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Conversations of the Heart
A Journey of Love

Chapter 10. ~ A Date ~

They had napped and cuddled for a few hours and then got up to get dressed for their dinner and dance date. Rosie had made a beautiful blue velvet dress for Elizabeth that would make her look regal and highlight her beautiful blue eyes. She would wear the necklace and earrings that Lucas had gifted her for their wedding and sweep her hair back from her face with lovely combs encrusted with pearls and crystals that Lucas' parents had given her when they returned from their trip to San Francisco. Helen had presented them to her as a bridal shower gift.

Lucas had another first this morning, a chance to brush her hair until it was smooth and lustrous. He had loved brushing it, just as he loved to run his fingers through it. It was a sweet and sensual experience this evening to watch themselves in the mirror while he brushed. He kissed her neck from time to time. He could feel her relax and give in to the pleasure of the strokes to her hair and to his kisses. He whispered to her, "Elizabeth, if we really are going out on a date, then perhaps I need to stop here. I am finding this much too pleasurable and I can see that look in your eyes now."

"Mmmm, you are so right, I feel like a cat lying in the sunlight while being petted. It feels much too good. We had better set off for our dinner or we are never going to get to that dance of ours. What would we tell the concierge or Rosie for that matter after all their efforts?"

"Plans are made to be broken?" He chuckled, "Okay, but remember where we left off, I plan to resume before we retire for the night."

"You can count on it," Elizabeth replied, smiling up at his reflection in the mirror. She took the earrings from the box and put them on while handing Lucas the necklace. He fastened it for her and then she removed the combs from their box and swept back her hair using the combs to hold it.

"You look beautiful my darling wife," Lucas said to her in that deep seductive tone of his. "Shall we?" he held his arm out for her as she rose from the stool and grabbed her matching bead purse and long black gloves from the dressing table.

"And you look so handsome, my husband," Elizabeth replied. And with that, they reentered their suite where Lucas retrieved their coats, scarves, and hats to take with them.

Lucas handed over the coats to an attendant as they entered the restaurant. Heads turned as the handsome couple entered and were seated. They knew that they looked very dressed up but it was after all their honeymoon. The staff was alerted to this and a bottle of complimentary champagne was brought to their table by the maître de. Glasses of champagne were carried in by other servers who passed them out to the other guests who had been alerted to the arrival of the newlyweds. Their glasses were poured and the guests rose to toast the couple. Lucas and Elizabeth were both touched by the thoughtfulness of the staff at their favorite hotel. Lucas stood to shake the hand of the maître de and offer thanks to the guests in the room.

Lucas had preplanned the menu with the concierge so their favorites arrived in several courses. He had even requested "Zee mushrooms" to remind them of their first dinner in this very spot. "You enchant me, just as you did that first time here when I saw you enter the lobby in that spectacular dress that Rosie loaned you. It was my dream then to come back here someday as your husband and so this is a dream come true."

"I was hoping that you were referring to me when you said you would wait patiently. I knew that if I could ever open my heart again to love, you would be the man I wanted to fill it. I am blessed to be here with you now as your wife. You have opened your arms to include Jack, and someday, I hope for other children to join him."

"I too hope we are blessed with other children. But if that doesn't happen it will be fine; you are all that matters; you are all that is important, you and Jack. I am so glad we proceeded with the adoption process. Bill was so helpful and I cannot possibly thank him enough for getting expedited approval."

"I know that he wanted this so much for me. And being Jack's godfather gave him that extra motivation. We will have to invite him for a special dinner to thank him for what he has done for us. He has known me long enough to remember when I was a disaster in the kitchen. Cooking skills were not taught to young ladies in the life I grew up in. But I have worked hard to become a tolerable cook. He especially enjoys my stew and apple pie so that is what we shall have."

"You have become a more than tolerable cook my sweet. Even Gustave was impressed with your stew. I think he is a little bit in love with you, not romantically but as a sister or daughter. I think he would be happy to give you some lessons preparing some of his French recipes. It would flatter him if you asked, and you could practice your French as well. I am not suggesting this as a statement about your cooking, but because you might find it fun. And I would get to see you in the kitchen at our establishment while you had your lessons. He is trying to teach me to prepare some basics, but I have been a terrible student. Perhaps, if I joined you two on occasion, I would get the extra motivation I need. You know that I don't like to lose, which would be what it would feel like if I am defeated by this skill. And if I did get proficient at a few of Jack's favorites, then I could take turns with you at preparing dinner. I know that I don't have a lot of free time now, but I am convinced that I should hire a manager right away upon our return to Hope Valley. Chef Michel knows of someone that is looking for a position; someone he and Gustave both knew in Montreal. It could be the perfect solution."

"Oh Lucas, you do think of everything. I would be happy to spend time with you and Gustave, I think we would have a lot of fun together. I am sure Gustave and I can give you motivation as you try your best to catch up with me. And I would be happy to show you some simple meals that Jack likes the most. Children don't have the same palette as adults and simpler is generally better. Let's talk to Gustave soon after we get back, we could get started as soon as you have your new manager in place."

"Our new manager in place. What is mine is now yours Elizabeth. I don't expect that you will want to participate in the petroleum business, but the Queen is a place close to your heart and to the community's heart. I want you to share that with me. Besides, you and Rosie need to be part of interviewing the new manager; I would also like to include our new part-time event planner. After hearing from my parents, I am sure she is right for the job and she has said she would like to take the position if offered. You have already expressed your opinion so I am set to extend her the offer. I hope that over the next few months we will be able to rely on them to handle things so that we can go on a real honeymoon trip. I want to take you and Jack to some of my favorite places, and some of yours. I thought that perhaps we could leave just after school ends and take a couple of months this summer. We would be back before school started If you are still feeling inclined to teach. That will be your decision to make. I know that you are torn between continuing and pursuing your writing full-time. I will support whatever choice you make."

