"Julie, please, just put the phone down," Elizabeth said as she stood at Sir Lionel's desk in the family library.

"No, Elizabeth, we have to know," Elizabeth's younger sister said, swatting her hand away. "I'm calling Dr. Steely."

"Julie!"

"What's going on in here? Why are you at my desk?" Sir Lionel said as he, Viola, and the rest of the family quietly filed into the room.

Lucas came up behind Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her, tenderly kissing the side of her cheek. "Is everything okay? I turned around, and you'd disappeared," he asked.

"I'm fine," Elizabeth said, leaning back against his chest. "Julie is trying to set an appointment for me to see Viola's obstetrician, but I keep telling her that it's too early to determine anything and that if there's still any question, we'll find out when we see the doctor when we get back home."

"You won't be home for two more months," Viola said before Lucas could respond. "Besides, it may not be too early. Dr. Steely confirmed I was expecting Violet when I was within a week or two of where you are now."

"Really? How?" Agatha asked. "At most, she's only four weeks along. Unless…" She raised her finger to her mouth and looked suspiciously toward Lucas and then Elizabeth.

Elizabeth threw her aunt a look. "Don't even finish that thought, Aunt Agatha! I would be four weeks along at most – anything more would be impossible! And in terms of determining things at this stage, I don't see how. It's not like there are tests they can give you to see if you're expecting."

Viola would not be deterred. "Not tests, but signs. Elizabeth, when was the last time you had your menses?"

"Viola Mae!" Elizabeth gasped.

"Well, gentlemen," Sir Lionel coughed and straightened his suitcoat. "I think that's our cue to go play some billiards. Leave the women alone to their chat."

The elder two men walked toward the door, but Lucas stayed behind.

"Are you coming, Lucas?" William asked.

"No, thank you," Bouchard responded. "I'll stay where Elizabeth needs me."

Elizabeth turned to Lucas. "Honey, I'm okay, and father is right. This is girls' talk. You'll probably be happier playing pool with the men."

"Sweetheart, it really is alright. I've studied human biology, and I have a mother, so I understand the ways of life concerning these things. I'll be fine," he replied with a confident nod.

Elizabeth looked dubious. "Alright. If you're sure," she said as she took a seat. Lucas sat beside her as the men made a quick retreat. She patted his thigh, "But don't think I'll be offended if you get up and leave."

"I'll be okay," he said, putting his arm around her.

"Elizabeth, how long ago was it?" Julie asked.

"How long ago was it?" Elizabeth responded.

"Your cycle. When was your last cycle?"

Lucas kept a straight face as he quickly did a mental assessment of their married life to date. Quickly, he concluded that particular experience had eluded them thus far. His heart skipped a beat.

"Well, I may be a little late," Elizabeth said, feeling Lucas squeeze her shoulder a little tighter. "But it's really hard to say. Ever since Jack was born, I've always been a little irregular, so we can't count that."

Lucas mentally coached himself to stay calm. Elizabeth knows her own body, and if she says it doesn't count, then it doesn't count.

"We'll call it inconclusive. Any sickness?" Viola asked, "Aside from the coffee, I mean."

Elizabeth shrugged, "Not really. I mean, we had that sauerbraten at our last stop in Germany."

"Sauerbraten?" Viola asked.

"Yes, in a little town at the German border where we stopped for lunch. It made Lucas and I both a little sick."

"I wasn't really sick. It just gave me a little heartburn." Lucas noted. "You, however, had to lay down, and you were sick the following day."

"That's true," Elizabeth said. "It had to be the vinegar. I mean, Normally, I'm fine, but in this case, the meat was so saturated it made my lips pucker."

"Yes, I'm sure that was the vinegar," Julie chuckled. Elizabeth looked at Lucas, and he lowered his head, his dimples showing.

"But you made it all better," Elizabeth said, her lips curling upward as her hand caressed his thigh.

"I did?"

"Remember, you brought me that warm washcloth…."

Lucas's eyes were transfixed on his wife's. "I thought it would be soothing."

"It was very thoughtful of you," she said in a soft voice, her breath hitching as she felt a warmness pooling within.

"I was only trying to help," he replied quietly, leaning toward her a little. "I hated seeing you sick,"

"You did help," Elizabeth responded, leaning closer to her husband. Both had completely lost track of where they were. "You're always so good to me."

"You deserve nothing less," Lucas replied.

The two could barely breathe as their eyes drifted towards the other's lips. They leaned forward even further, and Elizabeth tilted her head slightly to receive her husband's adoration.

