Author's Notes: During the long wait after the Season 8 finale I began churning Lucas' thoughts in my head. I/he felt the urge to write Elizabeth and she wrote him back. This evolved into a collection of letters that form their "Conversations of the Heart: Journal". After approximately 40 letters they were preparing for their wedding and this story began...
Principle characters are owned by the creators of WCTH. I have created additional characters for my story
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Conversations of the Heart
A Journey of Love
Chapter 1. ~ Lucas Wakes to His Dream ~
Lucas woke with a start and sat up in bed. The sun was just rising and it cast a soft glow in his room. It was early for him, but he suddenly smiled and thought "today is the day". It was Friday, February 14 and today was the day he had dreamed about for nearly three years. Today he would marry his soulmate, his sweet Elizabeth and he couldn't be more excited.
Normally, he would have just gone back to sleep, but he was too excited for that; the wedding was just over six hours away. They had decided to have the event early in the day so that they could arrive in Union City at a reasonable hour this evening. So, he slipped out of bed, put on his slippers, and made the trip down to the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea. He then made his way up to the balcony, first stopping to put on a heavy sweater over his robe. The sun was still coming up, the sky a watercolor of oranges and pinks. It had snowed a couple of days ago and it now sparkled in the morning light. It was going to be a perfect sunny day in Hope Valley and the perfect start for their new beginning as a family.
He savored his tea and thought of the day ahead as he enjoyed the morning peace. Everything was set thanks to Rosemary and all her planning and insistence on staying on schedule. Bless her, she could be a bit overwhelming but he had come to love her and appreciate her flamboyance. Her dedication to Elizabeth alone would make him love her, but he appreciated her spark and wit. He remembered the day that she came to the Queen of Hearts when it was opening and offered "her services". He chuckled now as he looked back at the day when he had thought to himself, "What kind of establishment does she think I am opening?" But he had quickly realized that she was an entertainer and when he declined "her services" they got off to a rocky start. But as time progressed, they came to appreciate one another and she truly had become the sister he wish he had. Especially during the wedding planning, she had taken him under her wing and given him guidance concerning planning the wedding trip to UC. She was treating him like her little brother and he loved her for it. He had also gotten quite close to Lee over the past few months. They had always respected each other as businessmen and as his relationship with Elizabeth had grown, he had earned Lee's respect as a man and as a prospective husband for Elizabeth. He and Rosie, being Jack's guardians were very mindful of his relationship with Jack who was his little buddy now, something that made him so happy and proud. Today he and Elizabeth had a very special surprise for him as he would be included in the ceremony.
The sun had now risen and it was time to get out Rosie's plan and make sure he was going to be on schedule. His suit was down in his office where Lee had put it along with his own. Rosie had them try them on after she had finished the final adjustments. Despite the early hour of the wedding, he would be wearing tails. As Rosemary so aptly put it, "You are only going to get married once, Mr. Bouchard; let's make it grand." Elizabeth and he had discussed the wedding attendants and decided to have Lee and Rosemary be their sole witnesses. While the reception would be a grand event, the wedding was going to be in the library and very intimate, just family and a few close friends. Everyone understood that this was their special place, so they would have to keep the wedding small. And although it would be small, Rosie would not let it be less than spectacular. Lee and Rosie would stand with them and Lee would attend to Jack while Rosie tended to Elizabeth. After the vows and ring exchange, Lee, Rosie, and Jack would join them upfront for a special surprise.
He headed back to the kitchen to drop off his cup but decided to stop for a moment in his office. He checked to make sure everything was ready; he had placed a pair of new shoes on the floor next to the suit which was hanging and then checked the table to see that his handkerchief and top hat were there along with his wedding gift from Elizabeth. He then sat at his desk and opened the bottom draw which contained their letters. He had recently had the first set bound into a beautiful leather journal. He ran his fingers across the writing "Conversations of the Heart" and then their names Lucas Bouchard and Elizabeth Thornton. The next journal would read Lucas Bouchard and Elizabeth Bouchard, a new chapter in their journey together. Since she was published as Elizabeth Thornton, for her novels he had suggested that she keep her current name as well and, in the future, publish as Elizabeth Thornton Bouchard. He had assured her that he would not be offended whatsoever because this was a name she shared with her son and part of who she was. He placed the journal back in its place, gave it one last touch, and then closed the drawer.
Lucas continued to the kitchen with his empty cup in hand in search of Gustave who was going to be one very busy man. He had agreed to have a chef from Benson Hills come to help with the luncheon feast; fortunately, they knew one another and got along famously which was contrary to Gustave's normal somewhat crusty persona. They had known one another in Montreal and came from the same region in France; so, they had a common bond. He and Elizabeth were Gustave's pets and the exception to the crusty curmudgeon rule. Rosie was also gaining favor since she was devoted to Elizabeth. They had disagreements in the past but formed a new bond during the wedding planning. They had both figured out how to flatter one another into happy comradery. Rosie spared no chance to feed Gustave's ego with compliments on his culinary prowess and Gustave made sure to tell Rosie how lovely her outfit was or how talented she was as a planner, or a decorator, seamstress, and now journalist. They were quite the flamboyant pair and thank goodness for them today!
"Bonjour Gustave," Lucas exclaimed as he entered the kitchen to see Gustave putting the final touches on the wedding cake. It was an enormous four-tier confection; flowers would be added at the last moment to give it that final special touch. Mike had constructed a temporary refrigerator box to keep the cake cool during its assembly and decoration; he had really been a life-saver during these past few weeks. He and Fiona were in charge of a number of duties in preparation for the big event.
"Bonjour Lucas, ça va?" Gustave asked. "Today is the big day, I know that you have looked forward to this for a very long time. I remember when we discussed the menu for your first date with Miss Elizabeth. You told me how important it was to you. Today is the most important menu that I create for you; Non? I wish you the very best with your marriage".
"Merci, Gustave. I think of you as my friend as well as my cousin and chef. You have been wonderful to me, to Elizabeth, and to the town in general. Thank you so much for everything." He embraced him, kissing both cheeks. Gustave was deeply touched by Lucas' words and gesture, then quickly regained his composure, and began taking Lucas through all the preparations for the lunch; going through Rosemary's checklist to ensure everything would be perfect. Along with Gustave's friend Chef Michel, three servers from Benson Hills had arrived to assist for the day.
Lucas, returned to his room to bathe and change into comfortable clothes. He planned to go to the library to see if Mike and Fiona needed any assistance with finishing setting up the seating as he knew that Fiona had to be at the barbershop at 10:00 to attend to Elizabeth's hair. He needed to be back to his office by 11:00 as Lee would be arriving with Jack to dress for the wedding.