Chapter 47 Good Company
Elizabeth, Helen, Grace, Julie, Rosemary, Faith and Fiona were all gathered around the settee's drinking tea. "Elizabeth tell us about your trip and then about your plan to be a full time mother of four, writer, and teacher." Grace said jokingly.
"Well the trip was definitely an adventure. Lucas had everything planned out and as always he was such a romantic. Even when the trip wasn't going as planned he still made it wonderful. Jack fell at the pool and busted his head open requiring sutures for ten days so he could not get in the water. Julie and I were lost on the island of Bora, Bora causing Lucas to be beside himself. I found out I am having triplets. Then are cruise ship got stuck in a tropical cyclone and we were shipwrecked on a deserted island for two days where initially we all thought we were going to die. Despite all of that we still seen some beautiful sunsets, gorgeous waters, romantic rituals, romantic walks on the beach, a few nights under the stars, and I learned more new things about my husband. There was dining and dancing. He made a homemade fishing pole, taught Jack to catch fish, gathered firewood, made a fire and cooked over it. He was a real knight in shining armor. I never realized there was so much depth to him. He is not all magic tricks and business ventures. He is so much more." Elizabeth spoke with a moony look on her face while all the other ladies began to chuckle.
"Don't forget to tell them how jealous you were of some ladies fawning over Lucas and Jack on the train, or how you asked him about his romantic history on your honeymoon." Julie laughed, causing all the other ladies eyebrows to rise with curiosity.
"Elizabeth you did not!" Grace said in a stern tone while all the other ladies put their hands to their mouths.
"Oh she did!" Julie said again.
The rest of the ladies began laughing hysterically at Julie telling on Elizabeth.
"Thank you Julie!" Elizabeth said in a frustrated tone.
"So tell us what happened when Lucas found out about the triplets? How did he take the news?" Rosemary asked with a grin.
"He fainted!" Julie said with a laugh.
"He did what?" Helen said concerned.
"Yes, he fainted. Then he was okay when he thought we are having one baby, when he found out there are three, he had a complete meltdown. It was quite the comedy show. I was very entertained." Julie laughed and so did all the others.
"Well, I wish we could have seen that!" Fiona said with a grin.
"It was quite a change from the ever so confident Lucas Bouchard we all know that is for sure." Elizabeth grinned.
"So what are your plans for when the babies arrive and after?" Helen asked concerned.
"We still have a lot of things to work out. I would like to continue teaching, because that has always been my passion, but it may be time to chase my other dream and let that one go. Faith, how are you going to monitor both Rosemary and Myself?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't think I can Elizabeth. If I were you I would consider paying a private doctor or getting a midwife. Five babies are way beyond my capacity. What will happen if you and Rosemary go into labor at the same time, then we will really be in trouble." Faith said with a look of regret.
"Maybe it is time we hired a second doctor in this town as much as it has grown." Elizabeth advised.
"I have thought about it." Faith replied.
"If I have to have a private doctor, I know Lucas is going to want to have a say so in whom we hire."
"I do have some connections." Faith said. "I can make some calls and see if I can come up with some options."
"Let us know if you need any resources." Helen and Grace offered.
"We could ask Carson to come back to help with the deliveries." Julie suggested.
"I don't exactly know how I would feel about that." Faith said. "I think that might be awkward and do more harm than good to try working together again."
"I thought you and Carson had both moved on." Julie said a little confused. "That is what Carson told me anyway."
"I guess he has then. Maybe I should too. When did you talk to Carson, Julie?" Faith asked with her eyebrows raised a little annoyed.
"He was on the cruise ship that we were on. He had mentioned he had no intention of coming back here and you had both moved on." Julie explained.
"Well I say that is the end of that then." Faith had an aggravated tone, wondering why she was getting this information from Julie instead of Carson himself.
The gentlemen gathered around the card table. Lucas and Jonathan sat on the ends. Bill was sitting next to Lucas, Lee next to him, Mike next to Lee. On the other side of the table sat William, Alex, and Henry. Lucas had definitely missed card nights with the guys. It's not that he didn't love being with Elizabeth, just sometimes he needed to be around the men. Although everyone could tell his thoughts were far from the card game. He kept losing every hand and appeared to be off in la-la land.