"We'll mark that as a maybe," Viola said loudly – snapping the Bouchards back into the moment. They both blushed and sat back in their seats.

"So, a little late. A little sickness. Sounding awfully suspicious there, little sister." Viola recited, taking a piece of paper off her husband's desk and writing it down.

"But there could be an alternative explanation," Elizabeth said, quickly. "It doesn't mean I'm, um -in the family way."

"Of course, it doesn't," Viola replied sarcastically. "What about your…your…" she looked at Lucas and then back at Elizabeth. "You know - these." She motioned with her hands toward the top of her blouse as Lucas shut his eyes. "Any, um… soreness?"

Elizabeth immediately bit her bottom lip and raised a hand to her mouth to cover a shy smile. Her eyes drifted sideways toward her husband, which only made it worse. "Um, once again - not without an alternate explanation," she giggled.

Lucas looked toward her, then blushed again, lowering his head. Suddenly, it dawned on him that he may have hurt her. "Elizabeth, I didn't…." He looked toward the other women who were paying rapt attention, then he leaned toward his wife, whispering something in her ear that the women couldn't hear. Elizabeth listened, then giggled again. "No, you didn't. At least not…well, it's just…I'm not used to…." She looked at the women." We'll talk about it later when we're alone," she said.

He nodded in agreement, satisfied for the moment. Sitting back in his seat, he looked over and saw Agatha staring directly at him, her cheeks slightly sucked in and lips curled into a salacious smile. She raised her eyebrows up and down.

Lucas almost choked, then nearly knocked Elizabeth off the sofa as he abruptly tried to stand. Steadying her, he stood before the women and announced he thought he'd go get some tea. "Would any of you care for any?"

The women politely declined and chuckled as he hastily went to the far end of the room.

"He lasted longer than I thought he would," Grace whispered, looking at her daughter.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Lucas will be fine. You'd be surprised at easily he adapts to things."

"That's quite apparent," Agatha replied.

"Aunt Agatha! Please behave!" Elizabeth chided. "Lucas is just trying to help me, and if I am, you know…."

"Pregnant?" Agatha said.

"Aunt Agatha! Your language!" Julie replied.

"What?" Agatha responded. "I don't know why nobody wants to say that word. I mean, saying bun in the oven, or eating for two, or in the pudding club, are those somehow better? They're so indirect and could easily be misconstrued. I mean, really – what does knocked up even mean?"

"Agatha! That's quite enough!" Grace replied. "If Elizabeth is expecting, then we'll describe the blessed event in the least controversial way possible. Right Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth glanced at Lucas, who was busy rummaging in the cabinets for sugar cubes. She nodded her head. Leaning forward, she looked at her father's sister. "Aunt Agatha, I have to agree with mother. If I'm going to have a baby, which I doubt I am this soon, it will be Lucas's first experience with this. I want it to be a pleasant one. He's such a gentleman, and while he may not be offended, I'd still rather not use coarse language when referring to my being with child."

"Fine," Agatha said, knowing she was in the minority.

"Also, try not to tease him about it – or anything else. I'm quite certain that you and Julie make him uncomfortable with your bold ways, and you want him to feel comfortable around you, don't you?"

Agatha looked surprised but quickly softened. "Of course, dear. He's just so fun to tease—such a man of the world and yet a bit innocent. Your auntie approves."

Elizabeth smiled at Agatha as the two came to an understanding.

"Now, let's continue, shall we?" Viola said.

Later that morning, Nathan and Bill rode up to the factory, hoping that Darius Judson would be there. They had no specific information that Judson had done anything illegal. Still, the fact that he was keeping such tight restrictions on access – including restricting the local Mountie from inspecting the place, didn't sit well with Avery. He and Nathan figured they'd go have a chat.

Arriving outside the facility, the men dismounted and tied their horses to a tree. They then walked toward the entrance. They were around twenty feet away from the building when they heard what sounded like shouting. A door was slightly ajar at the side of the building, so they looked at one another, and Avery motioned toward the sound with his head. Nathan followed.

"Tim, now that's the third time this week you've dropped one of those plates,"

"Mr. Sanders, I didn't realize the ink was still wet, and it just slipped."

"I don't care what you did or didn't realize. You break one of those plates, and neither you nor your sister Maggie will get paid."

"Maggie? She didn't do anything!"

"I don't care. I said, neither one of you, and I meant neither one of you. You hear me? Mr. Judson ain't foolin' around. You kids gotta be more careful."

"Yes, sir," Timmy said, bowing his head.

"Now, get back to work," Sanders said. "Last thing we want to do is explain to the boss why his papers weren't printed on time."

