Hello everyone!
I'll be the first to admit that after this last episode, I've been struggling through a good bit of writer's block. But I'm trying to stay positive about the finale, and finally today I was able to get something down on the page! This is another steamy one, although still definitely pretty PG!
Only a few more days and regardless of what happens, thanks as always for joining me for these shorts! I'll hopefully have a few others to share this week as we wait, but if you've got something you'd like to see, let me know! =)
Enjoy!
The last few weeks had been a whirlwind.
Elizabeth and Lucas were well aware that the second they stepped off the stage coach that they'd likely be pulled in different directions, but they never could've imagined this. Between Elizabeth helping Rosemary with plans for the Founder's Day Festival, Lucas working at both the saloon and the oil business, and the time they tried to spend with Little Jack, there wasn't much left over for the couple to spend alone.
A fact that bothered both of the newlyweds equally.
Walking into the Queen of Hearts, Elizabeth found herself immediately searching the crowd for her husband, but when she wasn't able to locate him right away, she let out a sigh. The saloon was already filled to the brim with townspeople preparing for the monthly movie night. Chairs lined the middle of the room and the screen was set up at the front, the piano nearby.
"Mrs. Bouchard!" Allie exclaimed, quickly rushing up to her with Opal in tow. "Can Little Jack sit with us for the movie?"
Jack squirmed in her arms, obviously already eager to spend time with the other children, which only caused Elizabeth to smile. "Of course," she returned, setting Jack down, watching as Allie and Opal each took one of his hands to lead him toward the front row of chairs. When she looked up once more, there was still no sign of Lucas, but she couldn't miss the bright red surge on the other side of the room.
His eyes met hers for a moment and he nodded his head in greeting, smiling at her before making his way to sit in the row behind Allie. While it had taken some time, Nathan had eventually come around, even mending fences with Lucas.
Rosemary raced around the room per usual, Lee helping her along the way, as they made last minute preparations for the film. Clara and Jesse were snuggled close together, already ready for the night's events, Florence and Ned were just getting settled, and even Henry was present, sitting toward the back, intently reading the letter he held in his hands.
But with all the hustle and bustle, there was still one person she couldn't find, and it just happened to be the one she wanted to see most of all.
Letting out another breath, Elizabeth made her way toward the back row, hopeful that it would make it easier for Lucas to join her once the movie started. She stopped to greet Fiona and Hickam on the way, spending a few minutes chatting with Hope Valley's newest couple, before her eyes landed on a settee secluded in one of the back corners away from the rest of the audience. She didn't have to look at it twice to recognize it as the one that usually sat in Lucas' office.
Taking off her coat, she settled in on the loveseat just as Rosemary reached the front of the room to introduce the film. It was a Western, filled with the promise of cowboys and shootouts on the wild frontier, which wasn't Elizabeth's favorite, but the town always enjoyed their movie nights regardless of the genre.
As the lights dimmed, she took one last glance around the room, still searching for Lucas to no avail. They'd been looking forward to the gathering all week, a period of uninterrupted time together during waking hours. Even if they were surrounded by their friends, they could still enjoy the luxury of cozying up next to each other, hands clasped tightly together. But still, there was no sign of her husband, and since the town came to a standstill for these events, she couldn't figure out where he might be.
The projector flickered to life as the pictures started rolling across the screen, Rosemary accompanying the reel on piano. Elizabeth squirmed in her seat, trying to focus her attention on the movie.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
The low whisper had come from her right, but she didn't need to look to know who had spoken. He'd finally appeared and quickly took his place next to her, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips.
"Where have you been?" she asked beneath her breath once he'd returned their joined hands to his lap.
"Gustave needed some help in the kitchen and he'd already sent the rest of the staff out here to watch so they didn't miss anything. I volunteered to help, but things took a bit longer than expected. I see you found our seats though."
Elizabeth gave him a sly smile, but it quickly turned to a full blown grin, "You really do think of everything."
Lucas leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, "I try, my love. I try."
They sat for a while, enjoying the opening act of the film. Elizabeth could feel his thumb rubbing gentle circles on the back of her hand, his body warm against hers, and she nestled a bit closer to him.
The main character of the film was racing across the plain when she suddenly felt her husband lean closer. "Elizabeth?" he whispered, asking for permission, his breath hot against her neck.
"Lucas" she warned, although if her burning skin and rushing heart rate was any indicator, the warning was as much for her as it was for him. "What are you doing?"
His nose nuzzled the side of her ear, "nothing. Just watching the film."
