Almost three years later, San Diego

"Nana?" Aria whispered, walking into Helen and Campbell's bedroom around two in the morning. They had been married for a year now and Aria loved having another Grandpa. Right now she needed Nana.

"Aria?"

"Nana, I need you."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm bleeding."

Helen got up and walked out of the room with Aria. "Did you get your period, sweetheart?"

"I think so. I don't feel good."

Normally, Elizabeth would be the one Aria went to but Elizabeth was back home with Jamie. Lucas and Aria had flown to San Diego because Lucas had a job interview and it was the end of summer so Aria didn't have school yet.

"Okay, honey."

Elizabeth had items delivered to Helen's house just in case this happened. Despite Helen's original concerns about Elizabeth at the beginning, she was a wonderful mother.

….

As Elizabeth was getting ready for work, her phone rang. It was Helen.

"Morning, Helen."

"Its me, Mom."

"Aria May. It's very early there. I'm surprised you're awake, babe."

"I wish you were here," she said, sniffling.

"You will be back soon. I miss you too."

"Mom…"

"What is it, love?"

"I got my period."

"Oh! Honey, did you tell Nana?"

"Yeah, but I want you."

"I know."

A few moments later, Elizabeth pulled her scrubs up over her round 6 month pregnant tummy and smiled. She felt good with this pregnancy and she was grateful.

"Mama!" Jameson yelled, not getting the inside voices concept at three.

"Yes, Jamie James," she said, scooping him up.

"Mama, egg pease."

"Alright, bub. Let's go make some breakfast. Nana will be here soon."

As Jamie ate, Elizabeth texted Lucas and asked what he thought of her and Jamie flying out for the weekend. He missed them a lot so of course he agreed.

"Dad?" Aria said, leaning against him. She came up almost to his shoulder now. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She wore a training bra of all things.

"Hi, bugs."

"Dad, can we go home?"

"We will go home Monday like we planned. I have another interview tomorrow morning. But Mom and Jamie are coming tonight."

"They are? That's awesome! I need Mom."

"You have me."

"But you're not a girl, Dad."

"True. But maybe I can help."

"No you can't."

Aria headed upstairs to lay down and Lucas got dressed and tried not to take it personally. Aria had been emotional and changing a lot for awhile now. But she was still his little girl.

"I'm glad you're coming. What time is your flight?"

He knew Beth wouldn't answer his text immediately because she had to work but she would eventually.

He sighed and Campbell joined him at the table. "Morning, Luke."

"Morning, Campbell."

"That was a big sigh this early in the morning."

"Yeah well. It's hard not to be needed by your own daughter."

"She will always need you. Just in different ways. Right now she needs a woman to get her through this season of life. You have a good woman to be there for her."

"What season of life?"

"She's growing up, Lucas. My daughter needed her mother, especially around this age. She still needed me, but mostly as a protector, provider. She needs a woman, Elizabeth, as her emotional support."

"Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Campbell."

"You're welcome."

"Grandpa Campbell?" Aria said, walking in the room.

"Yes, sweetie."

"Nana told me to ask you where the Tylenol is."

Campbell got up and kissed the top of her head. "I'll get it for you."

"Thank you."

"I don't want to be nosy, hon, but are you sick?"

"No." Her cheeks turned red and he became concerned.

"You warm?" She leaned into his hand that was on her cheek.

"No. I have cramps, Nana said that's what they are called."

Now he understood so many things.

"Aria May Bouchard, I love you so much. I'm sorry you don't feel good."

"Thanks, Dad. I love you too."

….

That night, his family was back under one roof and that made him feel better. He always felt like half of himself was missing when they were apart.

He chuckled at the kick he felt on his hand. "Hey, Baby Bouchard." It was one of his favorite things to do in the evenings. Lying next to Beth and forming a bond with their son or daughter.

Elizabeth put her hand over his and smiled. "Thank you, Lucas."

"For what?"

"Being a wonderful husband and father. For always putting us first."

"Is there a 'but' coming?"

"No. Just, it's time for you to have your dream now. This job is it. I want you to take it if they offer. No hesitation, alright?"

He thought about what she said for a while after she had drifted off to sleep. He knew it meant selling their home in Fall River, finding a home here and moving them across the country. And the baby was due in November so it needed to be soon.

As he kissed her goodbye and left the house, he thought about it. As he drove the rental car to the clinic, he thought about it. By the time the head of the research department, the one he was replacing, offered him the job, he was ready to agree.

"What was the salary again?" he asked, thinking he had heard wrong. They repeated the number. It was higher than before.

"I'll take it."

"Great! Don't you need to run it by your wife?"

"No, sir. She told me to take the offer."

He chuckled. "Very well."

"I need at least a month, sir."

"November 1st?"

"My wife is due in November. I'm hoping to have our family moved by early October. November 1st sounds good."

"Baby number one?"

"Three actually. We have an eleven year old and a three year old. I'm able to work from home for a few weeks after the baby is born, right?"

"Absolutely. We will get you set up with the equipment you need."

"Thank you, sir."

"Welcome to Ludwig Institute, Lucas. We are excited to have you on board."

…..

"Moving?" Aria repeated the next day. "But my friends, Dad. What about Nana Grace and Papa William?"

"Sweetheart, come here," he said, gathering her in his arms, even though she was much too big. She was still only eleven. "You knew this was a possibility. I came here for a job interview, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I got the job, Aria. We need to be here in a few months."

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Okay."

Luke raised his eyebrows at Elizabeth. That was easier than he thought it would be.

Aria loved it when her Dad held her. It made her feel loved, safe.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you more, bugs."

