Beginning of November

"It's cold," Elizabeth said, snuggling closer to Lucas on the couch.

"That's the best time for ice cream…it doesn't melt as fast." He kissed her temple. "Besides, it's a date. We don't get many of those."

His Chief duties took up a lot more time than he wanted right now. He wished he could see Beth every night but with a recently injured Jesse Flynn, he was taking on more.

"You're right. Let's go get ice cream. You can keep me warm," she told him, kissing his jaw.

"Mom?" Allie called from down the hall.

"Hold that thought, hon," she said, standing to go see what Allie needed.

His heart beat a little faster at her term of endearment. Hon. Such a domestic and serious relationship term to verbalize.

Not that they weren't serious, but they had just been seeing each other whenever they could. They hadn't talked serious stuff yet. Maybe they should.

"Al? What do you need, sweetie?"

"Do you want to hang out tonight?"

She looked at her daughter's hopeful eyes and felt torn. But then, at the same time, she didn't. Allie was an adult with a serious boyfriend and friends from school too, and her sisters. Elizabeth needed to choose Lucas and herself now. He was important. Their relationship was important.

"Sorry, hon. I'm going out with Lucas. I thought Tim was coming over."

"He can't. He got called into work."

"Well, we shouldn't be too late. Maybe we can chat when I get home. Just order some food and watch a movie, alright?"

"Sure."

"Its Saturday. Try to see if Ivy or Marley can come down for the weekend."

"Its alright. I'll be fine. Enjoy your date."

She kissed her forehead and smiled. "I love you."

"Love you too."

Elizabeth headed to her room and changed clothes, put her hair back in a pony tail and then hurried out to Lucas.

"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting. I'm ready."

"You look cute."

"Thanks."

He held her coat for her as she slipped it on and then he took her hand and they walked together to his truck.

"So…" he said, opening her door for her.

"Yes?" she asked, climbing up to her seat and facing him.

"I noticed that you have a new nickname for me."

"Handsome?" she teased.

"Well, no."

"Sexy."

"No."

She giggled, feeling much younger than her 45 years. She pulled him into her space, slipping her arms around his neck. "Love."

"I don't remember hearing that but, that's my favorite."

"You're my favorite," she flirted.

"Beth, you're it for me."

He expected her to retreat, to say she wasn't ready to make that statement back yet.

She kissed him softly and stared into his eyes. "One of the things I missed most after I lost Nathan was having a partner. Someone to confide in, to support and be supported by. Someone to talk to when I need to or curl up with in the evenings. You've given me that again, Lucas." She leaned forward and kissed him again, a slow embrace full of emotion. "I am so blessed to have you as those things and as my best friend."

He touched her cheek with his fingertips and stared back into her eyes. He loved those sparkly, sky blue eyes. They held so much about her.

"I love you," he whispered. "I know you might not be ready and that's fine. I just want you to know. Alright?"

She kissed him again and smiled, pressing her forehead against his. "I'm falling very hard for you, Lucas Bouchard."

He nodded. "I'll take that."

…..

Allie watched her Mom and Uncle through her bedroom window.

Allie missed Tim. The night before she had told him they needed to take a break after he had neglected to call her when he said he would. Again. She may have overreacted. Or not. But watching Lucas and Elizabeth, so cozy and happy in their relationship, made her sad and jealous but happy for them, if that made sense.

Her fingers itched to text him about as much as her neck felt exceedingly stiff in the neck brace she was confined to for a few more months.

The lovebirds drove away and she grabbed her phone. Not to text Tim, but to order Chinese. It was her comfort food and she wanted that right now. Then she found a movie and settled in to wait for her food to be delivered. She could at least drown her sadness in too much Chinese food and maybe fall asleep early.

……

University of Colorado dorms

Ivy Grant was the quiet, shy twin. She was an introvert for sure while Marley was the exact opposite. That being said, somehow she had found the nerve to walk up to a very cute guy in her Bio class and strike up a conversation. Now, she was getting ready to go on a date with him.

She brushed her hands down her skirt that ended just above her knees and smiled at her reflection.

She had borrowed the outfit from Marley. She didn't own anything quite so…not herself. She felt a little uncomfortable but cute at the same time. Hopefully Jared will like it.

"You look great, Ivy," Marley assured her. "Really."

"Thank you. I feel good."

"I want all the details later."

Ivy took a deep breath and walked out of the room just as the doorbell to their suite rang. It was Jared and her heart did a little dance in her chest.

She opened the door and smiled. "Hey." She felt her cheeks heat. Those chubby cheeks she had never outgrown since she was a baby were bright red, she was sure of it.

"Hi. You look great," he told her, reaching for her hand.

"Thanks. You too."

"Do you have a coat? Its snowing out here."

"Oh…I…yes. One second."

