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Conversations of the Heart
A Journey of Love
Chapter 14 ~ Settling in…. Lucas ~
The first week back in Hope Valley seemed to fly by. Elizabeth had returned to school two days after their brief honeymoon in Union City. They both missed the luxury of spending their entire day together, but they were happy to adapt to their new lives. But, they were also newlyweds and so in love…. They rushed home to each other every night and all but tore themselves away from each other every morning.
Jack was extremely clingy when it came to Lucas the first couple of days; Lucas had expected this and planned for it. He decided to stay home until midday that week so that Jack would see that he woke up in the row house each morning. Each day he would help Elizabeth get breakfast ready and he and Jack would see her off after they ate. Then Lucas would help Jack get ready for the day. Elizabeth had made a habit of putting out clothes for Jack each morning so that Lucas didn't need to make a selection on his own yet. She didn't think their son was quite ready for Lucas' idea of weekday attire. For now, Lucas had only brought casual clothes and just a few suits to the row house. He planned to bathe and dress for work at the Queen each work morning as the bathing facilities were more modern there and he had ample accommodations for his hefty wardrobe. They would work things out until they had a larger place. Lucas was also going to find out what permissions might be necessary to renovate the row house with more modern bathing facilities. He had spoken with Lee about having their row house done too.
They had arranged with Laura to come at mid-day so he could go into work for a few hours. He asked that she stay a bit later so that he and Elizabeth could run errands or spend a bit of time together before she had to return home. He did his best to be home for dinner, but to do so he sometimes had to return to the Queen afterwards. He was set to interview a new manager that was recommended to him by Gustave and Chef Michel. This would allow him more flexibility with his schedule. He wanted to keep a presence at the Queen to keep in contact with his clientele, but not have to spend long hours there.
Each day of that first week he had a Buddy Activity planned. He also spent time chatting with Jack about their family. He wanted to get into a routine soon that Jack could count on. He explained that he would have to work in the morning next week so that Laura would come earlier, but he would always be there in the morning for breakfast if he could. On Wednesday they were playing kickball in the yard when Rosie came out to chat. "Lucas, I know that you love that little boy and are making sure he gets confident that you are not going to disappear, but you must also remember that you are a newlywed, and you should be acting like one. Let Lee and me take him for the night on Friday and have a 'one week anniversary' date with Elizabeth. She deserves this too; to dress up and be pampered all night. Speak to her and let us know. We could deliver him back by breakfast on Saturday so that he isn't worried."
He knew she was right; he was thinking that they would wait until they were more settled, but he remembered his father's words "time goes so fast and you always think you have time, but then you find yourself looking back with regret." He knew that as much as they were loving being a family of three, he and Elizabeth needed time alone together; the chance to be newlyweds would not wait for later. He spoke with Elizabeth that afternoon and cleared his discussion with Jack with her first. So, he did his best to explain "dates". He didn't want the little boy to think that they would be taking off for several days in a row, at least not often, but that sometimes he would take his mama out to dance and kiss and mushy stuff that married couples did. It made Jack so happy that Lucas loved him and his mama, but he was getting to the age where a man and woman kissing was "mushy and yucky". They had been sure to keep their displays family friendly, but especially since their wedding Jack had observed that there were kisses and then there was kissing. Lucas was a little surprised to find that Jack seemed okay with the idea and went ahead and told him that he would be taking his mama out on a date on Friday, and he would stay one night with Auntie Rosie and Uncle Lee. The little boy wanted his new papa to be proud of him as he worshipped the man, so he eagerly followed Lucas' lead.
Jack had been such a delight all week. They had read books, built houses, forts, and castles with Lincoln Logs and raced cars around the living room. They also went outside each day for some physical activity. It was still February and threatening snow, but they bundled up and went outside anyway. They warmed themselves up by playing kickball or learning how to throw a baseball, and activity that required lots of chasing after the ball. They took walks and explored with Lucas' binoculars in hand. They often found eagles to watch soar above them or an occasional deer in the woods. Lucas treasured each moment with this little boy who was so bright, inquisitive, and wanted to learn all manner of new things. And best of all he loved to give his new papa a hug now and then almost like he couldn't believe he was real. Lucas was totally in love with this little one. He and Elizabeth both hoped to expand their family after they returned from their honeymoon trip to Europe in the summer. Lucas could already see that Jack was going to be a wonderful big brother if they were blessed with more children.
On Friday, Lucas took Jack and Laura to the café for lunch. They both enjoyed the meal and then he took them to the library to check out some books before bringing them home so Laura could put Jack down for a nap. He then headed back to the Queen to help with the early dinner service. They had posted that they would be closing the Queen that evening early for a special family event. Lucas had caught Gustave up in the plan so the staff could help clean up the dining room and prepare a cozy table for them. Emma, the new part-time event planner offered to come in and work with Gustave to prepare. The plan was for Elizabeth and Luas to stay at the Queen for the night. They didn't have any overnight guests for a couple of weeks while they were doing some upgrades to the upstairs so they would have privacy. Even Gustave, their biggest fan, had found alternate accommodations for the night.
Lucas was excited at the prospect of picking up his date at 8:00 that evening. He would pick her up at the Coulter's so that Elizabeth could settle Jack in with their friends before they left. Elizabeth had suggested that Jack be the one to open the door upon his arrival so it would help reinforce the whole "date" notion.