5 years back in Cambridge, Valentine's Day

Lucas leaned against the door frame as he watched Elizabeth put the finishing touches on her makeup.

"You don't need makeup, babe," he told her with a grin. "You are naturally gorgeous."

"Thanks, but I haven't been sleeping much because of a certain someone," she flirted. "So, I need to cover up the dark circles under my eyes."

"I don't see any dark circles."

"Precisely."

He walked up behind her and kissed her neck. "Are you complaining about not getting much sleep?"

"Nope. Just letting you know why I need makeup."

His eyes raked over her figure-hugging red dress and her red stilettos that made her legs look a mile long. "You ready to go to dinner?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

……

Current times, Lucas' apartment

They had a good dinner together, take out from the Italian place down the street. Then they read Noa a few books that Lucas had bought for her and now they were sitting on the couch in his living room while she slept.

"Okay, lets get this out in the open," he began. "My apartment bothers you?"

"No."

"It seemed to when we arrived."

"I don't make a ton of money, Lucas."

"Are you doing okay though? Do you make enough to pay your bills and take care of Noa?"

"Yes."

"Then that doesn't make any difference to me. Why does it bother you that I make good money?"

"It doesn't bother me…it just…I feel inadequate."

He took her hand and held it between both of his. "You are the exact opposite of that, Beth. You are so capable and independent and you are a wonderful mother. I knew that the first moment we talked in Hope Valley."

"I just wonder…where do we fit in your life? Me and Noa."

"Are we talking about the future or right now?"

"Both."

"Alright. Right now, we are separated by miles but that's all. I've changed my work schedule so that I can make sure to call Noa more often. I have started looking at houses in and around Hope Valley because that's ultimately where I want to be. Soon."

"Do you remember all the dreams you had, Luke? All the dreams we had together?"

"Of course I do." He let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. "A house in the suburbs with a big yard and a fence so our dog won't run off and so our kids are safe. You and me and Noa and whoever comes along will make that dream a reality. I promise you."

"What about traveling? Is that still what you want?"

"I've traveled a lot but there was always something missing."

She touched the buttons on his shirt and gazed into his green eyes. "What was missing?"

"You."

"Good answer."

"Do I fit in your life, Beth?"

"I hope so."

She thought she might as well lay it all out there. "I want to marry you," she told him. "I want you to live with us in Hope Valley and I love that you and Noa had this instant connection. She loves you so much."

"I love her too. She makes me happy. Every moment I spend with her." He tucked her hair behind her ears and pressed his lips to her forehead. "How many more kids do you want?" he asked her, enjoying the blush that showed up on her cheeks.

"At least one, maybe two."

He stood up. "I'll be right back."

She waited for him as he walked away, wondering what he was up to. He came back with a laptop.

He logged in and pulled up a real estate website and typed in Hope Valley.

"Are these the houses you are looking at?"

"Yeah. I'd like your opinion. Since we both want us to live together soon, I thought it made sense."

He pulled up a charming three bedroom, three bath newly renovated home between Hope Valley and LA. It was about thirty minutes from the school she where she worked.

"Is there anything directly in Hope Valley?"

"Not that I've seen. Some are just too tiny for what we planned."

"So you can work anywhere, right?"

"Yes."

"So, living in Hope Valley wouldn't be a huge commute for you."

"Nope. I may have to fly back here every month or so to work at the office but other than that, Hope Valley would be perfect."

"Then, I want to rule out this house. Its so cute, but its too far from the Elementary school. Ever tried to get a four year old out of the house on time?"

"Nope, haven't had the pleasure yet."

She giggled and kissed his cheek. He paused, looking in her eyes and then down to her lips. He wanted to kiss her so badly. She looked up at his eyes and down to his lips too. The universal sign of wanting a kiss.

"Mommy? I'm thirsty," Noa said sleepily from behind them.

"I'll be back," she told him, patting his chest.

"I'll get her a drink. I got a sippy cup like the ones you have. You stay here." He got up and walked over to her.

"Hi, sweet pea. Let's get you some water."

Lucas picked her up and carried her into the kitchen.

"Oooooo Daddy! Its purple! That's my favorite."

Elizabeth giggled. She'd only told him that half a dozen times this trip. She was pretty sure he'd never forget it.

"Mommy, Daddy got me a purple cup. See!"

"I see, punkin. Sleep well, okay? Don't drink it all."

"I won't. No accidents."

"No accidents."

Elizabeth smiled as the sat back down a few moments later. "Should I be concerned for the mattress?" he wondered.

