Chapter 63 End of the School Year
The days were now blending together as time was quickly approaching for the Coulter's and the Bouchard's to add to their families. Lucas and Lee had come to depend on each other to get them through the tough times. The Coulter's spending every Friday at the Bouchard's for game night and the Bouchard's spending Sunday's at the Coulter's for afternoon lunch. Whenever they would make plans they mostly included each other. The women were now extra picky, grouchy, and emotional and as much as they loved them they needed the guy time.
Today was the beginning of summer. School was letting out and today was the end of the year celebration for the students, which they all planned on attending. Lucas was given a detailed planning list from his wife on what was to be done for the celebration and he prayed he would not mess it up. He did not want to feel the wrath of his pregnant wife. He had been on the receiving end of it all too often lately and was all to eager for the babies to be born and her mood to go back to normal. Elizabeth and Rosemary were like a pack of wolves devouring their prey which Lucas felt represented him and Lee. They could do nothing right. The last thing he needed was for her to be upset with him.
Elizabeth, Rosemary, Julie, and Gladys had spent the entire morning baking cupcakes for the occasion. Gladys had been keeping a close eye on both women and new that time would soon be here for both women. They were both extremely large and uncomfortable. You could tell it in their movements and their breathing. The babies, now moving around a lot, you could actually see the movement in their abdomens. Lucas and Lee played with Jack outside until time to get ready to leave. Jack was becoming quite the jump roper and baseball player.
As much as Lucas loved his wife, it was becoming more and more obvious that she was resenting him for being in this situation and he was trying to tread lightly. He was getting the subtle hints when she would reject his advances and attempts to touch her and he knew that each passing day was getting harder and harder. At least he was not alone. Lee was going through the same thing and at least they got to lean on each other.
Lucas and Lee had spent the morning setting up everything over at the school. This would be the last year for the Jack Thornton School and Lucas was sure that was also part of Elizabeth's issue with him. He just hoped that after the babies were born things would return to normal between him and his wife. He couldn't describe in words how much his body ached to be with her physically. It was now going on several months and two months still to go, he found himself spending more and more time doing Judo to distract himself from his need. Relying on his discipline was the only thing getting him through this entire situation.
Regardless of how she was making him feel, he understood from Julie and Gladys it was unintentional and normal for pregnant women to act like that. He remained encouraging and kept trying to support her and encourage her. When she would push him away, he would just go get Jack and they would go do Judo. Jack had mastered jump roping and was now trying to do handstands, which Lucas was helping him to learn. Lucas was impressed by the young boy's determination and his will to be like his father. He loved him so much and the distance between him and his mother had grown over the last month. Lucas had no idea this is what pregnancy would be like. He hated it. It was making him contemplate calling it quits after this pregnancy. He was not sure he could do this journey again or if he wanted to. He just wanted things back to the way they were. He had made himself a mental note to talk to Faith about his options of birth control, something he would prefer to do with Carson, not too familiar with the options but would prefer to take the initiative instead of letting it fall on Elizabeth's shoulders. He knew it would be an awkward conversation and afraid it might get back to Elizabeth. He was not ready to address that with her yet. That would be a hard conversation to have and he would spend the next several months mentally preparing for it.
The afternoon came and Lucas and Lee escorted their families to the celebration. Lucas tried to help his wife out of the car, but she refused. He insisted on helping her to a seat which she hesitantly accepted. Tables were all setup with desserts and drinks. There were decorations all over and Elizabeth was supposed to make a speech. Lucas was feeling rather glad that she had thanked him for putting it all together. It was the first thing he felt he had done right in a month since the grand reopening of the Queen of Hearts. Things had quickly gone down hill after that.
Elizabeth got up to make a speech along with Katie and she was brought to tears when she mentioned the closure of the Jack Thornton School. Lucas knew this would be hard for her, so he let her be, knowing any attempt to console her would probably be dismissed. The ceremony was quite nice and everyone mingled afterwards. All was well until Elizabeth heard a voice from behind her.
"Mrs. Thornton, I see so much has changed since I was here last."
"Mr. Landis? It is Mrs. Bouchard now." She said a little sour.
"The hotel owner?" He questioned. "I met him when I was in town the last time."
"Yes that's right!" She said emotionally.
"I see congratulations are in order." He said noticing her state of being.
Lucas had now seen her getting worked up and thought that being in her condition it was not safe for her. He decided to make his presence known. "Mr. Landis, it is nice to see you again." He extended his hand for a handshake. "Elizabeth, darling why don't you go ahead and mingle, I will talk to Mr. Landis." He said giving her a kiss on the cheek which he was honored when she didn't pull away.
"I see so much has changed here in Hope Valley since I was here last fall." Landis said with a slight grin.
"Mr. Landis, I understand that you work for the county and you have the counties best interest at heart, but I am to assure you that this is our town and we have the best interest of Hope Valley and its citizens at heart. The new larger school is completed and ready for attendance beginning the new school year. All permits and certifications as well as inspections have been filed in the mayor's office, including Elizabeth's certification to teach blind students. All the teachers have been hired and credentials filed as well. You are more than welcome to go over to the mayor's office and look at everything. I will also be more than willing to take you on a tour of the new school." Lucas said in his business like tone.
"I would appreciate that." Landis replied.
Lucas excused himself so he could go with Mr. Landis. By the time they had finished three hours had went by. Landis was impressed with all the changes and the men parted on good terms. Lucas hoped that would be the end of Mr. Landis. Lucas came back to get his family and help with cleanup when Elizabeth asked, "How did it go?"
"Landis was impressed with everything and I am hopeful, that we have seen the last of him for a long while." He said trying to reassure her by rubbing her back which she let him do. He was grateful for the acceptance. "I should get you home; I will come back and finish the cleanup."
He took his family home and dropped them off and returned to town to do the entire cleanup. It was late when Lucas returned home. He walked into their room and did his own cleanup before climbing into their bed. He was more than grateful when he climbed under the sheets and his wife laid her head on his chest and thanked him for the day. It had been awhile since she had done that. He reciprocated by gently stroking her hair and kissing her head. "I love you Elizabeth!"
"Lucas, I'm sorry! I love you too!"
"What are you sorry for?" He asked curiously.
"For pushing you away." She replied now grabbing his hand.
"Elizabeth, I can't imagine what you are going through right now. It is I who is sorry. I will always love you no matter what!" He reassured her and then they held each other until they both fell asleep.