Chapter 54 Farewell to the Thatcher's
Lucas rolled over on his side. "Elizabeth." He whispered waiting for her to respond.
"Yes love." She responded now opening her beautiful blue eyes to gaze directly into his deep chocolate ones.
"I can stay like this forever, you make me so happy. Are you feeling alright? Did I upset you?" He asked concern in his voice.
"Not at all, I am glad you told me everything. I feel closer to you than I ever have before. I feel a little nauseous at the moment though. I think I will stay in bed a little longer." She rolled over on her back hoping to stop the nausea.
Lucas gently rubbed her stomach and then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I will bring you some crackers and water. I love you Elizabeth! I will never let anything happen to you or Jack."
"I love you too. You are such a darling." She said while closing her eyes again.
Lucas went downstairs and grabbed some soda water and crackers for Elizabeth and took them up to her and placed them by the bed. Then he returned downstairs to sit with the Thatcher's, Julie, and Jack in front of the fire. Lucas and Jack put more wood in the fireplace for it was February and the coldest month of the year. There was a chilly bite in the air. Then he sat down and played with Jack. They got out his tinker toys and built a train that wrapped all the way around the family room. Lucas truly was a kid at heart. The Thatcher's couldn't help but smile at the interaction, feeling extremely blessed that Lucas and Elizabeth found each other. There truly was no denying their chemistry. They radiated happiness from every direction.
Tomorrow was Sunday and the Thatcher's would be traveling back home after church, planning to return in the fall. Lucas had yet to meet Viola. Lionel and her were to busy to come to the wedding. Lucas figured they would invite them later to come for a week or so. There was no way Elizabeth would be traveling now. Just as Lucas was about to get up the phone rang. "Hello! Gustave what is it?" Lucas asked.
"You have some gentleman interested in the management positions." Gustave advised him.
"I will be right in. Give them a drink on the house and I will be there in a few moments." Lucas hung up the phone and asked Julie to check in on Elizabeth and keep an eye on Jack advising her that he had to go to the Queen of Hearts to conduct some interviews and he would be back shortly and bring dinner.
When Lucas arrived there were eight people gathered around a table drinking beers. He sat at a table across from them and conducted each interview individually. It worked out well, because he decided to hire four security guards as well, one for each shift. With the coming expansion, he was sure he was going to need them. They all seemed really nice and eager to begin. He had also decided he was going to go ahead and do the expansion before he started everyone. This would require a minor shutdown to renovate. He had to get his ducks in a row. Lucas set up a training schedule, but it did mean he was going to be spending evenings at the Queen of Hearts for at least a month, making sure everything transitioned smoothly. He boxed up dinner to take home and headed out.
Lucas left with an agenda. He could spare no more days. These changes needed to happen ASAP. He stopped by the mercantile picking up some catalogs with baby things in them to look at later, two bouquets of flowers, and some paint samples. His next stop was the Coulter's.
He knocked on the door and Rosemary answered. "Lucas?" She said with surprise.
"Rosemary these are for you." He handed her the flowers. "I was hoping I might get a moment with Lee and I hope you are feeling well. We would love it if you would come by on Friday evenings and help Elizabeth and Julie with the nursery." He said thoughtfully.
"I am feeling well Lucas and it was very thoughtful of you. You are such a doll." That sent a blush to Lucas's face. "I would love to help Elizabeth set up the nursery." She said in response while Lee walked down the stairs.
"Lucas?" Lee said curious.
"Lee, I need to talk some business and it could take a few moments, can I come in please? Lucas asked.
"Sure. Have a seat." He ushered him to the settee in the living room. "What's on your mind old friend?"
"Well, as mayor I need you to issue me several building permits. I want to build a new hotel next to the Queen of Hearts and add more dining to the Queen of Hearts. I would also like to donate the funds to the town to build a larger school, so we can account for the town's growth, but I do ask that the town would pay the teacher salaries. If you could bring that up at the next town council meeting, I would appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts. I would prefer to get started right away. The last thing is a building permit for my home. I am going to add on a studio apartment, in anticipation that Julie will consider staying with us. If she doesn't, it will become a guesthouse." Lucas advised him on all his plans.