"No, probably not. She hasn't had accidents much lately. She probably will only take a few sips and she'll be back to sleep."

"I feel like I've missed so much."

"I'm sorry. I wish I had been able to get ahold of you."

"You don't have to be sorry. But I'd love to hear about everything. From when you figured out you were pregnant to the birth to her first steps. I want to hear it all."

"Of course. I do want you to know all of it. But first…"

"Yeah?"

"Before Noa came out here, if I'm not incorrect, I think you were maybe about to kiss me?"

"You picked up on that, did you?"

"Mmhm."

"I thought maybe you wanted me to."

"I did."

She reached up and touched his beard. It made him even sexier. She had never kissed him with a beard before. He dipped his head toward her slowly and placed a soft, tender kiss on her lips.

She smiled against his mouth and turned her head wanting a deeper kiss. Combing her fingers through his hair she pulled him closer and Lucas wrapped her in his arms as their lips danced. Their passion for each other was still strong and tonight it was laced with a burning need to reconnect with each other.

This man…he could steal her breath with just kisses and turn her brain to mush.

"Oh gosh," she whispered, pulling back. "Let's talk." She felt like she was getting carried away.

"Yes. Um, tell me about when you found out you were pregnant."

….

They talked late into the night and about 3am, Lucas led her to the guest room, placing one more kiss on her lips before forcing himself to head down the hall to his own room.

He laid awake for a few hours, his mind and heart longing for the woman in the guest room. She had told him how much she had gone through when finding out she was pregnant. How much she wanted to tell him and how much not being able to hurt.

He couldn't change the past and he decided not to allow himself to feel terrible about missing the first four years of Noa's life anymore. The time for them to move toward a future together was now.

Finally he dozed off about an hour before his alarm woke him. When it did, he was exhausted but excited. It was Thanksgiving and his daughter and Elizabeth were here and he wanted it to be the best, most memorable day for them.

He got out of bed, showered, got dressed and went downstairs to his kitchen to start coffee in his brand new Keurig that he bought just because Elizabeth was coming. He only drank tea so he hadn't ever needed one.

"Daddy?" Noa said with a still sleepy voice. He turned and took her in. His little girl, wavy hair mussed and rubbing her eyes. She was so adorable.

"Hi, sweet pea."

She walked over and raised her arms to him. He picked her up and sighed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He felt so loved.

"I love you, baby girl."

"To the moon?"

"All the way."

She kissed his cheek and giggled. "I'm hungry."

"Do you like eggs?"

"Only the yellow parts."

"The yolk?"

"Yep. I give Mommy the white parts." She wrinkled her nose and giggled.

"Okay. How many yellows do you want?"

"One and toast."

"With butter?"

She wrinkled her nose again. "Honey, please."

"Honey and egg yolks?" he asked, putting her on the counter and kissing her forehead.

"Yummy!"

"If you say so, Noa."

"Morning," Elizabeth said from the doorway.

"Mommy! Daddy's making me eggs and toast."

"Yolks and honey on the toast?" Elizabeth asked, knowing exactly what her daughter asked for.

"Yep!"

Elizabeth kissed Noa's head and then leaned toward Lucas, kissing him too.

"Hi," she said quietly. He winked at her.

"I hope you girls are ready for a very fun day!" he told them.

"I am!" Noa yelled. "What are we gonna do?"

"Well, after breakfast, we need to all get ready to go….see the parade!"

"Yay!" Noa said. "Like at home?"

Lucas looked at Elizabeth for an explanation.

"Hope Valley has a Fourth of July Parade every year and she loves it."

"I get candy! Can I get candy today, Daddy?"

"They don't throw candy at this parade but there are so many fun things that you will love."

"Like what?" Luke cracked five eggs into the pan and covered them.

"Like music and dancing and HUGE floats and balloons."

"Cool!"

"And at the very end, Santa Claus is there."

"Santa isn't real," she announced, stunning Lucas. He thought all little kids believed in Santa.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Mommy told me."

Lucas opened his eyes wide and raised his eyebrows.

She explained, "Well, I confirmed after her eight year old cousin told her."

"Yeah but I make sure that I don't tell anyone else like the little kids at school."

"Well, that's good," Lucas told her, taking the eggs off the heat and putting four pieces of toast in the toaster.

He grabbed the honey from the cupboard where he kept it for his tea and the grabbed butter in case Elizabeth wanted butter on her toast.

"Butter on your toast, honey?" he asked.

"Yes please."

It felt so natural to call her that and she must have thought the same because she didn't even flinch.

