The night before the wedding
Lucas handed Elizabeth a large cup of cocoa, keeping one for himself.
"Thank you, honey."
"My pleasure."
He took her hand and smiled. A genius. He was a genius.
"I'm glad you snuck me out of the den of parents," she told him. "I mean, I love yours, mine and your grandparents a lot…but I'd much rather be with you."
"I'm glad."
"So where are we going?"
"Here," he said, gesturing in front of them.
"A horse-drawn carriage? That's pretty romantic, almost husband."
"That's the idea, almost wife."
"Congratulations!" the driver said, shaking Lucas' hand and then hers. "How long until the wedding?"
She looked at her watch. "About sixteen hours."
"Wow! Well, let's get started on your very last Christmas light tour as an unmarried couple."
Lucas held his hand out to help her in. "My lady."
"Thank you, kind sir."
She giggled and sat down, covering her lap with the softest blanket she'd ever felt. He slid under the blanket next to her, putting his arm around her to keep her close.
She moved her hand under the blanket and rested it on his thigh. He grinned.
"Are you getting fresh with me, Elizabeth Thatcher?"
"Have you been spending a lot of time with your grandparents? Who says, 'getting fresh'?"
"Fine. What's happening under this blanket, babe?"
"Absolutely nothing inappropriate."
He leaned over and kissed her loudly. "I love you, you know?"
"I know. I love you back." After a few moments of wandering the streets with the easy clip-clopping of the horses pulling them, she slipped her fingers between his. "So where are we going on our honeymoon?"
"Someplace awesome and secluded."
"And that awesome, secluded place would be…."
"Just a plane ride away."
"Come on. One clue, Luke. The packing Julie and Vi did for me didn't give any clues."
"Good."
She slipped her other hand under the blanket and squeezed his thigh, a little higher. His eyes shot to hers. "Beth…"
"Any ideas how I can convince you?"
"You know, the whole reason I brought you here was to see the lights."
"I see them," she said, her eyes still on him. "And its the whole reason?"
"Okay, most of the reason. Being alone with you is a huge perk."
"Speaking of alone," she whispered, keeping the next words private. "Will you tell me at least where we are spending our wedding night?"
He moved closer, his delicious, sexy mouth about two centimeters from hers. "Nope," he said, giving her another kiss. "But, it's going to be perfect. I promise."
…..
The next morning, 8am, the duplex
Elizabeth wandered out of the master and stopped, finding Gran and Grandpa Larry slow dancing in the kitchen. She watched, feeling slightly like an intruder, but she knew in her heart, they wouldn't mind if she watched.
Tears rolled down her face. She was getting married today, to the most wonderful man. She hoped 60 years from now Lucas would still cherish her with as much gentle ferocity as Grandpa Larry did Emma.
"Oh my dear, why are you crying?" Emma asked, walking over. "Happy tears, aren't they?"
"Of course. I just…I'm so happy and you and Larry have the best marriage. I really hope Lucas and I will be just like you are."
"You already are, dear," Larry told her, drying a tear from her cheek. "The love you share is new but it's strong."
"Just like Larry's and mine," Emma said. "Now I'm going to make you breakfast. You go take a nice leisurely bath."
"Mm. Sounds wonderful." She kissed Emma's cheek and then Larry's. "I love you both."
"And we love you."
Her phone buzzed as she soaked in the orange vanilla bubble bath Luke loved so much. She dried her hand and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, almost wife."
"Hi. What are you up to this amazing morning?"
"I'm drinking coffee and getting ready to go grab Lee and Rosie at the airport. And you?"
"I'm taking a long bubble bath."
"Oh the pictures that are in my head…." he teased.
"They won't just be pictures very soon."
"So tonight…"
"Which will be where…." she prompted.
"Nice try!"
"Thanks!"
"So tonight, where we are staying has a jacuzzi tub in the master suite."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"That sounds enjoyable. Is it big enough for a certain six foot two husband and his five foot eight wife?"
"Yep. I had it measured."
"Did you," she giggled.
"No, but it'll be fine."
"Lucas?"
