A month later

Twenty-three days and she wouldn't have to sleep alone anymore. She wouldn't have to just drive over on a Friday night to his apartment downtown and then force herself to leave. They would be together. She was so ready for it.

"Babe?" Lucas called, walking in the duplex. "We're here."

She peeked out from the kitchen. He and his parents were there for dinner and it was time. She had met them a few times but then they took a long trip to Europe and she hadn't seen them in a few months.

Martin and Helen were very nice people. Very rich but very nice. At first meeting, she was intimidated but Lucas assured her that regardless of how much money the Bouchard's had, what mattered was she was loved and was going to be part of the family.

"Hi!" she waved, walking over to them. She received Martin's somewhat stiff hug but a hug nonetheless. Then she hugged and kissed Helen's cheek.

"Hi, darling," Helen smiled. "Are you ready to get married?"

"Very ready. Your son," she said, keeping her eyes on Lucas. "He's my whole heart, Helen."

"As it should be, Elizabeth. As it should be."

Lucas winked and grabbed her hand, placing a kiss on her forehead. "You're my whole heart too, babe," he whispered.

"Dinner smells delicious," Helen mentioned.

"I made Carbonara," Elizabeth told them. "If you'd like to have a seat, I will bring everything to the table."

Lucas followed her into the kitchen and cornered her by the stove, giving her a proper lingering kiss. "Hi."

"Hey. Wanna help me bring the food to the table?"

"I'd rather stay right here," he flirted, trapping her between the counter and his body, stepping very close, his feet on either side of hers.

"I'd like that too but your parents are right in there." Her stomach growled loud. "And I'm starving."

He kissed her once again and then did as she asked, grabbing the salad from the counter and letting her take her delicious looking and smelling creation to the table.

As they ate, she asked about their trip. "I'd love to take a trip to Italy one day. What did you like about it?"

"Oh, the Trevi Fountain was gorgeous and the Colosseum but my favorite place in Italy was Venice," Helen said, stars in her eyes. "Something about a romantic gondola ride in the evening with the one you love." Martin winked at his wife, reminding Elizabeth so much of Lucas.

"That sounds amazing," Elizabeth said, putting her hand on Lucas' thigh. He slipped his fingers between hers. "We should take a trip to Venice, hon."

"Maybe for our anniversary? We need to save up for that."

Before babies and before she was knee deep in her Airbnb properties. Regardless of the timing, she wanted to experience everything with Lucas. Everything.

After dinner, Elizabeth and Lucas showed them their newly decorated master suite and guest room and then they had some decaf by the fireplace and discussed plans for the wedding.

When the time came for him to take his parents back to his apartment, he found her for a moment in the master.

"Elizabeth?"

She turned and smiled at him. "Hi."

"Hey. I just wanted to say goodnight." He closed the door behind him and gathered her into his arms.

"I miss you already."

"I could stay, or at least come back after I take them to their car."

"No, you can't. As much as I want you to."

"Soon then," he said, nodding. He kissed her twice and smiled. "I love you so much."

"I love you."

…..

A week later, Lucas and Elizabeth flew up to Cape May, New Jersey, for Lee's coast guard graduation. After the ceremony the two couples headed out to dinner at an Italian restaurant nearby.

Elizabeth watched her friends, holding on to each other. It had been a long eight weeks for both of them. She honestly was surprised that they wanted to go out to eat at all. She was pretty sure if she was a newlywed and away from Lucas for 8 weeks, they'd need to be alone. Immediately.

"I'm going to find out the gender on Monday, Lee."

"Don't worry. I'll be there. I have a week before I need to report."

She nodded and pulled his hand over on her belly. "Feel that?"

"Is that….oh my. Sweetheart, that's our baby?"

"Yes. I'm so glad you felt it. We've missed you so much."

Lee wrapped his arms around her and kissed her like he had forgotten they were in a restaurant. He likely had or didn't care much.

"Let's get our food to go?" Lee asked.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

"And then there were two," Lucas said a few minutes later.

"I'm shocked they even wanted to come with us," Elizabeth said with a smile.

"I'm good with it being just us."

"Maybe we can go walk outside after?"

"Its so chilly," he mentioned.

"Yes, but it's November and we can keep each other warm, right?"

She would never get tired of seeing that look in his eyes that warmed her to the core.

She blushed and he gave her one of those "who cares who sees us" kisses too.

"Sweetheart," she mumbled. "We are in a restaurant." She said the words but she didn't stop the affection.

Their waiter cleared his throat from nearby.

Elizabeth blushed even deeper and bit her slightly swollen bottom lip.

"I guess something is in the air tonight?" the waiter said with a smirk.

Lucas touched his own lip, his ears bright red. "My apologies."

"No need, sir. I hope you enjoy your meal. You and your wife."

They didn't bother to correct him. After all, both wore rings so it appeared that way.

"Oops," she muttered, squeezing his hand.

"So…we could take our food and leave," he whispered into her ear.

"In a couple weeks, I'd say yes but…we've waited, Luke. I want our wedding night to be our first time."

He knew that it was important to her and it was to him too. He had waited to take that step personally, even through high school and college.

"Chilly walk it is. Maybe I'll even jump in the bay."

