Two weeks later

Rosie grabbed a sandwich and a bag of chips as she sat down on the couch to start her homework. Lee left two days before and her mind was always on him. However, he had made her promise to try her best to focus on school. So, she was working on that.

Then her phone rang. "Hi, Beth!"

"Hey, I'm working on my homework. We could do it together. FaceTime?"

"Yes, please!"

"So you're taking classes at U of NC?" Rosie asked once she could see her bestie. "And Lucas still doesn't know?"

"Its a surprise. I also worked it out with Grandpa Larry that I'm going to move into the duplex in a week."

"Wow. Good for you, Beth."

"Thanks. I can't wait to be there. To finally be closer to Lucas. In what's going to be our house."

Rosie wiped her eyes and shook her head.

"Rosie? What is it?"

"I miss Lee. Yes I know it has only been a few days but I've never missed him so much. Never felt so lost."

"I'm sorry, Rosie. You will get through this. You are strong and independent…"

"And I've never cried so much in my life."

"You are also hormonal."

"Yeah."

"Rosie, I'm thinking for spring break, maybe I can come visit you."

"You'll be a newlywed. I'm guessing Lucas won't want to let you out of his sight."

Elizabeth blushed and giggled. "True. I wouldn't want to leave him either. Maybe he can take a long weekend off work or something."

"I'd love that. Just let us know."

……

A few hours later

Elizabeth leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes. He'd be calling soon once he left work. She forced her tired eyes open and grabbed her laptop which was sitting beside her. She pulled up Pinterest and her board, "simple but romantic weddings."

She knew that her dad would want to insist on paying for it all, but there wasn't any reason why she had to spend a lot of his money.

Her phone buzzed. She answered it without looking. "Hey, sexy."

"Um, Beth?" her dad said with a laugh.

"Shoot! Dad? I thought you were Luke."

"I gathered."

She closed her eyes and fanned her face. How embarrassing.

"What's up, Dad?"

"Lynn and I want to offer you the house for your wedding."

"You do?"

"Of course. Its plenty big enough and I'm not sure that two months is enough time to find a different venue."

"Very true, Dad. I'll ask Luke and let you know."

"Okay and we also want to pay for your honeymoon."

"Oh, that's so sweet, but Grandpa Larry and Gran already offered."

"I see."

"We really appreciate that. More than you know."

"I know how it is just starting out and…I don't want you to struggle."

"Daddy? Its alright. Struggling is how we grow and learn."

"Bethie, I don't want any of my daughters to struggle."

"Please don't worry. Luke and I will lean on each other. We will be just fine."

He was silent for a moment. She looked at her phone to make sure he was still there.

"Dad?"

"I'm so sorry for how I acted when you told me your news. I'm happy for you. Really. I can't wait to walk you down the aisle and dance with you." She could hear the emotion in his voice.

"You miss mom?" she guessed.

"Well, I've moved forward but…yes, it was always something we thought we'd do together. Watching our daughters get married."

"I miss her. So much." Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as Lucas started calling too. She didn't want to hang up though. "I'm going to be moving closer to Charlotte next week. Would you and Lynn like to come for dinner? I'll cook for all four of us and we can talk about the wedding."

"We'd love that, sweetheart."

"Great. I love you so much, Dad."

"I love you more, Beth."

……

A few moments later, Elizabeth called Luke back.

"Hey, sweetheart."

"What's wrong?" Lucas asked.

"Who says anything's wrong?"

"I know you, babe."

"I miss you. Any chance you are coming to visit me?"

"Nice try. I have work tomorrow and you have class."

"I know. I still miss you."

"I miss you too."

"Dad and Lynn want us to get married at their house."

"Sounds good."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'm not sure that anywhere else would be available."

"Did I mention I miss you?"

"Beth? What's wrong?"

"I want to be your wife."

"That's good. I want you to be."

"I'm serious. I've never felt so much for anyone before and yes, I know I'm twenty-one and all but my heart just wants you to be with me. All the time."

"Just your heart?"

"Lucas Bouchard, are you flirting with me?"

"Absolutely."

"Don't stop."

"You know that soft place behind your left ear…"

"I just got goosebumps." She could almost feel his lips on her skin. Was it December yet? "Okay, stop. I'm so tempted to hop in my car right now."

He just chuckled. "Friday night…you still coming up here?"

"Of course." She may take that black lace teddy with her. "Lucas…"

"Yeah, babe."

"Its getting really challenging to sleep apart."

"It is." He'd almost suggested not waiting about a dozen times but they had almost made it. Only 9 more weeks. "We can do this, Beth. Sixty three more days and you won't have to sleep in the living room anymore."

"Thank goodness."

"I love you, Beth."

"And I love you."

….

The next Friday, Elizabeth met Lucas at his apartment like usual but when he arrived, instead of having dinner waiting like usual, she was waiting in the living room with her purse and car keys.

"Babe?"

She rushed over and hugged him, kissing him hello.

"No dinner?"

"Yes, um…why don't you go change and then I'd like to take you somewhere."

He smiled, kissing her again. "A date?"

"Something like that."

He looked at her outfit, a summer dress with a light sweater, nothing too fancy. "I'll just wear this." He gestured to his suit.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

She took his hand and led him to her car.

