Chapter 3
Elizabeth couldn't help but overcome herself with joy, smiling from ear to ear as she recalled the moments of her date with Lucas. He truly was the love of her life, and she was thrilled that he invited her and Little Jack to meet his folks. He always thought about her well-being as well as her son's. As promised, she told Rosemary all about her date. "Oh Rosemary. It was perfect in every way. The candles, the champagne, the food. Not to mention, the company. We even danced. Something we haven't done since last year at the Founder's Day Dance. And he even invited me to meet his folks." she replied with a smile on her face. Rosemary couldn't help but jump up and hug Elizabeth. "Oh, Elizabeth! That's wonderful! Lee and I will be more than happy to watch Little Jack while you're gone." she explained. Oh, that's not necessary, Rosemary. He wants me to bring Little Jack along to meet them too, so you don't have to worry about watching him." Elizabeth replied. "Oh, that's wonderful! I just know his folks will love him. How soon will you be leaving?" Rosemary asked. Elizabeth smiled yet again. "I'm not sure. That's something we'll have to coordinate with his parents."
It was time for Elizabeth to head to school, but she had time to stop by to see Lucas. She couldn't wait to see him. His invitation to meet his folks sealed the deal for her. She had more faith that this was the man she could potentially marry and be a stepfather to Little Jack. She opened the door to his office, thrilled that he was there. "Lucas." she said with a smile and low whisper, before wrapping her arms around him. "Elizabeth, what brings you by, my lady?" Lucas asked, reciprocating her hug. "I wanted to ask you if you could watch Little Jack for a few minutes after school. I have a letter I need to mail to my folks in Hamilton." Lucas smiled, gave Elizabeth a kiss, and responded. "I'd be more than happy to. Should I stop by your place?" he asked. Elizabeth nodded. "Oh no, I'll bring him by the library." she responded. She also wanted to ask him about his invitation. "I also wanted to ask you...about your invitation. When were you planning on going to see them? Just so I can plan ahead and pack whatever necessary things I...I mean...we, need." Lucas laughed at how much she struggled to get that sentence out, but he thought it was cute the way she asked it. "I'll need to wire my folks and ask them when they're free. They're working people so we'd have to plan it for a day when they're off. As soon as I can get that sorted, I'll let you know." he said. Elizabeth nodded and placed a kiss on Lucas' cheek before heading off to school. "Elizabeth?" Lucas said, which made Elizabeth turn around. "Yes?" she replied. "I just wanted to say I love you." Lucas said with a smile. That made Elizabeth smile back. "And I wanted to say that I love you too, Lucas." She then turned around slowly, grinning from ear to ear before opening the door to head to the schoolhouse.
While Elizabeth was at work, Lucas decided to wire his folks, and ask them when they would be available to have him, Elizabeth, and Little Jack over. "To my loving parents. I'm sending you this wire to ask when you would be available to have me, Elizabeth, and Little Jack over. Hope to hear from you soon. Your loving son, Lucas." He headed to the Mercantile and asked Ned to send the wire right away, hoping to hear a response from them soon. He headed back to work, sat in his office, and was just in a daze, in a good way, of course. Elizabeth was always on his mind, as well as Little Jack. He was certain he wanted to spend the rest of his life being Elizabeth's husband and Little Jack's stepfather, but he wanted to respect her wishes and just take things slow.