Lee was in shock at all of it. "I would be more than happy to address all of this at the next town council meeting in a couple weeks. That is a lot of change Lucas."
"I am aware, but it is necessary. The saloon and Abigail's are filled to the max. The school is overcrowded and if we do not address it the county will and then there could be trouble for Elizabeth and the town. I am hoping for full backing from the town." He spoke in a very businesslike manner. "Lee, I was hoping you could call a special town council meeting and we could get started right away. Some of these changes can not wait."
"I will call one for Monday evening." Lee said while Rosemary listened in.
"Lee, you will get all of my orders." Lucas advised him with a friendly handshake as he was getting ready to leave.
"Lucas when you set your mind to something, you don't mess around, do you?" Lee said
"No, I don't! I am a doer. I would like to get all of this in place before the babies arrive. After, my children are born I will be spending less and less time at the Queen of Hearts and need to make sure everything is operating smoothly before then." Lucas said with an anxious tone.
"I can certainly appreciate that. I know what you mean." Lee responded.
Lucas went home where his wife was waiting on him with open arms. "What has my knight in shining armor been up to?" She asked wrapping her arms around him.
"I was taking care of some business that you and I discussed already, these are for you." He said handing her the flowers.
"Lucas they are beautiful." She said giving him a passionate kiss.
He brought in the food ad placed it on the table as they all gathered around to eat dinner. Then he escorted her to the settee and they sat there together with their hands intertwined and his other hand resting on her stomach, while Lucas filled them all in on all their plans to grow the town and get ready for the expansion of their growing family. Lucas found it natural that his hand always gravitated to Elizabeth's stomach as a resting place. He was not sure why though. She found it adoring. Julie had agreed to stay with them. There were several things that needed to be done before the babies' arrival.
Lucas put Jack to bed after giving him a bath and read him a story. Then he tucked him in with Peter Rabbit, his mind wondering what it was going to be like to have three small babies around this house. He could already picture the crying and the chaos. Jack was so easy, credit to Elizabeth and their friends for how well they had taught him. He could only hope he would be as good with him. Then he made his way to their bedroom to wash up and get ready for bed. He came out of the bathroom to find Elizabeth crying, "Oh my goodness, what's the matter?" He said panicking.
"Nothing." She said wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Then why are you crying?" He chuckled.
"I don't know. Can you just hold me? She asked wrapping her arms around him.
Lucas returned her embrace and kissed her on the top of the head. He gently helped her into bed and pulled her as tight as he could into his chest. He gently massaged her left thigh with his left hand and worked his way up her side until she fell asleep. He kissed her gently on the neck and they rested so comfortable in each others closeness.
The Bouchard's and Thatcher's attended church service the next morning and then said goodbye to William and Grace as they loaded up their luggage and prepared to head home. They gave last minute hugs all around paying special attention to Jack.
"We will see you in the fall. Call if you need anything." William advised as they made their way to the car.
The Thatcher's waved goodbye to the Bouchard's and Julie as the car disappeared down the driveway. It was a time to discover normalcy. They had truly not been alone since they were married. This was when realization began to set in. They loaded up and went to spend Sunday afternoon with the Coulter's which was their tradition. They talked about being parents, ate lunch, played with Jack, talked about all the upcoming plans to the town, the house, and Julie staying in Hope Valley. It was nice to be getting back to a routine. They spent pretty much the whole day there with Lee and Rosemary. The ladies talked about their plans for the nurseries and the men talked about becoming father's and all the feelings that came with it.
When evening came Lucas took his family home and made sure the fire had plenty of wood before everyone went to bed. Then he checked in on Jack and turned in himself, once he realized his wife had already fallen asleep. He could already tell how much the pregnancy was changing her. He pulled the covers up over them and draped his arm over her as he fell asleep.