"Where are we going to live?"

"I'm not sure yet. But Mom and I will find us a nice place."

….

"Maybe we can find a short term apartment until we find a house," he suggested that evening.

"And move twice?"

"We might have to. I mean, buying a house doesn't really happen all that quickly."

"Yeah."

"Are you sure you're okay with this, Beth?"

She got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. "Yes. Of course."

He put his hands on her hips and stepped closer. "You're gorgeous," he told her, kissing her slowly. "Stunning."

"Thank you." She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his affection. "We are a team, sweetheart. If you say we need to move twice, we will."

"What if I said Mom and Campbell offered for us to stay here until we find a house?"

"They did?"

"Yeah. What do you think?"

"I think we wouldn't be homeless or living apart."

"I know it's not ideal, Beth."

"No, it's not, but I don't think I can afford to be picky on this one."

He rested his forehead against hers and sighed. "You smell amazing."

"You're full of compliments tonight."

"Just telling the truth."

After holding each other for a few more minutes, Elizabeth started feeling nauseated. "Luke, will you make me some tea? I'm feeling icky."

"Sure, you get in bed and I'll be right back."

"Thank you."

….

Monday morning they all flew home, ready to give notice to their jobs and contact a realtor.

While they were in San Diego, Helen had taken Aria school shopping, leaving the majority to Elizabeth though. It had become a tradition to have a Mommy/daughter day, complete with lunch and manicures. Helen didn't want to step on toes.

As the next few weeks progressed, they listed their house and packed a lot. They hired movers to transport the things they were taking to Helen and Campbell's and rented a storage unit for the furniture they wouldn't need until they found a house.

By October 3rd, they were flying back to San Diego. The doctor said she could fly as long as she got up and walked every hour so that's what she did.

Finally they landed and Elizabeth was ready to relax and get situated so when Baby Bouchard made his or her appearance, he or she would be comfortable.

She had five weeks to go and she felt so huge.

One morning in late October, just under ten days until her due date, she burst into tears.

"Mom? Why are you crying?" Aria asked as she ate breakfast before school.

"My feet are cold and I can't put my socks on," she admitted.

"Why not?"

"I can't reach!"

Aria giggled and then hugged Elizabeth's belly. "I'll help you, Mom."

"Thank you, bugs."

"Does it hurt?" she asked.

"What part?"

"Having a baby?"

"Yes, it hurts but it's very worth it."

"I don't know if I want to have babies."

"That's your choice, bugs, but you might feel differently when you meet the man you're going to marry."

"Boys are gross."

Elizabeth laughed and hugged Aria. "Not always and once they grow up a bit, they aren't gross anymore."

Aria wrinkled her nose and helped Elizabeth with her socks.

"Thank you, love. Now go brush your teeth and get your bag. We leave in ten minutes for school."

"I could stay home with you. I mean, you can't even put your socks on. You clearly need me."

"Very funny. Now scoot."

….

After dropping off Aria, Elizabeth took advantage of Helen's offer to watch Jamie and headed to pick up lunch to eat with Lucas.

She was excited to have an impromptu date before their new baby came.

"U available 4 lunch, babe?" she asked.

"I am if you're coming too."

"LOL. I'll be there in 20."

"C u then, beautiful."

She walked into his work and stopped at the front desk.

"May I help you?"

"I'm looking for my husband. Lucas Bouchard?"

"Yes. It's nice to meet you. Dr. Bouchard talks about you constantly."

"He does?"

"Of course I do," he said, walking over to kiss her hello. "I love you. You're always on my mind."

"Awwww," the girl behind the desk said. "Enjoy your lunch."

"I didn't expect to see you today," he mentioned, taking her hand as they walked to a park not too far away.

"I wanted to see you and with this baby coming anytime, I figured it would be awhile before we had time together again."

He raised her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss on her knuckles. "I'm glad you're here. I missed you too."

They found a shady spot by a pond and sat down in the grass. "If we were back in Fall River it would be so cold right now," Elizabeth mused. "I can't say I will miss the snow this winter."

"Me either." He watched her try to get comfortable and sigh, tears coming to her eyes. "Hey, you doing alright?"

"I'm just…uncomfortable. I'll be fine."

"Why don't we find some bench to sit on?"

"This is supposed to be like a picnic. Picnics are on the ground."

"There's no rule written that says we have to sit on the ground."

"Its picnic rules."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek and then lips. "You're pretty cute when you're stubborn."

"I do not feel cute, husband. I feel huge and achy and…"

"Beautiful and a wonderful wife and mother," he finished. "I'm so grateful you're in my life."

"So am I."

Lucas opened the paper bag of food and took a deep breath in. "Italian? My favorite."

That night around midnight, Elizabeth woke up with a yell.

"Beth? Honey, what is it?"

"I think it's time." She moaned as a hard contraction took hold. "So much pressure."

"I'll get you down to the car."

"Ohhhhhhh," she moaned again. "Luke, I…need….to push….ohhhhhhh."

"What?" He grabbed his phone and dialed 911.

The next twenty minutes went by so fast. Jamie woke up so Lucas had to take him to Helen and Campbell. Lucas had to rely on paramedics to guide him through helping Beth get through contractions and pushing.

Finally just as Elizabeth gave her final push, the ambulance showed up.

"Beth, we have another girl," Lucas told her, holding their daughter up and putting her on Beth's chest.

"Hi, baby girl. It's wonderful to meet you," Elizabeth whispered as the paramedics cleaned her up and wrapped her in a warming blanket.

"Congratulations," the female EMT said. "Does she have a name?"

"Yes. Jillian. Jillian Eve Bouchard."