Days rolled by down the snowy streets of Capitol City. The holiday spirit could be felt in the air and the people were more joyful, like every year when Christmas approached.
Grace was rushing back to the New Hope orphanage after picking up the groceries at the market. The wind was playing with her brunette wavy hair as she walked quickly down the streets of Capitol City.
Yesterday morning, Carson called her to let her know that he will be joining Agatha and little Jack on their trip to Capitol City and that he will stay after the holidays are over. His boss agreed to let him go one week earlier and wished him all the best in the new chapter of his life. They were set to arrive tomorrow morning and Grace couldn't wait to see her dear friend again, not to mention how excited and nervous she was about little Jack coming.
It was December 22nd, so that meant that they will be in Capitol City at December 23rd. Grace told Carson that she will wait for them at the train station and take them straight to the Governor's mansion. She already checked Lucas' schedule and knew that he gave his team extra free days to celebrate Christmas with their families, so he wasn't going to work.
Grace and Carson agreed that Carson should inform Lucas about his early arrival, but they still didn't say anything to Lucas about little Jack's arrival. Grace was worried that William Thatcher might change his mind at the last minute, before Agatha and the little boy board the train, so both she and Carson decided to stay quiet.
Lucas was ecstatic to hear that Carson will arrive earlier and be in Capitol City for the holidays. He already talked to Grace and Lillian and they agreed to include Carson in the festivities and celebration at the orphanage. With the help of some of the children Grace rummaged through the boxes in the attic and found an ukulele, quite old, but still in good shape. She was hoping that Carson may use that to play for the kids in case his guitar arrives later on with the rest of his things.
All things set, all that was left for Grace was to become a complete nervous wreck as she anticipated a long overdue reunion between little Jack and the man she loved more than she could ever tell.
She entered the orphanage and after taking her coat off, she rushed toward the kitchen and started to unpack the groceries she bought. The children were having a math class with Lillian and Bertha was off today. So it was up to Grace to make lunch today.
As she peeled the potatoes Grace remembered her talk with Lucas yesterday.
They were snuggling at the couch in the living room of the orphanage when she noticed how quiet and lost in thoughts he was.
She glanced up at him, her fingertips gently caressing his forearms that rested on her stomach as he held her in his arms.
"Lucas?", she softly called out, causing him to flinch slightly, startled from his thoughts "What's wrong?"
He stared into space in front of them, not answering at first.
Grace turned a bit more to look at him.
"You know you can tell me anything", she said quietly.
At those words, Lucas glanced at her, his eyes soft, but misted with sadness.
"I just remembered…it's Jack's birthday in a few days", he whispered.
Grace's good heart clenched as she saw raw pain on her fiance's face. She gave him a small, sad smile.
"You miss him", she whispered.
Lucas nodded.
"I do", he shook "I'm sorry, Grace, this isn't fair to you, for me to miss Elizabeth's son…", Lucas started to talk, but Grace interrupted him:
"That boy is not to blame for his Mother's actions. And you don't need to apologize, my Lucas. It's perfectly fine. I am sure he misses you too", she snuggled deeper in his chest and continued "The two of you were so close. It would be odd if you didn't miss him."
Lucas closed his eyes and gently kissed her hair, inhaling her sweet scent.
"Thank you, my angel", he whispered.
Grace washed the potatoes, her teeth nervously chewing on her lower lip. It took all the strength she had not to tell Lucas then and there that he will see his little buddy in a few days. And on little Jack's birthday, nonetheless.
How she managed to stay silent she had no idea. She just knew that the minute Lucas has left she wanted to call Carson to check if the visit was still on and William Thatcher didn't change his mind. But, Lillian stopped her, reminding her that Carson was working a night shift once again and that he would let her know if something had changed.
Which is why Grace was jumping at every sound of a telephone ringing.
Yesterday she paid a visit to a shop within the Geology Institute. She still remembered that Lucas brought minerals for Jack with him in Hope Valley, but he had no chance of giving it to the little boy. And while Bill and Henry will certainly give it to Jack, this was something that Lucas will be able to do by himself. Therefore, she purchased a few minerals, consulting with the shop owner which ones to take. Along with that, she prepared a Christmas sock filled with candies for Jack, ready to hang it above the fireplace in the mansion.