A few hours passed and school was out. Lucas headed to the library and waited for Elizabeth. As promised, Elizabeth brought Little Jack by the library. Lucas was thrilled to see him. It had been only a few hours since he last saw him and he couldn't wait to read to him again. "Lucas, thank you so much for doing this. I know you're probably exhausted from work." she replied. Lucas laughed. "Don't worry about it, I always have time for my favorite little man." Elizabeth was so excited to see the bond between her son and the man she loved with all her heart. Elizabeth kissed Little Jack and Lucas and was on her way to the Mercantile. Lucas picked up Jack's favorite book and picked it up and started reading it. "And the rabbit jumped up happily, as he played with his friend Turtle." Jack looked at Lucas and was about to say something to him. "Daddy." Little Jack said. Lucas was shocked at what he just heard. He wasn't sure whether to be excited, surprised, or sad at what Jack just said. Lucas did feel a tear roll down his face, however, just thinking about how Elizabeth would react at little Jack's response to him. He placed the book on the shelf, and turned little Jack's face to face his, and smiled. The door opened, and it was Elizabeth. She was shocked to hear silence, usually Lucas was reading to him. "Lucas, is everything ok?" she asked, puzzled as to what happened. "Something Jack just said to me, made me a little speechless and I think you should know what he said, Elizabeth." Lucas replied back. "What did he say?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Lucas, a little concerned. "I...was reading to him and uhh...well...he looked up at me and called me Daddy." Elizabeth was shocked, as she heard what Lucas just told her. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth, it just came as a shock to me too." Lucas said. Elizabeth smiled, and put her hand on his cheek. "It's alright, Lucas. He recognizes Jack's picture as his biological father, but I'm also touched that he thinks of you as his father too. And very rightfully so. You're so good with him, I can see why he said it." Elizabeth explained. The three of them decided to walk home as it was getting late. Lucas locked up and they were on their way.
On their way home, Lucas had an idea. He hadn't really showed Henry his softer side, and seeing him with Little Jack may be a distraction as to the conversation they had a while back regarding the oil business. "Say, what do you think about stopping by to visit Henry? I know it's been a while since he's seen Little Jack and I'm sure he'd love it if we stopped by." Lucas asked, looking in Elizabeth's direction. She nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a lovely idea." she responded. They headed to the saloon, happy to see that Henry was still working. They took a seat at an empty table, and Lucas motioned over to Henry. Henry was excited to see them, so he walked over to their table. "Lucas, Elizabeth, Little Jack. What can I get for you?" Henry asked. "Oh nothing for me, thanks, Henry." Elizabeth said, smiling at Henry. "Just a beer for me, thanks Henry." Lucas said. "We wanted to stop by with Little Jack, we know it's been a while since you saw him." Elizabeth said. Henry was touched. "Well, I do appreciate the visit. I've been meaning to ask how he's been doing. Not to mention how you two were doing?" Henry asked, knowing all along they've been courting. "We're doing well, but there's something we've been meaning to tell you, Henry." Lucas said, as Henry gave him his beer. "Yes, I know what you're about to say, Lucas. You're both officially courting." Henry responded. Both Elizabeth and Lucas were shocked to hear that Henry knew. "How did you know?" Lucas asked. "It's a small town, word travels fast, Lucas. And besides, you're always together." Henry said. Perhaps Rosemary had spread the word about Lucas and Elizabeth. "Well we have to be going. Thanks for the beer, Henry." Lucas said, as he left a tip on the table. Henry nodded and smiled, and Lucas and Elizabeth made their way home.
"Who do you suppose told him about us?" Lucas asked, looking at Elizabeth. "I can only think of one person. Rosemary. She was excited for us, so I can only imagine she was the one who said anything." Elizabeth responded. Lucas nodded, not at all surprised or unhappy that Henry knew. "Well whoever it was, that's not important. We have special friends who care about our happiness. And speaking of which, I sent a wire to my folks. I haven't gotten a response back yet. But hopefully I will soon and you'll be the first person to know." Lucas replied. "I was hoping you'd say that, Lucas. And there's no rush." Elizabeth replied back. "Very well. It's getting late. I should be going. I'll see you tomorrow, Elizabeth." He kissed her good night, stroking her cheek as he did so, before hugging Little Jack good night. "And I'll see you tomorrow as well, Jack." he said. "Lucas, thank you again for watching him earlier." Elizabeth said. Lucas smiled. "It was my pleasure. I love you Elizabeth." he exclaimed. "I love you too, Lucas." she responded back. "Daddy." Jack said, as they both watched Lucas walk away. At least for now.