Lucas woke up the next morning sitting in his office he must of fallen asleep. Elizabeth, he thought. The saloon was a mess and he wanted to plan a nice Christmas dinner for the town. He lost some tables and chairs but luckily no permanent damage. It was gonna be hard for him to fix everything and figure out the town dinner he knew he would need help. He fixed up his hair and cleaned the office a bit. He felt bad Elizabeth had to go home without him and even wake up without him. He grabbed his suit coat and rushed out to head home. As he got into the kitchen he was surprised.

"Good morning buddy!" Jack said loudly, Lucas smiled.

"What are you guys doing here?" He said staring at his little buddy and his beautiful wife who had breakfast on the table.

"You had a hard night so we came to see you. Gustav made breakfast."

"I'm not very hungry…" Elizabeth sat Jack at the table to eat and joined Lucas over at the bar.

"Lucas I know your upset but-" she was cut off. "It just seems this saloon is telling me I should let it go…" Elizabeth put a hand on his shoulder.

"Lucas, don't let this downfall get to you." He shifted to put on his suit coat and walked around to the other side of the bar where the liquor sat.

"This isn't even my legacy. This is just a business. Maybe it's not what I'm meant to do anymore."

Elizabeth sighed, "What do you want to do?"

Lucas shrugged. "I know I want to be with you. And Jack." Elizabeth grinned but she knew he wasn't happy.

"Oh I didn't forget I've just had a lot on my mind…" Lucas said as he walked over to Jack. "Happy birthday buddy!"

Jack smiled and gave Lucas a hug. "I'm 5!" Jack jumped for joy! Elizabeth smiled, they were gonna have a nice birthday party with family and friends at the house and have cake! Lucas was having Gustav prepare the birthday cake.

"Are you excited, Aunt Rosemary, Uncle Lee and Uncle Bill are coming to see you!" Jack was thrilled! "Can't wait!" He spoke.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth, I have to clean up some things in here. How about we meet at the cafe in an hour and we will all take a walk?" Elizabeth gave him a look of understanding.

"I can see if Rosemary will watch little Jack and me and you will go?"

He sighed, "As much as I'd love that I think Jack should be with us today. How about something after he is in bed?"

"Sounds good." She said grabbing Jack to go but with one more look back at him, "Lucas,"

"Hm?"

"I love you… " He smiled. She knew he loved her too.

It had been a long day of cleaning up but Lucas managed to get everything back up to shape and they could have Christmas dinner at the saloon with the entire town. He arrived at the library 5 minutes before Elizabeth and Jack did.

"Hey Buddy!" Lucas exclaimed as the boy rushed into his embrace.

"Papa! Guess what!"

Lucas tilted his head, "what's that?"

"Today's calendar item was a present and it's my birthday!" Elizabeth and Lucas shared smiles. "That's amazing buddy! I know your excited for presents!"

Jack nodded and the three went for a nice walk up to the bridge where Elizabeth and Lucas had shared their first kiss.

"So, any other thoughts about the saloon?" Elizabeth asked curious where his mind was regarding their conversation earlier.

"It's a difficult decision if you ask me… I want to help others or the town. Being a saloon owner doesn't do that justice." Jack took off into the snow building a snowman.

"Like being mayor?"

Lucas sighed. "Would that be okay with you?"

"Lucas, you need to do what you want for once, not with my permission or feeling like you have to live up to something… your a wise man. I know you will make the right decision." He smiled and gave her a kiss on the lips. They stood together watching Jack and ended up joining him.

Elizabeth took Jack over Lee and Rosemarys so she could decorate for the party and get the cake ready, Lucas headed back to his office to grab Jacks gift. Elizabeth was curious if Lucas was being serious about being mayor… How would Lucas Bouchard look being in charge of Hope Valley?

Lucas walked through town like he was lost, he stared at the mayors office. It wasn't something he had ever thought of but when it came to business opportunities he always liked making people happy, doing what's right and with the saloon he never felt like he had belonged. He didn't cook the food? He deserve the credit he got, "I'm just a saloon owner" he said but forgot he was outside where everyone roamed.

"Lucas?" Nathan said from behind.

