"He didn't kiss you?" Vi asked, later that night.
"No but, you know what? I'm alright with it. We grew closer, talked a lot, held hands, and the man gives the best hugs."
"That's important too but I wanted that kiss for you," Vi laughed.
"I did too but its fine."
"I couldn't do it, Lee," Lucas said as he sat later in his own living room. "She leaned in, I leaned in," and I paused. "On the other hand, maybe it's okay. I feel like I'm getting to know her now in a different way. Plus she gives the best hugs and she smells so good."
"Dude, you got it bad."
"Yeah. I know."
"Why do you think you hesitated to kiss her?"
"I chickened out. Its a big step, Lee."
"It is and yet, its been building to this point, hasn't it?"
"Yes. It definitely has."
"You should just go for it. Do you think she wanted you to?"
"Yeah, I know she did."
"There's always Monday, right?"
"Yep. I'm looking forward to it."
He was. He had three days to wait. He would keep himself busy with kids stuff and getting them ready for school and Monday would be there before he knew it.
However Sunday night, Amie started complaining about her throat hurting and she was coughing a bit. That was not good considering the first day of school was Monday.
"Daddy, I feel yucky."
"I know, sweets. I'm sorry." He hadn't dealt with a sick daughter before. Or any sick kid for that matter. He picked up his phone and called Elizabeth.
"Hey, Luke."
"Beth, I don't know what to do. Amie is sick I think. She says her throat hurts and she's coughing."
"Does she feel hot?"
He put his hand on her forehead. "Yes, she feels hot." Oh, poor Amie.
"Do you have children's motrin or tylenol?"
"No. I…I've never had a sick kid before. I didn't think of that."
"That's okay. Give her some juice or water with some ice. Have her drink that. I will go get some tylenol and bring it over."
"Oh, Beth, you don't have to do that."
"I don't mind. I'll be there in about thirty minutes. Just have her drink something cold."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Amie, Miss Elizabeth said you need to drink some cold juice."
"I don't wanna."
He went and got it for her anyway in her favorite cup with some ice cubes. "Just a few sips. You need to keep drinking so you will get better. Miss Elizabeth said she is going to bring you some medicine too, okay?"
"She's coming?"
"Yep."
"Do you think she will cuddle me? She's a Mommy even though she's not my Mommy. Mommy's cuddle the bestest."
"Can I try to cuddle you?"
"I guess." She climbed up on his lap and laid down, laying her head on his chest.
"Sips, Ames." She sucked on the cup and swallowed, cringing.
"Ow." She whimpered and buried her face in his chest. "Will I be better for school tomorrow?"
"I don't know, honey."
"But I want to go!" she croaked, her voice disappearing for a moment.
"What's going on?" Ace asked, walking in the room.
"Amie isn't feeling well."
"She's sick?"
"Yeah, it seems like it." Lucas looked at his son. "Ace, will you go take a shower, bud? Once I get Amie settled, I will get your lunch made for tomorrow."
"I don't want to go to school, Dad."
"I know but you have to."
"But I don't have any friends!"
"You have to make friends, Ace. That is one of the hardest parts of a new school. But you are a fun kid, Ace. You will make friends."
"Its not that easy, Dad." Ace walked off and shut his bedroom door.
Finally Elizabeth showed up with a sleepy Nora and a bag from the pharmacy.
"Daddy!" Nora whined. "Up?"
He was holding Amie so he didn't have any free arm. That did not set well with Nora.
"Nora, shhhh," Elizabeth said, trying to shush her. "Lucas is holding Amie right now. She doesn't feel good."
She wouldn't stop throwing a fit, so Elizabeth handed Lucas the bag and left. He really had wanted her to stay for a few minutes but he understood.
"Want Daddy," Nora sobbed in her very tired, almost-three-year-old way.
"I know, sweet pea. We will see him soon."
She had hoped that Nora would have been sleeping so she could have stayed and talked to Lucas for a bit.
She drove home the short distance and by the time she got there, Nora was asleep. She grabbed her phone and saw she had a missed text.
"Thank you, Beth. For bringing medicine for Amie. I wish you could have stayed a while."
" Me 2."
"What are u doing tomorrow?"
"I start my first day at my new client's home."
"Who's going to watch Nora?"
"Vi."
"If you ever need someone to watch her, if Vi can't, I would be happy to. I'm home most of the time."
"May I call you?"
"Sure."
"Hey," she said quietly, since Nora was still asleep in the backseat.
"Hi."
She felt relief just hearing his voice. She was so confused and overwhelmed by that feeling.
"Beth?"
"Hm?"
"What's up?" he asked with a chuckle.
"Can I be honest?"
"Of course."
"I miss you. I wanted to see you tonight and I was going to call you even before you texted about Nora needing medicine. I was hoping for a hug." She blushed and was really glad he couldn't see it.
"I miss you too."
"You do?"
"I do. I wanted you to stay and chat, maybe hold your hand and maybe a hug too."
"I could come back. Nora's asleep."
"Well, Amie is asleep now but Ace….he doesn't want to go to school and is afraid he won't have any friends and you know about his reading struggles. I'm doubting that I'm enough for him."
