"Sort of pregnant?" Elizabeth giggled.

"Well, okay, one hundred percent."

"Are you happy?"

"Yes. We wanted to start a family soon so yes."

"What about school?"

"I'll be able to go for the first semester and then, once the baby comes, I'll take night courses."

"Wow." Elizabeth couldn't imagine becoming a mother at the age of twenty one and not finishing college.

Of course she wanted kids and wanted to get married but she wanted her degree. She wanted to fulfill her other dreams too.

"I know what you're thinking," Rosie said, pulling quickly into traffic. "But, I'd be fine with not finishing my degree. I'd love to be a teacher like I've been working towards but being Lee's wife and a mom…that's more important to me."

"Your babies will be beautiful," Elizabeth told her, squeezing her hand. "I'm going to love being Auntie Beth."

Elizabeth's mind was on Lucas the entire next five days until Friday afternoon when she left Raleigh for Charlotte.

"I'm going to be late," Lucas told her when she texted him she was in the city.

"Okay."

"The address is 221 Third St. Apt 2."

He had decided on a one bedroom apartment downtown and she'd be sleeping on a pullout sofa bed. He said it was refurbished, not too small and only a one year lease. From the pictures he sent the night before, she thought it looked nice.

She wasn't sure what she was going to do while she waited for him to get home. "How late will you be?"

"Maybe an hour. I'm sorry, babe."

"Well, have you eaten?"

"They bought us dinner."

So he wasn't going to even eat with her?

Maybe she should have just come on Saturday.

"I guess I'll go grab something then."

She tried not to let it bug her that on the first weekend they were supposed to see each other, he was working late and wasn't going to have dinner with her. But there it was. She couldn't even relax at his apartment because she couldn't get into it.

"Maybe I'll get a room somewhere," she typed. "Or go home."

Her phone rang and she answered, seeing his handsome face staring at her.

"Hello."

"Please don't go, Elizabeth. It's only an hour and then I'm all yours. The whole weekend."

"I miss you," she whispered.

"I know. I miss you too. Why don't you go grab some takeout and we can watch a movie when I get home?"

"We were supposed to have dinner together, Lucas."

"I know…I felt bad turning it down. I've only been here a week, babe. I'm trying to fit in but…they all see me as just some kid who has no clue. I need to prove myself."

"Oh, hon, I'm sorry. I'll go get some food and meet you at the apartment. I love you. Hang in there."

"Thanks, babe."

So she ordered food after wandering around the grocery store for about thirty minutes. She bought the makings for mojitos and some beer, some snacks and food to make for dinner the next night.

Then, she grabbed her takeout and headed to the apartment building, surprised to see Lucas had beaten her there. She couldn't help but smile. She'd missed everything about him and couldn't wait to be in his arms.

She carried the bags to the door and pushed the buzzer for apartment 2 with her thumb.

"Babe?"

"Its me. I have my arms full."

"I'll be right there."

He wasn't kidding. He must have run to door.

"Hi!" she said, wanting badly to hug him but her arms were full. He put his hands on her face and pulled her as close as he could, satisfying both of their wants at that moment. His lips were magical.

"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth," he mumbled between kisses.

"Its ok. I'm not mad," she told him, resting her forehead against his shoulder to catch her breath. "I'm about to drop these bags. Can we maybe continue this inside?"

He laughed, kissed her again and took some of the bags. "Sure."

They walked in his door and she gasped. "Um, honey?"

He grinned at her, "Yes, babe?"

"There's nothing in here."

"I know. All my stuff is still in the storage unit. I haven't had time to move it."

"I can help you tomorrow."

"Sounds good. I at least have a mattress, so I have, we have, a place to sleep."

"Okay." She hated that she blushed so easily but just thinking about sleeping next to Lucas again made her feel things. Strong things.

"Is that alright? If you don't want to, I can sleep in the living room."

Her stomach let out a loud growl so she grabbed her cheeseburger and fries and started eating, standing up. "It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

He led her to the living room where he at least had a tv, just no couch. "I see your priorities. A bed and a tv."

"Yeah. Don't have time for much else."

"Tell me about your work, while I eat."

So he did. He mentioned learning the new computer system, how no one really trusted that he was as good as he was at designing buildings.

"I'm not sure what I need to do to gain their trust, but I will."

"You will, of course. Lucas, you've been there a week. They will see what you can do eventually."

He nodded. He just needed to be patient.

"Would you like some fries?"

"Sure."

Just sitting there talking to him made her feel so much better. So much less lost. She smiled at him as he ate her fries.

"What?" he wondered, nudging her with his foot.

"I missed you and I'm really glad I'm here."

"Ditto." He sat forward and kissed her, lingering a bit. "Want to watch a movie?"

"Can we maybe just talk more? I feel like we need this."

"Sure."

"I bought some stuff. Groceries. Beer. Mojito stuff. Let's make some drinks."

He nodded and pulled her up by her hands, leading her to the kitchen. She hopped up on the counter and they chatted while he made the mojitos and put groceries away.

"So, have you talked to Lee this week?"

He handed her her drink and sipped his beer. "Nope."

"Well, he's going to be a daddy."

Lucas spit out his beer, making her giggle.

"Are you kidding?" he asked, wiping up his mess.

"Nope."

"Wow."

"Yeah. So, I was thinking we need to have that talk too."

