The Dreams We Share

Chapter 21 A Night to Cherish

By Wednesday, Lucas could hardly contain his excitement. He had pulled out the box from his dresser drawer countless times since he had purchased the ring. He would gaze at it and knew it was going to be perfect on her finger. He had revealed his surprise to Gustave and Marcus who were both very happy for him. They had observed his fall, and they knew the right woman was there to catch him. His heart would be safe with her.

The three schemed about the preparations for the evening. There would be elegant bouquets placed in the entrance, dining, and ballrooms. Lucas had decided on long stemmed blush-colored roses like the first he had given her, with mixed greens and baby's breath for the entry and sideboards in the dining room. There would be one on the dining table in a lower profile, which would feature old world full bloom roses of the same color. In the ballroom they would use red roses.

Marcus oversaw the ballroom. He had the housekeeper remove the dust covers from the furniture and air out the room. He placed the Victrola that had been in the parlor on one of the sideboards along with a collection of records to which they could dance. He imagined that Lucas would want to dance to a classic Viennese waltz for this occasion, so he set those on top. Once the housekeeper was done, he brought in the vases of flowers that would give the room some fresh life. He then brought in an ice bucket stand and two champagne flutes. He would bring the chilled champagne and ice just before she was to arrive, and he and Gustave faded away (to their rooms). He took a final look and declared it perfect.

Meanwhile Gustave was busy executing the menu that they had decided on. It was to be on the lighter side. Lucas did not want them to eat a heavy meal before they were to dance. Besides, he knew his stomach would be filled with butterflies and would not have stood for roast beef and mashed potatoes. Gustave was making a cold cucumber soup as the starter. He would place the serving bowls on a bed of ice in the dining room just before her arrival. The dinner itself was to be a Quiche Lorraine, something that Lucas loved; and Arawyn had enjoyed the mini quiches he had made for their first picnic at the lake. It would be paired with a salad of mixed baby lettuce and herbs, pear slices, a light scattering of Gorgonzola, and some toasted pecan bits. He had made a delicious vinaigrette to dress it with. It was to be a light feast but filled with enticing flavors and textures. Gustave knew it would be perfect. They had gone through every choice of dessert that was in his extensive repertoire, but finally settled on a true classic. He would make miniature cream puffs filled with vanilla pastry cream, drizzled with dark chocolate and then dusted with powdered sugar. Lucas had an image in his mind of her biting into one of the sweet little choux. "Oh, my" he thought.

While the men finished with the preparations, Lucas went up to change. He would not wear a tuxedo, but he was going to wear his favorite black dress suit with a deep emerald green necktie. He brushed his hair to a luster but resisted putting any hair product in it. He picked out a pair of cufflinks in the shape of a Celtic knot similar to the one on the ring he had selected. He then put on his best black leather shoes that had been shined so that you could see reflections on the surface. Just before leaving his room, he dabbed on some of the cologne that she had now more than approved of. He did not mind that his father wore the same.

She was being picked up by carriage and set to arrive at 7:00, less than half an hour away. He did a tour of the dining and ballrooms just to see how it was coming together. They certainly had his back, and he was grateful for their help; everything was just right. He found his way to the kitchen and both Gustave and Marcus were there getting ready to go up to their rooms.

"Thank you both, everything looks perfect. Wish me luck," Lucas said to them.

"You will not need any luck, after all you are half French, that is more than enough…. "Gustave said as he patted him on the back and made his way out with Marcus following."

Lucas thought to himself, "my cousin the snob."

He decided that since it was beginning to get dark, he really did not want her to make her way from the carriage alone. So, he headed to the gate to wait for her. He looked at his watch in the dim light of the gas lamp on the post; it was just now 7:00. It was perhaps five minutes later when he saw the carriage coming down the road. His stomach flipped with excitement. It stopped and he motioned to the carriage driver that he would help her out. He opened the door, and she gave him her hand; she then gathered her gown and stepped out. He could smell the lilac shampoo and see her eyes sparkle as she descended. He bowed and kissed her hand and then linked her arm in his as they said goodnight to the driver and passed through the gate.

They strolled back to the house, but before he took her in, he pulled her aside into the shadows and kissed her. Just a soft kiss and a nuzzle of his nose against hers; it was sweet, and she knew he had missed her.