"Nathan, sorry thinking out loud…"

"No worries, what are you thinking about if you don't mind me asking?"

Lucas raised his eye brows while he sighed. "I've been thinking about selling the saloon."

Nathan's mouth widened, "Really? Why?" They started to walk, "I've been thinking about a different career choice."

"Like?" Nathan asked. "Would it be crazy if I said mayor."

Nathan let out a chuckle "Surprisingly not! You've always had a way with people Bouchard. Like no one else."

Lucas smiled. "Thanks Nathan, oh the time I'm gonna be late!"

"For?" Nathan asked.

"Jacks party, you and Allie should come! Jack would love to see you guys!"

Nathan nodded, "Sure, we will be by in a bit." Lucas nodded and headed off to Elizabeth's.

Lucas walked inside surprised at how well everything was all done. "I should hired you to decorate tomorrow Mrs. Bouchard." Elizabeth smirked at him walking into his arms, "Lucas, I want you to do what you love… so if that's giving up the saloon I support you one hundred percent!"

Lucas smiled "Thank you…" he gave her a gentle long kiss and then kissed her temple. "I invited Nathan and Allie I hope that's alright."

"That's more than alright my love"

As time went by Bill, Lee and Rosemary, Henry and Nathan and Allie showed up to give their gifts and have cake with Jack. He was beyond happy. He got a train set, building blocks and from Lucas he got a new toy race car, he's been into them since Lucas took him for drives in his car. Henry gave him a new cowboy hat for learning to ride! Nathan and Allie picked up some chocolate and a board game that they could teach Jack to play.

"Jack can you say thank you to everyone?" Elizabeth asked.

"Thank you!" He exclaimed. Everyone chuckled and Jack tried showing Hope his new toys, Allie and Rosemary played with the two.

Bill, Lucas, Henry and Lee talked over a game of poker, Nathan sat at the dining table having a cup of apple juice.

"Nathan, are you alright?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes, just thinking…" Elizabeth took a seat and smiled at the kids playing. "About Faith?"

"I got her a gift. I think I like her, a lot…" Elizabeth smiled and put her hand on his shoulder. "Then you need to tell her that. Nathan I know your not good at this but like you said love is worth fighting for. Go for it!" Elizabeth stated.

Nathan sighed, "and if she doesn't feel the same?"

"Well at least you tried and put yourself out there. But I'm sure she feels the same."

Nathan stood up ready to go, "oh wait Allie…"

Elizabeth looked back over to them then her and Lucas made quick eye contact with a smile.

"She can stay here, I'll get Lucas to drop her off later tonight!"

"Thank you! And thank Lucas for me as well!" Elizabeth nodded, "I will."

Nathan said goodbye to Allie and he walked to the infirmary.

As the night progressed everyone got tired and headed home Jack was sleepy but wasn't yet asleep so when Lucas returned from dropping Allie off him and Lucas sat on the couch reading a book while Elizabeth did some writing in her journal.

"How about we read the tale of Peter rabbit" Lucas suggested.

Jack nodded as they lied back on the couch together. Elizabeth smiled from her desk at the two of them thinking about how good of a father Lucas would make to another little baby.

As Elizabeth finished writing she saw the two had passed out somewhere in the course of reading and she didn't want to wake them, they both had a long day so Elizabeth made some tea and finished her wrapping of presents for an hour or so.

She then woke Lucas up and he took Jack to his bed.

"Sorry for falling asleep." Lucas said walking down the last step.

"You were tired, you had a long day." He smiled and wrapped her in his embrace.

"Merry Christmas, Elizabeth" he said looking at the time, it had just hit midnight.

"Merry Christmas, Darling Lucas."

Lucas chuckled, "We didn't even get to spend some moments alone..."

Elizabeth blushed she loved him and she knew that tomorrow there would be plenty of time for them and maybe one more. "We always have tomorrow night, Let's get some sleep."

The two went upstairs and headed to sleep knowing they had a long day ahead of them…

There was a lot of unresolved situations, Lucas wanting to be mayor and selling the saloon, Was the the saloon ready for tomorrow and lastly Elizabeth had a secret to tell Lucas but how?