Fall River Day Spa, two days before the wedding, Christmas Eve
"Did you hear about the snowstorm?" Callie the nail tech asked as she finished Elizabeth's pedicure.
"No. What storm?" Elizabeth got nervous. How bad could it be?
"It starts tomorrow. Supposed to be a big one."
"How big?"
"Mommy! Look! I love them!" Aria said, wiggling her fingers and toes.
"Perfect, bugs! I love them too."
"12 to 16 inches," Callie told her.
"No," she whispered.
"The wind is going to make it worse though."
"Callie, why don't you stop spreading that sunshine?" Rita, Callie's coworker said as she finished Helen's nails in the chair next to hers. "Some people have big, important things happening in the next few days."
"Oh….oh! Elizabeth, I'm sorry. I was just making conversation."
"Its fine, Callie. I mean…it's not but…it's not your fault."
"Didn't you say you wanted to get snowed in?" Faith asked from the other chair.
"Yes, but not the day before the wedding. On our trip, yes, absolutely."
Grace, Julie and Vi joined the conversation from where they had been getting massages.
"We heard there is a big storm coming, Beth," Vi mentioned.
"Me too. Let's just hope the electricity stays on and Luke and I can still fly out to Maine."
They drove home to Elizabeth's after dinner and Elizabeth needed to see Lucas. She needed his calm demeanor to tell her things would be fine.
He wasn't at her house though. He was over at Faith and Carson's house.
She texted. "U there?"
He didn't answer right away. In fact, it took an hour. By then, she had packed and repacked her bags for the trip, cleaned the bathroom, did the dishes and gotten Aria settled in the guest room she was sharing with Helen for the night.
"Beth, dear, why don't you go to him?" Helen asked, making a cup of tea.
"He will be here soon."
Her phone rang. "Luke?"
"Hi, babe."
"Did you hear?"
"About what?"
"The blizzard, Luke. 16 inches. Tomorrow. Of all days!"
"Cool."
"No, not cool. Lucas, we are going to get stuck here instead of going on our honeymoon."
"Maybe but you did say you wanted to get snowed in. You said it was romantic."
"If it happened in Maine while we are alone in a cabin. Yes."
"Honey, if we get snowed in here, it will still be romantic."
She sighed and sat down on her couch. "I want to be alone in Maine with you. I want to cuddle on the couch in our cabin under a blanket by the fireplace and talk about our future."
"That sounds wonderful, Beth."
"Are you coming soon?"
"Um, no. I had a few beers so I think I need to stay awhile."
"Lucas, just a reminder. Tomorrow is Christmas."
"I know, sweetheart."
"Its our first Christmas together as a family. We are making pancakes, you, me and Aria."
Why wasn't anything happening like it was supposed to?
"Beth, I promise, I will be there by morning. Nothing will keep me from spending Christmas with you."
"I'm sorry. I'm not sure why I'm acting this way. I love you, Lucas. Please drive safely and if you can't, call me and I'll come pick you up."
"I love you too. See you soon."
The next morning, Elizabeth woke up to the heavenly smell of coffee. She turned over and almost screamed.
"Lucas!" she whispered loudly. "You scared me!" He was sitting right next to her on the bed, a grin on his face.
"Guess what."
"What?" she asked, taking the mug of coffee from him.
"In exactly 30 hours, we are going to be standing at the altar at the event center, saying our vows."
"If we can get there," she muttered.
"If not, we will get married here. Babe, I don't care where we say our vows or where we spend our wedding night. Obviously, it would be nice to fly off to Maine, but if not, I promise we will enjoy ourselves."
"I know."
"Because you seem…. overwhelmed and the opposite of happy right now."
She sipped her coffee. "I feel overwhelmed. I was fine until I heard about the storm and then I started thinking about everything that could go wrong."
"My love," he said, lifting her free hand to his lips. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes, of course but you can't control the weather."
"Neither can you," he pointed out. "Lets enjoy our Christmas and our wedding and all the things that come with it. Our life is going to have ups and downs and we are going to get through them together. As a team. You and me."
She nodded and reached up, cupping his cheek with her hand. "Did I ever tell you how sexy your beard is?"
He pretended to think while he took her mug and set it down. Then he lifted the blankets and slipped underneath, wrapping his arms around her.
He nuzzled her nose with his and enjoyed the quiet moment, just being close.
"I seem to recall something to that effect."
"I love you, Lucas. With all that I am."
"I love you too."
"Mommy!" Aria yelled bursting in the room. "Hi, Daddy! It's Christmas!"
She climbed up on the bed and sat on her knees.
"It is! Are you hungry?" Lucas asked.
"Yes! Let's go make pancakes."
"You head out there and get out a bowl and a spoon and we will be right there."
"Okay! Hurry!"
Lucas gave Elizabeth a kiss. "Merry Christmas, my love."
"Merry Christmas."
"That door has a lock, right?" Lucas asked.
"Yep. It's Aria proof."
…..
The morning couldn't have gone any better. Pancakes were delicious, everyone loved their gifts and it even started snowing.
"Let's go build snow people!" Aria suggested.
"Not enough on the ground yet, bugs."
"Oh. Can I go outside anyway? I want to catch snowflakes on my tongue."
"Sure, honey. Just dress warmly. That means mittens, boots, and a scarf too."
Aria hugged her waist and looked up at her. "Okay. I'm glad you're gonna be my new Mommy tomorrow."
