"Daddy!" Nora giggled, squealing from his tickle monster antics. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. "Love Daddy."
"I love you back, doodle bug."
"Nap. Book."
"Sure, let's go pick out a couple books and we can take a nap."
"Book," she squealed, running down the hall with him to the office which had a few shelves full of kids books.
As they rested on Amie's bed in her unicorn room, Lucas took a selfie of them and sent it off to Elizabeth, knowing she would want to see what was going on.
She did want to see but it only made her want to be there with them and not where she was. She loved her job and this particular one was huge and would pay their expenses for a few months, but she loved being anywhere Nora was and Lucas was cementing himself into her heart. Especially seeing him laying on Amie's bed with a snoozy Nora, surrounded by pink and purple and girly things.
Amie was a lucky girl. So was Nora for that matter. She got to snuggle next to a tall, strong, sexy man that smelled delicious.
"Grrrr," Elizabeth growled. Was it 3:00 yet?
"I know you are working but when I pick up the kiddos from school, I'm going to the store. What would you like for dinner?"
"Something easy. Tater tot casserole?"
"Not sure what that is but I can probably find it online."
"I'll send you the recipe. Nora loves it and its super kid friendly and I think its yummy too."
"Sounds good."
"You're taking all three kids to the store?"
"That's the plan. Unless you want to go with me?"
"Sure. I can get a few things too."
"Perfect. See you soon, Beth."
"C U."
…..
Lucas was very glad that Beth went with him to the store. Amie was in a teary and stubborn mood, requiring a little attention from him that he might not have been able to give her if he had been alone.
Now, she was frowning, sitting in the cart basket with her arms crossed and tears on her cheeks.
Ace walked next to Beth, chattering away about school. It was not something he normally did but Beth brought out new sides of Ace.
"Daddy!" Nora yelled, reaching.
"You stay there, punkin. I need both hands to steer this cart."
She pointed at Amie in the other cart. "Is it okay if I put her in the cart with Amie?" Beth asked.
"Sure."
Beth picked Nora up and plopped her in the cart next to Amie who instantly smiled, grumpiness forgotten.
"So this recipe has green beans in it?" Lucas whispered.
"Yep. Trust me, they probably won't even know they are in there plus they get their veggies as a bonus."
"Sneaky."
He reached over and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"Ooooo," Amie teased. "Daddy and Miss Elizabeth, sitting in a tree."
"Daddy in tree!" Nora yelled, copying Amie, making everyone laugh a bit.
This felt very domestic to Lucas, going shopping with a beautiful woman and three kids. He sort of loved the feeling.
Later as Ace and Amie did their homework at the table and Nora played with some toys nearby, Beth and Lucas made dinner.
"So, Friday…" he mentioned.
"Carnival?"
"Yeah. You still up for it?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
"And I thought we could take the kids Sunday?" he suggested. "Ace and Ames haven't ever been to a carnival so I thought it might be fun."
"That sounds great."
Lucas' phone rang so he looked at the screen. "I'm sorry, I need to get this."
"Okay."
"Lee? How are you?"
"I'm good. I just need to let you know I can't watch the kids Friday night. I have a date."
"Dude, I was counting on you."
"I know but, Lucas, this woman…she's perfect."
"Crap. What am I supposed to do?"
"I'm sorry. I wouldn't normally leave you high and dry but I can't pass up this date."
"Yeah. Okay, man. Thanks for letting me know."
"Everything okay?" Beth asked, spreading the ingredients into the casserole dish.
"Well, we've run into a snag."
"What's that?"
"I just lost my sitter for Friday."
"I can ask my sister."
"Are you sure she won't mind? Didn't you say she had four kids of her own?"
"Yep but I swear, she's like a professional mom. Her boys are so helpful with Nora and I'm sure Ace and Amie would love to play with them."
"If she is willing, I'm good with it."
"I'll call her."
Beth put the casserole in the oven, washed her hands and picked up her phone, stepping into Lucas' space, not that he was complaining. She slipped her arm around his back and leaned into him, prompting him to wrap his arms around her and kiss her forehead.
She put the phone on speaker and set it down so she had both arms free to hug him. She didn't know what had come over her but she just wanted to be close. Hopefully he didn't mind. He didn't.
"Hello?"
"Vi, hey. How are you feeling?"
Lucas kissed her temple and then her cheek and the very corner of her mouth. If he was trying to distract her, it was working. Especially that heavenly, scratchy, yet soft beard against her cheek.
"Beth?"
"Hm?"
"I asked you what you were doing?"
"I'm at Lucas' house for dinner and other stuff."
"Mm. Hi, Lucas. Did you hear that I said I was pretty sick?"
