Trigger warning-alluding to child abuse. No details just allusion*
Elizabeth sighed with happiness as she finally finished Ace's room. She went into Amie's room and made sure she had left nothing behind. They were both perfect.
She took the key to the house and left it on the counter with a note stating she had finished and to contact her if he had any problems. Then she left. The house was a big, fancy one, in a big, fancy neighborhood. It made her slightly uncomfortable but she wouldn't have to return.
As she walked into her cottage, she heard the whimpering of Nora. At least she wasn't screaming. That was a small win.
"Nora Rose, I'm home," Elizabeth said, peeking over the couch.
"Mama! Mama home!" she whimpered, her cheeks wet and her nose dripping.
"Yes, I'm here. I will always come home, sweet pea. Let's wipe your nose."
"She was a lot better today," Vi mentioned. "She's getting used to it, I think."
"Well, I finished the house in Spruce Hill and I don't have any immediate jobs lined up so I won't need to leave her for awhile."
"What about the Yosts?"
"I'm just not sure I can do it, with her so young. They need an answer on Monday so I have a few more days, but I may just spend time with Nora." Nora was snuggled into Elizabeth's neck and breathing heavy so she went to the master and put her in her crib.
Was it the smart thing to do? She just didn't know how to do everything. She didn't have a husband or significant other to rely on, to take some of the work off herself, not that she wanted to go down that road again. If she took the Yost job, she'd be set for a while.
Her mind went to the single parenting class Lucas had mentioned. If she went on Monday, she could get ideas from other parents about how they did it. What she should be making a priority.
She picked up her phone to text Lucas to get the address. Then she put it back down.
He offered to drive her but it would seem like a date, wouldn't it? She didn't want that.
"Hello, may I have the address for the parenting class u mentioned?"
She sent the text before she chickened out and then walked back out to talk to Vi.
"I texted Mr. Bouchard," she blurted, sitting down on the couch next to Vi.
"About…"
"That parenting class."
"That's good."
"I hope so. I mean, I made the choice to be a single mom and I need help, Vi. You are amazing and help me so much, but the little daily things, like how to deal with her fits or how to make ends meet. I just think another single parent's ideas might help."
"You don't have to explain, Beth. Truly. Just so you know, you are already a good mom in just a few short weeks. But it is hard and I can't imagine how hard it would be if I had to raise my boys alone. I think I might go crazy."
Her phone buzzed. She turned it over. "Just landed. Of course. 222 W. Connors Highway. My offer still stands for the future if you want to ride together. I won't be going this week because of just getting back with the kids but next week, I'm available."
"I appreciate that."
She didn't accept his ride but she did appreciate his help with the address.
"Why not accept his ride?"
"I don't want to give him the wrong impression."
"Such as…"
"That I want to date him or something. I don't want to date anyone. Been there. Done that."
"Not every man is a jerk."
"Maybe not but why take the risk?"
"Because you deserve to be happy."
"I am happy, Vi. A little stressed but happy."
"Fair enough."
"But he is cute. Hot, really," she mumbled, her cheeks turning red.
"Aha!"
"No, aha. Just telling the truth."
Vi knew her sister. She could be stubborn and she had been burned romantically in the past but she wasn't blind. If she noticed a man, her heart wasn't completely shut to love. She just had to believe it herself.
……
Lucas kissed the top of Amie's blonde head and smiled, whispering, "We're home, babydoll."
She sighed and opened her eyes. "Hi, Daddy."
"Hi, there. Did you have a good sleep?"
She nodded and slipped her tiny hand into his grasp. He fell deeper in love with his new daughter right then. She trusted him and that was a big thing. She didn't trust easily.
"I love you," he whispered.
She didn't say it back but that would come in time.
"Dad? This is where we live?" Ace said, looking out the window.
"Yes. What do you think?"
"It's really big!"
"It's just the right size."
"My room has unicorns?" Amie asked, knowing because he had already told her.
"Yes and all the girl things that you love."
"Yay!"
"You show the kids their rooms, son," Martin told him. "Mom and I will bring your bags in after we chat for a moment."
"Thanks, Dad."
Lucas led the kids up to the front door. He put his code in and opened the door, flipping the lights on. "Welcome home, kids."
"We can really stay here? Forever?" Amie asked, her eyes big in disbelief.
"Forever and ever, baby doll."
"Wow. I love it."
"You guys want to see your rooms?"
He led them through the kitchen and down the hall. "First, this is my room. So right by the kitchen is where I sleep. So if you ever need me, I'm right here."
They nodded so he led them across the hall and up the stairs to the second floor. "Amie, babydoll, this is your room."
She squealed and immediately ran and jumped on her bed. "Wow oh wow! Daddy, this amazing!"
It really was. It was perfect. He absolutely needed to thank Elizabeth again for her hard work.
"I'm so glad. Let's go see, Ace's room."
"I wanna stay here, Daddy. Just for a minute."
So Ace and Lucas went down the hall to the next door and Lucas opened it and looked at Ace's face.
"Wow! I get an astronaut? Dad! Thank you! I love space."
"I know you do. Let me show you something else okay?"
"Okay."
Lucas turned the lights off and Ace stared in awe at the stars that glowed on the ceiling and walls. "I don't like the dark," he told him.
"I know. That's why we did this and you have two nightlights and we will always leave the hallway light on."