And, she bought a little special gift for Jack herself, hoping that he will take it.
All that running around, worrying and restless sleep started to take its toll on Grace. She could feel her immune system reacting and if it wasn't for Lillian giving her a reality check, she would probably be in the bed already with a fever and coughing. But, her dear sister knew when was the time to put her foot down and make Grace take care of herself for change.
Lillian made sure Grace ate, took naps during the day and she strictly prohibited her to go anywhere near the phone.
The only thing she didn't manage to talk Grace into was to allow her to pick up Agatha, little Jack and Carson at the station. No matter how hard she tried, Grace didn't budge. Her stubborn little sister wanted to be there every step of the way once little Jack arrives. Lillian knew how sensitive Grace was when it came to the little ones who suffered and how gentle and caring she was as she tried to ease their pains.
But, this was different.
This was Elizabeth's son.
Lillian even confided to Carson about her worries that Grace had bit more than she could chew. They talked one afternoon while Grace was out with Lucas, two of them doing some Christmas shopping for the little ones in the orphanage.
"I am just worried that Jack will resent Grace, thinking that she took Lucas away from Elizabeth", said Lillian as she stirred her tea for the umptenth time already "You know she never explained to her son what happened."
Carson placed a few items from his desk in a box, slightly frowning.
"Well, we have to be ready for that scenario. I will try to make sure that Jack sees Grace as a friend who only wants to help him", he said.
Lillian huffed.
"With a Mother like that? Good luck", she said, only to grimace a second later "Sorry, that was uncalled for. I am just worried for Grace. I know she means well and I know Jack needs to see Lucas, but I…", Lillian let out a groan of frustration "Oh, I hate to feel this helpless!"
Carson closed the box and smiled.
"Well, you ARE taking care that Grace doesn't make herself sick before we come. Once we are there, I'll help you with all that. We will all make sure that Jack heals during this visit and not to grow even more melancholic", said Carson.
Lillian finally stopped stirring her tea and she put a small spoon on a saucer.
"Thank you, Carson", she said "That helps. I was about to go crazy over here with worry."
Carson smiled softly.
"Don't mention it, Lillian."
—--
It was a nice, sunny winter morning. Florence opened the doors of the Mercantile to let the air in. Ned was behind, taking care of the delivery of various groceries.
Florence stepped out at the porch. She loved this time of the day when Hope Valley was still sleepy, suntracks washing over the Main Street.
She saw James, man who delivered newspapers from all the region, parking his car in front of the Mercantile.
"Good morning, Florence", he said with a smile as he left the car, taking off his his cap and rushing his fingers through his hair before placing a cap back "Beautiful morning, isn't it?"
Florence smiled.
"Good morning, James. It really is", she said with a smile.
James grinned as he pulled out a stack of newspapers and carried it upstairs toward the entrance to the Mercantile.
"Well, such beautiful morning deserves some good news too. And about one of your citizens, nonetheless", he said and put the stack of newspapers on the counter.
Florence creased her eyebrows.
"What are you talki…", but her voice died down in her throat as she looked down at the front page of the 'Capitol City Gazette'.
In the next moment, a piercing scream could be heard from the Mercantile!
Bill Avery was just about to head to his office when he heard Florence screaming. Quickly, he rushed toward the Mercantile, followed by Henry, Molly, Lee, Rosemary and Elizabeth. Nathan rushed over from the jail porch, reaching for his gun.
Ned ran from the backdoors where he overlooked the deliveries, his face panicked.
"Florence!! What is it?!", he exclaimed as he rushed behind the counter.
By now, Bill, Henry, Molly, Lee, Rosemary, Elizabeth and Nathan all ran inside the Mercantile. Seeing that Florence was not in danger, nor hurt, Bill lost his composure.
"Florence!! You woke up the entire town!! I thought you were being robbed!!", Bill scolded her with a look of disbelief on his face.
Molly pushed through the crowd and reached her friend, her eyes as big as saucers from curiosity.
"Florence, what's going on?!"
Florence just waved with newspapers grinning like a Cheshire cat, unable to speak from grinning and squealing.
Henry got the picture that something exciting must be in the newspapers for Florence to lose it like this. He grabbed one sample of the 'Capitol City Gazette' and turned it over to look at the front page.
