This one-shot takes place when Lucas and Elizabeth have been married for about five years. It's set in the same universe as my two-part short story 'Anniversary Surprise,' but can be read without having read that one first. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day, Team Lucas!
February 14, 1925
...
Elizabeth woke to the smell of roses tickling her nose. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking in the early light of dawn. A fresh bouquet of flowers sat in a vase on her nightstand, the source of the smell.
She smiled, knowing without looking at the card that they were a Valentine's gift from her husband. Her husband who was nowhere to be found on this chilly February morning. His side of the bed was empty, the sheets cold. His robe and slippers were missing, too.
She carefully sat up, the swell of her belly making the task more difficult. The baby kicked inside of her, seemingly excited that mama was finally awake.
"Good morning, little one," she whispered. "Shall we go see what your dad is up to this morning?" She slid her own slippers on and tied her robe over her belly before making her way down the stairs.
She followed the smell of bacon and pancakes, ending up in the kitchen. Lucas and the children were standing at the stove. Nine-year-old Jack was keeping an eye on the bacon, while three-year-old Coraline was helping her dad flip the pancakes.
"It smells wonderful in here."
"Hi, mama!" Coraline turned, nearly smacking Lucas in the face with the spatula.
He chuckled, taking the utensil from her. "Good morning, my love. The children and I thought we would make a special Valentine's breakfast this morning."
"The pan-takes look like hearts, mama!" Cora exclaimed.
"Oh." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "Heart-shaped pancakes?"
"Dad says that makes them romantic," Jack explained.
Lucas wiggled his eyebrows at her. "That's right." He crossed the room to join her, placing a gentle hand on her stomach. "How's the littlest Bouchard doing today?"
"Great, now that I'm awake. I've been getting kicked since the moment I got out of bed."
Dropping to his knees, he rested his other hand on her stomach, leaning in close. "Calm down, little one. We're very happy to know you're doing well in there, but we don't want you to hurt your mama."
"Daddy, the pan-takes!" Coraline shrieked, pointing at the stove.
He whipped around, seeing a bit of smoke rising from the pan. "Oh no!"
Elizabeth covered her mouth, trying to stifle a chuckle.
"Well," Lucas pulled the pan off of the flame, looking down at the blackened pancakes inside, "I suppose these will just be mine."
"Perhaps I can be in charge of dinner tonight," Elizabeth suggested.
"If you'll recall, I only burn things when you're around to distract me." Lucas sauntered over to her, a crooked smile on his face.
"I just can't resist you."
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "And I love having you nearby."
"It's too bad we can't spend the whole day together."
"You could've canceled class for today," he pointed out.
"I know, but the children are so excited to make Valentines today, and I only have so much time left with them before the little one arrives."
"Well, Coraline and I will hold down the fort while you and Jack are at school. Isn't that right, Cora?"
"Yeah! I play wif daddy today!"
"Can we eat now?"
"Oh, that's right." Lucas chuckled. "I almost forgot about breakfast."
"We'd better hurry, Jack," Elizabeth stated. "We don't want to be late for school."
...
"Cora, do you want to help me make a Valentine for mama?"
"Yeah!" she squealed, hurrying over to the table where Lucas was waiting.
"I have some colored paper, crayons, and paint. Which color do you think we should start with?"
"Pink!"
"Pink paper it is." Lucas took a sheet of the paper and folded it in half. "Why don't we decorate the inside first, and then we can put your handprint on the front."
Coraline nodded. "Otay, daddy."
"What do you want to put inside?"
"Um," she put a finger to her chin as she thought. "A heart! And a picture of mama!"
"Do you want any help? Or can you do it by yourself?"
"By myself. I a good drawer, daddy."
"Okay, princess." He chuckled, opening the box of crayons and placing it in front of her. "There are your crayons. Draw it however you want."
He watched as she chose a red crayon first, drawing the outline of what he assumed was supposed to be a heart but looked more like a wobbly oval. She colored it in, then moved on to her picture of Elizabeth. She picked out a blue crayon this time, drawing a circle with four lines sticking out of it.
"Is that mama?"
She nodded, still focused on the paper in front of her.
"Where's mama's face?"
She glanced up at him, her little eyes squinted in frustration. "I not done, daddy."
"Oh, sorry." He put his hands up. "I'll let you finish."
A few minutes later, she looked up, a smile on her face. "All done!"
"Can I see?"
She handed him the paper, pointing at each bit of her artwork as she explained it to him. "I drawed a heart, 'cause I love mama. And mama, and you, and me, and Jack, and my baby brudder."
"It's beautiful, Cora. Mama is going to love it."
"We do my handprint now?"
"Yes, we can do your handprint now." He set the card down, closing it. "Let's use red paint."
She giggled as he covered her hand in paint, the paint brush tickling her palm. Carefully, Lucas helped her press her hand down on the front of the card, leaving a perfect handprint.
"Look how big your hand has gotten, Coraline. You're growing up too fast."
"I a big girl!"
He smiled, tickling her under her chin as he carried her to the sink to wash off her hand. "You are a big girl." He held her close after he helped her dry off. "I love you, princess."
...
"Are you sure you want me to be in here?" Lucas asked as he rinsed his hands in the sink and reached for a towel to dry them off. "I might get distracted by you and burn something."
Elizabeth shook her head and laughed. "You're on vegetable duty tonight, Mister Bouchard. It's hard to burn something when it's not on heat." She handed him a knife. "Carrots and potatoes, please."
