as you can get!" She responded with a dreamy smile. "I know how lucky I am!"
"Jack should we get momma to play too?"
"Yah, Yah, Yah!" Jack said excitedly while jumping up and down.
"That is my cue to leave." Julie said with a mischievous grin. She headed upstairs to her room.
"Goodnight Julie! Lucas said.
"Goodnight Lucas! She said in return.
"Momma, play!" Jack took her by the hand and led her to the floor. She sat down next to Lucas.
"Jack? Do you want to tickle Momma?" Lucas laughed.
"Lucas no!" Elizabeth replied.
"Tickle momma!" Jack screamed and both of them starting tickling her. She was laughing uncontrollably.
"What's the matter Mrs. Thornton? Are you ticklish? He flashed his dimpled smile at her.
He rolled over and draped his arm over the top of her. "Jack turn your head!" Lucas said and then he planted a lingering kiss on her.
"Yuck!" Jack made a gross face. Elizabeth and Lucas both started laughing.
"Tomorrow is church, I better go! Mrs. Thornton has a way of keeping me out to late and causing me to miss church!" He teased.
"I think Mr. Bouchard does that on his own." She pulled him in for a sweet kiss.
He stood up to head for the door. "Jack good night I will see you soon!"
"No, daddy don't go!" He ran to him and started crying hysterically while holding onto him for dear life.
Lucas heart was breaking. He picked him up and wrapped his arms tightly around him. "Jack by the time you wake up in the morning you will see me again. Bright and early I promise. Do you want me to bring you some pancakes?"
Jack sniffled. "Pancakes! Okay. Love you daddy!" He kissed Lucas on the cheek and Lucas put him down. "I love you too buddy!"
"Jack go upstairs with Aunt Julie. Momma will be up in a minute."
Elizabeth walked Lucas to the door. "He's right Lucas! How much longer are we going to do this? We love you and are ready to be a family. Every time you leave his little heart breaks. I'm getting tired of waiting. I don't want you to leave either."
"Elizabeth! Please just a little while longer. I will not disappoint you. I need you to trust me!" He pulled her so tight, not even the chilled air could pass between them." I love you Elizabeth Thornton!" He kissed her with more passion than he ever had before. It took her breath away and left her weak in the knees. "I'll be here early with pancakes. Good night my love!"
"Good night, my darling Lucas!"
Lucas headed home, but had a feeling something needed to be put on reserve. He could see how frustrated Elizabeth was. Tomorrow he needed to call the photographer and talk to Gustave about the cake.
He walked in the door.
"You're out late son?"
"I was with Jack and Elizabeth. Jack begged me not to go and started crying. It broke my heart!" Lucas said solemnly.
"Son, do you want to play cards?"
"No father! I have to get up early. If I break my promise to Jack it will be the end of me!" He chuckled.
"Understood!"
Lucas lay his head on the pillow and let his mind wander. He wanted nothing more than to roll over and kiss his wife; soon he thought and faded off to sleep. Dreaming sweet dreams of his future life with Elizabeth and Jack.
His alarm went off and he tumbled out of bed. He put on his Sunday best and took a moment to perfect his hair knowing Jack would likely have it messed up soon and headed downstairs. Everyone else was already up and ready for church.
"Glad you could join us sleepy head!" Helen laughed.
"Mother, I need to get to town! I promised Jack pancakes. I will see you guys at church."
"Well you best be on your way then! You don't want to upset Jack." She replied.
Lucas walked into the Queen of Hearts and had Gustave make some pancakes. Then he tipped him and took the pancakes and sausage links to Elizabeth's. He walked in and Jack was ready for those pancakes. "Pancakes!" He yelled.
Lucas laughed. "Good morning, my love! He gave her a sweet tantalizing kiss."
"Good morning, my darling sweet man! Too many more of those kisses and church will be forgotten!" She said mischievously.
"I love it when you tease me!" He clapped his hands together and a red rose appeared. This is for you!"
"Lucas it is beautiful!"
Jack was intrigued. "Again! Again!"
"Let's eat our pancakes Jack so we are not late for church." Lucas winked at Elizabeth.
They finished breakfast and Lucas helped Jack clean up. Then he helped him and Elizabeth with their coats. They began the short walk to the church. Jack as always was sitting on Lucas shoulders messing up his perfect hair and laughing. Elizabeth was also laughing at the display. Lucas pulled Jack off of his head and acted like he was going to drop him and swiftly lifted him back up. Jack started laughing! "You thought that was funny?" The two were inseparable.
The service was beautiful. It was all about patience, kindness, forgiveness. Lucas's mind wondered, this would be his last service as a bachelor if all went according to plan. The thought excited but terrified him all at the same time.
The next two days passed rather quickly. Lucas spent as much time as he could with Elizabeth and Jack. The rest of the time was working on plans for his proposal.