"The kid talk?"

"Yeah. Time frames, how many, you know. We've had the conversation about buying a house, which to me means that one day we will get married. So logically, that would mean that children would come eventually."

He took a long swig of beer and leaned back against the counter, quietly.

"Look, I just think we should talk. I'm not saying we need to get married right away or have kids right away. In fact, I have thoughts about that."

"Tell me," he said, stepping closer to her.

"So, I was thinking we should wait at least a year from when we get married to have kids. I'd like to get my first property up and running and making a bit of money before taking on more."

He nodded but stayed quiet.

"Luke?"

"I agree," he told her. "Where do you want this property to be?"

"Well, you are here," she told him, pulling him over in front of her. "And your job is here."

"True."

"So, maybe just outside Charlotte."

"There are no beaches in Charlotte."

"I know." She wrapped her ankles around his waist and her arms around his neck. "But as long as we are together, I'm good with whatever."

"Together is good," he mumbled, capturing her mouth with those magical lips. He put his hands on the counter on either side of her hips, bringing him closer. She sighed, feeling every point where they touched.

Getting a bit carried away, his fingers itching to slip under the hem of her shirt, Lucas pulled away, giving her one last kiss. "Movie?" he blurted, stepping back. "Yeah, a movie."

"Star Wars?" she asked, slipping down from the counter, her cheeks flushed.

"You like Star Wars?"

"Oh yeah. Luke Skywalker is a hottie."

"Have a thing for guys named Luke?" he teased.

"Apparently."

Lucas grabbed his pillows and blankets from the bedroom so they'd have something softer to lay back on to watch the movie.

As they watched the movie, Elizabeth scooted closer and took his hand. "Hon?"

"Yeah."

"You didn't really tell me what you thought about having kids. I really want to know what you think."

He paused the movie and turned to face her, a serious look on his face. "I do want to have kids, Elizabeth. At least two, and waiting a bit until we have a house and our careers in a good place is what I want too."

"Is there a but in there somewhere?"

"No. No but."

"Okay," she nodded.

"I'm sorry if you thought…well, I just was surprised by the question."

"Because we aren't even engaged?"

"Partly but then I realized that it doesn't matter. You are my forever, Elizabeth. I want to experience all those things with you. You will be my first and my last and we should be having these conversations."

She nodded and leaned forward to kiss him. "You make me happy, Lucas."

"You make me happy too."

She nodded and unpaused the movie.

After a moment, he paused it again. She looked at him, questions in her eyes.

"I just want you to know that I'm going to sleep here tonight while you sleep in the bedroom."

"Why?"

"Because I'm not sure I trust myself to not…I mean, what we were on the road toward almost doing in the kitchen…I don't want to do something that we aren't both ready for."

She pulled her knees up to her chest and blushed. "We love each other, Lucas, and we are going to get married. That being said, we are also going to be seeing each other every weekend so…I would be okay with letting things happen naturally."

He nodded this time and pushed play. They finished the movie but they were plenty distracted now.

He walked her into the bedroom, giving her a blanket and pillow. "I love you," he told her. "More than anything."

She kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his waist, relaxing into his arms. "I love you too."

He forced himself to give her a chaste goodnight kiss, walking away before his heart wanted him to.

As she relaxed in his bed, she texted Rosemary, needing perspective, knowing her best friend wouldn't hesitate to give it to her.

"Hey," Rosie texted back. "How's it going?"

"I need you."

Rosie called her. "What's wrong, Beth?"

"Nothing. Not really. Well, I blame you."

"Naturally."

"You got me thinking about babies and so I thought bringing it up to Lucas was a good idea."

"Uh oh. Did he freak?"

"No. Apparently he gets quiet when he thinks."

"So if he didn't panic, what's the issue?"

"I'm nervous. We decided that if the opportunity presents itself, we won't force ourselves to hit the brakes."

"You mean having kids?"

"No, to be intimate."

"Ah ok."

"So, what do you think?"

"About you and Lucas' decision? Elizabeth, I'll never judge you for any choice you make. Plus, I'm not a party in your relationship. I don't get to have an opinion."

"But…"

"Beth, talk to Lucas. He is who needs to hear any concerns you are having."

"I know. You're right. Maybe this is a sign that I'm not ready yet."

"Maybe."

Or maybe she was just nervous. "Thanks, Rosie. Goodnight."

"Night."

Elizabeth had a lot of thinking to do. She was tired too but her thoughts kept her awake.

Lucas was also awake in the living room. It had been a good night but their serious conversations were making him toss and turn. Were they emotionally ready to take that step? Should they wait until they were at least engaged? Maybe they should wait until marriage. He knew it would be hard on both of them to be careful with their affections but…

"Gaaa!" He groaned. He had no idea.

He sat up, stood and wandered to his bedroom, knocking lightly. "You awake, babe?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah. You can come in."

He took a deep breath and walked over to the bed, lifting the covers and laying down. "I can't sleep."

"Me either."

"I'm not sure we're ready to take the step we were talking about," he admitted.

"Not now at least," she agreed. "Let's just see what happens. No pressure, right?"

"Of course."

"I'm glad it's out in the open though. We should be able to talk about everything."

"I agree."

He sighed and moved closer, wrapping his arm around her waist as their foreheads touched.

"I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you too."