"What if I still get scared?" he asked, sitting on the bed and staring at his hands.
"Then you can come get me. Alright?"
"Are you sure its okay?"
"Of course it is. I will keep you safe, Ace. I promise."
"But…my first Dad. He's not nice. He did things…"
"I know and you won't ever have to see him again." He was in prison for life, no parole. Guilty of murder but also of way more terrible things that he did to his own children. If the man ever did get out, Lucas would make sure he never found his biological children, even if it meant leaving and moving far away and changing everyone's names.
Ace hugged Lucas' waist. "I'm glad you're our dad. We need you."
Lucas knelt down and looked his son in the eyes. "I need you too, bud."
……
Monday night, Elizabeth got dressed, pulled her hair back in a messy ponytail, put on lip gloss and wore her casual t-shirt and jean combo. She wasn't trying to impress anyone so why dress like she was?
She walked into the class right before it started, trying to avoid talking to anyone, wanting to sit in the back.
Surprisingly, there was only one seat left so she slid into the seat and put her purse on the floor.
"Welcome!" the pretty redhead said from the front of the room.
"Thank you," she said quietly, everyone turning around.
"Hey," a voice said from next to her.
"Mr. Bouchard?"
"Lucas, please."
"What are you doing here?"
"My parents are still in town."
The redhead up front cleared her throat and Elizabeth pressed her lips together, embarrassed.
"So our topic today is balance. Whether its work and childcare, bills, or just your time to yourself as opposed to your time with your child or children."
Elizabeth was definitely listening now. She pulled out her phone and took notes, jotting down some great ideas she would put into practice. Find quality childcare you trust. Build a support system. Make time for yourself. Have a routine.
Routine was going to be a necessity. Getting up the same time every day, giving Nora a bath on specific nights, getting her to bed at the same time, etc.
After talking about the pointers, the redhead, who was named Molly, asked for the students to give their own experiences.
Lucas raised his hand, obviously not shy to be talking in front of others.
"Lucas, please share."
"Well, I just brought my kids home a few days ago…" He paused since everyone started congratulating him. "Thanks, everyone. The first night was a rough one. My kids' history with trauma from their biological father makes it difficult for them to sleep in dark places or to simply trust other people. My son bravely started out in his own room but even with the extra glow in the dark items and night lights, he ended up with me, sleeping on the floor. My daughter was too young to have too many memories of the past but she ended up with me too. I guess what I'm wondering is do any of the people here have experience with how to get someone, a child, to feel safe in a dark room?"
No one raised their hands or came forward so Molly stepped in. "I think trust will come with time and in my experience with children who come from a past such as that…well, they may not fully get over it. It may haunt them for a long time. Just being patient with them, reassuring them that they are safe now, that will go a long way in building trust. In addition, see me after class, Lucas. I have a colleague that is a child therapist. That may be something you should look into."
"Okay, thank you."
Lucas wasn't sure about seeing a therapist. He didn't want Ace to have to talk about what his "dad" had done. Wouldn't that harm more than help?
……
Back at Lucas' house
"Nana?" Amie asked quietly as she sat down next to Helen.
"Yes, dear."
"Um, are you going to always live here too? With us?"
"No. We live in New Hampshire."
"Where's that?"
"Not too far."
"Can we come visit you? Dad and Ace and me? Please?"
"Of course you can."
"Do you have a big house like this?"
"Something like this."
Ace on the other end of the couch, listening to Grandpa read.
Martin took off his reading glasses and sighed. "Why don't you read to me, Ace?"
"I don't read very good."
"That's alright. I'm right here if you need help with a word."
"No!" Ace yelled, shoving the book over. "I don't want to!"
Then he ran upstairs, perplexing Martin. At the same time, he knew that doing things he didn't want to do, even if acceptable, might be hard for the boy.
He gave him a moment or two and then went up to knock on his door. "Ace? Bud, its Grandpa, may I come in?"
"Yeah," he said, sniffling.
"Hi there," Martin said, sitting in the chair at the end of the bed.
"Hi. I'm sorry I yelled."
"Thank you."
"I don't like to read. Kids make fun of me in school because I can't do it. The words get mixed up in my head and I sound stupid."
Martin wondered if the boy had something like dyslexia. "You aren't stupid, Ace Bouchard. I promise you. I know you are smart. I used to have an issue reading when I was a kid too."
"You did?"
"I did. First I found out I needed glasses because I couldn't see the stuff the teacher wrote on the board. Can you see the stuff on the board?"
"Yeah."
"Then I found out from the doctor that I had something called dyslexia."
"That's what I have! I remember hearing my Mom say that before she went away…"
"Well, let's tell your Dad and maybe he can get some help to make things easier for you."
"Will I be able to read as good as you, Grandpa?"
"If you work hard and listen to what the doctors say, I know you will."
…..
Back at the community center
"You're not staying for refreshments?" Lucas asked, watching Elizabeth stand and grab her purse to leave.
"No, I need to get home to Nora."
"I hope you heard helpful things tonight."
"I did."
"Do you think you'll come back next week?"
"I hope to."
"That's good. I just wanted you to know that you did an amazing job on the kids' rooms. They love them."
"I'm glad. It was a lot of fun designing them." She put her purse over her shoulder and nodded. "Well, goodnight, Mr…uh Lucas."
"Goodnight, Elizabeth."