I know I promised this AGES ago, and I sincerely apologize. Life took a weird turn. A close coworker has been very, very sick, so aside from being worried about her, I have put in extra hours just about every day for the last month and haven't really opened my laptop for something other than work in weeks. I was rewatching When Calls and I haven't even found the time to do that since sometime early in September (I think. Honestly it might've been August. I barely know what day it is).
Either way, I cannot believe this is the last love language...and my personal favorite at that. Lucas has an obvious need for this love language, and I love how that's portrayed in the show, from not-dates in the library and lingering touches to not-so-secret sorrows and hand holding in the streets. I can't wait to see how this one in particular develops throughout Season Nine, because now that they've finally kissed I have the feeling we'll be seeing a good amount of PDA in the future. Or at least, I can hope.
I also hope you enjoy this one though! I'm going to set an alarm right now to share another short with you sometime this weekend. Thank you all for sticking with me!
She had always loved spring. The breath of new life, the sun warming the frozen ground, bright colors sprouting from every nook and cranny of the landscape. After a long, cold winter, spring was filled with new opportunities and surprises around every corner.
It was a Saturday, and she was thankful for the day off amidst the chaos of the end of the school year. Still, there were errands to be run, including a stop at the mercantile to gather supplies for the next week's lessons.
Elizabeth had just been about to reach for a stack of colored paper when a hand deftly slipped into hers, fingers intertwined in mere seconds.
She had once mistaken his hand for someone else's, but in the months since she found her way back to him, there had never again been a question. And now, even as a brief moment of shock gave way to realization, she found immediate comfort in his presence.
"Good morning, my love," Lucas greeted, pressing a chaste kiss to her cheek.
A smile grew on her face, "good morning. You're out early today."
Lucas feigned shock, "can't a saloon owner be out before seven?"
"Well, as long as the saloon owner is getting enough sleep," she countered. He'd been working extra as of late, assisting Hickam with the oil business while Henry was away, dealing day in and day out with Wyman Walden and the Pinkertons, and tending to the Queen of Hearts, which was suddenly short staffed as employees left for the allure of the factory.
He squeezed her hand, "I would sleep a lot better if…" he started, leaning in a bit closer to her, but she cut him off with a finger to his lips.
"Lucas Bouchard, we already agreed that we want a fall wedding."
A slight pout appeared on his lips, but she knew he was only teasing her. After he'd proposed at Christmas, they'd agreed to a relatively long engagement. He would've married her the very day he'd asked for her hand, but their families wouldn't be able to attend until the fall, and so, they'd decided to wait.
Playfully, Elizabeth leaned in to kiss him, hoping that the eyes present at the front of the shop would stay focused on current tasks and not on their display of public affection. His frown quickly faded as he reciprocated her actions, stepping into her space to get as close as possible. He wanted nothing more than to pull her against him fully, but the ding of the bell on the front door caused them to pull back instead.
"Are you certain that we want to wait for fall?" he asked with an amused grin, taking in the flush on her cheeks.
She smirked, "as certain as I am that I want to marry you."
"Well in that case," Lucas returned, bringing their joined hands up to kiss the back of hers, "I suppose I'll just have to be patient."
"It is one of your best qualities."
~ E & L ~
The summer, thus far, had been one of the hottest she'd ever experienced. With little rain or relief from the sweltering sun, most had taken to airing out their homes each night and closing everything up during the day, shutting out the light in an attempt to keep anything cool.
It meant that most of their time was spent outside, searching for a shady spot, a cold drink in hand. Even Lucas, who could usually be found each morning with a teacup, had begun to forgo his favorite beverage due to the temperature.
Thankfully, they'd been granted a rather mild afternoon. Unfortunately, she'd spent it cleaning while Rosemary kept Little Jack entertained. She was just finishing dusting when footsteps sounded on her front porch.
Glancing up, she recognized the familiar frame of her fiance. He paused in the doorway, knocking playfully even though he knew she'd already seen him, and smiled as he entered. Appropriately dressed for the weather, he'd traded his three-piece suit for a simple button up and suspenders.