"I'm still in my car. I'll come back. See you soon."
"Beth, you don't have to do that."
"I want to."
"Alright. I'll see you soon."
While he waited for Beth, he went and checked on Ace. He still hadn't showered but when he peeked in the door to his room, he was sleeping, curled up, facing away from the door. Lucas went over to him, covered him with a blanket and kissed his forehead.
"I love you, Ace Bouchard. Sleep well, son."
He wondered if he would be nightmare free or end up on Lucas' bedroom floor. He wanted him to be nightmare free so badly. He hated that Ace struggled.
"Dad?" he mumbled.
"Shhh…bud. Go back to sleep."
"I'm scared." Lucas sat down on Ace's bed and pulled him close, running his fingers through his blonde hair.
"What are you scared of?"
"Everything. School and I won't have any friends and I can't read good and I don't want to have bad dreams anymore."
"I wish I could take all those scary things away from you, Ace. I can't, but you can talk to me about them and remember, we are going to go see Dr. Shepherd tomorrow night and Wednesday night. You can tell him all of the things that scare you."
"I want a mom. Amie says that mom's cuddle the best. I want a mom to hold me too."
"Oh, bud. I'm not sure that Amie remembers that or how she does but yeah, mom's are the best. Right now, you don't have one, but maybe in the future you will."
Lucas felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Beth had arrived. "U can come in. U know the code. I'm just with Ace right now. Make yourself comfortable."
"Are you talking to Miss Elizabeth?" Ace asked, seeing Lucas' phone screen.
"Yeah. She's here to visit."
"You?"
"Yes, because you are supposed to be asleep like your sister."
"Can I say hi? Please, Dad?"
"A quick hi, but then back to bed."
"Can I sleep in your room?"
"Of course."
Ace smiled and climbed out of bed, walking out to see Elizabeth. Lucas just shook his head. He was glad that both of his kids liked Elizabeth, he just hoped they didn't expect marriage to be the next step. Lucas needed to take things slow. He wasn't ready for everything right now.
Lucas walked out to send Ace back to bed but found him snuggling up to Elizabeth on the couch as she held Nora.
"I know its going to be hard, Ace, but give it time. Everything will get easier."
"Promise?"
"I do."
Lucas sat down next to Ace and patted his knee. "Alright, bud. Say goodnight and then head to bed, please."
He wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and smiled. "Thank you, Miss Elizabeth."
"You're welcome. I'll see you soon so we can practice your reading."
"Alright. Night, Dad."
"Night."
Lucas joined Elizabeth on the couch. "Hi."
"Hi."
"So, I told him the same thing about school and he told me that it wasn't that easy and stormed off. You tell him, he accepts it. What's happening?"
Elizabeth turned and put Nora down so she could hold Lucas' hand. She took his hand and threaded their fingers together. "Are you getting jealous of me, Lucas?" she teased.
"Not jealous. Just wondering what you have that I don't."
"Ovaries?" she blurted, making them both chuckle and blush. "Sorry. Sometimes I blurt things."
"I think you are right though. Can I be honest?"
"Of course. I think for this friendship or whatever it ends up being to work, honesty is required."
"Right. Well, both kids have asked me if you could cuddle them because even though you aren't their mom, you are a mom and 'moms cuddle the bestest'."
"That's so cute." Those ovaries she mentioned, squeezed just a bit at that thought. Cuddling children was a blessing and one of her favorite things to do. Maybe cuddling with Lucas would be just as enjoyable?
He let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. "This okay?"
She looked at him, their faces mere inches apart. "Mmhm. Are you going to cuddle me, Mr. Bouchard?"
He slowly pressed a kiss to her forehead and then rested his forehead there, their noses bumping. They breathed together for a few lazy moments until…
"Mama?" Nora said, waking up.
"Here, sweetie."
"Mama, hold?" she asked, sitting up and holding her arms out, her eyes shut..
Elizabeth picked her up and held her, letting out a deep breath. "Maybe I should go?"
"You can if you want, but I like having you here," he admitted.
"I like being here."
"Then you'll stay? Just for a little longer?"
"Sure." They sat quietly, his arm around her, her one hand holding his free hand. Content. "Hm. I have a question."
"Shoot."
"Daddy!" Amie yelled from her room.
"I'll be right back."
The interruptions were expected since they had three young children between them with various degrees of needs and wants but Elizabeth just wanted some time with only Lucas. She could be patient though.
"Ames?" Lucas whispered as he walked in her bedroom.
"Daddy? I feel yucky! I'm so hot and my tummy hurts." With that, she vomited all over herself, her bed and the floor then started sobbing.
"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. Let's get you cleaned up, alright? How about a cool bath?"
He texted Beth and let her know that even though he wanted her to stay, he couldn't spend the time with her right now because of Amie. She understood and left to go home.
Lucas was doing his best but this just confirmed that maybe he didn't have time in his life to date anyone. Maybe they'd need to just wait. The only problem was, he didn't want that. He wanted Elizabeth nearby. He wanted to hold her hand and talk late at night and finally kiss her.
For now though, he was going to help Amie feel better and hope no one else got sick.