Nathan peeked through the door crack just enough to see who was involved in the conversation and look for anything else that looked amiss. He saw nothing but Timmy Lawson & Judson's foreman, Sanders. When Sanders walked away, he watched Timmy wipe his brow and walk away as well. He appeared defeated. Turning toward Bill, Nathan began to speak, but Avery read his mind.

"We need to get a warrant," Bill said.

"Right away," Nathan concurred.

"Let's do it."

"Lee! I think he has us licked!" Rosemary Coulter said, entering the mayor's office, with a large stack of unsold newspapers in her arms. She slammed them down in the middle of his desk.

"What's wrong?" Lee asked.

"Nobody is buying the paper. The people don't seem to be interested in local news anymore. They'd rather have the news from Europe and Ripley's Believe it or Not."

"I can't believe that," Lee said. "Everyone likes to see their names in print or their neighbor's."

"I'm afraid it's true," Rosemary said. "Hope Valley, the way it used to be before the population started exploding, enjoyed its small-town feel and status. But the people who are moving in are all coming from urban centers, and, well, they're interested in what goes on in the world and where they came from – not in this tiny little burg. Add to that the cartoons and special features that Darius Judson puts in his paper – and the fact he's selling it for less than The Valley Voice and – I don't think we can compete. I dropped off twenty papers at the Yosts today and only sold two."

"So, you're thinking about giving up the newspaper?" he asked.

"Oh, no! Not at all," she said. "When I said that I had a nose for news, baby – I meant it! All I need now is the right business model. Darius Judson may have beaten the old Valley Voice, but after I'm done revamping and rebranding it, he won't know what's hit him."

From his vantage point across the room, Lucas could only hear the muffled voices and occasional snickers of the women as they discussed Elizabeth's situation. He decided that was just as well. Elizabeth was probably right that a safe distance was appropriate for him – and them- to be completely comfortable with this delicate conversation. He would still be there if she needed him, and would be spared the discomfort and embarrassment of talking about human reproduction in mixed company. Left unsaid was the fact that three out of four of Elizabeth's relatives terrified him.

Reaching for the pot of boiling water, he assumed all was going well until he was alerted to a change in tone in Elizabeth's voice. It seemed higher, somewhat back in her throat, and more emotional. Peeking around the corner to see what was going on, he became alarmed when he saw his wife wiping her eyes with the back of her fingers. Immediately, he crossed the room and, before anyone knew what was happening, retook his seat.

A surprised Elizabeth turned toward him. "Lucas…I thought you were making tea."

"I was," he blinked, "I am. It's just…are you okay?"

Looking at the concern and love on his face caused Elizabeth to be even more emotional. With a quivering chin, she looked up at him with adoring, tear-filled eyes and shook her head yes – reaching out to touch his cheek.

Lucas rifled through his pocket and quickly pulled out a handkerchief, dabbing her cheeks for her then passing the cloth to her. "You don't look okay. What's wrong?"

"Happy tears, my love," she explained. "Mother and Viola were asking me if I'd been feeling sad or having mood swings. And I could truthfully answer, no. These have been the happiest days of my life. And it's all thanks to you, my wonderful husband."

Lucas smiled softly. "How so?"

Elizabeth took his hand. "During the short time I was married to Jack, it was a beautiful season of love that I will always cherish. However, we were always just one messenger away from him leaving home and rejoining his first love, the Mounted police. I never felt that he was fully mine, nor, necessarily, that I was his first priority. He loved me, but he was a Mountie. It was a position I didn't like being in but accepted out of love. But it was a burden.

But then, I thought of you, and I just…. I…I never knew love could feel this way. Lucas, you are such a wonderful man and a wonderful husband and I…. I should never have kept you waiting for so long. My heart knew, but I was still grieving and, I almost lost you and…. oh, Lucas! I can't bear thinking of what my life would have been like had you gone away!" she said, burying her face into his lapel and beginning to sob.

Lucas embraced Elizabeth as her body quaked against him. He looked up at his mother-in-law with a bewildered expression and shrugged.

Grace returned with a sweet smile. "Son, I think you two had better make that appointment."

Mayor Coulter set his pen down on the table, knowing nothing else would get done once Bill, Nathan, and Rosemary crossed paths at the entrance to his office, Grant nearly avoiding a disastrous collision as he jumped out of Rosie's way.

"Whoa! Watch your step, Constable!" Rosemary said, grabbing him by the arm dusting off his sleeve. "What are you two up to in such a hurry?" the newspaper editor asked, smelling a scoop.