"So any hints?" he asked as she backed out of the building's lot.

"Its not far."

"Okay." That made sense. They were essentially in Charlotte and there were tons of restaurants.

"And it's sort of a double date," she mentioned.

"Oh."

She reached for his hand and slipped her fingers between us. "Disappointed?"

"No, just…I enjoy being with just you. It's been a long week and our Fridays mean alot to me."

"Me too, sweetheart. I think you'll like this though."

"I'm sure. At least we're together."

"Exactly. Only 53 more days," she mentioned.

"Yeah and then we are off to…"

"Where??? Please tell me! How will I know what to pack?"

He wanted to keep the exact location of their ten day honeymoon a secret. Grandpa Larry and Gran were helping and he told them it was a surprise for her too.

"The night before the wedding, I'll come over and pack your bag for you."

"Uh no. You will not be touching my underthings before its time, sweetheart."

He chuckled.

"I'm serious."

"Noted. So I'll have your sister's pack for you."

"I guess that's better."

She pulled into the driveway of the duplex a few moments later.

"The duplex?" he asked, confused.

She turned off the car and got out so he followed of course.

When she opened the door without a key and then he smelled something delicious, he looked at her. Then he saw boxes and furniture and….her parents?

"Babe?"

"Surprise!"

"What's happening? Did your parents move here?"

"No. I did."

"Wait…."

"Today. Dad and Lynn helped me move in."

"What about classes? That commute is terrible, hon."

"I go to the University of North Carolina now."

"You do?"

She giggled at his reaction. Stunned, confused.

"Lucas. I live here. Grandpa Larry gave me the keys and I paid him first and last month's rent. Well, I tried anyway. He's stubborn."

Lucas placed his hands gently on her cheeks and lowered his mouth to hers, giving her a slow, mesmerizing kiss.

"You're ten miles from me," he whispered, kissing her again, this time deepening their connection and ignoring that her parents were in the next room. "I love you so much, Beth."

"I love you too."

William cleared his throat. "Sorry to intrude but dinner is ready."

Lucas shook William's hand and hugged Lynn. "Its good to see you both."

"You too, honey," Lynn said, patting his cheek. "Elizabeth thought tonight we could finalize some wedding details."

"Sounds good."

As they ate apple pie for dessert, Elizabeth took out her laptop and pulled up her wedding boards on Pinterest.

"So we can make our own centerpieces and use dried flowers and candles to make it romantic," she started.

"Oh, Beth, those are beautiful," Lynn exclaimed, pointing at the screen.

"Thanks, Mom. Now these…are my favorites. The baby's breath and blue flowers make them look wintery which it will be so that makes sense, right?"

Elizabeth stopped talking. Everyone was staring and Lynn was crying.

"What's wrong? Is it terrible?"

"No but, honey, you called me Mom," Lynn cried, wrapping her arms around Elizabeth tightly.

"Oh. I'm sorry. It popped out. If you don't want me to…"

"Of course I do. Oh my goodness, I never set out to replace your mom but you and your sisters are every bit my daughters in all the ways that matter."

"Well, in that case, would you go with me to find a dress? Rosie is so far away and I'd love your opinion."

"I'd absolutely be honored, sweetheart."

"Great."

Lucas smiled and stood up. "William, would you like to have a beer with me on the deck?"

"What about the wedding, Luke? I want your opinion," Elizabeth told him. "Plus, I don't have any beer."

"Babe, I am good with whatever you and Lynn decide."

"I'm not marrying her. I'm marrying you."

She stared up at him and raised her eyebrows.

He sat back down. "You didn't buy my beer? You knew I'd be coming over and you didn't get my beer," he teased.

"Funny, Lucas Anthony."

He chuckled and kissed her quickly. "I want to help plan the wedding but I'm not very creative. You've seen my apartment. You were the one who decorated it, not me."

"You don't need to be creative, Lucas. Leave that to me. I just want your opinion. This will be the most important day of our life so far and I'm not okay with making all the decisions."

"Okay. Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I'm not angry."

He nodded and moved his chair closer, putting his hand on her thigh. "Show me what you've found, Beth." She kissed his cheek and smiled, placing her hand over his. She was a blessed woman.

"Alright. So this is what I'm thinking of for a cake. I found a bakery here that is willing to do this. Three tiers, chocolate for the top tier, then devils food for you and the bottom, raspberry filling with white cake."

"That sounds amazing."

….

After her parents left, he helped her do the dishes and then joined her on the couch.

"So, I thought of something, Beth."

She snuggled into his arms and sighed. "What's that?"

"I'm tied into a year lease at my apartment."

"Mmhm," she said, sleepily, kissing his neck and closing her eyes.

"We are getting married in 53 days."

"I know," she mumbled. "I can't wait."

"So, I live there and you live here and I'm not crazy about the idea of living ten minutes from my new wife."

He heard her breathe deep and relax even more. She had fallen asleep.

He kissed her soft hair and forehead and sighed. Maybe his landlord would let him out of his lease, even though it would be seven months early. He didn't want to pay a fee but what choice did he have?

Oh well. Right now, all that mattered in this moment was holding his stunning fiancé while she slept.