"Me too." Elizabeth kissed her nose and watched her run off. Her heart was so full right now.
Lucas stepped up behind her and kissed her temple and cheek and then slowly moved her hair to her other shoulder so his lips would have better access.
"Be good, sweetheart. Your mother is in the other room."
"So?" he whispered as his warm lips grazed her neck, not to mention his sexy beard.
"Oh my gosh," she squirmed and giggled, turning around.
"Ticklish, huh? I'll remember that."
She took him over to the couch and sat down, pulling him with her. At least they could somewhat hide from Helen Bouchard there.
"Not ticklish exactly," she told him, as she moved closer. "Just sensitive."
"Boo!" Aria yelled, popping up over the back of the couch. "Mommy? Will you play outside with me, please?"
"Its really cold, honey."
"Yeah but I don't have anybody else to play with. I need a little sister."
Elizabeth blushed and bit her lip.
"When's that gonna happen?" Aria asked, a sparkle in her eye.
"Scoot, you silly girl," Elizabeth told her. "I need to get dressed and I'll be out."
As soon as she ran out, Elizabeth gave Lucas a deep, mind-blowing kiss and then walked off, giggling.
"Well then," Helen said, raising her eyebrows.
Lucas just grinned. "I'm glad you're here, Mom."
"Where else would I be, son?"
"I just mean…I wish Dad was here but I'm really glad you are."
Helen sat down next to him and patted his knee. "I wish he was here too." Helen's eyes filled with tears. "I miss him every single day."
"You know what Dad would be doing right now if he were here?"
"What?"
"Playing out in the snow with Elizabeth and Aria."
He stood and held out his hand to her.
"Darling, it's 30 degrees out there."
"Yep. Come on, Mom. It will be fun."
She looked at him for a moment and then she took his hand. "You're right. Let's go."
He laughed and kissed her cheek. "This will be great."
"Nana! And Daddy! Yay!" Aria said as she twirled in the snow flakes.
Elizabeth tried not to look shocked that Helen was joining them but she failed.
"Elizabeth, dear, I know how to have fun."
"Of course you do."
Helen smiled and grabbed snow from the ground, rolling it in her gloved hands. Lucas raised his eyebrows and smirked at Elizabeth.
"Mom…." Lucas said slowly.
"Throw it Nana!"
Helen seemed pleased with the size of her weapon so she looked up and threw it hard, hitting Lucas in the chest. Elizabeth giggled, drawing attention to herself.
"Uh oh…."
Helen picked up another bit of snow and threw it at Elizabeth, missing just as Lucas hit his Mom in the leg with one of his.
For the next half hour they all ran in the snow, pelting each other with snowballs, spending much needed family time together. Until they were too cold to continue.
"Let's go inside," Elizabeth said. "I'll make hot cocoa and we can watch a movie."
"And popcorn?" Aria asked.
"Of course."
….
Lucas walked up behind Elizabeth as she stirred something on the stove.
"Whatcha makin?"
"Hot cocoa."
"Oooo fancy. I just buy Swiss miss."
"I like the real stuff. I added a little cream and cinnamon. Mmm, so good."
He looked up and smiled. "What?" she asked.
"Well you are standing by the stove."
"That's where I make the hot cocoa."
He turned her around and pointed up. Mistletoe.
"When did you hang that? It wasn't here earlier."
"Does it matter?" he asked, putting his hands on her hips and stepping closer.
"Sneaky man."
He pressed his mouth to hers in a slow, lazy kiss that didn't need to end anytime soon in her opinion. His fingers slipped just under the edge of her sweatshirt as she intertwined her fingers behind his neck.
"Mommy!"
Elizabeth pulled back and bit her lip. "Yes, bugs."
"Auntie Vi and Auntie Julie are here! And Nana Grace!"
"Thank you, sweetie."
"You're welcome."
Elizabeth kissed Lucas one more time and left the room. "Ladies! Why are you here so early?"
"The storm…it's getting worse fast so we decided it was better to just be here and not travel in the morning."
Elizabeth stepped to the window and gasped. Snow was swirling and blowing everywhere.
"I can't even see the street."
Lucas put his hand on her back. "Its going to be fine, Elizabeth. Let's make those snacks and watch a movie."
He was right. The storm was happening. Worrying wasn't going to change anything. One way or another, she was going to be Elizabeth Bouchard the next day and a mother of an amazing almost eight year old. It was going to be a perfect day.
"Yeah. Good idea."
They snuggled up under a few blankets and watched White Christmas, Elizabeth and her sister's favorite. Then, they watched Elf which Lucas and Aria watched every Christmas. Elizabeth loved hearing her giggle so much.
Aria yawned a few times so Elizabeth suggested she take a bath and get ready for bed.
"Okay."
She looked pensive for a moment. "Bugs? What is it?"
"Would you be mad if I asked Daddy to read to me tonight?" she whispered.
"Of course I wouldn't be, sweetheart. I think that's a great idea."
When Aria came out all warm and cozy from her bath, she climbed up on Elizabeth's lap and hugged her. "Night, Mommy. I love you."
"I love you too. Make sure you give everyone hugs, alright?"
After hugs, Aria pulled on Lucas' hand. "Daddy, will you please read to me?"
"But you usually have Elizabeth read to you."
"Yeah but tonight I want you to do it. Please?"
"Sure, Aria May. I'd love to."
After all, it was the last official night where their little family was just him and Aria. It was kind of bittersweet with more sweet than bitter, of course.