They went in and he helped remove the lightweight satin cape that she wore to keep the evening chill off. She had selected a lavender gown; no, it was not lavender, it was bluer than that, violet he thought, and it was exquisite. The short sleeves fell off her shoulders; it fit tight to her waist and then flowed outward as it almost touched the floor in front. It had a short train at the back of the skirt. The perfect dress for a waltz. Her cheeks were pink with excitement from the kiss and the anticipation of their date; her eyes sparkled as they looked into his. She could read the love; he could not hide it if he tried. Even his best poker face would not have worked right now.

"You… you look stunning," he told her.

"Thank you, Lucas. You look very dashing yourself," Arawyn told him. And he did. He always looked like the height of fashion both casual and dressed, but she could tell he had taken special care with his appearance tonight. She reached for his hand and then lifted herself to her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

Lucas smiled at her until the dimples looked like they were carved into his face. "I am so happy you are here. I am looking forward to our date. Are you hungry? Gustave has left us a light fare. I told him we would be dancing and to not prepare mutton," he chuckled.

"I actually am very hungry, but definitely not for mutton; I skipped lunch as I had so much to get done today. I wanted it off my mind so I could enjoy our evening," she told him.

"Well, this way then," as he put her hand around his arm and escorted her to the dining room. There were candles lit and a light scent of roses filled the room.

"Oh Lucas, it looks beautiful," she said looking up at him.

I had help," he told her. "From two very good elf friends."

"Well, I will have to thank them too," she said as he helped her into her chair. He had put her at the head of the table and would sit to her left. He wanted to sit close but also wanted to be able to look at her. He took the bowls of soup from the tray of ice and placed them on their plates and then took his place.

"Mmmm cucumber soup. I can smell the aroma and it makes my mouth water." She took her spoon and took a taste and declared it delicious.

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Lucas realized, "I am sorry I did not offer you a drink, may I pour you some wine. Do you like white at all? I have a very nice Pinot Gris that might pair well with our dinner."

She realized that he seemed to be rambling a bit like he was nervous. She had not seen him that way before. "Lucas, it's okay." She reached out to cover his hand with hers. "I love most wines and a white Pinot sounds perfect for the light fare you have promised. Is something wrong?"

He poured them each a glass and handed her one taking the time to settle his nerves before he spoke. "No, I am fine. I guess I just want our night to be special for you and since I am the host … it is different I suppose, when one goes out because it is up to someone else to see to our comfort."

"Just relax, I just want to be with you. Everything else is just icing," she said.

He took a deep breath. "Have you had a chance to think about the idea of advancing our plans a few months?"

"Yes," she said quietly. "If I had been told a few months ago, that I would meet a man in mid-June and would fall madly in love and within a period of just over a month be discussing marriage, I would have laughed. But such is the case, and I am not laughing. I know in both my heart and my mind that I have met the one that is meant for me. And so, there is no reason to wait. I like your suggestion of an intimate family wedding in Montreal before the term starts at the end of September. And a large reception during the holiday season sounds like a good plan. Perhaps we can convince my aunt and uncle and the Peterson's to attend. Montreal during the holidays is quite splendid as you know.

Lucas reached for both her hands and turned them over to place a kiss on each palm. "We can talk more about the details over the weekend, but for now, let's finish our dinner and adjourn to the ballroom."

They turned their attention back to their meal and finally to dessert. Arawyn loved the little choux as Gustave knew she would, and he loved watching how much she enjoyed them. They chatted a while about their day and what would be happening for the next few, and then Lucas led her to the ballroom. He noticed that Gustave had left some chocolate covered strawberries on the sideboard near the champagne. He thought they might dance first and then they would save their champagne toast for later. Marcus had moved a small love seat close by where they could relax between dances.

He went to the Victrola and put on a lesser-known waltz by Strauss, but no less beautiful than the Blue Danube. He bowed and she curtsied and then he took her into his arms to begin their dance. Their bodies took over as they now recognized one another as they moved gracefully across the floor, gliding and spinning to the melody. She had worn her hair down for him. Just pulled back a bit to keep it away from her face. She was simply stunning just as he had told her. With her hair at her back and the drop to the sleeves her beautiful neckline and shoulders were bare, and the creamy skin looked delectable.

The final notes of the waltz played as he dipped her. How he yearned to kiss her neck and shoulders but instead he helped her upright and led her to their seat. He had planned to wait until they had danced a few times, but the box was burning a hole in his pocket.

"Lucas, I saw a beautiful fan on the sideboard. Is it okay to use it or is it just for display?" she asked.