Bill frowned. "Just here to see your husband."

"Over?" Rosemary asked.

"Rosemary," Lee replied.

"What? I'm just chatting with friends," Rosemary responded. "Is it a crime to talk with friends?"

Nathan glanced at her with skepticism. "As long it doesn't end up in your paper."

Rosemary looked offended, but all three men gave her a knowing look. "Oh, alright," she huffed. "I just sense something is going on here and would like to get the story before that Darius Judson does."

"Which is who we're here to talk about," Nathan replied.

"Oh?" Lee asked.

Bill walked forward with a piece of paper. "Yes, I need you as mayor to sign off on a warrant. I can't do it myself since I will be one of the investigators."

"A warrant? Who for?"

"To search Judson's factory," Bill replied. "We have reason to believe that the conditions aren't up to par in terms of safety."

"Especially with the kids," Nathan responded.

"Really?" Lee asked. "What evidence do you have?"

"We overheard a conversation from outside the door at the factory today between Timmy Lawson and…."

"An overheard conversation?" Lee interrupted. "You know that's inadmissible. Did you see anything out of order?"

Avery looked at Lee, knowing he was right. "No. No, we didn't. Sanders just claimed the kid broke a print plate."

"But, Emily has seen several injuries coming into the infirmary with kids who work at the factory or newspaper mill," Nathan added.

"And they are claiming that Judson is working them in unsafe conditions?" Lee asked.

Nathan lowered his head.

"Oh, Lee! Why are you being so hard on them? You know Judson is crooked," she said. "For all, we know that's the whole reason he's trying to drive me out of business."

"How's that?" Lee asked.

"If he's up to no good – and we know he is," she replied. "Then, what better way to cover it up than to make sure the news never reports on it."

"So ,you're saying he is trying to kill the Valley Voice just to hide the fact his factory is unsafe?" Bill asked.

"No. He's trying to kill the Valley Voice because he wants to control Hope Valley," she responded. "Whoever controls the flow of information controls how people think about things. Ever since Judson arrived, that's begun to change."

"I can see that," Bill said. He turned to Lee. "So, what you're saying is we need more?"

Lee shrugged. "Well, what do you think, Judge? Would the law allow you to bring a case on what you have right now?"

Bill frowned. "No. It wouldn't. We need more probable cause than just a few cuts and scrapes and a kid getting yelled at after dropping a piece of equipment. We need access to that building."

"Without the warrant, how?" Nathan asked.

"We'll just have to put our noggins together and figure out a way," Rosemary replied.

Lucas sat outside the doctor's office impatiently waiting for Elizabeth and Viola to come out or for the doctor to call him in. It had been a rough couple of weeks. Ever since that morning in Sir Lionel's office, he had felt ill-at-ease, partially because he felt the duty to defend Elizabeth against so many family members trying to pressure her into seeing the doctor – something she was adamant she didn't want to do – and partially because he wanted her to do it himself. Of course, he kept that part to himself as she was already so upset with the others, he didn't want to upset her more. So, he decided to be supportive.

For two weeks he put on a cheerful disposition and made it his job to make sure that his family had a joyful time in England. He instructed all of his in-laws to stop pressuring her and stood firm that Elizabeth would know when the time was right to make that visit, and it wasn't for them to say. Realizing how serious he was, they respected his wishes, and all seemed well. Except it wasn't.

Deep within his being, Lucas wanted to know. He needed to know. He needed to plan and prepare – if a baby was coming – because that was who he was. It's what he did. But he felt he couldn't ask her to do something that she didn't want to do – at least not about that. And so, he buried his frustration and allowed his mind to ruminate upon everything which could be ahead for him and his family. He also set to worrying – a lot.

He stood up in the doctor's office and looked at his pocket watch, then walked over to the window as he recalled his and Elizabeth's first disagreement over his worrying. If she only knew the half of it.

"I thought you liked gardens," Lucas said, following his wife through Viola's house.

"I do," she replied. "Jack won't. There is no way we're going to be able to keep the attention of a four-year-old looking at pretty flowers. Might we go to London?"

Lucas shook his head. "Too much walking."

"Oh? Your leg?"

"No. My leg is fine. It's too much walking for you," he responded. "You shouldn't overexert yourself."

"Lucas!" she said. "That's ridiculous! We don't even know if I'm expecting!"

"We don't know that you're not," he countered. "You do have some of the signs, and while it is very early – I think we should err on the side of caution."

"Lucas Bouchard. Don't become some sort of worrywart, now. I know what I'm capable of doing and what I'm not. I've been through this before, remember?"