He nudged her hip with his. "You love me."
"I do." She smiled. "I love you very much, Lucas Bouchard."
They worked in companionable silence for a few minutes, Lucas chopping the vegetables and Elizabeth preparing and seasoning pieces of chicken. After nearly five years of marriage, they were a well-oiled machine, often knowing what the other was needing before they expressed it aloud.
"Your carrots and potatoes, milady." Lucas bowed dramatically, presenting her with a bowl of the chopped vegetables.
"Your daddy is so silly," Elizabeth told the baby moving inside of her.
"Don't let mama fool you, little one." Lucas kissed her stomach. "She loves it."
She ran her fingers through his hair. "Most of the time," she admitted.
Straightening back up, he pressed a kiss to her lips. "What do you need me to do now?"
"You can put some salt and pepper on these." She gave the bowl back to him. "Then it just all needs to go into the oven."
"Yes, ma'am." He winked, placing the bowl on the counter.
A few minutes later, they joined the children in the living room. Jack was seated in a chair in the corner, reading a book, and Coraline was dressing one of her dolls.
"Cora, do you want to get the card you made for mama?"
"Oh, yeah!" She dropped her doll, running to the table where her card had been drying. "Happy Val-tine's Day, mama!"
"Thank you, Cora." Elizabeth smiled as she looked at the card. Lucas had clearly written 'Happy Valentine's Day' on the front, above her handprint, along with the date and Cora's age at the bottom of the card. Inside, she saw her daughter's drawings, and her attempt to write 'To mama, Love Cora.'
She opened her arms, pulling her daughter into a hug.
"I love it, sweetheart, and I love you. Thank you so much."
"I got you something, mama," Jack spoke up. "I'll be right back."
He left the room, and Elizabeth looked over at Lucas. He shrugged, but the smile on his face told her that he knew what was going on.
A few moments later, Jack returned, a small vase of wildflowers in his hands. "Happy Valentine's Day, mama."
"Oh, these are beautiful, Jack."
"I picked the flowers, and I saved my allowance for the vase."
"Sweet boy." She hugged him, too. "I love you, Jack."
"I love you, mama."
"You all have spoiled me so much today." Elizabeth glanced around at her family, feeling so loved. "I love you all so much."
...
"Now, Valentine's Day isn't just about me. Daddy and I got you something special because you both have been so good lately, and we love you so much." Elizabeth produced two lollipops from behind her back.
Cora's eyes went wide. "For me?"
"One for you, and one for Jack." She handed them their treats.
"Thank you." Jack immediately popped his into his mouth.
"Yeah! Thank you!" Coraline giggled as she tasted her lollipop.
"You're welcome. Why don't you two go into the library and pick out a book? Mama and I can read to you while you eat your lollipops."
"Otay!" Coraline skipped away, Jack following close behind.
"Now," Lucas turned to Elizabeth. "Your gift from me."
"Lucas, you've already given me so much today. The roses, the card, breakfast."
"Just hush and let me spoil you." He reached into his pocket, retrieving a small velvet box.
"This is really too much, Lucas."
"Nonsense." He handed her the box. "Open it."
She did as he said, revealing a pair of delicate diamond and pearl earrings. She gasped. "Lucas, these are beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you." His eyes darkened, and he moved closer to her. "I love you, Elizabeth."
She kissed him deeply, the way she had been wanting to kiss him all day. "I love you," she breathed. "And as much as I would love to keep kissing you like that, I need to give you your presents before the children come back in here."
She pulled a small box from the pocket of her apron. "I thought you could use some new ones."
He opened the box, finding a pair of gold cufflinks engraved with his initials. "And you said my gift for you was too much." He kissed her cheek. "Thank you, my love. I'll think of you every time I wear these."
"That's not all." She pulled something else from her apron, handing him the box of chocolates tied up with a ribbon.
"Are these Belgian?"
She nodded. "I had a bit of help from Gustav. He said these are the best."
"Thank you, Elizabeth." A mischievous look crossed his face. "Maybe I'll even share these with you."
"Well, I am carrying your baby. Sharing your chocolate is really the least you could do," she teased.
"This one, daddy!" Coraline ran back into the room, waving a book in the air.
Lucas took the book from her. "The Box-Car Children. I think this is one that my mother sent recently. She thought Jack would like it."
"I sit wif daddy!"
"Bring your lollipops over here." Lucas waved them over to the sofa. Coraline climbed into his lap, and Jack snuggled up beside him.
Elizabeth took a seat on the other side of him, absentmindedly rubbing her stomach as Lucas started to read.
It didn't take long before Coraline nodded off, her face sticky with the remnants of her candy. Elizabeth carefully picked her up, taking her upstairs to clean her up and put her to bed. Jack insisted that Lucas read another chapter, and he obliged, putting his arm around his son.
Shortly after he tucked Jack in, he crossed to their bedroom, finding Elizabeth at her dressing table, running a brush through her hair.
He stepped up behind her, dropping a kiss just below her ear. "After the baby is born, we'll have a belated Valentine's Day celebration, just you and me."
"Today may not have been full of romance, but it was still a wonderful Valentine's Day. Nothing warms my heart more than spending time with you and the children, the three people I love more than anything."
He smiled, running the back of his hand across her cheek. "I love you, Mrs. Bouchard."
She turned in her chair, returning his smile. "I love you. Happy Valentine's Day, darling."