"I love the idea of Europe. Jack is old enough to go with us and we should do it soon, before we add to our family. The latter is a discussion we should have soon, but not here at dinner. I am torn about returning to teaching after this summer. You know it has been my passion, but perhaps it is time to pursue my other passion now. And if I were to become a mother again, a writing career would give me the flexibility I need to be a good wife and mother as well as a fulfilled career woman. Thank you for letting me ponder this and choose. I know that you will help make whatever I choose work for us."

"I am your husband, your teammate, and soulmate, I am with you in whatever you choose. I trust your judgment and will be there for you no matter what. You can always choose to change your mind later on. It is up to you. I want us to have a happy and fulfilled life and that can only happen if we share our goals and dreams and make the choices and compromises together. That is what being married means to me. Being committed to my families' best interests and happiness. Nothing comes before that."

Soon the dessert arrived and as always, they shared one. This was a sumptuous crème Brule. She tried to keep from moaning as she savored the first bite. Last night it had triggered seduction, but they were in a public place so she did her best to restrain herself. He smiled as he watched her, giving that knowing look that said he could read her mind right now, and to expect lovely things to come later that evening.

They finished and decided to leave and walk off some of their meal. They rose, thanked the staff, and were helped into their coats. He held his arm out for her and they headed out. It was a chilly night but he had the hotel prepare as they had the time of their first dance here. The brassiere was roaring to provide warmth to the pavilion. After taking her coat from her, she donned the evening gloves to keep her hands warm but she knew his would keep her warm if she hadn't. The Victrola was playing dancing music as they entered and he bowed to her and spun her before gathering her in his arms for the first dance. They waltzed with expertise now that they had done so on several occasions; and then they tried a new dance that they had been learning from Fiona, the Fox Trot. After stumbling a bit through that, they then danced to the waltz from their wedding "The Blue Danube". He looked deeply into her eyes like he had done at the reception and smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "I feel like I fall in love with you all over again in moments like this. You just take my breath away. That has always been the way it is for me. I was smitten from the first and fell deeply a long time ago. But still, I find these moments thrilling and my heart is filled to overflowing."

"I am going to have a swollen head before we leave Union City with all your pretty words. You, Mr. Bouchard, dazzle me. Your words of adoration make me feel beautiful for you. I will tuck away this evening with all the other wonderful memories that you have given me and all of those that we will share together in the future. Now I can say it, you are mine, don't ever let me go."

"Never, I am yours evermore as you are mine. Until death do us part, and then for eternity, I will love you, Elizabeth."

He slowed the dance to pull her close and they just swayed to the music. He kissed her deeply and passionately until they were both breathless. "I think it is time we return to our hotel" he panted. He took her hand and led her back to their coats which they put on and prepared to leave. He was about to stop the Victrola when he saw two couples approaching. He asked if they would like to listen and dance, which they eagerly accepted. He let the attendant know to keep the Victrola going and to offer both couples beverages and the snacks that he had ordered. The meal had filled them both so they would not be partaking. Plus, they were now in a hurry to return back to their suite. The couples thanked them and they headed for the hotel holding tightly to each other's hands.

They arrived at the hotel laughing with giddiness as they made their way to their suite. He removed their outerwear and hung it on the rack and then led her to the fire. He sat on the couch and pulled her onto his lap and enfolded her in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. He stroked her arm and kissed the side of her head, never quite letting her forget that he was there as she gazed into the fire. When they were both warmed from the fire, he asked her if she would like to remove the heavy velvet gown that she was wearing. She stood while he helped by unbuttoning the dress. He helped her step out of it and set her on the couch while he untied the laces on her evening boots and slipped them off her feet. He warmed each with his hands as she wiggled them as his touch was causing tickling and more. He took off his tie, suspenders, shoes, and shirt and put on his smoking jacket, and returned to her. She was wearing a silk slip and stockings and was enjoying being free from the dress. Although it had made her feel like a queen, it was definitely meant for dinner and dancing… not relaxing. She removed her earrings and set them on the table. He opened the clasp on her necklace and removed it from her neck and placed it next to the earrings.

He returned to his spot and pulled her back on his lap. They enjoyed the fire for a little while longer before she excused herself momentarily. He took a few moments for himself and then joined her in her boudoir where he returned her jewelry to its place. He sat her down on the bench in front of the dressing table and removed the combs from her hair and then took the brush and began stroking her hair. "I think this is where we left off earlier." He said, smiling again at their reflection in the mirror.

"Yes, and I have already returned to playing the pampered cat. This time, however, she is not going to dinner and dancing." With that, she reached up behind her and lowered his head to her while he promptly obliged her by caressing her neck with his lips. Mmmm," she purred as he lay the brush down and scooped her up in his arms. "I had a hunch you would be carrying me before the day was out Mr. Bouchard."

"And I always had the inkling to oblige you, Mrs. Bouchard." And he headed to their suite and laid her on the bed which had been turned back for the night. He removed his robe and slipped in next to her and enveloped her in his arms enjoying the silky feel of her slip as she cozied in next to him. One of her hands went immediately to his hair as she ran her hands through the waves. It felt so intimate just to lay with her like this. He reached over to turn off the light on the nightstand. But their eyes soon adjusted to the darkness; they could still see each other in the moonlight and the more distant glow of the fireplace. They stared into each other's eyes for a while before he brought his lips to hers and drew her into a passionate kiss.

It was sometime later as they returned from a passionate reunion, both breathless with hearts racing, that they each whispered "I love you" and soon both fell into a peaceful sleep.