She giggled and kissed his cheek. "I love you almost husband."

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her once more, leaning towards her, just needing to be close.

"I love you more."

….

Cape May, B and B

"I missed you," Rosie mumbled as she dozed against Lee's chest.

"I gathered that," he teased, making her snort.

"Rosie, did you just snort?"

"Of course not. I don't snort."

"Mhm. Whatever you say, dear."

"Dear? We haven't been married that long."

"Okay, my love."

"That's better." She kissed his chest and jaw. "I think it's a boy," she told him.

"Yeah?"

"Just a feeling I have. I've made boards on Pinterest for both genders but, I feel like its a boy."

"Does that make you happy?"

"Of course. No matter boy or girl. They are part of you and me. I couldn't be happier."

His face turned serious and that concerned her. "Lee? What is it?"

"Nothing."

She touched his face softly. "Talk to me."

"I don't want to miss helping you raise our son. Not one minute but…it's almost inevitable."

"But you're not going offshore, right?"

"Not that I know of but if they order me, I have to."

She nodded. She had never thought it would be a possibility but now…just one more thing to deal with.

"I don't want you to worry."

"You start in five days, Lee. It isn't much time."

"I know." He pulled her as close as he could, loving the feel of her soft, warm body against him. It made him feel safe and at home. "We just need to make the most of every minute," he whispered just before his mouth touched hers, pulling them into their own private bliss again.

…..

As Lucas and Elizabeth walked along the water by the restaurant, both felt lovingly jealous of their friends who were likely enjoying their time alone right that moment.

They both sighed at the same time and then looked at each other, a smile on their faces.

"Fifteen more days," he assured her.

"Don't get me wrong, honey, I'm glad we waited, but this has not been easy."

"Torturous at times," he said, making her giggle.

"Yeah."

She stopped and wrapped her arms around his waist, staring up into his hazel/brown eyes. "I want all of our babies to have your eyes."

He smiled and she kissed both dimples. "And those."

He dipped his head and kissed her deeply, his fingers slipping into her soft brown curls to keep her in the perfect kissing range.

As their mouths continued gently exploring, they both were getting carried away. Her hands slipped under his jacket and her fingers tiptoed up his back to grip his shirt. His hands now rested on her lower back but they were making a slow trip south. It would be so easy to just….

Lucas pulled back, pulling himself away from his love. "We need to stop," he told her, bringing his fingers to his mouth. He would be thinking about this all night.

"Let's get some coffee before heading back," she suggested. They wouldn't be sleeping anyway.

….

The next morning, Lucas and Lee went to buy new suits for the wedding. The girls headed to breakfast and then to find a dress for Rosie to accommodate her expanding waistline.

"You ready for this, bro?" Lee asked him as they stood waiting as the employees measured their arms, legs, neck and waist for the suits.

"So ready."

"I'm sensing a little tension," Lee chuckled.

"You have no idea."

"Oh I do."

"Not really, Lee. You and Rosie didn't wait."

"No but I was just away from her for 8 weeks. Believe me, that was difficult."

"Yeah. Maybe we should just elope while we are still here."

Lee put his hand on Lucas' shoulder and smiled. "I'm not going to tell you what to do but you've waited for her, dude. You saved yourself for that great love and she's it. You both deserve the wedding that you've planned and the wedding night you've wanted for so long."

"You're right, Lee. Thanks. 14 more days is all we have. It's going to be perfect. I'm taking her to Lake Tahoe. I found the perfect cabin. It has a hot tub and it's so secluded."

"Nice!"

"Yeah but don't tell Rosie. It's a secret and we all know how well Rosie keeps secrets."

"Especially from her best friend. I won't say anything."

….

Ruby's Cafe

"Rosie, I swear, I was so jealous of you last night."

"Two weeks, Beth. That's all there is left."

"I know." She sighed and took a sip of her coffee. "I've never felt this before. The need to be with him, to take that step, is so incredibly strong."

"You've waited, Beth. You found the perfect man for you that loves you so much and waited for you too. That first night will be magical."

"I'm a bit nervous but I'm ready."

"Where are you two staying that night?"

"I don't know. He won't tell me."

"I'll ask Lee."

"No. I want it to be a surprise. At first I didn't but I'm just going to go with it."

They finished eating and headed to the bridal boutique. "I think you should get yourself something here," Rosie told her with a grin.

"I already have a dress. We are here for you."

"Do you have lingerie?"

"Of course. I'm not completely clueless."

"I'd like to buy you a wedding gift."

"You being my matron of honor is all I need."

Rosie looped her arm through Elizabeth's and grinned, mischievously.

"Rosie…"

"Its a gift. You don't get to weigh in."

She pulled her over to the lingerie area and held up a hanger.

"Um no. What's the point of wearing anything? It's like fishing line holding two pieces of sheer fabric together."

"To keep things interesting," Rosie shrugged, giggling.

"If I can't keep him interested just being myself, maybe I shouldn't be marrying him."

"Of course but there's nothing wrong with making things a little spicy."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and grabbed a silk cream colored robe. "This is perfectly medium heat. If you are insisting on buying me something."

"I do insist."

"Okay then. I wear a small. Let's find you a dress!"