She grabbed her puffy coat that went to her knees and then put it back, grabbing Marley's less puffy, shorter coat. She wouldn't mind.

"Okay, I'm ready."

She let him take her hand again and lead her to the truck. How did such a simple gesture feel the opposite? Maybe because she had never held hands with anyone before. Never really dated. Marley had. She went out with different guys all the time. Ivy didn't want to be so flippant about dating. She felt like it should be somewhat serious. Emotions were at stake. Hearts were at stake.

"Do you like pizza?" Jared asked her. "I know this Italian Diner and it has the best pizza."

"Sure. I love pizza."

"Great."

After their pizza, they decided they wanted dessert so he took her to a creamery where they had frozen custard with lots of options for toppings.

"My mom would say its too cold for ice cream," Ivy mentioned.

"What do you say?"

"I say, there's not a bad time for ice cream."

"That's my girl," he teased.

"Your girl, huh?"

"Well, we are on a date."

"But its one date. So I don't think I can be labeled that quite yet."

"I can be patient," he told her.

……

Lucas led Elizabeth back to her front door a few hours later.

"When can we see each other again?" Elizabeth asked as he held her warmly in his arms.

"I think my next night off is Tuesday?"

"So far away."

"I know. Our new rookies start Monday and after a few weeks, I'll be able to have my evenings off again."

She sighed. She hadn't spoken falsely when she told him she was falling fast. What she didn't say was she was pretty sure she was in love with him too. It just still scared her a bit.

"What?" he wondered, tipping her chin up so he could see her eyes. "Beth."

"Nothing, I just miss you already."

"Well, I'm here. I don't have to leave yet. It's only ten."

"I could make us some tea," she offered.

"Sure. That sounds good."

Ten minutes later, they were on the couch together, her legs across his lap as he rubbed the balls of her feet, his tea on the table beside him.

"Lucas?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you for staying."

"I can stay all night if you want," he told her quietly.

"A couple things," she told him, sitting up so she could look him in the eye. "Allie is here so I'm not going to say yes to that."

He nodded, threading their fingers together.

"Also, you can't stay here until we get married, if we get married. I truly believe that intimacy of that nature has a place only in a marriage."

"Alright."

He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I want you to know that I see us together, forever. I meant it when I said you're it for me. There will never be anyone else."

She leaned toward him and gave him a soft kiss. "I think…I'm in love with you too," she said slowly. "And that scares me a little."

"Never expected it?"

"I didn't and I didn't want it. Until we got to know each other. Then my heart opened again." She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Now, you're always in my thoughts. I can't wait to talk to you and tell you about my day. Or just sit with you and hold your hand."

He slipped his fingers between hers and smiled. "Like this?"

"Yeah."

"How was your day, Beth?" She chuckled and squeezed his hand.

"I woke up and had my coffee by this fire here."

"Sounds relaxing."

"Mm. After that, I made my lesson plans for December and cleaned up a bit."

"You were very productive."

"And then, the best part…"

"What's that?"

"I got to see my super sexy fireman boyfriend."

"Super sexy? Nice. When do I get to meet this boyfriend of yours?"

"Ha. You're hilarious."

He quickly pressed his mouth to hers and grinned, his dimples popping. "I should probably go. I'm working tomorrow."

"Alright."

"Love you, Beth."

"I love you too." He loved the way her cheeks turned pink. "See you Tuesday night."

….

Elizabeth wandered down the hall to Allie's room. The TV was on and she could see the light under the door. "Honey? You awake?"

"Yeah. Come in."

Elizabeth opened the door and smiled. "Chinese? Yum."

"Want some? I have Peanut Butter chicken and lots of egg rolls."

Elizabeth noticed Allie's red rimmed eyes and stuffy nose. Plus, she had enough food for five people and was watching a sad movie.

"Allie? What happening, sweetheart?"

"Nothing."

"Tim?"

"I broke up with him," she blurted, dropping her chopsticks.

"Oh no. Why?"

"When you love someone, you need to be able to trust them, right? He doesn't call when he says he will. It was weeks after the accident and it's been a few days. He's ghosting me. I can feel it."

"Trust is absolutely necessary."

"But? I can hear a 'but' in your tone, Mom."

"Have you asked him why he doesn't follow through? I know Luke has been super busy at work with Jesse injured and Fiona pregnant."

"The difference is, you talk to Uncle Lucas daily, regardless of how busy he is. He makes time to text or call. Tim doesn't."

"They aren't the same person, dear. You can't expect them to act the same." She kissed Allie's temple. "However, you know Tim better than I do and I trust your judgment. You know what's best for you. If that's not being with Tim, then ok."

Elizabeth stayed with Allie until she fell asleep and then put the leftover Chinese in the fridge. Finally she took a shower and crawled into bed, thrilled when she had a text from Lucas.

"Love you, Beth. Sleep well."

"U too."