"I'm not discounting that. However, when you were expecting Jack, there were limitations as to what you could do. That's why I canceled our horseback riding excursion."

"I can still ride horses," she said.

Lucas raised his eyebrows. "Don't tell me that. I'm sure you didn't ride them when you were expecting Jack."

"I did early on," she said. "Of course, once I knew I was expecting, Carson wouldn't let me."

"So, it's off the list," Lucas replied.

"But walking isn't," she responded. "In fact, Carson encouraged it. It's actually good for me, so long as you're okay."

"If I'm ever uncomfortable, I'll let you know," he replied.

That day, the Bouchards took to the sights in London and even took Jack to the Tower of London where a very entertaining man in a knight's costume gave them a child-friendly tour of what happened in the tower. Lucas & Elizabeth so enjoyed watching Jack's wide-eyed expressions and hearing his infectious laugh as he made new discoveries around every corner. But, when it came time to return to Wingrave, Jack's papa drove back to Viola's in silence as the events of the day lulled both wife and son to sleep almost immediately after they returned to the car. Lucas tried not to read anything into it, but he had to wonder if the fatigue he was seeing in Elizabeth was more than just losing sleep with their travels. He pondered what that could mean.

A week later, his suspicions were aroused even further when he rolled over in the morning to find his wife's side of the bed empty. Looking at the alarm clock, he was surprised to see it was only six-thirty, at least an hour and a half before she would normally awaken, and so he put on his robe and went to investigate. Seeing a light on in the ensuite, he tapped on the door to see if she was okay. When all he heard was a muffled response, he poked his head inside and saw Elizabeth sitting on a closed commode lid with her head hovering over the bathroom sink.

"Elizabeth?"

"I said I don't feel well," she responded. "I feel like I am going to throw up."

"Can I help you?"

"To throw up?" she asked with a glare. "I don't think so!"

Lucas looked helplessly in her direction, not knowing what to say.

"I'll be okay. Go back to bed," was all she said.

Worried that he needed to do something, Lucas thought perhaps he could get her some crackers and soda water to settle her stomach. And, so, he slipped out their bedroom door and made his way down toward the kitchen. Everything was still in the house at that hour, leading him to believe he was alone until he heard a voice call his name from the library.

"William?" he said, stepping into the room and seeing his father-in-law looking quite relaxed sitting by a window reading the morning paper.

"Good morning, Lucas. You're up early," Thatcher replied.

"Elizabeth is sick," he responded. "She's feeling nauseous, and I thought I might perhaps find her some soda and crackers."

"Ginger tea," William suggested. "That's what always worked with Grace – with all three girls. Or, if they don't have that, try lemon water. Strangely, that seems to help."

Lucas nodded, then took a deep breath. "So, you think we should be preparing for a new addition sometime after Easter as well?"

William smiled softly, sensing his son-in-law's nervousness. "Come on in here and sit with me for a few minutes."

Lucas welcomed the invitation. Perhaps Elizabeth's father would give him some advice he could use.

"You seem troubled," William began. "Would you care to discuss?"

Lucas considered his thoughts carefully. "Not really troubled. More overwhelmed."

"Over my daughter giving you another child?"

Lucas shook his head as he considered the surety in William's voice. Elizabeth's father truly did believe Elizabeth was pregnant. But what of his question? Was he troubled – over having another child? He struggled for words.

"No, it's not that …well, yes…and no. It's not directly that. It's that and everything else."

William furrowed his brow. "Do you want to explain?"

Lucas nodded, knowing what he had just said didn't make a lot of sense. "My wife often tells me that I think of everything. She takes that as a good thing, and since it makes her smile, I suppose it is. But there's a flip side to that coin in that, when I am doing this thinking about everything – I truly do tend to think of everything, and it can sometimes be too much."

"You overanalyze," William replied.

"Sometimes. But other times, it's just analysis. For instance, I got to thinking about becoming a father again and what that would be like – not just for me, but for everyone, and then I thought of Jack.

I just became a father to that little boy, and even though his adoption hasn't been carried out yet, he feels as if he's my very own child as much as if he had been blood-born to me, and I love him very much. I imagined we'd have a little while to grow in that relationship before our family expanded. But now, I find myself worrying over him having to adjust to too much too soon. Having a new father, sharing his mother, moving into a new house, that's a lot for a child any age – but adding another child this early – I really do not want him to feel displaced in any way.