"I'm sorry, Vi," Beth said. Do you think maybe you might feel better by Friday?"
"I don't know."
"Well, Lucas and I are going on a date and his sitter just canceled. So…"
"I will let you know on Thursday. If I'm feeling better, I will watch yours and Lucas' kids."
"Thank you, Vi," Lucas said before giving her a soft peck.
"Yes, thank you, Vi."
"Mama! Cack! Duck!" Nora said, running in and holding up a rubber duck.
"Daddy, Cack!" she said, reaching up for Lucas.
"I see. Good job, punkin."
"Mama? Eat?"
"Soon, honey bun."
"Then you'll read with me, right?" Ace asked, confirming.
"Of course, bud. You and me, after dinner."
"What about me, Miss Elizabeth?" Amie asked. "Will you read with me?"
"After Ace, yes."
"Book, Mama?" Nora begged.
"Yes, Bean. Bedtime stories."
Lucas kissed her temple again which was becoming a favorite thing for her.
"So this is what its like having three kids," she laughed. "Its pretty awesome."
His face turned serious and she immediately regretted blurting the words.
"Luke, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm not putting pressure on you or asking for a commitment or anything…"
"I know. Its fine. It is pretty awesome. And as far as a commitment, I am committed to you, Beth. I promise you that while we are together, I will only be dating you. No one else."
"Me too, Luke."
….
Lucas, Nora and Amie played in Amie's room while Elizabeth concentrated on helping Ace. She was grateful for the quiet because Ace needed it.
"I can't do it."
"Ace, look at me," she said softly.
He shut his book and looked away.
"Hey."
"I'm never going to learn this."
"I'm going to make a promise to you, alright?"
"Dad is the only one who has ever kept a promise to me. Why should I believe you?"
"You're right. We don't know each other well enough for you to trust me yet. I'm going to promise anyway. I will keep helping you with your reading if you don't use the words 'can't' or 'never' anymore. Those words are hurtful to your confidence."
"But…but that's how I feel."
"I know but we need to believe that you can do this. Repeat after me, Ace."
"Miss Elizabeth…"
"Please."
"Fine." He sighed and crossed his arms.
"I can do this," she prompted.
"Yes, you can."
She tapped his knee and smiled. "Very funny, Ace."
"Fine, I can do this. Even though I don't think I can." He was a stubborn kid but it was that stubbornness that would help him succeed.
"Let's try this book one more time but follow along as I read it."
She was so patient with him, Lucas thought, watching from the kitchen for a moment. He loved that about her. He loved so many things about her, mostly that she was here. Now. With him and the kids. It felt like she belonged.
He knew he was getting way ahead of himself. Slow was not feeling good but he thought that was what they both wanted.
"Daddy?" Amie said, walking up beside him, Nora right behind her.
"Yes?"
"Can Nora stay over tonight?"
"Um, probably not, Ames."
"Please, Daddy? I will take care of her. It will be so much fun."
"We can plan for another night but we would have to make sure that Miss Elizabeth would be okay with it. Nora is pretty little so she may not want her to stay at a different house than her own."
"Maybe Miss Elizabeth can stay too?"
Lucas immediately felt his face turning hot. That would not be happening yet. If they were going to go slow, having a sleepover at the same house would be the opposite.
"Not tonight, babydoll."
A lone tear fell down her cheek and he wiped it away. "We can plan a sleepover, alright?"
"Okay, Daddy."
"I love you, Amie. I hope you know that."
He knelt down and she walked into his arms. He was so proud that she didn't throw a tantrum.
"I love you too, Daddy."
"Love, Daddy," Nora said, hugging him too.
"Girls, let's go read some books while we wait for Elizabeth to finish up."
"Yay, books!"
…..
Later, while everyone was sleeping, Lucas and Elizabeth sat on the porch swing and cuddled.
"Amie wants Nora to sleep over soon. What do you think about that?" he asked.
"Well, I think that's fine. Do you want them to sleep here or Amie to come to our house?"
"Either one. Are you okay with Nora being away from you?"
"Maybe I could sleep over too."
He turned red again and looked at her closely. "You…here?"
"You have a guest room, right?" The man had a huge house. She knew he had a guest room.
"Um, yes."
She smiled and kissed him softly. "Sleeping over in your room would be the opposite of going slow," she clarified.
"Yes, it would."
From his tone, she could tell he had another thought. "But…" she prompted.
"But its not out of the question for the future, right?"
"No, not completely."
He nodded and pushed off, making the swing move. "I'm looking forward to the carnival."
"Me too."
"Thank you for coming tonight and helping Ace even though he was being stubborn."
"You're welcome. Thank you for watching Nora."
"Happy to."
"Lucas?"
"Hm?"
"Kiss me."
"My pleasure."