San Marco, Hotel Monaco
Elizabeth stood at the window of their room, cozy in her plush ivory robe and slippers. She could hardly believe they were actually in Venice. Their hotel was on the Grand Canal for goodness sake.
"Morning, love," Lucas said, walking up behind and wrapping his arms around her.
"I can't believe we are here."
"Happy Anniversary, Beth."
"Happy Anniversary, sweetheart."
He kissed her temple and then adjusted his angle to continue a trail of kisses down her ear to the creamy skin of her neck.
"Mm."
He reached around and untied the belt, allowing her robe to fall off her shoulders which was where his mouth landed next.
Someone knocked at the door, startling them both. She re-tied her robe and sat down on the bed while he answered the door.
"Grazie," she heard him say.
"Breakfast is served, love. Now, I wasn't sure how you'd be feeling as far as your morning sickness so I ordered dry toast and tea. But I also got some fresh fruit crepes and juice."
"No bacon?"
"Bacon makes you sick, Beth."
"I know, it just sounds so good this morning." She put a strawberry in her mouth and smiled. "Mm. Fruit sounds good too."
He and she both hoped that maybe her morning sickness was settling down a bit. It seemed to be key to eat small meals every few hours and of course drink water.
"I hope it's a girl," she mused as they lay in bed lounging a bit later.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Just the first one."
"I guess I'm hoping for a boy. Maybe it makes me sexist but I'm picturing playing in the backyard with him, Frisbee with our dog. Baseball. Soccer."
"Not sexist, sweetheart. Especially since I'm picturing teaching our daughter how to bake and take care of our home and getting our nails done together."
They chuckled and snuggled closer. "Can we stay here all day?" he wondered, kissing her forehead.
"I'm good with that."
For the most part, for the rest of the vacation, her morning sickness stayed away. That allowed them to enjoy a very romantic evening gondola ride, a day trip to Pisa to see the sights and a lot of food tours around Venice.
It was perfect. Now though, they had to go back to their regular life, not that it was bad at all. She was looking forward to continuing to enjoy her rental property and her pregnancy and seeing Lee and Rosie very soon. She couldn't wait to tell their family about the baby and find out if the baby was a boy or girl. She wanted to feel that first kick and form that bond that only a mother could experience. It was truly a magical blessing.
Another blessing was the man sitting next to her on the plane. So handsome and smart and loving. She couldn't wait to see him holding their baby and bonding in his own way.
"What?" he asked, noticing her watching him.
"I love you, husband."
"I love you back."
"What do you want for Christmas, Luke?"
"You. That's all. I have everything I could ever want."
She reached up and touched his cheek, thanking him for his amazing words with a mesmerizing kiss.
"I'll figure out what to get you."
"What do you want for Christmas?" he asked her.
"I really have everything too, but I'd love a new laptop if that's not too much. Mine is old and I would like something that will work better for keeping track of my business stuff."
"Its not too much. We can even write it off as a business expense on our taxes."
"Great."
"I thought of what you can get me."
"What's that?"
"A baby carrier. Like one that I can wear to carry the baby around in."
"Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love you more than I already do, you go and blow me away."
He chuckled and kissed her forehead and they closed their eyes as they flew somewhere over the ocean toward Charlotte.
……
The next weekend, Elizabeth and Lucas invited his parents, Lynn and William and the kids, and Gran and Grandpa over for dinner to spill the pregnancy secret.
Elizabeth put the finishing touches on the cake that she made. It said "Baby Bouchard coming in May!" on the top and she loved it. She was going to hide it until after dinner. So just a few more hours and they wouldn't have to keep it quiet anymore.
"Dance with me?" Lucas said, walking up behind her and swayed, his hands on her barely there bump.
"I'd love to."
He turned some soft music on and they danced close, foreheads together, his hands on her waist and hers on his arms.
She moved even closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "I almost wish no one was coming over tonight," she admitted.
"On the other hand, I like the idea of the secret being out in the open," he finished.
"Yeah, me too."
Just as their song ended, the doorbell rang. He gave her a lingering kiss and went to answer the door. She just grinned as she pulled the roast out of the oven.
She kept smiling as the noise of the Bouchards and Thatcher families invaded the home. What a joyful noise.
"Luke!" Abe said, plowing into his older brother-in-law with a fierce, loving hug. They had only met in person once, but Abe had instantly loved Lucas.
"Hi, Abe! I missed you!"
"Me…too," Abe grinned, staring up at him.
Carrie wasn't quite so demonstrative but she gave Elizabeth a hug anyway.
"Hi, sweetie. Do you want to help me set the table?"
Carrie nodded. "Okay."
Before long they were all enjoying roast beef, potatoes, mac and cheese for Abe, and green beans.
"So tell us about your trip!" Lynn said, so excited to hear where they went.
"Yes," Helen agreed. "I'd love to hear what you thought of the sights."
…..
"Anyone up for dessert?" Elizabeth asked. "I made a devil's food cake."
They all agreed and Elizabeth had to insist on getting the cake herself so Lynn wouldn't see the message before it was time.
"Alright everyone. Here is the dessert."