And then there are the businesses. How will I handle those? It's true, my business manager and Henry Gowen pretty much handle the Petroleum company – but as co-majority owner, I still expect to be very involved in all major business decisions we make. The Queen of the Valley is itself somewhat of a full-time job, while I have Cy handling the finances; that's only one aspect of its operation. Then, finally, there's the trucking venture – getting that up and running and making it a success is a major priority for me, and I've been thinking of ways to do it – but it will take a lot of my time and energy- all with a family of four at home that needs me. It's a lot.

William, between you and me, when I just had two businesses as a single man, I would occasionally find myself dropping the ball because I was spread too thin. I'm still that same man, but now with even more responsibility. And the one ball I don't want to drop – the one ball I cannot drop is my family. I'd give up everything else to make sure they feel safe and secure and loved."

"And you're worried you won't be able to do that?" William responded.

"Well, you know how it is," Lucas replied. "When I was a child, my father was so busy he and I rarely had a lot of time to spend together, and my mother – she brought her own set of stresses in life, some of them being the fact my father was too busy for his family. The last thing I want to do is repeat that pattern. I won't repeat that pattern! My children will know I love them, and they will be my number one priority aside from their mother. Which then brings me to Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth understands this life. She grew up in it." William said.

"As a daughter, but not as a wife." Lucas continued as a nonplussed William Thatcher sat back and let him speak. "Elizabeth is my everything and the most important person in my life, and we have just entered this glorious new phase in our lives. Being married to your daughter is everything and more that I'd ever hoped it would be. The last thing I want to do is for us to drift apart. But how do I stop it from happening? How do we hold on to what we have and not let life extinguish that spark? And that's just for starters. I have so many things going on right now in my mind, and if I don't figure it out…."

"Lucas! Lucas!" William laughed. "Settle down. You're getting ahead of yourself and calling things into existence that aren't here yet! Trust me. This thing isn't as hard as you're making it out to be – not that it isn't challenging, but it's also rewarding if you'll just take a deep breath and do what we did."

Lucas took a deep breath, partially relieved he'd at least expressed some of the things concerning him even though he felt a little embarrassed at having done so. "Okay, I'm listening."

"Alright, first of all, you are right. Having an infant in the house will increase your responsibilities, and there will be times where he or she gets more attention than the others. That's normal. But truthfully, newborns are fairly simple. Keep them dry, fed, and comfortable, and that's about all there is to it. You're an intelligent young man who I can see takes his duties as a father extremely seriously, and you're doing a wonderful job with Jack. If Elizabeth is going to have a child in the near future, you'll figure it out. I did, and, believe me, I wasn't half as attuned to the whole situation as you are.

In terms of the businesses, I was once in a similar position such as yourself. Viola was nearly four. We had just moved into a larger home just outside of Hamilton. Grace and I purchased it because the business was growing, and we knew that entertaining clients would be something we'd be doing. The house was over a hundred years old and in disrepair, but it had good bones. Grace's job was going to be planning and implementing the renovation project, whereas I would continue to work at the business and provide for the family's physical needs. With one young, somewhat headstrong little girl, we had no plans to have additional children for another year or two. But, of course, you know what happened…."

"Elizabeth," Lucas smiled.

"Indeed. We had our plans. God had other plans. Grace was sick the first six weeks after we moved into that old house, and Viola had to be cared for. I had to delegate more and more of my responsibilities at the company to the degree that the last month of Grace's confinement, I rarely went into the office. I was like you – a bit overwhelmed at all we were facing. But you know how we got through it?"

"How?"

"By not trying to do it all alone."

"Lucas, you and Elizabeth are not alone in all of this, and there's no cause to think that you're going to have to bear all of these responsibilities by yourself. You're surrounded by friends who care for you and are willing to pitch in and help wherever they're needed. You have family who will do so as well. We may be spread over two continents, but there are still things we can do.

For example, if Elizabeth is expecting, as the time draws nearer, I can make some temporary arrangements to ease your workload until everything gets settled. You could even take some time off. And, I'm sure once Elizabeth is delivered, Grace would be more than happy to come to Hope Valley and help with Elizabeth's needs as she regains her strength. In fact, she'll probably insist."

"But that's just the first few weeks or month or two, William. How am I going to juggle all of this and not fail Elizabeth and our family? That's the last thing I want to do."

William smiled. "I don't often speak about religious things because I feel most unqualified to do so, but I do know some things, and one thing I know, Lucas, is that when God made you, and He made Elizabeth, He planned out your lives to the finest detail. He knew you'd find your helpmeet in her, and she'd find a strong and loving husband in you – a father to her children. Any challenges the two of you face, God knows about, and He's provided for already, so you're not alone in any of it. He's given you friends, family, and each other, and together, the three of you will work things out, so don't worry."