Tuesday had finally arrived. Much to his delight, Mother Nature had dropped just enough snow to use the sleigh. The darkness fell on Hope Valley and Lucas knew it was time. He had not seen Elizabeth at all. Jack had spent the night at Lucas's the night before.
Everyone was gathered in the main room downstairs. He looked absolutely handsome in his white coat and tails. His bow tie and vest were the same color as Elizabeth's dress. They all wished him luck. They would patiently wait for his return.
He opened the door and the sleigh was parked right up front. The horses were all ready to go. The sleigh beautifully decorated. He got in, took the reigns and headed to Elizabeth's taking a deep breath. This was it, what I have been dreaming of he thought to himself.
Elizabeth was impatiently waiting for Lucas to arrive, when she heard the hoof beats and the jingle bells coming down the street, she knew that was him. Her mouth dropped open as she opened the door. Lucas stopped right in front of the house. He stepped down from the sleigh and walked up to the door. Elizabeth couldn't catch her breath. Everything was absolutely gorgeous, including the man standing in front of her.
"Elizabeth there are no words to describe how beautiful you are! You look magnificent!" He winked.
"Not bad yourself!" She teased while planting a kiss on his cheek. If she was being honest with herself, he was absolutely irresistible and it was taking an act of God for her to resist the temptation. "Lucas the sleigh is absolutely stunning. I had no idea! It is perfect!"
"Just like you my love, perfect in every way! Shall we?" He escorted her to the sleigh and helped her in. It was all decorated with Garland, bows, and jingle bells. He threw the blanket over her and asked her, "Would you like hot chocolate?"
"Sure, this could not be more perfect Lucas!" She sighed with the biggest smile.
He poured her a cup, "Oh Elizabeth that is where you are wrong. Perfection is waking up next to the most beautiful woman I have ever seen for the rest of my life!"
She didn't think he could be any more perfect in this moment. Man did he shine. He sure knew how to get a response from her. She slid over next to him and looped her arm through his.
The horses trotted past the saloon. "Lucas, where are we going?" She asked curiously.
"Elizabeth I know how you love a good surprise and I have a big surprise waiting for you!"
Elizabeth was jumpy with anticipation. What was his surprise she thought to herself? The horses trotted down the road when they approached a trail of beautiful Christmas lights. He turned the sleigh in between the lights and they proceeded up the trail.
"Lucas this is so romantic! I am at a loss for words."
The horses passed through the tree line to the most beautiful light display she had ever seen. He stopped the horses in front of the Christmas tree out front all lit up and decorated.
"Lucas where are we?"
"Elizabeth, you once told your students that your favorite Christmas memory was when your father hid a new ornament on the tree for you and your sisters to find. There is a very special ornament on this tree with your name on it Elizabeth for you to find. He took her by the hand and helped her out of the sleigh.
She began walking around the tree excitedly. He walked behind her around the tree. Everyone was gathered at the bay windows watching the display.
"Elizabeth, the day I met you my life was changed forever. I never knew what love was until I met you. I have fallen so deeply in love with you that I never want to find my way out. You are everything I want in my life. You are beautiful, true, selfless, and sweet! You Elizabeth are my dream, my perfect Queen of Hearts!"
She stopped already blushing, she saw it, a velvet red heart shaped box with a beautiful bow. The outside was custom printed with her name. Lucas kneeled and took her hand between both of his and she instantly started crying. "Elizabeth, will you live my dream with me for the rest of our lives and become my wife?"
"Absolutely!" There was no hesitation. She threw her arms around him. He kissed her passionately. He stepped back opened the box and her hands immediately covered her mouth. The brilliant round cut diamond ring beamed off of all the lights.
"Lucas it's the most beautiful ring I have ever seen!" He placed it on her finger and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I love you Elizabeth!
"I love you too!
"Shall we go celebrate?" He took her arm and escorted her up the stairs. The door opened and all their family and friends came rushing over to hug and congratulate them!
"Lucas who's place is this?"
"It's yours Elizabeth!"
"I don't understand!"
"I had this place built four and a half months ago for us!"
"Lucas we were barely courting then."
"I gambled on love Elizabeth and I have never made a safer bet than this one. I had your name put on the deed!"
"I don't know what to say except I love you so very much! This is perfect!"
"I will show you around later. Right now I want to dance with my fiancée in our home! I love you Elizabeth more than life itself. I will live for you and I will die for you!"
The massive blue sheer drapes and the Christmas lights were hung all over the house making it look like a ballroom. The chandelier was shining bright with Christmas lights. The Victrola was playing and he held her as close as he could without becoming one body. The tables were setup along the walls leaving the floor empty in the center.
"Having you in my arms Elizabeth feels so right!"
"Lucas? She said mischievously.
"Yessss!" He teased
"Can we get married here tonight with all of our friends and family? I can't think of anything that could be more perfect!"
"I thought you might say that! I just know you so well! That is why the photographer is here." He winked.
They told everyone about their plan and Joseph and Bill were more than happy to perform their ceremony.