"You may certainly use it. It is a gift that I gave to Mary for Christmas, and it appears she must have left it here during one of our Ministry functions." He walked to the sideboard and brought it to her. "I have a friend in the Legislature that made a trip to Madrid last year. I asked him to bring me several that I could give as gifts. My mother received one as well."

"It is beautiful. The lacework in the tortoise shell is exquisite and the painted design on the canvas is lovely," she told him. She used it to fan her face which was slightly flushed from their dance. He could see that the fine hair around her face was slightly damp. It was indeed a warm night and the dance had heated them too; normally he would have removed his jacket, but he would wait.

"Better?" He asked.

"Much," she said.

"There is some champagne but perhaps first a glass of water?"

"Please."

He poured each of them a glass and then took a seat next to her. After a few sips, she handed the glass back to him and he placed it on the small table next to the love seat. She folded the fan and set it down on the seat next to her.

He turned in his seat to look at her and took her hands in his and placed them on his chest; he could feel his heart still racing, from the dance and from anticipation. "Arawyn, do you know what you do to me? I love you and everything about you. I was captivated from the moment we met. That otherworldly beauty of yours, those eyes that remind me of the sea and that hair alit like fire. When you first spoke, it was a melody to my ears, and I thought to myself that I was surely bewitched by a sea nymph. And after that in those first encounters, I became enchanted with that sweet disposition, that brave spirit, and that brilliant mind. I knew I was falling fast. Do you remember when we spoke that our relationship could be important? I quoted Plato."

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete until another heart whispers back," her melodious voice all but sung to him.

"Yes, your heart whispered back and now it sings. I hear it clearly and I feel that you hear mine. Never have I known someone who makes me feel that I can openly share my thoughts and dreams; I have always thought about trying to fit into everyone else's; trying to be accepted. I know that we can share our dreams; that does not mean we will always agree on everything, but I know we will make it a priority to see one another fulfilled."

He lowered himself to one knee before her and withdrew the box from his pocket. "I love you, Arawyn. I thank God for the moment that he brought you into my life. And I promise that I will love you as long as he allows us both life on this earth, and I will love you for eternity thereafter. This is my promise to you."

He opened the box and held it out for her to see, "Arawyn Margaret MacKenna, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" He had held her gaze the whole time and he had seen the tears form in her eyes and one slide down her cheek. She was nodding as he ended his words and then she spoke,

"Yes, Lucas Gabriel Bouchard, I will marry you. Of course I will. And I will love you with all my heart, all my days, and forever thereafter."

He took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Somehow, he had known it would be.

"Oh Lucas," she whispered as she stared at it. "It is absolutely perfect." She looked at him and he rose to his feet pulling her from her seat and wrapping his arms around her and kissed her with joy, with love, and with the passion of a man that would soon be her husband. She looked forward to that day with eagerness.

He opened the champagne and poured them each a glass and they toasted. "To us; and to forever love." They took a sip and then sat back down. He had placed the plate of sweets on the side table and held a strawberry up for her to taste.

"They pair so well with champagne," he said.

"Mmmm," she moaned at the sweet perfection of the strawberry and the decadent chocolate that held it. She gave him a kiss and he could taste the strawberry on her lips. The urge to bite that lush lower lip was strong but he forced himself to resist.

He caught her glancing down and admiring the ring from time to time. It was perfect on her finger and the significance of the Celtic knot, and the deep green stone had not gone unnoticed.

"Lucas, thank you for honoring my heritage with this ring that I will wear always," she told him.

He rose from his seat and removed his jacket and laid it over a nearby chair. He then went to where the Victrola sat and searched through the records, obviously looking for something in particular. He put it on, and she heard the sultry tones of a jazz melody playing. This, unlike the previous classic, was modern and beautiful in its own way. He held out his hand and she joined him. He pulled her in tight and they slowly moved to the music; there were no steps really, she just followed his slow movements and enjoyed the feel of his body against hers. He leaned down and put his cheek against hers. He rubbed her cheek with his beard, and then nibbled on her earlobe and kissed behind her ear, down her neck and across to her shoulders. All the while they danced to the seductive tones and the woman's voice that told a tale of love lost and found again. She was mesmerized by the melody, the song, and the feeling that he was stirring in her; she shuddered.

"Lucas," she whispered to him, as her knees had begun to shake.
"Yes, my sweet one."

"Lucas, must we wait?" she said quietly. She was embarrassed to ask but determined to be brave.