Lucas sat silently for a moment and pondered his words. "The three-fold cord," he said, finally, recalling Joseph's wedding sermon from a few weeks prior.

"Shall not be broken," William completed. "You heard the sermon. Now you're living its application. It's going to be okay, Lucas. Just take it as it comes, and you'll see. It'll be just fine."

...

Lucas hoped it would be just fine, and William's words did much to comfort and steady him, but ever since that morning, Elizabeth hadn't been well. She had been sequestered in their bedroom and had barely been able to eat at all, which was the reason for their visit this morning. Oh, how he hated to see her sick and to not be able to do anything about it.

A rush of guilt came over him as he considered his possible role in her becoming ill. He was an adult, and he knew the possible outcome of their marital activities – but he never expected it might make her so miserable in the beginning. If he could only take her place….

"Mr. Bouchard…"

The doctor's office door opened, startling Lucas out of his thoughts, and a nurse appeared.

"Yes?" he said, turning toward her with anxious eyes.

"The doctor is finished with your wife's exam and would like to see you. Please, follow me."

Nathan and Bill sat at a desk in the Mountie's office, going over notes from a meeting with Timmy Lawson. At first, the teen was reluctant to say anything about what was happening at the factory, but when they explained their concerns about safety and other children ending up with injuries, he began to open up. Much of what he said was not surprising. They already knew that Judson was overworking the kids and that their hours were likely longer than labor laws would allow. But slapping an injunction upon the businessman over that singular problem wouldn't help solve their chief concern. Were the conditions in the factory safe to operate under? They couldn't get a warrant under what Timmy had told them. But they needed to see. They needed someone who could look around and tell them what was actually happening, but who?

"What about Allie?" Bill suggested. "He's hiring kids."

"Absolutely not," Nathan responded. "She's had a rough enough time recovering from what happened before. I'm not going to subject her to something like that. Besides, everyone knows she's my daughter. Judson would know."

"Robert?"

"He and Allie are dating."

"They are?"

"Yeah."

"When did this happen?"

Nathan raised his hands in an exaggerated manner. "Who knows. They're on again and off again. It's hard for me to keep up."

"How do you feel about this?"

Nathan smirked. "I don't like it. But, what am I going to do? Robert's a good kid, and they've had this connection for a while now. I guess we'll have to see how it pans out."

"I guess you will."

"I did make her promise me to take things very slowly. Right now, I think they are just having lunch together, and he took her to a movie the other night. Nothing too serious. Plus, she's busy helping Emily for December."

"Yeah, that'll be here sooner than we think. You excited?"

Nathan smiled. "I am. Bill, I never knew love could feel this way. Emily and I, we just click. I don't know how to explain it."

"You don't have to. I see it." Bill said.

Nathan looked at the Judge and nodded appreciatively. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For standing by me after Elizabeth. I know you two are close, and it meant a lot to me that you remained my friend as well after all that happened."

Bill shook his head. "I just wanted what was best for you both. I had watched Lucas and Elizabeth for quite a while – really since before Clara and Jesse's wedding. I knew there was something there. But I also knew she had some uncertainty over you. I wasn't sure how to label that, and, in all honesty, it was not my business. All I saw were two good men caring for my very good friend, and I was there to support her either way. As it stands, Elizabeth is very happy and to see Bouchard with little Jack – I know she made the right decision. I'm just happy that Emily came along, and we can see it was the right decision for you too."

Nathan shook his head. "Life is funny. One day you find yourself feeling alone and heartbroken, wondering how you will continue to stay where you're at while the one you hoped to have is now clearly out of reach. Then, destiny steps in, and you're at that person's wedding feeling happy that she's marrying the guy you'd wished would just go away a year before – but now you're happy for them both and see it as right, and you're even happier for yourself because had you gotten what you wanted, you'd have missed the best part – what you have now. Things really do have a way of working out the way you least expect them to."

"They do indeed," Bill said. "And, I'm happy they do. Given any thoughts as to who you want to cater your wedding?"

"I figured, Lucas," Nathan responded.

Bill lowered his eyes in disappointment but understood. For big events, Gustave's fare could not be beaten. "That'll be good."

"Besides, I don't think the café could handle it with you being busy." Grant said.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you're going to be my best man, aren't you?" Nathan said with a grin.

A smile appeared on Bill's face, and he appeared to be genuinely touched. "If you want me to. It would be my honor."

"Consider it done," Grant replied, reaching forward and shaking Bill's hand.