"Yeah, babe."
"I can't wait to be your wife."
"The waiting is over. I'll see you in about 3 and a half hours."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
….
William and Lynn Thatcher's home, noon
Elizabeth gripped her father's arm as they walked down the short aisle in the large family room. She wasn't nervous or scared. Just full of anticipation and love for every single person in attendance. Especially the insanely sexy man waiting for her.
When they arrived in front of the fireplace, William kissed her forehead. "I love you, Beth. Your mom would be so proud of you."
Elizabeth hugged him tight. "I love you, Dad."
Somehow she didn't burst into tears, she just took Lucas' hands and held on tight.
"You're stunning," he told her, taking a step closer. She felt stunning. Her dress made her feel elegant, sexy and very much a bride.
"You look so handsome," she whispered, taking another step toward him.
"Welcome everyone," the pastor began. "We are here today to witness and bless the marriage of Lucas and Elizabeth."
Lucas couldn't keep his mind on the pastor's words. He was so thoroughly distracted by his bride he could barely think. He really hoped he didn't screw up his vows.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"Her mother and I do," William said proudly. Elizabeth knew in her heart that when he said mother, he meant Grace and Lynn both.
"Lucas and Elizabeth have written their own vows. Lucas?"
"I, Lucas Anthony Bouchard, take you Elizabeth Grace Thatcher to be my wife. You are my person, my best friend. You had my whole heart from the moment I saw Rosie leave you alone to carry that cooler on the beach that day."
Elizabeth laughed, as did the guests supporting them.
"I promise to always carry your load when you need me to, but I'm also more than willing to watch you be the independent, strong, lovely person you naturally are."
He dried a tear that had fallen on her cheek. "I'll always be here to dry your tears, to hold you when you're sad or to celebrate with you when you're happy. I can't wait to spend forever with you."
She reached up, placing her hands on both of his cheeks. "How am I supposed to follow that?"
He grinned, his dimples showing up, his eyes filling with matching tears to her own. She pressed her lips to his briefly and then lowered her hands to his waist, while her eyes held his gaze.
"I, Elizabeth Grace Thatcher, take you, Lucas Anthony Bouchard, to be my husband always. You're my best friend too, Luke. The one I need to tell everything to, good or bad. I'll never tire of your kindness, the way you care for your grandparents or for me. I can't wait to experience everything with you. All our firsts." She felt her cheeks heat but she continued. He leaned his forehead to hers, needing to touch her at as many points as possible.
"I promise to always support you, to hold your hand when you need assurance, to love you deeply as your wife, as our children's mother, as your best friend, for as long as we live."
He couldn't help but press his lips to hers in response. His love for her overwhelmed him, filled him completely.
"Not to interrupt," the pastor said, clearing his throat.
Lucas pulled back and smiled, not apologizing. Elizabeth's cheeks heated again. They had entered their own world for a few moments there.
The pastor held out his hand where the two wedding rings lay. "Lucas, please put this ring on Elizabeth's left hand and repeat after me." Lucas listened to his words and then slipped the band on her finger.
"This ring is a physical reminder of my unending promise to be yours faithfully as long as we live."
Elizabeth did the same with his ring, making her vow much the same way.
"Elizabeth and Lucas have promised themselves to each other with vows from their hearts and rings they've chosen. By the power invested in me by God and the state of North Carolina, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife. Lucas you may kiss your wife. Again."
The guests laughed and clapped as they enjoyed their first married kiss and then strolled out of the room.
Elizabeth led him up the stairs, away from the guests.
"Where are we headed, babe?"
"I just realized I've never given you a proper tour of this house."
"Right but…"
She opened the second door on the left and led him inside. Her old room. Pretty much the same as it had always been, minus some teenage stuff.
"This is my room. Or was," she amended.
She leaned back against the door and he stood about a foot away from her, hands in his pockets.
"Its nice." He moved closer, his eyes turning dark, her heart beating faster.
"You're not looking at the room, sweetheart."
"No, I'm looking at my wife." He pressed his palms flat against the door just above and to the side of her head. "You're my wife."