"This is a nice surprise," Elizabeth greeted as she met him halfway, standing on her toes to kiss him. "I thought you were working with Gustave on the new menu today?"
Lucas shook his head, "we were going to, but it's such a nice afternoon out for once that I told him to get out and enjoy it. Everyone else is, so I thought," he emphasized, "that perhaps I could convince you to take a ride with me."
He had that look on his face, the one that could truly convince her to do just about anything, but Rosemary and Jack decided to come in through the back door at that exact moment.
"Lucas!" Rosemary exclaimed, letting go of Jack's hand so he could race toward Lucas, who immediately knelt down to give him a hug. "I thought you were…" she started, but Elizabeth cut her off.
"They decided to take the afternoon off to enjoy the weather," she explained to her friend. "And actually, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind watching Jack for the rest of it?"
The journalist narrowed her eyes at her friend, a knowing glance passing between them. Lucas, none the wiser, looked up at the women from his position with Jack. "He could always come with us if you'd like. I brought the horses, but I could go back and get the car."
"No, no. You two go and have a good time." Rosemary insisted, turning her attention to the young boy between them. "We'll have lots of fun today, won't we?"
There was a moment of disappointment written on Jack's face, but Lucas was quick to respond. "You enjoy your afternoon with your Aunt Rosemary, and then we can all have dinner together when we get back, alright?" he suggested.
Elizabeth beamed as she watched her fiance interact with her son. More often than not, they were two peas in a pod, and she couldn't be more thrilled that they got along so well. Jack quickly agreed, and Rosemary took him to return to their backyard adventures.
Still inside, Lucas placed a gentle hand on Elizabeth's lower back, "Are you ready to go then?"
"Absolutely. If you don't mind me wearing this, that is," she answered, gesturing to the rather rundown set of clothing she'd put on for cleaning.
Without hesitation, Lucas stepped closer, "I think we both know that it doesn't matter in the slightest what you're wearing when it comes to me."
She blushed, giving him a light shove, "you are insufferable."
"But you love me for it," he laughed, wrapping her in his arms.
"Most of the time."
He pulled back in shock, "most of the time? What do you mean most of the time?" He didn't give her any time to respond though, because a second later his fingers were flying over her ribcage.
"Lucas!" she cried out, laughter bubbling in her chest as she tried her hardest to escape his ministrations.
When he stopped, they were both breathing heavily. With a wide grin on his face, he hurried to kiss her, bending her over backwards just slightly. She held onto him, one hand on his shoulder, the other wrapped securely around his neck, letting him pull her back up.
"Do you love me now?" he asked.
There was a glimmer of mischief in her gaze, one that he barely caught before she responded. "I amend my previous statement." She paused, teasing him, "I only love you some of the time." With that, she tore herself away and hurried toward the front door, where the horses stood waiting at the bottom of the steps.
Lucas could only follow, racing after the woman he loved.
~ E & L ~
"Do you ever think about the fact that in just a couple of weeks we'll be married?"
Lucas looked down at her, "every second of every day."
The wedding was quickly approaching. As the air grew colder and the leaves began to show their color, it felt like every bit of fall that appeared brought them one step closer to forever. "It just seems surreal sometimes," Elizabeth continued her train of thought. "After all we've been through, we somehow ended up here."
"And I couldn't be more thankful," he responded, pressing a light kiss to her forehead, which she instinctively leaned into.
Across the room, a loud roar erupted from Lee and Rosemary as they continued to play whatever new wedding shower game Fiona had suggested. Elizabeth and Lucas, while happy to let their neighbors participate, were more than satisfied with watching, even if the party was to celebrate them.
"Do you remember…" Lucas started, but his fiance anticipated where he was going with the sentence before he could finish, giving him a nudge in the ribs.
"You promised to never bring that up again."
He laughed lightly, "you have to admit that even if it wasn't funny then, it's sort of funny now."
