How are we feeling today Hearties?
As always, thank you for your wonderful reviews!
A note: These shorts are absolutely in no particular order. I actually have a list I go to each night of various prompts and whichever one speaks to me is the one I go with for that evening, so there's no rhyme or reason here. They're just fluffy little scenes exploring Lucas and Elizabeth. That being said, I have been toying around with the idea of a longer, more plot-driven story with these two, but I have nothing solidified as of yet. I may wait until the season is finished before starting something, but if inspiration strikes, you all will be the first to know! In the meantime, if there's a prompt or a scene or something you'd like to see, please let me know! I'm always happy to work my way through new prompts!
This particular short was the first one I wrote, about three weeks ago, and I just found it hidden in my drafts. I legitimately had no idea what was yet to come back then so I'm hoping it's a sign that some other things will come to fruition in the coming episodes. We can hope, right? Enjoy!
Nothing about their courtship felt normal, although Elizabeth wasn't sure she had truly expected anything different. After all, she'd been caught between two men for years before finally making her decision, and even then she was a recent widow with a young son. She'd already been through the entire process once, kept on her toes by Jack and his surprises, before her world had come crashing down.
But Lucas took it all in stride.
At the beginning of the summer, their relationship had been the talk of the town. They couldn't go more than a few feet down Main Street without feeling prying eyes following their every move. They'd officially told very few people, but they knew that everyone was aware of their status anyway. Even if her love life hadn't been the talk of the town for years, some nosy children and one Rosemary Coulter slipping up in front of a saloon full of people did the trick rather quickly.
Still, they attempted to keep things quiet, not wanting to rush things. It allowed them to explore their new relationship within the confines of her home or the library or his office at the saloon, where he'd once brought her in an attempt to calm her down after a particularly harrowing situation where yet another outlaw found his way into the town. He'd held her tight that night and whispered quietly in her ear that he loved her.
She returned his sentiments in kind, of course.
But now, as fall brought cooler weather to Hope Valley, Elizabeth and Lucas found that they were no longer the center of attention. Walking down the street did not garner hushed tones of passerby, even when their hands were clasped tightly together. Their regular date moved from the library to the crowded saloon, where she'd ensure he took a break from his busy schedule to eat. He spent most evenings at her home, and while he was always sure to return to his own flat at the Queen of Hearts, no one seemed concerned about them any longer. Well, other than to inquire about when wedding bells would once again ring through the town.
Even as their day to day existence felt more and more normal and they did start planning for the future, however, Lucas was always sure to surprise her. He'd show up with flowers when she least expected it, or pop by after the dinner rush to help her put Jack to bed. He doted on her son day in and day out and took her for long rides through the countryside on horseback before always, always pulling a snack or two out of his saddlebag.
He was careful to give her space when she needed it, was there for her before she even knew she needed reassurance, and told her every day how thankful he was to have her in his life, but above all else, it was the simplest of gestures that brought her the most joy.
At first it had been a gentlemanly offer for her to take his arm, and eventually he would place his own hand over hers where it rested in the crook of his elbow. Then it was the gentle touch of his fingertips as he pushed the stray hair out of her eyes, or a light hand on the small of her back just to let her know he was there.
Her favorite, however, was the way he would grasp her hand tightly in his.
Their arms would swing back and forth as they walked, talking through their days or commenting on the way the children of the town were growing so quickly, Jack included. He told her about his troubles with the oil business and she lamented about edits on her book. They shared everything, and each time, as they made their way through town, he would bring their joined hands up to his lips, gently kissing the back of her hand without breaking the bond their knitted fingers maintained.
And as a smile tugged at her lips and her gaze met his, she could feel his touch linger on her skin until long after they'd reluctantly parted ways - a reminder that no matter what, they had all the time in the world and that they'd spend every second of it together.