"Finally."
She raised her hands and rested them on his waist as he covered her mouth with his in a slow, purposeful dance.
"Does this door have a lock on it?" he mumbled before capturing her lips again.
"Mm. Yes but we can't do this now, Lucas.
He knew she was right. "We have guests."
"Yeah."
"But why did you bring me up here? It wasn't just for a tour."
"No, it wasn't. Maybe we could sneak out the window."
He kissed her again, gently tugging her bottom lip with his teeth. It took everything in her to not just lock the door and forget about everyone else.
"We um…should go downstairs so we can talk with everyone."
He nodded and stepped back. "Our flight is at 4 pm."
"Alright. So we need to leave here in an hour and a half."
His eyes took her in, from her soft brown curls to her white shoes. Gorgeous. Irresistible.
He took her hand and led her down the stairs. Whistles and cheering greeted them as they joined the party.
At everyone's insistence, Lucas and Elizabeth went over to the dessert table and cut into their three tiered cake. She fed him his Devil's food cake and he fed her the white cake with raspberry filling.
Then they grabbed some hors d'oeuvres and everyone else followed. In the meantime, the white chairs from the family room were moved out, creating a larger area for a dance floor.
"Everyone," Lee said, taking his best man duties seriously. "I'd like to toast the newlyweds."
Everyone grabbed their sparkling cider or champagne, whichever they preferred, and raised their glasses.
"To Lucas, my best friend since sophomore year, and one of the best guys I know. You found her, bro. The perfect woman for you. The one to compliment you and to love you forever. And to Elizabeth, I'm so blessed to know you and call you my friend. You're so beautiful, inside and out. I hope you both have a long and beyond happy marriage. I love you both!"
Everyone clapped and took sips and then it was time for the first dance.
As the rich soulful sounds of Chris Stapleton's voice filled the room, Elizabeth stepped into Lucas' arms and relaxed there.
"I tiptoed in the room
I know you got to have your rest
She says, "Come lay beside me
I been waitin' since you left"
… She's sweet to me
Must be the luckiest man alive
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
… First time that I saw you
Mmm, you took my breath away
I might not get to Heaven
But I walked with the angels that day
… She takes me by the hand
I am the luckiest man alive
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
… Some may have their riches
Some may have their worldly things
As long as I have you
I'll treasure each and every day
… Just take me by the hand
I am the luckiest man alive
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?
Did I tell you, baby
You are the joy of my life?"
After the father/daughter dance and a few other dances, Lucas' Gran Emma went up to the dance floor.
And to everyone's surprise, only because of her age, Emma started moving her hips to the beat of The Backstreet Boys, I Want it That Way. After giving her a brief moment alone, Elizabeth joined her, and Julie, Vi, Lynn and Rosie.
Emma stepped out of the flash mob and walked over to Lucas who had been thoroughly enjoying watching his sexy new wife dancing in front of him.
"Come on, Lucas dear. Dance with me."
"I don't know this dance, Gran," he said, standing up and following her. He couldn't say no to her.
"Nonsense. I'll show you."
She showed him the way to wiggle his hips, move his arms and turn and step like everyone else was on the dance floor and then he was keeping up, surprisingly.
It was actually pretty fun. He enjoyed slow dancing and he'd line-danced a few times in college. This was kind of like line-dancing.
Elizabeth smiled as he wiggled his hips like Gran. That grin as he caught on was beyond sexy. Then his eyes caught hers as Shape of My Heart started. He held out his hand and she walked over.
"Hey," she said, giggling. "Did you enjoy that? It was Gran's idea."
He put his right hand on her hip and moved closer. "It was fun, yeah. I enjoyed watching you dance up there."
"I liked watching you too. A lot. You've got moves, husband."
"You have no idea."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"Absolutely."
"Maybe I should go change so we can head to the airport."
"Okay. I'll change too."
She took his hand and led him up the stairs. "Will you unzip me?"
"And then…"
"And then I'll change." She kissed his cheek and winked. "In the bathroom. Don't worry. Wherever you're taking me, it's going to be perfect."
He had no doubt.