He raised his head then and leaned back to look at her. "Yes, he said. I made you a promise and I intend to keep it. Until we are married, I won't take, not even if it is given freely. That is no reflection on how much I want you. I think you know that," he told her.

"Yes, I know. But Lucas, you have asked me to marry you and I have accepted. You have given me your promise; that can be enough," she tried to reason with him.

"Arawyn, it has been the sweetest torture to be near you. And I can tell that the passion inside has awakened for you. That is why I have asked that we move our timeline. I want to honor my promise and I simply do not think that will happen if we try to wait for five months until Christmas. It is not going to be easy to wait a month and a half, but I ask that we try, okay. For me?"

"Can we make it one month?" she asked.

"How about the first Sunday of September? If we go by train, we will have to leave in the last week of August. That is a month from now. The Legislature will be adjourned until the end of September. I believe just after your term begins."

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him and then planted kisses on his cheeks and his lips. "Thank you, Lucas."

"You are welcome. Now come and finish our first dance together as an engaged couple. I will try very hard to behave. I realize that I am not playing fair by stirring up feelings and then telling you no."

"You are not playing fair, but I do not want you to cool down too much either. I will try to keep from persuading you." She reached up and whispered in his ear, "but I can't promise."

Shivers ran down his neck and further as he felt her breath and heard her sultry tone. "This is not going to be easy," he thought to himself. "Behave," he said aloud and started to move to the music once again.


They were reluctant to see their evening come to an end, but it was a work night and as each Thursday was for Arawyn, it would be a long one. He promised to be there to help at St. Joaquim's after work.

Lucas pulled up in front of her house. "It looks like everyone is still up, the parlor lights are on." He helped her out of the car, and they walked up to the door hand in hand.

"Thank you, Lucas for the best evening." She told him. "I love the ring you chose, and the promise it holds. I am so happy that we will soon be husband and wife."

"I am so happy too. I want nothing more than for us to start our life together. By the way, I promised the shopkeeper I would bring you by some day so he could meet the woman who owns this ring. I told him he would understand my choice once he saw you," Lucas told her.

"I will be happy to meet him. The ring is absolutely perfect, and I can't wait to show it to Aunt and Uncle," she said.

"Why don't we see if they are up and we can give them the good news together," Lucas told her.

She lifted herself on to her tiptoes to kiss him and found herself with his arms around her and his mouth on hers in a passionate kiss. When he released her, he took her hand in his and they entered the house.

"Auntie, Uncle, I am home," she announced and led Lucas to the parlor.

"Oh, there you are, my dear," Martha said. "Hello, Lucas, it is good to see you."

Her husband rose to shake Lucas' hand.

"We have news," Lucas told them. He smiled at Arawyn and turned to his hosts, "I have asked Arawyn to marry me, and she has accepted."

"We are engaged!" Arawyn showed them the ring which won rave reviews.

Martha and Daniel hugged them. "We are so happy for you both."

"Perhaps we should all sit down," Arawyn said.

Martha and Daniel looked at one another and sat with Arawyn and Lucas taking the settee across from them.

Lucas began, "We want to begin our life together as soon as possible. We will be going to Montreal at the end of August and marry in a small ceremony with our parents and Arawyn's siblings. Then at Christmas time we will return to Montreal to have a large reception for our friends and acquaintances and family."

"Oh, my," Martha said a bit stunned.

"Auntie," Arawyn begun, "if you can make it to the ceremony, we would love to have you. You have been my parents while I am away from home. Please consider it. I know it is soon and it will be hard for you to make arrangements, but we would love to have you with us."

"Martha," her husband said, "we will be out of session at that time if you would like to go; we can go."

Martha hugged her husband and looked at the couple. "We will be there! What did your parents say?"

Lucas interjected, "I spoke with Mathew today to ask his blessing. He has done so and said he would let his wife know."

"I will be calling them in the morning. Lucas just asked me tonight," she told them.

"Well, I had better take my leave," Lucas told them. "It is getting late, and I know Arawyn has a busy day ahead."

"Well thank you for stopping in to tell us the news," Daniel said. "Congratulations again."

Lucas took Arawyn on his arm so she could say goodbye as he left. He bowed at the door and kissed her hand where her engagement ring encircled her finger.
"Goodnight my fair Arawyn; share my dreams with me tonight," Lucas whispered the last part to her."

"Always," she said as he opened the door and slipped through. She went to the nearby window and watched as he waved, entered the car, and drove away. She missed him already.