A little later as they walked from their parking spot to a good spot to watch the parade, Elizabeth saw a coffee shop. "Hey, I need some coffee. Would you like anything?" Elizabeth asked.

"Peppermint tea please." He leaned down and kissed her. "Thank you."

"Mommy, can I have hot cocoa, please?"

"Sure, punkin. I'll be right back."

Lucas picked Noa up and put her on his shoulders. "Wow! I can see far!" she yelled, making him chuckle.

As they waited, Lucas his friends the Canfields walking towards them.

"Luke!" Joseph yelled, waving.

"Joseph, good to see you." He shook his hand and kissed Minnie's cheek. They were his best friends here in town. He would miss them terribly when he moved. "Minnie, how are you?"

"Just fine, Lucas. Just fine."

Lucas then looked at Cooper and Angela. "Coop, Ang, this is my daughter, Noa. Sweet pea, this is Coop and Angela."

"Hi!" she said, smiling and waving.

Angela was blind but she waved and smiled anyway. She was the sweetest girl.

"Nice to meet you, Noa. Are you excited to see the balloons?"

"Yes! Daddy said they are soooo big!"

Elizabeth returned a moment later and handed the tea to Lucas and the hot cocoa up to Noa.

"Be careful. Don't spill on Daddy's head."

Noa giggled and took a sip. "Mmm so good."

After some more introductions, they all decided to enjoy the parade together.

It was a lot of fun. After seeing Santa drive by on his float, they headed separate ways.

"They were so nice," Elizabeth told Lucas.

"Joseph has been there for me in so many ways. I'm really going to miss him when I move. And his family of course."

Elizabeth took his hand but Noa slipped between them and took each of their hands as they headed to his SUV.

"Gives you and them a place to visit," she suggested.

"Yeah. Absolutely. Joseph said when I come back to the city for work, I can stay with them so that will be nice."

When they got in the car, they drove it back to the apartment. "You girls up for some shopping?" Lucas asked.

"Always!" Elizabeth laughed. "I was hoping to get a few Christmas presents while we are here. And punkin here needs new shoes."

"Sparkly purple ones," she told him.

"I have no doubt you do," Lucas said as they headed upstairs. "Why don't we eat here and then we can catch a cab to take us shopping."

"Wow!" Noa said as they walked into FAO Schwarz first. "Look at all the toys, Mommy!"

"I see, punkin. Wow is right!"

They looked at all the teddy bears and stuffed animals. They danced on the giant piano and made sure to walk around all of the multiple levels of the store. Lucas bought Noa a purple teddy bear with a pink and purple dress and Elizabeth was absolutely okay with that. The man was allowed to buy his daughter presents.

Lucas took note of everything that Noa loved so he could get her something special for Christmas. He had every intention of flying to LA and then going to Hope Valley for Christmas and not only would he bring gifts, he had another surprise up his sleeve.

……

He took them to a department store next. He had no idea how the two of them could look at shoes for so long. It had been two hours and he was so bored.

"Which do you like, Daddy?" Noa asked, holding up her left foot with pink and purple sparkly tennis shoes and then hopping and holding up her right with an all pink sparkly shoe.

"I don't know, honey. Which do you like?"

"Both!"

"One pair, punkin," Elizabeth reminded her. Elizabeth was walking around in a pair of stilettos that looked to be about five inches tall.

"How on earth are you not breaking your leg in those?"

"I don't know. Practice?"

She stood in front of him and pulled him to a standing position.

"Wow! This is what it feels like to be your height," she said with a smile. Then she slipped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. "Mm. I like this. Your lips are much closer." She turned her head slightly and went deeper, wanting to have that connection so badly. Her stomach was fluttery as he pulled her even closer.

"Um, Mommy?" Noa said as Lucas kissed her back. "Can I please get both?"

Lucas pulled back and looked down at his daughter. She was so cute.

"I can get her the second pair," he told Elizabeth quietly. "I'd like to. And I'll get yours for you too."

"You don't have to buy mine. I can afford it."

"Would you let me buy yours? As a gift?"

"I guess. Maybe to pay you back, the next time we see you, we can go out on a date and I'll wear them."

"Deal."

"Okay. Thank you, babe," she told him, trying out a term of endearment. "Now we need to get some gifts for Nana Grace and Aunt Julie and Aunt Vi."

"How do you still have energy?"

"We love to shop, don't we, punkin?"

"Yep!"

"Daddy's gonna buy your second pair of shoes, punkin."

"Yay! Thank you, Daddy!"

"You're very welcome." He'd buy her anything she ever wanted if he thought Elizabeth would allow it. "Now let's go get those gifts so we can get out of here before midnight."