"You most certainly are not" Elizabeth muttered, but she quickly gave in, turning so she could catch his lips with hers. He was forceful in his kiss, pouring pent up energy into it that usually she'd only reciprocate behind closed doors, but for a moment she let herself lean into him fully.
And then her mind finally caught up to reality. "Lucas," she hissed again after she pulled back slightly, his lips quickly trailing across her jawline. "Someone could see. The whole town is here."
"They know we're married" was his only response, continuing his assault on her neck.
She almost laughed, half because of his answer and half because of the way his beard brushed against her skin. It tickled more than she thought it would, but she certainly wasn't complaining either. Holding back her reaction, her eyes darted about the dark room. Everyone ahead of them was still fully focused on the movie. Plus, for someone to see them, they'd have to fully turn around to glance in their direction.
"Did you plan this?" she asked, tilting her head to one side to give him better access.
His only acknowledgement was his signature hum of "mmhmm." One of his hands was still tangled with hers, but the other had come to rest on her knee.
Elizabeth scanned the room once more for any sign that someone was paying them any attention, but there was nothing, everyone still focused on the screen in front of them. The damsel in distress was fighting against a pair of bandits as they tied her to a railroad track.
Finally, she gave in once more, turning again to press her lips against his. Her free hand raced its way to the side of his head, pulling him tighter against her, fingers combing through the hair within their reach.
He repositioned himself so his knees pressed against hers, his torso twisting so they could be as close together as possible, movie long forgotten. They lost themselves in each other, hands beginning to wander, lips frantic. Passion started to govern their decisions, and the risk that someone could simply glance back at them only fueled their fire.
Lucas' hand was just beginning to trail up her side when suddenly the crowd gasped, causing the pair to jump apart. Breathing heavily, Lucas and Elizabeth straightened in the settee, their joined hands once again returning to their respectful location on his lap. Their eyes raced back to the screen, where a train was barreling down the track toward the damsel. The cowboy rushed to save her, but Elizabeth found herself giggling quietly.
She felt her husband's hand squeeze hers, and she could feel him shake with laughter too. She tucked herself into his side, her face landing in the crook of his neck as she tried to keep quiet.
"Sweetheart" he scolded jokingly, "quiet or someone will hear."
His comment only caused her to laugh harder, despite the fact that the film was at its most suspenseful, Rosemary's fingers flying over the keys in a melody that only increased the tension.
Lucas was laughing too, turning his head so his nose was pressed into her hair. What a sight they must be, probably flushed red and incapable of catching their breaths, but as the cowboy freed the young woman and the film drifted to a close, their mood quickly sobered.
The town cheered at the conclusion of the film, applauding for Rosemary, and Elizabeth's hand left Lucas' as they joined in, but she couldn't help but feel disappointed that their shared time was over. Now that the film was finished, he'd have to return to his duties as host and she would socialize for a while before taking Little Jack home.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed when Lucas stood, holding his hand out for her to take to help her up, but she eventually took it, letting out a sigh that he didn't miss.
"Wait here for a minute?" He asked her quickly. The look on his face told her he was up to something, but she wasn't going to question it. He pressed a quick kiss to the back of her hand before rushing toward the back of the saloon.
Around her, the people of Hope Valley began to stretch, most of them still excitedly talking about the film. She looked about the room, spotting Little Jack still sitting with Allie, although now Nathan was situated on his other side. The three were engaged in some sort of game, and Elizabeth found herself thankful that even after all that had happened between them, Nathan was still a part of their lives.
"Looks like someone is having fun" Lucas interrupted her thoughts, having reappeared next to her.
"Jack does love spending time with them."
Lucas feigned confusion, "Oh, I was talking about Nathan."
Elizabeth swatted at his arm, but they laughed anyway, knowing all too well that usually it was Nathan who got the most enjoyment out of the games he played with their son.
"Are you ready to go?" Lucas asked once the moment had passed.
She looked at him, eyebrows furrowing in question as she tilted her head. "Don't you have to…"
"Not tonight" he returned, a warm smile growing across his face. "Gustave has things covered and I thought that perhaps a night at home, just the two of us, would be nice."
"But…" she started, turning back toward Little Jack, still enthralled by Nathan and Allie.
Lucas' voice was cool and calm when he answered immediately. "Rosemary and Lee already agreed to take him. We have the house to ourselves."
Suddenly she picked up on his drift, a playful look appearing on her face as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "The whole house?"
"The whole house" he returned, his voice growing deeper.
"All night?" she emphasized, turning so their shoulders were square and there was barely a breath between them.
"All night" Lucas confirmed, pulling her flush against him.
And when they met in the middle for a kiss that lasted a little longer than may have been appropriate, neither cared who saw.