She put it down right in front of her parents.
"What does that say?" Carrie asked, realizing there were words on the cake.
Everyone looked and then the women gasped. Elizabeth grinned and winked at Lucas who pulled her to his lap.
"You're pregnant?" Helen asked.
"Yes. I am."
Gran clapped her hands and grinned. "I knew it. You have a glow. Pregnant women have a glow, don't they, sweetheart?" Gran asked Larry.
"Well, I don't rightly know but if you say so, love."
"You're having a baby?" Carrie asked.
"Yes! That means you're going to be an aunt and Abe will be an uncle!"
"Cool. What does that mean?"
The adults chuckled. "It means you get to love the baby and hold the baby and feed the baby, but you give it back to us when you're done. You get to do all the fun stuff and leave the not so fun stuff to us."
"Oh. That sounds fun."
They talked about due dates and gender reveals and Christmas presents and Christmas dinner. Plans were made and everyone had a wonderful time.
As Elizabeth and Lucas got ready for bed later, Elizabeth brought up decorating for Christmas and whether the rental should be decorated. They decided that minimal decoration was best for the rental in case a renter didn't celebrate the holidays. The last thing she wanted was to make someone uncomfortable.
"So maybe just lights only," she mumbled as she snuggled into his arms for warmth.
"Got it. Love you, Beth."
"Mm. Love you."
……
A few weeks later, just before Christmas
Elizabeth and Rosie were squealing and jumping up and down when they finally saw each other again. Elizabeth took Zane and held him close and then the girls walked arm and arm in front of the guys as they headed toward the vehicle in the parking lot.
Lucas shook Lee's hand. "Its good to see you, man. How's the coast guard treating you?"
"Its hard work but they definitely treat us well."
"That's good."
"So, you're going to be a dad? That's great, man. I'm so happy for you. Its an amazing feeling."
"It is."
"The minute you hold that little one in your arms, your heart will be so full and you won't think you could ever feel any more in love. But then they do something like smile or sit up or throw up on you and its even better."
"Its better when they throw up on you?"
"Well no, but the fact that you have this tiny human to take care of and they rely on you for everything…its amazing."
As they drove, Zane blew bubbles and raspberries, giggling whenever Elizabeth tickled his feet. She was loving being Auntie Beth and Big Sissy Beth to Abe and Carrie, but she couldn't wait to be a mommy. That was the role she wanted to play very much.
Lucas looked back in the rearview and winked at her and then put his hand back for her to hold. She squeezed it.
"You guys are so cute," Rosemary told them, giving Elizabeth a smile. "Its great to be here."
"Its great to have you here. I have a roast in the slow cooker for dinner."
"Look at you being all domestic, Beth," Rosie teased.
"I like it."
"She's great at it," Lucas confirmed. "The house is always clean."
"That may change once the little one comes along," Lee said.
"Lee Coulter, are you telling our friends that our house is messy?"
"Well, not always but you are trying to juggle an almost 8 month old so its not surprising if it's not spotless. But, sweetheart, I'm not saying you don't do a great job. You absolutely do."
"Thank you, hunny bunny," she said quietly. Then she opened the window and took a deep breath of cool air.
"You alright, Rosemary?" Lucas asked her.
"Yeah. Just needed some fresh air. I'm very warm."
And nauseated and pregnant, but they weren't announcing that yet. Not even to their best friends. It was very early and she hadn't even been to the OBGYN yet.
"After dinner, do you and Lee want to help us put up our tree?" Elizabeth asked.
"Absolutely. That sounds fun!"
…..
A few hours later, after dinner
Elizabeth put on "Rockin around the Christmas Tree," and they all hung ornaments and strung popcorn and lights.
Then they hung five stockings on the fireplace, Lee, Rosie and Zane's brought from San Diego.
"I can't believe its Zane's first Christmas already," Rosie said with tears in her eyes. "He's growing up so fast."
Lee kissed her forehead and just smiled. Zane reached for an ornament and Rosie picked him up. "Nope. Not to play with, Z."
She handed him a baby toy and distracted him, otherwise he'd be over there again the moment she put him down.
"Anyone want eggnog?" Elizabeth asked. "It's non-alcoholic."
The guys went for beer instead and Elizabeth took a mug of the eggnog. Rosie took one look and dashed off to the bathroom.
Elizabeth watched her friend leave and turned to Lee. "Leland Coulter. Is Rosemary pregnant?"
Lee turned red and didn't say anything.
"That's why she was so hot in the car and now throwing up. This is awesome!"
"Its early, Beth. Like six weeks. We aren't saying anything yet."
"Okay. My lips are sealed but now I'll be more careful with triggers. I'm past that, thank goodness, but I'll avoid the normal things."
Beth hugged Lee and kissed his cheek. "Congratulations."
"Thanks."
When Rosie came back out, she sat down in the recliner and closed her eyes. "Would you like some ginger tea?" Elizabeth offered.
"I would, yes. Thank you."
Elizabeth bent down and kissed her friend's cheek. "I'm very happy for you," she whispered.
"Me too," Rosie said with a smile. "Me too."