"Lucas, why don't you tell us about your trip?" Lee asked.
"Well let's see, Elizabeth and I fought on the train because she thought I was overly flirty with some other women. Jack fell at the pool and busted his head open and had to have sutures. Elizabeth and Julie got lost on the island of Bora, Bora. The best part was our ship sailed into a tropical cyclone and we were shipwrecked for two days on a deserted island. Then there is the fact that I am not only going to have a big family, but I don't even get to ease into it. I'm going to get it all at once." Lucas was getting all worked up in knots just thinking about it all over again.
"That sounds quite overwhelming Lucas. Anything we can do for you or Elizabeth to help out?" William asked while everyone waited on his response.
"I don't know what to do, that's the problem." Lucas said a bit brusquely.
"I'm sorry William, I didn't mean to sound ungracious or rude." Lucas replied apologetically.
The men watched as Lucas began falling apart. They had only seen the confident and gentlemanly Lucas Bouchard. This was surprising and somewhat entertaining to think he was human after all, just like the rest of them.
"Son, are you okay? Your mind is far from this card game." Jonathan asked while all eyes came up to look at Lucas anticipating a response.
"Not really father. I have a lot on my mind and it is driving me mad." Lucas said as he threw his cards on the table and ran his hands through his hair.
"Would you like to talk about it, while we are all here to help you through it?" Jonathan asked feeling sympathetic for his son and what he was going through.
"I don't want to burden anyone with this, they are my issues." Lucas said as he got up and walked to the bar to grab another drink.
Jonathan followed him. "Son we need to talk about this and if you are not going to talk to all of us then you will talk to me."
"I'm scared father! I don't openly admit things like this. I am so overwhelmed with the anticipation of the babies and being a dad. I have no idea how to take care of babies. I am going to fail Elizabeth in so many ways." His eyes began turning glossy with unshed tears.
"That is absolutely not true Lucas. You are a Bouchard. Bouchard's do not fail. If we fall we get back up. You will be a great father just like you have been to Jack. Stop giving into defeat before you even have the opportunity to fail." Jonathan said taking the glass away from his son.
"Father, I don't know how to change diapers or bottle feed an infant. What is Elizabeth going to think of me?" Lucas asked.
"Son, nobody does until they have to do it. Just like business you will learn. There is no such thing as the perfect parent Lucas. I know you try hard to be perfect at everything, but you are human and there will be things you are going to have to learn how to do. I have no doubt you will adapt." Jonathan said as he patted his son on the shoulder. "Your mother and I are leaving tomorrow, will you be okay? I can leave your mother here if you need more time."
"I will be fine father. Will you come back in August and stay through the Holidays?" Lucas asked hopeful.
"Absolutely, we can't wait to meet our newest grandchildren. I love you son!" Jonathan embraced him.
The evening was winding down and the ladies and gentleman began putting on their coats as Lucas and Elizabeth stood at the door to thank them for coming and wish them well for the evening. Hand in hand they turned out all the lights and headed up to their bedroom, where it would be their first night back home. Lucas was feeling anxious to sleep in his own bed again. He was overly exhausted. He barely had enough energy to put his nightclothes on. His wife had different plans.
Elizabeth draped her arm over his chest and softly and tenderly began rubbing his chest while gently kissing his neck. The warmth of her breath on his neck and in his ear was definitely stirring up some feelings.
"Love, what are you doing?" He asked while gently caressing her back with his hand.
"I am thanking you for all the wonderful things you did for us while we were away." She said as she found her way around to his lips."
"You don't need to thank me; I will never let anything happen to you. I love you so much." He returned her kiss and ended it there. The kiss was soft and sweet but short. "I am sorry Elizabeth, but I am way too exhausted this evening to make love to you, it has been an indefinitely long day and I would not do you justice." He said regretfully and apologetically.
Elizabeth's emotions took over and the thought of her husband refusing to make love to her sent her down an emotional journey he wished he could take back.