Elizabeth's eyes landed on Nathan himself, who would stand next to Lucas as one of his groomsmen in just a number of days. He was happily conversing with a newcomer to town, a woman named Emma. It was obvious that they were both smitten, leaning into one another's space.
"I'm just glad he's happy," she sighed, and she could feel Lucas tighten his grip around her.
"I am too. He deserves nothing less."
"Then unconditional love?" Elizabeth finished for him when he didn't continue, earning her a smile in return.
"Absolutely." Once more, Lucas leaned in, this time kissing her lightly on the lips. When they pulled back, they hesitated, hovering near one another as if debating whether or not it would be appropriate to continue.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Bouchard?" Elizabeth teased when he didn't pull back fully, but didn't kiss her again either.
"The problem is," he said as he leaned a bit closer, "if I kiss you again, I don't think I'd be able to stop."
Her breath hitched, but there was no missing the amorous look on her face. "That sounds like a risk I'm willing to take."
Before he knew what was happening, she was whisking them away to the back of the saloon. She knew that curious eyes would quickly wonder where they'd gone off to, but that they probably had a minute or two before someone would come looking for them. After all, this was their party, and they might as well enjoy it.
Even if enjoying it meant a rendezvous in his office.
His lips were back on hers the second the door was closed. The kiss was forceful, his beard tickling her skin just enough to make her laugh into it. Without a second thought, her arms wrapped around his neck, holding him securely against her, and his hands roamed along her back.
She giggled when he trailed his way down her neck, and her laughter was infectious by the time he reached her shoulder. He settled there, nose tucked into the crook of her neck as they held to one another.
He returned to his full height, love and happiness radiating off of him as he looked at the woman in his arms, cheeks rosy and a sparkle in her eyes.
"I thought you weren't going to be able to stop?" Elizabeth joked as she let out a breath.
In response, he dove in again, hands now on either side of her face as he pulled her in. "I love you so much," Lucas whispered when they finally came up for air.
This time, she kissed him before responding, "I love you too, and I cannot wait to marry you."
Smiling, Lucas leaned in to continue what he'd started, but a knock at the door and the sing-song voice of one Rosemary Coulter ended their dalliance.
"Elizabeth, Lucas, I know you're in there. I'm going to distract everyone for two more minutes and then I expect you to be back out there for the next game."
"We'll be there in a moment, Rosemary!" Elizabeth called to her friend, giving Lucas a sideways glance.
As the sound of footsteps faded away, he rocked her back and forth. "I don't know about you, but it sounds like we have two whole minutes left."
"Well then," she responded eagerly, "we'd better make the most of them."
And as his lips met hers, she knew they would.
~ E & L ~
Winter had arrived in Hope Valley in full force, bringing with it frigid temperatures that left him adding logs to the fire all night long in an attempt to keep them warm. Still, when he woke, the bed beside him was as cold as the chill that had crept into their room.
Reluctantly extracting himself from the bit of warmth the remaining blankets afforded him, Lucas blinked back against the rising sun. Nearly a foot of beautiful, glimmering snow had fallen overnight, turning their little town into a winter wonderland, just as his wife had expected when she had decided to preemptively cancel school.
Turning, he reached for the thick sweater he usually kept near the bed, only to find it nowhere in sight. A knowing smile formed on his face as he slipped on his house shoes, pulled another out of the trunk at the end of the bed, and set out in search of the missing garment.
He made his way down the stairs quietly. She was in the kitchen, her back to him, one blue sweater that was much too large on her small frame draped over her shoulders. He snuck up behind her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist.
"You stole my sweater," he commented, chin settling on her shoulder, breath hot against the skin of her neck.
Elizabeth grinned, relaxing back against him. "I didn't steal it, I borrowed it," she clarified, a bit breathless as his lips found her pulse point. "I was cold."
"I think we can change that," Lucas mumbled.
She let him drag her back to their bed a moment later, sweater soon forgotten, and neither of them the least bit cold.