The nurse led Lucas down the hallway of what otherwise might be considered an upscale office building. Rich woodwork and marble flooring were outward indicators that the prestigious doctor they were visiting was very successful and respected in the field. For Viola and Lionel, Lucas would expect nothing less. But all of this passed the usually observant Bouchard's notice as there was only one thing on his mind – what news he would hear when he entered the room.

Lucas could hear his heart beating through his chest as the nurse opened the door and motioned for him to come inside, and for a second, things actually seemed to slow down. But, when he walked through the door, not a word had to be spoken before he knew. He looked at Elizabeth, and the expression on her face told him everything he needed to know. His eyes became clouded with tears, and he swallowed. With a childlike expression, he raised his eyebrows and nodded once toward her, his face expressing the unspoken question that they both understood. Elizabeth bit her lower lip as tears filled her own eyes, and she shook her head yes. And that was all it took.

Rushing over to her side, Lucas embraced his wife and held her, kissing her head, her cheeks, her mouth as the tears flowed. "You've made me so happy," he whispered. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "More than okay. We're having a baby! We really are!"

Lucas hugged her closely and continued to hold her as the doctor explained his findings and provided medication to help with her nausea. Afterward, they followed Viola outside, never once losing contact until they had to get into the car.

Viola congratulated them and began to go on and on about how they should have listened to her earlier and how she just knew, but the two had only eyes for each other.

"You work fast, Mr. Bouchard," Elizabeth said softly, a twinkle in her eye.

Lucas laughed, recalling the conversation he had with her over her writing in which he had made the same statement. He looked down at her and grinned. "It's all in the torque," he replied.

Elizabeth giggled. "I see. Somehow, I don't believe you're using that word correctly," she said, her hand resting on his thigh.

He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. "I know. But it sounded good at the time. Perhaps I should have said not bad for a rookie?"

Elizabeth leaned up and kissed him. "Not bad at all."

The family was all waiting for them when they arrived back at Wingrave, though the Bouchards put off any formal announcement until they could speak with their son. Taking him back to the library, they shut the door and explained in words that a little boy could understand how Elizabeth was going to have a baby and he was going to be a big brother in the spring.

Jack considered what they were saying and pondered it thoughtfully. "Will you still be my mommy and papa?"

A bemused Elizabeth glanced at her husband and smiled. "Of course, why wouldn't we be?"

Jack shrugged. "I wasn't sure," he said. "In our new house, there's only two bedrooms, one for me and one for you. Where it going to stay?"

Lucas smiled and ran his hand over Jack's head. "There are only two furnished bedrooms, but our house has room for at least five or six extra people."

Elizabeth's eyes went wide. "Five or six?" she said, probing his face for answers.

"If they share bedrooms," Lucas replied, keeping a straight face. Elizabeth's eyes remained wide until Lucas chuckled. "I assumed from time to time our parents would visit. That takes up one of the guest rooms, which means there are two rooms left for our children. And they are large enough rooms that if we are blessed with any additional children along the way, they can share."

Elizabeth relaxed somewhat and then leaned against him. "Well, let's just get through this one before we talk about anymore."

Lucas laughed, "As you wish, madam librarian." He kissed her head. "I love you."

"And I, you," she replied, leaning up to kiss him.

Jack let out a little cough, by now becoming used to his parent's affection.

"And we love our Jack too!" Lucas said, again ruffling the little boy's hair. "And, I want you to know right now that you're always going to be loved, and you're always going to be important to your mother and me. Having another child will not change how we feel about you in the least. Okay?"

Jack shook his head. "Okay, Papa," he replied, climbing up into Lucas's lap and giving him a hug. He then leaned over and kissed Elizabeth. "I like being a big brother. Jonapham and I can have someone to play with and Annabelle too."

"Yes, you will have someone to play with, and you'll not be alone," Lucas said wistfully. He kissed the top of Jack's head and sniffed back emotion.

Understanding precisely what was running through Lucas's mind at that moment, Elizabeth got up and snuggled beside him. "None of us will be," she replied, resting her head on his shoulder. Lucas turned his head toward her and gave her a kiss.

"No, we won't be. Thank you."

"Well, you had as much to do with it as I did," she quipped.

He shook his head. "Not just for that. For everything. I never knew I could be this happy, and it's all due to you. God knew just what I needed, and I'm overwhelmed at the gift I've been given. So, thank you for being the strong and beautiful woman, inside and out, that you are and for giving me the family that I had hoped for but had almost despaired of ever having. I just pray I can be all that you need for me to be."

"You already are, Lucas – all that, and more. We are all so very blessed."