His lips curled up in a lazy smile.
"Well, I'll be damned", mumbled Henry, his smile reaching the proportions of Florence's grin.
"Will somebody please just tell us what is going on?!", snapped Elizabeth.
But, she barely finished the sentence when Florence joyfully shrieked:
"THEY ARE ENGAGED!! LUCAS AND GRACE!! THEY ARE ENGAGED!!", she threw her arms around Ned's neck who laughed as he hugged her back.
Molly gasped grabbing a sample of newspapers herself and reading out loud:
"Governor Lucas Bouchard and Miss Grace Bennet, a powerful couple who work together to enable a better future for the children of the New Hope orphanage are engaged! Their wedding will take place at February 14th next year", she gasped once again, placing a palm on her chest "February 14th! On Valentine's Day! Oh, that is so romantic!"
Florence rushed over to her friend, her grin growing to the impossible size.
"Look! Look how gorgeous she is! And we all know that Lucas is a handsome devil, but look at Grace! She is practically GLOWING in that dress!", Florence squealed.
Molly gasped as she looked down at the photo.
"Oh, that dress is stupendous! And look at her hair! She is absolutely gorgeous!", Molly was showing everything she talked about to Florence like her friend didn't just see the photo herself.
Florence's eyes widened as she gasped out loud:
"Oh, this must be taken in the mansion!! Look how grand it is!!", she and Molly inspected every visible detail on the photo, gasping in delight.
Rosemary huffed as she snatched the newspapers.
"And he didn't give exclusive to Valley Voice?!", she frowned "Some Governor he is! He quickly forgot where he came from!"
Henry cleared his throat.
"Well, actually, Lucas was born in Montreal, not Hope Valley", he smiled his trademark smile as he put a few coins on the counter "I'll take one sample, Ned."
He started to walk out from the Mercantile but was almost knocked over by Elizabeth who stormed outside, her face a thundering storm. Bill quickly caught Henry by his arm to save him from falling.
Nathan ran after Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth! Wait!", as she stopped at the porch, he asked "What's wrong?"
Elizabeth turned around, completely stunned.
"What's wrong?! WHAT'S WRONG?! In case you didn't hear well, Nathan, they are engaged!", she all but screamed at him.
Nathan slightly frowned.
"Why do you care?", he asked.
Elizabeth's eyes opened wide as saucers, her mouth gaping open.
She didn't even notice that everybody were watching her.
"What do you mean?! I…I.. ", she haughtily raised her chin "I care because of Jack. It wasn't so long since he thought Lucas would marry me."
Florence raised her eyebrows as she mumbled silently to Molly:
"Now she remembers she has a son."
Molly shook her head.
"Unbelievable", she mumbled.
Nathan's gaze sharpened.
"But, YOU were the one who broke up, not Lucas", he said in a warning tone of voice.
Elizabeth stomped her foot on the floor.
"But, Jack doesn't know that!! What will he think when he sees this?!", she yelled.
But, Nathan had enough.
"Well, you should have thought of that sooner, Elizabeth", and with those words he turned around and walked toward jail.
Elizabeth gasped in shock, then ran after him.
"Nathan!! Don't you walk away from me, Nathan Grant!! We are not finished!!", and with those words, she followed him inside the jail, slamming the doors behind her.
Making Bill let out a long whistle.
"Someone's got her knickers in a twist!", he commented, making Lee nearly burst to laughter and Rosemary shushing him with a murderous glare.
Henry let out a laugh and drawled out:
"Well, I do believe this calls for a toast! Ladies, gentlemen, you are all invited to the 'Queen of Hearts' saloon for a free drink!", he slapped Bill on his back and stepped out of the Mercantile, only to turn back and say "Florence, Molly, I am counting on you two to spread the word!"
Florence grinned and rushed to the phone switchboard to make a few phone calls, while Molly ran outside, heading toward Abigail's cafe to spread the word.
Ned watched as everybody but Rosemary and Lee left and he heard her scolding Lee for his laugh at Elizabeth. Lee moaned, rolled his eyes and threw his hands in the air as he walked out from the Mercantile, Rosemary hot on his heels.
Ned chuckled to himself and took a sample of newspapers to look down at the front page. His kind face brightened with a smile.
"Well done, Lucas. Well done."